O Lord of beneficence! I will now obey your royal command and tell Your Highness how Destiny bestowed such wealth upon me. But first, let me speak of two friends who lived in Baghdad, the City of Peace. Both are still alive and both know well the history I am about to relate. One is called Sa'd, the other Sa'di. Sa'di believed that without riches, no one in this world could be happy and independent, and that without hard work, effort, caution, and wisdom, it was impossible to become wealthy. Sa'd, however, disagreed, saying that riches come to a man only through Destiny and Fate and the will of Fortune. Sa'd was a poor man while Sa'di had great wealth, yet between them sprang up

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 199 a firm friendship and affection between them. They never differed on any matter except this one: Sa'di relied on deliberation and foresight, while Sa'd trusted in Destiny and fate. One day as they were talking, Sa'di said, "A poor man is one who is born a pauper and lives his whole life in want and poverty, or one who is born to wealth and comfort but squanders it all in his manhood and falls into great need—and then lacks the ability to regain his riches through wit and hard work." Sa'd replied, "Neither wit nor hard work helps anyone. Only Fate enables a man to acquire and keep riches. Misery and want are mere accidents, and deliberation is useless. Many poor men have become wealthy through Fate's favour, and many rich men have been reduced to poverty despite their skill and resources." Sa'di said, "You speak foolishly. But let us put the matter to a test. Let us find some poor craftsman who lives from day to day, give him money, and then see if he does not increase his wealth and live in comfort. That will prove my words are true." As they walked along, they passed through the lane where I lived and saw me twisting ropes—the same craft my father, grandfather, and many generations before me had followed. By looking at my humble home and clothes, they could see I was a poor man. Sa'd pointed me out to Sa'di and said, "If you want to test your theory, here is the man. He has lived here for many years and makes barely enough to feed himself and his family from rope-making. I know his situation well. He would be the perfect test. Give him some gold and let us see what happens." "Willingly," replied Sa'di, "but first let us speak with him." The two friends approached me, and I stopped my work and greeted them with a salaam. They returned my greeting, and Sa'di asked, "Tell me, what is your name?" I said, "My name is Hasan, but because of my trade, everyone calls me Hasan al-Habbal, the rope-maker."

—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Sixteenth Night

Then she said: "I have heard that Hasan al-Habbal, the rope-maker, continued his story, saying: Sa'di then asked me, "How do you get along with this trade? You seem content with it. You have worked hard for a long time, and surely you have stored up much hemp and materials. Your ancestors worked at this craft for many years and must have left you capital and property, which you have used well and greatly increased your wealth." I, said, " O my lord, no money have I in pouch by which I may live happy or even buy me enough to eat. This is my case that every day, from dawn till eve, I spend in making ropes, nor have I one single moment in which to take rest; and still I am sore straitened to provide even dry bread for myself and family. A wife have I and five small children, who are yet too young to help me ply this business: and 'tis no easy matter to supply their daily wants; how then can you suppose that I am enabled to put by large store of hemp and stock? What ropes I twist each day I sell At once, and of the money earned by that I spend part upon our needs and with the rest I buy hemp wherewith I twist ropes on the next day. However, praise be to Almighty Allah that, despite this my state of penury, He provides us with bread sufficing our necessity."

When I had made known all my condition Sa'di replied, "O Hasan, now I see your situation truly, and it is indeed different from what I supposed. If I give you a purse of two hundred gold coins, surely you will greatly increase your earnings and be able to live in ease and comfort. What do you say?" I answered, "If you show me such kindness, I hope to become as wealthy as all my fellow rope-makers combined, though Baghdad is a prosperous and populous city." Sa'di, believing me to be an honest man, then pulled out a purse of two hundred gold coins and handed it to me, saying, "Take these coins and use them for your trade. May Allah help you prosper, but be careful with this money—do not waste it foolishly or carelessly. My friend Sa'd and I will be truly happy to hear of your well-being, and if we visit you again and find you flourishing, we will have great satisfaction." Accordingly, History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 201

