Compare my madness with herself for whom I rave；if she Accord therewith，then blame me not for that which I aby.''
Miriam replied，'By Allah，O Nur al-Din，indeed thou hast sinned against thyself，for I warned thee of this before it befell thee：
yet wouldst thou not hearken to me，but followest thine own lust：
albeit that whereof I gave thee to know I learnt not by means of inspiration nor physiognomy[520] nor dreams，but by eye-witness and very sight；for I saw the one-eyed Wazir and knew that he was not come to Alexandria but in quest of me.'Said he；'O my lady Miriam，we seek refuge with Allah from the error of the intelligent！'[521] Then his affliction redoubled on him and he recited this saying，[522]'Pass o'er my fault，for'tis the wise man's wont Of other's sins to take no harsh account；
And as all crimes have made my breast their site；So thine all shapes of mercy should unite.
Who from above would mercy seek to know；Should first be merciful to those below.'