’At one of these seasons of enjoyment, the festival was prepared by his circle of friends as usual, but Saadie delayed his visit.  The whole party were lost in surprise and regret at an absence as unexpected as deplored.  Some time was passed in fruitless conjecture on the cause of his delay, and at last it was agreed that a deputation from his well-beloved associates should go in quest of their favourite.  They accordingly went, and knocked at the door of his room, which they found was securely fastened within.  The poet inquired “Who is it that disturbs my repose, at this hour, when all good subjects of the King should be at rest?”—­“Why, Saadie, Saadie!” they replied, “it is your friends and associates, your favourites!—­have you forgotten our enjoyments and this season of bliss?  Come, come, open the door, Saadie! away with us! our revels await your presence.  Nothing gives enjoyment to our party until you add your smiles to our mirth.”

’"Let me alone,” replied Saadie; “enjoy your pastime, if such it be to ye; but for me, I am heartily ashamed of my late wanton pursuits.  I have resolved on mending my ways, whilst yet I have time; and be ye also wise, my friends; follow Saadie’s example.  Go home to your beds, and forsake the sinful habits of the world!”

’"Why Saadie, what aileth thee! art thou mad?—­or has the study of philosophy drawn thee from thy former self, whilst yet thine hairs are jet with youth?  These reflections of thine will suit us till far better when time hath frosted our beards.  Come, come, Saadie, away with us! let not the precious moments escape in this unprofitable converse.  You must come, Saadie; our hearts will break without you!”

’"Nay, nay,” responded Saadie, “my conscience smites me that I have erred too long.  It suits not my present temper to join in your mirth.”—­“Open the door to us at any rate,” sounded from the many voices without; “speak to us face to face, our dear and well-beloved friend! let us have admission, and we will argue the subject coolly.”—­Saadie’s good-nature could not resist the appeal, the door was unbarred, and the young men entered in a body.

’"We have all wickedly broken the law of the faithful,” said Saadie to his guests; and he tried to reason with his unreasonable favourites, who, on their part, used raillery, bantering, argument, and every power of speech, to turn Saadie from his steady purpose of now fulfilling the law he had wilfully violated.  They effected nothing in moving him from his purpose, until one of the young men, to whom Saadie was much attached, spoke tenderly to him of the affection both himself and friends entertained for him, adding, “It is written in our law, that if a Mussulmaun be guilty of any sin, however great, (and all kinds of sin are therein enumerated), and he afterwards sincerely repents before God, with fasting and prayer, his sins shall be forgiven.  Now you, Saadie, who are deeply versed in the way of wisdom, and better acquainted with the words of