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 the story: and after the substance there remaineth not aught save the vestige.
And they looked at the lower part of the tablet, and saw inscribed upon it these verses:
Child of Adam, let not hope make game of thee. From all that thy hands have treasured thou shalt be removed.
I see thee desirous of the world and its embellishments; and the past generations have pursued the same course.
They acquired wealth, both lawful and forbidden; but it repelled not fate when the term expired:
They led troops in multitudes, and collected riches; and they left their wealth and buildings, and departed
To the narrow graves, and lay down in the dust; and there they have remained, pledged for their actions;
As if the company of travellers had put down their baggage during night in a house where was no food for guests.
And its owner had said to them, O people, there is not any lodging for you in it. So they packed after alighting:
And they all thereupon became fearful and timid: neither halting nor journeying was pleasant unto them.
Then prepare good provision that will rejoice thee to-morrow; and act not save agreeably with the fear of thy Lord.
And upon the tablet were also inscribed these words:
Whoso arriveth at our city, and entereth it, God facilitating his entrance into it, let him take of the wealth what he can, but not touch any thing that is on my body; for it is the covering of my person, and the attire with which I am fitted forth from the world. Therefore let him fear God, and not seize aught of it; for he would destroy himself. I have caused this to be an admonition from me unto him, and a charge which I give him in confidence. And peace be on you! I beg God, moreover, to save you from the evil of trials and sickness.
The Emir Musa, when he heard these words, again wept so violently that he became insensible; and after he had recovered, he
