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jeweller, in which craft he hath no equal. The king of Bassora loves him greatly and holds him in high esteem and his word is law with him.’ And he went on to enlarge to them on his praises, saying, ‘He did with me thus and thus and I have shame of him and know not how to requite him his generous dealing with me.’ Nor did he leave to vaunt him, till his worth was magnified to the bystanders and he became venerable in their eyes. So they said, ‘We will all do him homage and honour him for thy sake. But we would fain know why he hath departed his native land and come hither and what God hath done with him, that he is come to this plight.’ ‘O folk,’ replied Kemerezzeman, ‘marvel not: for a son of Adam is still subject to Fate and destiny, and what while he abideth in this world, he is not safe from calamities. Indeed, he speaks truly who says:
Time still devours mankind and lies in wait on them to prey: So be not thou of those whom rank and honours lead astray;
Nay, but beware of slips and faults and sorrow still forswear And know the attributes of time are ruin and decay.
How many a fortune by the least adverseness is undone! All in itself hath that shall cause it change and pass away.
Know that I entered Bassora in yet sorrier plight and worse distress than this man, for that he entered Cairo with his nakedness covered with rags; but I came into his town, with my nakedness uncovered, one hand before and another behind; and none availed me but God and this excellent man. Now the reason of this was that the Bedouins stripped me and took my camels and mules and baggage and slew my men; but I lay down among the slain, and they thought that I was dead and went away and left me. Then I arose and walked on, naked, till I came to Bassora, where this man met me and clothed me and lodged me in his house. Moreover, he furnished
