gold which I took; for it was the cause of my affluence after poverty, and of the replenishment of my dwelling-place, after desolation, and of the dispersion of my trouble and straitness." But the man shook his head, and weeping and groaning and complaining of his lot answered, "Ho thou! methinks thou art mad; for this is not the way of a man of sense. How should a dog of mine make generous gift to thee of a dish of gold and I meanly take back the price of what a dog gave? This were indeed a strange thing! Were I in extremest unease and misery, by Allah, I would not accept of thee aught; no, not the worth of a nail-paring! So return whence thou camest in health and safety."[FN#395] Whereupon the merchant kissed his feet and taking leave of him, returned whence he came, praising him and reciting this couplet,
"Men and dogs together are all gone by, * So peace be with all of them! dogs and men!'
And Allah is All knowing! Again men tell the tale of
The Sharper of Alexandria and the Chief of Police
There was once in the coast-fortress of Alexandria, a Chief of Police, Husám al-Din highs, the sharp Scymitar of the Faith. Now one night as he sat in his seat of office, behold, there came in to him a trooper-wight who said, "Know, O my lord the Chief, that I entered your city this night