Ibrahim Hadjib continued: "As to the question why I abstained from presenting
myself at court to-day, and why I wore so sorrowful a face, I answer: Know that
I could not present myself before the Sultan, because he was the enemy of my
master and benefactor, and brought about the ruin of my lord. That is why I wore
a sad face in your presence. Beside, the children and grandchildren of my lord
are plunged in grief and anxiety, and how could I be happy in your presence, like
these hypocrites, who are very different elsewhere? I have told the truth."
When the Sultan Yakoub had heard these words of Ibrahim Hadjib, he cried:
"God be praised! Up to this time I have heard tell of ministers, I have seen many
kinds, but never have I seen nor heard of a minister like this one. Now, only for
the first time have I seen a true minister and listened to the words of truth." The
Sultan Yakoub loaded Ibrahim Hadjib with favors, made him prime minister,
and gave him the name of father. As for the other ministers, he caused them to
perish, with their whole families. Then he published this proclamation:
"Behold the fate of those who are faithless to their promises and commit treason
toward their King, for they cannot be counted as men."
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Malayan Literature, by Various Authors
END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MALAYAN
LITERATURE
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