Page:Swahili tales.djvu/173

Rh a youth named Mohammed the Languid, there it will be found."

The caliph called his vizir, Mesroor Sayafi. And he told him, "Take a letter, and journey and go to Bussorah, to the governor, Mohammed Zabidi." And this was the caliph's governor, who was in the district of Bussorah.

And Mesroor Sayafi had the letter given him, and was accompanied by a great host, and travelled by the way of the desert, and went to Bussorah. And they entered the district of Bussorah, and arrived at the house of the governor, Mohammed Zabidi.

And he took out the letter and gave him. And he read it. And when he had read it, he invited him into his house, and prepared a great feast for him, and they went in and ate food. And when they had done, he said to him, "My order that was given me was to give you the letter, and when you had read it, for us to go to Mohammed the Languid. And now set forth, and let us go." And they set out, and were attended, and went to Mohammed the Languid.

And the vizir, Mesroor Sayafi, took out the letter that came from Haroun al Rashid. And he received it with both his hands, and opened it reverentially, and read the letter which came from the caliph.

And when he had read it, he said, "Come into my house." And he said, "I have no business to go into your house. I was told to give you the letter, and that when you had read it we should make our journey and go; for the caliph told me, 'Do not stay, give him the letter and come on your way, and let him come with you. And when he had heard that, he said, "I hear and obey; but I pray you drink a cup of coffee." And he said, "I was not ordered to drink coffee with you." And he said, "You must drink my coffee." And he besought him, and he consented