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After finishing his meal Hasan repaired to the sitting-chamber of

his wife, the Lady of Beauty, and told her what had past between

him and the Sultan; whereupon quoth she, "He cannot fail to make

thee a cup-companion and give thee largess in excess and load

thee with favours and bounties; so shalt thou, by Allah's

blessing, dispread, like the greater light, the rays of thy

perfection wherever thou be, on shore or on sea." Said he to her,

"I purpose to recite a Kasidah, an ode, in his praise, that he

may redouble in affection for me." "Thou art right in thine

intent," she answered, "so gather thy wits together and weigh thy

words, and I shall surely see my husband favoured with his

highest favour." Thereupon Hasan shut himself up and composed

these couplets on a solid base and abounding in inner grace and

copies them out in a hand-writing of the nicest taste. They are

as follows:-