thee. So tell me, what and whence art thou and whither art thou bound?" Answered the Prince, "My name is Kanmakan, son of Zau al-Makan, son of King Omar bin al-Nu'uman. When my father died and an orphan lot was my fate, a base man seized the throne and became King over small and great." Then he told him all his past from first to last; and the horse thief said to him for he pitied him, "By Allah, thou art one of high degree and exceeding nobility, and thou shalt surely attain estate sublime and become the first cavalier of thy time. If thou can lift me on horseback and mount thee behind me and bring me to my own land, thou shalt have honour in this world and a reward on the day of band calling to band,[1] for I have no strength left to steady myself; and if this be my last day, the steed is thine alway, for thou art worthier of him than any other." Quoth Kanmakan, By Allah, if I could carry thee on my shoulders or share my days with thee, I would do this deed without the steed! For I am of a breed that loveth to do good and to succour those in need; and one kindly action in Almighty Allah's honour averteth seventy calamities from its doer. So make ready to set out and put thy trust in the Subtle, the All-Wise." And he would have lifted him on to the horse and fared forward trusting in Allah Aider of those who seek aid, but the horse thief said, "Wait for me awhile. Then he closed his eyes and opening his hands, said I testify that there is no god but the God, and I testify that Mohammed is the Apostle of God!" And he added, "O glorious One, pardon me my mortal sin, for none can pardon mortal sins save the Immortal!" And he made ready for death and recited these couplets:—
I have wronged mankind, and have ranged like wind ○ O'er the world, and in wine-cups my life has past:
I've swum torrent course to bear off the horse; ○ And my guiles high places on plain have cast.
Much I've tried to win and o'er much my sin, ○ And Katul of my winnings is most and last:
I had hoped of this steed to gain wish and need, ○ But vain was the end of this journey vast.
I have stolen through life, and my death in strife ○ Was doomed by the Lord who doth all forecast
And I've toiled these toils to their fatal end ○ For an orphan, a pauper sans kith or friend!
- ↑ Arab. "Yaum al tanádi," i.e. Resurrection-day.
