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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Book of the Thousand Nights and a
+Night, Volume 7, by Richard F. Burton
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7
+
+Author: Richard F. Burton
+
+Release Date: July 27, 2001 [eBook #3441]
+[Most recently updated: May 16, 2021]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: scanned by JC Byers and proofread by Nancy Bloomquist,
+J.C. Byers, Muhammad Hozien, Carrie Lorenz, Laura Shaffer, Sara Vazirian,
+and Charles Wilson.
+Revised by Richard Tonsing.
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF THE THOUSAND NIGHTS ***
+
+
+
+
+THE BOOK OF THE
+ THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT
+
+
+A Plain and Literal Translation
+
+of the Arabian Nights Entertainments
+
+
+Translated and Annotated by
+ Richard F. Burton
+
+
+VOLUME SEVEN
+
+
+Privately Printed By The Burton Club
+
+
+                     I Inscribe these pages
+                               to
+                   An Old And Valued Friend,
+
+
+                        John W. Larking
+                    (Whilome of Alexandria).
+
+   In Whose Hospitable Home (“The Sycamores”) I Made My Final
+
+            Preparations For A Pilgrimage To Meccah
+
+                        and El-Medinah.
+
+
+R. F. Burton
+
+
+
+
+Contents of the Seventh Volume
+
+
+ The History of Gharib and His Brother Ajib (continued)
+ 138. Otbah and Rayya
+ 139. Hind, Daughter of Al-Nu’man, and Al-Hajjaj
+ 140. Khuzaymah Bin Bishr and Ikrimah Al-Fayyaz
+ 141. Yunus the Scribe and the Caliph Walid Bin Sahl
+ 142. Harun Al-Rashid and the Arab Girl
+ 143. Al-Asma’i and the Three Girls of Bassorah
+ 144. Ibrahim of Mosul and the Devil
+ 145. The Lovers of the Banu Uzrah
+ 146. The Badawi and His Wife
+ 147. The Lovers of Bassorah
+ 148. Ishak of Mosul and His Mistress and the Devil
+ 149. The Lovers of Al-Medinah
+ 150. Al-Malik Al-Nasir and His Wazir
+ 151. The Rogueries of Dalilah the Crafty and Her Daughter Zaynab the
+        Coney-Catcher
+ a. The Adventures of Mercury Ali of Cairo
+ 152. Ardashir and Hayat Al-Nufus
+ 153. Julnar the Sea-Born and Her Son King Badr Basim of Persia
+ 154. King Mohammed Bin Sabaik and the Merchant Hasan
+ a. Story of Prince Sayf Al-Muluk and the Princess Badi’a Al-Jamal
+
+
+
+
+The Book Of The
+
+THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT
+
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Thirty-seventh Night,
+
+
+Shahrazad continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that
+Sa’adan having broken into the palace of King Jamak and pounded to
+pieces those therein, the survivors cried out, “Quarter! Quarter!”; and
+Sa’adan said to them, “Pinion your King!” So they bound Jamak and took
+him up, and Sa’adan drove them before him like sheep and brought them
+to Gharib’s presence, after the most part of the citizens had perished
+by the enemy’s swords. When the King of Babel came to himself, he found
+himself bound and heard Sa’adan say, “I will sup to-night off this King
+Jamak:” whereupon he turned to Gharib and cried to him, “I throw myself
+on thy mercy.” Replied Gharib, “Become a Moslem, and thou shalt be safe
+from the Ghul and from the vengeance of the Living One who ceaseth
+not.” So Jamak professed Al-Islam with heart and tongue and Gharib bade
+loose his bonds. Then he expounded The Faith to his people and they all
+became True Believers; after which Jamak returned to the city and
+despatched thence provaunt and henchmen to Gharib; and wine to the camp
+before Babel where they passed the night. On the morrow, Gharib gave
+the signal for the march and they fared on till they came to
+Mayyáfárikín,[FN#1] which they found empty, for its people had heard
+what had befallen Babel and had fled to Cufa-city and told Ajib. When
+he heard the news, his Doom-day appeared to him and he assembled his
+braves and informing them of the enemy’s approach ordered them make
+ready to do battle with his brother’s host; after which he numbered
+them and found them thirty thousand horse and ten thousand foot.[FN#2]
+So, needing more, he levied other fifty thousand men, cavalry and
+infantry, and taking horse amid a mighty host, rode forwards, till he
+came upon his brother’s army encamped before Mosul and pitched his
+tents in face of their lines. Then Gharib wrote a writ and said to his
+officers, “Which of you will carry this letter to Ajib?” Whereupon
+Sahim sprang to his feet and cried, “O King of the Age, I will bear thy
+missive and bring thee back an answer.” So Gharib gave him the epistle
+and he repaired to the pavilion of Ajib who, when informed of his
+coming, said, “Admit him!” and when he stood in the presence asked him,
+“Whence comest thou?” Answered Sahim, “From the King of the Arabs and
+the Persians, son-in-law of Chosroë, King of the world, who sendeth
+thee a writ; so do thou return him a reply.” Quoth Ajib, “Give me the
+letter;” accordingly Sahim gave it to him and he tore it open and found
+therein, “In the name of Allah the Compassionating, the Compassionate!
+Peace on Abraham the Friend await! But afterwards. As soon as this
+letter shall come to thy hand, do thou confess the Unity of the
+Bountiful King, Causer of causes and Mover of the clouds;[FN#3] and
+leave worshipping idols. An thou do this thing, thou art my brother and
+ruler over us and I will pardon thee the deaths of my father and
+mother, nor will I reproach thee with what thou hast done. But an thou
+obey not my bidding, behold, I will hasten to thee and cut off thy head
+and lay waste thy dominions. Verily, I give thee good counsel, and the
+Peace be on those who pace the path of salvation and obey the Most High
+King!” When Ajib read these words and knew the threat they contained,
+his eyes sank into the crown of his head and he gnashed his teeth and
+flew into a furious rage. Then he tore the letter in pieces and threw
+it away, which vexed Sahim and he cried out upon Ajib, saying, “Allah
+wither thy hand for the deed thou hast done!” With this Ajib cried out
+to his men, saying, “Seize yonder hound and hew him in pieces with your
+hangers.”[FN#4] So they ran at Sahim; but he bared blade and fell upon
+them and slew of them more than fifty braves; after which he cut his
+way out, though bathed in blood, and won back to Gharib, who said,
+“What is this case, O Sahim?” And he told him what had passed, whereat
+he grew livid for rage and crying “Allaho Akbar God is most great!”
+bade the battle-drums beat. So the fighting-men donned their hauberks
+and coats of straitwoven mail and baldrick’d themselves with their
+swords; the footmen drew out in battle-array, whilst the horsemen
+mounted their prancing horses and dancing camels and levelled their
+long lances, and the champions rushed into the field. Ajib and his men
+also took horse and host charged down upon host. — And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Thirty-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib
+and his merry men took horse, Ajib and his troops also mounted and host
+charged down upon host. Then ruled the Kazi of Battle, in whose
+ordinance is no wrong, for a seal is on his lips and he speaketh not;
+and the blood railed in rills and purfled earth with curious
+embroidery; heads grew gray and hotter waxed battle and fiercer. Feet
+slipped and stood firm the valiant and pushed forwards, whilst turned
+the faint-heart and fled, nor did they leave fighting till the day
+darkened and the night starkened. Then clashed the cymbals of retreat
+and the two hosts drew apart each from other, and returned to their
+tents, where they nighted. Next morning, as soon as it was day, the
+cymbals beat to battle and derring-do, and the warriors donned their
+harness of fight and baldrick’d[FN#5] their blades the brightest bright
+and with the brown lance bedight mounted doughty steed every knight and
+cried out, saying, “This day no flight!” And the two hosts drew out in
+battle array, like the surging sea. The first to open the chapter[FN#6]
+of war was Sahim, who drave his destrier between the two lines and
+played with swords and spears and turned over all the Capitula of
+combat till men of choicest wits were confounded. Then he cried out,
+saying, “Who is for fighting? Who is for jousting? Let no sluggard come
+out nor weakling!” Whereupon there rushed at him a horseman of the
+Kafirs, as he were a flame of fire; but Sahim let him not stand long
+before him ere he overthrew him with a thrust. Then a second came forth
+and he slew him also, and a third and he tare him in twain, and a
+fourth and he did him to death; nor did they cease sallying out to him
+and he left not slaying them, till it was noon, by which time he had
+laid low two hundred braves. Then Ajib cried to his men, “Charge once
+more,” and sturdy host on sturdy host down bore and great was the clash
+of arms and battle-roar. The shining swords out rang; the blood in
+streams ran and footman rushed upon footman; Death showed in van and
+horse-hoof was shodden with skull of man; nor did they cease from sore
+smiting till waned the day and the night came on in black array, when
+they drew apart and, returning to their tents, passed the night there.
+As soon as morning morrowed the two hosts mounted and sought the field
+of fight; and the Moslems looked for Gharib to back steed and ride
+under the standards as was his wont, but he came not. So Sahim sent to
+his brother’s pavilion a slave who, finding him not, asked the
+tent-pitchers,[FN#7] but they answered, “We know naught of him.”
+Whereat he was greatly concerned and went forth and told the troops,
+who refrained from battle, saying, “An Gharib be absent, his foe will
+destroy us.” Now there was for Gharib’s absence a cause strange but
+true which we will set out in order due. And it was thus. When Ajib
+returned to his camp on the preceding Night, he called one of his
+guardsmen by name Sayyar and said to him, “O Sayyar, I have not
+treasured thee save for a day like this; and now I bid thee enter among
+Gharib’s host and, pushing into the marquee of their lord, bring him
+hither to me and prove how wily thy cunning be.” And Sayyar said, “I
+hear and I obey.” So he repaired to the enemy’s camp and stealing into
+Gharib’s pavilion, under the darkness of the night, when all the men
+had gone to their places of rest, stood up as though he were a slave to
+serve Gharib, who presently, being athirst, called to him for water. So
+he brought him a pitcher of water, drugged with Bhang, and Gharib could
+not fulfill his need ere he fell down with head distancing heels,
+whereupon Sayyar wrapped him in his cloak and carrying him to Ajib’s
+tent, threw him down at his feet. Quoth Ajib, “O Sayyar, what is this?”
+Quoth he, “This be thy brother Gharib;” whereat Ajib rejoiced and said,
+“The blessings of the Idols light upon thee! Loose him and wake him.”
+So they made him sniff up vinegar and he came to himself and opened his
+eyes; then, finding himself bound and in a tent other than his own,
+exclaimed, “There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah,
+the Glorious the Great!” Thereupon Ajib cried out at him, saying, “Dost
+thou draw on me, O dog, and seek to slay me and take on me thy
+blood-wreak of thy father and thy mother? I will send thee this very
+day to them and rid the world of thee.” Replied Gharib, “Kafir hound!
+soon shalt thou see against whom the wheels of fate shall revolve and
+who shall be overthrown by the wrath of the Almighty King, Who wotteth
+what is in hearts and Who shall leave thee in Gehenna tormented and
+confounded! Have ruth on thyself and say with me:—There is no god but
+_the_ God and Abraham is the Friend of God!” When Ajib heard Gharib’s
+words, he snarked and snorted and railed at his god, the stone, and
+called for the sworder and the leather rug of blood but his Wazir, who
+was at heart a Moslem though outwardly a Miscreant, rose and kissing
+ground before him, said, “Patience, O King, deal not hastily, but wait
+till we know the conquered from the conqueror. If we prove the victors,
+we shall have power to kill him and, if we be beaten, his being alive
+in our hands will be a strength to us.” And the Emirs said, “The
+Minister speaketh sooth”!——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Thirty-ninth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Ajib
+purposed to slay Gharib, the Wazir rose and said, “Deal not hastily,
+for we have always power to kill him!” So Ajib bade lay his brother
+Gharib in irons and chain him up in his own tent and set a thousand
+stout warriors to guard him. Meanwhile Gharib’s host, when they awoke
+that morning and found not their King, were as sheep sans a shepherd;
+but Sa’adan the Ghul cried out at them, saying, “O folk, don your
+war-gear and trust to your Lord to defend you!” So Arabs and Ajams
+mounted horse, after clothing themselves in hauberks of iron and
+shirting themselves in straight knit mail, and sallied forth to the
+field, the Chiefs and the colours moving in van. Then dashed out the
+Ghul of the Mountain, with a club on his shoulder, two hundred pounds
+in weight, and wheeled and careered, saying, “Ho, worshippers of idols,
+come ye out and renown it this day, for ’tis a day of onslaught! Whoso
+knoweth me hath enough of my mischief and whoso knoweth me not, I will
+make myself known to him. I am Sa’adan, servant of King Gharib. Who is
+for jousting? Who is for fighting? Let no faint-heart come forth to me
+to-day or weakling.” And there rushed upon him a Champion of the
+Infidels, as he were a flame of fire, and drove at him, but Sa’adan
+charged home at him and dealt him with his club a blow which broke his
+ribs and cast him lifeless to the earth. Then he called out to his sons
+and slaves, saying, “Light the bonfire, and whoso falleth of the Kafirs
+do ye dress him and roast him well in the flame, then bring him to me
+that I may break my fast on him!” So they kindled a fire midmost the
+plain and laid thereon the slain, till he was cooked, when they brought
+him to Sa’adan, who gnawed his flesh and crunched his bones. When the
+Miscreants saw the Mountain-Ghul do this deed they were affrighted with
+sore affright, but Ajib cried out to his men, saying, “Out on you! Fall
+upon the Ogre and hew him in hunks with your scymitars!” So twenty
+thousand men ran at Sa’adan, whilst the footmen circled round him and
+rained upon him darts and shafts so that he was wounded in
+four-and-twenty places, and his blood ran down upon the earth, and he
+was alone. Then the host of the Moslems drave at the heathenry, calling
+for help upon the Lord of the three Worlds, and they ceased not from
+fight and fray till the day came to an end, when they drew apart. But
+the Infidels had captured Sa’adan, as he were a drunken man for loss of
+blood; and they bound him fast and set him by Gharib who, seeing the
+Ghul a prisoner, said, “There is no Majesty and there is no Might save
+in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! O Sa’adan, what case is this?” “O my
+lord,” replied Sa’adan, “it is Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) who
+ordaineth joy and annoy and there is no help but this and that betide.”
+And Gharib rejoined, “Thou speakest sooth, O Sa’adan!” But Ajib passed
+the night in joy and he said to his men, “Mount ye on the morrow and
+fall upon the Moslems so shall not one of them be left alive.” And they
+replied, “Hearkening and obedience!” This is how it fared with them;
+but as regards the Moslems, they passed the night, dejected and weeping
+for their King and Sa’adan; but Sahim said to them, “O folk, be not
+concerned, for the aidance of Almighty Allah is nigh.” Then he waited
+till midnight, when he assumed the garb of a tent-pitcher; and,
+repairing to Ajib’s camp, made his way between the tents and pavilions
+till he came to the King’s marquee, where he saw him seated on his
+throne surrounded by his Princes. So he entered and going up to the
+candles which burnt in the tent snuffed them and sprinkled levigated
+henbane on the wicks; after which he withdrew and waited without the
+marquee, till the smoke of the burning henbane reached Ajib and his
+Princes and they fell to the ground like dead men. Then he left them
+and went to the prison tent, where he found Gharib and Sa’adan, guarded
+by a thousand braves, who were overcome with sleep. So he cried out at
+the guards, saying, “Woe to you! Sleep not; but watch your prisoners
+and light the cressets.” Presently he filled a cresset with firewood,
+on which he strewed henbane, and lighting it, went round about the tent
+with it, till the smoke entered the nostrils of the guards, and they
+all fell asleep drowned by the drug; when he entered the tent and
+finding Gharib and Sa’adan also insensible he aroused them by making
+them smell and sniff at a sponge full of vinegar he had with him.
+Thereupon he loosed their bonds and collars, and when they saw him,
+they blessed him and rejoiced In him. After this they went forth and
+took all the arms of the guards and Sahim said to them, “Go to your own
+camp;” while he re-entered Ajib’s pavilion and, wrapping him in his
+cloak, lifted him up and made for the Moslem encampment. And the Lord,
+the Compassionate, protected him, so that he reached Gharib’s tent in
+safety and unrolled the cloak before him. Gharib looked at its contents
+and seeing his brother Ajib bound, cried out, “Allaho Akbar—God is
+Most Great! Aidance! Victory!” And he blessed Sahim and bade him arouse
+Ajib. So he made him smell the vinegar mixed with incense, and he
+opened his eyes and, finding himself bound and shackled, hung down his
+head earthwards.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fortieth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that after Sahim had
+aroused Ajib, whom he had made insensible with henbane and had brought
+to his brother Gharib, the captive opened his eyes and, feeling himself
+bound and shackled, hung down his head earthwards. Thereupon cried
+Sahim, “O Accursed, lift thy head!” So he raised his eyes and found
+himself amongst Arabs and Ajams and saw his brother seated on the
+throne of his estate and the place of his power, wherefore he was
+silent and spake not. Then Gharib cried out and said, “Strip me this
+hound!” So they stripped him and came down upon him with whips, till
+they weakened his body and subdued his pride, after which Gharib set
+over him a guard of an hundred knights. And when this fraternal
+correction had been administered they heard shouts of, “There is no God
+but _the_ God!” and “God is Most Great!” from the camp of the Kafirs. Now
+the cause of this was that, ten days after his nephew King Al-Damigh,
+Gharib’s uncle, had set out from Al-Jazirah, with twenty thousand
+horse, and on nearing the field of battle, had despatched one of his
+scouts to get news. The man was absent a whole day, at the end of which
+time he returned and told Al-Damigh all that had happened to Gharib
+with his brother. So he waited till the night, when he fell upon the
+Infidels, crying out, “Allaho Akbar!” and put them to the edge of the
+biting scymitar. When Gharib heard the Takbir,[FN#8] he said to Sahim,
+“Go find out the cause of these shouts and war-cries.” So Sahim
+repaired to the field of battle and questioned the slaves and camp
+followers, who told him that King Al-Damigh had come up with twenty
+thousand men and had fallen upon the idolaters by night, saying, “By
+the virtue of Abraham the Friend, I will not forsake my brother’s son,
+but will play a brave man’s part and beat back the host of Miscreants
+and please the Omnipotent King!” So Sahim returned and told his uncle’s
+derring-do to Gharib, who cried out to his men, saying, “Don your arms
+and mount your steeds and let us succour my father’s brother!” So they
+took horse and fell upon the Infidels and put them to the edge of the
+sharp sword. By the morning they had killed nigh fifty thousand of the
+Kafirs and made other thirty thousand prisoners, and the rest of Ajib’s
+army dispersed over the length and breadth of earth. Then the Moslems
+returned in victory and triumph, and Gharib rode out to meet his uncle,
+whom he saluted and thanked for his help. Quoth Al-Damigh, “I wonder if
+that dog Ajib fell in this day’s affair.” Quoth Gharib, “O uncle, be of
+good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear: know that he is with me
+in chains.” When Al-Damigh heard this he rejoiced with exceeding joy
+and the two kings dismounted and entered the pavilion, but found no
+Ajib there; whereupon Gharib exclaimed, “O glory of Abraham, the Friend
+(with whom be peace!),” adding, “Alas, what an ill end is this to a
+glorious day!” and he cried out to the tent-pitchers, saying, “Woe to
+you! Where is my enemy who oweth me so much?” Quoth they, “When thou
+mountest and we went with thee, thou didst not bid us guard him;” and
+Gharib exclaimed, “There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in
+Allah, the Glorious, the Great!” But Al-Damigh said to him, “Hasten not
+nor be concerned, for where can he go, and we in pursuit of him?” Now
+the manner of Ajib’s escape was in this wise. His page Sayyar had been
+ambushed in the camp and when he saw Gharib mount and ride forth,
+leaving none to guard his enemy Ajib, he could hardly credit his eyes.
+So he waited awhile and presently crept to the tent and taking Ajib,
+who was senseless for the pain of the bastinado, on his back, made off
+with him into the open country and fared on at the top of his speed
+from early night to the next day, till he came to a spring of water,
+under an apple tree. There he set down Ajib from his back and washed
+his face, whereupon he opened his eyes and seeing Sayyar, said to him,
+“O Sayyar, carry me to Cufa that I may recover there and levy horsemen
+and soldiers wherewith to overthrow my foe: and know, O Sayyar, that I
+am anhungered.” So Sayyar sprang up and going out to the desert caught
+an ostrich-poult and brought it to his lord. Then he gathered fuel and
+deftly using the fire-sticks kindled a fire, by which he roasted the
+bird which he had hallal’d[FN#9] and fed Ajib with its flesh and gave
+him to drink of the water of the spring, till his strength returned to
+him, after which he went to one of the Badawi tribal encampments, and
+stealing thence a steed mounted Ajib upon it and journeyed on with him
+for many days till they drew near the city of Cufa. The Viceroy of the
+capital came out to meet and salute the King, whom he found weak with
+the beating his brother had inflicted upon him; and Ajib entered the
+city and called his physicians. When they answered his summons, he bade
+them heal him in less than ten days’ time: they said, “We hear and we
+obey,” and they tended him till he became whole of the sickness that
+was upon him and of the punishment. Then he commanded his Wazirs to
+write letters to all his Nabobs and vassals, and he indited
+one-and-twenty writs and despatched them to the governors, who
+assembled their troops and set out for Cufa by forced marches.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-first Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Ajib
+sent orders to assemble the troops, who marched forthright to Cufa.
+Meanwhile, Gharib, being troubled for Ajib’s escape, despatched in
+quest of him a thousand braves, who dispersed on all sides and sought
+him a day and a night, but found no trace of him; so they returned
+and told Gharib, who called for his brother Sahim, but found him not;
+whereat he was sore concerned, fearing for him from the shifts of
+Fortune. And lo! Sahim entered and kissed ground before Gharib, who
+rose, when he saw him, and asked, “Where hast thou been, O Sahim?” He
+answered, “O King, I have been to Cufa and there I find that the dog
+Ajib hath made his way to his capital and is healed of his hurts: eke,
+he hath written letters to his vassals and sent them to his Nabobs who
+have brought him troops.” When Gharib heard this, he gave the command
+to march; so they struck tents and fared for Cufa. When they came in
+sight of the city, they found it compassed about with a host like
+the surging main, having neither beginning nor end. So Gharib with
+his troops encamped in face of the Kafirs and set up his standards,
+and darkness fell down upon the two hosts, whereupon they lighted
+camp-fires and kept watch till daybreak. Then King Gharib rose and
+making the Wuzu-ablution, prayed a two-bow prayer according to the rite
+of our father Abraham the Friend (on whom be the Peace!); after which
+he commanded the battle-drums to sound the point of war. Accordingly,
+the kettle-drums beat to combat and the standards fluttered whilst the
+fighting men armour donned and their horses mounted and themselves
+displayed and to plain fared. Now the first to open the gate of war
+was King Al-Damigh, who urged his charger between the two opposing
+armies and displayed himself and played with the swords and the spears,
+till both hosts were confounded and at him marvelled, after which he
+cried out, saying, “Who is for jousting? Let no sluggard come out to
+me or weakling; for I am Al-Damigh, the King, brother of Kundamir the
+King.” Then there rushed forth a horseman of the Kafirs, as he were a
+flame of fire, and drave at Al-Damigh, without word said; but the King
+received him with a lance-thrust in the breast so dour that the point
+issued from between his shoulders and Allah hurried his soul to the
+fire, the abiding-place dire. Then came forth a second he slew, and
+a third he slew likewise, and they ceased not to come out to him and
+he to slay them, till he had made an end of six-and-seventy fighting
+men. Hereupon the Miscreants and men of might hung back and would not
+encounter him; but Ajib cried out to his men and said, “Fie on you,
+O folk! if ye all go forth to him, one by one, he will not leave any
+of you, sitting or standing. Charge on him all at once and cleanse of
+them our earthly wone and strew their heads for your horses’ hoofs like
+a plain of stone!” So they waved the awe-striking flag and host was
+heaped upon host; blood rained in streams upon earth and railed and the
+Judge of battle ruled, in whose ordinance is no unright. The fearless
+stood firm on feet in the stead of fight, whilst the faint-heart gave
+back and took to flight thinking the day would never come to an end nor
+the curtains of gloom would be drawn by the hand of Night; and they
+ceased not to battle with swords and to smite till light darkened and
+murk starkened. Then the kettle-drums of the Infidels beat the retreat,
+but Gharib, refusing to stay his arms, drave at the Paynimry, and the
+Believers in Unity, the Moslems, followed him. How many heads and hands
+they shore, how many necks and sinews they tore, how many knees and
+spines they mashed and how many grown men and youths they to death
+bashed! With the first gleam of morning grey the Infidels broke and
+fled away, in disorder and disarray; and the Moslems followed them till
+middle-day and took over twenty thousand of them, whom they brought
+to their tents in bonds to stay. Then Gharib sat down before the gate
+of Cufa and commanded a herald to proclaim pardon and protection for
+every wight who should leave the worship to idols dight and profess the
+unity of His All-might the Creator of mankind and of light and night.
+So was made proclamation as he bade in the streets of Cufa and all
+that were therein embraced the True Faith, great and small; then they
+issued forth in a body and renewed their Islam before King Gharib, who
+rejoiced in them with exceeding joy and his breast broadened and he
+threw off all annoy. Presently he enquired of Mardas and his daughter
+Mahdiyah, and, being told that he had taken up his abode behind the
+Red Mountain, he called Sahim and said to him, “Find out for me what
+is become of thy father.” Sahim mounted steed without stay or delay
+and set his berry-brown spear in rest and fared on in quest till he
+reached the Red Mountain, where he sought for his father, yet found no
+trace of him nor of his tribe; however, he saw in their stead an elder
+of the Arabs, a very old man, broken with excess of years, and asked
+him of the folk and whither they were gone. Replied he, “O my son,
+when Mardas heard of Gharib’s descent upon Cufa he feared with great
+fear and, taking his daughter and his folk, set out with his handmaids
+and negroes into the wild and wold, and I wot not whither he went.”
+So Sahim, hearing the Shaykh’s words, returned to Gharib and told him
+thereof, whereat he was greatly concerned. Then he sat down on his
+father’s throne and, opening his treasuries, distributed largesse to
+each and every of his braves. And he took up his abode in Cufa and sent
+out spies to get news of Ajib. He also summoned the Grandees of the
+realm, who came and did him homage; as also did the citizens and he
+bestowed on them sumptuous robes of honour and commended the Ryots to
+their care.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-second Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Gharib, after
+giving robes of honour to the citizens of Cufa and commending the
+Ryots to their care, went out on a day of the days to hunt, with an
+hundred horse, and fared on till he came to a Wady, abounding in trees
+and fruits and rich in rills and birds. It was a pasturing-place for
+roes and gazelles, to the spirit a delight whose scents reposed from
+the langour of fight. They encamped in the valley, for the day was
+clear and bright, and there passed the night. On the morrow, Gharib
+made the Wuzu-ablution and prayed the two-bow dawn-prayer, offering up
+praise and thanks to Almighty Allah; when, lo and behold! there arose
+a clamour and confusion in the meadows, and he bade Sahim go see what
+was to do. So Sahim mounted forthright and rode till he espied goods
+being plundered and horses haltered and women carried off and children
+crying out. Whereupon he questioned one of the shepherds, saying, “What
+be all this?”; and they replied, “This is the Harim of Mardas, Chief
+of the Banu Kahtan, and his good and that of his clan; for yesterday
+Jamrkan slew Mardas and made prize of his women and children and
+household stuff and all the belonging of his tribe. It is his wont
+to go a-raiding and to cut off highways and waylay wayfarers and he
+is a furious tyrant; neither Arabs nor Kings can prevail against him
+and he is the scourge and curse of the country.” Now when Sahim heard
+these news of his sire’s slaughter and the looting of his Harim and
+property, he returned to Gharib and told him the case, wherefore fire
+was added to his fire and his spirit chafed to wipe out his shame and
+his blood-wit to claim: so he rode with his men after the robbers till
+he overtook them and fell upon them, crying out and saying, “Almighty
+Allah upon the rebel, the traitor, the infidel!” and he slew in a
+single charge one-and-twenty fighting-men. Then he halted in mid-field,
+with no coward’s heart, and cried out, “Where is Jamrkan? Let him come
+out to me, that I may make him quaff the cup of disgrace and rid of him
+earth’s face!” Hardly had he made an end of speaking, when forth rushed
+Jamrkan, as he were a calamity of calamities or a piece of a mountain,
+cased in steel. He was a mighty huge[FN#10] Amalekite; and he drave at
+Gharib without speech or salute, like the fierce tyrant he was. And he
+was armed with a mace of China steel, so heavy, so potent, that had he
+smitten a hill he had smashed it. Now when he charged, Gharib met him
+like a hungry lion, and the brigand aimed a blow at his head with his
+mace; but he evaded it and it smote the earth and sank therein half a
+cubit deep. Then Gharib took his battle flail and smiting Jamrkan on
+the wrist, crushed his fingers and the mace dropped from his grasp;
+whereupon Gharib bent down from his seat in selle and snatching it up,
+swiftlier than the blinding leven, smote him therewith full on the flat
+of the ribs, and he fell to the earth like a long-stemmed palm-tree.
+So Sahim took him and pinioning him, haled him off with a rope, and
+Gharib’s horsemen fell on those of Jamrkan and slew fifty of them: the
+rest fled; nor did they cease flying till they reached their tribal
+camp and raised their voices in clamour; whereupon all who were in the
+Castle came out to meet them and asked the news. They told the tribe
+what had passed; and, when they heard that their chief was a prisoner,
+they set out for the valley vying one with other in their haste to
+deliver him. Now when King Gharib had captured Jamrkan and had seen his
+braves take flight, he dismounted and called for Jamrkan, who humbled
+himself before him, saying, “I am under thy protection, O champion of
+the Age!” Replied Gharib, “O dog of the Arabs, dost thou cut the road
+for the servants of Almighty Allah, and fearest thou not the Lord of
+the Worlds?” “O my master,” asked Jamrkan, “and who is the Lord of
+the Worlds?” “O dog,” answered Gharib, “and what calamity dost thou
+worship?” He said, “O my lord, I worship a god made of dates[FN#11]
+kneaded with butter and honey, and at times I eat him and make me
+another.” When Gharib heard this, he laughed till he fell backwards and
+said, “O miserable, there is none worship-worth save Almighty Allah,
+who created thee and created all things and provideth all creatures
+with daily bread, from whom nothing is hid and He over all things is
+Omnipotent.” Quoth Jamrkan, “And where is this great god, that I may
+worship him?” Quoth Gharib, “O fellow, know that this god’s name is
+Allah—_the_ God—and it is He who fashioned the heavens and the earth
+and garred the trees to grow and the waters to flow. He created wild
+beasts and birds and Paradise and Hell-fire and veileth Himself from
+all eyes seeing and of none being seen. He, and He only, is the Dweller
+on high. Extolled be His perfection! There is no god but He!” When
+Jamrkan heard these words, the ears of his heart were opened; his skin
+shuddered with horripilation and he said, “O my lord, what shall I say
+that I may become of you and that this mighty Lord may accept of me?”
+Replied Gharib, “Say:—There is no god but _the_ God and Abraham the
+Friend is the Apostle of God!” So he pronounced the profession of the
+Faith and was written of the people of felicity. Then quoth Gharib,
+“Say me, hast thou tasted the sweetness of Al-Islam?”; and quoth the
+other, “Yes;” whereupon Gharib cried, “Loose his bonds!” So they
+unbound him and he kissed ground before Gharib and his feet. Now whilst
+this was going on, behold, they espied a great cloud of dust that
+towered till it walled the word.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-third Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Jamrkan
+islamised and kissed the ground between the hands of Gharib; and, as
+they were thus, behold, a great cloud of dust towered till it walled
+the wold and Gharib said to Sahim, “Go and see for us what it be.” So
+he went forth, like a bird in full flight, and presently returned,
+saying, “O King of the Age, this dust is of the Banu Amir, the comrades
+of Jamrkan.” Whereupon quoth Gharib to the new Moslem, “Ride out to thy
+people and offer to them Al-Islam: an they profess, they shall be
+saved; but, an they refuse, we will put them to the sword.” So Jamrkan
+mounted and driving steed towards his tribesmen, cried out to them; and
+they knew him and dismounting, came up to him on foot and said, “We
+rejoice in thy safety, O our lord!” Said he, “O folk, whoso obeyeth me
+shall be saved; but whoso gainsayeth me, I will cut him in twain with
+this scymitar.” And they made answer, saying, “Command us what thou
+wilt, for we will not oppose thy commandment.” Quoth he, “Then say with
+me:—There is no god but _the_ God and Abraham is the Friend of God!”
+They asked, “O our lord, whence haddest thou these words?” And he told
+them what had befallen him with Gharib, adding, “O folk, know ye not
+that I am your chief in battle-plain and where men of cut and thrust
+are fain; and yet a man single-handed me to prisoner hath ta’en and
+made me the cup of shame and disgrace to drain?” When they heard his
+speech, they spoke the word of Unity and Jamrkan led them to Gharib, at
+whose hands they renewed their profession of Al-Islam and wished him
+glory and victory, after they had kissed the earth before him. Gharib
+rejoiced in them and said to them, “O folk, return to your people and
+expound Al-Islam to them;” but all replied, “O our lord, we will never
+leave thee, whilst we live; but we will go and fetch our families and
+return to thee.” And Gharib said, “Go, and join me at the city of
+Cufa.” So Jamrkan and his comrades returned to their tribal camp and
+offered Al-Islam to their women and children, who all to a soul
+embraced the True Faith, after which they dismantled their abodes and
+struck their tents and set out for Cufa, driving before them their
+steeds, camels and sheep. During this time Gharib returned to Cufa,
+where the horsemen met him in state. He entered his palace and sat down
+on his sire’s throne with his champions ranged on either hand. Then the
+spies came forwards, and informed him that his brother Ajib had made
+his escape and had taken refuge with Jaland[FN#12] bin Karkar, lord of
+the city of Oman and land of Al-Yaman; whereupon Gharib cried aloud to
+his host, “O men, make you ready to march in three days.” Then he
+expounded Al-Islam to the thirty thousand men he had captured in the
+first affair and exhorted them to profess and take service with him.
+Twenty thousand embraced the Faith, but the rest refused and he slew
+them. Then came forward Jamrkan and his tribe and kissed the ground
+before Gharib, who bestowed on him a splendid robe of honour and made
+him captain of his vanguard, saying, “O Jamrkan, mount with the Chiefs
+of thy kith and kin and twenty thousand horse and fare on before us to
+the land of Jaland bin Karkar.” “Hearkening and obedience,” answered
+Jamrkan and, leaving the women and children of the tribe in Cufa, he
+set forward. Then Gharib passed in review the Harim of Mardas and his
+eye lit upon Mahdiyah, who was among the women, wherewith he fell down
+fainting. They sprinkled rose-water on his face, till he came to
+himself, when he embraced Mahdiyah and carried her into a
+sitting-chamber, where he sat with her; and they twain lay together
+that night without fornication. Next morning he went out and sitting
+down on the throne of his kingship, robed his uncle Al-Damigh with a
+robe of honour; and appointed him his viceroy over all Al-Irak,
+commending Mahdiyah to his care, till he should return from his
+expedition against Ajib; and, when the order was accepted, he set out
+for the land of Al-Yaman and the City of Oman with twenty thousand
+horse and ten thousand foot. Now, when Ajib and his defeated army drew
+in sight of Oman, King Jaland saw the dust of their approach and sent
+to find out its meaning, scouts who returned and said, “Verily this is
+the dust of one hight Ajib, lord of Al-Irak.” And Jaland wondered at
+his coming to his country and, when assured of the tidings, he said to
+his officers, “Fare ye forth and meet him.” So they went out and met
+him and pitched tents for him at the city-gate; and Ajib entered in to
+Jaland, weeping-eyed and heavy-hearted. Now Jaland’s wife was the
+daughter of Ajib’s paternal uncle and he had children by her; so, when
+he saw his kinsman in this plight, he asked for the truth of what ailed
+him and Ajib told him all that had befallen him, first and last, from
+his brother and said, “O King, Gharib biddeth the folk worship the Lord
+of the Heavens and forbiddeth them from the service of simulacres and
+other of the gods.” When Jaland heard these words he raged and revolted
+and said, “By the virtue of the Sun, Lord of Life and Light, I will not
+leave one of thy brother’s folk in existence! But where didst thou quit
+them and how many men are they?” Answered Ajib, “I left them in Cufa
+and they be fifty thousand horse.” Whereupon Jaland called his Wazir
+Jawámard,[FN#13] saying, “Take thee seventy thousand horse and fare to
+Cufa and bring me the Moslems alive, that I may torture them with all
+manner of tortures.” So Jawamard departed with his host and fared
+through the first day and the second till the seventh day, when he came
+to a Wady abounding in trees and rills and fruits. Here he called a
+halt — And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-fourth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Jaland
+sent Jawamard with his army to Cufa, they came upon a Wady abounding in
+trees and rills where a halt was called and they rested till the middle
+of the night, when the Wazir gave the signal for departure and
+mounting, rode on before them till hard upon dawn, at which time he
+descended into a well-wooded valley, whose flowers were fragrant and
+whose birds warbled on boughs, as they swayed gracefully to and fro,
+and Satan blew into his sides and puffed him up with pride and he
+improvised these couplets and cried,
+
+“I plunge with my braves in the seething sea; * Seize the foe in
+     my strength and my valiancy;
+And the doughtiest knights wot me well to be * Friend to friend
+     and fierce foe to mine enemy.
+I will load Gharib with the captive’s chains * Right soon, and
+     return in all joy and glee;
+For I’ve donned my mail and my weapons wield * And on all sides
+     charge at the chivalry.”[FN#14]
+
+
+Hardly had Jawamard made an end of his verses when there came out upon
+him from among the trees a horseman of terrible mien covered and clad
+in steely sheen, who cried out to him, saying, “Stand, O riff-raff of
+the Arabs! Doff thy dress and ground thine arms-gear and dismount thy
+destrier and be off with thy life!” When Jawamard heard this, the light
+in his eyes became darkest night and he drew his sabre and drove at
+Jamrkan, for he it was, saying, “O thief of the Arabs, wilt thou cut
+the road for me, who am captain of the host of Jaland bin Karkar and am
+come to bring Gharib and his men in bond?” When Jamrkan heard these
+words, he said, “How cooling is this to my heart and liver!” And he
+made at Jawamard versifying in these couplets,
+
+“I’m the noted knight in the field of fight, * Whose sabre and
+     spear every foe affright!
