PROVERBIAL ROMANCES.
1. THE MERCHANT AND THE ROBBER.
A merchant, having charge of a very valuable jewel, was travelling for safety in the garb of a beggar, when he was set upon by three robbers who demanded of him the stone.
Perceiving that his assailants were aware of his secret, he said to them "Why should three of you wish to be hanged for a robbery that a single one of you could accomplish; or why should three of you come to take that which can only make one of you happy?"
They answered him "We are not going to be hanged: we shall sell the jewel and divide the proceeds equally between us."
"You seem to be very honest fellows," said the merchant, "but you are none the less fools! This jewel belongs to my master, the Emperor; and assuredly I shall inform him of how you have robbed me."
"You will not!" they replied, "for before we part you will be dead."
"Whether I am to die or not will be presently revealed," answered the merchant, "for that is in the hands of Allah: but it grieves me that all three of you should seek to stain your souls with the crime of killing me. Therefore I will
