Penrhyn Wingfield Coussens

“ Now among those who went to witness the execution was the merchant whom he had befriended, and who knew him at once. He was horrified at the sad plight of his friend.
"What!" cried he, "Shall he be done to death while I live?" Then he raised his voice and shouted: "Hold! Do not destroy an innocent man. I am the murderer, and not he." ”

“ So he hired a ship and went to Egypt, where his friend met him, and received him with great pleasure.
At the house of the Egyptian the merchant of Bagdad met a girl of wondrous beauty, and so smitten was he with her charms that he fell sick and pined away.
"My friend," said the other, "What is the matter with you that you neither eat nor drink?"
"There is a woman of your household upon whom my heart has fixed itself," returned his comrade, "and unless I may marry her, I shall die." ”

“ The judge then turned to the merchant of Bagdad and said: "And you, my friend; why did you acknowledge yourself to be the murderer?"
The merchant replied: "My lord, this man is my benefactor. I have enjoyed his hospitality, and while at his home he bestowed upon me a wife, whom he had educated for his own, and who possessed great wealth. When, therefore, I saw my friend being led to his death, I proclaimed myself the murderer, hoping thus to take his place. For his love I would willingly perish." ”