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"When Allah willeth aught befall a man * Who hath of ears and

eyes and wits full share: His ears He deafens and his eyes He

blinds * And draws his wits e'en as we draw a hair[FN#548] Till,

having wrought His purpose, He restores * Man's wits, that warned

more circumspect he fare."

When I ended my verses I wept, and she cried out with an

exceeding loud cry, "What is the cause of thy tears? Thou burnest

my heart! What makes thee take the cup with thy left hand?" Quoth

I, "Truly I have on my right hand a boil;" and quoth she, "Put it

out and I will open it for thee."[FN#549] "It is not yet time to

open it," I replied, "so worry me not with thy words, for I will

not take it out of the bandage at this hour." Then I drank off

the cup, and she gave not over plying me with drink until

drunkenness overcame me and I fell asleep in the place where I

was sitting; whereupon she looked at my right hand and saw a

wrist without a fist. So she searched me closely and found with

me the purse of gold and my severed hand wrapped up in the bit of

rag.[FN#550] With this such sorrow came upon her as never

overcame any and she ceased not lamenting on my account till the

morning.