Page 14 - Book of Composition

reveal unto him the secrets and documents of this book. By reason
therefore of his fervent desire herein he retained many philosophers and
wise men with him, who professed themselves to know the Magistery of
this book, when as in truth, they were all together ignorant of it. These
men he rewarded with many great gifts and trusted long time to their
words. So that on a certain day I being in my hermitage the fame of this
king was brought unto me by a certain traveller, which when I had heard,
I forsook my hermitage and with as much speed as I could, I took my
journey towards the borders of his region: not for hope of his riches and
gifts, but that I might instruct him with spiritual gifts. But after I entered
into his confines, I beheld many places in my going, and at the last came
unto the king, whom when I had found out, and had conferred with him
of diverse matters, I found him to be a man of wonderful wisdom, and
replenished with all virtue.

Therefore I said unto him: “O good King, God convert you to a better
mind, I will that you command a house to be prepared for me fit for my
Magistery.”

Therefore the king commanded a house to be prepared for me, and to be
furnished with all things according to my request. And I entered into this
house, and came not forth of it, until I had accomplished the whole
Magistery, and it being accomplished, I left it in the house. But about the
vessel wherein it was put, I wrote these words: ‘all men which have all
things within themselves, have no need of the help of other men’. After I
had written these words I departed privily both from the city and region,
and went back again to my hermitage. But after, the king entered into the
house, and found the Magistery, which I had left there, to be perfect,
which when he had with more diligence beheld, he spied the words
which I left written about the vessel, which being well read and
thoroughly understood, he presently wept for me being absent, and
commanded all the heads of them to be struck off, whom he had retained
with him many years in hopes of this Magistery.

Afterwards the king said, “Call unto me Galip my faithful servant”.

And Galip was his captain, whom his father Gezid before his death had
given unto him, because of his fidelity. For the king put great confidence
in him and said unto him: “O my servant Galip, I know not what I shall
do hereafter”.

And Galip said unto the king: “O my captain, God will foresee what we
shall do hereafter.”

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