'While the king is on his march, the officer who is before him on
the same elephant cries from time to time, with a loud voice,
"Behold the great monarch, the potent and redoubtable Sultan of the
Indies, whose palace is covered with a hundred thousand rubies, and
who possesses twenty thousand crowns of diamonds." After he has
pronounced these words, the officer behind the throne cries in his
turn, "This monarch so great and so powerful, must die, must die,
must die." And the officer in front replies, "Praise be to Him who
lives for ever."
'Further, the King of Serendib is so just that there are no judges
in his dominions. His people have no need of them. They understand
and observe justice of themselves.'
The caliph was much pleased with my discourse. 'The wisdom of this
king,' said he, 'appears in his letter, and after what you tell me
I must confess that his wisdom is worthy of his people, and his
people deserve so wise a prince.' Having spoken thus he dismissed
me, and sent me home with a rich present.
THE SEVENTH AND LAST VOYAGE OF SINBAD THE SAILOR.
Being returned from my sixth voyage, I absolutely laid aside all
thoughts of travelling any farther; for, besides that my years now
required rest, I was resolved no more to expose myself to such risk
as I had run; so that I thought of nothing but to pass the rest of
my days in quiet.
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