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"Truth best befits thee, albeit truth * Shall bring thee to burn

on the threatened fire."

"By Allah, O my lord," answered I, "I will tell thee nothing but

the truth." Then I related to him all that had passed between me

and the first lady, and how she had brought me the second and had

slain her out of jealousy, and I detailed for him the tale to its

full. When he heard my story, he shook his head and struck his

right hand upon the left,[FN#597] and putting his kerchief over

his face wept awhile and then repeated:-

"I see the woes of the world abound, * And worldings sick with

spleen and teen; There's One who the meeting of two shall part, *

And who part not are few and far between!"