History of Khwajah Hasan al-Habbal.[FN#272]

O Lord of beneficence! obedient to thy royal behest, I will now inform thy Highness of the means and the measures whereby Destiny cowered me with such wealth; but first I would thou hear somewhat of two amongst my friends who abode in the House of Peace, Baghdad.  They twain are yet alive and both well know the history which thy slave shall now relate.  One of them, men call Sa’d, the other Sa’di.[FN#273] Now Sa’di opined that without riches no one in this world could be happy and independent; moreover that without hard toil and trouble and wariness and wisdom withal it were impossible to become wealthy.  But Sa’d differing therefrom would affirm that affluence cometh not to any save by decree of Destiny and fiat of Fate and Fortune.  Sa’d was a poor man while Sa’di had great store of good; yet there sprang up a firm friendship between them and fond affection each for other; nor were they ever wont to differ upon any matter save only upon this; to wit, that Sa’di relied solely upon deliberation and forethought and Sa’d upon doom and man’s lot.  It chanced one day that, as they sat talking together on this matter, quoth Sa’di, “A poor man is he who either is born a pauper and passeth all his days in want and penury, or he who having been born to wealth and comfort, doth in the time of manhood squander all he hath and falleth into grievous need; then lacketh he the power to regain his riches and to live at ease by wit and industry.”  Sa’d made answer, saying, “Nor wit nor industry availeth aught to any one, but Fate alone enableth him to acquire and to preserve riches.  Misery and want are but accidents and deliberation is naught.  Full many a poor man hath waxed affluent by favour of Fate and richards manifold have, despite their skill and store, been reduced to misery and beggary.”  Quoth Sa’di, “Thou speakest foolishly.  Howbeit put we the matter to fair test and find out for ourselves some handicraftsman scanty of means and living upon his daily wage; him let us provide with money, then will he without a doubt increase his stock and abide in ease and comfort, and so shalt thou be persuaded that my words be true.”  Now as they twain were walking on, they passed through the lane wherein stood my lodging and saw me a twisting ropes, which craft my father and grandfather and many generations before me had followed.  By the condition of my home and dress they judged that I was a needy man; where upon Sa’d pointing me out to Sa’di said, “An thou wouldst make trial of this our matter of dispute, see yonder wight.  He hath dwelt here for many years and by this trade of rope making cloth gain a bare subsistence for himself and his.  I know his case right well of old; he is a worthy subject for the trial; so do thou give him some gold pieces and test the matter.”  “Right willingly,” replied Sa’di, “but first let us take full cognizance of him.”  So the two friends came up to me, whereat I left my work and saluted them.  They returned my salam after which quoth Sa’di, “Prithee what be thy name?” Quoth I, “My name is Hasan, but by reason of my trade of rope making all men call me Hasan al-Habbal.”—­And as the morn began to dawn Shahrazad held her peace till