but slumber remained abroad,
       We heard from the door the low call of a benighted traveler,
       And then followed the knock of one seeking admission;
       And we answered, “Who comes here this darksome night?”
       And the stranger replied:—­

“Listen ye who here are dwelling! 
May you so be kept from ill! 
So may mischief ne’er befall you,
Long as life your breast shall fill! 
Gloom of dismal night and dreary
Drives a wretch to seek your door,
Whose disheveled hoary tresses
All with dust are sprinkled o’er;
Who, though destitute and lonely,
Far has roamed on hill and dale,
Till his form became thus crooked,
And his cheek thus deadly pale;
Who, though faint as slender crescent,
Ventures here for aid to sue,
Hospitable meal and shelter
Claiming first of all from you. 
Welcome then to food and dwelling
One so worthy both to share,
Sure to prove content and thankful,
Sure to laud your friendly care.”

Fascinated then by the sweetness of his language and delivery,
And readily inferring what this prelude betokened,
We hasted to open the door, and received him with welcome,
Saying to the servant, “Hie!  Hie!  Bring whatever is ready!”
But the stranger said, “By Him who brought me to your abode,
I will not taste of your hospitality, unless you pledge to me
That you will not permit me to be an incumbrance to you,
Nor impose on yourselves necessity of eating on my account.”

* * * * *

Now it was just as if he had been informed of our wishes,
Or had shot from the same bow as our sentiments;
So we gratified him by acceding to the condition,
And highly commended him for his accommodating disposition. 
But when the servant had produced what was ready,
And the candle was lighted up in the midst of us,
I regarded him attentively, and lo! it was Abu-Zeid;
Whereupon I addressed my companions in these words:—­
“May you have joy of the guest who has repaired to you: 
For though the moon of the heavens has set,
The full moon of poetry has arisen;
And though the moon of the eclipse has disappeared,
The full moon of eloquence has shone forth.” 
So the wine of joy infused itself into them,
And sleep flew away from the corners of their eyes,
And they rejected the slumber which they had contemplated,
And began to resume the pleasantry which they had laid aside,
While Abu-Zeid remained intent on the business in hand. 
But as soon as he desired the removal of what was before him,
I said to him, “Entertain us with one of thy strange anecdotes,
Or with an account of one of thy wonderful journeys.” 
And he said:—­“The result of long journeys brought me to this land,
Myself being in a state of hunger and distress,
And my wallet light as the heart of the mother of Moses;