moon of eloquence shines forth." Then ran through them the wine-glow of joy, and sleep flew away from their eye-corners. And they refused the rest which they had purposed, and returned to the spreading out of pleasantry, after they had folded it. But Abu Zayd kept intent upon plying his hands; however, when what was before him might be removed, I said to him, "Present us with one of the rare stories from thy night talkings, or some wonder from among the wonders of thy journeys." He said, "Of wonders I have met with such as no seers have seen, no tellers have told. But among the most wondrous was that which I beheld to-night, a little before my visit to you and my coming to your gate." Then we bade him tell us of this new thing which he had seen in the field of his night-faring. He said, Truly the hurlings of exile have thrown me to this land: And I was in hunger and distress, with a scrip like the heart of the mother of Moses. Now, as soon as the dark had settled, I arose, in spite of all my footsoreness, to seek a host or to gain a loaf. Then the driver hunger, and Fate, which is by-named the Father of Wonders, urged me on, till I stood at the door of a house, and spoke, improvising: Hail people of this dwelling, May ye live in the ease of a plenteous life! What have ye for a son of the road, one crushed to the sand, Worn with journeys, stumbling in the night-dark night, Aching in entrails, which enclose naught but hunger? For two days he has not tasted the savor of a meal: In your land there is no refuge for him. And already the van of the drooping darkness has gloomed; And through bewilderment he is in restlessness. Now in this abode is there any one, sweet of spring, Who will say to me, "Throw away thy staff and enter: Rejoice in a cheerful welcome and a ready meal?" Then came forth to me a lad in a tunic, and answered: Now by the sanctity of the Shaykh who ordained hospitality, And founded the House of Pilgrimage in the Mother of cities, We have naught for the night-farer when he visits us But conversation and a lodging in our hall. For how should he entertain whom hinders from sleepfulness Hunger which peels his bones when it assails him? Now what thinkest thou of my tale? what thinkest thou?