Then she went forth, as if she would go to the
market, in the interests of hospitality, and I thought no harm;
but, ere long, I espied Ibrahim el Mausili[FN#132] making for the
house, with his servants and troopers, led by a woman whom I
knew for the mistress of the house. She brought them to my
hiding-place and delivered me into their hands, and I saw death
face to face. They carried me, in my woman's attire, to Mamoun,
who called a general council and let bring me before him. When I
entered I saluted him by the title of Khalif, saying, "Peace be
on thee, O Commander of the Faithful!" and he replied, "May God
neither give thee peace nor bless thee!" "At thy leisure, O
Commander of the Faithful!" rejoined I. "It is for him in whose
hand is revenge[FN#133] to decree retaliation or forgiveness; but
forgiveness is nigher to the fear of God, and God hath set thy
forgiveness above all other, even as He hath made my sin to excel
all other sin. So, if thou punish, it is of thy right, and if
thou pardon, it is of thy bounty." And I repeated the following
verses:
Great is my sin, in sooth, 'gainst thee, But thou art greater
still, perdie.
So take thy due of me, or else Remit it of thy clemency.
If of the noble I've not been Indeed, yet do thou of them be.
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