The Death Of Abu Nowas And Of His Wife Once upon a time there lived a man whose name was Abu Nowas , and he was a great favourite with the Sultan of the country , who had a palace in the same town where Abu Nowas dwelt . One day Abu Nowas came weeping into the hall of the palace where the Sultan was sitting , and said to him : ` Oh , mighty Sultan , my wife is dead . ' ` That is bad news , ' replied the Sultan ; ' I must get you another wife . ' And he bade his Grand Vizir send for the Sultana . ` This poor Abu Nowas has lost his wife , ' said he , when she entered the hall . ` Oh , then we must get him another , ' answered the Sultana ; ' I have a girl that will suit him exactly , ' and clapped her hands loudly . At this signal a maiden appeared and stood before her . ' I have got a husband for you , ' said the Sultana . ` Who is he ? ' asked the girl . ` Abu Nowas , the jester , ' replied the Sultana . ' 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 XXXXX her burial .
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