（Quoth Isaac of Mosul[142]） I went out one night from Mamouns presence，on my way to my house，and being taken with a need to make water，I turned aside into a by-street and stood up against a wall，fearing lest something might hurt me，if I squatted down. Presently，I espied something hanging down from one of the houses and feeling it，found that it was a great four-handled basket，covered with brocade.'There must be some reason for this，'said I to myself and knew not what to think，then drunkenness led me to seat myself in the basket，whereupon the people of the house pulled me up，supposing me to be he whom they expected. When I came to the top of the wall，I found four damsels，who said to me，'Descend and welcome！' Then one of them went before me with a flambeau and brought me down into a mansion，wherein were furnished sitting-chambers，whose like I had never seen，save in the Khalifs palace. So I sat down and after awhile，the curtains were drawn from one side of the room and in came damsels bearing lighted flambeaux and censers full of Sumatran aloes-wood，and amongst them a young lady as she were the rising full moon. I rose and she said，'Welcome to thee for a visitor！' Then she made me sit down again and asked how I came thither. Quoth I，'I was returning home from a friends house and went astray in the dark；then，being taken with an urgent occasion，I turned aside into this street，where I found a basket let down. The wine which I had drunk led me to seat myself in it and it was drawn up with me into this house.'No harm shall befall thee，'rejoined she，'and I hope thou wilt have cause to praise the issue of thine adventure. But what is thy condition？'
'I am a merchant in the Baghdad bazaar，'replied I，and she，'Canst thou repeat any verses？'Some small matter，'answered I.
'Then，'said she，'let us hear some of them.' But I said，'A visitor is [naturally] bashful；do thou begin.'True，'answered she and recited some of the choicest verses of the poets，past and present，so that I knew not whether more to marvel at her beauty and grace or at the charm of her diction. Then said she，'Is thy bashfulness gone？'Yes，by Allah！' answered I.'Then，if thou wilt，'rejoined she，'recite us somewhat.' So I repeated to her a number of poems by old writers，and she applauded，saying，'By Allah I did not look to find such culture among the trader folk！'
Then she called for food and fell to taking of it and setting it before me；and the place was full of all manner sweet-scented flowers and rare fruits，such as are found only in kings houses.
Presently，she called for wine and drank a cup，after which she filled another and gave it to me，saying，'Now is the time for converse and story-telling.' So I bethought myself and related to her a number of pleasing stories and anecdotes，with which she was delighted and said，'It is wonderful that a merchant should have such store of tales like unto these，for they are fit for kings.' Quoth I，'I have a neighbour who uses to consort with kings and bear them company at table；so，when he is at leisure，I visit his house and he often tells me what he has heard.'By my life，'exclaimed she，'thou hast a good memory！'
We continued to converse thus，and as often as I was silent，she would begin，till the most part of the night was spent，whilst the burning aloes-wood diffused its fragrance and I was in such case as，if the Khalif had suspected it，would have made him wild with longing for it. Then said she to me，'Verily，thou art one of the most pleasant and accomplished of men and passing well-bred；but there lacks one thing.'What is that？'asked I，and she said，'If but thou knewest how to sing verses to the lute！' I answered，'I was once passionately fond of this art，but finding I had no gift for it，I abandoned it，thou reluctantly. Indeed，I should love to sing somewhat well at this present and fulfil my nights enjoyment.'Meseemeth thou hintest a wish for the lute to be brought？'said she，and I，'It is thine to decide，if thou wilt so far favour me，and to thee be the thanks.' So she called for a lute and sang a song，in a manner whose like I never heard，both for sweetness of voice and perfection of style and skill in playing，in short，for general excellence. Then said she，'Knowest thou who made the air and words of this song？'No，'
answered I；and she said，'The words are so and sos and the air is Isaacs.'And hath Isaac then （may I be thy ransom！） such a talent？'asked I.'Glory be to Isaac！' replied she.'Indeed he excels in this art.'Glory be to Allah，'exclaimed I，'who hath given this man what He hath vouchsafed unto none other！' And she said，'How would it be，if thou heardest this song from himself？'
Thus did we till break of day，when there came to her an old woman，as she were her nurse，and said to her，'The time is come.' So she rose and said to me，'Keep what hath passed between us to thyself；for meetings of this kind are in confidence.'May I be thy ransom！' answered I.'I needed no enjoinder of this.'
