While he was employed in selecting the finest stuffs which the principal merchants had brought to his tents, Agib begged the black eunuch his governor to carry him through the city, in order to see what he had not had leisure to view before; and to inquire what was become of the pastry cook whom he had wounded.  The eunuch complying with his request, went along with him towards the city, after leave obtained of the beautiful lady his mother.

They entered Damascus by the Paradise-gate, which lay next to the tents of the vizier They walked through the great squares and the public places where the richest goods were sold, and took a view of the superb mosque at the hour of prayer, between noon and sun-set.  When they passed by the shop of Buddir ad Deen Houssun, whom they still found employed in making cream tarts, “I salute you sir,” said Agib; “do you know me?  Do you remember you ever saw me before?” Buddir ad Deen hearing these words, fixed his eyes upon him, and recognizing him (such was the surprising effect of paternal love!), felt the same emotion as when he saw him first; he was confused, and instead of making any answer, continued a long time without uttering a word.  At length, recovering himself, “My lord,” said he, “be so kind as to come once more with your governor into my house, and taste a cream-tart.  I beg your lordship’s pardon, for the trouble I gave you in following you out of town; I was at that time not myself, I did not know what I did.  You drew me after you, and the violence of the attraction was so soft, that I could not withstand it.”

Agib, astonished at what Buddir ad Deen said, replied:  “There is an excess in the kindness you express, and unless you engage under oath not to follow me when I go from hence, I will not enter your house.  If you give me your promise, and prove a man of your word, I will visit you again to-morrow, since the vizier my grandfather, is still employed in buying up rarities for a present to the sultan of Egypt.”  “My lord,” replied Buddir ad Deen, “I will do whatever you would have me.”  This said, Agib and the eunuch went into the shop.

Presently after, Buddir ad Deen set before them a cream-tart, that was full as good as what they had eaten before; “Come,” said Agib, “sit down by me, and eat with us.”  Buddir ad Deen sat down, and attempted to embrace Agib, as a testimony of the joy he conceived upon sitting by him.  But Agib pushed him away, desiring him not to be too familiar.  Buddir ad Deen obeyed, and repeated some extempore verses in praise of Agib:  he did not eat, but made it his business to serve his guests.  When they had done, he brought them water to wash, and a very white napkin to wipe their hands.  Then he filled a large china cup with sherbet, and put snow into it; and offering it to Agib, “This,” said he, “is sherbet of roses; and I am sure you never tasted better.”  Agib having drunk of it with pleasure, Buddir ad Deen took the cup from him, and presented it to the eunuch, who drank it all off at once.