Pagina 637 de 1116

Then they awaited his return from the audience, and Hasan of

Bassorah who was their prisoner kept saying, "I wonder what they

have found in the conserve of pomegranate-grains to bring things

to this pass!" [FN#476] When the Wazir returned to them, after

his visit to the Viceroy who had given him formal permission to

take up his debtor and depart with him, on entering the tents he

called for the Cook. They brought him forward pinioned with his

turband; and, when Badr al-Din Hasan saw his uncle, he wept with

excessive weeping and said, "O my lord, what is my offence

against thee?" "Art thou the man who dressed that conserve of

pomegranate-grains?"; asked the Wazir, and he answered "Yes!