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[FN#385] Now he is young and I am old; my hearing is dulled and

my judgement is easily fooled; wherefore I would solicit our lord

the Sultan [FN#386] to set him in my stead, for he is my

brother's son and my daughter's husband; and he is fit for the

Wazirate, being a man of good counsel and ready contrivance." The

Sultan looked at Nur al-Din and liked him, so he stablished him

in office as the Wazir had requested and formally appointed him,

presenting him with a splendid dress of honour and a she-mule

from his private stud; and assigning to him solde, stipends and

supplies. Nur al-Din kissed the Sultan's hand and went home, he

and his father-in-law, joying with exceeding joy and saying, "All

this followeth on the heels of the boy Hasan's birth!" Next day

he presented himself before the King and, kissing the ground,

began repeating:-