+Jamrkan am I, to my foes a fear, * With a lance lunge known unto
+     every knight:
+Gharib is my lord, nay my pontiff, my prince, * Where the two
+     hosts dash very lion of might:
+An Imam of the Faith, pious, striking awe * On the plain where
+     his foes like the fawn take flight;
+Whose voice bids folk to the faith of the Friend, * False,
+     doubling idols and gods despite!”
+
+
+Now Jamrkan had fared on with his tribesmen ten days’ journey from Cufa
+city and called a halt on the eleventh day till midnight, when he
+ordered a march and rode on devancing them till he descended into the
+valley aforesaid and heard Jawamard reciting his verses. So he drave at
+him as the driving of a ravening lion, and smiting him with his sword,
+clove him in twain and waited till his captains came up, when he told
+them what had passed and said to them, “Take each of you five thousand
+men and disperse round about the Wady, whilst I and the Banu Amir fall
+upon the enemy’s van, shouting, Allaho Akbar God is Most Great! When ye
+hear my slogan, do ye charge them, crying like me upon the Lord, and
+smite them with the sword.” “We hear and we obey,” answered they and
+turning back to their braves did his bidding and spread themselves
+about the sides of the valley in the twilight forerunning the dawn.
+Presently, lo and behold! up came the army of Al-Yaman, like a flock of
+sheep, filling plain and steep, and Jamrkan and the Banu Amir fell upon
+them, shouting, “Allaho Akbar!” till all heard it, Moslems and
+Miscreants. Whereupon the True Believers ambushed in the valley
+answered from every side and the hills and mountains responsive cried
+and all things replied, green and dried, saying, “God is Most Great!
+Aidance and Victory to us from on High! Shame to the Miscreants who His
+name deny!” And the Kafirs were confounded and smote one another with
+sabres keen whilst the True Believers and pious fell upon them like
+flames of fiery sheen and naught was seen but heads flying and blood
+jetting and faint-hearts hieing. By the time they could see one
+another’s faces, two-thirds of the Infidels had perished and Allah
+hastened their souls to the fire and abiding-place dire. The rest fled
+and to the deserts sped whilst the Moslems pursued them to slay and
+take captives till middle-day, when they returned in triumph with seven
+thousand prisoners; and but six and twenty thousand of the Infidels
+escaped and the most of them wounded. Then the Moslems collected the
+horses and arms, the loads and tents of the enemy and despatched them
+to Cufa with an escort of a thousand horse;——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-fifth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Jamrkan in his
+battle with Jawamard slew him and slew his men; and, after taking many
+prisoners and much money and many horses and loads, sent them with an
+escort of a thousand riders, to Cufa city. Then he and the army of
+Al-Islam dismounted and expounded The saving Faith to the prisoners,
+who made profession with heart and tongue; whereupon they released them
+from bonds and embraced them and rejoiced in them. Then Jamrkan made
+his troops, who had swelled to a mighty many, rest a day and a night
+and marched with the dawn, intending to attack Jaland bin Karkar in the
+city of Oman; whilst the thousand horse fared back to Cufa with the
+loot. When they reached the city, they went in to King Gharib and told
+him what had passed, whereat he rejoiced and gave them joy and, turning
+to the Ghul of the Mountain, said, “Take horse with twenty thousand and
+follow Jamrkan.” So Sa’adan and his sons mounted and set out, amid
+twenty thousand horse for Oman. Meanwhile, the fugitives of the
+defeated Kafirs reached Oman and went in to Jaland, weeping and crying,
+“Woe!” and “Ruin!” whereat he was confounded and said to them, “What
+calamity hath befallen you?” So they told him what had happened and he
+said, “Woe to you! How many men were they?” They replied, “O King,
+there were twenty standards, under each a thousand men.” When Jaland
+heard these words he said, “May the sun pour no blessing on you! Fie
+upon you! What, shall twenty thousand overcome you, and you seventy
+thousand horse and Jawamard able to withstand three thousand in field
+of fight?” Then, in the excess of his rage and mortification, he bared
+his blade and cried out to those who were present, saying, “Fall on
+them!” So the courtiers drew their swords upon the fugitives and
+annihilated them to the last man and cast them to the dogs. Then Jaland
+cried aloud to his son, saying, “Take an hundred thousand horse and go
+to Al-Irak and lay it waste altogether.” Now this son’s name was
+Kúraján and there was no doughtier knight in all the force; for he
+could charge single-handed three thousand riders. So he and his host
+made haste to equip themselves and marched in battle-array, rank
+following rank, with the Prince at their head, glorying in himself and
+improvising these couplets,
+
+“I’m Al-Kurajan, and my name is known * To beat all who in wold
+     or in city wone!
+How many a soldier my sword at will * Struck down like a cow on
+     the ground bestrown?
+How many a soldier I’ve forced to fly * And have rolled their
+     heads as a ball is thrown?
+Now I’ll drive and harry the land Irak[FN#15] * And like rain
+     I’ll shower the blood of fone;
+And lay hands on Gharib and his men, whose doom * To the wise a
+     warning shall soon be shown!”
+
+
+The host fared on twelve days’ journey and, while they were still
+marching, behold, a great dust cloud arose before them and walled the
+horizon and the whole region. So Kurajan sent out scouts, saying, “Go
+forth and bring me tidings of what meaneth this dust.” They went till
+they passed under the enemy’s standards and presently returning said,
+“O King, verily this is the dust of the Moslems.” Whereat he was glad
+and said, “Did ye count them?” And they answered, “We counted the
+colours and they numbered twenty.” Quoth he, “By my faith, I will not
+send one man-at-arms against them, but will go forth to them alone by
+myself and strew their heads under the horses’ hooves!” Now this was
+the army of Jamrkan who, espying the host of the Kafirs and seeing them
+as a surging sea, called a halt; so his troops pitched the tents and
+set up the standards, calling upon the name of the All-wise One, the
+Creator of light and gloom, Lord of all creatures, Who seeth while Him
+none see, the High to infinity, extolled and exalted be He! There is no
+God but He! The Miscreants also halted and pitched their tents, and
+Kurajan said to them “Keep on your arms, and in armour sleep, for
+during the last watch of the night we will mount and trample yonder
+handful under feet!” Now one of Jamrkan’s spies was standing nigh and
+heard what Kurajan had contrived; so he returned to the host and told
+his chief who said to them, “Arm yourselves and as soon as it is Night,
+bring me all the mules and camels and hang all the bells and clinkets
+and rattles ye have about their necks.” Now they had with them more
+than twenty thousand camels and mules. So they waited till the Infidels
+fell asleep, when Jamrkan commanded them to mount, and they rose to
+ride and on the Lord of the Worlds they relied. Then said Jamrkan,
+“Drive the camels and mules to the Miscreants’ camp and push them with
+your spears for goads!” They did as he bade and the beasts rushed upon
+the enemy’s tents, whilst the bells and clinkets and rattles
+jangled[FN#16] and the Moslems followed at their heels, shouting, “God
+is Most Great!” till all the hills and mountains resounded with the
+name of the Highmost Deity, to whom belong glory and majesty! The
+cattle hearing this terrible din, took fright and rushed upon the tents
+and trampled the folk, as they lay asleep.——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-sixth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Jamrkan
+fell upon them with his men and steeds and camels, and the camp lay
+sleeping, the idolaters started up in confusion and, snatching up
+their arms, fell upon one another with smiting, till the most part was
+slaughtered. And when the day broke, they looked and found no Moslem
+slain, but saw them all on horseback, armed and armoured; wherefore
+they knew that this was a sleight which had been played upon them, and
+Kurajan cried out to the remnant of his folk, “O sons of whores, what
+we had a mind to do with them, that have they done with us and their
+craft hath gotten the better of our cunning.” And they were about to
+charge when, lo and behold! a cloud of dust rose high and walled the
+horizon-sky, when the wind smote it, so that it spired aloft and spread
+pavilion-wise in the lift and there it hung; and presently appeared
+beneath it the glint of helmet and gleam of hauberk and splendid
+warriors, baldrick’d with their tempered swords and holding in rest
+their supple spears. When the Kafirs saw this, they held back from
+the battle and each army sent out, to know the meaning of this dust,
+scouts, who returned with the news that it was an army of Moslems. Now
+this was the host of the Mountain-Ghul whom Gharib had despatched to
+Jamrkan’s aid, and Sa’adan himself rode in their van. So the two hosts
+of the True Believers joined company and rushing upon the Paynimry
+like a flame of fire, plied them with keen sword and Rudaynian spear
+and quivering lance, what while day was darkened and eyes for the much
+dust starkened. The valiant stood fast and the faint-hearted coward
+fled and to the wilds and the wolds swift sped, whilst the blood over
+earth was like torrents shed; nor did they cease from fight till the
+day took flight and in gloom came the night. Then the Moslems drew
+apart from the Miscreants and returned to their tents, where they ate
+and slept, till the darkness fled away and gave place to smiling day;
+when they prayed the dawn prayer and mounted to battle. Now Kurajan
+had said to his men as they drew off from fight (for indeed two-thirds
+of their number had perished by sword and spear), “O folk, to-morrow,
+I will champion it in the stead of war where cut and thrust jar, and
+where braves push and wheel I will take the field.” So, as soon as
+light was seen and morn appeared with its shine and sheen, took horse
+the hosts twain and shouted their slogans amain and bared the brand and
+hent lance in hand and in ranks took stand. The first to open the door
+of war was Kurajan, who cried out, saying, “Let no coward come out to
+me this day nor craven!” Whereupon Jamrkan and Sa’adan stood by the
+colours, but there ran at him a captain of the Banu Amir and the two
+drave each at other awhile, like two rams butting. Presently Kurajan
+seized the Moslem by the jerkin under his hauberk and, dragging him
+from his saddle, dashed him to the ground where he left him; upon which
+the Kafirs laid hands on him and bound him and bore him off to their
+tents; whilst Kurajan wheeled about and careered and offered battle,
+till another captain came out, whom also he took prisoner; nor did
+he leave to do thus till he had made prize of seven captains before
+mid-day. Then Jamrkan cried out with so mighty a cry, that the whole
+field made reply and heard it the armies twain, and ran at Kurajan with
+a heart in rageful pain, improvising these couplets:—
+
+Jamrkan am I! and a man of might, * Whom the warriors fear with
+     a sore affright:
+I waste the forts and I leave the walls * To wail and weep for
+     the wights I smite:
+Then, O Kurajan, tread the rightful road * And quit the paths of
+     thy foul unright:
+Own the One True God, who dispread the skies * And made founts to
+     flow and the hills pegged tight:
+An the slave embrace the True Faith, he’ll ’scape * Hell-pains
+     and in Heaven be deckt and dight!
+
+
+When Kurajan heard these words, he snarked and snorted and foully
+abused the sun and the moon and drave at Jamrkan, versifying with these
+couplets,
+
+“I’m Kurajan, of this age the knight; * And my shade to the
+     lions of Shara’[FN#17] is blight:
+I storm the forts and snare kings of beasts * And warriors fear
+     me in field of fight;
+Then, Harkye Jamrkan, if thou doubt my word, * Come forth to the
+     combat and try my might!”
+
+
+When Jamrkan heard these verses, he charged him with a stout heart and
+they smote each at other with swords till the two hosts lamented for
+them, and they lunged with lance and great was the clamour between
+them: nor did they leave fighting till the time of mid-afternoon prayer
+was passed and the day began to wane. Then Jamrkan drave at Kurajan and
+smiting him on the breast with his mace,[FN#18] cast him to the ground,
+as he were the trunk of a palm-tree; and the Moslems pinioned him and
+dragged him off with ropes like a camel. Now when the Miscreants saw
+their Prince captive, a hot fever-fit of ignorance seized on them and
+they bore down upon the True Believers thinking to rescue him; but the
+Moslem champions met them and left most of them prostrate on the earth,
+whilst the rest turned and sought safety in flight, seeking surer site,
+while the clanking sabres their back-sides smite. The Moslems ceased
+not pursuing them till they had scattered them over mount and wold,
+when they returned from them to the spoil; whereof was great store of
+horses and tents and so forth:—good look to it for a spoil! Then
+Jamrkan went in to Kurajan and expounded to him Al-Islam, threatening
+him with death unless he embraced the Faith. But he refused; so they
+cut off his head and stuck it on a spear, after which they fared on
+towards Oman[FN#19] city. But as regards the Kafirs, the survivors
+returned to Jaland and made known to him the slaying of his son and the
+slaughter of his host, hearing which he cast his crown to the ground
+and buffeting his face, till the blood ran from his nostrils, fell
+fainting to the floor. They sprinkled rose-water on his head, till he
+came to himself and cried to his Wazir, “Write letters to all my
+Governors and Nabobs, and bid them leave not a smiter with the sword
+nor a lunger with the lance nor a bender of the bow, but bring them all
+to me in one body.” So he wrote letters and despatched them by runners
+to the Governors, who levied their power and joined the King with a
+prevailing host, whose number was one hundred and eighty thousand men.
+Then they made ready tents and camels and noble steeds and were about
+to march when, behold, up came Jamrkan and Sa’adan the Ghul, with
+seventy thousand horse, as they were lions fierce-faced, all
+steel-encased. When Jaland saw the Moslems trooping on he rejoiced and
+said, “By the virtue of the Sun, and her resplendent light, I will not
+leave alive one of my foes; no, not one to carry the news, and I will
+lay waste the land of Al-Irak, that I may take my wreak for my son, the
+havoc-making champion bold; nor shall my fire be quenched or cooled!”
+Then he turned to Ajib and said to him, “O dog of Al-Irak, ’twas thou
+broughtest this calamity on us! But by the virtue of that which I
+worship, except I avenge me of mine enemy I will do thee die after
+foulest fashion!” When Ajib heard these words he was troubled with sore
+trouble and blamed himself; but he waited till nightfall, when the
+Moslems had pitched their tents for rest. Now he had been degraded and
+expelled the royal camp together with those who were left to him of his
+suite: so he said to them, “O my kinsmen, know that Jaland and I are
+dismayed with exceeding dismay at the coming of the Moslems, and I know
+that he will not avail to protect me from my brother nor from any
+other; so it is my counsel that we make our escape, whilst all eyes
+sleep, and flee to King Ya’arub bin Kahtán,[FN#20] for that he hath
+more of men and is stronger of reign.” They, hearing his advice
+exclaimed “Right is thy rede,” whereupon he bade them kindle fires at
+their tent-doors and march under cover of the night. They did his
+bidding and set out, so by daybreak they had already fared far away. As
+soon as it was morning Jaland mounted with two hundred and sixty
+thousand fighting-men, clad cap-à-pie in hauberks and cuirasses and
+strait-knit mail-coats, the kettle-drums beat a point of war and all
+drew out for cut and thrust and fight and fray. Then Jamrkan and
+Sa’adan rode out with forty thousand stalwart fighting-men, under each
+standard a thousand cavaliers, doughty champions, foremost in
+champaign. The two hosts drew out in battles and bared their blades and
+levelled their limber lances, for the drinking of the cup of death. The
+first to open the gate of strife was Sa’adan, as he were a mountain of
+syenite or a Marid of the Jinn. Then dashed out to him a champion of
+the Infidels, and the Ghul slew him and casting him to the earth, cried
+out to his sons and slaves, saying, “Light the fire and roast me this
+dead one.” They did as he bade and brought him the roast and he ate it
+and crunched the bones, whilst the Kafirs stood looking on from afar;
+and they cried out, “Oh for aid from the light-giving Sun!” and were
+affrighted at the thought of being slain by Sa’adan. Then Jaland
+shouted to his men, saying, “Slay me yonder loathsome beast!” Whereupon
+another captain of his host drove at the Ghul; but he slew him and he
+ceased not to slay horseman after horseman, till he had made an end of
+thirty men. With this the blamed Kafirs held back and feared to face
+him, crying, “Who shall cope with Jinns and Ghuls?” But Jaland raised
+his voice saying, “Let an hundred horse charge him and bring him to me,
+bound or slain.” So an hundred horse set upon Sa’adan with swords and
+spears, and he met them with a heart firmer than flint, proclaiming the
+unity of the Requiting King, whom no one thing diverteth from other
+thing. Then he cried aloud, “Allaho Akbar!” and, smiting them with his
+sword, made their heads fly and in one onset he slew of them
+four-and-seventy whereupon the rest took to flight. So Jaland shouted
+aloud to ten of his captains, each commanding a thousand men, and said
+to them, “Shoot his horse with arrows till it fall under him, and then
+lay hands on him.” Therewith ten thousand horse drove at Sa’adan who
+met them with a stout heart; and Jamrkan, seeing this, bore down upon
+the Miscreants with his Moslems, crying out, “God is Most Great!”
+Before they could reach the Ghul, the enemy had slain his steed and
+taken him prisoner; but they ceased not to charge the Infidels, till
+the day grew dark for dust and eyes were blinded, and the sharp sword
+clanged while firm stood the valiant cavalier and destruction overtook
+the faint-heart in his fear; till the Moslems were amongst the Paynims
+like a white patch on a black bull.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-seventh Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that battle raged
+between the Moslems and the Paynims till the True Believers were like a
+white patch on a black bull. Nor did they stint from the mellay till
+the darkness fell down, when they drew apart, after there had been
+slain of the Infidels men without compt. Then Jamrkan and his men
+returned to their tents; but they were in great grief for Sa’adan, so
+that neither meat nor sleep was sweet to them, and they counted their
+host and found that less than a thousand had been slain. But Jamrkan
+said, “O folk, to-morrow I will go forth into the battle-plain and
+place where cut and thrust obtain, and slay their champions and make
+prize of their families after taking them captives and I will ransom
+Sa’adan therewith, by the leave of the Requiting King, whom no one
+thing diverteth from other thing!” Wherefore their hearts were
+heartened and they joyed as they separated to their tents. Meanwhile
+Jaland entered his pavilion and sitting down on his sofa of estate,
+with his folk about him, called for Sa’adan and forthright on his
+coming, said to him, “O dog run wood and least of the Arab brood and
+carrier of firewood, who was it slew my son Kurajan, the brave of the
+age, slayer of heroes and caster down of warriors?” Quoth the Ghul,
+“Jamrkan slew him, captain of the armies of King Gharib, Prince of
+cavaliers, and I roasted and ate him, for I was anhungered.” When
+Jaland heard these words, his eyes sank into his head for rage and he
+bade his swordbearer smite Sa’adan’s neck. So he came forward in that
+intent, whereupon Sa’adan stretched himself mightily and bursting his
+bonds, snatched the sword from the headsman and hewed off his head.
+Then he made at Jaland who threw himself down from the throne and fled;
+whilst Sa’adan fell on the bystanders and killed twenty of the King’s
+chief officers, and all the rest took to flight. Therewith loud rose
+the crying in the camp of the Infidels and the Ghul sallied forth of
+the pavilion and falling upon the troops smote them with the sword,
+right and left, till they opened and left a lane for him to pass; nor
+did he cease to press forward, cutting at them on either side, till he
+won free of the Miscreants’ tents and made for the Moslem camp. Now
+these had heard the uproar among their enemies and said, “Haply some
+calamity hath befallen them.” But whilst they were in perplexity,
+behold, Sa’adan stood amongst them and they rejoiced at his coming with
+exceeding joy; more especially Jamrkan, who saluted him with the salam
+as did other True Believers and gave him joy of his escape. Such was
+the case with the Moslems; but as regards the Miscreants, when, after
+the Ghul’s departure, they and their King returned to their tents,
+Jaland said to them, “O folk, by the virtue of the Sun’s light-giving
+ray and by the darkness of the Night and the light of the Day and the
+Stars that stray, I thought not this day to have escaped death in
+mellay; for, had I fallen into yonder fellow’s hands, he had eaten me,
+as I were a kernel of wheat or a barley-corn or any other grain.” They
+replied, “O King, never saw we any do the like of this Ghul.” And he
+said, “O folk, to-morrow do ye all don arms and mount steed and trample
+them under your horses’ hooves.” Meanwhile the Moslems had ended their
+rejoicings at Sa’adan’s return and Jamrkan said to them, “To-morrow, I
+will show you my derring-do and what behoveth the like of me, for by
+the virtue of Abraham the Friend, I will slay them with the foulest of
+slaughters and smite them with the bite of the sword, till all who have
+understanding confounded at them shall stand. But I mean to attack
+both right and left wings; so, when ye see me drive at the King under
+the standards, do ye charge behind me with a resolute charge, and
+Allah’s it is to decree what thing shall be!” Accordingly the two
+sides lay upon their arms till the day broke through night and the sun
+appeared to sight. Then they mounted swiftlier than the twinkling of
+the eyelid; the raven of the wold croaked and the two hosts, looking
+each at other with the eye of fascination, formed in line-array and
+prepared for fight and fray. The first to open the chapter of war was
+Jamrkan who wheeled and careered and offered fight in field; and Jaland
+and his men were about to charge when, behold, a cloud of dust uprolled
+till it walled the wold and overlaid the day. Then the four winds smote
+it and away it floated, torn to rags, and there appeared beneath it
+cavaliers, with helms black and garb white and many a princely knight
+and lances that bite and swords that smite and footmen who lion-like
+knew no affright. Seeing this both armies left fighting and sent out
+scouts to reconnoitre and report who thus had come in main and might.
+So they went and within the dust cloud disappeared from sight, and
+returned after awhile with the news aright that the approaching host
+was one of Moslems, under the command of King Gharib. When the True
+Believers heard from the scouts of the coming of their King, they
+rejoiced and driving out to meet him, dismounted and kissed the earth
+between his hands——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to
+say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Moslems saw the presence of their King Gharib, they joyed with
+exceeding joy; and, kissing the earth between his hands, saluted him
+and gat around him whilst he welcomed them and rejoiced in their
+safety. Then they escorted him to their camp and pitched pavilions for
+him and set up standards; and Gharib sat down on his couch of estate,
+with his Grandees about him; and they related to him all that had
+befallen, especially to Sa’adan. Meanwhile the Kafirs sought for Ajib
+and finding him not among them nor in their tents, told Jaland of his
+flight, whereat his Doomsday rose and he bit his fingers, saying, “By
+the Sun’s light-giving round, he is a perfidious hound and hath fled
+with his rascal rout to desert-ground. But naught save force of hard
+fighting will serve us to repel these foes; so fortify your resolves
+and hearten your hearts and beware of the Moslems.” And Gharib also
+said to the True Believers, “Strengthen your courage and fortify your
+hearts and seek aid of your Lord, beseeching him to vouchsafe you the
+victory over your enemies.” They replied, “O King, soon thou shalt see
+what we will do in battle-plain where men cut and thrust amain.” So the
+two hosts slept till the day arose with its sheen and shone and the
+rising sun rained light upon hill and down, when Gharib prayed the
+two-bow prayer, after the rite of Abraham the Friend (on whom be the
+Peace!) and wrote a letter, which he despatched by his brother Sahim to
+the King of the Kafirs. When Sahim reached the enemies’ camp, the
+guards asked him what he wanted, and he answered them, “I want your
+ruler.”[FN#21] Quoth they, “Wait till we consult him anent thee;” and
+he waited, whilst they went in to their Sovran and told him of the
+coming of a messenger, and he cried, “Hither with him to me!” So they
+brought Sahim before Jaland, who said to him, “Who hath sent thee?”
+Quoth he, “King Gharib sends me, whom Allah hath made ruler over Arab
+and Ajam; receive his letter and return its reply.” Jaland took the
+writ and opening it, read as follows, “In the name of Allah, the
+Compassionating, the Compassionate * the One, the All-knowing, the
+supremely Great * the Immemorial, the Lord of Noah and Sálih and Húd
+and Abraham and of all things He made! * The Peace be on him who
+followeth in the way of righteousness and who feareth the issues of
+frowardness * who obeyeth the Almighty King and followeth the Faith
+saving and preferreth the next world to any present thing! * But
+afterwards: O Jaland, none is worthy of worship save Allah alone, the
+Victorious, the One, Creator of night and day and the sphere revolving
+alway * Who sendeth the holy Prophets and garreth the streams to flow
+and the trees to grow, who vaulted the heavens and spread out the earth
+like a carpet below * Who feedeth the birds in their nests and the wild
+beasts in the deserts * for He is Allah the All-powerful, the
+Forgiving, the Long-suffering, the Protector, whom eye comprehendeth on
+no wise and who maketh night on day arise * He who sent down the
+Apostles and their Holy Writ. Know, O Jaland, that there is no faith
+but the Faith of Abraham the Friend; so cleave to the Creed of
+Salvation and be saved from the biting glaive and the Fire which
+followeth the grave * But, an thou refuse Al-Islam look for ruin to
+haste and thy reign to be waste and thy traces untraced * And, lastly,
+send me the dog Ajib hight that I may take from him my father’s and
+mother’s blood-wit.” When Jaland had read this letter, he said to
+Sahim, “Tell thy lord that Ajib hath fled, he and his folk, and I know
+not whither he is gone; but, as for Jaland, he will not forswear his
+faith, and to-morrow, there shall be battle between us and the Sun
+shall give us the victory.” So Sahim returned to his brother with this
+reply, and when the morning morrowed, the Moslems donned their arms and
+armour and bestrode their stout steeds, calling aloud on the name of
+the All-conquering King, Creator of bodies and souls, and magnifying
+Him with “Allaho Akbar.” Then the kettle-drums of battle beat until
+earth trembled, and sought the field all the lordly warriors and
+doughty champions. The first to open the gate of battle was Jamrkan,
+who drave his charger into mid-plain and played with sword and javelin,
+till the understanding was amazed; after which he cried out, saying,
+“Ho! who is for tilting? Ho! who is for fighting? Let no sluggard come
+out to me to-day nor weakling! I am the slayer of Kurajan bin Jaland;
+who will come forth to avenge him?” When Jaland heard the name of his
+son, he cried out to his men, “O whore-sons, bring me yonder horseman
+who slew my son, that I may eat his flesh and drink his blood.” So an
+hundred fighting-men charged at Jamrkan, but he slew the most part of
+them and put their chief to flight; which feat when Jaland saw, he
+cried out to his folk, “At him all at once and assault him with one
+assault.” Accordingly they waved the awe-striking banners and host was
+heaped on host; Gharib rushed on with his men and Jamrkan did the same
+and the two sides met like two seas together clashing. The Yamáni sword
+and spear wrought havoc and breasts and bellies were rent, whilst both
+armies saw the Angel of Death face to face and the dust of the battle
+rose to the skirts of the sky. Ears went deaf and tongues went dumb and
+doom from every side came on whilst valiant stood fast and faint-heart
+fled: and they ceased not from fight and fray till ended the day, when
+the drums beat the retreat and the two hosts drew apart and returned,
+each to its tents.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Forty-ninth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when King Gharib
+ended the battle and the two hosts drew apart and each had returned to
+his own tents, he sat down on the throne of his realm and the place of
+his reign, whilst his chief officers ranged themselves about him, and
+he said, “I am sore concerned for the flight of the cur Ajib and I know
+not whither he has gone. Except I overtake him and take my wreak of
+him, I shall die of despite.” Whereupon Sahim came forward and kissing
+the earth before him, said, “O King, I will go to the army of the
+Kafirs and find out what is come of the perfidious dog Ajib.” Quoth
+Gharib, “Go, and learn the truth anent the hog.” So Sahim disguised
+himself in the habit of the Infidels and became as he were of them;
+then, making for the enemy’s camp, he found them all asleep, drunken
+with war and battle, and none were on wake save only the guards. He
+passed on and presently came to the King’s pavilion where he found King
+Jaland asleep unattended; so he crept up and made him smell and sniff
+up levigated Bhang and he became as one dead. Then Sahim went out and
+took a male mule, and wrapping the King in the coverlet of his bed,
+laid him on its back; after which he threw a mat over him and led the
+beast to the Moslem camp. Now when he came to Gharib’s pavilion and
+would have entered, the guards knew him not and prevented him, saying,
+“Who art thou?” He laughed and uncovered his face, and they knew him
+and admitted him. When Gharib saw him he said, “What bearest thou
+there, O Sahim?”; and he replied, “O King, this is Jaland bin Karkar.”
+Then he uncovered him, and Gharib knew him and said, “Arouse him, O
+Sahim.” So he made him smell vinegar[FN#22] and frankincense; and he
+cast the Bhang from his nostrils and, opening his eyes, found himself
+among the Moslems; whereupon quoth he, “What is this foul dream?” and
+closing his eyelids again, would have slept; but Sahim dealt him a
+kick, saying, “Open thine eyes, O accursed!” So he opened them and
+asked, “Where am I?”; and Sahim answered, “Thou art in the presence of
+King Gharib bin Kundamir, King of Irak.” When Jaland heard this, he
+said, “O King, I am under thy protection! Know that I am not at fault,
+but that who led us forth to fight thee was thy brother, and the same
+cast enmity between us and then fled.” Quoth Gharib, “Knowest thou
+whither he is gone?”; and quoth Jaland, “No, by the light-giving sun, I
+know not whither.” Then Gharib bade lay him in bonds and set guards
+over him, whilst each captain returned to his own tent, and Jamrkan
+while wending said to his men, “O sons of my uncle, I purpose this
+night to do a deed wherewith I may whiten my face with King Gharib.”
+Quoth they, “Do as thou wilt, we hearken to thy commandment and obey
+it.” Quoth he, “Arm yourselves and, muffling your steps while I go with
+you, let us fare softly and disperse about the Infidels’ camp, so that
+the very ants shall not be ware of you; and, when you hear me cry
+‘Allaho Akbar,’ do ye the like and cry out, saying, ‘God is Most
+Great!’ and hold back and make for the city-gate; and we seek aid from
+the Most High.” So the folk armed themselves cap-à-pie and waited till
+the noon of night, when they dispersed about the enemy’s camp and
+tarried awhile when, lo and behold! Jamrkan smote shield with sword and
+shouted, “Allaho Akbar’” Thereupon they all cried out the like, till
+rang again valley and mountain, hills, sands and ruins. The Miscreants
+awoke in dismay and fell one upon other, and the sword went round
+amongst them; the Moslems drew back and made for the city-gates, where
+they slew the warders and entering, made themselves masters of the town
+with all that was therein of treasure and women. Thus it befel with
+Jamrkan; but as regards King Gharib, hearing the noise and clamour of
+“God is Most Great,” he mounted with his troops to the last man and
+sent on in advance Sahim who, when he came near the field of fight, saw
+that Jamrkan had fallen upon the Kafirs with the Banu Amir by night and
+made them drink the cup of death. So he returned and told all to his
+brother, who called down blessings on Jamrkan. And the Infidels ceased
+not to smite one another with the biting sword and expending their
+strength till the day rose and lighted up the land, when Gharib cried
+out to his men, “Charge, O ye noble, and do a deed to please the
+All-knowing King!” So the True Believers fell upon the idolaters and
+plied upon every false hypocritical breast the keen sword and the
+quivering spear. They sought to take refuge in the city; but Jamrkan
+came forth upon them with his kinsmen, who hemmed them in between two
+mountain-ranges, and slew an innumerable host of them, and the rest
+fled into the wastes and wolds.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fiftieth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Moslem host charged upon the Miscreants they hewed them in pieces with
+the biting scymitar and the rest fled to the wastes and words; nor did
+the Moslems cease pursuing them with the sword, till they had scattered
+them abroad in the plains and stony places. Then they returned to Oman
+city, and King Gharib entered the palace of the King and, sitting down
+on the throne of his kingship, with his Grandees and Officers ranged
+right and left, sent for Jaland. They brought him in haste and Gharib
+expounded to him Al-Islam; but he rejected it; wherefore Gharib bade
+crucify him on the gate of the city, and they shot at him with shafts
+till he was like unto a porcupine. Then Gharib honourably robed Jamrkan
+and said to him, “Thou shalt be lord of this city and ruler thereof
+with power to loose and to bind therein, for it was thou didst open it
+with thy sword and thy folk.” And Jamrkan kissed the King’s feet,
+thanked him and wished him abiding victory and glory and every
+blessing. Moreover Gharib opened Jaland’s treasuries and saw what was
+therein of coin, whereof he gave largesse to his captains and
+standard-bearers and fighting-men, yea, even to the girls and children;
+and thus he lavished his gifts ten days long. After this, one night he
+dreamt a terrible dream and awoke, troubled and trembling. So he
+aroused his brother Sahim and said to him, “I saw in my vision that we
+were in a wide valley, when there pounced down on us two ravening birds
+of prey, never in my life saw I greater than they; their legs were like
+lances, and as they swooped we were in sore fear of them.” Replied
+Sahim, “O King, this be some great enemy; so stand on thy guard against
+him.” Gharib slept not the rest of the night and, when the day broke,
+he called for his courser and mounted. Quoth Sahim, “Whither goest
+thou, my brother?” and quoth Gharib, “I awoke heavy at heart; so I mean
+to ride abroad ten days and broaden my breast.” Said Sahim, “Take with
+thee a thousand braves;” but Gharib replied, “I will not go forth but
+with thee and only thee.” So the two brothers mounted and, seeking the
+dales and leasows, fared on from Wady to Wady and from meadow to
+meadow, till they came to a valley abounding in streams and
+sweet-smelling flowers and trees laden with all manner eatable fruits,
+two of each kind. Birds warbled on the branches their various strains;
+the mocking bird trilled out her sweet notes fain and the turtle filled
+with her voice the plain. There sang the nightingale, whose chant
+arouses the sleeper, and the merle with his note like the voice of man
+and the cushat and the ring-dove, whilst the parrot with its eloquent
+tongue answered the twain. The valley pleased them and they ate of its
+fruits and drank of its waters, after which they sat under the shadow
+of its trees till drowsiness overcame them and they slept, glory be to
+Him who sleepeth not! As they lay asleep, lo! two fierce Marids swooped
+down on them and, taking each one on his shoulders, towered with them
+high in air, till they were above the clouds. So Gharib and Sahim awoke
+and found themselves betwixt heaven and earth; whereupon they looked at
+those who bore them and saw that they were two Marids, the head of the
+one being as that of a dog and the head of the other as that of an
+ape[FN#23] with hair like horses’ tails and claws like lions’ claws,
+and both were big as great palm-trees. When they espied this case, they
+exclaimed, “There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah,
+the Glorious, the Great!” Now the cause of this was that a certain King
+of the Kings of the Jinn, hight Mura’ash, had a son called Sá’ik, who
+loved a damsel of the Jinn, named Najmah;[FN#24] and the twain used to
+foregather in that Wady under the semblance of two birds. Gharib and
+Sahim saw them thus and deeming them birds, shot at them with shafts
+but wounding only Sa’ik whose blood flowed. Najmah mourned over him;
+then, fearing lest the like calamity befal herself, snatched up her
+lover and flew with him to his father’s palace, where she cast him down
+at the gate. The warders bore him in and laid him before his sire who,
+seeing the pile sticking in his rib exclaimed, “Alas, my son! Who hath
+done with thee this thing, that I may lay waste his abiding-place and
+hurry on his destruction, though he were the greatest of the Kings of
+the Jann?” Thereupon Sa’ik opened his eyes and said, “O my father, none
+slew me save a mortal in the Valley of Springs.” Hardly had he made an
+end of these words, when his soul departed; whereupon his father
+buffeted his face, till the blood streamed from his mouth, and cried
+out to two Marids, saying, “Hie ye to the Valley of Springs and bring
+me all who are therein.” So they betook themselves to the Wady in
+question, where they found Gharib and Sahim asleep, and, snatching them
+up, carried them to King Mura’ash.[FN#25]——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-first Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the two
+Marids, after snatching up Gharib and Sahim in their sleep, carried
+them to Mura’ash, king of the Jann, whom they saw seated on the throne
+of his kinship, as he were a huge mountain, with four heads on his
+body,[FN#26] the first that of a lion, the second that of an elephant,
+the third that of a panther, and the fourth that of a lynx. The Marids
+set them down before Mura’ash and said to him, “O King, these twain be
+they we found in the Valley of Springs.” Thereupon he looked at them
+with wrathful eyes and snarked and snorted and shot sparks from his
+nostrils, so that all who stood by feared him. Then said he, “O dogs
+of mankind, ye have slain my son and lighted fire in my liver.” Quoth
+Gharib, “Who is thy son, and who hath seen him?” Quoth Mura’ash, “Were
+ye not in the Valley of Springs and did ye not see my son there, in the
+guise of a bird, and did ye not shoot at him with wooden bolts that he
+died?” Replied Gharib, “I know not who slew him; and, by the virtue of
+the Great God, the One, the Immemorial who knoweth things all, and of
+Abraham the Friend, we saw no bird, neither slew we bird or beast!”
+Now when Mura’ash heard Gharib swear by Allah and His greatness and
+by Abraham the Friend, he knew him for a Moslem (he himself being a
+worshipper of Fire, not of the All-powerful Sire), so he cried out
+to his folk, “Bring me my Goddess.[FN#27]” Accordingly they brought
+a brazier of gold and, setting it before him, kindled therein fire
+and cast on drugs, whereupon there arose therefrom green and blue
+and yellow flames and the King and all who were present prostrated
+themselves before the brazier, whilst Gharib and Sahim ceased not to
+attest the Unity of Allah Almighty, to cry out “God is Most Great” and
+to bear witness to His Omnipotence. Presently, Mura’ash raised his
+head and, seeing the two Princes standing in lieu of falling down to
+worship, said to them, “O dogs, why do ye not prostrate yourselves?”
