If they’re not two, but one, what have the prophets done?
But let that be. Th’ inquiry has no useful end.
The day is waning; let us to our tale attend.
The Arab now his little pot of water showed.
As seed to earth, he it on Caliph’s court bestowed;575
And said: “Present my offering at the sovereign’s feet,
If beggar save his king from want, it’s surely meet.
The water’s fresh; the little jar green-glazed and new;
Filled from a pool replenished by the rain and dew.”
On hearing this the guards were laughing in their sleeves;