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'Twas the hunchbacked horse-groom who passed the night with

thee!" "Allah upon thee," replied the Lady of Beauty, "do not

worry me about the Gobbo, Allah damn his father; [FN#438] and

leave jesting with me; for this groom was only hired for ten

dinars and a porringer of meat and he took his wage and went his

way. As for me I entered the bridal-chamber, where I found my

true bridegroom sitting, after the singer-women had displayed me

to him; the same who had crossed their hands with red gold, till

every pauper that was present waxed wealthy; and I passed the

night on the breast of my bonny man, a most lively darling, with

his black eyes and joined eyebrows." [FN#439] When her parent

heard these words the light before his face became night, and he

cried out at her saying, "O thou whore! What is this thou tellest

me? Where be thy wits?" "O my father," she rejoined, "thou

breakest my heart; enough for thee that thou hast been so hard

upon me!