+Replied Gharib, “Out on you, O ye accursed! Prostration befitteth not
+man save to the Worshipful King, who bringeth forth all creatures
+into beingness from nothingness and maketh water to well from the
+barren rockwell, Him who inclineth heart of sire unto new-born scion
+and who may not be described as sitting or standing; _the_ God of
+Noah and Salih and Hud and Abraham the Friend, Who created Heaven and
+Hell and trees and fruit as well,[FN#28] for He is Allah, the One,
+the All-powerful.” When Mura’ash heard this, his eyes sank into his
+head[FN#29] and he cried out to his guards, saying, “Pinion me these
+two dogs and sacrifice them to my Goddess.” So they bound them and were
+about to cast them into the fire when, behold, one of the crenelles
+of the palace-parapet fell down upon the brazier and brake it and put
+out the fire, which became ashes flying in air. Then quoth Gharib,
+“God is Most Great! He giveth aid and victory and He forsaketh those
+who deny Him, worshipping Fire and not the Almighty King!” Presently
+quoth Mura’ash, “Thou art a sorcerer and hast bewitched my Goddess,
+so that this thing hath befallen her.” Gharib replied, “O madman, an
+the fire had soul or sense it would have warded off from self all that
+hurteth it.” When Mura’ash heard these words, he roared and bellowed
+and reviled the Fire, saying, “By my faith, I will not kill you save by
+the fire!” Then he bade cast them into gaol; and, calling an hundred
+Marids, made them bring much fuel and set fire thereto. So they brought
+great plenty of wood and made a huge blaze, which flamed up mightily
+till the morning, when Mura’ash mounted an elephant, bearing on its
+back a throne of gold dubbed with jewels, and the tribes of the Jinn
+gathered about him in their various kinds. Presently they brought in
+Gharib and Sahim who, seeing the flaming of the fire, sought help of
+the One, the All-conquering Creator of night and day, Him of All-might,
+whom no sight comprehendeth, but who comprehendeth all sights, for He
+is the Subtle, the All-knowing. And they ceased not humbly beseeching
+Him till, behold, a cloud arose from West to East and, pouring down
+showers of rain, like the swollen sea, quenched the fire. When the
+King saw this, he was affrighted, he and his troops, and entered the
+palace, where he turned to the Wazirs and Grandees and said to them,
+“How say ye of these two men?” They replied, “O King, had they not been
+in the right, this thing had not befallen the fire; wherefore we say
+that they be true men which speak sooth.” Rejoined Mura’ash, “Verily
+the Truth hath been displayed to me, ay, and the manifest way, and I am
+certified that the worship of the fire is false; for, were it goddess,
+it had warded off from itself the rain which quenched it and the stone
+which broke its brazier and beat it into ashes. Wherefore I believe in
+Him Who created the fire and the light and the shade and the heat. And
+ye, what say ye?” They answered, “O King, we also hear and follow and
+obey.” So the King called for Gharib and embraced him and kissed him
+between the eyes and then summoned Sahim; whereupon the bystanders all
+crowded to kiss their hands and heads.——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifth-second Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Mura’ash
+and his men found salvation in the Saving Faith, Al-Islam, he called
+for Gharib and Sahim and kissed them between the eyes and so did all
+the Grandees who crowded to buss their hands and heads. Then Mura’ash
+sat down on the throne of his kingship and, seating Gharib on his right
+and Sahim on his left hand, said to them, “O mortals, what shall we
+say, that we may become Moslems?” Replied Gharib, “Say:—There is no
+god but _the_ God, and Abraham is the Friend of God!” So the King and
+his folk professed Al-Islam with heart and tongue, and Gharib abode
+with them awhile, teaching them the ritual of prayer. But presently he
+called to mind his people and sighed, whereupon quoth Mura’ash,
+“Verily, trouble is gone and joy and gladness are come.” Quoth Gharib,
+“O King, I have many foes and I fear for my folk from them.” Then he
+related to him his history with his brother Ajib from first to last,
+and the King of the Jinns said, “O King of men, I will send one who
+shall bring thee news of thy people, for I will not let thee go till I
+have had my fill of thy face.” Then he called two doughty Marids, by
+name Kaylaján and Kúraján, and after they had done him homage, he bade
+them repair to Al-Yaman and bring him news of Gharib’s army. They
+replied, “To hear is to obey,” and departed. Thus far concerning the
+brothers; but as regards the Moslems, they arose in the morning and led
+by their captains rode to King Gharib’s palace, to do their service to
+him; but the eunuchs told them that the King had mounted with his
+brother and had ridden forth at peep o’ day. So they made for the
+valleys and mountains and followed the track of the Princes, till they
+came to the Valley of Springs, where they found their arms cast down
+and their two gallant steeds grazing and said, “The King is missing
+from this place, by the glory of Abraham the Friend!” Then they mounted
+and sought in the valley and the mountains three days, but found no
+trace of them; whereupon they began the mourning ceremonies and,
+sending for couriers, said to them, “Do ye disperse yourselves about
+the cities and sconces and castles, and seek ye news of our King.”
+“Harkening and obedience!” cried the couriers, who dispersed hither and
+thither each over one of the Seven Climes and sought everywhere for
+Gharib, but found no trace of him. Now when the tidings came to Ajib by
+his spies that his brother was lost and there was no news of the
+missing, he rejoiced and going in to King Ya’arub bin Kahtan, sought of
+him aid which he granted and gave him two hundred thousand Amalekites,
+wherewith he set out for Al-Yaman and sat down before the city of Oman.
+Jamrkan and Sa’adan sallied forth and offered him battle, and there
+were slain of the Moslems much folk, so the True Believers retired into
+the city and shut the gates and manned the walls. At this moment came
+up the two Marids Kaylajan and Kurajan and, seeing the Moslem
+beleaguered waited till nightfall, when they fell upon the miscreants
+and plied them with sharp swords of the swords of the Jinn, each twelve
+cubits long, if a man smote therewith a rock, verily he would cleave it
+in sunder. They charged the Idolaters, shouting, “Allaho Akbar! God is
+Most Great! He giveth aid and victory and forsaketh those who deny the
+Faith of Abraham the Friend!” and whilst they raged amongst the foes,
+fire issued from their mouths and nostrils, and they made great
+slaughter amongst them. Thereupon the Infidels ran out of their tents
+offering battle but, seeing these strange things, were confounded and
+their hair stood on end and their reason fled. So they snatched up
+their arms and fell one upon other, whilst the Marids shore off their
+heads, as a reaper eareth grain, crying, “God is Most Great! We are the
+lads of King Gharib, the friend of Mura’ash, King of the Jinn!” The
+sword ceased not to go round amongst them till the night was half
+spent, when the Misbelievers, imagining that the mountains were all
+Ifrits, loaded their tents and treasure and baggage upon camels and
+made off; and the first to fly was Ajib.——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-third Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the
+Misbelievers made off and the first to fly was Ajib. Thereupon the
+Moslems gathered together, marvelling at this that had betided the
+Infidels and fearing the tribesmen of the Jinn. But the Marids ceased
+not from pursuit, till they had driven them far away into the hills and
+words; and but fifty thousand Rebels[FN#30] of two hundred thousand
+escaped with their lives and made for their own land, wounded and sore
+discomfited. Then the two Jinns returned and said to them, “O host of
+the Moslems, your lord King Gharib and his brother Sahim salute you;
+they are the guests of Mura’ash, King of the Jann, and will be with you
+anon.” When Gharib’s men heard that he was safe and well, they joyed
+with exceeding joy and said to the Marids, “Allah gladden you twain
+with good news, O noble spirits!” So Kurajan and Kaylajan returned to
+Mura’ash and Gharib; and acquainted them with that which had happened,
+whereat Gharib finding the two sitting together felt heart at ease and
+said, “Allah abundantly requite you!” Then quoth King Mura’ash, “O my
+brother, I am minded to show thee our country and the city of
+Japhet[FN#31] son of Noah (on whom be peace!)” Quoth Gharib, “O King,
+do what seemeth good to thee.” So he called for three noble steeds and
+mounting, he and Gharib and Sahim, set out with a thousand Marids, as
+they were a piece of a mountain cloven lengthwise. They fared on,
+solacing themselves with the sight of valleys and mountains, till they
+came to Jabarsá,[FN#32] the city of Japhet son of Noah (on whom be
+peace!) where the townsfolk all, great and small, came forth to meet
+King Mura’ash and brought them into the city in great state. Then
+Mura’ash went up to the palace of Japhet son of Noah and sat down on
+the throne of his kingship, which was of alabaster, ten stages high and
+latticed with wands of gold wherefrom hung all manner coloured silks.
+The people of the city stood before him and he said to them, “O seed of
+Yafis bin Nuh, what did your fathers and grandfathers worship?” They
+replied, “We found them worshipping Fire and followed their example, as
+thou well knowest.” “O folk,” rejoined Mura’ash, “we have been shown
+that the fire is but one of the creatures of Almighty Allah, Creator of
+all things; and when we knew this, we submitted ourselves to God, the
+One, the All-powerful, Maker of night and day and the sphere revolving
+alway, Whom comprehendeth no sight, but Who comprehendeth all sights,
+for He is the Subtle, the All-wise. So seek ye Salvation and ye shall
+be saved from the wrath of the Almighty One and from the fiery doom in
+the world to come.” And they embraced Al-Islam with heart and tongue.
+Then Mura’ash took Gharib by the hand and showed him the palace and its
+ordinance and all the marvels it contained, till they came to the
+armoury, wherein were the arms of Japhet son of Noah. Here Gharib saw a
+sword hanging to a pin of gold and asked, “O King, whose is that?”
+Mura’ash answered, “’Tis the sword of Yafis bin Nuh, wherewith he was
+wont to do battle against men and Jinn. The sage Jardúm forged it and
+graved on its back names of might.[FN#33] It is named Al-Máhík the
+Annihilator for that it never descendeth upon a man, but it
+annihilateth him, nor upon a Jinni, but it crusheth him; and if one
+smote therewith a mountain ’twould overthrow it.” When Gharib heard
+tell of the virtues of the sword, he said, “I desire to look on this
+blade;” and Mura’ash said, “Do as thou wilt.” So Gharib put out his
+hand, and, hending the sword, drew it from its sheath; whereupon it
+flashed and Death crept on its edge and glittered; and it was twelve
+spans long and three broad. Now Gharib wished to become owner of it,
+and King Mura’ash said, “An thou canst smite with it, take it.” “’Tis
+well,” Gharib replied, and took it up, and it was in his hand as a
+staff; wherefore all who were present, men and Jinn, marvelled and
+said, “Well done, O Prince of Knights!” Then said Mura’ash “Lay thy
+hand on this hoard for which the Kings of the earth sigh in vain, and
+mount, that I may show thee the city.” Then they took horse and rode
+forth the palace, with men and Jinns attending them on foot,——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-fourth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib
+and King Mura’ash rode forth the palace of Japhet, with men and Jinns
+attending them on foot, they passed through the streets and
+thoroughfares of the town, by palaces and deserted mansions and gilded
+doorways, till they issued from the gates and entered gardens full of
+trees fruit-bearing and waters welling and birds speaking and
+celebrating the praises of Him to whom belong Majesty and Eternity; nor
+did they cease to solace themselves in the land till nightfall, when
+they returned to the palace of Japhet son of Noah and they brought them
+the table of food. So they ate and Gharib turned to the King of the
+Jann and said to him, “O King, I would fain return to my folk and my
+force; for I know not their plight after me.” Replied Mura’ash, “By
+Allah, O my brother, I will not part with thee for a full month, till I
+have had my fill of thy sight.” Now Gharib could not say nay, so he
+abode with him in the city of Japhet, eating and drinking and making
+merry, till the month ended, when Mura’ash gave him great store of gems
+and precious ores, emeralds and balass-rubies, diamonds and other
+jewels, ingots of gold and silver and likewise ambergris and musk and
+brocaded silks and else of rarities and things of price. Moreover he
+clad him and Sahim in silken robes of honour gold inwoven and set on
+Gharib’s head a crown jewelled with pearls and diamonds of inestimable
+value. All these treasures he made up into even loads for him and,
+calling five hundred Marids, said to them, “Get ye ready to travel on
+the morrow, that we may bring King Gharib and Sahim back to their own
+country.” And they answered, “We hear and we obey.” So they passed the
+night in the city, purposing to depart on the morrow, but, next
+morning, as they were about to set forth behold, they espied a great
+host advancing upon the city, with horses neighing and kettle-drums
+beating and trumpets braying and riders filling the earth for they
+numbered threescore and ten thousand Marids, flying and diving, under a
+King called Barkán. Now this Barkan was lord of the City of Carnelian
+and the Castle of Gold and under his rule were five hill-strongholds,
+in each five hundred thousand Marids; and he and his tribe worshipped
+the Fire, not the Omnipotent Sire. He was a cousin of Mura’ash, the son
+of his father’s brother, and the cause of his coming was that there had
+been among the subjects of King Mura’ash a misbelieving Marid, who
+professed Al-Islam hypocritically, and he stole away from his people
+and made for the Valley of Carnelian, where he went in to King Barkan
+and, kissing the earth before him, wished him abiding glory and
+prosperity. Then he told him of Mura’ash being converted to Al-Islam,
+and Barkan said, “How came he to tear himself away from his
+faith[FN#34]?” So the rebel told him what had passed and, when Barkan
+heard it, he snorted and snarked and railed at Sun and Moon and
+sparkling Fire, saying, “By the virtue of my faith, I will surely slay
+mine uncle’s son and his people and this mortal, nor will I leave one
+of them alive!” Then he cried out to the legions of the Jinn and
+choosing of them seventy thousand Marids, set out and fared on till he
+came to Jabarsá[FN#35] the city of Japhet and encamped before its
+gates. When Mura’ash saw this, he despatched a Marid, saying, “Go to
+this host and learn all that it wanteth and return hither in haste.” So
+the messenger rushed away to Barkan’s camp, where the Marids flocked to
+meet him and said to him, “Who art thou?” Replied he, “An envoy from
+King Mura’ash;” whereupon they carried him in to Barkan, before whom he
+prostrated himself, saying, “O my lord, my master hath sent me to thee,
+to learn tidings of thee.” Quoth Barkan, “Return to thy lord and say to
+him, ‘This is thy cousin Barkan, who is come to salute thee.’”— And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-fifth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Marid-envoy of Mura’ash was borne before Barkan and said to him, “O my
+lord, my master hath sent me to thee to learn tidings of thee,” Barkan
+replied, “Return to thy lord and say to him, ‘This is thy cousin Barkan
+who is come to salute thee!’” So the messenger went back and told
+Mura’ash, who said to Gharib, “Sit thou on thy throne whilst I go and
+salute my cousin and return to thee.” Then he mounted and rode to the
+camp of his uncle’s son. Now this was a trick[FN#36] of Barkan, to
+bring Mura’ash out and seize upon him, and he said to his Marids, whom
+he had stationed about him, “When ye see me embrace him,[FN#37] lay
+hold of him and pinion him.” And they replied, “To hear is to obey.”
+So, when King Mura’ash came up and entered Barkan’s pavilion, the owner
+rose to him and threw his arms round his neck; whereat the Jann fell
+upon Mura’ash and pinioned him and chained him. Mura’ash looked at
+Barkan and said, “What manner of thing is this?” Quoth Barkan, “O dog
+of the Jann, wilt thou leave the faith of thy fathers and grandfathers
+and enter a faith thou knowest not?” Rejoined Mura’ash, “O son of my
+uncle, indeed I have found the faith of Abraham the Friend to be the
+True Faith and all other than it vain.” Asked Barkan, “And who told
+thee of this?”; and Mura’ash answered, “Gharib, King of Irak, whom I
+hold in the highest honour.” “By the right of the Fire and the Light
+and the Shade and the Heat,” cried Barkan, “I will assuredly slay both
+thee and him!” And he cast him into gaol. Now when Mura’ash’s henchman
+saw what had befallen his lord, he fled back to the city and told the
+King’s legionaries who cried out and mounted. Quoth Gharib, “What is
+the matter?” And they told him all that had passed, whereupon he cried
+out to Sahim, “Saddle me one of the chargers that King Mura’ash gave
+me.” Said Sahim, “O my brother, wilt thou do battle with the Jinn?”
+Gharib replied, “Yes, I will fight them with the sword of Japhet son of
+Noah, seeking help of the Lord of Abraham the Friend (on whom be the
+Peace!); for He is the Lord of all things and sole Creator!” So Sahim
+saddled him a sorrel horse of the horses of the Jinn, as he were a
+castle strong among castles, and he armed and mounting, rode out with
+the legions of the Jinn, hauberk’d cap-à-pie. Then Barkan and his host
+mounted also and the two hosts drew out in lines facing each other. The
+first to open the gate of war was Gharib, who drave his steed into the
+mid-field and bared the enchanted blade, whence issued a glittering
+light that dazzled the eyes of all the Jinn and struck terror to their
+hearts. Then he played[FN#38] with the sword till their wits were
+wildered, and cried out, saying, “Allaho Akbar! I am Gharib, King of
+Irak. There is no Faith save the Faith of Abraham the Friend!” Now when
+Barkan heard Gharib’s words, he said, “This is he who seduced my cousin
+from his religion; so, by the virtue of my faith, I will not sit down
+on my throne till I have decapitated this Gharib and suppressed his
+breath of life and forced my cousin and his people back to their
+belief: and whoso baulketh me, him will I destroy.” Then he mounted an
+elephant paper-white as he were a tower plastered with gypsum, and
+goaded him with a spike of steel which ran deep into his flesh,
+whereupon the elephant trumpeted and made for the battle-plain where
+cut and thrust obtain; and, when he drew near Gharib, he cried out to
+him, saying, “O dog of mankind, what made thee come into our land, to
+debauch my cousin and his folk and pervert them from one faith to other
+faith. Know that this day is the last of thy worldly days.” Gharib
+replied, “Avaunt,[FN#39] O vilest of the Jann!” Therewith Barkan drew
+a javelin and making it quiver[FN#40] in his hand, cast it at Gharib;
+but it missed him. So he hurled a second javelin at him; but Gharib
+caught it in mid-air and after poising it launched it at the elephant.
+It smote him on the flank and came out on the other side, whereupon the
+beast fell to the earth dead and Barkan was thrown to the ground, like
+a great palm-tree. Before he could stir, Gharib smote him with the flat
+of Japhet’s blade on the nape of the neck, and he fell upon the earth
+in a fainting-fit; whereupon the Marids swooped down on him and
+surrounding him pinioned his elbows. When Barkan’s people saw their
+king a prisoner, they drove at the others, seeking to rescue him, but
+Gharib and the Islamised Jinn fell upon them and gloriously done for
+Gharib! indeed that day he pleased the Lord who answereth prayer and
+slaked his vengeance with the talisman-sword! Whomsoever he smote, he
+clove him in sunder and before his soul could depart he became a heap
+of ashes in the fire; whilst the two hosts of the Jinn shot each other
+with flamy meteors till the battle-field was wrapped in smoke. And
+Gharib tourneyed right and left among the Kafirs who gave way before
+him, till he came to King Barkan’s pavilion, with Kaylajan and Kurajan
+on his either hand, and cried out to them, “Loose your lord!” So they
+unbound Mura’ash and broke his fetters and——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-sixth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when King
+Gharib cried out to Kaylajan and Kurajan, saying, “Loose your lord!”,
+they unbound Mura’ash and broke his fetters, and he said to them,
+“Bring me my arms and my winged horse.” Now he had two flying steeds,
+one of which he had given to Gharib and the other he had kept for
+himself; and this he mounted after he had donned his battle-harness.
+Then he and Gharib fell upon the enemy, flying through the air on their
+winged horses, and the true-believing Jinn followed them, shouting
+“Allaho Akbar—God is Most Great!”—till plains and hills, valleys and
+mountains re-worded the cry. The Infidels fled before them and they
+returned, after having slain more than thirty thousand Marids and
+Satans, to the city of Japhet, where the two Kings sat down on their
+couches of estate and sought Barkan, but found him not; for after
+capturing him they were diverted from him by stress of battle, where an
+Ifrit of his servants made his way to him and loosing him, carried him
+to his folk, of whom he found part slain and the rest in full flight.
+So he flew up with the King high in air and sat him down in the City of
+Carnelian and Castle of Gold, where Barkan seated himself on the throne
+of his kingship. Presently, those of his people who had survived the
+affair came in to him and gave him joy of his safety; and he said, “O
+folk, where is safety? My army is slain and they took me prisoner and
+have rent in pieces mine honour among the tribes of the Jann.” Quoth
+they, “O King, ’tis ever thus that kings still afflict and are
+afflicted.” Quoth he, “There is no help but I take my wreak and wipe
+out my shame, else shall I be for ever disgraced among the tribes of
+the Jann.” Then he wrote letters to the Governors of his fortresses,
+who came to him right loyally and, when he reviewed them, he found
+three hundred and twenty thousand fierce Marids and Satans, who said to
+him, “What is thy need?” And he replied, “Get ye ready to set out in
+three days’ time;” whereto they rejoined “Harkening and obedience!” On
+this wise it befel King Barkan; but as regards Mura’ash, when he
+discovered his prisoner’s escape, it was grievous to him and he said,
+“Had we set an hundred Marids to guard him, he had not fled; but
+whither shall he go from us?” Then said he to Gharib, “Know, O my
+brother, that Barkan is perfidious and will never rest from wreaking
+blood-revenge on us, but will assuredly assemble his legions and return
+to attack us; wherefore I am minded to forestall him and follow the
+trail of his defeat, whilst he is yet weakened thereby.” Replied
+Gharib, “This is the right rede, and will best serve our need;” and
+Mura’ash, said, “Oh my brother, let the Marids bear thee back to thine
+own country and leave me to fight the battles of the Faith against the
+Infidels, that I may be lightened of my sin-load.” But Gharib rejoined
+“By the virtue of the Clement, the Bountiful, the Veiler, I will not go
+hence till I do to death all the misbelieving Jinn; and Allah hasten
+their souls to the fire and dwelling-place dire; and none shall be
+saved but those who worship Allah the One, the Victorious! But do thou
+send Sahim back to the city of Oman, so haply he may be healed of his
+ailment.” For Sahim was sick. So Mura’ash cried to the Marids, saying,
+“Take ye up Sahim and these treasures and bear them to Oman city.” And
+after replying, “We hear and we obey,” they took them and made for the
+land of men. Then Mura’ash wrote letters to all his Governors and
+Captains of fortresses and they came to him with an hundred and sixty
+thousand warriors. So they made them ready and departed for the City of
+Carnelian and the Castle of Gold, covering in one day a year’s journey
+and halted in a valley, where they encamped and passed the night. Next
+morning as they were about to set forth, behold, the vanguard of
+Barkan’s army appeared, whereupon the Jinn cried out and the two hosts
+met and fell each upon other in that valley. Then the engagement was
+dight and there befel a sore fight as though an earthquake shook the
+site and fair plight waxed foul plight. Earnest came and jest took
+flight, and parley ceased ’twixt wight and wight,[FN#41] whilst long
+lives were cut short in a trice and the Unbelievers fell into disgrace
+and despite; for Gharib charged them, proclaiming the Unity of the
+Worshipful, the All-might and shore through necks and left heads
+rolling in the dust; nor did night betide before nigh seventy thousand
+of the Miscreants were slain, and of the Moslemised over ten thousand
+Marids had fallen. Then the kettle-drums beat the retreat, and the two
+hosts drew apart,——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-seventh Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the two
+hosts drew apart, Gharib and Mura’ash returned to their tents, after
+wiping their weapons, and supper being set before them, they ate and
+gave each other joy of their safety, and the loss of their Marids being
+so small. As for Barkan, he returned to his tent, grieving for the
+slaughter of his champions, and said to his officers, “O folk, an we
+tarry here and do battle with them on this wise in three days’ time we
+shall be cut off to the last wight.” Quoth they, “And how shall we do,
+O King?” Quoth Barkan, “We will fall upon them under cover of night
+whilst they are deep in sleep, and not one of them shall be left to
+tell the tale. So take your arms and when I give the word of command,
+attack and fall on your enemies as one.” Now there was amongst them a
+Marid named Jandal whose heart inclined to Al-Islam; so, when he heard
+the Kafirs’ plot, he stole away from them and going in to King Mura’ash
+and King Gharib, told the twain what Barkan had devised; whereupon
+Mura’ash turned to Gharib and said to him, “O my brother, what shall we
+do?” Gharib replied, “To-night we will fall upon the Miscreants and
+chase them into the wilds and the wolds if it be the will of the
+Omnipotent King.” Then he summoned the Captains of the Jann and said to
+them, “Arm yourselves, you and yours; and, as soon as ’tis dark, steal
+out of your tents on foot, hundreds after hundreds, and lie in ambush
+among the mountains; and when ye see the enemy engaged among the tents,
+do ye fall upon them from all quarters. Hearten your hearts and rely on
+your Lord, and ye shall certainly conquer; and behold, I am with you!”
+So, as soon as it was dark Night, the Infidels attacked the camp,
+invoking aid of the fire and light; but when they came among the tents,
+the Moslems fell upon them, calling for help on the Lord of the Worlds
+and saying, “O Most Merciful of Mercifuls, O Creator of all createds!”
+till they left them like mown grass, cut down and dead. Nor did morning
+dawn before the most part of the unbelievers were species without souls
+and the rest made for the wastes and marshes, whilst Gharib and
+Mura’ash returned triumphant and victorious; and, making prize of the
+enemy’s baggage, they rested till the morrow, when they set out for the
+City of Carnelian and Castle of Gold. As for Barkan, when the battle
+had turned against him and most of his lieges were slain, he fled
+through the dark with the remnant of his power to his capital where he
+entered his palace and assembling his legionaries said to them, “O
+folk, whoso hath aught of price, let him take it and follow me to the
+Mountain Káf, to the Blue King, lord of the Pied Palace; for he it is
+who shall avenge us.” So they took their women and children and goods
+and made for the Caucasus-mountain. Presently Mura’ash and Gharib
+arrived at the City of Carnelian and Castle of Gold to find the gates
+open and none left to give them news; whereupon they entered and
+Mura’ash led Gharib that he might show him the city, whose walls were
+builded of emeralds and its gates of red carnelian, with studs of
+silver, and the terrace-roofs of its houses and mansions reposed upon
+beams of lign-aloes and sandal-wood. So they took their pleasure in its
+streets and alleys, till they came to the Palace of Gold and entering
+passed through seven vestibules, when they drew near to a building,
+whose walls were of royal balass-rubies and its pavement of emerald and
+jacinth. The two Kings were astounded at the goodliness of the place
+and fared on from vestibule to vestibule, till they had passed through
+the seventh and happened upon the inner court of the palace wherein
+they saw four daïses, each different from the others, and in the midst
+a jetting fount of red gold, compassed about with golden lions,[FN#42]
+from whose mouths issued water. These were things to daze man’s wit.
+The estrade at the upper end was hung and carpeted with brocaded silks
+of various colours and thereon stood two thrones of red gold, inlaid
+with pearls and jewels. So Mura’ash and Gharib sat down on Barkan’s
+thrones and held high state in the Palace of Gold.— And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Mura’ash and
+Gharib took seat on Barkan’s thrones and held high state. Then said
+Gharib to Mura’ash, “What thinkest thou to do?” And Mura’ash replied,
+“O King of mankind, I have despatched an hundred horse to learn where
+Barkan is, that we may pursue him.” Then they abode three days in the
+palace, till the scouting Marids returned with the news that Barkan had
+fled to the Mountain Kaf and craved protection of the Blue King who
+granted it; whereupon quoth Mura’ash to Gharib, “What sayest thou, O
+my brother?” and quoth Gharib, “Except we attack them they will attack
+us.” So they bade the host make ready for departure and after three
+days, they were about to set out with their troops, when the Marids,
+who had carried Sahim and the presents back to Oman, returned and
+kissed ground before Gharib. He questioned them of his people and they
+replied, “After the last affair, thy brother Ajib, leaving Ya’arub bin
+Kahtan, fled to the King of Hind and, submitting his case, sought his
+protection. The King granted his prayer and writing letters to all his
+governors, levied an army as it were the surging sea, having neither
+beginning nor end, wherewith he purposeth to invade Al-Irak and lay
+it waste.” When Gharib heard this, he said, “Perish the Misbelievers!
+Verily, Allah Almighty shall give the victory to Al-Islam and I will
+soon show them hew and foin.” Said Mura’ash, “O King of humans, by the
+virtue of the Mighty Name, I must needs go with thee to thy kingdom
+and destroy thy foes and bring thee to thy wish.” Gharib thanked him
+and they rested on this resolve till the morrow, when they set out,
+intending for Mount Caucasus and marched many days till they reached
+the City of Alabaster and the Pied Palace. Now this city was fashioned
+of alabaster and precious stones by Bárik bin Fáki’, father of the
+Jinn, and he also founded the Pied Palace, which was so named because
+edified with one brick of gold alternating with one of silver, nor was
+there builded aught like it in all the world. When they came within
+half a day’s journey of the city, they halted to take their rest, and
+Mura’ash sent out to reconnoitre a scout who returned and said, “O
+King, within the City of Alabaster are legions of the Jinn, for number
+as the leaves of the trees or as the drops of rain.” So Mura’ash said
+to Gharib, “How shall we do, O King of Mankind?” He replied, “O King,
+divide your men into four bodies and encompass with them the camp of
+the Infidels; then, in the middle of the Night, let them cry out,
+saying, ‘God is Most Great!’ and withdraw and watch what happeneth
+among the tribes of the Jinn.” So Mura’ash did as Gharib counselled
+and the troops waited till midnight, when they encircled the foe and
+shouted “Allaho Akbar! Ho for the Faith of Abraham the Friend, on whom
+be the Peace!” The Misbelievers at this cry awoke in affright and
+snatching up their arms, fell one upon other till the morning, when
+most part of them were dead bodies and but few remained. Then Gharib
+cried out to the True Believers, saying, “Up and at the remnant of
+the Kafirs! Behold I am with you, and Allah is your helper!” So the
+Moslems drave at the enemy and Gharib bared his magical blade Al-Mahik
+and fell upon the foe, lopping off noses and making heads wax hoary
+and whole ranks turn tail. At last he came up with Barkan and smote
+him and bereft him of life and he fell down, drenched in his blood.
+On like wise he did with the Blue King, and by undurn-hour not one of
+the Kafirs was left alive to tell the tale. Then Gharib and Mura’ash
+entered the Pied Palace and found its walls builded of alternate
+courses of gold and silver, with door-sills of crystal and keystones
+of greenest emerald. In its midst was a fountain adorned with bells
+and pendants and figures of birds and beasts spouting forth water, and
+thereby a daïs[FN#43] furnished with gold-brocaded silk, bordered or
+embroidered with jewels: and they found the treasures of the palace
+past count or description. Then they entered the women’s court, where
+they came upon a magnificent serraglio and Gharib saw, among the Blue
+King’s woman-folk a girl clad in a dress worth a thousand dinars,
+never had he beheld a goodlier. About her were an hundred slave-girls,
+upholding her train with golden hooks, and she was in their midst as
+the moon among stars. When he saw her, his reason was confounded and
+he said to one of the waiting-women, “Who may be yonder maid?” Quoth
+they, “This is the Blue King’s daughter, Star o’ Morn.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Fifty-ninth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib asked
+the slave-women saying, “Who may be yonder maid,” they replied, “This
+is Star o’ Morn, daughter to the Blue King.” Then Gharib turned to
+Mura’ash and said to him, “O King of the Jinn, I have a mind to take
+yonder damsel to wife.” Replied Mura’ash, “The palace and all that
+therein is, live stock and dead, are the prize of thy right hand; for,
+hadst thou not devised a stratagem to destroy the Blue King and Barkan,
+they had cut us off to the last one: wherefore the treasure is thy
+treasure and the folk thy thralls.” Gharib thanked him for his fair
+speech and going up to the girl, gazed steadfastly upon her and loved
+her with exceeding love, forgetting Fakhr Taj the Princess and even
+Mahdiyah. Now her mother was the Chinese King’s daughter whom the Blue
+King had carried off from her palace and perforce deflowered, and she
+conceived by him and bare this girl, whom he named Star o’ Morn, by
+reason of her beauty and loveliness; for she was the very Princess of
+the Fair. Her mother died when she was a babe of forty days, and the
+nurses and eunuchs reared her, till she reached the age of seventeen;
+but she hated her sire and rejoiced in his slaughter. So Gharib put his
+palm to hers[FN#44] and went in unto her that night and found her a
+virgin. Then he bade pull down the Pied Palace and divided the spoil
+with the true-believing Jinn, and there fell to his share
+one-and-twenty thousand bricks of gold and silver and money and
+treasure beyond speech and count. Then Mura’ash took Gharib and showed
+him the Mountain Kaf and all its marvels; after which they returned to
+Barkan’s fortress and dismantled it and shared the spoil thereof. Then
+they repaired to Mura’ash’s capital, where they tarried five days, when
+Gharib sought to revisit his native country and Mura’ash said, “O King
+of mankind, I will ride at thy stirrup and bring thee to thine own
+land.” Replied Gharib, “No, by the virtue of Abraham the Friend, I will
+not suffer thee to weary thyself thus, nor will I take any of the Jinn
+save Kaylajan and Kurajan.” Quoth the King, “Take with thee ten
+thousand horsemen of the Jinn, to serve thee;” but quoth Gharib, “I
+will take only as I said to thee.” So Mura’ash bade a thousand Marids
+carry him to his native land, with his share of the spoil; and he
+commanded Kaylajan and Kurajan to follow him and obey him; and they
+answered, “Hearkening and obedience.” Then said Gharib to the Marids,
+“Do ye carry the treasure and Star o’ Morn;” for he himself thought to
+ride his flying steed. But Mura’ash said to him, “This horse, O my
+brother, will live only in our region, and, if it come upon man’s
+earth, ’twill die: but I have in my stables a sea-horse, whose fellow
+is not found in Al-Irak, no, nor in all the world is its like.” So he
+caused bring forth the horse, and when Gharib saw it, it interposed
+between him and his wits.[FN#45] Then they bound it and Kaylajan bore
+it on his shoulders and Kurajan took what he could carry. And Mura’ash
+embraced Gharib and wept for parting from him, saying, “O my brother,
+if aught befal thee wherein thou art powerless, send for me and I will
+come to thine aid with an army able to lay waste the whole earth and
+what is thereon.” Gharib thanked him for his kindness and zeal for the
+True Faith and took leave of him; whereupon the Marids set out with
+Gharib and his goods; and, after traversing fifty years’ journey in two
+days and a night, alighted near the city of Oman and halted to take
+rest. Then Gharib sent out Kaylajan, to learn news of his people, and
+he returned and said, “O King, the city is beleaguered by a host of
+Infidels, as they were the surging sea, and thy people are fighting
+them. The drums beat to battle and Jamrkan goeth forth as champion in
+the field.” When Gharib heard this, he cried aloud, “God is Most
+Great!” and said to Kaylajan, “Saddle me the steed and bring me my arms
+and spear; for to-day the valiant shall be known from the coward in the
+place of war and battle-stead.” So Kaylajan brought him all he sought
+and Gharib armed and belting in baldrick Al-Mahik, mounted the sea
+horse and made toward the hosts. Quoth Kaylajan and Kurajan to him, “Set
+thy heart at rest and let us go to the Kafirs and scatter them abroad
+in the wastes and wilds till, by the help of Allah, the All-powerful,
+we leave not a soul alive, no, not a blower of the fire.” But Gharib
+said “By the virtue of Abraham the Friend, I will not let you fight
+them without me and behold, I mount!” Now the cause of the coming of
+that great host was right marvellous.[FN#46]——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixtieth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib
+had bidden Kaylajan go and learn news of his people, the Jinn fared
+forth and presently returning said, “Verily around thy city is a mighty
+host!” Now the cause of its coming was that Ajib, having fled the field
+after Ya’arub’s army had been put to the rout, said to his people, “O
+folk, if we return to Ya’arub bin Kahtan, he will say to us, ‘But for
+you, my son and my people had not been slain; and he will put us to
+death, even to the last man.’ Wherefore, methinks we were better go to
+Tarkanán, King of Hind, and beseech him to avenge us.” Replied they,
+“Come, let us go thither; and the blessing of the Fire be upon thee!”
+So they fared days and nights till they reached King Tarkanan’s capital
+city and, after asking and obtaining permission to present himself,
+Ajib went in to him and kissed ground before him. Then he wished him
+what men use to wish to monarchy and said to him, “O King, protect me,
+so may protect thee the sparkling Fire and the Night with its thick
+darkness!” Tarkanan looked at Ajib and asked, “Who art thou and what
+dost thou want?”; to which the other answered, “I am Ajib King of
+Al-Irak; my brother hath wronged me and gotten the mastery of the land
+and the subjects have submitted themselves to him. Moreover, he hath
+embraced the faith of Al-Islam and he ceaseth not to chase me from
+country to country; and behold, I am come to seek protection of thee
+and thy power.” When Tarkanan heard Ajib’s words, he rose and sat down
+and cried, “By the virtue of the Fire, I will assuredly avenge thee and
+will let none serve other than my goddess the Fire!” And he called
+aloud to his son, saying, “O my son, make ready to go to Al-Irak and
+lay it waste and bind all who serve aught but the Fire and torment them
+and make example of them; yet slay them not, but bring them to me, that
+I may ply them with various tortures and make them taste the bitterness
+of humiliation and leave them a warning to whoso will be warned in this
+our while.” Then he chose out to accompany him eighty thousand fighting
+men on horseback and the like number on giraffes,[FN#47] besides ten
+thousand elephants, bearing on their backs seats[FN#48] of sandal-wood,
+latticed with golden rods, plated and studded with gold and silver and
+shielded with pavoises of gold and emerald; moreover he sent good store
+of war-chariots, in each eight men fighting with all kinds of weapons.
+Now the Prince’s name was Ra’ad Sháh,[FN#49] and he was the champion of
+his time, for prowess having no peer. So he and his army equipped them
+in ten days’ time, then set out, as they were a bank of clouds, and
+fared on two months’ journey, till they came upon Oman city and
+encompassed it, to the joy of Ajib, who thought himself assured of
+victory. Jamrkan and Sa’adan and all their fighting-men sallied forth
+into the field of fight whilst the kettle-drums beat to battle and the
+horses neighed. At this moment up came King Gharib, who, as we have
+said, had been warned by Kaylajan; and he urged on his destrier and
+entered among the Infidels waiting to see who should come forth and
+open the chapter of war. Then out rushed Sa’adan the Ghul and offered
+combat, whereupon there issued forth to him one of the champions of
+Hind; but Sa’adan scarce let him take stand in front ere he smote him
+with his mace and crushed his bones and stretched him on the ground;
+and so did he with a second and a third, till he had slain thirty
+fighting-men. Then there dashed out at him an Indian cavalier, by name
+Battásh al-Akrán,[FN#50] uncle to King Tarkanan and of his day the
+doughtiest man, reckoned worth five thousand horse in battle-plain and
+cried out to Sa’adan, saying, “O thief of the Arabs, hath thy daring
+reached that degree that thou shouldst slay the Kings of Hind and their
+champions and capture their horsemen? But this day is the last of thy
+worldly days.” When Sa’adan heard these words, his eyes waxed blood-red
+and he drave at Battash and aimed a stroke at him with his club; but he
+evaded it and the force of the blow bore Sa’adan to the ground; and
+before he could recover himself, the Indians pinioned him and haled him
+off to their tents. Now when Jamrkan saw his comrade a prisoner, he
+cried out, saying, “Ho for the Faith of Abraham the Friend!” and
+clapping heel to his horse, ran at Battash. They wheeled about awhile,
+till Battash charged Jamrkan and catching him by his jerkin[FN#51] tare
+him from his saddle and cast him to the ground; whereupon the Indians
+bound him and dragged him away to their tents. And Battash ceased not
+to overcome all who came out to him, Captain after Captain till he had
+made prisoners of four-and-twenty Chiefs of the Moslems, whereat the
+True Believers were sore dismayed. When Gharib saw what had befallen
+his braves, he drew from beneath his knee[FN#52] a mace of gold
+weighing six-score pounds which had belonged to Barkan King of the
+Jann——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-first Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib
+beheld what had befallen his braves he drew forth a golden mace which
+had belonged to Barkan King of the Jann and clapped heel to his
+sea-horse, which bore him like the wind-gust into mid-field. Then he
+let drive at Battash, crying out, “God is Most Great! He giveth aid and
+victory and He abaseth whoso reject the Faith of Abraham the Friend!”
