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However, before many days passed her eunuch came to me, and I

entreated him honourably and asked him after his mistress. "Truly

she is sick with love of thee," he replied and I rejoined, "Tell

me who and what she is." Quoth he, "The Lady Zubaydah, queen

consort of Harun al-Rashid, brought her up as a rearling[FN#560]

and hath advanced her to be stewardess of the Harim, and gave her

the right of going in and out of her own sweet will.