favorite servant, that he might distribute them among the anchorites.
This was a discreet and considerate young man. He wandered about for the
whole day; and, returning in the evening, kissed the bag of money, and
laid it before the king, saying, "However much I sought after, I have
met with no recluses!" The king answered, "What a story is this? for I
myself know four hundred recluses within this city." He said, "O
sovereign of the universe! such as are recluses do not take money; and
such as take money are not anchorites!" The king smiled, and observed to
his courtiers, "However much I reverence and favor this tribe of God's
worshippers, this saucy fellow expresses for them a spite and ill-will;
and, if you desire the truth, he has justice on his side. Instead of
that hermit who took dirams and dinars, get hold of one who is more an
anchorite."


XXXV

They asked a profoundly-learned man, saying, "What is your opinion of
consecrated bread, or almstaking?" He answered, "If with the view of
composing their minds, and promoting their devotions, it is lawful to
take it; but if monks collect for the sake of an endowment, it is
forbidden. Good and holy men have received the bread of consecration for
the sake of religious retirement; and are not recluses, that they may
receive such bread."


XXXVI

A dervish came to put up at a place where the master of the house was a
gentleman of an hospitable disposition. He had as his guests an assembly