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 awhile; then they said: "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Put forth thy hand to Heaven, and when thou reach thither, then shalt thou win to thy wife." Whereupon Hasan wept bitterly, and the Princesses comforted him and exhorted him to patience and prayer, saying: "O my brother, be of good cheer, keep thy eyes cool and clear and be patient, so shalt thou win thy will: for whoso hath patience and waiteth, that he seeketh attaineth." But he still grieved deeply, and abode with them a whole year, during which time his eyes could never retain their tears.

Now the sisters had an uncle whose name was Abd al-Kaddus, or Slave of the Most Holy; and he loved the eldest exceedingly and was wont to visit her once a year and do all she desired. Once he gave her a pouch filled with certain perfumes, saying, "O daughter of my brother, if thou be in want of aught or if aught trouble thee, or if thou stand in any need, cast off these perfumes upon fire naming my name, and I will be with thee and will do thy desire." So now the eldest Princess said, "Lo, the year is past and my uncle is not come. Bring me the firesticks and the perfumes." And the youngest Princess arose rejoicing and laid it before her. So she opened the box, and taking therefrom some of the perfume, cast it on the fire, naming her uncle's name. Ere it was burnt out a dust cloud appeared at the further end of the desert, which presently lifting discovered her uncle riding on an elephant. And