Strona 149 z 1116

When Sulayman saw me, he took refuge with Allah and bade me

embrace the True Faith and obey his behests; but I refused, so

sending for this cucurbit[FN#72] he shut me up therein, and

stopped it over with lead whereon he impressed the Most High

Name, and gave his orders to the Jann who carried me off, and

cast me into the midmost of the ocean. There I abode an hundred

years, during which I said in my heart, "Whoso shall release me,

him will I enrich for ever and ever." But the full century went

by and, when no one set me free, I entered upon the second five

score saying, "Whoso shall release me, for him I will open the

hoards of the earth." Still no one set me free and thus four

hundred years passed away. Then quoth I, "Whoso shall release me,

for him will I fulfil three wishes." Yet no one set me free.