of the Faithful, who came to himself and knowing her for Kut al-
Kulub, said, "Is this the Day of Resurrection and hath Allah
quickened those who are in the tombs; or am I asleep and is this
an imbroglio of dreams?" Quoth Kut al-Kulub, "We are on wake, not
on sleep, and I am alive, nor have I drained the cup of death."
Then she told him all that had befallen her, and indeed, since he
lost her, life had not been light to him nor had sleep been
sweet, and he abode now wondering, then weeping and anon afire
for longing. When she had made an end of her story, the Caliph
rose and took her by the hand, intending for her palace, after he
had kissed her inner lips, and had strained her to his bosom;
whereupon Khalif rose and said, "By Allah, O Commander of the
Faithful! Thou hast already wronged me once, and now thou
wrongest me again." Quoth Al-Rashid, "Indeed thou speakest sooth,
O Khalif," and bade the Wazir Ja'afar give him what should
satisfy him. So he straightway gifted him with all for which he
wished and assigned him a village, the yearly revenues whereof
were twenty thousand dinars. Moreover Kut al-Kulub generously
presented him the house and all that was therein of furniture and
hangings and white slaves and slave-girls and eunuchs great and
small. So Khalif became possessed of this passing affluence and
exceeding wealth and took him a wife, and prosperity taught him
gravity and dignity, and good fortune overwhelmed him. The Caliph
enrolled him among his equerries and he abode in all solace of
life and its delights till he deceased and was admitted to the
mercy of Allah. Furthermore they relate a tale anent[FN#307]