صفحة 750 من 1116

As I heard their accounts, my thoughts dwelt upon the subject and

when, after talking their fill, all arose and went their ways, I

lay down to sleep that night, but sleep came not because of my

violent longing for Egypt; and neither meat pleased me nor drink.

After a few days my uncles equipped themselves for a trade

journey to Egypt; and I wept before my father till he made ready

for me fitting merchandise, and he consented to my going with

them, saying however, "Let him not enter Cairo, but leave him to

sell his wares at Damascus." So I took leave of my father and we

fared forth from Mosul and gave not over travelling till we

reached Aleppo[FN#584] where we halted certain days. Then we

marched onwards till we made Damascus and we found her a city as

though she were a Paradise, abounding in trees and streams and

birds and fruits of all kinds.