**flesh-kind, allowing only bread and cheese and olives and oil, and so left him in durance vile.  Hereupon all the folk applied them to addressing the King with petitions and to interceding for the captive; but this was not possible; nay, the Sultan’s wrath waxed hotter nor did it soon cool, for the Wazir abode in gaol during the longsome length of seven years.  At last one day of the days that Sultan went forth disguised in Darwaysh-garb and toured about town unattended, and ceased not walking until he reached and passed before the palace of the Wazir, where he found a gathering of much folk, some sweeping and others sprinkling water, and others spreading[FN#333], whilst the Harem and household were in high glee and gladness.  He stood there amongst the spectators and presently asked what was doing, and they informed him, saying, “The Wazir returneth from abroad this night and folk have been informed by messenger that the Sultan hath deigned restore him to favour and expressed himself satisfied, so presently we shall see him once more at home.”  “Praise be to Allah!” quoth the King in his mind; “by the Almighty, this occurrence hath no cause, and how went the bruit abroad that the King hath again accepted him?  And now there is no help but that I forgather with the Wazir and see what there may be to do and how this occurred.”  The Sultan increased in disquietude therefor, so he went and bought a somewhat of bread and repairing to the gaol (he being still in Fakir’s garb) accosted the gaoler and said to him, “Allah upon thee, O my lord, open to me the bridewell that I may enter and distribute this provaunt among the prisoners, for that I have obliged myself to such course by oath, and the cause is that when suffering from a sickness which brought me nigh to death’s door I vowed a vow and sware a strong swear that, an Almighty Allah deign heal me, I would buy somewhat of bread and dole it out to the inmates of the gaol[FN#334].  So here am I come for such purpose.”  Upon this the man opened to him the door and he went in and divided all the bread amongst the captives yet he saw not the Wazir; so he said to the gaoler, “Hath any one remained that I may dole to him his share?” “O Darwaysh,” said the other, “whereof askest thou?” and said the Fakir, “O my lord, I have sworn an oath and Allah upon thee, if there be among the captives any save these I have seen, do thou tell me thereof.”  Quoth the man, “There remaineth none save the Wazir who is in another place, but indeed he is not in want;” and quoth the Fakir, “O my lord, my desire is to free myself from the obligation of mine oath.”  Accordingly the gaoler led him in to the Wazir and when the Darwaysh drew nigh the visitor shrieked and fell fainting to the floor, and the warder seeing him prostrate left him to himself and went his ways.  Hereupon the Minister came to him and sprinkling somewhat of water upon his face said to him, “O Darwaysh, there is no harm to thee!” So the Fakir arose and said, “O my lord, my heart hath been upon thee