Pharaoh, struck with astonishment at such heat of tongue and valiancy of speech, arose from his seat and stood facing Haykar and presently said, “Now tell me that I may learn what thy lord resembleth and what his Grandees represent.”  The other made reply, “My lord resembleth the God of Heaven, and his lords represent the Lightning and Thunder.  An it be his will the winds do blow and the rains do fall; and, when he deign order, the leven playeth and the thunder roareth and at his behest the sun would refuse light and the moon and stars stand still in their several courses.  But he may also command the storm-wind to arise and downpours to deluge when Naysan would be as one who beateth the bough[FN#69] and who scattereth abroad the blooms of the chamomile.”  Pharaoh hearing these words wondered with extreme wonderment, then raging with excessive rage he cried, “O man, tell me the real truth and let me know who thou art in very sooth.”  “I am Haykar,” quoth the other, “Chief Secretary and especial to Sankharib the King; also his Wazir and Councillor of his kingdom and Keeper of his secret.”  “Thou statest fact, O Sage,” quoth Pharaoh, “and this thy say is veridical:  yet have we heard that Haykar is dead indeed, withal here art thou alive and alert.”  The Minister replied, “Yea, verily that was the case, but Alhamdolillah—­Glory to God, who knoweth all hidden things, my master had in very deed doomed me die believing the reports of certain traitors, but my Lord preserved me and well done to him who relieth upon the Almighty!” Then quoth Pharaoh, “Go forth and on the morrow do thou return hither and say me somewhat no man hath ever heard, nor I nor my Grandees nor any of the folk in my kingdom and my capital.”  Accordingly Haykar hied him home and penned a paper wherein he said as follows:  “From Sankharib, King of Assyria and Naynawah, to Pharaoh King of Misraim:—­Peace be upon thee, O my brother!  As well thou wottest, brother needeth brother and the Kings require the aidance of other Kings and my hope from thee is that thou wilt lend[FN#70] me the loan of nine hundred-weight[FN#71] of gold which I require to expend on the pay and allowances due to certain of my soldiery wherewith to provide for them the necessaries of life.”  After this he folded the writ and despatched it by a messenger on the next day to Pharaoh, who perused it and was perplext and exclaimed, “Verily and indeed never till now have I heard a saying like unto this at all, nor hath anyone ever spoken[FN#72] to me after such fashion!” Haykar replied, “’Tis fact, and ’tis well an thou own thee debtor of such sum to my lord the King.”  Pharaoh accepted this resolving of his proposition and said, “O Haykar, ’tis the like of thee who suiteth the service of the Kings, and blessed be Allah who perfected thee in wisdom and adorned thee with philosophy[FN#73] and knowledge.  And now remaineth to us only one need of thee; to wit, that thou build us a bower between firmament and terra firma.”  Haykar replied,