that of my daughter, the princess Djouher- Manikam. I seized these, and come to
your Majesty to decide my claim to them."
The King of Roum said: "If it pleases God the most high, this affair shall be
judged with the best of my powers." The King of Roum continued: "My officers
and you, my ministers and chiefs, seek all the divine inspiration to decide the
difference existing between the King of Bagdad and the minister of Damas."
The officers bowed low and said: "O my lord, king of the world, whatever they
may be, we shall put the commands of your Majesty above our heads and shall
carry them out to the letter." And they deliberated on the character of the dispute.
The King of Bagdad declared: "These objects are precious to me, for they bear
engraven upon them the names of myself and my child."
On the other hand, and at the same time, the minister Damas declared,
"These precious objects are mine."
The ministers and chiefs were very much embarrassed, and said to the King: "O
king of the world, we, all of us, are unable to judge this dispute. It is too difficult
for us. Only the impartial judgment of your Majesty can decide it."
The prince said: "It is well. I will pronounce sentence, if it please
God the most high, provided that you consent to accept it."
The King of Bagdad answered: "O king of the world, judge between us
according to your impartial justice."
The King of Roum then said: "O minister of Damas, and you, King of Bagdad, is
it the wish of both of you that I should give judgment according to the judgment
of God the most high?"
And they both answered: "That is what we ask, the judgment of God."
The prince replied: "If you consent on both sides, it is well."
"I consent to it," said the minister of Damas.
"And I, too," said the King of Bagdad.