^79*' *^^ txiitt. 235 



THE WILL. 



Hassan ben-aioub, a rich citizen of Balsora, a wi- 

 dower, and without children, saw himself attacked 

 bj an incurable disorder, and his end approaching^ 

 One day, as some of his friends were with him, ha 

 owned he had sent for the cadi, to make his will. A- 

 gib, one of them, made him many tender reproaches 

 for so premature a resolution ; but, however, added 

 he, I see, my dear Hafsan, the motive which makes 

 yow act thus ; — you think you cannot too soon con^ 

 sider what may become of those great riches, after 

 your decease, which heaven has given you ; you are 

 afraid lest they fhould fall into hands undeser- 

 ving of them, and the criminal use they may make 

 of them Uiould be imputed to you. Wise Hafsan ! I 

 have nothing to add in such a case. — I will myself 

 go for the officer you wifh, and wUl bring him here 

 immediately. Agib went out wiping his eyes that did 

 not cry, and in lefs than half, an hour, came back 

 with the cadi. The sick man, drawing a sealed pac- 

 ket from under his bolster, said to the magistrate. 

 Light of the law ! these r.rc the last requests of a dy- 

 ing man, I deposit them in your pure hands, which 

 the gold of corruption has never dared to sully. As 

 soon as the angel of death Ihall have disengaged my 

 soul from its prison, have the goodnefs to open this 

 testament in the presence of my relations and friends, 

 but above all, in the preseucc of my good fricn.(i 

 Agib. 



