Volume Three--Chapter Four.
“Mustapha,” observed the pacha, taking his pipe out of his mouth, “what makes the poets talk so much about the Book of Fate?”
“The Book of Fate, your highness, is where is written our Talleh, or destiny. Can I say more?”
“Allah acbar! God is great! and it is well said. But why a book, when nobody can read it?”
“These are great words, and spiced with wisdom. O pacha! doth not Hafiz say, ‘Every moment you enjoy, count it gain?’ Who can say what will be the event of any thing?”
“Wallab thaib! well said, by Allah! Then why a book, if the book is sealed?”
“Yet there are wise men who can read our kismet, and foretell.”
“Yes, very true; but I have observed that it is not until after an event has happened, that they tell you of it. What are these astrologers? Bosh—nothing—I have said.” And the pacha remained some time smoking his pipe in silence.