+and smote him with the mace, whereupon he fell to the ground and
+Gharib, turning to the Moslems, saw his brother Sahim and said to him,
+“Pinion me this hound.” When Sahim heard his brother’s words, he ran to
+Battash and bound him hard and fast and bore him off, whilst the Moslem
+braves wondered who this knight could be and the Indians said one to
+other, “Who is this horseman which came out from among them and hath
+taken our Chief prisoner?” Meanwhile Gharib continued to offer battle
+and there issued forth to him a captain of the Hindís whom he felled to
+earth with his mace, and Kaylajan and Kurajan pinioned him and
+delivered him over to Sahim; nor did Gharib leave to do thus, till he
+had taken prisoner two-and-fifty of the doughtiest Captains of the army
+of Hind. Then the day came to an end and the kettle-drums beat the
+retreat; whereupon Gharib left the field and rode towards the Moslem
+camp. The first to meet him was Sahim, who kissed his feet in the
+stirrups and said, “May thy hand never wither, O champion of the age!
+Tell us who thou art among the braves.” So Gharib raised his vizor of
+mail and Sahim knew him and cried out, saying, “This is your King and
+your lord Gharib, who is come back from the land of the Jann!” When the
+Moslems heard Gharib’s name, they threw themselves off their horses’
+backs, and, crowding about him, kissed his feet in the stirrups and
+saluted him, rejoicing in his safe return. Then they carried him into
+the city of Oman, where he entered his palace and sat down on the
+throne of his kingship, whilst his officers stood around him in the
+utmost joy. Food was set on and they ate, after which Gharib related to
+them all that had betided him with the Jinn in Mount Kaf, and they
+marvelled thereat with exceeding marvel and praised Allah for his
+safety. Then he dismissed them to their sleeping places; so they
+withdrew to their several lodgings, and when none abode with him but
+Kaylajan and Kurajan, who never left him, he said to them, “Can ye
+carry me to Cufa that I may take my pleasure in my Harim, and bring me
+back before the end of the night?” They replied, “O our lord, this thou
+askest is easy.” Now the distance between Cufa and Oman is sixty days’
+journey for a diligent horseman, and Kaylajan said to Kurajan, “I will
+carry him going and thou coming back.” So he took up Gharib and flew
+off with him, in company with Kurajan; nor was an hour past before they
+set him down at the gate of his palace, in Cufa. He went in to his
+uncle Al-Damigh, who rose to him and saluted him; after which quoth
+Gharib, “How is it with my wives Fakhr Taj[FN#53] and Mahdiyah?”
+Al-Damigh answered, “They are both well and in good case.” Then the
+eunuch went in and acquainted the women of the Harim with Gharib’s
+coming, whereat they rejoiced and raised the trill of joy and gave him
+the reward for good news. Presently in came King Gharib, and they rose
+and saluting him, conversed with him, till Al-Damigh entered, when
+Gharib related to them all that had befallen him in the land of the
+Jinn, whereat they all marvelled. Then he lay with Fakhr Taj till near
+daybreak, when he took leave of his wives and his uncle and mounted
+Kurajan’s back, nor was the darkness dispelled before the two Marids
+set him down in the city of Oman. Then he and his men armed and he bade
+open the gates when, behold, up came a horseman from the host of the
+Indians, with Jamrkan and Sa’adan and the rest of the captive captains
+whom he had delivered, and committed them to Gharib. The Moslems,
+rejoicing in their safety, donned their mails and took horse, while the
+kettle-drums beat a point of war; and the Miscreants also drew up in
+line.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-second Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Moslem host mounted and rode to the plain of cut and thrust, the first
+to open the door of war was King Gharib who, drawing his sword
+Al-Mahik, drove his charger between the two ranks and cried out,
+saying, “Whoso knoweth me hath enough of my mischief and whoso
+unknoweth me, to him I will make myself known. I am Gharib, King of
+Al-Irak and Al-Yaman, brother of Ajib.” When Ra’ad Shah, son of the
+King of Hind, heard this, he shouted to his captains, “Bring me Ajib.”
+So they brought him and Ra’ad Shah said to him, “Thou wottest that this
+quarrel is thy quarrel and thou art the cause of all this slaughter.
+Now yonder standeth thy brother Gharib amiddle-most the fightfield and
+stead where sword and spear we shall wield; go thou to him and bring
+him to me a prisoner, that I may set him on a camel arsy-versy, and
+make a show of him and carry him to the land of Hind.” Answered Ajib,
+“O King, send out to him other than I, for I am in ill-health this
+morning.” But Ra’ad Shah snarked and snorted and cried, “By the virtue
+of the sparkling Fire and the light and the shade and the heat, unless
+thou fare forth to thy brother and bring him to me in haste, I will cut
+off thy head and make an end of thee.” So Ajib took heart and urging
+his horse up to his brother in mid-field, said to him, “O dog of the
+Arabs and vilest of all who hammer down tent pegs, wilt thou contend
+with Kings? Take what to thee cometh and receive the glad tidings of
+thy death.” When Gharib heard this, he said to him, “Who art thou among
+the Kings?” And Ajib answered, saying, “I am thy brother, and this day
+is the last of thy worldly days.” Now when Gharib was assured that he
+was indeed his brother Ajib, he cried out and said, “Ho, to avenge my
+father and mother!” Then giving his sword to Kaylajan,[FN#54] he drave
+at Ajib and smote him with his mace a smashing blow and a swashing,
+that went nigh to beat in his ribs, and seizing him by the mail-gorget
+tore him from the saddle and cast him to the ground; whereupon the two
+Marids pounced upon him and binding him fast, dragged him off dejected
+and abject; whilst Gharib rejoiced in the capture of his enemy and
+repeated these couplets of the poet,
+
+“I have won my wish and my need have scored * Unto Thee be the praise
+and the thanks, O our
+Lord!
+I grew up dejected and abject; poor, * But Allah vouchsafed me all
+boons implored:
+I have conquered countries and mastered men * But for Thee were I
+naught, O thou Lord
+adored!”
+
+
+When Ra’ad Shah saw how evilly Ajib fared with his brother, he called
+for his charger and donning his harness and habergeon, mounted and
+dashed out a-field. As soon as he drew near King Gharib, he cried out
+at him, saying, “O basest of Arabs and bearer of scrubs,[FN#55] who art
+thou, that thou shouldest capture Kings and braves? Down from thy horse
+and put elbows behind back and kiss my feet and set my warriors free
+and go with me in bond of chains to my reign that I may pardon thee and
+make thee a Shaykh in our own land, so mayst thou eat there a bittock
+of bread.” When Gharib heard these words he laughed till he fell
+backwards and answered, saying, “O mad hound and mangy wolf, soon shalt
+thou see against whom the shifts of Fortune will turn!” Then he cried
+out to Sahim, saying, “Bring me the prisoners;” so he brought them, and
+Gharib smote off their heads; whereupon Ra’ad Shah drave at him, with
+the driving of a lordly champion and the onslaught of a fierce
+slaughterer and they falsed and feinted and fought till nightfall, when
+the kettle-drums beat the retreat.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-third Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+kettle-drums beat the retreat, the two Kings parted and returned, each
+to his own place where his people gave him joy of his safety. And the
+Moslems said to Gharib, “’Tis not thy want, O King, to prolong a
+fight;” and he replied, “O folk, I have done battle with many
+royalties[FN#56] and champions; but never saw I a harder hitter than
+this one. Had I chosen to draw Al-Mahik upon him, I had mashed his
+bones and made an end of his days: but I delayed with him, thinking to
+take him prisoner and give him part enjoyment in Al-Islam.” Thus far
+concerning Gharib; but as regards Ra’ad Shah, he returned to his
+marquee and sat upon his throne, when his Chiefs came in to him and
+asked him of his adversary, and he answered, “By the truth of the
+sparkling Fire, never in my life saw I the like of yonder brave! But
+to-morrow I will take him prisoner and lead him away dejected and
+abject.” Then they slept till daybreak, when the battle-drums beat to
+fight and the swords in baldric were dight; and war-cries were cried
+amain and all mounted their horses of generous strain and drew out into
+the field, filling every wide place and hill and plain. The first to
+open the door of war was the rider outrageous and the lion rageous,
+King Gharib, who drave his steed between the two hosts and wheeled and
+careered over the field, crying, “Who is for fray, who is for fight?
+Let no sluggard come out to me this day nor dullard!” Before he had
+made an end of speaking, out rushed Ra’ad Shah, riding on an elephant,
+as he were a vast tower, in a seat girthed with silken bands; and
+between the elephant’s ears sat the driver, bearing in hand a hook,
+wherewith he goaded the beast and directed him right and left. When the
+elephant drew near Gharib’s horse, and the steed saw a creature it had
+never before set eyes on, it took fright;[FN#57] wherefore Gharib
+dismounted and gave the horse to Kaylajan. Then he drew Al-Mahik and
+advanced to meet Ra’ad Shah a-foot, walking on till he faced the
+elephant. Now it was Ra’ad Shah’s wont, when he found himself
+overmatched by any brave, to mount an elephant, taking with him an
+implement called the lasso,[FN#58] which was in the shape of a net,
+wide at base and narrow at top with a running cord of silk passed
+through rings along its edges. With this he would attack horsemen and
+casting the meshes over them, draw the running noose and drag the rider
+off his horse and make him prisoner; and thus had he conquered many
+cavaliers. So, as Gharib came up to him, he raised his hand and,
+despreading the net over him, pulled him on to the back of the elephant
+and cried out to the beast to return to the Indian camp. But Kaylajan
+and Kurajan had not left Gharib and, when they beheld what had befallen
+their lord, they laid hold of the elephant, whilst Gharib strove with
+the net, till he rent it in sunder. Upon this the two Marids seized
+Ra’ad Shah and bound him with a cord of palm fibre. Then the two armies
+drove each at other and met with a shock like two seas crashing or two
+mountains together dashing, whilst the dust rose to the confines of the
+sky and blinded was every eye. The battle waxed fierce and fell, the
+blood ran in rills, nor did they cease to wage war with lunge of lance
+and sway of sword in lustiest way, till the day darkened and the night
+starkened, when the drums beat the retreat and the two hosts drew
+asunder.[FN#59] Now the Moslems were evilly entreated that day by
+reason of the riders on elephants and giraffes,[FN#60] and many of them
+were killed and most of the rest were wounded. This was grievous to
+Gharib who commanded the hurt to be medicined and turning to his Chief
+Officers, asked them what they counselled. Answered they, “O King, ’tis
+only the elephants and giraffes that irk us; were we but quit of them,
+we should overcome the enemy.” Quoth Kaylajan and Kurajan, “We twain
+will unsheath our swords and fall on them and slay the most part of
+them.” But there came forward a man of Oman, who had been privy
+counsellor to Jaland and said, “O King, I will be surety for the host,
+an thou wilt but hearken to me and follow my counsel.” Gharib turned to
+his Captains and said to them, “Whatsoever this wise man shall say to
+you that do.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-fourth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib
+said to his Captains, “Whatsoever this wise man shall say to you, that
+do”; they replied, “Hearing and obeying!” So the Omani chose out ten
+captains and asked them, “How many braves have ye under your hands?”;
+and they answered, “Ten thousand fighting-men.” Then he carried them
+into the armoury and armed five thousand of them with harquebuses and
+other five thousand with cross bows and taught them to shoot with these
+new weapons.[FN#61] Now as soon as it was day, the Indians came out to
+the field, armed cap-à-pie, with the elephants, giraffes and champions
+in their van; whereupon Gharib and his men mounted and both hosts drew
+out and the big drums beat to battle. Then the man of Oman cried out to
+the archers and harquebusiers to shoot, and they plied the elephants
+and giraffes with shafts and leaden bullets, which entered the beasts’
+flanks, whereat they roared out and turning upon their own ranks, trod
+them down with their hoofs. Presently the Moslems charged the
+Misbelievers and outflanked them right and left, whilst the elephants
+and giraffes trampled them and drove them into the hills and wolds,
+whither the Moslems followed hard upon them with the keen-edged sword
+and but few of the giraffes and elephants escaped. Then King Gharib and
+his folk returned, rejoicing in their victory; and on the morrow they
+divided the loot and rested five days; after which King Gharib sat down
+on the throne of his kingship and sending for his brother Ajib, said to
+him, “O dog, why hast thou assembled the Kings against us? But He who
+hath power over all things hath given us the victory over thee. So
+embrace the Saving Faith and thou shalt be saved, and I will forbear to
+avenge my father and mother on thee therefor, and I will make thee King
+again as thou wast, placing myself under thy hand.” But Ajib said, “I
+will not leave my faith.” So Gharib bade lay him in irons and appointed
+an hundred stalwart slaves to guard him; after which he turned to Ra’ad
+Shah and said to him, “How sayst thou of the faith of Al-Islam?”
+Replied he, “O my lord, I will enter thy faith; for, were it not a true
+Faith and a goodly, thou hadst not conquered us. Put forth thy hand and
+I will testify that there is no god but _the_ God and that Abraham the
+Friend is the Apostle of God.” At this Gharib rejoiced and said to him,
+“Is thy heart indeed stablished in the sweetness of this Belief?” And
+he answered, saying, “Yes, O my lord!” Then quoth Gharib, “O Ra’ad
+Shah, wilt thou go to thy country and thy kingdom?” and quoth he, “O,
+my lord, my father will put me to death, for that I have left his
+faith.” Gharib rejoined, “I will go with thee and make thee king of the
+country and constrain the folk to obey thee, by the help of Allah the
+Bountiful, the Beneficent.” And Ra’ad Shah kissed his hands and feet.
+Then Gharib rewarded the counsellor who had caused the rout of the foe
+and gave him great wealth; after which he turned to Kaylajan and
+Kurajan, and said to them, “Harkye, Chiefs of the Jinn, ’tis my will
+that ye carry me, together with Ra’ad Shah and Jamrkan and Sa’adan to
+the land of Hind.” “We hear and we obey,” answered they. So Kurajan
+took up Jamrkan and Sa’adan, whilst Kaylajan took Gharib and Ra’ad Shah
+and made for the land of Hind.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-fifth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the two
+Marids had taken up Gharib and Jamrkan, Sa’adan the Ghul and Ra’ad
+Shah, they flew on with them from sundown till the last of the Night,
+when they set them down on the terrace of King Tarkanan’s palace at
+Cashmere. Now news was brought to Tarkanan by the remnants of his host
+of what had befallen his son, whereat he slept not neither took delight
+in aught, and he was troubled with sore trouble. As he sat in his
+Harim, pondering his case, behold, Gharib and his company descended the
+stairways of the palace and came in to him; and when he saw his son and
+those who were with him, he was confused and fear took him of the
+Marids. Then Ra’ad Shah turned to him and said, “How long wilt thou
+persist in thy frowardness, O traitor and worshipper of the Fire? Woe
+to thee! Leave worshipping the Fire and serve the Magnanimous Sire,
+Creator of day and night, whom attaineth no sight.” When Tarkanan heard
+his son’s speech, he cast at him an iron club he had by him; but it
+missed him and fell upon a buttress of the palace and smote out three
+stones. Then cried the King, “O dog, thou hast destroyed mine army and
+hast forsaken thy faith and comest now to make me do likewise!” With
+this Gharib went up to him and dealt him a cuff on the neck which
+knocked him down; whereupon the Marids bound him fast and all the
+Harim-women fled. Then Gharib sat down on the throne of kingship and
+said to Ra’ad Shah, “Do thou justice upon thy father.” So Ra’ad Shah
+turned to him and said, “O perverse old man, become one of the saved
+and thou shalt be saved from the fire and the wrath of the
+All-powerful.” But Tarkanan cried, “I will not die save in my own
+faith.” Whereupon Gharib drew Al-Mahik and smote him therewith and he
+fell to the earth in two pieces, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire
+and abiding-place dire.[FN#62] Then Gharib bade hang his body over the
+palace gate and they hung one half on the right hand and the other on
+the left and waited till day, when Gharib caused Ra’ad Shah don the
+royal habit and sit down on his father’s throne, with himself on his
+dexter hand and Jamrkan and Sa’adan and the Marids standing right and
+left; and he said to Kaylajan and Kurajan, “Whoso entereth of the
+Princes and Officers, seize him and bind him, and let not a single
+Captain escape you.” And they answered, “Hearkening and obedience!”
+Presently, the Officers made for the palace, to do their service to the
+King, and the first to appear was the Chief Captain who, seeing King
+Tarkanan’s dead body cut in half and hanging on either side of the
+gate, was seized with terror and amazement. Then Kaylajan laid hold of
+him by the collar and threw him and pinioned him; after which he dragged
+him into the palace and before sunrise they had bound three hundred and
+fifty Captains and set them before Gharib, who said to them, “O folk,
+have you seen your King hanging at the palace gate?” Asked they, “Who
+hath done this deed?”; and he answered, “I did it, by the help of Allah
+Almighty; and whoso opposeth me, I will do with him likewise.” Then
+quoth they, “What is thy will with us?”; and quoth he, “I am Gharib,
+King of Al-Irak, he who slew your warriors; and now Ra’ad Shah hath
+embraced the Faith of Salvation and is become a mighty King and ruler
+over you. So do ye become True Believers and all shall be well with
+you; but, if ye refuse, you shall repent it.” So they pronounced the
+profession of the Faith and were enrolled among the people of felicity.
+Then said Gharib, “Are your hearts indeed stablished in the sweetness
+of the Belief?”; and they replied, “Yes”; whereupon he bade release
+them and clad them in robes of honour, saying, “Go to your people and
+expound Al-Islam to them. Whoso accepteth the Faith spare him; but if
+he refuse slay him.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-sixth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that King Gharib
+said to the troops of Ra’ad Shah, “Go to your people and offer Al-Islam
+to them. Whoso accepteth the Faith spare him; but if he refuse, slay
+him.” So they went out and, assembling the men under their command,
+explained what had taken place and expounded Al-Islam to them and they
+all professed, except a few, whom they put to death; after which they
+returned and told Gharib, who blessed Allah and glorified Him, saying,
+“Praised be the Almighty who hath made this thing easy to us without
+strife!” Then he abode in Cashmere of India forty days, till he had
+ordered the affairs of the country and cast down the shrines and
+temples of the Fire and built in their stead mosques and cathedrals,
+whilst Ra’ad Shah made ready for him rarities and treasures beyond
+count and despatched them to Al-Irak in ships. Then Gharib mounted on
+Kaylajan’s back and Jamrkan and Sa’adan on that of Kurajan, after they
+had taken leave of Ra’ad Shah; and journeyed through the night till
+break of day, when they reached Oman city where their troops met them
+and saluted them and rejoiced in them. Then they set out for Cufa where
+Gharib called for his brother Ajib and commanded to hang him. So Sahim
+brought hooks of iron and driving them into the tendons of Ajib’s
+heels, hung him over the gate; and Gharib bade them shoot him; so they
+riddled him with arrows, till he was like unto a porcupine. Then Gharib
+entered his palace and sitting down on the throne of his kingship,
+passed the day in ordering the affairs of the state. At nightfall he
+went in to his Harim, where Star o’ Morn came to meet him and embraced
+him and gave him joy, she and her women, of his safety. He spent that
+day and lay that night with her and on the morrow, after he had made
+the Ghusl-ablution and prayed the dawn-prayer, he sat down on his
+throne and commanded preparation to be made for his marriage with
+Mahdiyah. Accordingly they slaughtered three thousand head of sheep and
+two thousand oxen and a thousand he goats and five hundred camels and
+the like number of horses, beside four thousand fowls and great store
+of geese; never was such wedding in Al-Islam to that day. Then he went
+in to Mahdiyah and took her maidenhead and abode with her ten days;
+after which he committed the kingdom to his uncle Al-Damigh, charging
+him to rule the lieges justly, and journeyed with his women and
+warriors, till he came to the ships laden with the treasures and
+rarities which Ra’ad Shah had sent him, and divided the monies among
+his men who from poor became rich. Then they fared on till they reached
+the city of Babel, where he bestowed on Sahim Al-Layl a robe of honour
+and appointed him Sultan of the city.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn
+of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Gharib, after
+robing his brother Sahim and appointing him Sultan, abode with him ten
+days, after which he set out again and journeyed nor stinted travel
+till he reached the castle of Sa’adan the Ghul, where they rested five
+days. Then quoth Gharib to Kaylajan and Kurajan, “Pass over to Isbánír
+al-Madáin, to the palace of the Chosroe, and find what is come of Fakhr
+Taj and bring me one of the King’s kinsmen, who shall acquaint me with
+what hath passed.” Quoth they, “We hear and we obey,” and set out
+forthright for Isbanir. As they flew between heaven and earth, behold,
+they caught sight of a mighty army, as it were the surging sea, and
+Kaylajan said to Kurajan, “Let us descend and determine what be this
+host.” So they alighted and walking among the troops, found them
+Persians and questioned the soldiers whose men they were and whither
+they were bound; whereto they made answer, “We are _en route_ for
+Al-Irak, to slay Gharib and all who company him.” When the Marids heard
+these words, they repaired to the pavilion of the Persian general,
+whose name was Rustam, and waited till the soldiers slept, when they
+took up Rustam, bed and all, and made for the castle where Gharib lay.
+They arrived there by midnight and going to the door of the King’s
+pavilion, cried, “Permission!” which when he heard, he sat up and said,
+“Come in.” So they entered and set down the couch with Rustam asleep
+thereon. Gharib asked, “Who be this?” and they answered, “This be a
+Persian Prince, whom we met coming with a great host, thinking to slay
+thee and thine, and we have brought him to thee, that he may tell thee
+what thou hast a mind to know.” “Fetch me an hundred braves!” cried
+Gharib, and they fetched them; whereupon he bade them, “Draw your
+swords and stand at the head of this Persian carle!” Then they awoke
+him and he opened his eyes; and, finding an arch of steel over his
+head, shut them again, crying, “What be this foul dream?” But Kaylajan
+pricked him with his sword point and he sat up and said, “Where am I?”
+Quoth Sahim, “Thou art in the presence of King Gharib, son-in-law of
+the King of the Persians. What is thy name and whither goest thou?”
+When Rustam heard Gharib’s name, he bethought himself and said in his
+mind, “Am I asleep or awake?” Whereupon Sahim dealt him a buffet,
+saying, “Why dost thou not answer?” And he raised his head and asked,
+“Who brought me from my tent out of the midst of my men?” Gharib
+answered, “These two Marids brought thee.” So he looked at Kaylajan and
+Kurajan and skited in his bag-trousers. Then the Marids fell upon him,
+baring their tusks and brandishing their blades, and said to him, “Wilt
+thou not rise and kiss ground before King Gharib?” And he trembled at
+them and was assured that he was not asleep; so he stood up and kissed
+the ground between the hands of Gharib, saying, “The blessing of the
+Fire be on thee, and long life be thy life, O King!” Gharib cried, “O
+dog of the Persians, fire is not worshipful, for that it is harmful and
+profiteth not save in cooking food.” Asked Rustam, “Who then is
+worshipful?”; and Gharib answered, “Alone worship-worth is God, who
+formed thee and fashioned thee and created the heavens and the earth.”
+Quoth the Ajami, “What shall I say that I may become of the party of
+this Lord and enter thy Faith?”; and quoth Gharib, “Say:—There is no
+god but _the_ God, and Abraham is the Friend of God.” So Rustam
+pronounced the profession of the Faith and was enrolled among the
+people of felicity. Then said he to Gharib, “Know, O my lord, that thy
+father-in-law, King Sabur, seeketh to slay thee; and indeed he hath
+sent me with an hundred thousand men, charging me to spare none of
+you.” Gharib rejoined, “Is this my reward for having delivered his
+daughter from death and dishonour? Allah will requite him his ill
+intent. But what is thy name?” The Persian answered, “My name is
+Rustam, general of Sabur;” and Gharib, “Thou shalt have the like rank
+in my army,” adding, “But tell me, O Rustam, how is it with the
+Princess Fakhr Taj?” “May thy head live, O King of the age!” “What was
+the cause of her death?” Rustam replied, “O my lord, no sooner hadst
+thou left us than one of the Princess’s women went in to King Sabur and
+said to him,:—O my master, didst thou give Gharib leave to lie with the
+Princess my mistress? whereto he answered,:—No, by the virtue of the
+fire! and drawing his sword, went in to his daughter and said to her,:—O
+foul baggage, why didst thou suffer yonder Badawi to sleep with
+thee, without dower or even wedding? She replied,:—O my papa, ’twas
+thou gavest him leave to sleep with me. Then he asked,:—Did the fellow
+have thee? but she was silent and hung down her head. Hereupon he
+cried out to the midwives and slave-girls, saying,:—Pinion me this
+harlot’s elbows behind her and look at her privy parts. So they did as
+he bade them and after inspecting her slit said to him,:—O King, she
+hath lost her maidenhead. Whereupon he ran at her and would have slain
+her, but her mother rose up and threw herself between them crying,:—O
+King, slay her not, lest thou be for ever dishonoured; but shut her in
+a cell till she die. So he cast her into prison till nightfall, when
+he called two of his courtiers and said to them,:—Carry her afar off
+and throw her into the river Jayhun and tell none. They did his
+commandment, and indeed her memory is forgotten and her time is
+past.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib
+asked news of Fakhr Taj, Rustam informed him that she had been drowned
+in the river by her sire’s command. And when Gharib heard this, the
+world waxed wan before his eyes and he cried, “By the virtue of Abraham
+the Friend, I will assuredly go to yonder dog and overwhelm him and lay
+waste his realm!” Then he sent letters to Jamrkan and to the governors
+of Mosul and Mayyáfáríkín; and, turning to Rustam, said to him, “How
+many men hadst thou in thine army?” He replied, “An hundred thousand
+Persian horse;” and Gharib rejoined, “Take ten thousand horse and go to
+thy people and occupy them with war; I will follow on thy trail.” So
+Rustam mounted and taking ten thousand Arab horse made for his tribe,
+saying in himself, “I will do a deed shall whiten my face with King
+Gharib.” So he fared on seven days, till there remained but half a
+day’s journey between him and the Persian camp; when, dividing his host
+into four divisions he said to his men, “Surround the Persians on all
+sides and fall upon them with the sword.” They rode on from eventide
+till midnight, when they had compassed the camp of the Ajams, who were
+asleep in security, and fell upon them, shouting, “God is Most Great!”
+Whereupon the Persians started up from sleep and their feet slipped and
+the sabre went round amongst them; for the All-knowing King was wroth
+with them, and Rustam wrought amongst them as fire in dry fuel; till,
+by the end of the night, the whole of the Persian host was slain or
+wounded or fled, and the Moslems made prize of their tents and baggage,
+horses, camels and treasure-chests. Then they alighted and rested in
+the tents of the Ajams till King Gharib came up and, seeing what Rustam
+had done and how he had gained by stratagem a great and complete
+victory, he invested him with a robe of honour and said to him, “O
+Rustam, it was thou didst put the Persians to the rout; wherefore all
+the spoil is thine.” So he kissed Gharib’s hand and thanked him, and
+they rested till the end of the day, when they set out for King Sabur’s
+capital. Meanwhile, the fugitives of the defeated force reached Isbanir
+and went in to Sabur, crying out and saying, “Alas!” and “Well-away!”
+and “Woe worth the day!” Quoth he, “What hath befallen you and who with
+his mischief hath smitten you?” So they told him all that had passed
+and said, “Naught befel us except that thy general Rustam, fell upon us
+in the darkness of the night because he had turned Moslem; nor did
+Gharib come near us.” When the King heard this, he cast his crown to
+the ground and said, “There is no worth left us!” Then he turned to his
+son Ward Shah[FN#63] and said to him, “O my son, there is none for this
+affair save thou.” Answered Ward Shah, “By thy life, O my father, I
+will assuredly bring Gharib and his chiefs of the people in chains and
+slay all who are with him.” Then he numbered his army and found it two
+hundred and twenty thousand men. So they slept, intending to set forth
+on the morrow; but, next morning, as they were about to march, behold,
+a cloud of dust arose and spread till it walled the world and baffled
+the sight of the farthest-seeing wight. Now Sabur had mounted to
+farewell his son, and when he saw this mighty great dust, he let call a
+runner and said to him, “Go find me out the cause of this dust-cloud.”
+The scout went and returned, saying, “O my lord, Gharib and his braves
+are upon you;” whereupon they unloaded their bât-beasts and drew out in
+line of battle. When Gharib came up and saw the Persians ranged in row,
+he cried out to his men, saying, “Charge with the blessing of Allah!”
+So they waved the flags, and the Arabs and the Ajamis drave one at
+other and folk were heaped upon folk. Blood ran like water and all
+souls saw death face to face; the brave advanced and pressed forward to
+assail and the coward hung back and turned tail and they ceased not
+from fight and fray till ended day, when the kettle-drums beat the
+retreat and the two hosts drew apart. Then Sabur commanded to pitch his
+camp hard over the city-gate, and Gharib set up his pavilions in front
+of theirs; and every one went to his tent.——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Sixty-ninth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the two
+hosts drew apart, every one went to his tent until the morning. As soon
+as it was day, the two hosts mounted their strong steeds and levelled
+their lances and wore their harness of war; then they raised their
+slogan cries and drew out in battle-array, whilst came forth all the
+lordly knights and the lions of fights. Now the first to open the gate
+of battle was Rustam, who urged his charger into mid-field and cried
+out, “God is most Great! I am Rustam, champion-in-chief of the Arabs
+and Ajams. Who is for tilting, who is for fighting? Let no sluggard
+come out to me this day or weakling!” Then there rushed forth to him a
+champion of the Persians; the two charged each other and there befel
+between them a sore fight, till Rustam sprang upon his adversary and
+smote him with a mace he had with him, seventy pounds in weight, and
+beat his head down upon his breast, and he fell to the earth, dead and
+in his blood drowned. This was no light matter to Sabur and he
+commanded his men to charge; so they drave at the Moslems, invoking the
+aid of the light-giving Sun, whilst the True Believers called for help
+upon the Magnanimous King. But the Ajams, the Miscreants, outnumbered
+the Arabs, the Moslems, and made them drain the cup of death; which
+when Gharib saw he drew his sword Al-Mahik and crying out his war-cry,
+fell upon the Persians, with Kaylajan and Kurajan at either stirrup;
+nor did he leave playing upon them with blade till he hewed his way to
+the standard-bearer and smote him on the head with the flat of his
+sword, whereupon he fell down in a fainting-fit and the two Marids bore
+him off to their camp. When the Persians saw the standard fall, they
+turned and fled and for the city-gates made; but the Moslems followed
+them with the blade and they crowded together to enter the city, so
+that they could not shut the gates and there died of them much people.
+Then Rustam and Sa’adan, Jamrkan and Sahim, Al-Damigh, Kaylajan and
+Kurajan and all the braves Mohammedan and the champions of Faith
+Unitarian fell upon the misbelieving Persians in the gates, and the
+blood of the Kafirs ran in the streets like a torrent till they threw
+down their arms and harness and called out for quarter; whereupon the
+Moslems stayed their swords from the slaughter and drove them to their
+tents, as one driveth a flock of sheep. Meanwhile Gharib returned to
+his pavilion, where he doffed his gear and washed himself of the blood
+of the Infidels; after which he donned his royal robes and sat down on
+his chair of estate. Then he called for the King of the Persians and
+said to him, “O dog of the Ajams, what moved thee to deal thus with thy
+daughter? How seest thou me unworthy to be her baron?” And Sabur
+answered, saying, “O King, punish me not because of that deed which I
+did; for I repent me and confronted thee not in fight but in my fear of
+thee.”[FN#64] When Gharib heard these words he bade throw him flat and
+beat him. So they bastinadoed him, till he could no longer groan, and
+cast him among the prisoners. Then Gharib expounded Al-Islam to the
+Persians and one hundred and twenty thousand of them embraced The
+Faith, and the rest he put to the sword. Moreover all the citizens
+professed Al-Islam and Gharib mounted and entered in great state the
+city Isbanir Al-Madain. Then he went into the King’s palace and sitting
+down on Sabur’s throne, gave robes and largesse and distributed the
+booty and treasure among the Arabs and Persians, wherefore they loved
+him and wished him victory and honour and endurance of days. But Fakhr
+Taj’s mother remembered her daughter and raised the voice of mourning
+for her, and the palace was filled with wails and cries. Gharib heard
+this and entering the Harim, asked the women what ailed them, whereupon
+the Princess’s mother came forward and said, “O my lord, thy presence
+put me in mind of my daughter and how she would have joyed in thy
+coming, had she been alive and well.” Gharib wept for her and sitting
+down on his throne, called for Sabur, and they brought him stumbling in
+his shackles. Quoth Gharib to him, “O dog of the Persians, what didst
+thou do with thy daughter?” “I gave her to such an one and such an
+one,” quoth the King, “saying,:—Drown her in the river Jayhún.” So
+Gharib sent for the two men and asked them, “Is what he saith true?”
+Answered they, “Yes; but, O King, we did not drown her, nay we took
+pity on her and left her on the banks of the Jayhun, saying,—Save
+thyself and return not to the city, lest the King slay thee and slay us
+with thee. This is all we know of her.”——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventieth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the two men
+ended the tale of Fakhr Taj with these words, “And we left her upon the
+bank of the river Jayhun!” Now, when Gharib heard this he bade bring
+the astrologers and said to them, “Strike me a board of geomancy and
+find out what is come of Fakhr Taj, and whether she is still in the
+bonds of life or dead.” They did so and said, “O King of the age, it is
+manifest to us that the Princess is alive and hath borne a male child;
+but she is with a tribe of the Jinn, and will be parted from thee
+twenty years; count, therefore, how many years thou hast been absent in
+travel.” So he reckoned up the years of his absence and found them
+eight years and said, “There is no Majesty and there is no Might save
+in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!”[FN#65] Then he sent for all
+Sabur’s Governors of towns and strongholds and they came and did him
+homage. Now one day after this, as he sat in his palace, behold, a
+cloud of dust appeared in the distance and spread till it walled the
+whole land and darkened the horizon. So he summoned the two Marids and
+bade them reconnoitre, and they went forth under the dust-cloud and
+snatching up a horseman of the advancing host, returned and set him
+down before Gharib, saying, “Ask this fellow, for he is of the army.”
+Quoth Gharib, “Whose power is this?” and the man answered, “O King,
+’tis the army of Khirad Shah,[FN#66] King of Shiras, who is come forth
+to fight thee.” Now the cause of Khirad Shah’s coming was this. When
+Gharib defeated Sabur’s army, as hath been related, and took him
+prisoner, the King’s son fled, with a handful of his father’s force and
+ceased not flying till he reached the city of Shiras, where he went
+into King Khirad Shah and kissed ground before him, whilst the tears
+ran down his cheeks. When the King saw him in this case, he said to
+him, “Lift thy head, O youth, and tell me what maketh thee weep.” He
+replied, “O King, a King of the Arabs, by name Gharib, hath fallen on
+us and captured the King my sire and slain the Persians making them
+drain the cup of death.” And he told him all that had passed from first
+to last. Quoth Khirad Shah, “Is my wife[FN#67] well?” and quoth the
+Prince, “Gharib hath taken her.” Cried the King “As my head liveth, I
+will not leave a Badawi or a Moslem on the face of the earth!” So he
+wrote letters to his Viceroys, who levied their troops and joined him
+with an army which when reviewed numbered eighty-five thousand men.
