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with grievous wronging; for when you came before us we made

compact and condition with you, that whoso should speak of what

concerneth him not should hear what pleaseth him not. Sufficeth

ye not that we took you into our house and fed you with our best

food? But the fault is not so much yours as hers who let you in."

Then she tucked up her sleeves from her wrists and struck the

floor thrice with her hand crying, "Come ye quickly;" and lo! a

closet door opened and out of it came seven negro slaves with

drawn swords in hand to whom she said, "Pinion me those praters'

elbows and bind them each to each." They did her bidding and

asked her, "O veiled and virtuous! is it thy high command that we

strike off their heads?"; but she answered, "Leave them awhile

that I question them of their condition, before their necks feel

the sword." "By Allah, O my lady!" cried the Porter, "slay me not

for other's sin; all these men offended and deserve the penalty

of crime save myself.