the divan's people chanced to be present. He asked, "What has happened
amiss that you should dislike to visit him?" He replied, "There is no
dislike; but my friend, the divan, can be seen at a time when he is out
of office, and my idle intrusion might not come amiss." Amidst the state
patronage and authority of office they might take umbrage at their
acquaintance; but on the day of vexation and loss of place they would
impart their mental disquietudes to their friends.


XXIX

Abu-Horairah was making a daily visit to the prophet Mustafa Mohammed,
on whom be God's blessing and peace. He said: "_O Abu-Horairah! let me
alone every other day, that so affection may increase_; that is, come
not every day, that we may get more loving!"

They said to a good and holy man, "Notwithstanding all these charms
which the sun commands, we have never heard of anybody that has fallen
in love with him!" He answered, "It is because he is seen every day,
unless during the winter, when he is veiled (in the clouds), and thus
much coveted and loved."--To visit mankind has no blame in it, but not
to such a degree as to let them say, Enough of it. If we see occasion to
interrogate ourselves, we need not listen to the reprehension of others.


XXX

Having taken offence with the society of my friends at Damascus, I
retired into the wilderness of the Holy Land, or Jerusalem, and sought
the company of brutes till such time as I was made a prisoner by the