+Then he opened his armouries and distributed arms and armour to the
+troops, after which he set out with them and journeyed till he came to
+Isbanir, and all encamped before the city-gate. Hereupon Kaylajan and
+Kurajan came in to Gharib and kissing his knee, said to him, “O our
+Lord, heal our hearts and give us this host to our share.” And he said,
+“Up and at them!” So the two Marids flew aloft high in the lift and
+lighting down in the pavilion of the King of Shiras, found him seated
+on his chair of estate, with the Prince of Persia Ward Shah son of
+Sabur, sitting on his right hand, and about him his Captains, with whom
+he was taking counsel for the slaughter of the Moslems. Kaylajan came
+forward and caught up the Prince and Kurajan snatched up the King and
+the twain flew back with them to Gharib, who caused beat them till they
+fainted. Then the Marids returned to the Shirazian camp and, drawing
+their swords, which no mortal man had strength to wield, fell upon the
+Misbelievers and Allah hurried their souls to the Fire and
+abiding-place dire, whilst they saw no one and nothing save two swords
+flashing and reaping men, as a husbandman reaps corn. So they left
+their tents and mounting their horses bare-backed, fled; and the
+Marids pursued them two days and slew of them much people; after which
+they returned and kissed Gharib’s hand. He thanked them for the deed
+they had done and said to them, “The spoil of the Infidels is yours
+alone: none shall share with you therein.” So they called down
+blessings on him and going forth, gathered the booty together and abode
+in their own homes. On this wise it fared with them; but as regards
+Gharib and his lieges,——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-first Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that after Gharib
+had put to flight the host of Khirad Shah, he bade Kaylajan and Kurajan
+take the spoil to their own possession nor share it with any; so they
+gathered the booty and abode in their own homes. Meanwhile the remains
+of the beaten force ceased not flying till they reached the city of
+Shiras and there lifted up the voice of weeping and began the
+ceremonial lamentations for those of them that had been slain. Now King
+Khirad Shah had a brother Sírán the Sorcerer hight, than whom there
+was no greater wizard in his day, and he lived apart from his brother
+in a certain stronghold, called the Fortalice of Fruits,[FN#68] in a
+place abounding in trees and streams and birds and blooms, half a day’s
+journey from Shiras. So the fugitives betook them thither and went in
+to Siran the Sorcerer, weeping and wailing aloud. Quoth he, “O folk,
+what garreth you weep?” and they told him all that had happened,
+especially how the two Marids had carried off his brother Khirad Shah;
+whereupon the light of his eyes became night and he said, “By the
+virtue of my faith, I will certainly slay Gharib and all his men and
+leave not one alive to tell the tale!” Then he pronounced certain
+magical words and summoned the Red King, who appeared and Siran said to
+him, “Fare for Isbanir and fall on Gharib, as he sitteth upon his
+throne.” Replied he, “Hearkening and obedience!” and, gathering his
+troops, repaired to Isbanir and assailed Gharib, who seeing him, drew
+his sword Al-Mahik and he and Kaylajan and Kurajan fell upon the army
+of the Red King and slew of them five hundred and thirty and wounded
+the King himself with a grevious wound; whereupon he and his people
+fled and stayed not in their flight, till they reached the Fortalice of
+Fruits and went into Siran, crying out and exclaiming, “Woe!” and
+“Ruin!” And the Red King said to Siran, “O sage, Gharib hath with him
+the enchanted sword of Japhet son of Noah, and whomsoever he smiteth
+therewith he severeth him in sunder, and with him also are two Marids
+from Mount Caucasus, given to him by King Mura’ash. He it is who slew
+the Blue King and Barkan Lord of the Carnelian City, and did to death
+much people of the Jinn.” When the Enchanter heard this, he said to the
+Red King “Go,” and he went his ways; whereupon he resumed his
+conjurations, and calling up a Marid, by name Zu’ázi’a gave him a
+drachm of levigated Bhang and said to him, “Go thou to Isbanir and
+enter King Gharib’s palace and assume the form of a sparrow. Wait till
+he fall asleep and there be none with him; then put the Bhang up his
+nostrils and bring him to me.” “To hear is to obey,” replied the Marid
+and flew to Isbanir, where, changing himself into a sparrow, he perched
+on the window of the palace and waited till all Gharib’s attendants
+retired to their rooms and the King himself slept. Then he flew down
+and going up to Gharib, blew the powdered Bhang into his nostrils, till
+he lost his senses, whereupon he wrapped him in the bed-coverlet and
+flew off with him, like the storm-wind, to the Fortalice of Fruits;
+where he arrived at midnight and laid his prize before Siran. The
+Sorcerer thanked him and would have put Gharib to death, as he lay
+senseless under Bhang; but a man of his people withheld him saying, “O
+Sage, an thou slay him, his friend King Mura’ash will fall on us with
+all his Ifrits and lay waste our realm.” “How then shall we do with
+him?” asked Siran, and the other answered, “Cast him into the Jayhun
+while he is still in Bhang and he shall be drowned and none will know
+who threw him in.” And Siran bade the Marid take Gharib and cast him
+into Jayhun river.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-second Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Marid took
+Gharib and carried him to the Jayhun purposing to cast him therein, but
+it was grievous to him to drown him, wherefore he made a raft of wood
+and binding it with cords, pushed it out (and Gharib thereon) into the
+current, which carried it away. Thus fared it with Gharib; but as
+regards his people, when they awoke in the morning and went in to do
+their service to their King, they found him not and seeing his rosary
+on the throne, awaited him awhile, but he came not. So they sought out
+the head Chamberlain and said to him, “Go into the Harim and look for
+the King: for it is not his habit to tarry till this time.”
+Accordingly, the Chamberlain entered the Serraglio and enquired for the
+King, but the women said, “Since yesterday we have not seen him.”
+Thereupon he returned and told the Officers, who were confounded and
+said, “Let us see if he have gone to take his pleasure in the gardens.”
+Then they went out and questioned the gardeners if they had seen the
+King, and they answered, “No;” whereat they were sore concerned and
+searched all the garths till the end of the day, when they returned in
+tears. Moreover, the two Marids sought for him all round the city, but
+came back after three days, without having happened on any tidings of
+him. So the people donned black and made their complaint to the Lord of
+all worshipping men who doth as he is fain. Meanwhile, the current bore
+the raft along for five days till it brought it to the salt sea, where
+the waves disported with Gharib and his stomach, being troubled, threw
+up the Bhang. Then he opened his eyes and finding himself in the midst
+of the main, a plaything of the billows, said, “There is no Majesty and
+there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Would to
+Heaven I wot who hath done this deed by me!” Presently as he lay,
+perplexed concerning his case, lo! he caught sight of a ship sailing by
+and signalled with his sleeve to the sailors, who came to him and took
+him up, saying, “Who art thou and whence comest thou?” He replied, “Do
+ye feed me and give me to drink, till I recover myself, and after I
+will tell you who I am.” So they brought him water and victual, and he
+ate and drank and Allah restored to him his reason. Then he asked them,
+“O folk, what countrymen are ye and what is your Faith?;” and they
+answered, “We are from Karaj[FN#69] and we worship an idol called
+Minkásh.” Cried Gharib, “Perdition to you and your idol! O dogs, none
+is worthy of worship save Allah who created all things, who saith to a
+thing Be! and it becometh.” When they heard this, they rose up and fell
+upon him in great wrath and would have seized him. Now he was without
+weapons, but whomsoever he struck, he smote down and deprived of life,
+till he had felled forty men, after which they overcame him by force of
+numbers and bound him fast, saying, “We will not slay him save in our
+own land, that we may first show him to our King.” Then they sailed on
+till they came to the city of Karaj.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn
+of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-third Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+ship’s crew seized Gharib and bound him fast they said, “We will not
+slay him save in our own land.” Then they sailed on till they came to
+the city of Karaj, the builder whereof was an Amalekite, fierce and
+furious; and he had set up at each gate of the city a magical figure of
+copper which, whenever a stranger entered, blew a blast on a trumpet,
+that all in the city heard it and fell upon the stranger and slew him,
+except they embraced their creed. When Gharib entered the city, the
+figure stationed at the gate blew such a horrible blast that the King
+was affrighted and going into his idol, found fire and smoke issuing
+from its mouth, nose and eyes. Now a Satan had entered the belly of the
+idol and speaking as with its tongue, said, “O King, there is come to
+thy city one hight Gharib, King of Al-Irak, who biddeth the folk quit
+their belief and worship his Lord; wherefore, when they bring him
+before thee, look thou spare him not.” So the King went out and sat
+down on his throne; and presently, the sailors brought in Gharib and
+set him before the presence, saying, “O King, we found this youth
+shipwrecked in the midst of the sea, and he is a Kafir and believeth
+not in our gods.” Then they told him all that had passed and the King
+said, “Carry him to the house of the Great Idol and cut his throat
+before him, so haply our god may look lovingly upon us.” But the Wazir
+said, “O King, it befitteth not to slaughter him thus, for he would die
+in a moment: better we imprison him and build a pyre of fuel and burn
+him with fire.” Thereupon the King commanded to cast Gharib into gaol
+and caused wood to be brought, and they made a mighty pyre and set fire
+to it, and it burnt till the morning. Then the King and the people of
+the city came forth and the Ruler sent to fetch Gharib; but his lieges
+found him not; so they returned and told their King who said, “And how
+made he his escape?” Quoth they, “We found the chains and shackles cast
+down and the doors fast locked.” Whereat the King marvelled and asked,
+“Hath this fellow to Heaven up flown or into the earth gone down?;” and
+they answered, “We know not.” Then said the King, “I will go and
+question my God, and he will inform me whither he is gone.” So he rose
+and went in, to prostrate himself to his idol, but found it not and
+began to rub his eyes and say, “Am I in sleep or on wake?” Then he
+turned to his Wazir and said to him, “Where is my God and where is my
+prisoner? By my faith, O dog of Wazirs, haddest thou not counselled me
+to burn him, I had slaughtered him; for it is he who hath stolen my god
+and fled; and there is no help but I take brood-wreak of him!” Then he
+drew his sword and struck off the Wazir’s head. Now there was for
+Gharib’s escape with the idol a strange cause and it was on this wise.
+When they had shut him up in a cell adjoining the doomed shrine under
+which stood the idol, he rose to pray, calling upon the name of
+Almighty Allah and seeking deliverance of Him, to whom be honour and
+glory! The Marid who had charge of the idol and spoke in its name,
+heard him and fear got hold upon his heart and he said, “O shame upon
+me! Who is this seeth me while I see him not?” So he went in to Gharib
+and throwing himself at his feet, said to him, “O my Lord, what must I
+say that I may become of thy company and enter thy religion?” Replied
+Gharib, “Say:—There is no god but _the_ God and Abraham is the Friend of
+God.” So the Marid pronounced the profession of Faith and was enrolled
+among the people of felicity. Now his name was Zalzál, son of
+Al-Muzalzil,[FN#70] one of the Chiefs of the Kings of the Jinn. Then he
+unbound Gharib and taking him and the idol, made for the higher
+air.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-fourth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Marid took up
+Gharib and the idol and made for the higher air. Such was his case; but
+as regards the King, when his soldiers saw what had befallen and the
+slaughter of the Wazir they renounced the worship of the idol and
+drawing their swords, slew the King; after which they fell on one
+another, and the sword went round amongst them three days, till there
+abode alive but two men, one of whom prevailed over the other and
+killed him. Then the boys attacked the survivor and slew him and fell
+to fighting amongst themselves, till they were all killed; and the
+women and girls fled to the hamlets and forted villages; wherefore the
+city became desert and none dwelt therein but the owl. Meanwhile, the
+Marid Zalzal flew with Gharib towards his own country, the Island of
+Camphor and the Castle of Crystal and the Land of the Enchanted Calf,
+so called because its King Al-Muzalzil, had a pied calf, which he had
+clad in housings brocaded with red gold, and worshipped as a god. One
+day the King and his people went in to the calf and found him
+trembling; so the King said, “O my God, what hath troubled thee?”
+whereupon the Satan in the calf’s belly cried out and said, “O
+Muzalzil, verily thy son hath deserted to the Faith of Abraham the
+Friend, at the hands of Gharib Lord of Al-Irak;” and went on to tell
+him all that had passed from first to last. When the King heard the
+words of his calf he was confounded and going forth, sat down upon his
+throne. Then he summoned his Grandees who came in a body, and he told
+them what he had heard from the idol, whereat they marvelled and said,
+“What shall we do, O King?” Quoth he, “When my son cometh and ye see
+him embrace him, do ye lay hold of him.” And they said, “Hearkening and
+obedience!” After two days came Zalzal and Gharib, with the King’s idol
+of Karaj, but no sooner had they entered the palace-gate than the Jinn
+seized on them and carried them before Al-Muzalzil, who looked at his
+son with eyes of ire and said to him, “O dog of the Jann, hast thou
+left thy Faith and that of thy fathers and grandfathers?” Quoth Zalzal,
+“I have embraced the True Faith, and on like wise do thou (Woe be to
+thee!) seek salvation and thou shalt be saved from the wrath of the
+King Almighty in sway, Creator of Night and Day.” Therewith his father
+waxed wroth and said, “O son of adultery, dost confront me with these
+words?” Then he bade clap him in prison and turning to Gharib, said to
+him, “O wretch of a mortal, how hast thou abused my son’s wit and
+seduced him from his Faith?” Quoth Gharib, “Indeed, I have brought him
+out of wrongousness into the way of righteousness, out of Hell into
+Heaven and out of unfaith to the True Faith.” Whereupon the King cried
+out to a Marid called Sayyár, saying “Take this dog and cast him into
+the Wady of Fire, that he may perish.” Now this valley was in the
+“Waste Quarter[FN#71]” and was thus named from the excess of its heat
+and the flaming of its fire, which was so fierce that none who went
+down therein could live an hour, but was destroyed; and it was
+compassed about by mountains high and slippery wherein was no opening.
+So Sayyar took up Gharib and flew with him towards the Valley of Fire,
+till he came within an hour’s journey thereof, when being weary, he
+alighted in a valley full of trees and streams and fruits, and setting
+down from his back Gharib chained as he was, fell asleep for fatigue.
+When Gharib heard him snore, he strove with his bonds till he burst
+them; then, taking up a heavy stone, he cast it down on the Marid’s
+head and crushed his bones, so that he died on the spot. Then he fared
+on into the valley.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-fifth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Gharib after
+killing the Marid fared on into the valley and found himself in a great
+island in mid-ocean, full of all fruits that lips and tongue could
+desire. So he abode alone on the island, drinking of its waters and
+eating of its fruits and of fish that he caught, and days and years
+passed over him, till he had sojourned there in his solitude seven
+years. One day, as he sat, behold, there came down on him from the air
+two Marids, each carrying a man; and seeing him they said, “Who art
+thou, O fellow, and of which of the tribes art thou?” Now they took him
+for a Jinni, because his hair was grown long; and he replied, saying,
+“I am not of the Jann,” whereupon they questioned him, and he told them
+all that had befallen him. They grieved for him and one of the Ifrits
+said, “Abide thou here till we bear these two lambs to our King, that
+he may break his fast on the one and sup on the other, and after we
+will come back and carry thee to thine own country.” He thanked them
+and said, “Where be the lambs?” Quoth they, “These two mortals are the
+lambs.” And Gharib said, “I take refuge with Allah _the_ God of Abraham
+the Friend, the Lord of all creatures, who hath power over everything!”
+Then the Marids flew away and Gharib abode awaiting them two days, when
+one of them returned, bringing with him a suit of clothes wherewith he
+clad him. Then he took him up and flew with him sky-high out of sight
+of earth, till Gharib heard the angels glorifying God in Heaven, and a
+flaming shaft issued from amongst them and made for the Marid, who fled
+from it towards the earth. The meteor pursued him, till he came within
+a spear’s cast of the ground, when Gharib leaped from his shoulders and
+the fiery shaft overtook the Marid, who became a heap of ashes. As for
+Gharib, he fell into the sea and sank two fathoms deep, after which he
+rose to the surface and swam for two days and two nights, till his
+strength failed him and he made certain of death. But, on the third day
+as he was despairing he caught sight of an island steep and
+mountainous; so he swam for it and landing, walked on inland, where he
+rested a day and a night, feeding on the growth of the ground. Then he
+climbed to the mountain top, and, descending the opposite slope, fared
+on two days till he came in sight of a walled and bulwarked city,
+abounding in trees and rills. He walked up to it; but, when he reached
+the gate, the warders seized on him, and carried him to their Queen,
+whose name was Ján Sháh.[FN#72] Now she was five hundred years old, and
+every man who entered the city, they brought to her and she made him
+sleep with her, and when he had done his work, she slew him and so had
+she slain many men. When she saw Gharib, he pleased her mightily; so
+she asked him, “What be thy name and Faith and whence comest thou?” and
+he answered, “My name is Gharib King of Irak, and I am a Moslem.” Said
+she, “Leave this Creed and enter mine and I will marry thee and make
+thee King.” But he looked at her with eyes of ire and cried, “Perish
+thou and thy faith!” Cried she, “Dost thou blaspheme my idol, which is
+of red carnelian, set with pearls and gems?” And she called out to her
+men, saying, “Imprison him in the house of the idol; haply it will
+soften his heart.” So they shut him up in the domed shrine and locking
+the doors upon him, went their way.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-sixth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when they took
+Gharib, they jailed him in the idol’s domed shrine; and locking the
+doors upon him, went their way. As soon as they were gone, Gharib gazed
+at the idol, which was of red carnelian, with collars of pearls and
+precious stones about its neck, and presently he went close to it and
+lifting it up, dashed it on the ground and brake it in bits; after
+which he lay down and slept till daybreak. When morning morrowed, the
+Queen took seat on her throne and said, “O men, bring me the prisoner.”
+So they opened the temple doors and entering, found the idol broken in
+pieces, whereupon they buffeted their faces till the blood ran from the
+corners of their eyes. Then they made at Gharib to seize him; but he
+smote one of them with his fist and slew him, and so did he with
+another and yet another, till he had slain five-and-twenty of them and
+the rest fled and went in to Queen Jan Shah, shrieking loudly. Quoth
+she, “What is the matter?” and quoth they, “The prisoner hath broken
+thine idol and slain thy men,” and told her all that had passed. When
+she heard this, she cast her crown to the ground and said, “There is no
+worth left in idols!” Then she mounted amid a thousand fighting-men and
+rode to the temple, where she found Gharib had gotten him a sword and
+come forth and was slaying men and overthrowing warriors. When she saw
+his prowess, her heart was drowned in the love of him and she said to
+herself, “I have no need of the idol and care for naught save this
+Gharib, that he may lie in my bosom the rest of my life.” Then she
+cried to her men, “Hold aloof from him and leave him to himself!”;
+then, going up to him she muttered certain magical words, whereupon his
+arm became benumbed, his forearm relaxed and the sword dropped from his
+hand. So they seized him and pinioned him, as he stood confounded,
+stupefied. Then the Queen returned to her palace, and seating herself
+on her seat of estate, bade her people withdraw and leave Gharib with
+her. When they were alone, she said to him, “O dog of the Arabs, wilt
+thou shiver my idol and slay my people?” He replied, “O accursed woman,
+had he been a god he had defended himself!” Quoth she, “Stroke me and I
+will forgive thee all thou hast done.” But he replied, saying, “I will
+do nought of this.” And she said, “By the virtue of my faith, I will
+torture thee with grievous torture!” So she took water and conjuring
+over it, sprinkled it upon him and he became an ape. And she used to
+feed and water and keep him in a closet, appointing one to care for
+him; and in this plight he abode two years. Then she called him to her
+one day and said to him, “Wilt thou hearken to me?” And he signed to
+her with his head, “Yes.” So she rejoiced and freed him from the
+enchantment. Then she brought him food and he ate and toyed with her
+and kissed her, so that she trusted in him. When it was night she lay
+down and said to him, “Come, do thy business.” He replied, “’Tis
+well;” and, mounting on her breast, seized her by the neck and brake
+it, nor did he arise from her till life had left her. Then, seeing an
+open cabinet, he went in and found there a sword of damascened[FN#73]
+steel and a targe of Chinese iron; so he armed himself cap-à-pie and
+waited till the day. As soon as it was morning, he went forth and stood
+at the gate of the palace. When the Emirs came and would have gone in
+to do their service to the Queen, they found Gharib standing at the
+gate, clad in complete war-gear; and he said to them, “O folk, leave
+the service of idols and worship the All-wise King, Creator of Night
+and Day, the Lord of men, the Quickener of dry bones, for He made all
+things and hath dominion over all.” When the Kafirs heard this, they
+ran at him, but he fell on them like a rending lion and charged through
+them again and again, slaying of them much people;——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-seventh Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Kafirs fell upon Gharib, he slew of them much people; but, when the
+night came, they overcame him by dint of numbers and would have taken
+him by strenuous effort, when behold, there descended upon the Infidels
+a thousand Marids, under the command of Zalzal, who plied them with the
+keen sabre and made them drink the cup of destruction, whilst Allah
+hurried their souls to Hell-fire, till but few were left of the people
+of Jan Shah to tell the tale and the rest cried out, “Quarter!
+Quarter!” and believed in the Requiting King, whom no one thing
+diverteth from other thing, the Destroyer of the Jabábirah[FN#74] and
+Exterminator of the Akásirah, Lord of this world and of the next. Then
+Zalzal saluted Gharib and gave him joy of his safety; and Gharib said
+to him, “How knowest thou of my case?” and he replied, “O my lord, my
+father kept me in prison two years, after sending thee to the Valley of
+Fire; then he released me, and I abode with him another year, till I
+was restored to favour with him, when I slew him and his troops
+submitted to me. I ruled them for a year’s space till, one Night, I lay
+down to sleep, having thee in thought, and saw thee in a dream,
+fighting against the people of Jan Shah; wherefore I took these
+thousand Marids and came to thee.” And Gharib marvelled at this happy
+conjuncture. Then he seized upon Jan Shah’s treasures and those of the
+slain and appointed a ruler over the city; after which the Marids took
+up Gharib and the monies and he lay the same night in the Castle of
+Crystal. He abode Zalzal’s guest six months, when he desired to depart;
+so Zalzal gave him rich presents and despatched three thousand Marids,
+who brought the spoils of Karaj-city and added them to those of Jan
+Shah. Then Zalzal loaded forty thousand Marids with the treasure and
+himself taking up Gharib, flew with his host towards the city of
+Isbanir al-Madain where they arrived at midnight. But as Gharib glanced
+around he saw the walls invested on all sides by a conquering
+army,[FN#75] as it were the surging sea, so he said to Zalzal, “O my
+brother, what is the cause of this siege and whence came this army?”
+Then he alighted on the terrace roof of his palace and cried out,
+saying, “Ho, Star o’ Morn! Ho, Mahdiyah!” Whereupon the twain started
+up from sleep in amazement and said, “Who calleth us at this hour?”
+Quoth he, “’Tis I, your lord, Gharib, the Marvellous One of the deeds
+wondrous.” When the Princesses heard their lord’s voice, they rejoiced
+and so did the women and the eunuchs. Then Gharib went down to them and
+they threw themselves upon him and lullilooed with cries of joy, so
+that all the palace rang again and the Captains of the army awoke and
+said, “What is to do?” So they made for the palace and asked the
+eunuchs, “Hath one of the King’s women given birth to a child?”; and
+they answered, “No; but rejoice ye, for King Gharib hath returned to
+you.” So they rejoiced, and Gharib, after salams to the women came
+forth amongst his comrades, who threw themselves upon him and kissed
+his hands and feet, returning thanks to Almighty Allah and praising
+Him. Then he sat down on his throne, with his officers sitting about
+him, and questioned them of the beleaguering army. They replied, “O
+King, these troops sat down before the city three days ago and there
+are amongst them Jinns as well as men; but we know not what they want,
+for we have had with them neither battle nor speech.” And presently
+they added, “The name of the commander of the besieging army is Murad
+Shah and he hath with him an hundred thousand horse and three thousand
+foot, besides two hundred tribesmen of the Jinn.” Now the manner of his
+coming was wondrous.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-eighth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the cause of this
+army coming upon Isbanir city was wondrous. When the two men, whom
+Sabur had charged to drown his daughter Fakhr Taj, let her go, bidding
+her flee for her life, she went forth distracted, unknowing whither to
+turn and saying, “Where is thine eye, O Gharib, that thou mayst see my
+case and the misery I am in?”; and wandered on from country to country,
+and valley to valley, till she came to a Wady abounding in trees and
+streams, in whose midst stood a strong-based castle and a lofty-builded
+as it were one of the pavilions of Paradise. So she betook herself
+thither and entering the fortalice, found it hung and carpeted with
+stuffs of silk and great plenty of gold and silver vessels; and therein
+were an hundred beautiful damsels. When the maidens saw Fakhr Taj, they
+came up to her and saluted her, deeming her of the virgins of the Jinn,
+and asked her of her case. Quoth she, “I am daughter to the Persians’
+King;” and told them all that had befallen her; which when they heard,
+they wept over her and condoled with her and comforted her, saying, “Be
+of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear, for here shalt thou
+have meat and drink and raiment, and we all are thy handmaids.” She
+called down blessings on them and they brought her food, of which she
+ate till she was satisfied. Then quoth she to them, “Who is the owner
+of this palace and lord over you girls?” and quoth they, “King Salsál,
+son of Dal, is our master; he passeth a night here once in every month
+and fareth in the morning to rule over the tribes of the Jann.” So
+Fakhr Taj took up her abode with them and after five days she gave
+birth to a male child, as he were the moon. They cut his navel cord and
+kohl’d his eyes then they named him Murad Shah, and he grew up in his
+mother’s lap. After a while came King Salsal, riding on a paper white
+elephant, as he were a tower plastered with lime and attended by the
+troops of the Jinn. He entered the palace, where the hundred damsels
+met him and kissed ground before him, and amongst them Fakhr Taj. When
+the King saw her, he looked at her and said to the others, “Who is
+yonder damsel?”; and they replied, “She is the daughter of Sabur, King
+of the Persians and Turks and Daylamites.” Quoth he, “Who brought her
+hither?” So they repeated to him her story; whereat he was moved to
+pity for her and said to her, “Grieve not, but take patience till thy
+son be grown a man, when I will go to the land of the Ajams and strike
+off thy father’s head from between his shoulders and seat thy son on
+the throne in his stead.” So she rose and kissed his hands and blessed
+him. Then she abode in the castle and her son grew up and was reared
+with the children of the King. They used to ride forth together
+a-hunting and birding and he became skilled in the chase of wild beasts
+and ravening lions and ate of their flesh, till his heart became harder
+than the rock. When he reached the age of fifteen, his spirit waxed big
+in him and he said to Fakhr Taj, “O my mamma, who is my papa?” She
+replied, “O my son, Gharib, King of Irak, is thy father and I am the
+King’s daughter, of the Persians,” and she told him her story. Quoth
+he, “Did my grandfather indeed give orders to slay thee and my father
+Gharib?”; and quoth she, “Yes.” Whereupon he, “By the claim thou hast
+on me for rearing me, I will assuredly go to thy father’s city and cut
+off his head and bring it into thy presence!”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Seventy-ninth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Murad Shah
+son of Fakhr Taj thus bespake his mother, she rejoiced in his speech.
+Now he used to go a-riding with two hundred Marids till he grew to
+man’s estate, when he and they fell to making raids and cutting off the
+roads and they pushed their razzias farther till one day he attacked
+the city of Shiraz and took it. Then he proceeded to the palace and cut
+off the King’s head, as he sat on his throne, and slew many of his
+troops, whereupon the rest cried “Quarter! Quarter!” and kissed his
+stirrups. Finding that they numbered ten thousand horse, he led them to
+Balkh, where he slew the King of the city and put his men to the rout
+and made himself master of the riches of the place. Thence he passed to
+Núrayn,[FN#76] at the head of an army of thirty thousand horse, and
+the Lord of Nurayn came out to him, with treasure and tribute, and did
+him homage. Then he went on to Samarcand of the Persians and took the
+city, and after that to Akhlát[FN#77] and took that town also; nor was
+there any city he came to but he captured it. Thus Murad Shah became
+the head of a mighty host, and all the booty he made and spoils in the
+sundry cities he divided among his soldiery, who loved him for his
+valour and munificence. At last he came to Isbanir al-Madain and sat
+down before it, saying, “Let us wait till the rest of my army come up,
+when I will seize on my grandfather and solace my mother’s heart by
+smiting his neck in her presence.” So he sent for her, and by reason of
+this, there was no battle for three days, when Gharib and Zalzal
+arrived with the forty thousand Marids, laden with treasure and
+presents. They asked concerning the besiegers, but none could enlighten
+them beyond saying that the host had been there encamped for three days
+without a fight taking place. Presently came Fakhr Taj, and her son
+Murad Shah embraced her saying, “Sit in thy tent till I bring thy
+father to thee.” And she sought succour for him of the Lord of the
+Worlds, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earths. Next
+morning, as soon as it was day, Murad Shah mounted and rode forth, with
+the two hundred Marids on his right hand and the Kings of men on his
+left, whilst the kettle-drums beat to battle. When Gharib heard this,
+he also took to horse and, calling his people to the combat, rode out,
+with the Jinn on his dexter hand and the men on his sinistral. Then
+came forth Murad Shah, armed cap-à-pie and drave his charger right and
+left, crying, “O folk, let none come forth to me but your King. If he
+conquer me, he shall be lord of both armies, and if I conquer him, I
+will slay him, as I have slain others.” When Gharib heard his speech,
+he said, “Avaunt, O dog of the Arabs!” And they charged at each other
+and lunged with lances, till they broke, then hewed at each other with
+swords, till the blades were notched; nor did they cease to advance and
+retire and wheel and career, till the day was half spent and their
+horses fell down under them, when they dismounted and gripped each
+other. Then Murad Shah seizing Gharib lifted him up and strove to dash
+him to the ground; but Gharib caught him by the ears and pulled him
+with his might, till it seemed to the youth as if the heavens were
+falling on the earth[FN#78] and he cried out, with his heart in his
+mouth, saying, “I yield myself to thy mercy, O Knight of the Age!” So
+Gharib bound him,——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to
+say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eightieth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Gharib
+caught Murad Shah by the ears and well nigh tore them off he cried, “I
+yield myself to thy mercy, O Knight of the Age!” So Gharib bound him,
+and the Marids his comrades would have charged and rescued him, but
+Gharib fell on them with a thousand Marids and was about to smite them
+down, when they cried out “Quarter! Quarter!” and threw away their
+arms. Then Gharib returned to his Shahmiyánah which was of green silk,
+embroidered with red gold and set with pearls and gems; and, seating
+himself on his throne, called for Murad Shah. So they brought him,
+shuffling in his manacles and shackles. When the prisoner saw him, he
+hung down his head for shame; and Gharib said to him, “O dog of the
+Arabs, who art thou that thou shouldst ride forth and measure thyself
+against kings?” Replied Murad Shah, “O my lord, reproach me not, for
+indeed I have excuse.” Quoth Gharib, “What manner of excuse hast
+thou?”; And quoth he, “Know, O my lord, that I came out to avenge my
+mother and my father on Sabur, King of the Persians; for he would have
+slain them; but my mother escaped and I know not whether he killed my
+father or not.” When Gharib heard these words, he replied, “By Allah,
+thou art indeed excusable! But who were thy father and mother and what
+are their names?” Murad Shah said, “My sire was Gharib, King of
+Al-Irak, and my mother Fakhr Taj, daughter of King Sabur of Persia.”
+When Gharib heard this, he gave a great cry and fell down fainting.
+They sprinkled rose-water on him, till he came to himself, when he
+said to Murad Shah, “Art thou indeed Gharib’s son by Fakhr Taj?”; and
+he replied, “Yes.” Cried Gharib, “Thou art a champion, the son of a
+champion. Loose my child!” And Sahim and Kaylajan went up to Murad Shah
+and set him free. Then Gharib embraced his son and, seating him beside
+himself, said to him, “Where is thy mother?” “She is with me in my
+tent,” answered Murad Shah; and Gharib said, “Bring her to me.” So
+Murad Shah mounted and repaired to his camp, where his comrades met
+him, rejoicing in his safety, and asked him of his case; but he
+answered, “This is no time for questions.” Then he went in to his
+mother and told her what had passed; whereat she was gladdened with
+exceeding gladness: so he carried her to Gharib, and they two embraced
+and rejoiced in each other. Then Fakhr Taj and Murad Shah islamised and
+expounded The Faith to their troops, who all made profession with heart
+and tongue. After this, Gharib sent for Sabur and his son Ward Shah,
+and upbraided them for their evil dealing and expounded Al-Islam to
+them; but they refused to profess wherefore he crucified them on the
+gate of the city and the people decorated the town and held high
+festival. Then Gharib crowned Murad Shah with the crown of the Chosroës
+and made him King of the Persians and Turks and Medes; moreover, he
+made his uncle Al-Damigh, King over Al-Irak, and all the peoples and
+lands submitted themselves to Gharib. Then he abode in his kingship,
+doing justice among his lieges, wherefore all the people loved him, and
+he and his wives and comrades ceased not from all solace of life, till
+there came to them the Destroyer of Delights and Sunderer of Societies,
+and extolled be the perfection of Him whose glory endureth for ever and
+aye and whose boons embrace all His creatures! This is every thing that
+hath come down to us of the history of Gharib and Ajib. And Abdullah
+bin Ma’amar al Kaysi hath thus related the tale of
+
+
+
+
+OTBAH[FN#79] AND RAYYA.
+
+
+I went one year on the pilgrimage to the Holy House of Allah, and when
+I had accomplished my pilgrimage, I turned back for visitation of the
+tomb of the Prophet, whom Allah bless and keep! One night, as I sat in
+the garden,[FN#80] between the tomb and the pulpit, I heard a low
+moaning in a soft voice; so I listened to it and it said,
+
+“Have the doves that moan in the lotus-tree * Woke grief in thy
+     heart and bred misery?
+Or doth memory of maiden in beauty deckt * Cause this doubt in
+     thee, this despondency?
+O night, thou art longsome for love-sick sprite * Complaining of
+     Love and its ecstasy:
+Thou makest him wakeful, who burns with fire * Of a love, like
+     the live coal’s ardency.
+The moon is witness my heart is held * By a moonlight brow of the
+     brightest blee:
+I reckt not to see me by Love ensnared * Till ensnared before I
+     could reck or see.”
+
+
+Then the voice ceased and not knowing whence it came to me I abode
+perplexed; but lo! it again took up its lament and recited,
+
+“Came Rayya’s phantom to grieve thy sight * In the thickest gloom
+     of the black-haired Night!
+And hath love of slumber deprived those eyes * And the
+     phantom-vision vexed thy sprite?
+I cried to the Night, whose glooms were like * Seas that surge
+     and billow with might, with might:
+‘O Night, thou art longsome to lover who * Hath no aid nor help
+     save the morning light!’
+She replied, ‘Complain not that I am long: * ’Tis love is the
+     cause of thy longsome plight!’”
+
+
+Now, at the first of the couplets, I sprang up and made for the quarter
+whence the sound came, nor had the voice ended repeating them, ere I
+was with the speaker and saw a youth of the utmost beauty, the hair of
+whose side face had not sprouted and in whose cheeks tears had worn
+twin trenches.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-first Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Abdullah bin
+Ma’amar al-Kaysi thus continued:—So I sprang up and made for the
+quarter whence the sound came, nor had the voice ended repeating the
+verses, ere I was with the speaker and saw a youth on whose side face
+the hair had not sprouted and in whose cheeks tears had worn twin
+trenches. Quoth I to him, “Fair befal thee for a youth!”; and quoth he,
+“And thee also! Who art thou?” I replied, “Abdullah bin Ma’amar
+al-Kaysi;” and he said, “Dost thou want aught?” I rejoined, “I was
+sitting in the garden and naught hath troubled me this night but thy
+voice. With my life would I ransom thee! What aileth thee?” He said,
+“Sit thee down.” So I sat down and he continued, “I am Otbah bin
+al-Hubáb bin al-Mundhir bin al-Jamúh the Ansári.[FN#81] I went out in
+the morning to the Mosque Al-Ahzáb[FN#82] and occupied myself there
+awhile with prayer-bows and prostrations, after which I withdrew apart,
+to worship privily. But lo! up came women, as they were moons, walking
+with a swaying gait, and surrounding a damsel of passing loveliness,
+perfect in beauty and grace, who stopped before me and said, ‘O Otbah,
+what sayst thou of union with one who seeketh union with thee?’ Then
+she left me and went away; and since that time I have had no tidings of
+her nor come upon any trace of her; and behold, I am distracted and do
+naught but remove from place to place.” Then he cried out and fell to
+the ground fainting. When he came to himself, it was as if the damask
+of his cheeks were dyed with safflower,[FN#83] and he recited these
+couplets:—
+
+I see you with my heart from far countrie * Would Heaven you
+     also me from far could see
+My heart and eyes for you are sorrowing; * My soul with you
+     abides and you with me.
+I take no joy in life when you’re unseen * Or Heaven or Garden of
+     Eternity.
+
+
+Said I, “O Otbah, O son of my uncle, repent to thy Lord and drave
+pardon for thy sin; for before thee is the terror of standing up to
+Judgment.” He replied, “Far be it from me so to do. I shall never leave
+to love till the two mimosa-gatherers return.”[FN#84] I abode with him
+till daybreak, when I said to him, “Come let us go to the Mosque
+Al-Ahzab.” So we went thither and sat there, till we had prayed the
+midday prayers, when lo! up came the women; but the damsel was not
+among them. Quoth they to him, “O Otbah, what thinkest thou of her who
+seeketh union with thee?” He said, “And what of her?”; and they
+replied, “Her father hath taken her and departed to Al-Samawah.”[FN#85]
+I asked them the name of the damsel and they said, “She is called
+Rayyá, daughter of Al-Ghitríf al-Sulami.”[FN#86] Whereupon Otbah
+raised his head and recited these verses,
+
+“My friends, Rayya hath mounted soon as morning shone, * And to
+Samawah’s wilds her caravan is gone.
+My friends, I’ve wept till I can weep no more, Oh, say, * Hath
+any one a tear that I can take on loan.”
+
+
+Then said I to him, “O Otbah, I have brought with me great wealth,
+wherewith I desire to succour generous men; and by Allah, I will lavish
+it before thee,[FN#87] so thou mayst attain thy desire and more than
+thy desire! Come with me to the assembly of the Ansaris.” So we rose
+and went, till we entered their assembly, when I salam’d to them and
+they returned my greeting civilly. Then quoth I, “O assembly, what say
+ye of Otbah and his father?”: and they replied, “They are of the
+princes of the Arabs.” I continued, “Know that he is smitten with the
+calamity of love and I desire your furtherance to Al-Samawah.” And they
+said, “To hear is to obey.” So they mounted with us, the whole party,
+and we rode till we drew near the place of the Banu Sulaym. Now when
+Ghitrif heard of our being near, he hastened forth to meet us, saying,
+“Long life to you, O nobles!”; whereto we replied, “And to thee also!
+Behold we are thy guests.” Quoth he, “Ye have lighted down at a most
+hospitable abode and ample;” and alighting he cried out, “Ho, all ye
+slaves, come down!” So they came down and spread skin-rugs and cushions
+and slaughtered sheep and cattle; but we said, “We will not taste of
+thy food, till thou have accomplished our need.” He asked, “And what is
+your need?”; and we answered, “We demand thy noble daughter in marriage
+for Otbah bin Hubab bin Mundhir the illustrious and well born.” “O my
+brethren,” said he, “she whom you demand is owner of herself, and I
+will go in to her and tell her.” So he rose in wrath[FN#88] and went in
+to Rayya, who said to him, “O my papa, why do I see thee show anger?”
