On his side the King Haroun-er-Raschid said: "These riches are mine,
for my name and that of my child are engraved on these ingots of gold
and silver."
The minister said, "Since your Majesty declares that these treasures
are yours, we must try this case in a court of justice."
The King of Bagdad answered: "It is well. We will go wherever you
wish."
"Very well," said the minister; "let us go then before the King of the
country of Roum. That prince has the reputation of being extremely
just. Each of us shall plead his cause."
The prince answered: "It is well." The minister replied: "O king of the
world, let us start without delay."
So the King Haroun-er-Raschid set out with his son Min-bah-Chahaz, his
chief warrior, and his soldiers. The cadi accompanied the prince. On
his side, the minister of the country of Damas started, accompanied by
his three sons and forty soldiers of the country of Damas. After
proceeding some time, they arrived at the city of Roum and entered the
fortifications. Each one of them presented himself before the King and
pleaded his cause.
The King Haroun-er-Raschid expressed himself as follows: "O king of the
world! I present myself before your Majesty to ask your impartial
judgment. The minister of the country of Damas brought to Bagdad, among
other precious objects, ingots of gold and ingots of silver, on which
are engraved my name and that of my daughter, the princess Djouher-
Manikam. I seized these, and come to your Majesty to decide my claim to
them."
The King of Roum said: "If it pleases God the most high, this affair
shall be judged with the best of my powers." The King of Roum
continued: "My officers and you, my ministers and chiefs, seek all the
divine inspiration to decide the difference existing between the King
of Bagdad and the minister of Damas."
The officers bowed low and said: "O my lord, king of the world,
whatever they may be, we shall put the commands of your Majesty above
our heads and shall carry them out to the letter." And they deliberated
on the character of the dispute.
The King of Bagdad declared: "These objects are precious to me, for
they bear engraven upon them the names of myself and my child."
On the other hand, and at the same time, the minister Damas declared,
"These precious objects are mine."
The ministers and chiefs were very much embarrassed, and said to the
King: "O king of the world, we, all of us, are unable to judge this
dispute. It is too difficult for us. Only the impartial judgment of
your Majesty can decide it."
The prince said: "It is well. I will pronounce sentence, if it please
God the most high, provided that you consent to accept it."
The King of Bagdad answered: "O king of the world, judge between us
according to your impartial justice."
The King of Roum then said: "O minister of Damas, and you, King of
Bagdad, is it the wish of both of you that I should give judgment
according to the judgment of God the most high?"