` We must all die , ' answered the Sultan ; but this was not the reply for which Abu Nowas had hoped . ` True , O Sultan , but I have neither shroud to wrap her in , nor money to bury her with , ' went on Abu Nowas , in no wise abashed by the way the Sultan had received his news . ` Well , give him a hundred pieces of gold , ' said the Sultan , turning to the Grand Vizir . And when the money was counted out Abu Nowas bowed low , and left the hall , his tears still flowing , but with joy in his heart . ` Have you got anything ? ' cried his wife , who was waiting for him anxiously . ` Yes , a hundred gold pieces , ' said he , throwing down the bag , ` but that will not last us any time . Now you must go to the Sultana , clothed in sackcloth and robes of mourning , and tell her that your husband , Abu Nowas , is dead , and you have no money for his burial . When she hears that , she will be sure to ask you what has become of the money and the fine clothes she gave us on our marriage , and you will answer , `` before he died he sold everything . '' ' The wife did as she was told , and wrapping herself in sackcloth went up to the Sultana 's own palace , and as she was known to have been one of Subida 's favourite attendants , she was taken without difficulty into the private apartments . ` What is the matter ? ' inquired the Sultana , at the sight of the dismal figure . ` My husband lies dead at home , and he has spent all our money , and sold everything , and I have nothing left to bury him with , ' sobbed the wife . Then Subida took up a purse containing two hundred gold pieces , and said : ` Your husband served us long and faithfully . You must see that he has a fine funeral . ' The wife took the money , and , kissing the feet of the Sultana , she joyfully hastened home . They spent some happy hours planning how they should spend it , and thinking how clever they had been . ` When the Sultan goes this evening to Subida 's palace , ' said Abu Nowas , ` she will be sure to tell him that Abu Nowas is dead . `` Not Abu Nowas , it is his wife , '' he will reply , and they will quarrel over it , and all the time we shall be sitting here enjoying ourselves . Oh , if they only knew , how angry they would be ! '
As Abu Nowas had foreseen , the Sultan went , in the evening after his business was over , XXXXX pay his usual visit to the Sultana .
as at before if in of over that to with