I took the purse with great joy and a grateful heart, placed it in my pocket, kissed the hem of Sa'di's garment in thanks, and watched as the two friends left. As I stood there, I was troubled about where I could safely hide the purse—my house had neither cupboard nor locker. Still, I took it home and kept the matter secret from my wife and children. When I was alone, I took out ten gold coins for spending money and tied up the rest in the purse with a piece of string. Then I wrapped it tightly in the folds of my turban and wound the cloth around my head. Next, I went to the market and bought hemp for my work. On the way home, I also bought some meat for supper, since it had been a long time since we had any. As I walked along carrying the meat, a kite suddenly swooped down and tried to snatch it from my hand. I drove the bird away with my other hand, but it attacked again from the left side. I struggled hard to fend it off, but in the confusion, my turban fell to the ground. At once the kite dove down, grabbed my turban in its claws, and flew away! I ran after it, shouting and screaming. The marketplace people—men, women, and children—tried their best to scare the bird away and make it drop my turban. They shouted and threw stones, but it was no use. The kite would not let go of the turban and soon flew out of sight. I went home in great distress, carrying the hemp and food I had bought, but my heart was torn apart. I was grieved beyond measure and full of shame at the thought of what Sa'di would say. I knew he would not believe me—that a kite had stolen my turban with the gold coins inside. He would think I had deceived him or made up a ridiculous excuse to hide the truth. Yet despite my loss, I still had ten gold coins left, and with my wife and children I lived comfortably for several days on what remained. When the ten coins were finally spent, I was once again as poor as before. But I accepted what had happened, grateful and thankful to Almighty Allah, and I did not blame my fate. He had sent this purse of gold to me unawares, and now He had taken it back. So I was grateful and content, for all that Allah does is just and right.

—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Seventeenth Night

Then she said: "I have heard that Master Hasan the Rope-maker continued his story in these words: My wife, who knew nothing of the gold coins, soon noticed that I was troubled. To keep my peace at home, I had to tell her my secret. The neighbours also came around asking what had happened to me, but I was reluctant to tell them everything. They could not return what was lost, and I knew they would be happy about my misfortune. But when they pressed me, I finally told them the whole story. Some thought I was lying and mocked me. Others thought I had gone mad and was speaking nonsense like a fool or someone dreaming. The young people made fun of me, laughing that I, who had never seen a gold coin in my life, would claim to have had so many and that a kite had stolen them. But my wife believed my story completely and wept with sorrow for me. Six months passed this way. Then one day, the two friends, Sa'di and Sa'd, came to my neighbourhood. Sa'd said to Sa'di, "Look, that is the street where Hasan al-Habbal lives. Let us go and see how much he has increased his wealth and how well he has prospered from the two hundred gold coins you gave him." Sa'di replied, "Well said indeed! We have not seen him in many days. I would like to visit him and would be happy to hear that he has prospered." The two friends walked toward my house. As they approached, Sa'd said to Sa'di, "See how he looks the same as before—still poor and in bad condition. His clothes are old and tattered, except for his turban which appears somewhat newer. Look for yourself—I was right." Sa'di came closer to me and also saw that my condition had not changed. The two friends then greeted me. After the customary salaam, Sa'd asked me, "O Hasan, how are you doing? How is your business? Have the two hundred gold coins helped you

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 203 improve your trade?" I answered, "O my lords, how can I tell you of the terrible misfortune that has befallen me? I am ashamed to speak, yet I cannot hide the truth. A marvellous and strange thing has happened to me, and when you hear the tale, you will find it hard to believe. I know you will think I am lying, but I must tell you everything, though I am reluctant to do so." Then I told them everything that had happened, especially the part about the kite. But Sa'di did not believe me and mistrusted my words. He cried, "O Hasan, you are joking with us and deceiving us! It is hard to believe your story. Kites do not fly off with turbans—they only take things they can eat. You are the kind of person who, when an unexpected fortune comes, abandons his work and business, wastes everything in pleasure, and becomes poor again. I think that is what happened to you. You squandered our gift quickly and are now needy as before." "Oh no, my lord!" I cried. "These accusations are unjust! I am completely innocent of what you charge me with. Every word I told you is absolutely true. To prove that I am not lying, all the people of this town know about what happened. I am not deceiving you! It is true that kites do not usually fly off with turbans, but strange and marvellous things can happen to anyone, especially those who are poor and unfortunate."

