"The thoughts of the heart are not pure," said Saʾîd.
Then el-Hajjâj ordered pearls and emeralds and rubies to be brought in and laid before Saʾîd. But he said, "If by accumulating these thou couldst ransom thyself from the terrors of the Day of Resurrection—well. But one of those terrors would cause a mother to forget her sucking child; and every worldly possession will be profitless, except what did good, and was laid out in charity."
Then el-Hajjâj sent for pleasant music. And Saʾîd wept. So el-Hajjâj cried, "Woe be to thee, O Saʾîd! Choose by what kind of death I shall kill thee."
"Choose for thyself, O Hajjâj!" replied Saʾîd; "for by Allâh! whatever death thou causest me to die, by the same will God cause thee to die at the last day."
Then asked el-Hajjâj, "Wouldst thou that I pardon thee?"
He replied, "Were the pardon from Allâh,—yes, assuredly. But from thee,—no."
"Be off with him and execute him!" cried el-Hajjâj.
Then as he was going out of the door, Saʾîd laughed. And el-Hajjâj was told of this, and ordered him to
