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I did not revive from my swoon till dawn appeared, when I applied

myself to the dressing of my wounds with ointments and other

medicaments; and I medicined myself, but my sides and ribs still

showed signs of the rod as thou hast seen. I lay in weakly case

and confined to my bed for four months before I was able to rise

and health returned to me. At the end of that time I went to the

house where all this had happened and found it a ruin; the street

had been pulled down endlong and rubbish heaps rose where the

building erst was; nor could I learn how this had come about.

Then I betook myself to this my sister on my father's side and

found her with these two black bitches. I saluted her and told

her what had betided me and the whole of my story and she said,

"O my sister, who is safe from the despite of Time and secure?

Thanks be to Allah who has brought thee off safely;" and she

began to say:-

"Such is the World, so bear a patient heart * When riches leave

thee and when friends depart!"