Sa'd came to my defense and said, "O Sa'di, we have often seen and heard how kites carry off many things besides food. His story is not unreasonable." Then Sa'di pulled out another purse of gold coins and counted out two hundred more, saying, "O Hasan, take these gold coins. This time, keep them very carefully and guard them well. Be extremely careful not to lose them as you did the others. Use them wisely so that you can benefit from them and prosper as your neighbours do." I took the money and thanked him profusely, blessing him for his kindness. When the two friends left, I returned to my rope-making and then went straight home. My wife and children were out, so I took ten gold coins from the two hundred for spending money and carefully wrapped up the rest in a cloth and looked for a safe place to hide the money so my wife and children would not find it. I found a large earthen jar full of bran in a corner and hid the wrapped money inside, thinking it would be well hidden.

—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Eighteenth Night

Then she said: "I have heard that Hasan al-Habbal continued his story: I had hidden the gold coins at the bottom of the jar of bran. My wife came in, and I said nothing to her about the friends or what had happened. I set out for the market to buy hemp. But as soon as I left, by misfortune, a man selling tafl—fuller's earth that women use to wash their hair—came by. My wife wanted to buy some but had no money. So she decided, "This jar of bran is useless here. I will trade it for the clay." The seller agreed and took the jar of bran in exchange. Soon I returned with hemp piled on my head, plus five more porters carrying additional loads. I helped them unload, stored the hemp, paid them, and dismissed them. I stretched out on the floor to rest. Looking at the corner where the jar had stood, I found it gone! I cannot describe the shock that struck my heart. I jumped up at once and asked my wife where the jar was. She told me she had traded it for the washing clay. I cried out in agony, "Wretched woman, what have you done? You have ruined me and our children! You have given away

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 205 great riches to that man selling clay!" I told her everything—how the friends had come and how I had hidden one hundred ninety gold coins in the bran jar. On hearing this, she wept bitterly, beat her breast, and tore her hair, crying, "Where can I find that clay seller? He was a stranger—I had never seen him in this quarter before!" Then she said to me, "You acted foolishly by not trusting me with the secret. If you had told me, this would never have happened to us—never!" She wept loudly with grief. I said to her, "Do not make such noise and trouble. If the neighbours hear us, they will learn of our misfortune and laugh at us, calling us fools. We must accept the will of Almighty Allah." Still, the ten gold coins I had taken for spending money allowed me to continue my trade and live somewhat comfortably for a time. But I grieved constantly and worried about what I would tell Sa'di when he came again. Since he had not believed me the first time, I was certain he would now call me a liar and a cheat. One day, the two friends, Sa'd and Sa'di, came walking toward my house, arguing about my case as usual. Seeing them from a distance, I stopped working and hid, for I was too ashamed to face them. Not knowing why, they entered my home and greeted me with a salaam, asking how I had been. I could not raise my eyes, so ashamed and humiliated was I. I returned their greeting with my head bowed. Seeing my sad state, they wondered and said, "Are you well? Why are you like this? Haven't you made good use of the gold, or have you wasted it on foolish pleasures?"

I answered, "O my lords, I will tell you what happened with the gold coins. When you left, I went home with the purse and, finding no one there, I took out ten coins for spending money. Then I wrapped the rest in the purse and put them in a large jar full of bran that stood in the corner of my room, so that my wife and children would not find them. But while I was at the market buying hemp, my wife came home, and at that very moment a man selling fuller's earth for washing hair came to her. She wanted to buy some, but had no money. So she said to him, 'I have no coins, but I have bran. Will you trade the clay for it?' The man agreed, and my wife gave him the jar of bran in exchange for the clay, and he took it away. You might ask, 'Why did you not tell your wife that you had hidden the money in the jar?' I answer that you gave me clear instructions to keep the money very carefully this time. I thought the jar was the safest place to hide it, and I did not want to trust my wife with the secret for fear she might spend some of the coins on household expenses. O my lords, I know well your kindness and grace, but poverty is written in my fate. How can I hope for wealth and prosperity? Still, as long as I live, I will never forget your generous kindness."

Sa'di said, "It seems I have wasted four hundred gold coins giving them to you. But they were given so you would benefit, not so you would praise me." The two friends felt sorry for me and showed their sympathy. Then Sa'd, who was an honest man and had known me for many years, pulled out a leaden coin he had picked up long ago and carried in his pocket. He showed it to Sa'di and said to me, "See this piece of lead? Take it, and by the favour of Fate, you will learn what blessings it will bring you." Sa'di laughed loudly when he saw it and made fun, saying, "What good will this tiny piece of lead do Hasan? How will he use it?" Sa'd handed me the leaden coin and replied, "Pay no attention to what Sa'di says. Keep this with you. Let him laugh if he wants. One day, God willing, if it is the will of Almighty Allah, you will become a wealthy man and a great merchant through this coin." I took the piece of lead and put it in my pocket. The two friends said goodbye and left.

