RECORD OF THE VARIOUS EVENTS THAT COMPLETE THIS NOBLE RECITAL, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE MURDER OF THE TIRE-WOMAN OF FARA’ÛN’S DAUGHTER.

It is related that Asia, the daughter of Fara’ûn, had a tire-woman who attended upon her, but followed the religion of Mûsa (u. w. b., etc.). One day when she was arranging the hair of Asia the comb happened to fall from her hand, and she said: ‘Bismillah [in the name of Allah],’ and took it up again. Fara’ûn’s daughter asked: ‘Who is he? and what is the property of his name?’ The believing woman replied: ‘It is He who has granted the royal dignity to thy father, has in the abundance of His bounty created him, and has exalted him to the high position which he occupies.’ The daughter of Fara’ûn became astonished and incensed with anger at these words, and immediately reported them to her father. Fara’ûn said: ‘It would be unjust to punish that person without first inquiring into this matter, of which she will probably repent.’ He there­fore summoned her to his presence and examined her, but she repeated what she had stated above; whereat Fara’ûn became so enraged that he ordered her hands and feet to be pierced through with nails, and a dish full of fire to be thrown at her head; but she never flinched in her religion, and would not acknowledge the godhead of Fara’ûn. Therefore he commanded an oven to be heated like a smelter’s furnace, and her child, which was three months old, to be thrown into it; but whilst the innocent little one was being consumed by the flames, he consoled his mother in eloquent language as follows: ‘Be patient, O mother! Verily I have reached God and enjoy His favour. Between thee and paradise there is but a step or two!’ It is said that at the sight of this miracle numerous Qabats professed monotheism, were converted from their infidelity and scepticism, and became Musalmans [sic].