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have some doubt about thine affair; and so I should like thee to

let me know what it is thou art in such haste to do, for I fear

me it is other than good." Then he continued, "It wanteth three

hours yet to prayer time; but I do not wish to be in doubt upon

this matter; nay, I must know the moment exactly, for truly, 'A

guess shot in times of doubt, oft brings harm about;' especially

in the like of me, a superior person whose merits are famous

amongst mankind at large; and it doth not befit me to talk at

random, as do the common sort of astrologers." So saying, he

threw down the razor and taking up the astrolabe, went forth

under the sun and stood there a long time; after which he

returned and counting on his fingers said to me, "There remain

still to prayer time three full hours and complete, neither more

nor yet less, according to the most learned astronomicals and the

wisest makers of almanacks." "Allah upon thee," cried I, "hold

thy tongue with me, for thou breakest my liver in pieces." So he

took the razor and, after sharpening it as before and shaving

other two hairs of my head, he again held his hand and said, "I

am concerned about thy hastiness and indeed thou wouldst do well

to let me into the cause of it; 't were the better for thee, as

thou knowest that neither thy father nor thy grandfather ever did

a single thing save by my advice." When I saw that there was no

escape from him I said to myself, "The time for prayer draws near

and I wish to go to her before the folk come out of the mosque.