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Better ye 'bide and I take my leave: * For what eye sees not

heart shall never grieve."

Thereupon they said to me, "Remember, O youth, that should ill

befal thee we will not again harbour thee nor suffer thee to

abide amongst us;" and bringing a ram they slaughtered it and

skinned it. Lastly they gave me a knife saying, "Take this skin

and stretch thyself upon it and we will sew it around thee,

presently there shall come to thee a certain bird, hight

Rukh,[FN#284] that will catch thee up in his pounces and tower

high in air and then set thee down on a mountain. When thou

feelest he is no longer flying, rip open the pelt with this blade

and come out of it; the bird will be scared and will fly away and

leave thee free. After this fare for half a day, and the march

will place thee at a palace wondrous fair to behold, towering

high in air and builded of Khalanj[FN#285], lign-aloes and

sandal-wood, plated with red gold, and studded with all manner

emeralds and costly gems fit for seal rings.