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something lofty [in the distance], said to the Magian, ‘O uncle, what is that?’ ‘It is a palace,’ answered Behram. Quoth Hassan, ‘Wilt thou not go thither, that we may enter and rest ourselves there and divert ourselves with viewing it?’ But the Persian was wroth and said, ‘Name not yonder palace to me; for therein dwells an enemy of mine, with whom there befell me somewhat whereof this is no time to tell thee.’ Then he beat the drum and up came the dromedaries, and they mounted and fared on other seven days.
On the eighth day, the Magian said, ‘O Hassan, what seest thou?’ Quoth Hassan, ‘I see clouds and mists between the east and the west.’ ‘That is neither clouds nor mists,’ answered Behram, ‘but a vast and lofty mountain, on which the clouds divide, and there are no clouds above it, for the excess of its height and the greatness of its elevation. Yonder mountain is the goal of my journey and thereon is what we seek. It is for that I brought thee hither, for my occasion may not be accomplished save at thy hands.’ When Hassan heard this, he gave himself up for lost and said to the Magian, ‘By the virtue of that thou worshippest and the faith in which thou believest, I conjure thee to tell me what is the occasion on which thou hast brought me!’ Quoth Behram, ‘The art of alchemy may not be successfully practised save by means of a herb, that grows in the place where the clouds pass and whereon they divide. Such a place is yonder mountain; the herb grows there and I purpose to send thee up thither [to gather it]; and when we have it, I will show thee the secret of this craft that thou desirest to learn.’ Hassan answered, in his fear, ‘It is well, O my master.’ And indeed he despaired of life and wept for his separation from his mother and people and country, repenting him of having gainsaid her and reciting the following verses:
