The mischievous vizier was too desirous of effecting the ruin of the physician Douban to stop here.  “Sir,” said he, “the death of the parrot was but a trifle, and I believe his master did not mourn for him long:  but why should your fear of wronging an innocent man, hinder your putting this physician to death?  Is it not sufficient justification that he is accused of a design against your life?  When the business in question is to secure the life of a king, bare suspicion ought to pass for certainty; and it is better to sacrifice the innocent than to spare the guilty.  But, Sir, this is not a doubtful case; the physician Douban has certainly a mind to assassinate you.  It is not envy which makes me his enemy; it is only my zeal, with the concern I have for preserving your majesty’s life, that makes me give you my advice in a matter of this importance.  If the accusation be false, I deserve to be punished in the same manner as a vizier formerly was.”  “What had the vizier done,” demands the Grecian king, “to deserve punishment?” “I will inform your majesty,” said the vizier, “if you will be pleased to hear me.”

The Story of the Vizier that was Punished.

There was a king who had a son that loved hunting.  He allowed him to pursue that diversion often; but gave orders to his grand vizier always to attend him.

One hunting day, the huntsman having roused a deer, the prince, who thought the vizier followed him, pursued the game so far, and with so much earnestness, that he separated himself from the company.  Perceiving he had lost his way he stopped, and endeavoured to return to the vizier; but not knowing the country he wandered farther.

Whilst he was thus riding about, he met on his way a handsome lady, who wept bitterly.  He stopped his horse, and enquired who she was, how she came to be alone in that place, and what she wanted.  “I am,” replied she, “the daughter of an Indian king.  As I was taking the air on horseback, in the country, I grew sleepy, and fell from my horse, who is run away, and I know not what is become of him.”  The young prince taking compassion on her, requested her to get up behind him, which she willingly did.

As they were passing by the ruins of a house, the lady expressed a desire to alight.  The prince stopped, and having put her down, dismounted himself, and went near the building, leading his horse after him.  But you may judge how much he was surprised, when he heard the pretended lady utter these words:  “Be glad, my children, I bring you a young man for your repast;” and other voices, which answered immediately, “Where is he, for we are very hungry?”

The prince heard enough to convince him of his danger.  He perceived that the lady, who called herself the daughter of an Indian king, was one of those savage demons, called Gholes, who live in desolated places, and employ a thousand wiles to surprise passengers, whom they afterwards devour.  The prince instantly remounted his horse, and luckily escaped.