DANISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES
sands, numbering already hundreds of thousands. Were he admitted, ten would follow, and hundreds would follow the ten, and thousands would follow the hundreds.
But the worthy man must not be treated like an unwelcome beggar. He could not be refused admittance! And yet—
Suddenly the doors were opened, and Soleiman, the Elder, entered the hall. The marks of wisdom were written by age upon his forehead.
When he saw the lines written upon the slip of parchment he remained standing in the middle of the hall. Every one gazed at him, but a long time elapsed; then a ray of light gleamed from his eyes, and seizing a costly cup, he said to the Council, "Arise, and follow me."
They all followed him to the fountain near the gate of the city. Here Soleiman filled the cup with water, and when it was unable to hold another drop, he lifted it, and with a kind smile, but without speaking, held the golden chalice towards Abdul Kader, as if wishing to say: Behold! Babylon is like this cup which cannot hold another drop of water; Babylon has not room for another man.
But Abdul Kader smilingly reached down, picked a rose-leaf from the ground, and cautiously placed it on the surface of the water in the cup. He spoke not, but Soleiman extended his hands towards him, and the Council forming a procession, conducted
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