I asked him, “what is the noble name of your honour?” He replied, “they call the name of this nameless one Bedar Bakht.”  Seeing his good qualities and affable manners, I went along with him and came to his house.  I saw a grand mansion fitted up in a princely style—­he led me to a grand apartment, and made me sit down; and sending for warm water, he caused [the attendants] to wash my hands and feet; and having caused the dastar-khwan [205] to be spread, the steward placed before me alone a great variety of trays and dishes, and large quantities of fruit and confectionery. [206] On seeing such a grand treat, my very soul was satiated, and taking a mouthful from each dish, my stomach was filled; I then drew back my hand from eating. [207]

The young man became very pressing, and said, “Sir, what have you eaten? all the dinner remains as it were for a deposit; [208] eat some more without ceremony.”  I replied, there is no shame in eating; God prosper your house, I have eaten as much as my stomach can contain, and I cannot sufficiently praise the relish of your feast, and even now my tongue smacks with their flavour, and every belch [209] I make is absolutely perfumed, now pray take them away.  “When the dastar-khwan was removed, they spread a carpet of kashani velvet, and brought to me ewers and basins of gold, with scented soap and warm water, wherewithal I might wash my hands; then betel was introduced, in a box set with precious stones, and spices of various kinds; whenever I called for water to drink, the servants brought it cooled in ice.  When the evening came, camphorated candles were lighted up in the glass shades; and that friendly young man sat down near me and entertained me with his conversation.  When one watch of the night had elapsed, he said to me, “be pleased to sleep in this bed, in front of which are curtains and screens.”  I said, O, Sir, for us pilgrims a mat or a deer-skin is sufficient; this [luxury] God has ordained for you men of the world.

He replied, “All these things are for pilgrims; they do not in the least belong to me.”  On his pressing me so urgently, I went and lay down on the bed which was softer than even a bed of flowers.  Pots of roses and baskets of flowers were placed on both sides of the bedstead, and aloes and other perfumes were burning; to whichever side I turned, my senses were intoxicated with fragrance; in this state I slept.  When the morning came, [the attendants] placed before me for breakfast, almonds, pistachio nuts, grapes, figs, pears, pomegranates, currants, dates, and sharbat made of fruit.  In this festive manner I passed three days and nights.  On the fourth day I requested leave to depart.  The young man said, with joined hands, “Perhaps I have been deficient in my attentions to you, for which reason you are displeased.”  I replied with astonishment, for God’s sake, what a speech is this? the rules of hospitality [require one to stay] three days—­these have I fulfilled; to remain longer would be improper; and besides this, I have set out to travel, and if I remain merely at one place, then it will not suit; for which reason I beg leave to depart; in other respects, your kindness is such that my heart does not wish to be separated from you.