+And he replied, saying, “Certain of the Ansaris have come upon me to
+demand thy hand of me in marriage.” Quoth she, “They are noble chiefs;
+the Prophet, on whom be the choicest blessings and peace, intercedeth
+for them with Allah. For whom among them do they ask me?” Quoth he,
+“For a youth known as Otbah bin al-Hubab;” and she said, “I have heard
+of Otbah that he performeth what he promiseth and findeth what he
+seeketh.” Ghitrif cried, “I swear that I will never marry thee to him;
+no, never, for there hath been reported to me somewhat of thy converse
+with him.” Said she, “What was that? But in any case, I swear that the
+Ansaris shall not be uncivilly rejected; wherefore do thou offer them a
+fair excuse.” “How so?” “Make the dowry heavy to them and they will
+desist.” “Thou sayst well,” said he, and going out in haste, told the
+Ansaris, “The damsel of the tribe[FN#89] consenteth; but she requireth
+a dowry worthy herself. Who engageth for this?” “I,” answered I. Then
+said he, “I require for her a thousand bracelets of red gold and five
+thousand dirhams of the coinage of Hajar[FN#90] and a hundred pieces of
+woollen cloth and striped stuffs[FN#91] of Al-Yaman and five bladders
+of ambergris.” Said I, “Thou shalt have that much; dost thou consent?”;
+and he said, “I do consent.” So I despatched to Al-Medinah the
+Illumined[FN#92] a party of the Ansaris, who brought all for which I
+had become surety; whereupon they slaughtered sheep and cattle and the
+folk assembled to eat of the food. We abode thus forty days when
+Ghitrif said to us, “Take your bride.” So we sat her in a
+dromedary-litter and her father equipped her with thirty camel-loads of
+things of price; after which we farewelled him and journeyed till we
+came within a day’s journey of Al-Medinah the Illumined, when there
+fell upon us horsemen, with intent to plunder, and methinks they were
+of the Banu Sulaym, Otbah drove at them and slew of them much people,
+but fell back, wounded by a lance-thrust, and presently dropped to the
+earth. Then there came to us succour of the country people, who drove
+away the highwaymen; but Otbah’s days were ended. So we said, “Alas for
+Otbah, oh!;” and the damsel hearing it cast herself down from the camel
+and throwing herself upon him, cried out grievously and repeated these
+couplets,
+
+“Patient I seemed, yet Patience shown by me * Was but
+     self-guiling till thy sight I see:
+Had my soul done as due my life had gone, * Had fled before
+     mankind forestalling thee:
+Then, after me and thee none shall to friend * Be just, nor any
+     soul with soul agree.”
+
+
+Then she sobbed a single sob and gave up the ghost. We dug one grave
+for them and laid them in the earth, and I returned to the dwellings of
+my people, where I abode seven years. Then I betook me again to
+Al-Hijaz and entering Al-Medinah the Illumined for pious visitation
+said in my mind, “By Allah, I will go again to Otbah’s tomb!” So I
+repaired thither, and, behold, over the grave was a tall tree, on which
+hung fillets of red and green and yellow stuffs.[FN#93] So I asked the
+people of the place, “How be this tree called?”; and they answered,
+“The tree of the Bride and the Bridegroom.” I abode by the tomb a day
+and a night, then went my way; and this is all I know of Otbah.
+Almighty Allah have mercy upon him! And they also tell this tale of
+
+
+
+
+HIND, DAUGHTER OF AL-NU’MAN AND AL-HAJJAJ.[FN#94]
+
+
+It is related that Hind, daughter of Al-Nu’man, was the fairest woman
+of her day, and her beauty and loveliness were reported to Al-Hajjaj,
+who sought her in marriage and lavished much treasure on her. So he
+took her to wife, engaging to give her a dowry of two hundred thousand
+dirhams in case of divorce, and when he went into her, he abode with
+her a long time. One day after this, he went in to her and found her
+looking at her face in the mirror and saying,
+
+“Hind is an Arab filly purest bred, * Which hath been covered by
+     a mongrel mule;
+An colt of horse she throw by Allah! well; * If mule, it but
+     results from mulish rule.”[FN#95]
+
+
+When Al-Hajjaj heard this, he turned back and went his way, unseen of
+Hind; and, being minded to put her away, he sent Abdullah bin Tahir to
+her, to divorce her. So Abdullah went in to her and said to her,
+“Al-Hajjaj Abu Mohammed saith to thee: Here be the two hundred
+thousand dirhams of thy contingent dowry he oweth thee; and he hath
+deputed me to divorce thee.” Replied she, “O Ibn Tahir, I gladly agree
+to this; for know that I never for one day took pleasure in him; so, if
+we separate, by Allah, I shall never regret him, and these two hundred
+thousand dirhams I give to thee as a reward for the glad tidings thou
+bringest me of my release from yonder dog of the Thakafites.”[FN#96]
+After this, the Commander of the Faithful, Abd al-Malik bin Marwan,
+heard of her beauty and loveliness, her stature and symmetry, her sweet
+speech and the amorous grace of her glances and sent to her, to ask her
+in marriage;——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-second Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Prince of
+True Believers, Abd al-Malik bin Marwan, hearing of the lady’s beauty
+and loveliness, sent to ask her in marriage; and she wrote him in reply
+a letter, in which, after the glorification of Allah and benediction of
+His Prophet, she said, “But afterwards. Know, O Commander of the
+Faithful, that the dog hath lapped in the vase.” When the Caliph read
+her answer, he laughed and wrote to her, citing his saying (whom may
+Allah bless and keep!) “If a dog lap in the vessel of one of you, let
+him wash seven times, once thereof with earth,” and adding, “Wash the
+affront from the place of use.”[FN#97] With this she could not gainsay
+him; so she replied to him, saying (after praise and blessing), “O
+Commander of the Faithful I will not consent save on one condition, and
+if thou ask me what it is, I reply that Al-Hajjaj lead my camel to the
+town where thou tarriest barefoot and clad as he is.”[FN#98] When the
+Caliph read her letter, he laughed long and loudly and sent to
+Al-Hajjaj, bidding him to do as she wished. He dared not disobey the
+order, so he submitted to the Caliph’s commandment and sent to Hind,
+telling her to make ready for the journey. So she made ready and
+mounted her litter, when Al-Hajjaj with his suite came up to Hind’s
+door and as she mounted and her damsels and eunuchs rode around her, he
+dismounted and took the halter of her camel and led it along,
+barefooted, whilst she and her damsels and tirewomen laughed and jeered
+at him and made mock of him. Then she said to her tirewoman, “Draw back
+the curtain of the litter;” and she drew back the curtain, till Hind
+was face to face with Al-Hajjaj, whereupon she laughed at him and he
+improvised this couplet,
+
+“Though now thou jeer, O Hind, how many a night * I’ve left thee
+wakeful sighing for the light.”
+
+And she answered him with these two,
+
+“We reck not, an our life escape from bane, * For waste of wealth
+     and gear that went in vain:
+Money may be regained and rank re-won * When one is cured of
+     malady and pain.”
+
+
+And she ceased not to laugh at him and make sport of him, till they
+drew near the city of the Caliph, when she threw down a dinar with her
+own hand and said to Al-Hajjaj, “O camel-driver, I have dropped a
+dirham; look for it and give it to me.” So he looked and seeing naught
+but the dinar, said, “This is a dinar.” She replied, “Nay, ’tis a
+dirham.” But he said, “This is a dinar.” Then quoth she, “Praised be
+Allah who hath given us in exchange for a paltry dirham a dinar! Give
+it us.” And Al-Hajjaj was abashed at this. Then he carried her to the
+palace of the Commander of the Faithful, and she went in to him and
+became his favourite.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-third Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that men also tell
+a tale anent
+
+
+
+
+KHUZAYMAH BIN BISHR AND IKRIMAH AL-FAYYAZ.[FN#99]
+
+
+There lived once, in the days of the Caliph Sulayman bin Abd
+al-Malik[FN#100] a man of the Banu Asad, by name Khuzaymah bin Bishr,
+who was famed for bounty and abundant wealth and excellence and
+righteous dealing with his brethren. He continued thus till times grew
+strait with him and he became in need of the aid of those Moslem
+brethren on whom he had lavished favour and kindness. So they succoured
+him a while and then grew weary of him, which when he saw, he went in
+to his wife who was the daughter of his father’s brother, and said to
+her, “O my cousin, I find a change in my brethren; wherefore I am
+resolved to keep my house till death come to me.” So he shut his door
+and abode in his home, living on that which he had by him, till it was
+spent and he knew not what to do. Now Ikrimah al-Raba’í, surnamed
+Al-Fayyáz, governor of Mesopotamia,[FN#101] had known him, and one day,
+as he sat in his Audience-chamber, mention was made of Khuzaymah,
+whereupon quoth Ikrimah, “How is it with him?” And quoth they, “He is
+in a plight past telling, and hath shut his door and keepeth the
+house.” Ikrimah rejoined, “This cometh but of his excessive generosity:
+but how is it that Khuzaymah bin Bishr findeth nor comforter nor
+requiter?” And they replied, “He hath found naught of this.” So when it
+was night, Ikrimah took four thousand dinars and laid them in one
+purse; then, bidding saddle his beast, he mounted and rode privily to
+Khuzaymah’s house, attended only by one of his pages, carrying the
+money. When he came to the door, he alighted and taking the purse from
+the page made him withdraw afar off; after which he went up to the door
+and knocked. Khuzaymah came out to him, and he gave him the purse,
+saying, “Better thy case herewith.” He took it and finding it heavy put
+it from his hand and laying hold of the bridle of Ikrimah’s horse,
+asked, “Who art thou? My soul be thy ransom!” Answered Ikrimah, “O man
+I come not to thee at a time like this desiring that thou shouldst know
+me.” Khuzaymah rejoined, “I will not let thee go till thou make thyself
+known to me,” whereupon Ikrimah said “I am hight Jabir Atharat
+al-Kiram.”[FN#102] Quoth Khuzaymah, “Tell me more.” But Ikrimah cried,
+“No,” and fared forth, whilst Khuzaymah went in to his cousin and said
+to her, “Rejoice for Allah hath sent us speedy relief and wealth; if
+these be but dirhams, yet are they many. Arise and light the lamp.” She
+said, “I have not wherewithal to light it.” So he spent the night
+handling the coins and felt by their roughness that they were dinars,
+but could not credit it. Meanwhile Ikrimah returned to his own house
+and found that his wife had missed him and asked for him, and when they
+told her of his riding forth, she misdoubted of him, and said to him,
+“Verily the Wali of Al-Jazirah rideth not abroad after such an hour of
+the night, unattended and secretly, save to a wife or a mistress.” He
+answered, “Allah knoweth that I went not forth to either of these.”
+“Tell me then wherefore thou wentest forth?” “I went not forth at this
+hour save that none should know it.” “I must needs be told.” “Wilt thou
+keep the matter secret, if I tell thee?” “Yes!” So he told her the
+state of the case, adding, “Wilt thou have me swear to thee?” Answered
+she, “No, no, my heart is set at ease and trusteth in that which thou
+hast told me.” As for Khuzaymah, soon as it was day he made his peace
+with his creditors and set his affairs in order; after which he got him
+ready and set out for the Court of Sulayman bin Abd al-Malik, who was
+then sojourning in Palestine.[FN#103] When he came to the royal gate,
+he sought admission of the chamberlain, who went in and told the Caliph
+of his presence. Now he was renowned for his beneficence and Sulayman
+knew of him; so he bade admit him. When he entered, he saluted the
+Caliph after the usual fashion of saluting[FN#104] and the King asked,
+“O Khuzaymah, what hath kept thee so long from us?” Answered he, “Evil
+case,” and quoth the Caliph, “What hindered thee from having recourse
+to us?” Quoth he, “My infirmity, O Commander of the Faithful!” “And
+why,” said Sulayman, “comest thou to us now?” Khuzaymah replied, “Know,
+O Commander of the Faithful, that I was sitting one night late in my
+house, when a man knocked at the door and did thus and thus;” and he
+went on to tell him of all that had passed between Ikrimah and himself
+from first to last. Sulayman asked, “Knowest thou the man?” and
+Khuzaymah answered, “No, O Commander of the Faithful, he was
+reserved[FN#105] and would say naught save, ‘I am hight Jabir Atharat
+al-Kiram.’” When Sulayman heard this, his heart burned within him for
+anxiety to discover the man, and he said, “If we knew him, truly we
+would requite him for his generosity.” Then he bound for Khuzaymah a
+banner[FN#106] and made him Governor of Mesopotamia, in the stead of
+Ikrimah Al-Fayyaz; and he set out for Al-Jazirah. When he drew near the
+city, Ikrimah and the people of the place came forth to meet him and
+they saluted each other and went on into the town, where Khuzaymah took
+up his lodging in the Government-house and bade take security for
+Ikrimah and that he should be called to account.[FN#107] So an account
+was taken against him and he was found to be in default for much money;
+whereupon Khuzaymah required of him payment, but he said, “I have no
+means of paying aught.” Quoth Khuzaymah, “It must be paid;” and quoth
+Ikrimah, “I have it not; do what thou hast to do.” So Khuzaymah ordered
+him to gaol.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-fourth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Khuzaymah, having
+ordered the imprisonment of Ikrimah Al-Fayyaz, sent to him again to
+demand payment of the debt; but he replied, “I am not of those who
+preserve their wealth at the expense of their honour; do what thou
+wilt.” Then Khuzaymah bade load him with irons and kept him in prison a
+month or more, till confinement began to tell upon him and he became
+wasted. After this, tidings of his plight travelled to the daughter of
+his uncle who was troubled with sore concern thereat and, sending for a
+freedwoman of hers, a woman of abundant judgment, and experience, said
+to her, “Go forthwith to the Emir Khuzaymah’s gate and say, ‘I have a
+counsel for the Emir.’ If they ask what it is, add, ‘I will not tell it
+save to himself’; and when thou enterest to him, beg to see him in
+private and when private ask him, ‘What be this deed thou hast done?
+Hath Jabir Atharat al-Kiram deserved of thee no better reward than to
+be cast into strait prison and hard bond of irons?’” The woman did as
+she was bid, and when Khuzaymah heard her words, he cried out at the
+top of his voice, saying, “Alas, the baseness of it! Was it indeed he?”
+And she answered, “Yes.” Then he bade saddle his beast forthwith and,
+summoning the honourable men of the city, repaired with them to the
+prison and opening the door, went in with them to Ikrimah, whom they
+found sitting in evil case, worn out and wasted with blows and misery.
+When he looked at Khuzaymah, he was abashed and hung his head; but the
+other bent down to him and kissed his face; whereupon he raised his
+head and asked, “What maketh thee do this?” Answered Khuzaymah, “The
+generosity of thy dealing and the vileness of my requital.” And Ikrimah
+said, “Allah pardon us and thee!” Then Khuzaymah commanded the jailor
+to strike off Ikrimah’s fetters and clap them on his own feet; but
+Ikrimah said, “What is this thou wilt do?” Quoth the other, “I have a
+mind to suffer what thou hast suffered.” Quoth Ikrimah, “I conjure thee
+by Allah, do not so!” Then they went out together and returned to
+Khuzaymah’s house, where Ikrimah would have farewelled him and wended
+his way; but he forbade him and Ikrimah said, “What is thy will of me?”
+Replied Khuzaymah, “I wish to change thy case, for my shame before the
+daughter of thine uncle is yet greater than my shame before thee.” So
+he bade clear the bath and entering with Ikrimah, served him there in
+person and when they went forth he bestowed on him a splendid robe of
+honour and mounted him and gave him much money. Then he carried him to
+his house and asked his leave to make his excuses to his wife and
+obtained her pardon. After this he besought him to accompany him to the
+Caliph who was then abiding at Ramlah[FN#108] and he agreed. So they
+journeyed thither, and when they reached the royal quarters the
+chamberlain went in and acquainted the Caliph Sulayman bin Abd al-Malik
+with Khuzaymah’s arrival, whereat he was troubled and said, “What! is
+the Governor of Mesopotamia come without our command? This can be only
+on some grave occasion.” Then he bade admit him and said, before
+saluting him, “What is behind thee, O Khuzaymah?” Replied he, “Good, O
+Commander of the Faithful.” Asked Sulayman, “What bringeth thee?”; and
+he answered, saying, “I have discovered Jabir Atharat al-Kiram and
+thought to gladden thee with him, knowing thine excessive desire to
+know him and thy longing to see him.” “Who is he?” quoth the Caliph and
+quoth Khuzaymah, “He is Ikrimah Al-Fayyaz.” So Sulayman called for
+Ikrimah, who approached and saluted him as Caliph; and the King
+welcomed him and making him draw near his sitting-place, said to him,
+“O Ikrimah, thy good deed to him hath brought thee naught but evil,”
+adding, “Now write down in a note thy needs each and every, and that
+which thou desirest.” He did so and the Caliph commanded to do all that
+he required and that forthwith. Moreover he gave him ten thousand
+dinars more than he asked for and twenty chests of clothes over and
+above that he sought, and calling for a spear, bound him a banner and
+made him Governor over Armenia and Azarbiján[FN#109] and Mesopotamia,
+saying, “Khuzaymah’s case is in thy hands, an thou wilt, continue him
+in his office, and if thou wilt, degrade him.” And Ikrimah said, “Nay,
+but I restore him to his office, O Commander of the Faithful.” Then
+they went out from him and ceased not to be Governors under Sulayman
+bin Abd al-Malik all the days of his Caliphate. And they also tell a
+tale of
+
+
+
+
+YUNUS THE SCRIBE AND THE CALIPH WALID BIN SAHL.
+
+
+There lived in the reign of the Caliph Hishám, [FN#110] son of Abd
+al-Malik, a man called Yúnus the Scribe well-known to the general, and
+he set out one day on a journey to Damascus, having with him a
+slave-girl of surpassing beauty and loveliness, whom he had taught all
+that was needful to her and whose price was an hundred thousand
+dirhams. When they drew near to Damascus, the caravan halted by the
+side of a lake and Yunus went down to a quiet place with his damsel and
+took out some victual he had with him and a leather bottle of wine. As
+he sat at meat, behold, came up a young man of goodly favour and
+dignified presence, mounted on a sorrel horse and followed by two
+eunuchs, and said to him, “Wilt thou accept me to guest?” “Yes,”
+replied Yunus. So the stranger alighted and said, “Give me to drink of
+thy wine.” Yunus gave him to drink and he said, “If it please thee,
+sing us a song.” So Yunus sang this couplet extempore:—
+
+She joineth charms were never seen conjoined in mortal dress: * And
+for her love she makes me love my tears and wakefulness.
+
+At which the stranger rejoiced with exceeding joy and Yunus gave him to
+drink again and again, till the wine got the better of him and he said,
+“Bid thy slave-girl sing.” So she improvised this couplet:—
+
+A houri, by whose charms my heart is moved to sore distress: *
+     Nor wand of tree nor sun nor moon her rivals I confess!
+
+
+The stranger was overjoyed with this and they sat drinking till
+nightfall, when they prayed the evening-prayer and the youth said to
+Yunus, “What bringeth thee to our city?” He replied, “Quest of
+wherewithal to pay my debts and better my case.” Quoth the other, “Wilt
+thou sell me this slave-girl for thirty thousand dirhams?” Whereto
+quoth Yunus, “I must have more than that.” He asked, “Will forty
+thousand content thee?”; but Yunus answered, “That would only settle my
+debts, and I should remain empty-handed.” Rejoined the stranger, “We
+will take her of thee at fifty thousand dirhams[FN#111] and give thee a
+suit of clothes to boot and the expenses of thy journey and make thee a
+sharer in my condition as long as thou livest.” Cried Yunus, “I sell
+her to thee on these terms.” Then said the young man, “Wilt thou trust
+me to bring thee the money to-morrow and let me take her with me, or
+shall she abide with thee till I pay down her price?” Whereto wine and
+shame and awe of the stranger led Yunus to reply, “I will trust thee;
+take her and Allah bless thee in her!” Whereupon the visitor bade one
+of his pages sit her before him on his beast, and mounting his own
+horse, farewelled of Yunus and rode away out of sight. Hardly had he
+left him, when the seller bethought himself and knew that he had erred
+in selling her and said to himself, “What have I done? I have delivered
+my slave-girl to a man with whom I am unacquainted, neither know I who
+he is; and grant that I were acquainted with him, how am I to get at
+him?” So he abode in thought till the morning, when he prayed the
+dawn-prayers and his companions entered Damascus, whilst he sat,
+perplexed and wotting not what to do, till the sun scorched him and it
+irked him to abide there. He thought to enter the city, but said in his
+mind, “If I enter Damascus, I cannot be sure but that the messenger
+will come and find me not, in which case I shall have sinned against
+myself a second sin.” Accordingly he sat down in the shade of a wall
+that was there, and towards the wane of day, up came one of the eunuchs
+whom he had seen with the young man, whereat great joy possessed Yunus
+and he said in himself, “I know not that aught hath ever given me more
+delight than the sight of this castrato.” When the eunuch reached him,
+he said to him, “O my lord, we have kept thee long waiting”; but Yunus
+disclosed nothing to him of the torments of anxiety he had suffered.
+Then quoth the castrato, “Knowest thou the man who bought the girl of
+thee?”; and quoth Yunus, “No,” to which the other rejoined, “’Twas
+Walid bin Sahl,[FN#112] the Heir Apparent.” And Yunus was silent. Then
+said the eunuch, “Ride,” and made him mount a horse he had with him and
+they rode till they came to a mansion, where they dismounted and
+entered. Here Yunus found the damsel, who sprang up at his sight and
+saluted him. He asked her how she had fared with him who had bought her
+and she answered, “He lodged me in this apartment and ordered me all I
+needed.” Then he sat with her awhile, till suddenly one of the servants
+of the houseowner came in and bade him rise and follow him. So he
+followed the man into the presence of his master and found him
+yesternight’s guest, whom he saw seated on his couch and who said to
+him, “Who art thou?” “I am Yunus the Scribe.” “Welcome to thee, O
+Yunus! by Allah, I have long wished to look on thee; for I have heard
+of thy report. How didst thou pass the night?” “Well, may Almighty
+Allah advance thee!” “Peradventure thou repentedest thee of that thou
+didst yesterday and saidst to thyself: I have delivered my slave-girl
+to a man with who I am not acquainted, neither know I his name nor
+whence he cometh?” “Allah forbid, O Emir, that I should repent over
+her! Had I made gift of her to the Prince, she were the least of the
+gifts that are given unto him,”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-fifth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Yunus
+the Scribe said to Walid, “Allah forbid I should repent over her! Had I
+made gift of her to the Prince, she were the least of gifts that are
+given to him, nor indeed is she worthy of his rank,” Walid rejoined,
+“By Allah, but I repented me of having carried her away from thee and
+said to myself:—This man is a stranger and knoweth me not, and I have
+taken him by surprise and acted inconsiderately by him, in my haste to
+take the damsel! Dost thou recall what passed between us?” Quoth
+Yunus, “Yes!” and quoth Walid, “Dost thou sell this damsel to me for
+fifty thousand dirhams?” And Yunus said, “I do.” Then the Prince called
+to one of his servants to bring him fifty thousand dirhams and a
+thousand and five hundred dinars to boot, and gave them all to Yunus,
+saying, “Take the slave’s price: the thousand dinars are for thy fair
+opinion of us and the five hundred are for thy viaticum and for what
+present thou shalt buy for thy people. Art thou content?” “I am
+content,” answered Yunus and kissed his hands, saying, “By Allah, thou
+hast filled my eyes and my hands and my heart!” Quoth Walid, “By Allah,
+I have as yet had no privacy of her nor have I taken my fill of her
+singing. Bring her to me!” So she came and he bade her sit, then said
+to her, “Sing.” And she sang these verses,
+
+“O thou who dost comprise all Beauty’s boons! * O sweet of
+     nature, fain of coquetry!
+In Turks and Arabs many beauties dwell; * But, O my fawn, in none
+     thy charms I see.
+Turn to thy lover, O my fair, and keep * Thy word, though but in
+     visioned phantasy:
+Shame and disgrace are lawful for thy sake * And wakeful nights
+     full fill with joy and glee:
+I’m not the first for thee who fared distraught; * Slain by thy
+     love how many a many be!
+I am content with thee for worldly share * Dearer than life and
+     good art thou to me!”
+
+
+When he heard this, he was delighted exceedingly and praised Yunus for
+his excellent teaching of her and her fair education. Then he bade his
+servants bring him a roadster with saddle and housings for his riding,
+and a mule to carry his gear, and said to him, “O Yunus, when it shall
+reach thee that command hath come to me, do thou join me; and, by
+Allah, I will fill thy hands with good and advance thee to honour and
+make thee rich as long as thou livest!” So Yunus said, “I took his
+goods and went my ways; and when Walid succeeded to the Caliphate, I
+repaired to him; and by Allah, he kept his promise and entreated me
+with high honour and munificence. Then I abode with him in all content
+of case and rise of rank and mine affairs prospered and my wealth
+increased and goods and farms became mine, such as sufficed me and will
+suffice my heirs after me; nor did I cease to abide with Walid, till he
+was slain, the mercy of Almighty Allah be on him!” And men tell a tale
+concerning
+
+
+
+
+HARUN AL-RASHID AND THE ARAB GIRL.
+
+
+The Caliph Harun al-Rashid was walking one day with Ja’afar the
+Barmecide, when he espied a company of girls drawing water and went up
+to them, having a mind to drink. As he drew near, one of them turned to
+her fellows and improvised these lines,
+
+“Thy phantom bid thou fleet, and fly * Far from the couch whereon
+     I lie;
+So I may rest and quench the fire, * Bonfire in bones aye flaming
+     high;
+My love-sick form Love’s restless palm * Rolls o’er the rug
+     whereon I sigh:
+How ’tis with me thou wottest well * How long, then, union wilt
+     deny?”
+
+
+The Caliph marvelled at her elegance and eloquence.——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-sixth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Caliph,
+hearing the girl’s verses, marvelled at her elegance and eloquence, and
+said to her, “O daughter of nobles, are these thine own or a
+quotation?” Replied she, “They are my very own,” and he rejoined, “An
+thou say sooth keep the sense and change the rhyme.” So she said,
+
+“Bid thou thy phantom distance keep * And quit this couch the
+     while I sleep;
+So I may rest and quench the flames * Through all my body rageful
+     creep,
+In love-sick one, whom passion’s palms * Roll o’er the bed where
+     grief I weep;
+How ’tis with me thou wottest well; * All but thy union hold I
+     cheap!”
+
+
+Quoth the Caliph, “This also is stolen”; and quoth she, “Nay, ’tis my
+very own.” He said, “If it be indeed thine own, change the rhyme again
+and keep the sense.” So she recited the following,
+
+“Unto thy phantom deal behest * To shun my couch the while I
+     rest,
+So I repose and quench the fire * That burns what lieth in my
+     breast,
+My weary form Love’s restless palm * Rolls o’er with boon of
+     sleep unblest.
+How ’tis with me thou wottest well * When union’s bought ’tis
+     haply best!”
+
+
+Quoth Al-Rashid, “This too is stolen”; and quoth she, “Not, so, ’tis
+mine.” He said, “If thy words be true change the rhyme once more.” And
+she recited,
+
+“Drive off the ghost that ever shows * Beside my couch when I’d
+     repose,
+ So I may rest and quench the fire * Beneath my ribs e’er flames
+     and glows
+ In love-sick one, whom passion’s palms * Roll o’er the couch
+     where weeping flows.
+How ’tis with me thou wottest well * Will union come as union
+     goes?”
+
+
+Then said the Caliph, “Of what part of this camp art thou?”; and she
+replied, “Of its middle in dwelling and of its highest in
+tentpoles.”[FN#113] Wherefore he knew that she was the daughter of the
+tribal chief. “And thou,” quoth she, “of what art thou among the
+guardians of the horses?”; and quoth he, “Of the highest in tree and of
+the ripest in fruit.” “Allah protect thee, O Commander of the
+Faithful!” said she, and kissing ground called down blessings on him.
+Then she went away with the maidens of the Arabs, and the Caliph said
+to Ja’afar, “There is no help for it but I take her to wife.” So
+Ja’afar repaired to her father and said to him, “The Commander of the
+Faithful hath a mind to thy daughter.” He replied, “With love and
+goodwill, she is a gift as a handmaid to His Highness our Lord the
+Commander of the Faithful.” So he equipped her and carried her to the
+Caliph, who took her to wife and went in to her, and she became of the
+dearest of his women to him. Furthermore, he bestowed on her father
+largesse such as succoured him among Arabs, till he was transported to
+the mercy of Almighty Allah. The Caliph, hearing of his death, went in
+to her greatly troubled; and, when she saw him looking afflicted, she
+entered her chamber and doffing all that was upon her of rich raiment,
+donned mourning apparel and raised lament for her father. It was said
+to her, “What is the reason of this?”; and she replied, “My father is
+dead.” So they repaired to the Caliph and told him and he rose and
+going in to her, asked her who had informed her of her father’s death;
+and she answered “It was thy face, O Commander of the Faithful!” Said
+he, “How so?”; and she said, “Since I have been with thee, I never saw
+thee on such wise till this time, and there was none for whom I feared
+save my father, by reason of his great age; but may thy head live, O
+Commander of the Faithful!” The Caliph’s eyes filled with tears and he
+condoled with her; but she ceased not to mourn for her father, till she
+followed him—Allah have mercy on the twain! And a tale is also told of
+
+
+
+
+AL-ASMA’I AND THE THREE GIRLS OF BASSORAH.
+
+
+The Commander of the Faithful Harun Al-Rashid was exceeding restless
+one night and rising from his bed, paced from chamber to chamber, but
+could not compose himself to sleep. As soon as it was day, he said,
+“Fetch me Al-Asma’i!”[FN#114] So the eunuch went out and told the
+doorkeepers; these sent for the poet and when he came, informed the
+Caliph who bade admit him and said to him, “O Asma’i, I wish thee to
+tell me the best thou hast heard of stories of women and their verses.”
+Answered Al-Asma’i, “Hearkening and obedience! I have heard great store
+of women’s verses; but none pleased me save three sets of couplets I
+once heard from three girls.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-seventh Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Al-Asma’i
+said to the Prince of True Believers, “Verily I have heard much, but
+nothing pleased me save three sets of couplets improvised by as many
+girls.” Quoth the Caliph, “Tell me of them,” and quoth he, “Know then,
+O Commander of the Faithful, that I once abode in Bassorah, and one
+day, as I was walking, the heat was sore upon me and I sought for a
+siesta-place but found none. However by looking right and left I came
+upon a porch swept and sprinkled, at the upper end whereof was a wooden
+bench under an open lattice-window, whence exhaled a scent of musk. I
+entered the porch and sitting down on the bench, would have stretcht me
+at full length when I heard from within a girl’s sweet voice talking
+and saying:—O my sisters, we are here seated to spend our day in
+friendly converse; so come, let us each put down an hundred dinars and
+recite a line of verse; and whoso extemporiseth the goodliest and
+sweetest line, the three hundred dinars shall be hers.” “With love and
+gladness,” said the others; and the eldest recited the first couplet
+which is this:—
+
+Would he come to my bed during sleep ’twere delight * But a visit on
+wake were delightsomer sight!
+
+Quoth the second:—
+
+Naught came to salute me in sleep save his shade * But “welcome, fair
+welcome,” I cried to the spright!
+
+Then said the youngest:—
+
+My soul and my folk I engage for the youth * Musk-scented I see in my
+bed every night!
+
+Quoth I, “An she be fair as her verse hath grace, the thing is complete
+in every case.” Then I came down from my bench[FN#115] and was about to
+go away, when behold, the door opened and out came a slave-girl, who
+said to me, “Sit, O Shaykh!” So I climbed up and sat down again when
+she gave me a scroll, wherein was written, in characters of the utmost
+beauty, with straight Alifs,[FN#116] big-bellied Hás and rounded Waws,
+the following:—We would have the Shaykh (Allah lengthen his days!) to
+know that we are three maidens, sisters, sitting in friendly converse,
+who have laid down each an hundred dinars, conditioning that whoso
+recite the goodliest and sweetest couplet shall have the whole three
+hundred dinars; and we appoint thee umpire between us: so decide as
+thou seest best, and the Peace be on thee! Quoth I to the girl, Here
+to me inkcase and paper. So she went in and, returning after a little,
+brought me a silvered inkcase and gilded pens[FN#117] with which I
+wrote these couplets:—
+
+They talked of three beauties whose converse was quite * Like the
+     talk of a man with experience dight:
+Three maidens who borrowed the bloom of the dawn       * Making
+     hearts of their lovers in sorriest plight.
+They were hidden from eyes of the prier and spy        * Who
+     slept and their modesty mote not affright;
+So they opened whatever lay hid in their hearts        * And in
+     frolicsome fun began verse to indite.
+Quoth one fair coquette with her amorous grace         * Whose
+     teeth for the sweet of her speech flashèd bright:—
+Would he come to my bed during sleep ’twere delight    * But a
+     visit on wake were delightsomer sight!
+When she ended, her verse by her smiling was gilt:     * Then
+     the second ‘gan singing as nightingale might:—
+Naught came to salute me in sleep save his shade       * But
+     ‘welcome, fair welcome,’ I cried to the spright!
+But the third I preferred for she said in reply,       * With
+     expression most apposite, exquisite:—
+My soul and my folk I engage for the youth             * Musk-scented
+     I see in my bed every night!
+So when I considered their words to decide,            * And not
+     make me the mock of the cynical wight;
+I pronounced for the youngest, declaring her verse     * Of all
+     verses be that which is nearest the right.’
+
+
+Then I gave the scroll to the slave-girl, who went upstairs with it, and
+behold, I heard a noise of dancing and clapping of hands and Doomsday
+astir. Quoth I to myself, “’Tis no time of me to stay here.” So I came
+down from the platform and was about to go away, when the damsel cried
+out to me, ‘Sit down, O Asma’i!’ Asked I, ‘Who gave thee to know that I
+was Al-Asma’i?’ and she answered, ‘O Shaykh, an thy name be unknown to
+us, thy poetry is not!’ So I sat down again and suddently the door
+opened and out came the first damsel, with a dish of fruits and another
+of sweetmeats. I ate of both and praised their fashion and would have
+ganged my gait; but she cried out, ‘Sit down, O Asma’i!’ Wherewith I
+raised my eyes to her and saw a rosy palm in a saffron sleeve, meseemed
+it was the full moon rising splendid in the cloudy East. Then she threw
+me a purse containing three hundred dinars and said to me, “This is
+mine and I give it to thee by way of douceur in requital of thy
+judgment.” Quoth the Caliph, “Why didst thou decide for the youngest?”
+and quoth Al-Asma’i, “O Commander of the Faithful, whose life Allah
+prolong! the eldest said, ‘I should delight in him, if he visited my
+couch in sleep.’ Now this is restricted and dependent upon a condition
+which may befal or may not befal; whilst, for the second, an image of
+dreams came to her in sleep, and she saluted it; but the youngest’s
+couplet said that she actually lay with her lover and smelt his breath
+sweeter than musk and she engaged her soul and her folk for him, which
+she had not done, were he not dearer to her than her sprite.” Said the
+Caliph, “Thou didst well, O Asma’i.” and gave him other three hundred
+ducats in payment of his story. And I have heard a tale concerning
+
+
+
+
+IBRAHIM OF MOSUL AND THE DEVIL.[FN#118]
+
+
+Quoth Abu Ishak Ibrahim al-Mausili:—I asked Al-Rashid once to give me
+a day’s leave that I might be private with the people of my household
+and my brethren, and he gave me leave for Saturday the Sabbath. So I
+went home and betook myself to making ready meat and drink and other
+necessaries and bade the doorkeepers shut the doors and let none come
+in to me. However, presently, as I sat in my sitting-chamber, with
+my women who were looking after my wants, behold, there appeared an
+old man of comely and reverend aspect,[FN#119] clad in white clothes
+and a shirt of fine stuff with a doctor’s turband on his head and a
+silver-handled staff in his hand, and the house and porch were full
+of the perfumes wherewith he was scented. I was greatly vexed at his
+coming in to me and thought to turn away the doorkeepers; but he
+saluted me after the goodliest fashion and I returned his greeting
+and bade him be seated. So he sat down and began entertaining me with
+stories of the Arabs and their verses, till my anger left me and
+methought my servants had sought to pleasure me by admitting a man
+of such good breeding and fine culture. Then I asked him, “Art thou
+for meat?”; and he answered, “I have no need of it.” “And for drink?”
+quoth I, and quoth he, “That is as thou wilt.” So I drank off a pint
+of wine and poured him out the like. Then said he, “O Abu Ishak, wilt
+thou sing us somewhat, so we may hear of thine art that wherein thou
+excellest high and low?” His words angered me; but I swallowed my anger
+and taking the lute played and sang. “Well done, O Abu Ishak!”[FN#120]
+said he; whereat my wrath redoubled and I said to myself, “Is it not
+enough that he should intrude upon me, without my leave, and importune
+me thus, but he must call me by name, as though he knew not the right
+way to address me?” Quoth he, “An thou wilt sing something more we will
+requite thee.” I dissembled my annoyance and took the lute and sang
+again, taking pains with what I sang and rising thereto altogether, in
+consideration of his saying, “We will requite thee.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-eighth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Shaykh said to Abu Ishak, “If thou wilt sing something more we will
+requite thee,” I dissembled my annoyance (continued Ibrahim) and,
+taking the lute, sang again with great attention to my singing and
+rising altogether thereto, in consideration of his saying, “We will
+requite thee.” He was delighted, and cried, “Well done, O my lord!”;
+presently adding, “Dost thou give me leave to sing?” “As thou wilt,”
+answered I, deeming him weak of wit, in that he should think to sing in
+my presence, after that which he had heard from me. So he took the lute
+and swept the strings, and by Allah, I fancied they spoke in Arabic
+tongue, with a sweet and liquid and murmurous voice; then he began and
+sang these couplets:—
+
+I bear a hurt heart, who will sell me for this * A heart whole
+     and free from all canker and smart?
+Nay, none will consent or to barter or buy * Such loss, ne’er
+     from sorrow and sickness to part:
+I groan wi’ the groaning of wine-wounded men * And pine for the
+     pining ne’er freeth my heart.
+
+
+And by Allah, meseemed the doors and the walls and all that was in the
+house answered and sang with him, for the beauty of his voice, so that
+I fancied my very limbs and clothes replied to him, and I abode amazed
+and unable to speak or move, for the trouble of my heart. Then he sang
+these couplets:—
+
+Culvers of Liwa![FN#121] to your nests return; * Your mournful
+     voices thrill this heart of mine.
+Then back a-copse they flew, and well-nigh took * My life and
+     made me tell my secret pine.
+With cooing call they one who’s gone, as though * Their breasts
+     were maddened with the rage of wine:
+Ne’er did mine eyes their like for culvers see * Who weep yet
+     tear-drops never dye their eyne.
+
+
+And also these couplets:—
+
+O Zephyr of Najd, when from Najd thou blow, * Thy breathings
+     heap only new woe on woe!
+The turtle bespake me in bloom of morn * From the cassia-twig and
+     the willow-bough
+She moaned with the moaning of love-sick youth * And exposed
+     love-secret I ne’er would show:
+They say lover wearies of love when near * And is cured of love
+     an afar he go:
+I tried either cure which ne’er cured my love; * But that
+     nearness is better than farness I know:[FN#122]
+Yet,—the nearness of love shall no ’vantage prove * An whoso
+     thou lovest deny thee of love.
