Pagina 832 de 1116

Presently my brother rose and went out to obey a call of nature,

but the old woman overtook him, and said, "Be patient a little

and thou shalt win to thy wish." "How much longer have I to

wait," my brother replied, "this slapping hath made me feel

faint." "As soon as she is warm with wine," answered she, "thou

shalt have thy desire." So he returned to his place and sat down,

where upon all the handmaidens stood up and the lady bade them

perfume him with pastiles and besprinkle his face with

rose-water. Then said she to him, "Allah advance thee to honour!