Already has Allah
delivered us out of his hands. What may we not expect if he is hungry
and desolate?"

"Your wisdom never grows less," replied the caliph; "those are the words
of truth: nevertheless, I must go and see the madman once more."

Giaffar, not being able to prevail, prepared the dresses, and they,
accompanied by Mesrour, again sallied forth by the private gate of the
seraglio. Once more were they surprised at witnessing the same
illumination of the house, and one of the jalousies having burst open
with the wind, they perceived the shadow of Yussuf, reflected on the
wall, his beard wagging over his kabobs, and a cup of wine in his hand.

"Who is there?" cried Yussuf, when Giaffar, at the command of the
caliph, knocked at the door.

"Your friends, dear Yussuf--your friends, the Moussul merchants. Peace
be with you."

"But it's neither peace nor welcome to you, you owls," replied Yussuf,
walking out into the verandah. "By Allah! if you do not walk away, and
that quickly, I shall come down to you with my bone polisher."

"Indeed, friend Yussuf," replied Giaffar, "we have but two words to say
to you."

"Say them quickly, then, for you enter not my doors again, you wretched
fellows, who have ruined all the water-carriers and all the bath-people
in Bagdad."

"What is that you mean?" replied the caliph; "we are lost in mystery."

"What!" replied Yussuf: "have you not heard the decree of this
morning?"

"Gentle sir, we have been so busy sorting our wares, that we have not
stepped out this day, and are ignorant of all that hath passed in
Bagdad."

"Then you shall come up and learn; but first swear by Moses, Esau, and
the Prophet, that you will not _suppose_, for all you have imagined has
proved as true as if it had been engraven on the ruby seal of Solomon."

These conditions were readily accepted by the caliph and his companions,
and they were then admitted upstairs, where they found everything
disposed in the usual order, and the same profusion. When they had taken
their seats in the corner of the room, Yussuf said, "Now my guests, as
you hope for pardon, tell me, do you know nothing of what has happened
to me this day--and what the blockhead of a caliph has been about?"
Haroun and the vizier could with difficulty restrain their laughter, as
they shook their heads. "Yes," continued Yussuf, "that vicegerent of a
tattered beard, and more tattered understanding, has issued a decree for
closing the bath