“When the wealth comes gratuitously, the heart has no mercy on
        it.” [99]

Had I possessed even the treasures of Karun, [100] they would not have been sufficient to supply this vast expenditure.  In the course of a few years such became all at once my condition, that, a bare skull cap for my head, and a rag about my loins, were all that remained.  Those friends who used to share my board, and [who so often swore] [101] to shed their blood by the spoonful for my advantage, disappeared; yea, even if I met them by chance on the highway, they used to withdraw their looks and turn aside their faces from me; moreover, my servants, of every description, left me, and went away; no one remained to enquire after me, and say, “what state is this you are reduced to?” I had no companion left but my grief and regret.

I now had not a half-farthing’s worth of parched grain [to grind between my jaws,] and give a relish to the water I drank:  I endured two or three severe fasts, but could no longer bear [the cravings of] hunger.  From necessity, covering my face with the mask of shamelessness, I formed the resolution of going to my sister; but this shame continued to come into my mind, that, since the death of my father, I had kept up no friendly intercourse with her, or even written her a single line; nay, further, she had written me two or three letters of condolence and affection, to which I had not deigned to make any reply in my inebriated moments of prosperity.  From this sense of shame my heart felt no inclination [to go to my sister,] but except her house, I had no other [to which I could resort.] In the best way I could, on foot, empty-handed, with much fatigue and a thousand toils, having traversed the few [intervening] stages, I arrived at the city where my sister lived, and reached her house.  My sister, seeing my wretched state, invoked a blessing upon me, embraced me with affection, and wept bitterly; she distributed [the customary offerings to the poor] on the occasion of my safe arrival, such as oil, vegetables, and small coins, [102] and said to me, “Though my heart is greatly rejoiced at this meeting, yet, brother, in what sad plight do I see you?” I could make her no reply, but shedding tears, I remained silent.  My sister sent me quickly to the bath, after having ordered a splendid dress to be sewn for me.  I having bathed and washed, put on these clothes.  She fixed on an elegant apartment, near her own, for my residence.  I had in the morning sharbat, [103] and various kinds of sweetmeats for my breakfast; in the afternoon, fresh and dried fruits for my luncheon; and at dinner and supper she having procured for me pulaos, [104] kababs, [105] and bread of the most exquisite flavour and delicious cookery; she saw me eat them in her own presence; and in every manner she took care of me.  I offered thousands upon thousands of thanksgivings to God for enjoying such comfort, after such affliction [as I had suffered.] Several months passed in this tranquillity, during which I never put my foot out of my apartment.