Page 173 - Bulbul Hezar
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Bahman, after he had received the bowl, but cannot follow it;
however, I will endeavour to conform myself to that part of it
which bids me not look behind me; and hope to come again
soon, and thank you more when I have got what I am in search
after. After these words, to which the dervise made no other
answer than that he should be overjoyed to see him again, he
mounted his horse, took his leave of the dervise, with a low
bow, and threw the bowl before him.
The bowl rolled away, and at the last had as much strength as
when Prince Bahman first delivered it out of his hand, which
obliged him to put his horse to a good pace to follow it; and
when it came to the foot of the mountain, it stopped, as the
dervise said. The prince alighted from off his horse, which never
stirred off the spot; and having first looked up the mountain,
and seen the black stones, afterwards began to climb up it, but
had not gone four steps before he heard the voices, though he
could see nobody. Some said, Where is that rash man going?
What would he have? Do not let him pass: others, Stop him,
catch him, kill him; and others again, as loud as thunder, Ah!
thief! murderer! ass! assassin! while some, in a gibing tone,
cried, No, no, do not hurt him; let the pretty thing pass; we
keep the bird and cage for him.
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