Pagina 742 di 1116

Right marvellous was a matter which came to pass to me in my

youth. I lived in Damascus of Syria studying my art and, one day,

as I was sitting at home behold, there came to me a Mameluke from

the household of the Sahib and said to me, "Speak with my lord!"

So I followed him to the Viceroy's house and, entering the great

hall, saw at its head a couch of cedar plated with gold whereon

lay a sickly youth beautiful withal; fairer than he one could not

see. I sat down by his head and prayed to Heaven for a cure; and

he made me a sign with his eyes, so I said to him, "O my lord!

favour me with thy hand, and safety be with thee!"[FN#572] Then

he put forth his left hand and I marvelled thereat and said, "By

Allah, strange that this handsome youth, the son of a great

house, should so lack good manners.