पृष्ठ 316 / 1116

They attacked the city unawares; and the citizens, being

powerless to oppose them, surrendered the place: my uncle was

slain and I made for the suburbs saying to myself, "If thou fall

into this villain's hands he will assuredly kill thee." On this

wise all my troubles were renewed; and I pondered all that had

betided my father and my uncle and I knew not what to do; for if

the city people or my father's troops had recognised me they

would have done their best to win favour by destroying me; and I

could think of no way to escape save by shaving off my beard and

my eyebrows. So I shore them off and, changing my fine clothes

for a Kalandar's rags, I fared forth from my uncle's capital and

made for this city; hoping that peradventure some one would

assist me to the presence of the Prince of the Faithful,[FN#201]

and the Caliph who is the Viceregent of Allah upon earth. Thus

have I come hither that I might tell him my tale and lay my case

before him.