Complete. Translation of Sir William Jones.

WHEN the period of the Khalafet came to Harun, the standard of Abbas extended over the world.

  One midnight he turned his back on the partner of his bed, and turned his face to the enjoyment of the warm bath.

  A barber, who was shaving his head, cutting hair by hair, dispelled his sorrow,

  Saying, “O thou, who hast been apprised of my pre-eminence, connect me to thee this day by making me thy son-in-law:

  “Publish the discourse of thy marriage; make thy daughter betrothed to thy servant.”

  The temper of the Khalifah grew a little warm; but became again inclined to lenity.

  He said, “My dominion has turned his liver; he has gotten wild stupidity though my amazing grandeur.

  “His being beside himself has made him a talker of such nonsense; if not, he would not have made this request and demand to me.”

  The next day he tried him better: the same impression was on the coin of his heart.

  Thus he made trial of him several times: the habit of the man departed not from its fixed place.

  Since a want of clearness carried the matter from light, the king carried the story to a consultation with his Vezir,

  Saying, “From the rough pen of a hair cutter has this event, written on my forehead by destiny, fallen on my head.

  “He must have the rank of being my son-in-law! See what a want of good breeding suggests to him.

  “Whenever he comes, like fate, upon my head, he throws stones upon me and upon my gems.

  “In his mouth is a poniard, and in his hand a sword, I will give him the edge of the sabre without fail.”

  The Vezir said, “Thou art secure from any design of his: perhaps his foot is on the top of a treasure.

  “When the simple man shall come towards thy head, say, ‘Turn aside from the place, where thy foot first stood.’

  “If he be refractory, strike off his neck; if not, dig up the place where he stepped first.”

  The man with obedience, from the desire of compliance which he had, changed his place in the manner that was directed.

  When he separated his foot from the first station, the manner of the barber was different.

  While his foot was on the head of a treasure, the figure of royalty was in his mirror.

  When he saw his foot devoid of the treasure, he saw again the cottage of his barber’s business.

  Having sewed up his mouth, he saw the propriety of little speech; he had taught good breeding to his eye and tongue.

  They soon dug up the place where he stood, and found a treasure under his foot.

  Whoever sets his foot on the head of a treasure, by his own speech opens the door of the treasury.

  The treasure of Nizami, who has thrown down the talisman which concealed it, is a clear bosom and an enlightened heart.