Thousand & One Nights: 179th Night: The Wealthy Man & The Slave Girl - 9

The following night Shahrazad said:

I heard, O happy King, the young man recited the verses, and the boatman rowed until they crossed the river and reached the opposite side.  The two men disembarked.  The girl said, "I cannot go with you beyond this point." She departed leaving Nur al-Din Ali prostrate on the ground before Abu al-Hasan al-Attar. The former was unable to stand on his feet.

"My lord," said Abu al-Hasan to his friend, our lives are not safe here.  I am afraid that robbers may be roaming around."  And he continued reproaching his friend until he rose at last and proceeded with him hardly able to walk.

Abu al-Hasan and Nur al-Din Ali had some friends who lived on that side of the city, so they went to the house of one of them, whom they trusted and with whom they felt comfortable.
They knocked at the door. The friend opened the door and greeted them.  He was pleased to see them.

Abu al-Hasan related later:

He took us into his house. And when we were seated, he asked, "Where have you been, my lord?"
I replied, "I had a business deal with certain individual, and when I heard that he had designs on my money as well as that of other people, I went to him tonight in the company of this gentleman," pointing to Nur al-Din Ali ibn-Bakkar and adding, "I took him with me for fear that the man would get wild of my intention and hide from me.  But in spite of my efforts, I was unable to catch him or find out
where he was; so I returned, feeling sorry for this exhausted gentleman, not knowing where else to go, and looking forward to the pleasure of your company, I took the liberty of coming to you."  The host treated them with attention and generosity, and they stayed with him the rest of the night.

At dawn, they headed for the river bank and taking a rawboat crossed to the other side.  They landed and went to the house of Abu al-Hasan.
As soon as they entered the house 
Ali ibn Bakkar collapsed on the bed
suffering from longing, grief and exhaustion.  The two men slept for a while, and when Abu al-Hasan awoke, he ordered the servants to spread the furnishings.

He related later:

I said to myself, "Let me entertain him and distract him, for I know very well the torment he feels for leaving his beloved behind."

"When the young man awoke and sat up, I said to him "Refresh yourself." Ali ibn Bakkar called for water, and the servants brought it, he rose and performing his ablutions, had his prayers, which he missed for the past day and night. Then he found relief and consolation in talking to me.  I advised him to stay with me for a few days in entertainment and diversions.
He replied, "Do as you wish, I will not contradict you."
I summoned his servants, invited his friends and brought a singing woman. We spend the time together till nightfall, and when the candles were lit and the moment was propitious, the singing woman sang:

Fate pierce me with a deadly dart
And left me of my love bereft, 
Sick and impatient with my lot
The sorry lot I did expect.
He heard the song, the words and the poetry, they went like a dart to his heart.  And he swooned down.

But, at the daybreak, he wanted to go home.  The servants brought him a young she-mule and he rode home, and I accompanied him.  We reached home safely.  I stayed with him for a while.  When I found that my presence will associate him with his past, I took leave of him.

Morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.



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