—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 207

The end of the Six Hundred and Nineteenth Night

Then she said: "I have heard that Hasan al-Habbal continued his story: As soon as Sa'd and Sa'di left, I went back to twisting rope until nightfall. When I undressed to go to bed, the piece of lead fell out of my pocket. I picked it up and put it carelessly in a small niche in the wall. That very night, it happened that a fisherman, my neighbour, needed a small coin to buy twine for mending his fishing net. He worked at night to catch fish before dawn so he could sell them to buy food for his family. Since he usually got up before dawn, he sent his wife to ask the neighbours for a loan of a coin. She went from house to house but could not borrow even a small amount. She returned home weary and disappointed. The fisherman he asked, "Did you ask Hasan al-Habbal?" She replied, "No, I didn't go to his house. It's the farthest away, and anyway, what could I get from him?" The fisherman said angrily, "Go to him now, fool! Perhaps he has a coin to lend us." The woman, grumbling, went to my door and knocked, saying, "O Hasan al-Habbal, my husband desperately needs a coin to buy twine for his nets."

Remembering the lead coin Sa'd had given me and where I had put it, I called out to her, "Wait, my wife will bring you what you need." My wife heard the commotion and woke up. I told her where the coin was, and she got it and gave it to the woman, who was overjoyed. She said, "You and your husband have shown us great kindness! I promise you that whatever fish my husband catches on his first cast of the net shall be yours, and I'm sure my husband will agree when I tell him." When the woman gave the coin to her husband and explained her promise, he was pleased. He said, "You did well and wisely to make this agreement." He bought the twine, mended his nets, and rose before dawn to go fishing as usual. When he cast his net for the first time and drew it in, it held only one large fish, about a hand's length thick, which he set aside as my portion. He cast his net many more times and caught many fish, large and small, but none were as big as the first one. When he returned home, the fisherman came to me bringing the fish. He said, "O neighbour, my wife promised last night that you would have whatever fish I caught on my first cast. This is the only one I caught. Please take it as thanks for your kindness and to fulfill the promise. If Allah had given me a net full of fish, they would all have been yours, but it seems that only this one was meant for you on the first cast."

I said, "The coin I gave you last night was not worth such a gift," and I refused to take it. But after much argument, he would not take it back and insisted it was mine. So I accepted it and gave it to my wife, saying, "This fish is a reward for the lead coin I gave to the fisherman. Sa'd promised me that through this coin I will become very rich." I told my wife the whole story of my two friends' visit and what they said about the lead coin. She looked at the single fish and wondered, "How will I cook this? I think I'll cut it up and roast it for the children, since we have no spices." As she cleaned and sliced the fish, she found a large diamond inside its belly. At first she thought it was a piece

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 209 of glass or crystal. She had heard people speak of diamonds, but she had never seen one with her own eyes. So she gave it to the youngest child as a toy. When the other children saw it, they all wanted it because of its brightness and beauty, and they took turns playing with it. When night came and the lamp was lit, they gathered around the stone, looking at its beauty and screaming and shouting with joy. When my wife had spread the table we sat down to supper and the eldest boy set the diamond upon the tray, and as soon as we all had finished eating, the children fought and scrambled as before for it. At first I paid no heed to their noise and hubbub, but when it grew exceeding loud and irksome I asked my eldest lad the cause why they quarrelled and made such turmoil. He said, "The trouble and dispute are about a piece of glass which gives forth a light as bright as the lamp." at which I told him to produce it and marvelled greatly to see its sparkling water, and enquired of my wife from where she had gotten the piece of crystal. She said, "This I found within the belly of the fish as I was gutting it." Still I did not suppose it to be anything but glass. Presently, I bade my wife hide the lamp behind the hearth.—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Twenties Night

Then she said: I have heard,that Hasan al-Habbal thus continued his story:—And when my wife had hidden the lamp from view, such was the brightness of the diamond that we could see right well without other light; Why I placed it upon the hearth that we might work by it, and said within myself, "The coin that Sa'd left with me has produced this benefit that we no longer stand in need of a lamp: at least it saves us oil." When the youngsters saw me put out the lamp and use the glass in its stead they jumped and danced for joy, and screamed and shouted with glee so that all the neighbours round about could hear them when I chid them and sent them to bed; we also went to rest and right soon fell asleep. Next day I woke early and went on with my work and thought not of the piece of glass. Now there dwelt close by us a wealthy Jew, a jeweller who bought and sold all kinds of precious stones; and, as he and his wife essayed to sleep that night, by reason of the noise and clamour of the children they were disturbed for many hours and slumber visited not their eyes.

