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but grieved and sorrowed for the fair youth; and whilst they were

yet talking behold, another man well stricken in years pressed

forwards through the people and thrust his way amid the populace

till he came to Ja'afar and the youth, whom he saluted saying,

"Ho thou the Wazir and Prince sans-peer! believe not the words of

this youth. Of a surety none murdered the damsel but I; take her

wreak on me this moment; for, an thou do not thus, I will require

it of thee before Almighty Allah." Then quoth the young man, "O

Wazir, this is an old man in his dotage who wotteth not whatso he

saith ever, and I am he who murdered her, so do thou avenge her

on me!" Quoth the old man, "O my son, thou art young and desirest

the joys of the world and I am old and weary and surfeited with

the world: I will offer my life as a ransom for thee and for the

Wazir and his cousins.