The caliph laying aside his first design, stole softly up to the hall-door, which standing half open, he could see all the company within, without being discovered himself.
But how was he surprised, when he saw a lady of incomparable beauty and a handsome young man sitting, with Scheich Ibrahim by them. Scheich Ibraham held a cup in his hand. "My fair lady," said he to the fair Persian, "a true toper never drinks without singing a song first: if you please to hear, I will give you one of my best songs."
