Empire. The Visier to this great Sultan (whether an Humourist or an Enthusiast, we are not informed) pretended to have learned of a certain Dervise to understand the Language of Birds, so that there was not a Bird that could open his Mouth, but the Visier knew what it was he said. As he was one Evening with the Emperor, in their return from Hunting, they saw a couple of Owls upon a Tree that grew near an old Wall out of an Heap of Rubbish.
I would fain know
, says the Sultan,
what those two Owls are saying to one another; listen to their Discourse, and give me an account of it
. The Visier approached the Tree, pretending to be very attentive to the two Owls. Upon his return to the Sultan,
Sir
, says he,
I have heard part of their Conversation, but dare not tell you what it is
. The Sultan would not be satisfied with such an Answer, but forced him to repeat word for word every thing the Owls had said.
You must know then