صفحة 322 من 1116

I was glad of my arrival for I was wearied with the way, and

yellow of face for weakness and want; but my plight was pitiable

and I knew not whither to betake me. So I accosted a Tailor

sitting in his little shop and saluted him; he returned my salam,

and bade me kindly welcome and wished me well and entreated me

gently and asked me of the cause of my strangerhood. I told him

all my past from first to last; and he was concerned on my

account and said, "O youth, disclose not thy secret to any: the

King of this city is the greatest enemy thy father hath, and

there is blood wit[FN#204] between them and thou hast cause to

fear for thy life." Then he set meat and drink before me; and I

ate and drank and he with me; and we conversed freely till night

fall, when he cleared me a place in a corner of his shop and

brought me a carpet and a coverlet.