第136章 GHANIM BEN EYOUB THE SLAVE OF LOVE.(10)

Neverthelessshe was moved to compassion for him and wept，saying'Verilystrangers are unhappythough they be princes in their own land！'And his case was grievous to her and her heart ached for himthough she knew him not to be Ghanim. Then she appointed him wine and medicines and sat by his head awhile，after which she mounted and returned to her palace and continued to make the round of the bazaars in search of Ghanim.

Meanwhile Ghanim's mother and sister arrived at Baghdad and fell in with the charitable syndicwho carried them to Cout el Culoub and said to her'O princess of benevolent ladiesthere be come to our city this day a woman and her daughterwho are fair of face and the marks of gentle breeding and fortune are manifest upon themthough they are clad in hair garments and have each a wallet hanging to her neck；and they are tearful-eyed and sorrowful-hearted. So I have brought them to theethat thou mayest shelter them and rescue them from beggaryfor they are not fit to ask almsand if God willwe shall enter Paradise through them.'O my lord，'exclaimed she'thou makest me long to see them！Where are they？ Bring them to me.'So he bade the eunuch bring them in；and when she looked on them and saw that they were both possessed of beautyshe wept for them and said，'By Allahthey are people of condition and show signs of former fortune.'O my lady，'said the syndic's wife'we love the poor and destitutebecause of the recompense that God hath promised to such as succour them： as for thesebelike the oppressors have done them violence and robbed them of their fortune and laid waste their dwelling-place.'Then Ghanim's mother and sister wept sorerecalling their former prosperity and contrasting it with their present destitute and miserable condition and thinking of Ghanimwhilst Cout el Culoub wept because they did. And they exclaimed'We beseech God to reunite us with him whom we desire，and he is none other than our son Ghanim ben Eyoub！'When Cout el Culoub heard thisshe knew them to be the mother and sister of her beloved and wept till she lost her senses. When she revived，she turned to them and said'Have no care and grieve notfor this day is the first of your prosperity and the last of your adversity.'Then she bade the syndic take them to his own house and let his wife carry them to the bath and clothe them handsomely. And she charged him to take care of them and treat them with all honourand gave him a sum of money. Next dayshe mounted and riding to his housewent in to his wifewho rose and kissed her hands and thanked her for her goodness. There she saw Ghanim's mother and sisterwhom the syndic's wife had taken to the bath and clothed afreshso that the traces of their former condition were now plainly apparent. She sat awhile，conversing with themafter which she enquired for the sick youthand the syndic's wife replied'He is in the same state.'

Then said Cout el Culoub'Comelet us go and visit him.'So they all went into the room where he lay and sat down by him.

PresentlyGhanim heard them mention the name of Cout el Culoub，whereupon his life came back to himwasted and shrunken as he wasand he raised his head from the pillow and cried out'O Cout el Culoub！'YesO friend！'answered she. 'Draw near to me，'said he. So she looked at him earnestly and knew him and said to him'Surely thou art Ghanim ben Eyoub？'I am indeed he，'replied he. At thisshe fell down in a swoonand when Ghanim's mother and sister heard their wordsthey both cried out'O joy！'and swooned away. When they recoveredCout el Culoub exclaimed'Praised be God who hath brought us together again and hath reunited thee with thy mother and sister！'Then she told him all that had befallen her with the Khalif and said，'I have made known the truth to the Commander of the Faithful，who believed me and approved of thee；and now he wishes to see thee.'Then she told him how the Khalif had bestowed her on him，at which he was beyond measure rejoicedand she returned to the palace at oncecharging them not to stir till she came back.