صفحة 797 من 1116

In sooth if thou were to company with them or even to see them

once, thou wouldst forsake all thy intimates." "Allah fulfil thy

joyance with them," said I, "needs must I come amongst them some

day or other." But he said, "Would it were this very day, for I

had set my heart upon thy making one of us; yet if thou must go

to thy friends to day, I will take these good things, wherewith

thou hast honoured and favoured me, to my guests and leave them

to eat and drink and not wait for me; whilst I will return to

thee in haste and accompany thee to thy little party; for there

is no ceremony between me and my intimates to prevent my leaving

them. Fear not, I will soon be back with thee and wend with thee

whithersoever thou wendest.