Approaching his hoped-for guest, a Syrian engages him in something like the following dialogue, characterized by a glow of feeling which the translation can only faintly reveal:—
"Ennoble us [sherrifna] by your presence."
"I would be ennobled [nitsherref] but I cannot accept."
"That cannot be."
"Yea, yea, it must be."
"No, I swear against you [aksim 'aleik] by our friendship and by the life of God. I love just to acquaint you with my bread and salt."
"I swear also that I find it impossible [gheir mimkin] to accept. Your bread and salt are known to all."
"Yea, do it just for our own good. By coming to us you come to your own home. Let us repay your bounty to us [fadhlek]."
"Astaghfero Allah [by the mercy of God] I have not bestowed any bounty upon you worth mentioning."