Tales from the Arabic, vol 3 | Page 9

the prison other than I and indeed I am oppressed.
This is a day of clemency and there is no disputing concerning it." El
Fezl bade release him; so they set him free and he gave him a dress and
a dinar. So the young man went out, bewildered and knowing not

whither he should go, for that he had abidden in the prison nigh a year
and indeed his condition was changed and his favour faded, and he
abode walking and turning round, lest El Muradi should come upon
him and cast him into another calamity.
When El Muradi heard of his release, he betook himself to the chief of
the police and said to him, "O our lord, we are not assured from yonder
youth, [the Damascene], for that he hath been released from prison and
we fear lest he complain of us." Quoth the prefect, "How shall we do?"
And El Muradi answered, saying, "I will cast him into a calamity for
thee." Then he ceased not to follow the young Damascene from place
to place till he came up with him in a strait place and a by-street
without an issue; whereupon he accosted him and putting a rope about
his neck, cried out, saying, "A thief!" The folk flocked to him from all
sides and fell to beating and reviling Noureddin, whilst he cried out for
succour, but none succoured him, and El Muradi still said to him, "But
yesterday the Commander of the Faithful released thee and to-day thou
stealest!" So the hearts of the folk were hardened against him and El
Muradi carried him to the master of police, who bade cut off his hand.
Accordingly, the hangman took him and bringing out the knife, offered
to cut off his hand, what while El Muradi said to him, "Cut and sever
the bone and sear[FN#24] it not for him, so he may lose his blood and
we be rid of him." But Ahmed, he who had aforetime been the means
of his deliverance, sprang up to him and said, "O folk, fear God in
[your dealings with] this youth, for that I know his affair from first to
last and he is void of offence and guiltless. Moreover, he is of the folk
of condition,[FN#25] and except ye desist from him, I will go up to the
Commander of the Faithful and acquaint him with the case from first to
last and that the youth is guiltless of crime or offence." Quoth El
Muradi, "Indeed, we are not assured from his mischief." And Ahmed
answered, "Release him and commit him to me and I will warrant you
against his affair, for ye shall never see him again after this." So they
delivered Noureddin to him and he took him from their hands and said
to him, "O youth, have compassion on thyself, for indeed thou hast
fallen into the hands of these folk twice and if they lay hold of thee a
third time, they will make an end of thee; and [in dealing thus with
thee], I aim at reward and recompense for thee[FN#26] and answered
prayer."[FN#27]

Noureddin fell to kissing his hand and calling down blessings on him
and said to him, "Know that I am a stranger in this your city and the
completion of kindness is better than the beginning thereof; wherefore I
beseech thee of thy favour that thou complete to me thy good offices
and kindness and bring me to the gate of the city. So will thy
beneficence be accomplished unto me and may God the Most High
requite thee for me with good!" ["Fear not,"] answered Ahmed; "no
harm shall betide thee. Go; I will bear thee company till thou come to
thy place of assurance." And he left him not till he brought him to the
gate of the city and said to him, "O youth, go in the safeguard of God
and return not to the city; for, if they fall in with thee [again], they will
make an end of thee." Noureddin kissed his hand and going forth the
city, gave not over walking till he came to a mosque that stood in one
of the suburbs of Baghdad and entered therein with the night.
Now he had with him nought wherewithal he might cover himself; so
he wrapped himself up in one of the rugs of the mosque [and abode
thus till daybreak], when the Muezzins came and finding him sitting in
that case, said to him, "O youth, what is this plight?" Quoth he, "I cast
myself on your hospitality, imploring your protection from a company
of folk who seek to kill me unjustly and oppressively, without cause."
And [one of] the Muezzin[s] said, "Be of good heart and cheerful eye."
Then