After that he arose, kissed the breast of Ja’afar, magnified his power and said to him, O my Master, this day is a happy one and were it not a fast-day I would have fasted for thee to render thanks to God.  Then came up the servants to whom he said, Bring us what is ready.  They spread the table of viands and the youth said, O my lord, the Sages say, If you are invited content yourself with what’s before you, but if you are not invited, stay not and visit not again; if we had known that you would arrive to-day we would have sacrified the flesh of our bodies and our children.  Ja’afar said, I put out my hand and I ate until I was satisfied, while he was presenting me with his hand the delicate morsels and taking pleasure in entertaining me.  When we had finished they brought the ewer and basin, we washed our hands and we passed into the drinking room where he told the damsel to sing.  She took up her lute, tuned it, and holding it against her breast she began:—­

A visitor of whom the sight is venerated by all, sweeter than either spirit or
     hope: 
He spreads the darkness of his hair over the morning dawn and the dawn of shame
     appeared not;
And when my lot would kill me I asked his protection, his arrival revived a soul
     that death reclaimed: 
I’ve become the slave of the Prince of the Lovers and the dominion of love was
     of my making.

The Rawi says that Ja’afar was moved with exceeding joy, as was also the youth, but he did not fail to be fearful on account of his affair with the Caliph, so that it showed itself in his countenance, and this anxiety was apparent to the youth who knew that he was anxious, frightened, dreaming and uncertain.  Ja’afar perceived that the youth was ashamed to question him on his position and the cause of his condition, but the youth said to him, O my lord, listen to what the Sages have said:—­

Worry not thyself for things that are to come, drive away your cares by the
     intoxicating bowl: 
See you not that hands have painted beautiful flowers on the robes of drink? 
Spoils of the vine-branch, lilies and narcissus, and the violet and the striped
     flower of N’uman: 
If troubles overtake you, lull them to sleep with liquors and flowers and
     favourites.

Then said he to Ja’afar, Contract not thy breast, and to the damsel, Sing; and she sang, and Ja’afar who was delighted with her songs, said Let us not cease our enjoyment, now in conversation, now in song until the day closes and night comes with darkness.

The youth ordered the servants to bring up the horses and they presented to his guest a mare fit for Kings.  We mounted (said Ja’afar), and, entering Damascus, I proceeded to look at the bazars and the streets until we came to a large square in the middle of which were two mastabas or stone benches before a high doorway brilliantly illuminated with divers lights, and before a portiere was suspended a lamp by a golden chain.