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On the way thieves fell foul of him and stripped and beat him and

docked his ears; but I heard tidings of his misfortunes and went

out after him taking him clothes; and brought him secretly into

the city where I assigned to him an allowance for meat and drink.

And presently the Caliph gave ear to

The Barber's Tale of his Sixth Brother.

My sixth brother, O Commander of the Faithful, Shakashik,[FN#683]

or Many clamours, the shorn of both lips, was once rich and

became poor, so one day he went out to beg somewhat to keep life

in him.