Page 680 sur 1116

So I brought out the dirhams and sat down to await him, but he

stayed away for another month, when he came back and said to me,

"Where be the dirhams?" I rose and saluting him asked, "Wilt thou

not eat some thing in my house?" But he again refused adding,

"Get me the monies ready and I will presently return and take

them." Then he rode off. So I brought out the dirhams and sat

down to await his return; but he stayed away from me a third

month, and I said, "Verily this young man is liberality in

incarnate form." At the end of the month he came up, riding a

mare mule and wearing a suit of sumptuous raiment; he was as the

moon on the night of fullness, and he seemed as if fresh from the

baths, with his cheeks rosy bright, and his brow flower white,

and a mole spot like a grain of ambergris delighting the sight;

even as was said of such an one by the poet:-