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So there is no help for it; die he must, and then only shall I be

sure of my own life." Again cried Duban, "Spare me and Allah

shall spare thee; and slay me not or Allah shall slay thee." But

it was in vain. Now when the physician, O Ifrit, knew for certain

that the King would kill him, he said, "O King, if there be no

help but I must die, grant me some little delay that I may go

down to my house and release myself from mine obligations and

direct my folk and my neighbours where to bury me and distribute

my books of medicine.