"But a prophet proves his mission by miracles. Why have you wrought none?"
"My people should first have demanded them from me; but they were afraid of being convinced: they seek to believe nothing."
"You could work miracles, then?"
"Do you doubt the power of Mahomet?"
"Work them immediately."
"Your request shall not be refused. Ascend to the top of this spire by this outer stair, and throw yourself down from it without hesitation. When you are at the earth, though you were in a thousand pieces, with one word I will set you upon your feet, straighter and with a better carriage than you now have."
"I would rather," said Giafar as he was going away, "believe you a prophet than oblige you to prove yourself one."
He came and gave the Caliph an account of the proposal which had been made to him.
"You can learn very little," said Haroun to him, "for you will make no trial."
"If any one wishes to be instructed in this matter," replied Giafar, "the man and the tower are there, he may try the adventure—I will not be jealous of his success."