Page:Three crump twin brothers of Damascus (1).pdf/7

Rh Ibad and his brother were amazed at a reception so little expected; it was in vain they repre sented their misery to Babekan, and shewed him the most abject submission; he continued unmoved; and all they could obtain of him was ten or twelve pieces of gold, to help them to itide in s some other town. Babekan being returned home his wife perceived an alteration in his countenance : she asked him the cause of it, and was answered that it proceeded from the arrival of his two brothers; but that apprehending at Bagdad the same railleries he had born at Damascus, he had forbid them his house, and obliged them to leave the town. Nohoud to no purpose remonstrated to him the cruelty of what he had done; her husband's fury was increased by her persuasion's. I find, says he, you will be tempted to entertain them here during the journey I am to make to Balfora; but take notice, I would advise you, that if you do, it shall cost you your life. I say no more: look to it that you do not disobey me. Babekan's wife was too well acquainted with her husband's violent humour to contradict him: she had often enough felt the weight of his arm. She promised most punctually to execute his orders; but those promises did not make Babekan easy; he passed the whole night without taking a wink of sleep, and returning next morning at break of day to the woman's house where his bro- thers had lodged, he heard to his great satisfaction that they were gone from Bagdad, with an intention never to see it again. Ibad and Syabock were indeed departed with a resolution to go seek their fortunes elsewhere; but the latter falling sick about two days journey from Bagdad, and they finding themselves obliged to