+
+
+Then said he, “O Ibrahim, sing this song after me, and preserving the
+mode thereof in thy singing, teach it to thy slave-girls.” Quoth I,
+“Repeat it to me.” But he answered, “There needs no repetition; thou
+hast it by heart nor is there more to learn.” Then he suddenly vanished
+from my sight. At this I was amazed and running to my sword drew it and
+made for the door of the Harim, but found it closed and said to the
+women, “What have ye heard?” Quoth they, “We have heard the sweetest of
+singing and the goodliest.” Then I went forth amazed, to the house-door
+and, finding it locked, questioned the doorkeepers of the old man. They
+replied, “What old man? By Allah, no one hath gone in to thee this
+day!” So I returned pondering the matter, when, behold, there arose
+from one of the corners of the house, a Vox et præterea nihil, saying,
+“O Abu Ishak, no harm shall befal thee. ’Tis I, Abú Murrah,[FN#123] who
+have been thy cup-companion this day, so fear nothing!” Then I mounted
+and rode to the palace, where I told Al-Rashid what had passed, and he
+said, “Repeat to me the airs thou heardest from him.” So I took the
+lute and played and sang them to him; for, behold, they were rooted in
+my heart. The Caliph was charmed with them and drank thereto, albeit he
+was no confirmed wine-bibber, saying, “Would he would some day pleasure
+us with his company, as he hath pleasured thee!”[FN#124] Then he
+ordered me a present and I took it and went away. And men relate this
+story anent
+
+
+
+
+THE LOVERS OF THE BANU UZRAH.[FN#125]
+
+
+Quoth Masrur the Eunuch:—The Caliph Harun Al-Rashid was very wakeful
+one night and said to me, “See which of the poets is at the door
+to-night.” So I went out and finding Jamíl bin Ma’amar al-Uzrí[FN#126]
+in the antechamber, said to him, “Answer the Commander of the
+Faithful.” Quoth he, “I hear and I obey,” and going in with me, saluted
+the Caliph, who returned his greeting and bade him sit down. Then he
+said to him, “O Jamil, hast thou any of thy wonderful new stories to
+tell us?” He replied, “Yes, O Commander of the Faithful: wouldst thou
+fainer hear that which I have seen with mine eyes or that which I have
+only heard?” Quoth the Caliph, “Tell me something thou hast actually
+beheld.” Quoth Jamil, “’Tis well, O Prince of True Believers; incline
+thy heart to me and lend me thine ears.” The Caliph took a bolster
+of red brocade, purfled with gold and stuffed with ostrich-feathers
+and, laying it under his thighs, propped up both elbows thereon; then
+he said to Jamil, “Now[FN#127] for thy tale, O Jamil!” Thereupon he
+begun:—Know, O Commander of the Faithful, that I was once desperately
+enamoured of a certain girl and used to pay her frequent visits.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Eighty-ninth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Caliph had propped his elbows upon the brocaded cushion, he said, “Out
+with thy tale, O Jamil!” and the poet begun:—Know, O Commander of the
+Faithful, I was desperately in love with a girl and used often to visit
+her, because she was my desire and delight of all the things of this
+world. After a while, her people removed with her, by reason of
+scarcity of pasture, and I abode some time without seeing her, till I
+grew restless for desire and longed for her sight and the flesh[FN#128]
+urged me to journey to her. One night, I could hold out no longer; so I
+rose and saddling my she-camel, bound on my turban and donned my oldest
+dress.[FN#129] Then I baldricked myself with my sword and slinging my
+spear behind me, mounted and rode forth in quest of her. I fared on
+fast till, one night, it was pitch dark and exceeding black, yet I
+persisted in the hard task of climbing down Wadys and up hills, hearing
+on all sides the roaring of lions and howling of wolves and the cries
+of the wild beasts. My reason was troubled thereat and my heart sank
+within me; but for all that my tongue ceased not to call on the name of
+Almighty Allah. As I went along thus, sleep overtook me and the camel
+carried me aside out of my road, till, presently, something[FN#130]
+smote me on the head, and I woke, startled and alarmed, and found
+myself in a pasturage full of trees and streams and birds on the
+branches, warbling their various speech and notes. As the trees were
+tangled I alighted and, taking my camel’s halter in hand, fared on
+softly with her, till I got clear of the thick growth and came out into
+the open country, where I adjusted her saddle and mounted again,
+knowing not where to go nor whither the Fates should lead me; but,
+presently, peering afar into the desert, I espied a fire in its middle
+depth. So I smote my camel and made for the fire. When I drew near, I
+saw a tent pitched, and fronted by a spear stuck in the ground, with a
+pennon flying[FN#131] and horses tethered and camels feeding, and said
+in myself, “Doubtless there hangeth some grave matter by this tent, for
+I see none other than it in the desert.” So I went up thereto and said,
+“Peace be with you, O people of the tent, and the mercy of Allah and
+His Blessing!” Whereupon there came forth to me a young man as youths
+are when nineteen years old, who was like the full moon shining in the
+East, with valour written between his eyes, and answered, saying, “And
+with thee be the Peace, and Allah’s mercy and His blessing! O brother
+of the Arabs, methinks thou hast lost thy way?” Replied I, “Even so,
+direct me right, Allah have mercy on thee!” He rejoined, “O brother of
+the Arabs, of a truth this our land is infested with lions and the
+night is exceeding dark and dreary, beyond measure cold and gloomy, and
+I fear lest the wild beasts rend thee in pieces; wherefore do thou
+alight and abide with me this night in ease and comfort, and to-morrow
+I will put thee in the right way.” Accordingly, I dismounted and
+hobbled my she-camel with the end of her halter;[FN#132] then I put
+off my heavy upper clothes and sat down. Presently the young man took a
+sheep and slaughtered it and kindled a brisk fire; after which he went
+into the tent and bringing out finely powdered salt and spices, fell to
+cutting off pieces of mutton and roasting them over the fire and
+feeding me therewith, weeping at one while and sighing at another. Then
+he groaned heavily and wept sore and improvised these couplets,
+
+“There remains to him naught save a flitting breath * And an eye
+     whose babe ever wandereth.
+There remains not a joint in his limbs, but what * Disease firm
+     fixt ever tortureth.
+His tears are flowing, his vitals burning; * Yet for all his
+     tongue still he silenceth.
+All foemen in pity beweep his woes; * Ah for freke whom the
+     foeman pitieth!”
+
+
+By this I knew, O Commander of the Faithful, that the youth was a
+distracted lover (for none knoweth passion save he who hath tasted the
+passion-savour), and quoth I to myself, “Shall I ask him?” But I
+consulted my judgment and said, “How shall I assail him with
+questioning, and I in his abode?” So I restrained myself and ate my
+sufficiency of the meat. When we had made an end of eating, the young
+man arose and entering the tent, brought out a handsome basin and ewer
+and a silken napkin, whose ends were purfled with red gold and a
+sprinkling-bottle full of rose-water mingled with musk. I marvelled at
+his dainty delicate ways and said in my mind, “Never wot I of delicacy
+in the desert.” Then we washed our hands and talked a while, after
+which he went into the tent and making a partition between himself and
+me with a piece of red brocade, said to me, “Enter, O Chief of the
+Arabs, and take thy rest; for thou hast suffered more of toil and
+travel than sufficeth this night and in this thy journey.” So I entered
+and finding a bed of green brocade, doffed my dress and passed a night
+such as I had never passed in my life.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn
+of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninetieth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Jamil spoke,
+saying:—Never in my life passed I a night like that. I pondered the
+young man’s case, till the world was dark and all eyes slept, when I
+was aroused by the sound of a low voice, never heard I a softer or
+sweeter. I raised the curtain which hung between us and saw a damsel
+(never beheld I a fairer of face), by the young man’s side and they
+were both weeping and complaining, one to other of the pangs of passion
+and desire and of the excess of their longing for union.[FN#133] Quoth
+I, “By Allah, I wonder who may be this second one! When I entered this
+tent, there was none therein save this young man.” And after reflection
+I added, “Doubtless this damsel is of the daughters of the Jinn and is
+enamoured of this youth; so they have secluded themselves with each
+other in this solitary place.” Then I considered her closely and
+behold, she was a mortal and an Arab girl, whose face, when she
+unveiled, shamed the shining sun, and the tent was lit up by the light
+of her countenance. When I was assured that she was his beloved, I
+bethought me of lover-jealousy; so I let drop the curtain and covering
+my face, fell asleep. As soon as it was dawn I arose and donning my
+clothes, made the Wuzu-ablution and prayed such prayers as are
+obligatory and which I had deferred. Then I said, “O brother of the
+Arabs, wilt thou direct me into the right road and thus add to thy
+favours?” He replied, “At thy leisure, O chief of the Arabs, the term
+of the guest-rite is three days,[FN#134] and I am not one to let thee
+go before that time.” So I abode with him three days, and on the fourth
+day as we sat talking, I asked him of his name and lineage. Quoth he
+“As for my lineage, I am of the Banú Odhrah; my name is such an one,
+son of such an one and my father’s brother is called such an one.” And
+behold, O Commander of the Faithful, he was the son of my paternal
+uncle and of the noblest house of the Banú Uzrah. Said I, “O my cousin,
+what moved thee to act on this wise, secluding thyself in the waste and
+leaving thy fair estate and that of thy father and thy slaves and
+handmaids?” When he heard my words, his eyes filled with tears and he
+replied, “Know, O my cousin, that I fell madly in love of the daughter
+of my father’s brother, fascinated by her, distracted for her,
+passion-possessed as by a Jinn, wholly unable to let her out of my
+sight. So I sought her in marriage of her sire, but he refused and
+married her to a man of the Banu Odhrah, who went in to her and carried
+her to his abiding-place this last year. When she was thus far removed
+from me and I was prevented from looking on her, the fiery pangs of
+passion and excess of love-longing and desire drove me to forsake my
+clan[FN#135] and friends and fortune and take up my abode in this
+desert, where I have grown used to my solitude.” I asked, “Where are
+their dwellings?” and he answered, “They are hard by, on the crest of
+yonder hill; and every night, at the dead time, when all eyes sleep,
+she stealeth secretly out of the camp, unseen of any one, and I satisfy
+my desire of her converse and she of mine.[FN#136] So I abide thus,
+solacing myself with her a part of the night, till Allah work out that
+which is to be wrought; either I shall compass my desire, in
+spite[FN#137] of the envious, or Allah will determine for me and He is
+the best of determinators.” Now when the youth told me his case, O
+Commander of the Faithful, I was concerned for him and perplexed by
+reason of my jealousy for his honour; so I said to him, “O son of my
+uncle, wilt thou that I point out to thee a plan and suggest to thee a
+project, whereby (please Allah) thou shalt find perfect welfare and the
+way of right and successful issue whereby the Almighty shall do away
+from thee that thou dreadest?” He replied, “Say on, O my cousin”; and
+quoth I, “When it is night and the girl cometh, set her on my she-camel
+which is swift of pace, and mount thou thy steed, whilst I bestride one
+of these dromedaries. So will we fare on all night and when the morrow
+morns, we shall have traversed wolds and wastes, and thou wilt have
+attained thy desire and won the beloved of thy heart. The Almighty’s
+earth is wide, and by Allah, I will back thee with heart and wealth and
+sword.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-first Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Jamil
+advised the elopement and night journey, promising his aid as long as
+he lived, the youth accepted and said, “O cousin, wait till I take
+counsel with her, for she is quick-witted and prudent and hath insight
+into affairs.” So (continued Jamil) when the night darkened and the
+hour of her coming arrived, and he awaiting her at the appointed tide,
+she delayed beyond her usual time, and I saw him go forth the door of
+the tent and opening his mouth, inhale the wafts of breeze that blew
+from her quarter, as if to snuff her perfume, and he repeated these two
+couplets:—
+
+“Breeze of East who bringest me gentle air * From the place of
+     sojourn where dwells my fair:
+O Breeze, of the lover thou bearest sign, * Canst not of her
+     coming some signal bear?”
+
+
+Then he entered the tent and sat weeping awhile; after which he said to
+me, “O my cousin, some mischance must have betided the daughter of mine
+uncle, or some accident must have hindered her from coming to me this
+night,” presently adding, “But abide where thou art, till I bring thee
+the news.” And he took sword and shield and was absent a while of the
+night, after which he returned, carrying something in hand and called
+aloud to me. So I hastened to him and he said, “O my cousin, knowest
+thou what hath happened?” I replied, “No, by Allah!” Quoth he, “Verily,
+I am distraught concerning my cousin this night; for, as she was coming
+to me, a lion met her in the way and devoured her, and there remaineth
+of her but what thou seest.” So saying, he threw down what he had in
+his hand, and behold, it was the damsel’s turband and what was left of
+her bones. Then he wept sore and casting down his bow,[FN#138] took a
+bag and went forth again saying, “Stir not hence till I return to thee,
+if it please Almighty Allah.” He was absent a while and presently
+returned, bearing in his hand a lion’s head, which he threw on the
+ground and called for water. So I brought him water, with which he
+washed the lion’s mouth and fell to kissing it and weeping; and he
+mourned for her exceedingly and recited these couplets:—
+
+Ho thou lion who broughtest thyself to woe, * Thou art slain and
+     worse sorrows my bosom rend!
+Thou hast reft me of fairest companionship, * Made her home
+     Earth’s womb till the world shall end.
+To Time, who hath wrought me such grief, I say, * ‘Allah grant in
+     her stead never show a friend!’
+
+
+Then said he to me, “O cousin, I conjure thee by Allah and the claims
+of kindred and consanguinity[FN#139] between us, keep thou my charge.
+Thou wilt presently see me dead before thee; whereupon do thou wash me
+and shroud me and these that remain of my cousin’s bones in this robe
+and bury us both in one grave and write thereon these two couplets:—
+
+On Earth surface we lived in rare ease and joy * By fellowship
+     joined in one house and home.
+But Fate with her changes departed us, * And the shroud conjoins
+     us in Earth’s cold womb.”
+
+
+Then he wept with sore weeping and, entering the tent, was absent
+awhile, after which he came forth, groaning and crying out. Then he
+gave one sob and departed this world. When I saw that he was indeed
+dead, it was grievous to me and so sore was my sorrow for him that I
+had well-nigh followed him for excess of mourning over him. Then I laid
+him out and did as he had enjoined me, shrouding his cousin’s remains
+with him in one robe and laying the twain in one grave. I abode by
+their tomb three days, after which I departed and continued to pay
+frequent pious visits[FN#140] to the place for two years. This then is
+their story, O Commander of the Faithful! Al-Rashid was pleased with
+Jamil’s story and rewarded him with a robe of honour and a handsome
+present. And men also tell a tale concerning
+
+
+
+
+THE BADAWI AND HIS WIFE.[FN#141]
+
+
+Caliph Mu’áwiyah was sitting one day in his palace[FN#142] at Damascus,
+in a room whose windows were open on all four sides, that the breeze
+might enter from every quarter. Now it was a day of excessive heat,
+with no breeze from the hills stirring, and the middle of the day, when
+the heat was at its height, and the Caliph saw a man coming along,
+scorched by the heat of the ground and limping, as he fared on
+barefoot. Mu’awiyah considered him awhile and said to his courtiers,
+“Hath Allah (may He be extolled and exalted!) created any miserabler
+than he who need must hie abroad at such an hour and in such sultry
+tide as this?” Quoth one of them, “Haply he seeketh the Commander of
+the Faithful;” and quoth the Caliph, “By Allah, if he seek me, I will
+assuredly give to him, and if he be wronged, I will certainly succour
+him. Ho, boy! Stand at the door, and if yonder wild Arab seek to come
+in to me, forbid him not therefrom.” So the page went out and presently
+the Arab came up to him and he said, “What dost thou want?” Answered
+the other, “I want the Commander of the Faithful,” and the page said,
+“Enter.” So he entered and saluted the Caliph,——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-second Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the page
+allowed him to enter, the Badawi saluted the Caliph, who said to him,
+“Who art thou?” Replied the Arab, “I am a man of the Banú
+Tamím.”[FN#143] “And what bringeth thee here at this season?” asked
+Mu’awiyah; and the Arab answered, “I come to thee, complaining and thy
+protection imploring.” “Against whom?” “Against Marwan bin
+al-Hakam,[FN#144] thy deputy,” replied he, and began reciting,
+
+“Mu’áwiyah,[FN#145] thou gen’rous lord, and best of men that be;
+     * And oh, thou lord of learning, grace and fair humanity,
+Thee-wards I come because my way of life is strait to me: * O
+     help! and let me not despair thine equity to see.
+Deign thou redress the wrong that dealt the tyrant whim of him *
+     Who better had my life destroyed than made such wrong to
+     dree.
+He robbed me of my wife Su’ad and proved him worst of foes, *
+     Stealing mine honour ’mid my folk with foul iniquity;
+And went about to take my life before th’ appointed day * Hath
+     dawned which Allah made my lot by destiny’s decree.”
+
+
+Now when Mu’awiyah heard him recite these verses, with the fire
+flashing from his mouth, he said to him, “Welcome and fair welcome, O
+brother of the Arabs! Tell me thy tale and acquaint me with thy case.”
+Replied the Arab, “O Commander of the Faithful, I had a wife whom I
+loved passing dear with love none came near; and she was the coolth of
+mine eyes and the joy of my heart; and I had a herd of camels, whose
+produce enabled me to maintain my condition; but there came upon us a
+bad year which killed off hoof and horn and left me naught. When what
+was in my hand failed me and wealth fell from me and I lapsed into evil
+case, I at once became abject and a burden to those who erewhile wished
+to visit me; and when her father knew it, he took her from me and
+abjured me and drove me forth without ruth. So I repaired to thy
+deputy, Marwan bin al-Hakam, and asked his aid. He summoned her sire
+and questioned him of my case, when he denied any knowledge of me.
+Quoth I, ‘Allah assain the Emir! An it please him to send for the woman
+and question her of her father’s saying, the truth will appear.’ So he
+sent for her and brought her; but no sooner had he set eyes on her than
+he fell in love with her; so, becoming my rival, he denied me succour
+and was wroth with me, and sent me to prison, where I became as I had
+fallen from heaven and the wind had cast me down in a far land. Then
+said Marwan to her father, ‘Wilt thou give her to me to wife, on a
+present settlement of a thousand dinars and a contingent dowry of ten
+thousand dirhams,[FN#146] and I will engage to free her from yonder
+wild Arab!’ Her father was seduced by the bribe and agreed to the
+bargain; whereupon Marwan sent for me and looking at me like an angry
+lion, said to me, ‘O Arab, divorce Su’ad.’ I replied, ‘I will not put
+her away;’ but he set on me a company of his servants, who tortured me
+with all manner of tortures, till I found no help for it but to divorce
+her. I did so and he sent me back to prison, where I abode till the
+days of her purification were accomplished, when he married her and let
+me go. So now I come hither in thee hoping and thy succour imploring
+and myself on thy protection throwing.” And he spoke these couplets,
+
+“Within my heart is fire       * Whichever flameth higher;
+Within my frame are pains      * For skill of leach too dire.
+Live coals in vitals burn      * And sparks from coal up spire:
+Tears flood mine eyes and down * Coursing my cheek ne’er tire:
+Only God’s aid and thine       * I crave for my desire!”
+
+
+Then he was convulsed,[FN#147] and his teeth chattered and he fell down
+in a fit, squirming like a scotched snake. When Mu’awiyah heard his
+story and his verse, he said, “Marwan bin al-Hakam hath transgressed
+against the laws of the Faith and hath violated the Harim of True
+Believers!”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-third Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Caliph Mu’awiyah heard the wild Arab’s words, he said, “The son of
+Al-Hakam hath indeed transgressed against the laws of the Faith and
+hath violated the Harim of True Believers,” presently adding, “O Arab,
+thou comest to me with a story, the like whereof I never heard!” Then
+he called for inkcase and paper and wrote to Marwan as follows, “Verily
+it hath reached me that thou transgresseth the laws of the Faith with
+regard to thy lieges. Now it behoveth the Wali who governeth the folk
+to keep his eyes from their lusts and stay his flesh from its
+delights.” And after he wrote many words, which (quoth he who told me
+the tale) I omit, for brevity’s sake, and amongst them these couplets:—
+
+Thou wast invested (woe to thee!)[FN#148] with rule for thee
+     unfit; * Crave thou of Allah pardon for thy foul adultery.
+Th’ unhappy youth to us is come complaining ’mid his groans * And
+     asks redress for parting-grief and saddened me through
+     thee.
+An oath have I to Allah sworn shall never be forsworn; * Nay,
+     for I’ll do what Faith and Creed command me to decree.
+An thou dare cross me in whate’er to thee I now indite * I of
+     thy flesh assuredly will make the vulture free.
+Divorce Su’ad, equip her well, and in the hottest haste * With
+     Al-Kumayt and Ziban’s son, hight Nasr, send to me.
+
+
+Then he folded the letter and, sealing it with his seal, delivered it
+to Al-Kumayt[FN#149] and Nasr bin Zibán (whom he was wont to employ on
+weighty matters, because of their trustiness) who took the missive and
+carried it to Al-Medinah, where they went in to Marwan and saluting him
+delivered to him the writ and told him how the case stood. He read the
+letter and fell a-weeping; but he went in to Su’ad (as ’twas not in his
+power to refuse obedience to the Caliph) and, acquainting her with the
+case, divorced her in the presence of Al-Kumayt and Nasr; after which
+he equipped her and delivered her to them, together with a letter to
+the Caliph wherein he versified as follows,
+
+“Hurry not, Prince of Faithful Men! with best of grace thy vow
+     * I will accomplish as ’twas vowed and with the gladdest
+     gree.
+I sinned not adulterous sin when loved her I, then how * Canst
+     charge me with advowtrous deed or any villainy?
+Soon comes to thee that splendid sun which hath no living peer
+     * On earth, nor aught in mortal men or Jinns her like
+     shalt see.”
+
+
+This he sealed with his own signet and gave to the messengers who
+returned with Su’ad to Damascus and delivered to Mu’awiyah the letter,
+and when he had read it he cried, “Verily, he hath obeyed handsomely,
+but he exceedeth in his praise of the woman.” Then he called for her
+and saw beauty such as he had never seen, for comeliness and
+loveliness, stature and symmetrical grace; moreover, he talked with her
+and found her fluent of speech and choice in words. Quoth he, “Bring me
+the Arab.” So they fetched the man, who came, sore disordered for
+shifts and changes of fortune, and Mu’awiyah said to him, “O Arab, an
+thou wilt freely give her up to me, I will bestow upon thee in her
+stead three slave-girls, high-bosomed maids like moons, with each a
+thousand dinars; and I will assign thee on the Treasury such an annual
+sum as shall content thee and enrich thee.” When the Arab heard this,
+he groaned one groan and swooned away, so that Mu’awiyah thought he was
+dead; and, as soon as he revived, the Caliph said to him, “What aileth
+thee?” The Arab answered, “With heavy heart and in sore need have I
+appealed to thee from the injustice of Marwan bin al-Hakam; but to whom
+shall I appeal from thine injustice?” And he versified in these
+couplets,
+
+“Make me not (Allah save the Caliph!) one of the betrayed *
+     Who from the fiery sands to fire must sue for help and
+     aid:
+Deign thou restore Su’ád to this afflicted heart distraught, *
+     Which every morn and eve by sorest sorrow is waylaid:
+Loose thou my bonds and grudge me not and give her back to me;
+     * And if thou do so ne’er thou shalt for lack of thanks
+     upbraid!”
+
+
+Then said he, “By Allah, O Commander of the Faithful, wert thou to give
+me all the riches contained in the Caliphate, yet would I not take them
+without Su’ad.” And he recited this couplet,
+
+“I love Su’ád and unto all but hers my love is dead, * Each morn I feel
+her love to me is drink and daily bread.”
+
+Quoth the Caliph, “Thou confessest to having divorced her and Marwan
+owned the like; so now we will give her free choice. An she choose
+other than thee, we will marry her to him, and if she choose thee, we
+will restore her to thee.” Replied the Arab, “Do so.” So Mu’awiyah said
+to her, “What sayest thou, O Su’ad? Which dost thou choose; the
+Commander of the Faithful, with his honour and glory and dominion and
+palaces and treasures and all else thou seest at this command, or
+Marwin bin al-Hakam with his violence and tyranny, or this Arab, with
+his hunger and poverty?” So she improvised these couplets,
+
+“This one, whom hunger plagues, and rags unfold, * Dearer than
+     tribe and kith and kin I hold;
+Than crownèd head, or deputy Marwán, * Or all who boast of
+     silver coins and gold.”
+
+
+Then said she, “By Allah, O Commander of the Faithful, I will not
+forsake him for the shifts of Fortune or the perfidies of Fate, there
+being between us old companionship we may not forget, and love beyond
+stay and let; and indeed ’tis but just that I bear with him in his
+adversity, even as I shared with him in prosperity.” The Caliph
+marvelled at her wit and love and constancy and, ordering her ten
+thousand dirhams, delivered her to the Arab, who took his wife and went
+away.[FN#150] And they likewise tell a tale of
+
+
+
+
+THE LOVERS OF BASSORAH.
+
+
+The Caliph Harun al-Rashid was sleepless one night; so he sent for
+Al-Asma’i and Husayn al-Khalí’a[FN#151] and said to them, “Tell me a
+story you twain and do thou begin, O Husayn.” He said, “’Tis well, O
+Commander of the Faithful;” and thus began: Some years ago, I dropped
+down stream to Bassorah, to present to Mohammed bin Sulayman
+al-Rabí’í[FN#152] a Kasidah or elegy I had composed in his praise;
+and he accepted it and bade me abide with him. One day, I went out to
+Al-Mirbad,[FN#153] by way of Al-Muháliyah;[FN#154] and, being oppressed
+by the excessive heat, went up to a great door, to ask for drink, when
+I was suddenly aware of a damsel, as she were a branch swaying, with
+eyes languishing, eyebrows arched and finely pencilled and smooth
+cheeks rounded, clad in a shift the colour of a pomegranate-flower, and
+a mantilla of Sana’á[FN#155] work; but the perfect whiteness of her
+body overcame the redness of her shift, through which glittered two
+breasts like twin granadoes and a waist, as it were a roll of fine
+Coptic linen, with creases like scrolls of pure white paper stuffed
+with musk.[FN#156] Moreover, O Prince of True Believers, round her neck
+was slung an amulet of red gold that fell down between her breasts, and
+on the plain of her forehead were browlocks like jet.[FN#157] Her
+eyebrows joined and her eyes were like lakes; she had an aquiline nose
+and thereunder shell-like lips showing teeth like pearls. Pleasantness
+prevailed in every part of her; but she seemed dejected, disturbed,
+distracted and in the vestibule came and went, walking upon the hearts
+of her lovers, whilst her legs[FN#158] made mute the voices of their
+ankle-rings; and indeed she was as saith the poet:—
+
+Each portion of her charms we see * Seems of the whole a simile
+
+I was overawed by her, O Commander of the Faithful, and drew near her
+to greet her, and behold, the house and vestibule and highways breathed
+fragrant with musk. So I saluted her and she returned my salam with a
+voice dejected and heart depressed and with the ardour of passion
+consumed. Then said I to her, “O my lady, I am an old man and a
+stranger and sore troubled by thirst. Wilt thou order me a draught of
+water, and win reward in heaven?” She cried, “Away, O Shaykh, from me!
+I am distracted from all thought of meat and drink.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-fourth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the damsel
+said, “O Shaykh, I am distracted from all thought of meat and drink.”
+Quoth I (continued Husayn), “By what ailment, O my lady?” and quoth
+she, “I love one who dealeth not justly by me and I desire one who of
+me will none. Wherefore I am afflicted with the wakefulness of those
+who wake star-gazing.” I asked, “O my lady, is there on the wide
+expanse of earth one to whom thou hast a mind and who to thee hath no
+mind?” Answered she, “Yes; and this for the perfection of beauty and
+loveliness and goodliness wherewith he is endowed.” “And why standeth
+thou in this porch?” enquired I. “This is his road,” replied she, “and
+the hour of his passing by.” I said, “O my lady, have ye ever
+foregathered and had such commerce and converse as might cause this
+passion?” At this she heaved a deep sigh; the tears rained down her
+cheeks, as they were dew falling upon roses, and she versified with
+these couplets,
+
+“We were like willow-boughs in garden shining * And scented
+     joys in happiest life combining;
+Whenas one bough from other self would rend * And oh! thou
+     seest this for that repining!”
+
+
+Quoth I, “O maid, and what betideth thee of thy love for this man?”;
+and quoth she, “I see the sun upon the walls of his folk and I think
+the sun is he; or haply I catch sight of him unexpectedly and am
+confounded and the blood and the life fly my body and I abide in
+unreasoning plight a week or e’en a se’nnight.” Said I, “Excuse me, for
+I also have suffered that which is upon thee of love-longing and
+distraction of soul and wasting of frame and loss of strength; and I
+see in thee pallor of complexion and emaciation, such as testify of the
+fever-fits of desire. But how shouldst thou be unsmitten of passion and
+thou a sojourner in the land of Bassorah?” Said she, “By Allah, before
+I fell in love of this youth, I was perfect in beauty and loveliness
+and amorous grace which ravished all the Princes of Bassorah, till he
+fell in love with me.” I asked, “O maid, and who parted you?”; and she
+answered, “The vicissitudes of fortune, but the manner of our
+separation was strange; and ’twas on this wise. One New Year’s day I
+had invited the damsels of Bassorah and amongst them a girl belonging
+to Siran, who had bought her out of Oman for four score thousand
+dirhams. She loved me and loved me to madness and when she entered she
+threw herself upon me and well nigh tore me in pieces with bites and
+pinches.[FN#159] Then we withdrew apart, to drink wine at our ease,
+till our meat was ready[FN#160] and our delight was complete, and she
+toyed with me and I with her, and now I was upon her and now she was
+upon me. Presently, the fumes of the wine moved her to strike her hand
+on the inkle of my petticoat-trousers, whereby it became loosed,
+unknown of either of us, and my trousers fell down in our play. At this
+moment he came in unobserved and, seeing me thus, was wroth at the
+sight and made off, as the Arab filly hearing the tinkle of her
+bridle.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-fifth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the maiden
+said to Husayn al-Khali’a, “When my lover saw me playing, as I
+described to thee, with Siran’s girl, he went forth in anger. And ’tis
+now, O Shaykh, three years ago, and since then I have never ceased to
+excuse myself to him and coax him and crave his indulgence, but he will
+neither cast a look at me from the corner of his eye, nor write me a
+word nor speak to me by messenger nor hear from me aught.” Quoth I,
+“Harkye maid, is he an Arab or an Ajam?”; and quoth she, “Out on thee!
+He is of the Princes of Bassorah.” “Is he old or young?” asked I; and
+she looked at me laughingly and answered, “Thou art certainly a
+simpleton! He is like the moon on the night of its full, smooth-cheeked
+and beardless, nor is there any defect in him except his aversion to
+me.” Then I put the question, “What is his name?” and she replied,
+“What wilt thou do with him?” I rejoined, “I will do my best to come at
+him, that I may bring about reunion between you.” Said she, “I will
+tell thee on condition that thou carry him a note;” and I said “I have
+no objection to that.” Then quoth she, “His name is Zamrah bin
+al-Mughayrah, hight Abú al-Sakhá,[FN#161] and his palace is in the
+Mirbad.” Therewith she called to those within for inkcase and paper and
+tucking up[FN#162] her sleeves, showed two wrists like broad rings of
+silver. She then wrote after the Basmalah as follows, “My lord, the
+omission of blessings[FN#163] at the head of this my letter shows mine
+insufficiency, and know that had my prayer been answered, thou hadst
+never left me; for how often have I prayed that thou shouldest not
+leave me, and yet thou didst leave me! Were it not that distress with
+me exceedeth the bounds of restraint, that which thy servant hath
+forced herself to do in writing this writ were an aidance to her,
+despite her despair of thee, because of her knowledge of thee that thou
+wilt fail to answer. Do thou fulfil her desire, my lord, of a sight of
+thee from the porch, as thou passest in the street, wherewith thou wilt
+quicken the dead soul in her. Or, far better for her still than this,
+do thou write her a letter with thine own hand (Allah endow it with all
+excellence!), and appoint it in requital of the intimacy that was
+between us in the nights of time past, whereof thou must preserve the
+memory. My lord, was I not to thee a lover sick with passion? An thou
+answer my prayer, I will give to thee thanks and to Allah praise; and
+so—The Peace!”[FN#164] Then she gave me the letter and I went away.
+Next morning I repaired to the door of the Viceroy Mohammed bin
+Sulayman, where I found an assembly of the notables of Bassorah, and
+amongst them a youth who adorned the gathering and surpassed in beauty
+and brightness all who were there; and indeed the Emir Mohammed set him
+above himself. I asked who he was and behold, it was Zamrah himself: so
+I said in my mind, “Verily, there hath befallen yonder unhappy one that
+which hath befallen her[FN#165]!” Then I betook myself to the Mirbad
+and stood waiting at the door of his house, till he came riding up in
+state, when I accosted him and invoking more than usual blessings on
+him, handed him the missive. When he read it and understood it he said
+to me, “O Shaykh, we have taken other in her stead. Say me, wilt thou
+see the substitute?” I answered, “Yes.” Whereupon he called out a
+woman’s name, and there came forth a damsel who shamed the two greater
+lights; swelling-breasted, walking the gait of one who hasteneth
+without fear, to whom he gave the note, saying, “Do thou answer it.”
+When she read it, she turned pale at the contents and said to me, “O
+old man, crave pardon of Allah for this that thou hast brought.” So I
+went out, O Commander of the Faithful, dragging my feet and returning
+to her asked leave to enter. When she saw me, she asked, “What is
+behind thee?”; and I answered, “Evil and despair.” Quoth she, “Have
+thou no concern of him. Where are Allah and His power?”[FN#166] Then
+she ordered me five hundred dinars and I took them and went away. Some
+days after I passed by the place and saw there horsemen and footmen. So
+I went in and lo! these were the companions of Zamrah, who were begging
+her to return to him; but she said, “No, by Allah, I will not look him
+in the face!” And she prostrated herself in gratitude to Allah and
+exultation over Zamrah’s defeat. Then I drew near her, and she pulled
+out to me a letter, wherein was written, after the Bismillah, “My lady,
+but for my forbearance towards thee (whose life Allah lengthen!) I
+would relate somewhat of what betided from thee and set out my excuse,
+in that thou transgressedst against me, whenas thou wast manifestly a
+sinner against thyself and myself in breach of vows and lack of
+constancy and preference of another over us; for, by Allah, on whom we
+call for help against that which was of thy free will, thou didst
+transgress against the love of me; and so The Peace!” Then she showed
+me the presents and rarities he had sent her, which were of the value
+of thirty thousand dinars. I saw her again after this, and Zamrah had
+married her. Quoth Al-Rashid, “Had not Zamrah been beforehand with us,
+I should certainly have had to do with her myself.”[FN#167] And men
+tell the tale of
+
+
+
+
+ISHAK OF MOSUL AND HIS MISTRESS AND THE DEVIL.[FN#168]
+
+
+Quoth Ishak bin Ibrahim al-Mausili: I was in my house one night in
+the winter time, when the clouds had dispread themselves and the
+rains poured down in torrents, as from the mouths of water-skins, and
+the folk forbore to come and go about the ways for that which was
+therein of rain and slough. Now I was straitened in breast because
+none of my brethren came to me nor could I go to them, by reason of
+the mud and mire; so I said to my servant, “Bring me wherewithal I
+may divert myself.” Accordingly he brought me meat and drink, but
+I had no heart to eat, without some one to keep me company, and I
+ceased not to look out of window and watch the ways till nightfall,
+when I bethought myself of a damsel belonging to one of the sons of
+Al-Mahdi,[FN#169] whom I loved and who was skilled in singing and
+playing upon instruments of music, and said to myself, “Were she here
+with us to-night, my joy would be complete and my night would be
+abridged of the melancholy and restlessness which are upon me.” At
+this moment one knocked at the door, saying, “Shall a beloved enter in
+who standeth at the door?” Quoth I to myself, “Meseems the plant of
+my desire hath fruited.” So I went to the door and found my mistress,
+with a long green skirt[FN#170] wrapped about her and a kerchief of
+brocade on her head, to fend her from the rain. She was covered with
+mud to her knees and all that was upon her was drenched with water from
+gargoyles[FN#171] and house spouts; in short, she was in sorry plight.
+So I said to her, “O my mistress, what bringeth thee hither through all
+this mud?” Replied she, “Thy messenger came and set forth to me that
+which was with thee of love and longing, so that I could not choose but
+yield and hasten to thee.” I marvelled at this——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-sixth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the damsel
+came and knocked at Ishak’s door, he went forth to her and cried, “O my
+lady, what bringeth thee hither through all this mud?”; and she
+replied, “Thy messenger came and set forth to me that which was with
+thee of love and longing, so that I could not choose but yield and
+hasten to thee.” I marvelled at this, but did not like to tell her that
+I had sent no messenger; wherefore I said, “Praised be Allah for that
+He hath brought us together, after all I have suffered by the
+mortification of patience! Verily, hadst thou delayed an hour longer, I
+must have run to thee, because of my much love for thee and longing for
+thy presence.” Then I called to my boy for water, that I might better
+her plight, and he brought a kettle full of hot water such as she
+wanted. I bade pour it over her feet, whilst I set to work to wash them
+myself; after which I called for one of my richest dresses and clad her
+therein after she had doffed the muddy clothes. Then, as soon as we
+were comfortably seated, I would have called for food, but she refused
+and I said to her, “Art thou for wine?”; and she replied, “Yes.” So I
+fetched cups and she asked me, “Who shall sing?” “I, O my princess!” “I
+care not for that;” “One of my damsels?” “I have no mind to that
+either!” “Then sing thyself.” “Not I!” “Who then shall sing for thee?”
+I enquired, and she rejoined, “Go out and seek some one to sing for
+me.” So I went out, in obedience to her, though I despaired of finding
+any one in such weather and fared on till I came to the main street,
+where I suddenly saw a blind man striking the earth with his staff and
+saying, “May Allah not requite with weal those with whom I was! When I
+sang, they listened not, and when I was silent, they made light of me.”