And when morn appeared, the jeweller's wife came to our house to make complaint both for herself and her husband anent the hubbub and shouting. before she could say a word of blame my wife, guessing the intent wherewith she came, addressed her saying, "O Rahíl, I fear me that my children pestered you last night with their laughing and crying. I crave yours indulgence in this matter; well you must know how children now cry now laugh at trifles. Come in and see the cause of all their excitement wherefor you would justly call me to account." She did accordingly and saw the bit of glass about which the youngsters had made such din and uproar; and when she, who had long experience of all kinds precious stones, beheld the diamond she was filled with wonderment. My wife then told her how she had found it in the fish's belly, whereupon the Jewess, said, "This bit of glass is more excellent than all other sorts of glass. I too have such an one as this which I am wont to wear sometimes; and would you sell it I will buy this thing of you." Hearing her words the children began to cry and said, "O mother dear, If you will not sell it we promise henceforth to make no noise." Understanding that they would by no means part with it, the women held their peace and presently the Jewess fared forth, but before she took her leave she whispered my wife, "See that you tell the matter to none; and,

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 211 if you have a mind to sell it at once send me word." Now the Jew was sitting in his shop when his wife went to him and told him of the bit of glass. He said, "Go At once back and offer a price for it, saying that 'tis for me. Begin with some small bidding, then raise the sum until you get it." The Jewess thereupon returned to my house and offered twenty Ashrafis, which my wife deemed a large sum to give for such a trifle; however, she would not close the bargain. At that moment I happened to leave my work and, coming home to our noon meal, saw the two women talking on the threshold; and my wife stopped me, saying, "This neighbour bids twenty Ashrafis to price for the piece of glass, but I have as yet given her no reply. What say you?" Then I bethought me of what Sa'd had told me; to wit, that much wealth would come to me by virtue of his leaden coin. The Jewess seeing how I hesitated bethought her that I would not consent to the price; so She said, "O neighbour, If you will not agree to part with the bit of glass for twenty pieces of gold, I will even give you fifty." at this I reflected that whereas the Jewess raised her offer so readily from twenty golden pieces to fifty, this glass must surely be of great value; so I kept silence and answered her not a word.

Then noting that I still held my peace she cried, "Take then one hundred: this be its full value; nay I know not in very deed if my husband will consent to so high a price." Said I in reply, "O my good woman, why talk so foolishly? I will not sell it for anything less than an hundred thousand gold coins; and you may take it at that price but only because you are neighbour to us." The Jewess raised her offer coin by coin to fifty thousand Ashrafis and said, "I pray you wait till morning and sell it not till then, so that my man may come round and see it." "Right willingly," I said; "by all manner of means let your husband drop in and inspect it."—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Twenty first Night

Then she said: I have heard,that Hasan al-Habbal thus continued his story. Next day the Jew came to my house and I drew forth and showed to him the diamond which shone and glittered in my palm with light as bright as any lamp's. Presently, assured that all which his wife had told him of its water and lustre was strictly true, he took it in hand and, examining it and turning it about, marvelled with mighty marvel at its beauty saying, "My wife made offer of fifty thousand gold pieces: see now I will give you yet another twenty thousand." I said, "Your wife has surely named to you what sum I fixed; to wit, one hundred thousand Ashrafis and nothing less: I shall not abate one jot or tittle of this price." The Jew did all he could to buy it for a lesser sum; but I answered only, "It matters nothing; If you desire not to come to my terms I must needs sell it to some other jeweller." At length he consented and weighed me out two thousand gold pieces by way of earnest money, saying, "Tomorrow I will bring the amount of my offer and carry off my diamond."

