him; nor, if he absented himself, did he enquire concerning him, as had been his wont.  This was grievous to Abdallah and he said in himself, “Verily, the heart of the Commander of the Faithful and his fashions are changed towards me and nevermore shall I get of him that cordiality wherewith he was wont to entreat me.”  And this was distressful to him and concern waxed upon him, so that he recited the following verses: 

If, in his own land, midst his folk, abjection and despite
     Afflict a man, then exile sure were better for the wight. 
So get thee gone, then, from a house wherein thou art abased And
     let not severance from friends lie heavy on thy spright. 
Crude amber[FN#158] in its native land unheeded goes, but, when
     It comes abroad, upon the necks to raise it men delight. 
Kohl[FN#159] in its native country, too, is but a kind of stone;
     Cast out and thrown upon the ways, it lies unvalued quite;
But, when from home it fares, forthright all glory it attains And
     ’twixt the eyelid and the eye incontinent ’tis dight.

Then he could brook this no longer; so he went forth from the dominions of the Commander of the Faithful, under pretence of visiting certain of his kinsmen, and took with him servant nor companion, neither acquainted any with his intent, but betook himself to the road and fared on into the desert and the sandwastes, knowing not whither he went.  After awhile, he fell in with travellers intending for the land of Hind [and journeyed with them].  When he came thither, he lighted down [in a city of the cities of the land and took up his abode] in one of the lodging-places; and there he abode a while of days, tasting not food neither solacing himself with the delight of sleep; nor was this for lack of dirhems or dinars, but for that his mind was occupied with musing upon [the reverses of] destiny and bemoaning himself for that the revolving sphere had turned against him and the days had decreed unto him the disfavour of our lord the Imam.[FN#160]

On this wise he abode a space of days, after which he made himself at home in the land and took to himself comrades and got him friends galore, with whom he addressed himself to diversion and good cheer.  Moreover, he went a-pleasuring with his friends and their hearts were solaced [by his company] and he entertained them with stories and civilities[FN#161] and diverted them with pleasant verses and told them abundance of histories and anecdotes.  Presently, the report of him reached King Jemhour, lord of Cashghar of Hind, and great was his desire [for his company].  So he went in quest of him and Abdallah repaired to his court and going in to him, kissed the earth before him.  Jemhour welcomed him and entreated him with kindness and bade commit him to the guest-house, where he abode three days, at the end of which time the king sent [to him] a chamberlain of his chamberlains and let bring him to his presence.  When he came before him, he greeted him [with the usual compliment], and the interpreter accosted him, saying, “King Jemhour hath heard of thy report, that thou art a goodly boon-companion and an eloquent story-teller, and he would have thee company with him by night and entertain him with that which thou knowest of anecdotes and pleasant stories and verses.”  And he made answer with “Hearkening and obedience.”