and the other with a head like an Ifrit’s.  Shoot them ye twain with bolts and kill them both; then cut off a span’s length from their heads and the like from their tails and throw it away.  The rest of the flesh cook and cook well and give it to your wives to eat:  then lie with them that night and, by Allah’s leave, they shall conceive and bear male children.”  Moreover, he gave him a seal-ring, a sword, and a wrapper containing two tunics[FN#365] embroidered with gold and jewels, saying, “O Wazir Faris, when your sons grow up to man’s estate, give to each of them one of these tunics.”  Then said he, “In the name of Allah!  May the Almighty accomplish your desire!  And now nothing remaineth for thee but to depart, relying on the blessing of the Lord the Most High, for the King looketh for thy return night and day and his eye is ever gazing on the road.”  So the Wazir advanced to the prophet Solomon son of David (upon both of whom be the Peace!) and farewelled him and fared forth from him after kissing his hands.  Rejoicing in the accomplishment of his errand he travelled on with all diligence night and day, and ceased not wayfaring till he drew near to Cairo, when he despatched one of his servants to acquaint King Asim with his approach and the successful issue of his journey; which when the King heard he joyed with exceeding joy, he and his Grandees and Officers and troops especially in the Wazir’s safe return.  When they met, the Minister dismounted and, kissing ground before the King, gave him the glad news anent the winning of his wish in fullest fashion; after which he expounded the True Faith to him, and the King and all his people embraced Al-Islam with much joy and gladness.  Then said Asim to his Wazir, “Go home and rest this night and a week to boot; then go to the Hammambath and come to me, that I may inform thee of what we shall have to consider.”  So Faris kissed ground and withdrew, with his suite, pages and eunuchs, to his house, where he rested eight days; after which he repaired to the King and related to him all that had passed between Solomon and himself, adding, “Do thou rise and go forth with me alone.”  Then the King and the Minister took two bows and two bolts and repairing to the tree indicated by Solomon, clomb up into it and there sat in silence till the mid-day heat had passed away and it was near upon the hour of mid-afternoon prayer, when they descended and looking about them saw a serpent-couple[FN#366] issue from the roots of the tree.  The King gazed at them, marvelling to see them ringed with collars of gold about their necks, and said to Faris, “O Wazir, verily these snakes have golden torques!  By Allah, this is forsooth a rare thing!  Let us catch them and set them in a cage and keep them to look upon.”  But the Minister said, “These hath Allah created for profitable use;[FN#367] so do thou shoot one and I will shoot the other with these our shafts.”  Accordingly they shot at them with arrows and slew them; after which they