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Such, then, is my story and the cause of my loneliness." When I

heard his history I marvelled and said in my mind, "I am the

Prince Ajib who hath done all this; but as Allah is with me I

will surely not slay him!" So said I to him, "O my lord, far from

thee be this hurt and harm and then, please Allah, thou shalt not

suffer cark nor care nor aught disquietude, for I will tarry with

thee and serve thee as a servant, and then wend my ways; and

after having borne thee company during the forty days, I will go

with thee to thy home where thou shalt give me an escort of some

of thy Mamelukes with whom I may journey back to my own city; and

the Almighty shall requite thee for me." He was glad to hear

these words, when I rose and lighted a large wax candle and

trimmed the ramps and the three lanterns; and I set on meat and

drink and sweetmeats.