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The Wazir welcomed him to Bassorah and dismounting, embraced him

and made him sit down by his side and said, "O my son, whence

comest thou and what dost thou seek?" "O my lord," Nur al-Din

replied, "I have come from Cairo-city of which my father was

whilome Wazir; but he hath been removed to the grace of Allah;"

and he informed him of all that had befallen him from beginning

to end, adding, "I am resolved never to return home before I have

seen all the cities and countries of the world." When the Wazir

heard this, he said to him, "O my son, hearken not to the voice

of passion lest it cast thee into the pit; for indeed many

regions be waste places and I fear for thee the turns of Time."

Then he let load the saddle-bags and the silk and prayer-carpets

on the mule and carried Nur al-Din to his own house, where he

lodged him in a pleasant place and entreated him honourably and

made much of him, for he inclined to love him with exceeding

love.