To this I gave assent and so, on the day following, he came to me and weighed out the full sum of one hundred thousand Ashrafis, which he had raised amongst his friends and partners in business. Then I gave him the diamond which had brought me such exceeding wealth, and offered thanks to him and praises unto Almighty Allah for this great good Fortune gotten unawares, and much I hoped soon to see my two friends, Sa'd and Sa'di, and to thank them likewise. So first I set my house in order and gave spending money to my wife for home necessaries and for clothing herself and children; moreover, I also bought me a fine mansion and furnished it with the best. Then I said to my wife, who thought of nothing save rich clothes and high diet and a life of ease and enjoyment, "It behoves us not to give up this our craft: we must needs put by some coin and carry on the business." Accordingly, I went to all the ropemakers of the city and buying with much money several manufactories put them to work, and over each establishment I set an overseer, an intelligent man and a trustworthy, so that there is not now throughout Baghdad city a single ward or quarter that has not walks and workshops of mine for rope making. Nay, further, I have in each town and every district of Al-Irak warehouses, all under charge of honest supervisors; and thus it is that I have amassed such a muchel of wealth. Lastly, for my own especial place of business I bought another house, a ruined place with a sufficiency of land adjoining; and, pulling down the old shell, I edified in lieu of it the new and spacious edifice which your Highness has deigned yesterday to look upon. Here all my workmen are lodged and here also are kept my office books and accounts; and besides my warehouse it contains apartments

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 213 fitted with furniture in simple style all sufficient for myself and my family. After some time I quitted my old home, in which Sa'd and Sa'di had seen me working, and went and lived in the new mansion and not long after this removal my two friends and benefactors bethought them that they would come and visit me. They marvelled much when, entering my old workshop, they found me not, and they asked the neighbours, "Where dwells such and such a rope maker? Is he alive or dead?" the folk said,"He now is a rich merchant; and men no longer call him simply 'Hasan,' but entitle him 'Master Hasan the Rope maker.' He has built him a splendid building and he dwells in such and such a quarter." Whereupon the two familiars set forth in search of me; and they rejoiced at the good report; albeit Sa'di would by no means be convinced that all my wealth had sprung (as Sa'd contended) from its root, that small leaden coin. Presently, conning the matter over in his mind he said to his comrade, "It delights me much to hear of all this good fortune which has happened Hasan, despite that he twice deceived me and took from me four hundred gold pieces, by which he has gotten to himself these riches; for it is absurd to think that it has come from the leaden coin you gayest him. as well I do forgive him and owe him no grudge."

Replied the other, "You are mistaken. I know Hasan of old to be a good man and true: he would not delude you and what he told us is simple truth. I am persuaded in my mind that he has won all his wealth and opulence by the leaden coin: however we shall hear soon what he may have to say." Conversing thus they came into the street in which I now dwell and, seeing a large and magnificent mansion and a newmade, they guessed it was mine. So they knocked and, on the porter opening, Sa'di marvelled to see such grandeur and so many folk sitting within, and feared lest Perhaps they had unwittingly entered the house of some Emir. Then plucking courage he enquired of the porter, "Is this the dwelling place of Khwajah Hasan al-Habbal?"—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Twenty second Night

Then she said:— I have heard,that Hasan al-Habbal continued thus his story:—The porter made reply, "This is truly the house of Khwajah Hasan al-Habbal; he is within and he sits in his office. I pray you enter and one of the slaves will make known your coming to him." Hereupon the two friends walked in, and as soon as I saw them I recognised them, and rising up to them I ran and kissed the hems of their garments. They would glad have fallen on my neck and embraced me, but with meekness of mind I would not suffer them so to do; and presently I led them into a large and spacious saloon, and bade them sit upon the highmost seats of honour. They would have constrained me to take the best place, but I exclaimed, "O my lords, I am on no wise better than the poor rope maker Hasan, who not unmindful of your worth and goodness ever prays for your welfare, and who deserves not to sit in higher stead than you." Then they took seat and I opposite them, when Sa'di said, "My heart rejoics with exceeding joy to see you in this condition, for that Allah has given you all even as you wishedst. I doubt not you has gotten all this abundance and opulence by means of the four hundred gold pieces which I gave to you; but say me truly Why did you twice deceive me and bespeak me falsely?"

