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Ibad and his brother were amazed at a reception ſo little expeeted; it was in vain they repreſented their miſery to Babeken, and ſhewed him the moſt abject ſubmiffion; he continued immoved; and all they could obtain of him was ten or twelve pieces of gold, to help them to ſettle in ſome other town.
Babeken being returned home, his wife perceived an alteration in his countenance: ſhe aſked him the cauſe of it, and was anſwered that it proceeded from the arrival of his two brothers, but that apprehending at Bagdad the ſame railleries he had born at Damaſcus, he had forbid them his houſe, and obliged them to leave the town.
Nohoud, to no purpoſe, remonſtrated to him the cruelty of what he had done; her huſband's fury was increaſed by her perſuaſions. I find, ſays he, you will be tempted to entertain them here, during my journey I am to make to Balſora; but take notice, I would adviſe you, that if you do, it will coſt you your life. I ſay no more: look to it that you do not diſobey me.
Babeken's wife was too well acquainted with her huſband's violent humour to contradict him: ſhe had often enough felt the weight of his arm. She promiſed moſt punctually to execute his orders; but thoſe promiſes did not make Babeken eaſy; he paſſed the whole night without taking a wink of ſleep, and returning next morning at the break of day to the woman's houſe where his brothers had lodged, he heard, to his great ſatiſfaction, that they were gone from Bagdad, with an intention never to ſee it again.
Ibad and Syphook were indeed departed, with a reſolution to go ſeek their fortunes elſewhere; but the latter falling ſick about two days journey from Bagdad, and they finding themſelves obliged to
