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When he had finished transcribing the lines, he despatched them,

in charge of one of his uncle's slaves, to the Sultan, who

perused them and his fancy was pleased; so he read them to those

present and all praised them with the highest praise. Thereupon

he sent for the writer to his sitting-chamber and said to him,

"Thou art from this day forth my boon-companion and I appoint to

thee a monthly solde of a thousand dirhams, over and above that I

bestowed on thee aforetime." So Hasan rose and, kissing the

ground before the King several times, prayed for the continuance

of his greatness and glory and length of life and strength. Thus

Badr al-Din Hasan the Bassorite waxed high in honour and his fame

flew forth to many regions and he abode in all comfort and solace

and delight of life with his uncle and his own folk till Death

overtook him.