Page:The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol 7.djvu/142

122 like as his father had done, for that he exulted in [the assured possession of] abundant wealth.

After he had led this life for some time and had wasted all his ready money, he sold all his father’s lands and houses and [spent their price in riotous living, till] there remained in his hand nothing, neither little nor much, nor was one of his friends left who knew him. He abode thus, anhungred, he and his mother, three days, and on the fourth day, as he went along, unknowing whither, there met him a man of his father’s friends, who questioned him of his case. So he told him what had befallen him and the other said, ‘O my son, I have a brother, a goldsmith; if thou wilt, thou shalt be with him and learn his craft and become skilled therein.’ Hassan consented and accompanied him to his brother, to whom he commended him, saying, ‘This is my son; do thou teach him for my sake.’ So Hassan abode with the goldsmith and busied himself with the craft; and God prospered him, [so that he became proficient therein] and [in due course] opened a shop for himself.

One day, as he sat in his shop in the bazaar, there came up to him a Persian, with a great white beard and a white turban on his head, having the appearance of a merchant, who looked at his handiwork and examined it knowingly. It pleased him and he shook his head, saying, ‘By Allah, thou art a cunning goldsmith!’ And he continued to look at his wares, whilst Hassan read in an old book he had in his hand and the folk were taken up with his beauty and grace and symmetry, till the hour of afternoon prayer,afternoon-prayer, [sic] when the shop became clear of people and the Persian accosted the young man, saying, ‘O my son, thou