thou have aught, they draw thee near to them,[FN#6] and if thou
have naught, they put thee away from them." And she went on to
condole with him, what while he bewailed himself and his tears
flowed and he repeated these lines:--

"An wane my wealth, no mane will succour me, * When my wealth
waxeth all men friendly show:
How many a friend, for wealth showed friendliness * Who, when my
wealth departed, turned to foe!"

Then he sprang up and going to the place wherein was the other
half of his good, took it and lived with it well; and he sware
that he would never again consort with a single one of those he
had known, but would company only with the stranger nor entertain
even him but one night and that, when it morrowed, he would never
know him more. Accordingly he fell to sitting every eventide on
the bridge over Tigris and looking at each one who passed by him;
and if he saw him to be a stranger, he made friends with him and
caroused with him all night till morning. Then he dismissed him
and would never more salute him with the Salam nor ever more drew
near unto him neither invited him again. Thus he continued to do
for the space of a full year, till, one day, while he sat on the
bridge, as was his wont, expecting who should come to him so he
might take him and pass the night with him, behold, up came the
Caliph and Masrur, the Sworder of his vengeance[FN#7] disguised
in merchants dress, according to their custom. So Abu al-Hasan
looked at them and rising, because he knew them not, asked them,
"What say ye? Will ye go with me to my dwelling-place, so ye may
eat what is ready and drink what is at hand, to wit, platter-
bread[FN#8] and meat cooked and wine strained?" The Caliph