第33章 THE PORTER AND THE THREE LADIES OF BAGHDAD.(8)
Then he descended the stair；and when he was out of sightI replaced the trap-door and did as he had bidden metill the tomb was restored to its original conditionand I the while in a state of intoxication；after which I returned to the palaceand found my uncle still absent. Next morning I called to mind what had happened and repented of having obeyed my cousinwhen repentance was of no availbut thought that it must have been a dream. So I fell to enquiring after my cousin；but none could give me any news of him；and I went out to the burial-ground and sought for the tomb where I had left himbut could not find itand ceased not to go from sepulchre to sepulchre and from tomb to tomb，without successtill nightfall. Then I returned to the palace and could neither eat nor drinkfor my heart was troubled about my cousinseeing I knew not what was come of him；and I was extremely chagrined and slept not that nightbut lay awake for anxiety till morning. As soon as it was dayI repaired again to the cemeterypondering what my cousin had done and repenting me of having hearkened to himand vent round among all the tombs，but could not find the one I sought. Thus I did for the space of seven daysbut with no better successand my trouble and anxiety increased till I was well-nigh mad and could find nothing for it but to return to my father. So I set out and journeyed till I reached his capital；but as I entered the gate of the citya number of men sprang out on me and tied my hands behind me. At this I was beyond measure amazedseeing that I was the son of the Sultan and that they were his servants and my own；and great fear fell on meand I said to myself'I wonder what has befallen my father！'Then I questioned my captors；but they returned me no answer. Howeverafter awhileone of themwho had been my servantsaid to me'Fortune has played thy father false；and the troops deserted him. So the Vizier slew him and seized on his throne；and we laid wait for thee by his command.'
Then they took me and carried me before the Vizierwell-nigh distraught for this news of my father. Now between me and this Vizier was an old feudthe cause of which was as follows. I was fond of shooting with a pellet-bowand one dayas I was standing on the terrace of my palacea bird lighted on the terrace of the Vizier's housewhere the latter chanced to be standing at the time. I let fly at the birdbutas fate and destiny would have itthe pellet swerved and striking the Vizier on the eyeput it out. As says the poet：
Our footsteps follow on in their predestined wayNor from the ordered track can any mortal stray：
And he whom Fate appoints in any land to dieNo other place on earth shall see his dying day.
The Vizier dared say nothingat the timebecause I was the Sultan's son of the citybut thenceforward he nourished a deadly hatred against me. So when they brought me bound before himhe commanded my head to be smitten off；and I said'For what crime wilt thou put me to death？'What crime could be greater than this？'answered heand pointed to his ruined eye. Quoth I'That I did by misadventure.'And he replied'If thou didst it by misadventureI will do the like with intent.'Then said he，'Bring him to me.'So they brought me up to himand he put his finger into my right eye and pulled it out；and thenceforward I became one-eyed as ye see me. Then he caused me to be bound hand and foot and put in a chest and said to the headsman'Take this fellow and carry him forth of the city and slay him and leave him for the beasts and birds to eat.'So the headsman carried me without the city to the midst of the desertwhere he took me out of the chestbound hand and foot as I wasand would have bandaged my eyesthat he might slay me. But I wept sore till I made him weepand looking at himrepeated the following verses：
I counted on you as a coat of dart-proof mail toward The foeman's arrows from my breast. Alas！ye are his sword！
I hoped in you to succour me in every evil chanceAlthough my right hand to my left no more should help afford.
Yet stand aloof nor cast your lot with those who do me hateAnd let my foemen shoot their shafts against your whilom lord！
If you refuse to succour me against my enemiesAt least be neutralnor to me nor them your aid accord.
And these also：
How many of my friendsmethoughtwere coats of mail！And so they wereindeedbut on my foeman's part.
Unerring shafts and true I deemed them；and they were Unerring shaftsindeedalasbut in my heart！
When the headsman heard this （now he had been my father's headsman and I had done him kindness） he said'O my lord what can I dobeing but a slave commanded？'Then he said'Fly for thy life and never return to this countryor thou art lost and I with thee.'As says one of the poets：
Escape with thy lifeif oppression betide theeAnd let the house tell of its builder's fate！
Country for country thou'lt findif thou seek it；Life for life neverearly or late.
It is strange men should dwell in the house of abjectionWhen the plain of God's world is so wide and so great！