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the safeguard of the Apostle of God[1] (whom God bless and keep), go thou in peace, and I [and] thy Vizier, we will govern the realm in thine absence, against thou shalt return.”
So Zein ul Asnam went forth and equipping himself [for travel, set out] and journeyed till he came to Cairo, where he enquired for Mubarek’s house and the folk said to him, “O my lord, this is a man than whom there is none richer in [all Cairo]; no, nor is there a more abounding than he in bounty and beneficence, and his house is [still] open to the stranger.” So they directed him thither and he went till he came to the house and knocked at the door; whereupon there came out to him one of Mubarek’s slaves and[2] opening the door, said to him, “Who art thou and what willest thou?” Quoth Zein ul Asnam, “I am a stranger, a man from a far country, and I heard tell of your lord, Mubarek, and how he is renowned for hospitality and beneficence; so I came to him, that I may be a guest with him.” The slave entered and told his lord Mubarek; then returned and
