Ishak bin Ibrahim al-Mausili said, "It so chanced that one day, feeling weary of being on duty at the Palace and attending upon the Caliph, I mounted my horse and rode forth at break of dawn, with a mind to ride out in the open country and take my pleasure. So I said to my servants, 'If there comes a messenger from the Caliph or another, say that I set out at daybreak upon pressing business, and that you know not where I have gone.' Then I set forth alone and went round about the city until the sun grew hot, when I halted in a great thoroughfare known as Al-Haram," —

When it was the Four Hundred and Eighth night

I had a heart, and with it lived my life:

'Twas seared with fire and burnt with loving lowe: I never won the blessing of her love; God would not on His slave such boon bestow: 'If what I've tasted be the food of Love, Must taste it all men who Love would know.' "

When it was the Four Hundred and Ninth night

And amongst the tales they tell is one of