' 'Go
then,' rejoined Amjed, 'and do not tarry.' So Asaad took money
and leaving his brother awaiting him, descended the mountain and
fared on, till he entered the city. As he passed through the
streets, he met an old man, with a beard that flowed down upon
his breast and was parted in twain; he bore a walking-staff in
his hand and was richly clad, with a great red turban on his
head. When Asaad saw him, he wondered at his mien and habit;
nevertheless, he went up to him and saluting him, enquired the
way to the market. The old man smiled in his face and said, 'O
my son, meseems thou art a stranger?' 'Yes,' answered Asaad; 'I
am a stranger.' 'O my son,' rejoined the other, 'verily, thou
gladdenest our country with thy presence and makest thine own
land desolate by reason of thine absence. What wantest thou of
the market?' 'O uncle,' replied Asaad, 'I have an elder brother,
with whom I have journeyed these three months, for we come from a
far country. When we sighted this city, I left my brother in the
mountain and came hither, purposing to buy food and what else and
return therewith to him, that we might feed thereon.' 'Rejoice
in all good, O my son!' said the old man. 'Know that to-day I
give a marriage-feast, to which I have bidden many guests, and I
have made ready great plenty of the best and most delicious meats
that the heart can desire.
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