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The King rejoiced and saluted him, but he remained sitting in his

caftan of silken stuff purfled with Egyptian gold and his crown

studded with gems of sorts; but his face was sad with the traces

of sorrow. He returned the royal salute in most courteous wise

adding, "O my lord, thy dignity demandeth my rising to thee; and

my sole excuse is to crave thy pardon."[FN#114] Quoth the King,

"Thou art excused, O youth; so look upon me as thy guest come

hither on an especial object. I would thou acquaint me with the

secrets of this tarn and its fishes and of this palace and thy

loneliness therein and the cause of thy groaning and wailing."

When the young man heard these words he wept with sore

weeping;[FN#115] till his bosom was drenched with tears and began

reciting-