Be quick and spread the sheet over me . ' And he laid himself on the bed , and held his breath when the chamberlain came in . ` What are you weeping for ? ' asked the man , finding the wife in tears . ` My husband is dead , ' answered she , pointing to the bed ; and the chamberlain drew back the sheet and beheld Abu Nowas lying stiff and motionless . Then he gently replaced the sheet and returned to the palace . ` Well , have you found out this time ? ' asked the Sultan . ` My lord , it is the husband who is dead . ' ` But I tell you he was with me only a few hours ago , ' cried the Sultan angrily . ' I must get to the bottom of this before I sleep ! Let my golden coach be brought round at once . ' The coach was before the door in another five minutes , and the Sultan and Sultana both got in . Abu Nowas had ceased being a dead man , and was looking into the street when he saw the coach coming . ` Quick ! quick ! ' he called to his wife . ` The Sultan will be here directly , and we must both be dead to receive him . ' So they laid themselves down , and spread the sheet over them , and held their breath . At that instant the Sultan entered , followed by the Sultana and the chamberlain , and he went up to the bed and found the corpses stiff and motionless . '
I would give a thousand gold pieces to anyone who would tell me the truth about this , ' cried he , and XXXXX the words Abu Nowas sat up .
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