Pagina 826 van 1116

Then the Prefect banished him from the city; and he went forth

unknowing whither he should wend; but I heard of him and fearing

for him went out after him and brought him back secretly to the

city and restored him to health and took him into my house where

he still liveth. The Caliph laughed at my story and said, "Thou

hast done well, O Samit, O Silent Man, O spare of speech!"; and

he bade me take a present and go away. But I said, "I will accept

naught of thee except I tell thee what befell all my other

brothers; and do not think me a man of many words." So the Caliph

gave ear to

The Barber's Tale of his Second Brother.