and he answered, On the eastern side, under a pear-tree. Then he called the other old man and asked him the same question, and he replied, On the western side of the garden, under an apple-tree. Meanwhile the damsel stood by, with her hands and eyes raised heavenwards, imploring the Lord for deliverance. Then Allah Almighty sent down His blasting leven-fire upon the elders and consumed them, and on this wise the Lord made manifest the innocence of the damsel. Such was the first of the miracles of the Prophet Daniel, on whom be blessing and peace! And they relate a tale of JAAFAR THE BARMECIDE AND THE OLD BADAWL
The Commander of the Faithful, Harun al-Rashid, went out one day, with Abu YaKúb the cup-companion [FN#140] and Jaafar the Barmecide and Abu Nowas, into the desert, where they fell in with an old man, propt against his ass. The Caliph bade Jaafar learn of him whence he came; so he asked him, Whence comest thou? and he answered, From Bassorah. -- And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
When it was the Three Hundred and Ninety-fifth Night,
She said, it hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Jaafar asked the man, Whence comest thou?; he answered From Bassorah. Quoth Jaafar, And whither goest thou? Quoth the other, To Baghdad. Then Jaafar enquired And what wilt thou do there? and the old man replied, I go to seek medicine for my eye. Said the Caliph, O Jaafar, make thou sport with him, and answered Jaafar, I shall hear what I shall exceedingly mislike. [FN#141] But Al-Rashid rejoined, I charge thee on my authority, jest with him. Thereupon Jaafar said to the Badawi, If I prescribe thee a medicine that shall profit thee, what wilt thou give me in return? Quoth the other, Allah
