cerning thee to him, so
that he is become incensed against thee. But when I visited thee in thy
Hammam, thou entreatedst me honourably, and I will requite thee thy
hospitality to me by setting thee free and sending thee back to thine
own land. Then he set a great stone in the sack in my stead and cast it
into the sea; but, when thou signedst to him to throw me in, thy
seal-ring dropped from thy finger into the main, and a fish swallowed
it. Now I was on the island a-fishing, and this fish came up in the net
with others; whereupon I took it, intending to broil it; but, when I
opened its belly, I found the signet-ring therein; so I took it and put
it on my finger. Presently, up came two of the servants of the kitchen,
questing fish, and I signed to them with my hand, knowing not the
property of the seal-ring, and their heads fell off. Then the Captain
came back, and seeing the ring on my finger, acquainted me with its
spell; and behold, I have brought it back to thee, for that thou
dealtest kindly by me and entreatedst me with the utmost honour, nor is
that which thou hast done me of kindness lost upon me. Here is thy ring;
take it! But an I have done with thee aught deserving of death, tell me
my crime and slay me and thou shalt be absolved of sin in shedding my
blood.” So saying, he pulled the ring from his finger and gave it to the
King who, seeing Abu Sir’s noble conduct, took the ring and put it on
and felt life return to him afresh. Then he rose to his feet and
embracing the barber, said to him, “O man, thou art indeed of the flower
of the well-born! Blame me not, but forgive me the wrong I have done
thee. Had any but thou gotten hold of this ring, he had never restored
it to me.” Answered Abu Sir, “O King of the age, an thou wouldst have me
forgive thee, tell me what was my fault which drew down thine anger upon
me, so that thou commandedst to do me die.” Rejoined the King, “By
Allah, ’tis clear to me that thou art free and guiltless in all things
of offence since thou hast done this good dee