Pagina 153 de 1116

By Allah, I will throw thee into the sea[FN#76] before us and

here will I build me a lodge; and whoso cometh hither I will warn

him against fishing and will say:-In these waters abideth an

Ifrit who giveth as a last favour a choice of deaths and fashion

of slaughter to the man who saveth him!" Now when the Ifrit heard

this from the Fisherman and saw him self in limbo, he was minded

to escape, but this was prevented by Solomon's seal; so he knew

that the Fisherman had cozened and outwitted him, and he waxed

lowly and submissive and began humbly to say, "I did but jest

with thee." But the other answered, "Thou liest, O vilest of the

Ifrits, and meanest and filthiest!" and he set off with the

bottle for the sea side; the Ifrit calling out "Nay! Nay!" and he

calling out "Aye!