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Accordingly the Rogue took what he would of the sheep and redoubled in
greed by reason of the excess of the Shepherd’s fear. Accordingly, every
little while, he would hie to him and terrify him, saying, “The lion
hath need of this and requireth that, and his intent is to do thus and
thus,” and take his sufficiency of the sheep; and he stinted not to do
thus with him, till he had wasted the most part of his flock. “This, O
King,” added the favourite, “I tell thee only that thou suffer not the
Grandees of thy realm to be deluded by thy mildness and easiness of
temper and presume on thee; and, in right rede, their death were better
than that they deal thus with thee.” Quoth the King, “I accept this thy
counsel and will not hearken to their admonition neither will I go out
unto them.” On the morrow the Wazirs and Officers of State and heads of
the people assembled; and, taking each with him his weapon, repaired to
the palace of the King, so they might break in upon him and slay him and
seat another in his stead. When they came to the door, they required the
doorkeeper to open to them; but he refused, whereupon they sent to fetch
fire, wherewith to burn down the doors and enter. The doorkeeper,
hearing what they said went in to the King in haste and told him that
the folk were gathered together at the gate, adding, “They required me
to open to them, but I refused; and they have sent to fetch fire to burn
down the doors withal, so they may come into thee and slay thee. What
dost thou bid me do?” Quoth the King in himself, “Verily, I am fallen
into uttermost perdition.” Then he sent for the favourite; and, as soon
as she came, said to her, “Indeed, Shimas never told me aught but I
found it true, and now great and small are come purposing to slay me and
thee: and because the doorkeeper would not open to them, they have sent
to fetch fire, to burn the doors withal: so will the house be burnt and
we therein. What dost thou counsel me to do?” She replied, “No harm
shall betide thee, nor le