Sa'd listened to these words with silent indignation, and before I could make reply he broke out saying, "O Sa'di, how often have I assured you that all which Hasan said aforetime anent the losing of the Ashrafis is very truth and no leasing?" Then they began to dispute each with other; when I, recovering from my surprise, exclaimed, "O my lords, of what avail is this contention? Be not at variance, I beseech you, on my account. All that had befallen me I made known to you; and, whether you believe my words or you believe them not, it matters but little. Now hearken to the whole truth of my tale." Then I made known to them the story of the piece of lead which I had given to the fisherman and of the diamond found in the fish's belly; brief, I told them every whit even as I have now related to your Highness. On hearing all my adventure Sa'di said, "O Khwajah Hasan, it seems to me passing strange that so great a diamond should be found in the belly of a fish; and I deem it a thing impossible that a kite should fly off with your turband, or that your wife should give away the jar of bran in exchange for fuller's earth. You say the tale is true, still can I not give credit to your words, for I know full well that the four hundred gold pieces have gotten you all this wealth." But when they twain rose up to take their leave, I also

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 215 arose and said, "O my lords, you have shown favour to me in that you have thus deigned visit me in my poor home. I beseech you now to taste of my food and to tarry here this night under your servant's roof; as tomorrow I would glad take you by the way of the river to a country house which I have lately bought." Hereto they consented with some objections; and I, after giving orders for the evening meal, showed them about the house and displayed the furniture and entertained them with pleasing words and pleasant converse, till a slave came and announced that supper was served. So I led them to the saloon in which were ranged the trays loaded with many kinds of meats; on all sides stood camphorated grow candles, and before the table were gathered musicians singing and playing on various instruments of mirth and merriment, whilst in the upper part of the saloon men and women were dancing and making much diversion. When we had supped we went to bed, and rising early we prayed the dawn prayer, and presently embarked on a large and well appointed boat, and the rowers rowing with a flowing tide soon landed us at my country seat.

Then we strolled in a body about the grounds and entered the house, when I showed them our new buildings and displayed to them all that appertained thereto; and at this they marvelled with great marvel. Thence we repaired to the garden and saw, planted in rows along the walks, fruit trees of all kinds with ripe fruit bowed down, and watered with water from the river by means of brick work channels. All round were flowering shrubs whose perfume gladdened the Zephyr; here and there fountains and jets of water shot high in air; and sweet voiced birds made melody amid the leafy branches hymning the One, the Eternal; in short, the sights and scents on every side filled the soul with joy and gladness. My two friends walked about in joyance and delight, and thanked me again and again for bringing them to so lovely a site and said, "Almighty Allah prosper you in house and garth." At last I led them to the foot of a tall tree near to one of the garden walls and shewed them a little summer house in which I was wont to take rest and refreshment; and the room was furnished with cushions and divans and pillows purfled with virgin gold. — And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Twenty third Night

Then she said: I have heard,that Hasan al-Habbal thus pursued his tale:—Now so it happened that, as we sat at rest within that summer house, two sons of mine, whom I had sent together with their governor to my country place for change of water and air, were roaming about the garden seeking birds' nests. Presently, they came across a big one upon the top most boughs and tried to swarm up the trunk and carry it off, but by reason of their lack of strength and little practice they durst not venture so high; whereupon they bade a slave boy who ever attended on them, climb the tree. He did their bidding, but when looking into the nest he was amazed with exceeding amazement to see it mainly made of an old turband. So he brought down the stuff and handed it to the lads. My eldest son took it from his hands and carried it to the arbour for me to see, and set it at my feet saying in high glee, "O my father, look here; this nest is made of cloth." Sa'd and Sa'di wondered with all wonderment at the sight and the marvel grew the greater when I, after considering it closely, recognised it for the very turband on which the kite had swooped and which had been borne off by the bird.

Then I to my two friends, said, "Examine well this turband and certify yourselves that it is the selfsame one worn upon my head when first you honoured me with your presence." Sa'd said, "I know it not," and Sa'di said, "If you find within it the hundred and ninety gold pieces, then will you be assured that is your turband in very truth." I said, "O my lord, this is, well I know, that very turband." And as I held it in my hand, I found it heavy of weight, and opening out the folds felt somewhat tied up in one of the corners of the cloth; so I unrolled the swathes when lo and behold! I came upon the purse of gold pieces. at this, shewing it to Sa'di, I cried, "Can you not recognise this purse?" and he replied, " 'Tis in truth the very purse of Ashrafis which I gave you when first we met." Then I opened the mouth and, pouring out the gold in one heap upon the carpet, bade him count his money; and he turned it over coin by coin and made

