human
By Allah! said I within myself as I smote myself on my breast,
gpt
And on my return I went in to the King with grief and fear gnawing at my heart.
human
O King! I said,
gpt
Tell me why is this: that ye bury the living with the dead? Said he,
human
O my son, it is the custom of our country and has descended to us from our ancestors: husband and wife are one, in death as in life. And I answered him with a question that concerned me nearly.
gpt
O my lord, I said,
human
gpt
Yea, he replied,
human
Then I departed from him in grief and mourning lest I should perchance be bereft of my wife. In vain did I say to myself,
gpt
Be comforted! Maybe thou wilt die before her--none knoweth.
human
There is no strength nor power in any but God. Farewell, O my son!
gpt
Untie the ropes that we may draw them up! I answered,
human
Draw me up with them!
gpt
Nay, nay; they replied,
human
gpt
To the ravens with you and your custom!