3° THE ARABIAN NIGHTS.

He, however, afterwards, learnt from his neighbours that the
poor parrot had told no falsehood in reference to his wife’s con-
duct, which made him repent of having destroyed it.

“When the Greek king,” said the fisherman to the Genius,
“had finished the story of the parrot,” he added, ‘You, vizier,
through envy of Douban, who has done you no evil, wish me to
order his death, but I will take good care lest, like the husband
who killed his parrot, I should afterwards repent.’ ”

The vizier was too desirous of the death of Douban to let it
rest here. “Sire,” replied he, “the loss of the parrot was of
little importance, nor do I think his master could long have re- .
gretted it. But on what account should the dread of oppressing
the innocent prevent you from destroying this physician? Is it
not a sufficient reason, that he is accused of attempting your
life, to authorise you to take away his? When the life of a
king is in question, a bare suspicion ought to be equal to a cer-
tainty ; and it is better to sacrifice the innocent than save the
guilty. But this, sire, by no means rests on an uncertainty.
The physician Douban positively wishes to assassinate you. It
is not envy that makes me hostile to him, it is the interest alone
that I take in your majesty’s preservation ; it is my zeal which
induces me to give my advice on so important an occasion, If
my information is false, 1 deserve the same punishment that a
certain vizier underwent farmerly.” “ What had that vizier done
worthy of chastisement.” said the Greek king, “I will tell your
majesty,” answered the vizier, “if you will have the goodness to
listen.”

THE HISTORY OF THE VIZIER WHO WAS
- PUNISHED.

24) HERE was formerly a king whose son was passion-
a ately fond of hunting. His father, therefore, often

indulged him in this diversion ; but at the same time
gave positive orders to his grand vizier always to
accompany, and never lose sight of him.

One hunting morning, the prickers roused a stag, and the

 

&