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a gazelle came within the toils and the King cried, "Whoso

alloweth yon gazelle to spring over his head and loseth her, that

man will I surely slay." They narrowed the nets about the gazelle

when she drew near the King's station; and, planting herself on

her hind quarter, crossed her forehand over her breast, as if

about to kiss the earth before the King. He bowed his brow low in

acknowledgment to the beast; when she bounded high over his head

and took the way of the waste. Thereupon the King turned towards

his troops and seeing them winking and pointing at him, he asked,

"O Wazir, what are my men saying?" and the Minister answered,

"They say thou didst proclaim that whoso alloweth the gazelle to

spring over his head, that man shall be put to death." Quoth the

King, "Now, by the life of my head!