Now it was just as if he had been informed of our wishes, Or had shot from the same bow as our sentiments; So we gratified him by acceding to the condition, And highly commended him for his accommodating disposition. But when the servant had produced what was ready, And the candle was lighted up in the midst of us, I regarded him attentively, and lo! it was Abu-Zeid; Whereupon I addressed my companions in these words:-- "May you have joy of the guest who has repaired to you: For though the moon of the heavens has set, The full moon of poetry has arisen; And though the moon of the eclipse has disappeared, The full moon of eloquence has shone forth." So the wine of joy infused itself into them, And sleep flew away from the corners of their eyes, And they rejected the slumber which they had contemplated, And began to resume the pleasantry which they had laid aside, While Abu-Zeid remained intent on the business in hand. But as soon as he desired the removal of what was before him, I said to him, "Entertain us with one of thy strange anecdotes, Or with an account of one of thy wonderful journeys." And he said:--"The result of long journeys brought me to this land, Myself being in a state of hunger and distress, And my wallet light as the heart of the mother of Moses; So I arose, when dark night had settled on the world, Though with weary feet, to seek a lodging, or obtain a loaf; Till, being driven on by the instigation of hunger, And by fate, so justly called 'the parent of adventures,' I stood at the door of a house and improvised these words:-- "'Inmates of this abode, all hail! all hail! Long may you live in plenty's verdant vale. Oh, grant your aid to one by toil opprest, Way-worn, benighted, destitute, distrest; Whose tortured entrails only hunger hold (For since he tasted food two days are told); A wretch who finds not where to lay his head, Though brooding night her weary wing hath spread, But roams in anxious hope a friend to meet, Whose bounty, like a spring of water sweet, May heal his woes; a friend who straight will say, "Come in! 'Tis time thy staff aside to lay."' "But there came out to me a boy in a short tunic, who said:-- "'By Him who hospitable rites ordained, And first of all, and best, those rites maintained, I swear that friendly converse and a home Is all we have for those who nightly roam."