Arabian Nights: 227th Night: Anis al Jalis The Slave Girl -27

The following night Shahrazad said:

I heard, O happy King, that people said to Nur al-Din, "Let whatever happens happen."  The attendants rode with Nur al-Din until they came below the palace wall.  Then they made him kneel on the execution mat, and the executioner bandaged his eyes, and drawing his sword, asked him twice, whether he had a last wish.  Then he knelt before him, and removing the bandage from his eyes, said to him, "I am only a servant, who does what he is told; I have no choice, and you will die as soon as the king gives the order."

Nur al-Din looked to the right and left, and realising that none could help him or save him, and feeling very thirsty, recited the following verses:

My life is spent and death is nearing,
Will no one help me and God's help
Will no one pity me in my distress 
With a cup of water ease my pain?
If I die thirsty, like Ali's holy son
And martyrdom attain.

The people wept. The executioners rose, and brought him a cup of water.
But the vizier jumped up, knocked the cup from his hand, and broke it, screaming, "Strike off his head at once."  But the king said, "Let us wait, and see what is the matter?"

That cloud of dust was raised by Ja'far and his retinue, and the reason of his coming was as follows.....

But morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.



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