Pagina 562 van 1116

Give largesse by handsful and fear nothing, but set thy trust

upon Him who created thee, for this is not by thine own strength

but by that of Allah Almighty, that His decrees may take effect

upon his creatures." When Badr al-Din Hasan heard these words

from the Ifrit he said to himself, "Would Heaven I knew what all

this means and what is the cause of such kindness!" However, he

mingled with the people and, lighting his flambeau, moved on with

the bridal procession till he came to the bath where he found the

Hunchback already on horseback.