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So the Lady Zubaydah sent for the Kazi and witnesses who wrote

our marriage contract, after which the women made ready

sweetmeats and rich viands and distributed them among all the

Odahs[FN#567] of the Harim. Thus they did other ten days, at the

end of which time my mistress went to the baths.[FN#568]

Meanwhile, they set before me a tray of food where on were

various meats and among those dishes, which were enough to daze

the wits, was a bowl of cumin ragout containing chickens breasts,

fricandoed[FN#569] and flavoured with sugar, pistachios, musk and

rose water. Then, by Allah, fair sirs, I did not long hesitate;

but took my seat before the ragout and fell to and ate of it till

I could no more.