He then sprang up, and went to the place in which was deposited the other half of his wealth, and upon this he lived agreeably. He took an oath that he would not thenceforthassociate with any of those whom he knew, but only with strangers, and that he would not associate with any person but for one night, and on the following morning would not recognize him. Accordingly, every night, he went forth and seated himself on the bridge; and, when a stranger passed by him, he invited him to an entertainment, and took him to his house, where he caroused with him that night until the morning. He then dismissed him, and, after that, he would not salute him if he saw him.
Thus he continued to do for a whole year. As he was sitting one day upon the bridge as usual, to see who might come towards him, Haroun al-Raschid the Caliph and certain of the domestics passed by in disguise. The Caliph had come forth to amuse himself among the people. So Abou Hassan laid hold upon him, and said to him, "O my master, hast thou any desire for a repast and beverage? " Al-Raschid said to him, " Conduct us. " Abou Hassan knew not who was his guest. The Caliph proceeded with him to Abou Hassan"s house; and, when al- Raschid entered, he found in it a beautiful saloon. After he had seated himself there and been entertained, he said to Abou Hassan, " O young man, who art thou? Acquaint me with thy history, that I may requite thee for thy kindness." But Abou Hassan smiled, and replied, " O my master, far be it from me that what hath happened should recur, and that I should be in thy company again after this time! " "Why so? " said the Caliph. So Abou Hassan told him his story; and, when the Caliph heardit, he laughed violently, and said, "By Allah, O my brother, thouart excusable in this matter. "
Then a dish of roast goose was placed before him, and a cake of fine bread; and Abou Hassan sat, and cut off the meat, and put morsels into the mouth of the Caliph, and they continued eating until they were satisfied. Then the basin and ewer were brought, with the kali; and they washed their hands. After this, Abou Hassan lighted for his guest three candles and three lamps, spread the wine-cloth, and brought clear, strained, old, perfumed wine, the odour of which was like fragrant musk; and, having filled the first cup, he handed it to the Caliph, who accepted it from his hand, drank it, and handed it back to him. So they drank and caroused until midnight.
After this the Caliph said to his host, "O Abou Hassan, is there any service that thou wouldst have performed, or any desire that thou wouldst have accomplished? "Abou Hassan answered, " In our neighbourhood is a mosque, to which belong an imam and four sheikhs; and, whenever they hear music or any sport, they incite the judge against me, and impose fines upon me, and trouble my life, so that I suffer torment from them. If I had them in my power, therefore, I would give each of them a thousand lashes, that I might be relieved from their excessive annoyance. "Al-Raschid replied, "May Allah grant thee the accomplishment of thy wish! " And, without being aware of it, al-Raschid put into a cup a lozenge of bhang, and handed it to him; and, as soon as it had settled in his stomach, he fell asleepimmediately. Al-Raschid then arose and went to the door,where he found his young men waiting for him, and he ordered them to convey Abou Hassan upon a mule, and returned to the palace-Abou Hassan being intoxicated and insensible. When the Caliph had rested himself in the palace, he called for his Vizier, and certain of his chief attendants, and said to them all, "In the morning when ye see this young man(pointing to Abou Hassan) seated on the royal couch, pay obedience to him, and salute him as Caliph, and whatsoever he commandeth you, do it. " Then going to his girl slaves, he directed them to wait upon Abou Hassan, and to address him as Prince of the Faithful; after which, he entered a private room, and, having let down a curtain over the entrance, slept.
So, when Abou Hassan awoke, he found himself upon the royal couch, with the attendants standing around, and kissing the ground before him; and a maid said to him, "O our lord, it is the time for morning prayer. " Upon which he laughed, and, looking round about him, he beheld a magnificent pavilion, with furniture and carpets spread, and lighted lamps, and slaves and other attendants; whereat he was perplexed in his mind, and said, " By Allah, either I am dreaming, or this is Paradise, and the Abode of Peace. " And he closed his eyes. So a servant said to him, "O my lord, this is not thy usual custom, O Prince of the Faithful. " He was perplexed at his case, and began to open his eyes by little and little. He bit his finger; and, when he found that the bite pained him, he cried, "Ah! " and was angry. Then, raising his head, he called one of the slaves,who answered him, " At thy service, O Prince of the Faithful! "He said to her, "What is thy name? " She answered, " Cluster of Pearls. " And he said, "Knowest thou in what place I am, and who I am? " "Thou art the Prince of the Faithful, " she"Thou art the Prince of the Faithful. "
