صفحة 278 من 1116

So haply of your kindness and courtesy you will suffer us to

tarry with you this night, and Heaven will reward you!"[FN#174]

The portress looked upon them and seeing them dressed like

merchants and men of grave looks and solid, she returned to her

sisters and repeated to them Ja'afar's story; and they took

compassion upon the strangers and said to her, "Let them enter."

She opened the door to them, when said they to her, "Have we thy

leave to come in?" "Come in," quoth she; and the Caliph entered

followed by Ja'afar and Masrur; and when the girls saw them they

stood up to them in respect and made them sit down and looked to

their wants, saying, "Welcome, and well come and good cheer to

the guests, but with one condition!" "What is that?" asked they,

and one of the ladies answered, "Speak not of what concerneth you

not, lest ye hear what pleaseth you not." "Even so," said they;

and sat down to their wine and drank deep.