Pagina 812 de 1116

I am a man of immense learning whilst, as for the gravity of my

understanding, the wiliness of my wits and the spareness of my

speech, there is no end of them; and my calling is that of a

barber. I went out early on yesterday morning and saw these men

making for a skiff; and, fancying they were bound for a marriage

feast, I joined them and mixed with them. After a while up came

the watch and guardians of the peace, who put chains round their

necks and round mine with the rest; but, in the excess of my

courtesy, I held my peace and spake not a word; nor was this

other but generosity on my part. They brought us into thy

presence, and thou gavest an order to smite the necks of the ten;

yet did I not make myself known to thee and remained silent

before the Sworder, purely of my great generosity and courtesy

which led me to share with them in their death.