Asnam proceeded to entertain the folk and made them banquets for
the space of eight days. Moreover, he honoured Aboubekr the Imam
and gave him gifts galore and brought the Vizier, the bride's
father, presents and great rarities.

Then, the wedding festivities being ended, Mubarek said to Zein
ul Asnam, "Come, O my lord, let us set out on our way, lest we
waste the time in sloth, now we have found that whereof we were
in search." And the prince answered him, saying, "Thou art in the
right." So Mubarek arose and fell to equipping them for the
journey; moreover, he let make the young lady a
camel-litter [FN#127] with a travelling couch, [FN#128] and they
set out. But Mubarek knew that Zein ul Asnam was sunken deep in
love of the damsel; so he took him and said to him, "O my lord
Zein ul Asnam, I would fain remind thee to watch over thyself;
nay, again I say, have a care and keep the faith which thou
plightedst to the King of the Jinn." "O Mubarek," answered the
prince, "an thou knewest the transport which possesseth me for
the love of this young lady [FN#129] and how I still think of
nothing but of taking her to Bassora and going in [to her]!" And
Mubarek said to him, "Nay, O my lord; keep thy troth and play not
the traitor to thine oath, lest there befall thee a sore calamity
and thou lose thy life and the young lady lose hers also. Bethink
thee of the oath which thou sworest and let not lust get the
mastery over thine understanding, lest thou lose guerdan [FN#130]
and honour and life." "O Mubarek," rejoined Zein ul Asnam, "keep
thou watch over her thyself and let me not see her." So [FN#131]
Mubarek fell to keeping watch and ward over the bride in the
prince's stead and guarded the latter also, lest he should look
on her; and so they journeyed on past the road leading unto Egypt