I will take him , ' answered the maiden ; and as Abu Nowas made no objection , it was all arranged . The Sultana had the most beautiful clothes made for the bride , and the Sultan gave the bridegroom his wedding suit , and a thousand gold pieces into the bargain , and soft carpets for the house . So Abu Nowas took his wife home , and for some time they were very happy , and spent the money freely which the Sultan had given them , never thinking what they should do for more when that was gone . But come to an end it did , and they had to sell their fine things one by one , till at length nothing was left but a cloak apiece , and one blanket to cover them . ` We have run through our fortune , ' said Abu Nowas , ` what are we to do now ? I am afraid to go back to the Sultan , for he will command his servants to turn me from the door . But you shall return to your mistress , and throw yourself at her feet and weep , and perhaps she will help us . ' ` Oh , you had much better go , ' said the wife . ' I shall not know what to say . ' ` Well , then , stay at home , if you like , ' answered Abu Nowas , ` and I will ask to be admitted to the Sultan 's presence , and will tell him , with sobs , that my wife is dead , and that I have no money for her burial . When he hears that perhaps he will give us something . ' ` Yes , that is a good plan , ' said the wife ; and Abu Nowas set out . The Sultan was sitting in the hall of justice when Abu Nowas entered , his eyes streaming with tears , for he had rubbed some pepper into them . They smarted dreadfully , and he could hardly see to walk straight , and everyone wondered what was the matter with him . ` Abu Nowas ! What has happened ? ' cried the Sultan . ` Oh , noble Sultan , my wife is dead , ' wept he . ` 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 XXXXX the Grand Vizir .
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