Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 6.djvu/221

193 ‘The generosity of thy dealing,’ replied Khuzeimeh, ‘and the scurviness of my requital.’ And Ikrimeh said, ‘God pardon us and thee!’

Then Khuzeimeh bade the jailor strike off Ikrimeh’s shackles and clap them on his own feet; but Ikrimeh said, ‘What is this thou wilt do?’ Quoth the other, ‘I have mind to suffer what thou hast suffered.’ ‘I conjure thee by Allah,’ cried Ikrimeh, ‘do not so!’ Then they both went out and returned to Khuzeimeh’s house, where Ikrimeh would have taken leave of him and gone his way; but he forbade him and Ikrimeh said, ‘What is thy will of me?’ Quoth Khuzeimeh, ‘I wish to change thy case, for my shame before the daughter of thine uncle is yet greater than my shame before thee.’ So he caused clear the bath and entering with Ikrimeh, served him, himself, after which he bestowed on him a splendid dress of honour and mounted him and gave him much money. Then he carried him to his house and asked his leave to make his excuses to his wife and did so.

After this, he besought him to accompany him to the Khalif, who was then abiding at Remleh and he agreed. So they journeyed thither and when they reached the palace, the chamberlain went in and acquainted the Khalif with Khuzeimeh’s coming, whereat he was troubled and said, ‘Is the governor of Mesopotamia come without our order? This can only be on some grave occasion.’ Then he bade admit him and said to him, before he could salute him, ‘What is behind thee, O Khuzeimeh?’ ‘Good, O Commander of the Faithful,’ answered he. ‘What bringeth thee?’ asked Suleiman; and he answered, saying, ‘I have discovered Jabir el Athrat el Kiram and thought to gladden thee with him, knowing thine excessive desire for his acquaintance and thy longing to see him.’ ‘Who is he?’ asked the Khalif and Khuzeimeh said, ‘He is Ikrimeh

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