Page 885 sur 1116

There they remained drinking till their wine got the better of

them and the host treated my brother like a familiar friend, so

that he became as it were his brother, and bestowed on him a robe

of honour and loved him with exceeding love. Next morning the two

fell again to feasting and carousing, and ceased not to lead this

life for a term of twenty years; at the end of which the

Barmecide died and the Sultan took possession of all his wealth

and squeezed my brother of his savings, till he was left a pauper

without a penny to handle.