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1
336-345

  • The king, from Jewish rancour, became so squint-eyed that (we cry), “Mercy, O Lord, mercy (save us from such an affliction)!”
  • He slew hundreds of thousands of wronged (innocent) believers, saying, “I am the protection and support of the religion of Moses.”
  • How the vizier instructed the king to plot.
  • He had a vizier, a miscreant and ogler (deceiver), who by reason of (his exceeding) guile would tie knots on water.
  • “The Christians,” said he, “seek to save their lives; they hide their religion from the king.
  • Slay them not, for slaying (them) is useless: religion hath no smell, it is not musk and aloes-wood. 340
  • The secret is concealed in a hundred coverings: its outward form is (in agreement) with thee, (but) the inward (reality) is (in) disagreement.”
  • The king said to him: “Tell (me), then, what is the (best) plan? What is the remedy against that deceit and imposture?—
  • So that there may not remain a single Christian in the world, neither one whose religion is manifest nor one who is concealed.”
  • “O king,” said he, “cut off my ears and hands, rip my nose and lips by bitter (cruel) decree;
  • Then bring me under the gallows, that an intercessor may plead for me. 345