Unknown

“ So he joined unto him a governor, in whom he trusted, and gave him much money and took leave of him. The son set out on the holy pilgrimage [2] with the governor and abode on that wise, spending freely and using not thrift.
Now there was in his neighbourhood a poor man, who had a slave-girl of surpassing beauty and loveliness, and the youth became enamoured of her and suffered grief and concern for the love of her and her loveliness, so that he was like to perish for passion; and she also loved him with a love yet greater than his love for her. ”

“ So she donned a devotee’s habit and betaking herself to the goldsmith, said to him, ‘To whom belongeth the bracelet that is in the king’s hand?’ Quoth he, ‘It belongeth to a man, a stranger, who hath bought him a slave-girl from this city and lodgeth with her in such a place.’ So the old woman repaired to the young man’s house and knocked at the door. The damsel opened to her and seeing her clad in devotee’s apparel, [6] saluted her and said to her, ‘Belike thou hast an occasion with us?’ ‘Yes,’ answered the old woman ”

“ She fared on with him till they entered the city [and made the round thereof] ; after which she went up to the palace of the king and fell to saying, ‘O people of affluence, look on a youth whom the devils take twice in the day and pray for preservation from [a like] affliction!’ And she ceased not to go round about with him till she came to the eastern wing [11] of the palace, whereupon the slave-girls came out to look upon him and when they saw him they were amazed at his beauty and grace and wept for him.
Then they told the damsel, who came forth and looked upon him and knew him not. ”