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In sooth if thou were to company with them or even to see them

once, thou wouldst forsake all thy intimates." "Allah fulfil thy

joyance with them," said I, "needs must I come amongst them some

day or other." But he said, "Would it were this very day, for I

had set my heart upon thy making one of us; yet if thou must go

to thy friends to day, I will take these good things, wherewith

thou hast honoured and favoured me, to my guests and leave them

to eat and drink and not wait for me; whilst I will return to

thee in haste and accompany thee to thy little party; for there

is no ceremony between me and my intimates to prevent my leaving

them. Fear not, I will soon be back with thee and wend with thee

whithersoever thou wendest.