I gave for answer, “Your worship has, on your part, done me a great favour by giving me these stones and pebbles; but of what use are they to me?  When I become hungry, I shall not be able to eat them nor to fill my belly; and if you give me more of them, what use will they be to me??  That person smiled, and said, “I pity thee, for thou, like me, art an inhabitant of the kingdom of Persia; for this reason I advise thee [against remaining here], otherwise it rests with thee.  If thou art determined, at all hazards, to enter this city, then take my ring with thee; when thou reachest the centre of the market place, thou wilt find sitting there a man with a white beard—­his face and general appearance are very like mine—­he is my eldest brother—­give him this ring—­he will then take care of thee; act conformably to what he says, otherwise thou wilt lose thy life for nothing; my authority only extends as far as this; I have no entrance into the city.”

“’I took the ring from him, and, saluting him, took my leave.  I entered the city, and saw it was a very elegant place; the streets and market-places were clean and the men and women without concealment were buying and selling among themselves, and were all well dressed.  I continued advancing on, and viewing sights.  When I reached the four cross roads of the market place, such a crowd there was, that if you threw a brass plate, it would have skimmed over the heads of the people.  The multitude were so close to each other, that one could with difficulty make his way through.  When the concourse became less, I, pushing and jostling, advanced forward.  I saw at last the person [described], seated on a chair, and a chummak [349] set with precious stones lay before him.  I approached him, made him my salam, and gave him the ring; he looked at me with a look of anger, and said, “Why hast thou come here, and plunged thyself in calamity?  Did not my foolish brother forbid thee?”

“’I replied, “he did forbid me, but I did not mind him.”  I then related to him all my adventures from beginning to end.  That person got up, and taking me with him, he went towards his own house; his residence appeared like the abode of a king, and he had many servants and attendants.  When he had retired to his private apartment and sat down, he said with mildness, “O son! what folly hast thou committed, that on thine own feet thou hast walked to thy grave?  What unfortunate blockhead ever comes to this enchanted city?” I answered, I have already fully related to you my history; now indeed fate has brought me here; but do me the kindness to enlighten me on the customs and ways of this place, then shall I know for what reasons you and your brother have dissuaded me from staying here.”  The good man answered, “The king and all the nobles of this city have been excommunicated; strange are their manners and religion!  In an idol temple here there is an idol, from whose belly the devil tells the name, sect, and faith of every