History of Khwajah Hasan Al-Habbal. 217 the sum of it one hundred and ninety Ashrafis. at this waxing sore ashamed and confounded, he exclaimed, "Now do I believe your words: nevertheless must you admit that you have earned one half of this your prodigious wealth with the two hundred gold pieces I gave you after our second visit, and the other half by means of the mite you gottest from Sa'd." To this I made no answer, but my friends did not stop to dispute upon the matter. We then sat down to meat and drink, and when we had eaten our sufficiency, I and my two friends went to sleep in the cool arbour; after which when the sun was well near set we mounted and rode off to Baghdad leaving the servants to follow. However, arrived at the city we found all the shops shut and nowhere could we get grain and forage for the horses, and I sent off two slave boys who had run alongside of us to search for provisions. One of them found a jar of bran in the shop of a corn dealer and paying for the provision brought it, together with the jar, under promise that on the morrow he would carry back the vessel. Then he began to take out the bran by handfuls in the dark and to set it before the horses.—And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Twenty fourth Night

Then she said: I have heard,that Hasan al-Habbal thus continued his story:—So as the slave boy took out the bran by handfuls and set it before the horses, suddenly his hand came upon a piece of cloth in which was somewhat heavy. He brought it to me even as he found it and said, "See, is not this cloth the very one of whose loss you have ofttimes spoken to us?" I took it and wondering with great wonder knew it was the selfsame piece of stuff in which I had tied up the hundred and fourscore and ten Ashrafis before hiding them in the jar of bran. Then I said to my friends, "O my lords, it has pleased Almighty Allah, before we parted, I and you, to bear me witness of my words and to stablish that I told you nothing save whatever was very truth." And I resumed, addressing Sa'di, "See here the other sum of money, that is, the hundred and ninety Ashrafis which you gayest me and which I tied up in this very piece of cloth I now recognise." Then I sent for the earthen jar that they might see it, and also bade carry it to my wife that she also might bear witness, If it be or be not the very bran jar which she gave in exchange for fuller's earth. soon she sent us word and said, "Yea truly I know it well. 'Tis the same jar which I had filled with bran."

Accordingly Sa'di owned that he was wrong and said to S'ad, "Now I know that you speak truth, and am convinced that wealth comes not by wealth; but only by the grace of Almighty Allah does a poor man become a rich man." And he begged pardon for his mistrust and unbelief. We accepted his excuses whereupon we retired to rest and early on the morrow my two friends bade me adieu and journeyed homewards with full persuasion that I had done no wrong and had not squandered the moneys they had given me.—Now when the Caliph Harun al-Rashid had heard the story of Khwajah Hasan to the end, he said, "I have known you of old by fair report of you from the folk who, one and all, declare that you are a good man and true. Moreover the self same diamond by which you have attained to so great riches is now in my treasury; so I would glad send for Sa'di directly that he may see it with his own eyes, and weet for certain that not by means of money do men become or rich or poor." The Prince of True Believers said moreover to Khwajah Hasan al-Habbal, "Go now and tell your tale to my treasurer that he may take it down in writing for an everlasting memorial, and place the writ in the treasury together with the diamond."

Then the Caliph with a nod dismissed Khawajah Hasan; and Sidi Nu'uman and Baba Abdullah also kissed the foot of the throne and departed. So when Queen Shahrazad had made an end of relating this history she was about to begin the story of 'Ali Bábá and the Forty Thieves, but King Shahryar prevented her, saying, "O Shahrazad, I am well pleased with this your tale, but now the dawn appears and the chanticleer of morn does sound his shrill clarion. This day also I spare your life, to the intent that I may listen at my ease to this new history of yours at the end of the coming night." Hereupon the three took their rest until the fittest time drew near.— And as the morning morrowed Shahrazad held her peace till

The end of the Six Hundred and Twenty fifth Night

With the dawn Dunyazad awoke Queen Shahrazad from slumber sweet and said, "Arise, O my sister, but alas! 'tis a bitter thing to stand in awe of coming doom." Replied Shahrazad, "O dear my sister,

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. 219 be not you downhearted: if life's span be spent nothing can avert the sharp edged sword. Yet place your trust in Allah Almighty and put far from you all such anxious thoughts: my tales are tokens of life prolonged." Whereupon Queen Shahrazad began to tell in these words the story of