abode, and disasters
occurred before me. And the case was this: Seven years in succession
came upon us, during which no water descended on us from heaven, nor
did any grass grow for us on the face of the earth. So we ate what
food we had in our dwellings, and after that, we fell upon the beasts
and ate them, and there remained nothing. Upon this, therefore, I
caused the wealth to be brought, and meted it with a measure, and sent
it by trusty men, who went about with it through all the districts,
not leaving unvisited a single large city, to seek for some food. But
they found it not; and they returned to us with the wealth, after a
long absence. So thereupon we exposed to view our riches and our
treasures, locked the gates of the fortresses in our city, and
submitted ourselves to the decree of our Lord, committing our case to
our Master; and thus we all died, as thou beholdest, and left what we
had built and what we had treasured. This is our story: Whoso arriveth
at our city, and entereth it, let him take of the wealth what he can,
but not touch anything that is on my body; for it is the covering of
my person. Therefore let him fear God, and not seize aught of it; for
he would destroy himself. Peace be on you! I beg God, moreover, to
save you from the evil of trials and sickness.

The Emeer Moosa, when he heard these words, again wept and was
admonished by what he witnessed. He then said to his companions: "Bring
the sacks, and fill them with part of these riches and these vessels and
rarities and jewels." And thereupon, Talib, the son of Sahl, said to the
Emeer Moosa: "O Emeer, shall we leave this damsel with the things that
are upon her? They are things that have no equal, nor is the like of
them at any time found, and they are more than the riches thou hast
taken, and will be the best present by which thou mayest ingratiate
thyself with the Prince of the Faithful." But the emeer replied:
"Heardest thou not that which the damsel hath given as a charge, in the
inscription upon this tablet? Moreover, and especially, she hath given
it as a charge offered in confidence, and we are not of the people of
treachery." The Vizier Talib, however, said: "And on account of these
words wilt thou leave these riches and these jewels, when she is dead?
What then should she do with these things, which are the ornaments of
the world, and the decoration of the living? With a garment of cotton
might