+So I said to him, “Art thou a singer?” and he replied, “Yes.” Quoth I,
+“Wilt thou finish thy night with us and cheer us with thy company?”;
+and quoth he, “If it be thy will, take my hand.” So I took his hand
+and, leading him to my house, said to the damsel, “O my mistress, I
+have brought a blind singer, with whom we may take our pleasure and he
+will not see us.” She said, “Bring him to me.” So I brought him in and
+invited him to eat. He ate but a very little and washed his hands,
+after which I brought him wine and he drank three cupsful. Then he said
+to me, “Who art thou?”; and I replied, “I am Ishak bin Ibrahim
+al-Mausili.” Quoth he, “I have heard of thee and now I rejoice in thy
+company;” and I, “O my lord, I am glad in thy gladness.” He said, “O
+Ishak, sing to me.” So I took the lute by way of jest, and cried, “I
+hear and I obey.” When I had made an end of my song, he said to me, “O
+Ishak, thou comest nigh to be a singer!” His words belittled me in mine
+own eyes and I threw the lute from my hand, whereupon he said, “Hast
+thou not with thee some one who is skilled in singing?” Quoth I, “I
+have a damsel with me;” and quoth he “Bid her sing.” I asked him, “Wilt
+thou sing, when thou hast had enough of her singing?”; and he answered
+“Yes.” So she sang and he said, “Nay, thou hast shown no art.”
+Whereupon she flung the lute from her hand in wrath and cried, “We have
+done our best: if thou have aught, favour us with it by way of an
+alms.” Quoth he, “Bring me a lute hand hath not touched.” So I bade the
+servant bring him a new lute and he tuned it and preluding in a mode I
+knew not began to sing, improvising these couplets,
+
+“Clove through the shades and came to me in night so dark and
+     sore * The lover weeting of herself ’twas trysting-tide
+     once more:
+Naught startled us but her salaam and first of words she said
+     * ‘May a beloved enter in who standeth at the door!’”
+
+
+When the girl heard this, she looked at me askance and said, “What
+secret was between us could not thy breast hold for one hour, but thou
+must discover it to this man?” However, I swore to her that I had not
+told him and excused myself to her and fell to kissing her hands and
+tickling her breasts and biting her cheeks, till she laughed and,
+turning to the blind man, said to him, “Sing, O my lord!” So he took
+the lute and sang these two couplets:—
+
+Ah, often have I sought the fair; how often lief and fain *
+     My palming felt the finger ends that bear the varied
+     stain!
+And tickled pouting breasts that stand firm as pomegranates
+     twain * And bit the apple of her cheek kissed o’er and
+     o’er again.
+
+
+So I said to her, “O my princess, who can have told him what we were
+about?” Replied she, “True,” and we moved away from him. Presently
+quoth he, “I must make water;” and quoth I, “O boy, take the candle and
+go before him.” Then he went out and tarried a long while. So we went
+in search of him, but could not find him; and behold, the doors were
+locked and the keys in the closet, and we knew not whether to heaven he
+had flown or into earth had sunk. Wherefore I knew that he was Iblis
+and that he had done me pimp’s duty, and I returned, recalling to
+myself the words of Abu Nowas in these couplets,
+
+“I marvel in Iblis such pride to see * Beside his low intent
+     and villainy:
+He sinned to Adam who to bow refused, * Yet pimps for all of
+     Adam’s progeny,”
+
+
+And they tell a tale concerning
+
+
+
+
+THE LOVERS OF AL-MEDINAH.
+
+
+Quoth Ibrahim the father of Ishak,[FN#172] I was ever a devoted friend
+to the Barmecide family. And it so happened to me one day, as I sat at
+home quite alone, a knock was heard at the door; so my servant went out
+and returned, saying, “A comely youth is at the door, asking
+admission.” I bade admit him and there came in to me a young man, on
+whom were signs of sickness, and he said, “I have long wished to meet
+thee, for I have need of thine aid.” “What is it thou requirest?” asked
+I. Whereupon he pulled out three hundred dinars and laying them before
+me, said, “I beseech thee to accept these and compose me an air to two
+couplets I have made.” Said I, “Repeat them to me;”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-seventh Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+youth came in to Ibrahim and placed the gold in his hands, saying,
+“Prithee accept it and compose me an air to two couplets,” he replied,
+“Recite them to me,” whereupon he recited:—
+
+By Allah, glance of mine! thou hast opprest * My heart, so
+     quench the fire that burns my breast.
+Blames me the world because in him[FN#173] I live * Yet cannot
+     see him till in shroud I rest.
+
+
+Accordingly, quoth Ibrahim, I set the verses to an air plaintive as a
+dirge and sang it to him; whereupon he swooned away and I thought that
+he was dead. However, after a while, he came to himself, and said to
+me, “Repeat the air.” But I conjured him by Allah to excuse me, saying,
+“I fear lest thou die.” “Would Heaven it were so!” replied he and
+ceased not humbly to importune me, till I had pity on him and repeated
+it; whereupon he cried out with a grievous cry and fell into a fit
+worse than before and I doubted not but that he was dead; but I
+sprinkled rose-water on him till he revived and sat up. I praised Allah
+for his recovery and laying the ducats before him, said, “Take thy
+money and depart from me.” Quoth he, “I have no need of the money and
+thou shalt have the like of it, if thou wilt repeat the air.” My breast
+broadened at the mention of the money and I said, “I will repeat it,
+but on three conditions: the first, that thou tarry with me and eat of
+my victual, till thou regain strength; the second, that thou drink wine
+enough to hearten thy heart, and the third, that thou tell me thy
+tale.” He agreed to this and ate and drank; after which he said, “I am
+of the citizens of Al-Medinah and I went forth one day a-pleasuring
+with my friends;” and, following the road to Al-Akík,[FN#174] saw a
+company of girls and amongst them a damsel as she were a branch pearled
+with dew, with eyes whose sidelong glances were never withdrawn till
+they had stolen away his soul who looked on them. The maidens rested in
+the shade till the end of the day, when they went away, leaving in my
+heart wounds slow to heal. I returned next morning to scent out news of
+her, but found none who could tell me of her; so I sought her in the
+streets and markets, but could come on no trace of her; wherefore I
+fell ill of grief and told my case to one of my kinsmen, who said to
+me, ‘No harm shall befall thee: the days of spring are not yet past and
+the skies show sign of rain,[FN#175] whereupon she will go forth, and I
+will go out with thee, and do thou thy will.’ His words comforted my
+heart and I waited till al-Akik ran with water, when I went forth with
+my friends and kinsmen and sat in the very same place where I first saw
+her. We had not been seated long before up came the women, like horses
+running for a wager; and I whispered to a girl of my kindred, “Say to
+yonder damsel—Quoth this man to thee, He did well who spoke this
+couplet:—
+
+She shot my heart with shaft, then turned on heel * And flying dealt
+fresh wound and scarring wheal.”
+
+So she went to her and repeated my words, to which she replied saying,
+“Tell him that he said well who answered in this couplet:—
+
+The like of whatso feelest thou we feel; * Patience! perchance swift
+cure our hearts shall heal.”
+
+I refrained from further speech for fear of scandal and rose to go
+away. She rose at my rising, and I followed and she looked back at me,
+till she saw I had noted her abode. Then she began to come to me and I
+to go to her, so that we foregathered and met often, till the case was
+noised abroad and grew notorious and her sire came to know of it.
+However I ceased not to meet her most assiduously and complained of my
+condition to my father, who assembled our kindred and repaired to ask
+her in marriage for me, of her sire, who cried, “Had this been proposed
+to me before he gave her a bad name by his assignations, I would have
+consented; but now the thing is notorious and I am loath to verify the
+saying of the folk.” Then (continued Ibrahim) I repeated the air to
+him and he went away, after having acquainted me with his abode, and we
+became friends. Now I was devoted to the Barmecides; so next time
+Ja’afar bin Yahya sat to give audience, I attended, as was my wont, and
+sang to him the young man’s verses. They pleased him and he drank some
+cups of wine and said, “Fie upon thee! whose song is this?” So I told
+him the young man’s tale and he bade me ride over to him and give him
+assurances of the winning of his wish. Accordingly I fetched him to
+Ja’afar who asked him to repeat his story. He did so and Ja’afar said,
+“Thou art now under my protection: trust me to marry thee to her.” So
+his heart was comforted and he abode with us. When the morning morrowed
+Ja’afar mounted and went in to Al-Rashid, to whom he related the story.
+The Caliph was pleased with it and sending for the young man and
+myself, commanded me to repeat the air and drank thereto. Then he wrote
+to the Governor of Al-Hijaz, bidding him despatch the girl’s father and
+his household in honourable fashion to his presence and spare no
+expense for their outfit. So, in a little while, they came and the
+Caliph, sending for the man, commanded him to marry his daughter to her
+lover; after which he gave him an hundred thousand dinars, and the
+father went back to his folk. As for the young man, he abode one of
+Ja’afar’s cup companions till there happened what happened[FN#176]
+whereupon he returned with his household to al-Medinah; may Almighty
+Allah have mercy upon their souls one and all! And they also tell, O
+auspicious King, a tale of
+
+
+
+
+AL-MALIK AL-NASIR AND HIS WAZIR.
+
+
+There was given to Abú Ámir bin Marwán,[FN#177] a boy of the
+Christians, than whom never fell eyes on a handsomer. Al-Nasir the
+conquering Soldan saw him and said to Abu Amir, who was his Wazir,
+“Whence cometh this boy?” Replied he, “From Allah;” whereupon the
+other, “Wilt thou terrify us with stars and make us prisoner with
+moons?” Abu Amir excused himself to him and preparing a present, sent
+it to him with the boy, to whom he said, “Be thou part of the gift:
+were it not of necessity, my soul had not consented to give thee away.”
+And he wrote with him these two couplets,
+
+“My lord, this full moon takes in Heaven of thee new birth; *
+     Nor can deny we Heaven excelleth humble earth:
+Thee with my soul I please and—oh! the pleasant case! * No man
+     e’er saw I who to give his soul prefer’th.”
+
+
+The thing pleased Al-Nasir and he requited him with much treasure and
+the Minister became high in favour with him. After this, there was
+presented to the Wazir a slave-girl, one of the loveliest women in the
+world, and he feared lest this should come to the King’s ears and he
+desire her, and the like should happen as with the boy. So he made up a
+present still costlier than the first and sent it with her to the
+King,——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Wazir Abu
+Amir, when presented with the beautiful slave-girl, feared lest it come
+to the Conquering King’s ears and that the like should happen as with
+the boy, so he made up a present still costlier than the first and sent
+it with her to his master, accompanying it with these couplets,
+
+“My lord, this be the Sun, the Moon thou hadst before; * So
+     the two greater lights now in thy Heaven unite:
+Conjunction promising to me prosperity, * And Kausar draught
+     to thee and Eden’s long delight.
+Earth shows no charms, by Allah, ranking as their third, * Nor
+     King who secondeth our Conquering King in might.”
+
+
+Wherefore his credit redoubled with al-Nasir; but, after a while, one
+of his enemies maligned him to the King, alleging that there still
+lurked in him a hot lust for the boy and that he ceased not to desire
+him, whenever the cool northern breezes moved him, and to gnash his
+teeth for having given him away. Cried the King, “Wag not thou thy
+tongue at him, or I will shear off thy head.” However, he wrote Abu
+Amir a letter, as from the boy, to the following effect: “O my lord,
+thou knowest that thou wast all and one to me and that I never ceased
+from delight with thee. Albeit I am with the Sultan, yet would I choose
+rather solitude with thee, but that I fear the King’s majesty:
+wherefore devise thou to demand me of him.” This letter he sent to Abu
+Amir by a little foot page, whom he enjoined to say, “This is from such
+an one: the King never speaketh to him.” When the Wazir read the letter
+and heard the cheating message, he noted the poison draught[FN#178] and
+wrote on the back of the note these couplets,
+
+“Shall man experience-lectured ever care * Fool-like to thrust
+     his head in lion’s lair?
+I’m none of those whose wits to love succumb * Nor witless of
+     the snares my foes prepare:
+Wert thou my sprite, I’d give thee loyally; * Shall sprite,
+     from body sundered, backwards fare?”
+
+
+When al-Nasir knew of this answer, he marvelled at the Wazir’s
+quickness of wit and would never again lend ear to aught of
+insinuations against him. Then said he to him, “How didst thou escape
+falling into the net?” And he replied, “Because my reason is
+unentangled in the toils of passion.” And they also tell a tale of
+
+
+
+
+THE ROGUERIES OF DALILAH THE CRAFTY AND HER DAUGHTER ZAYNAB THE
+CONEY-CATCHER.[FN#179]
+
+
+There lived in the time of Harun al-Rashid a man named Ahmad al-Danaf
+and another Hasan Shúmán[FN#180] hight, the twain past masters in fraud
+and feints, who had done rare things in their day; wherefore the
+Caliph invested them with caftans of honour and made them Captains of
+the Watch for Baghdad (Ahmad of the right hand and Hasan of the left
+hand); and appointed to each of them a stipend of a thousand dinars a
+month and forty stalwart men to be at their bidding. Moreover to
+Calamity Ahmad was committed the watch of the district outside the
+walls. So Ahmad and Hasan went forth in company of the Emir Khalid,
+the Wali or Chief of Police, attended each by his forty followers on
+horseback, and preceded by the Crier, crying aloud and saying, “By
+command of the Caliph! None is captain of the watch of the right hand
+but Ahmad al-Danaf and none is captain of the watch of the left hand
+but Hasan Shuman, and both are to be obeyed when they bid and are to
+be held in all honour and worship.” Now there was in the city an old
+woman called Dalílah the Wily, who had a daughter by name Zaynab the
+Coney-catcher. They heard the proclamation made and Zaynab said to
+Dalilah, “See, O my mother, this fellow, Ahmad al-Danaf! He came
+hither from Cairo, a fugitive, and played the double-dealer in
+Baghdad, till he got into the Caliph’s company and is now become
+captain of the right hand, whilst that mangy chap Hasan Shuman is
+captain of the left hand, and each hath a table spread morning and
+evening and a monthly wage of a thousand dinars; whereas we abide
+unemployed and neglected in this house, without estate and without
+honour, and have none to ask of us.” Now Dalilah’s husband had been
+town-captain of Baghdad with a monthly wage of one thousand dinars;
+but he died leaving two daughters, one married and with a son by name
+Ahmad al-Lakít[FN#181] or Ahmad the Abortion; and the other called
+Zaynab, a spinster. And this Dalilah was a past mistress in all manner
+of craft and trickery and double dealing; she could wile the very
+dragon out of his den and Iblis himself might have learnt deceit of
+her. Her father[FN#182] had also been governor of the carrier-pigeons
+to the Caliph with a solde of one thousand dinars a month. He used to
+rear the birds to carry letters and messages, wherefore in time of
+need each was dearer to the Caliph than one of his own sons. So Zaynab
+said to her mother, “Up and play off some feint and fraud that may
+haply make us notorious”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Six Hundred and Ninety-ninth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Zaynab thus
+addressed her dam, “Up and play off some feint and fraud which may
+haply make us notorious in Baghdad, so perchance we shall win our
+father’s stipend for ourselves.” Replied the old trot, “As thy head
+liveth, O my daughter, I will play off higher-class rogueries in
+Baghdad than ever played Calamity Ahmad or Hasan the Pestilent.” So
+saying, she rose and threw over her face the Lisam-veil and donned
+clothes such as the poorer Sufis wear, petticoat-trousers falling over
+her heels, and a gown of white wool with a broad girdle. She also took
+a pitcher[FN#183] and filled it with water to the neck; after which
+she set three dinars in the mouth and stopped it up with a plug of
+palm fibre. Then she threw round her shoulder, baldrick-wise, a rosary
+as big as a load of firewood, and taking in her hand a flag, made of
+parti-coloured rags, red and yellow and green, went out, crying,
+“Allah! Allah!” with tongue celebrating the praises of the Lord,
+whilst her heart galloped in the Devil’s race-course, seeking how she
+might play some sharping trick upon town. She walked from street to
+street, till she came to an alley swept and watered and marble-paved,
+where she saw a vaulted gateway, with a threshold of alabaster, and a
+Moorish porter standing at the door, which was of sandal-wood plated
+with brass and furnished with a ring of silver for knocker. Now this
+house belonged to the Chief of the Caliph’s Serjeant-ushers, a man of
+great wealth in fields, houses and allowances, called the Emir Hasan
+Sharr al-Tarík, or Evil of the Way, and therefor called because his
+blow forewent his word. He was married to a fair damsel,
+Khátún[FN#184] hight, whom he loved and who had made him swear, on the
+night of his going in unto her, that he would take none other to wife
+over her nor lie abroad for a single night. And so things went on till
+one day, he went to the Divan and saw that each Emir had with him a
+son or two. Then he entered the Hammam-bath and looking at his face in
+the mirror, noted that the white hairs in his beard overlay its black,
+ and he said in himself, “Will not He who took thy sire bless thee
+with a son?” So he went in to his wife, in angry mood, and she said to
+him, “Good evening to thee”; but he replied, “Get thee out of my
+sight: from the day I saw thee I have seen naught of good.” “How so?”
+quoth she. Quoth he, “On the night of my going in unto thee, thou
+madest me swear to take no other wife over thee, and this very day I
+have seen each Emir with a son and some with two. So I minded me of
+death[FN#185]; and also that to me hath been vouchsafed neither son nor
+daughter and that whoso leaveth no male hath no memory. This, then, is
+the reason of my anger, for thou art barren; and knowing thee is like
+planing a rock.” Cried she, “Allah’s name upon thee. Indeed, I have
+worn out the mortars with beating wool and pounding drugs,[FN#186] and
+I am not to blame; the barrenness is with thee, for that thou art a
+snub-nosed mule and thy sperm is weak and watery and impregnateth not
+neither getteth children.” Said he, “When I return from my journey, I
+will take another wife;” and she, “My luck is with Allah!” Then he
+went out from her and both repented of the sharp words spoken each to
+other. Now as the Emir’s wife looked forth of her lattice, as she were
+a Bride of the Hoards[FN#187] for the jewellery upon her, behold,
+there stood Dalilah espying her and seeing her clad in costly clothes
+and ornaments, said to herself, “’Twould be a rare trick, O Dalilah,
+to entice yonder young lady from her husband’s house and strip her of
+all her jewels and clothes and make off with the whole lot.” So she
+took up her stand under the windows of the Emir’s house, and fell to
+calling aloud upon Allah’s name and saying, “Be present, O ye Walis,
+ye friends of the Lord!” Whereupon every woman in the street looked
+from her lattice and, seeing a matron clad, after Sufi fashion, in
+clothes of white wool, as she were a pavilion of light, said, “Allah
+bring us a blessing by the aidance of this pious old person, from
+whose face issueth light!” And Khatun, the wife of the Emir Hasan,
+burst into tears and said to her handmaid, “Get thee down, O Makbúlah,
+and kiss the hand of Shaykh Abú Alí, the porter, and say to him, ‘Let
+yonder Religious enter to my lady, so haply she may get a blessing of
+her.’” So she went down to the porter and kissing his hand, said to
+him, “My mistress telleth thee, ‘Let yonder pious old woman come in to
+me, so may I get a blessing of her’; and belike her benediction may
+extend to us likewise.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundredth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+handmaid went down and said to the porter, “Suffer yonder Religious
+enter to my lady so haply she may get a blessing of her, and we too
+may be blessed, one and all,” the gate-keeper went up to Dalilah and
+kissed her hand, but she forbade him, saying, “Away from me, lest
+my ablution be made null and void.[FN#188] Thou, also, art of the
+attracted God-wards and kindly looked upon by Allah’s Saints and under
+His especial guardianship. May He deliver thee from this servitude,
+O Abu Ali!” Now the Emir owed three months’ wage to the porter who
+was straitened thereby, but knew not how to recover his due from his
+lord; so he said to the old woman, “O my mother, give me to drink from
+thy pitcher, so I may win a blessing through thee.” She took the ewer
+from her shoulder and whirled it about in air, so that the plug flew
+out of its mouth and the three dinars fell to the ground. The porter
+saw them and picked them up, saying in his mind, “Glory to God! This
+old woman is one of the Saints that have hoards at their command! It
+hath been revealed to her of me that I am in want of money for daily
+expenses; so she hath conjured me these three dinars out of the air.”
+Then said he to her, “Take, O my aunt, these three dinars which fell
+from thy pitcher;” and she replied, “Away with them from me! I am of
+the folk who occupy not themselves with the things of the world, no
+never! Take them and use them for thine own benefit, in lieu of those
+the Emir oweth thee.” Quoth he, “Thanks to Allah for succour! This is
+of the chapter of revelation!” Thereupon the maid accosted her and
+kissing her hand, carried her up to her mistress. She found the lady
+as she were a treasure, whose guardian talisman had been loosed; and
+Khatun bade her welcome and kissed her hand. Quoth she, “O my daughter,
+I come not to thee save for thy weal and by Allah’s will.” Then Khatun
+set food before her; but she said, “O my daughter, I eat naught except
+of the food of Paradise and I keep continual fast breaking it but five
+days in the year. But, O my child, I see thee chagrined and desire
+that thou tell me the cause of thy concern.” “O my mother,” replied
+Khatun, “I made my husband swear, on my wedding-night, that he would
+wive none but me, and he saw others with children and longed for them
+and said to me, ‘Thou art a barren thing!’ I answered, ‘Thou art a
+mule which begetteth not’; so he left me in anger, saying, ‘When I
+come back from my journey, I will take another wife,’ for he hath
+villages and lands and large allowances, and if he begat children by
+another, they will possess the money and take the estates from me.”
+Said Dalilah, “O my daughter, knowest thou not of my master, the Shaykh
+Abú al-Hamlát,[FN#189] whom if any debtor visit, Allah quitteth him his
+debt, and if a barren woman, she conceiveth?” Khatun replied, “O my
+mother, since the day of my wedding I have not gone forth the house,
+no, not even to pay visits of condolence or congratulation.” The old
+woman rejoined, “O my child, I will carry thee to him and do thou cast
+thy burden on him and make a vow to him: haply when thy husband shall
+return from his journey and lie with thee thou shalt conceive by him
+and bear a girl or a boy: but, be it female or male, it shall be a
+dervish of the Shaykh Abu al-Hamlat.” Thereupon Khatun rose and arrayed
+herself in her richest raiment, and donning all her jewellery said,
+“Keep thou an eye on the house,” to her maid, who replied, “I hear and
+obey, O my lady.” Then she went down and the porter Abu Ali met her
+and asked her, “Whither away, O my lady?” “I go to visit the Shaykh
+Abu al-Hamlat;” answered she; and he, “Be a year’s fast incumbent on
+me! Verily yon Religious is of Allah’s saints and full of holiness,
+O my lady, and she hath hidden treasure at her command, for she gave
+me three dinars of red gold and divined my case, without my asking
+her, and knew that I was in want.” Then the old woman went out with
+the young lady Khatun, saying to her, “Inshallah, O my daughter, when
+thou hast visited the Shaykh Abu al-Hamlat, there shall betide thee
+solace of soul and by leave of Almighty Allah thou shalt conceive, and
+thy husband the Emir shall love thee by the blessing of the Shaykh
+and shall never again let thee hear a despiteful word.” Quoth Khatun,
+“I will go with thee to visit him, O my mother!” But Dalilah said to
+herself, “Where shall I strip her and take her clothes and jewellery,
+with the folk coming and going?” Then she said to her, “O my daughter,
+walk thou behind me, within sight of me, for this thy mother is a woman
+sorely burdened; everyone who hath a burden casteth it on me and all
+who have pious offerings[FN#190] to make give them to me and kiss my
+hand.” So the young lady followed her at a distance, whilst her anklets
+tinkled and her hair-coins[FN#191] clinked as she went, till they
+reached the bazar of the merchants. Presently, they came to the shop
+of a young merchant, by name Sídí Hasan who was very handsome[FN#192]
+and had no hair on his face. He saw the lady approaching and fell
+to casting stolen glances at her, which when the old woman saw, she
+beckoned to her and said, “Sit down in this shop, till I return to
+thee.” Khatun obeyed her and sat down in the shop-front of the young
+merchant, who cast at her one glance of eyes that cost him a thousand
+sighs. Then the old woman accosted him and saluted him, saying, “Tell
+me, is not thy name Sidi Hasan, son of the merchant Mohsin?” He
+replied, “Yes, who told thee my name?” Quoth she, “Folk of good repute
+direct me to thee. Know that this young lady is my daughter and her
+father was a merchant who died and left her much money. She is come of
+marriageable age and the wise say, ‘Offer thy daughter in marriage and
+not thy son’; and all her life she hath not come forth the house till
+this day. Now a divine warning and a command given in secret bid me wed
+her to thee; so, if thou art poor, I will give thee capital and will
+open for thee instead of one shop two shops.” Thereupon quoth the young
+merchant to himself, “I asked Allah for a bride, and He hath given me
+three things, to wit, coin, clothing, and coynte.” Then he continued to
+the old trot, “O my mother, that whereto thou directest me is well;
+but this long while my mother saith to me, ‘I wish to marry thee,’ but
+I object replying, ‘I will not marry except on the sight of my own
+eyes.’” Said Dalilah, “Rise and follow my steps, and I will show her to
+thee, naked.”[FN#193] So he rose and took a thousand dinars, saying in
+himself, “Haply we may need to buy somewhat”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and First Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old
+woman said to Hasan, son of Mohsin the merchant, “Rise up and follow
+me, and I will show her naked to thee.” So he rose and took with him a
+thousand dinars, saying in himself, “Haply we may need to buy somewhat
+or pay the fees for drawing up the marriage contract.” The old woman
+bade him walk behind the young lady at a distance but within shot
+of sight and said to herself, “Where wilt thou carry the young lady
+and the merchant that thou mayest strip them both whilst his shop is
+still shut?” Then she walked on and Khatun after her, followed by the
+young merchant, till she came to a dyery, kept by a master dyer, by
+name Hajj Mohammed, a man of ill-repute; like the colocasia[FN#194]
+seller’s knife cutting male and female, and loving to eat both figs
+and pomegranates.[FN#195] He heard the tinkle of the ankle rings
+and, raising his head, saw the lady and the young man. Presently the
+old woman came up to him and, after salaming to him and sitting down
+opposite him, asked him, “Art thou not Hajj Mohammed the dyer?” He
+answered, “Yes, I am he: what dost thou want?” Quoth she, “Verily,
+folks of fair repute have directed me to thee. Look at yonder handsome
+girl, my daughter, and that comely beardless youth, my son; I brought
+them both up and spent much money on both of them. Now, thou must know
+that I have a big old ruinous house which I have shored up with wood,
+and the builder saith to me, ‘Go and live in some other place, lest
+belike it fall upon thee; and when this is repaired return hither.’
+So I went forth to seek me a lodging, and people of worth directed me
+to thee, and I wish to lodge my son and daughter with thee.” Quoth
+the dyer in his mind, “Verily, here is fresh butter upon cake come to
+thee.” But he said to the old woman, “’Tis true I have a house and
+saloon and upper floor; but I cannot spare any part thereof, for I want
+it all for guests and for the indigo-growers my clients.” She replied,
+“O my son, ’twill be only for a month or two at the most, till our
+house be repaired, and we are strange folk. Let the guest-chamber be
+shared between us and thee, and by thy life, O my son, an thou desire
+that thy guests be ours, we will welcome them and eat with them and
+sleep with them.” Then he gave her the keys, one big and one small
+and one crooked, saying to her “The big key is that of the house, the
+crooked one that of the saloon and the little one that of the upper
+floor.” So Dalilah took the keys and fared on, followed by the lady
+who forwent the young merchant, till she came to the lane wherein was
+the house. She opened the door and entered, introducing the damsel to
+whom said she, “O my daughter, this (pointing to the saloon) is the
+lodging of the Shaykh Abu al-Hamlat; but go thou into the upper floor
+and loose thy outer veil and wait till I come to thee.” So she went
+up and sat down. Presently appeared the young merchant, whom Dalilah
+carried into the saloon, saying, “Sit down, whilst I fetch my daughter
+and show her to thee.” So he sat down and the old trot went up to
+Khatun who said to her, “I wish to visit the Shaykh, before the folk
+come.” Replied the beldame, “O my daughter, we fear for thee.” Asked
+Khatun, “Why so?” and Dalilah answered, “Because here is a son of mine,
+a natural who knoweth not summer from winter, but goeth ever naked. He
+is the Shaykh’s deputy and, if he saw a girl like thee come to visit
+his chief, he would snatch her earrings and tear her ears and rend her
+silken robes.[FN#196] So do thou doff thy jewellery and clothes and I
+will keep them for thee, till thou hast made thy pious visitation.”
+Accordingly the damsel did off her outer dress and jewels and gave them
+to the old woman, who said, “I will lay them for thee on the Shaykh’s
+curtain, that a blessing may betide thee.” Then she went out, leaving
+the lady in her shift and petticoat-trousers, and hid the clothes and
+jewels in a place on the staircase; after which she betook herself to
+the young merchant, whom she found impatiently awaiting the girl, and
+he cried, “Where is thy daughter, that I may see her?” But she smote
+palm on breast and he said “What aileth thee?” Quoth she, “Would there
+were no such thing as the ill neighbour and the envious! They saw thee
+enter the house with me and asked me of thee; and I said, ‘This is a
+bridegroom I have found for my daughter.’ So they envied me on thine
+account and said to my girl, ‘Is thy mother tired of keeping thee,
+that she marrieth thee to a leper?’ Thereupon I swore to her that she
+should not see thee save naked.” Quoth he, “I take refuge with Allah
+from the envious,” and baring his forearm, showed her that it was like
+silver. Said she, “Have no fear; thou shalt see her naked, even as
+she shall see thee naked;” and he said, “Let her come and look at me.
+Then he put off his pelisse and sables and his girdle and dagger and
+the rest of his raiment, except his shirt and bag-trousers, and would
+have laid the purse of a thousand dinars with them, but Dalilah cried,
+“Give them to me, that I may take care of them.” So she took them and
+fetching the girl’s clothes and jewellery shouldered the whole and
+locking the door upon them went her ways.——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Second Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old
+woman had taken the property of the young merchant and the damsel and
+wended her ways, having locked the door upon them, she deposited her
+spoils with a druggist of her acquaintance and returned to the dyer,
+whom she found sitting, awaiting her. Quoth he, “Inshallah, the house
+pleaseth thee?”; and quoth she, “There is a blessing in it; and I go
+now to fetch porters to carry hither our goods and furniture. But my
+children would have me bring them a _panade_ with meat; so do thou take
+this dinar and buy the dish and go and eat the morning meal with
+them.” Asked the dyer, “Who shall guard the dyery meanwhile and the
+people’s goods that be therein?”; and the old woman answered, “Thy
+lad!” “So be it,” rejoined he, and taking a dish and cover, went out
+to do her bidding. So far concerning the dyer who will again be
+mentioned in the tale; but as regards the old woman, she fetched the
+clothes and jewels she had left with the druggist and going back to
+the dyery, said to the lad, “Run after thy master, and I will not stir
+hence till you both return.” “To hear is to obey,” answered he and
+went away, while she began to collect all the customers’ goods.
+Presently, there came up an ass-driver, a scavenger, who had been out
+of work for a week and who was an Hashish-eater to boot; and she
+called him, saying, “Hither, O donkey-boy!” So he came to her and she
+asked, “Knowest thou my son the dyer?”; whereto he answered, “Yes, I
+know him.” Then she said, “The poor fellow is insolvent and loaded
+with debts, and as often as he is put in prison, I set him free. Now
+we wish to see him declared bankrupt and I am going to return the
+goods to their owners; so do thou lend me thine ass to carry the load
+and receive this dinar to its hire. When I am gone, take the handsaw
+and empty out the vats and jars and break them, so that if there come
+an officer from the Kází’s court, he may find nothing in the dyery.”
+Quoth he, “I owe the Hajj a kindness and will do something for Allah’s
+love.” So she laid the things on the ass and, the Protector protecting
+her, made for her own house; so that she arrived there in safety and
+went in to her daughter Zaynab, who said to her, “O my mother, my heart
+hath been with thee! What hast thou done by way of roguery?” Dalilah
+replied, “I have played off four tricks on four wights; the wife of
+the Serjeant-usher, a young merchant, a dyer and an ass-driver, and
+have brought thee all their spoil on the donkey-boy’s beast.” Cried
+Zaynab, “O my mother, thou wilt never more be able to go about the
+town, for fear of the Serjeant-usher, whose wife’s raiment and
+jewellery thou hast taken, and the merchant whom thou hast stripped
+naked, and the dyer whose customers’ goods thou hast stolen and the
+owner of the ass.” Rejoined the old woman, “Pooh, my girl! I reck not
+of them, save the donkey-boy, who knoweth me.” Meanwhile the dyer
+bought the meat-panade and set out for the house, followed by his
+servant with the food on head. On his way thither, he passed his shop,
+where he found the donkey-boy breaking the vats and jars and saw that
+ there was neither stuff nor liquor left in them and that the dyery
+was in ruins. So he said to him, “Hold thy hand, O ass-driver;” and
+the donkey-boy desisted and cried, “Praised be Allah for thy safety, O
+master! Verily my heart was with thee.” “Why so?” “Thou art become
+bankrupt and they have filed a docket of thine insolvency.” “Who told
+thee this?” “Thy mother told me, and bade me break the jars and empty
+the vats, that the Kazi’s officers might find nothing in the shop, if
+they should come.” “Allah confound the far One!”[FN#197] cried the
+dyer; “My mother died long ago.” And he beat his breast, exclaiming,
+“Alas, for the loss of my goods and those of the folk!” The donkey-boy
+also wept and ejaculated, “Alas, for the loss of my ass!”; and he said
+to the dyer, “Give me back my beast which thy mother stole from me.”
+The dyer laid hold of him by the throat and fell to buffeting him,
+saying, “Bring me the old woman;” whilst the other buffeted him in
+return saying, “Give me back my beast.” So they beat and cursed each
+other, till the folk collected around them——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Third Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the dyer
+caught hold of the donkey-boy and the donkey-boy caught hold of the
+dyer and they beat and cursed each other till the folk collected round
+them and one of them asked, “What is the matter, O Master Mohammed?”
+The ass-driver answered, “I will tell thee the tale,” and related to
+them his story, saying, “I deemed I was doing the dyer a good turn;
+but, when he saw me he beat his breast and said, ‘My mother is dead.’
+And now, I for one require my ass of him, it being he who hath put
+this trick on me, that he might make me lose my beast.” Then said the
+folk to the dyer, “O Master Mohammed, dost thou know this matron, that
+thou didst entrust her with the dyery and all therein?” And he
+replied, “I know her not; but she took lodgings with me to-day, she
+and her son and daughter.” Quoth one, “In my judgment, the dyer is
+bound to indemnify the ass-driver.” Quoth another, “Why so?”
+“Because,” replied the first, “he trusted not the old Woman nor gave
+her his ass save only because he saw that the dyer had entrusted her
+with the dyery and its contents.” And a third said, “O master, since
+thou hast lodged her with thee, it behoveth thee to get the man back
+his ass.” Then they made for the house, and the tale will come round
+to them again. Meanwhile, the young merchant remained awaiting the old
+woman’s coming with her daughter, but she came not nor did her
+daughter; whilst the young lady in like manner sat expecting her
+return with leave from her son, _the_ God-attended one, the Shaykh’s
+deputy, to go in to the holy presence. So weary of waiting, she rose
+to visit the Shaykh by herself and went down into the saloon, where she
+found the young merchant, who said to her, “Come hither! where is thy
+mother, who brought me to marry thee?” She replied, “My mother is dead,
+art thou the old woman’s son, the ecstatic, the deputy of the Shaykh
+Abu al-Hamlat?” Quoth he, “The swindling old trot is no mother of mine;
+she hath cheated me and taken my clothes and a thousand dinars.” Quoth
+Khatun, “And me also hath she swindled for she brought me to see the
+Shaykh Abu al-Hamlat and in lieu of so doing she hath stripped me.”
+Thereupon he, “I look to thee to make good my clothes and my thousand
+dinars;” and she, “I look to thee to make good my clothes and
+jewellery.” And, behold, at this moment in came the dyer and seeing
+them both stripped of their raiment, said to them, “Tell me where your
+mother is.” So the young lady related all that had befallen her and the
+young merchant related all that had betided him, and the Master-dyer
+exclaimed, “Alas, for the loss of my goods and those of the folk!”;
+and the ass-driver ejaculated, “Alas, for my ass! Give me, O dyer, my
+ass!” Then said the dyer, “This old woman is a sharper. Come forth,
+that I may lock the door.” Quoth the young merchant, “’Twere a disgrace
+to thee that we should enter thy house dressed and go forth from it
+undressed.” So the dyer clad him and the damsel and sent her back to
+her house where we shall find her after the return of her husband.
+Then he shut the dyery and said to the young merchant, “Come, let us
+go and search for the old woman and hand her over to the Wali,[FN#198]
+the Chief of Police.” So they and the ass-man repaired to the house of
+the master of police and made their complaint to him. Quoth he, “O
+folk, what want ye?” and when they told him he rejoined, “How many old
+women are there not in the town! Go ye and seek for her and lay hands
+on her and bring her to me, and I will torture her for you and make
+her confess.” So they sought for her all round the town; and an
+account of them will presently be given.[FN#199] As for old Dalilah the
+Wily, she said, “I have a mind to play off another trick,” to her
+daughter who answered, “O my mother, I fear for thee;” but the beldam
+cried, “I am like the bean husks which fall, proof against fire and
+water.” So she rose, and donning a slave-girl’s dress of such as serve
+people of condition, went out to look for some one to defraud.
+Presently she came to a by-street, spread with carpets and lighted
+with hanging lamps, and heard a noise of singing-women and drumming of
+tambourines. Here she saw a handmaid bearing on her shoulder a boy,
+clad in trousers laced with silver and a little Abá-cloak of velvet,
+with a pearl embroidered Tarbush-cap on his head, and about his neck a
+ collar of gold set with jewels. Now the house belonged to the Provost
+of the Merchants of Baghdad, and the boy was his son. He had a virgin
+daughter, to boot, who was promised in marriage, and it was her
+betrothal they were celebrating that day. There was with her mother a
+company of noble dames and singing-women, and whenever she went
+upstairs or down, the boy clung to her. So she called the slave-girl
+and said to her, “Take thy young master and play with him, till the
+company break up.” Seeing this, Dalilah asked the handmaid, “What
+festivities are these in your mistress’s house;” and was answered “She
+celebrates her daughter’s betrothal this day, and she hath
+singing-women with her.” Quoth the old woman to herself, “O Dalilah,
+the thing to do is to spirit away this boy from the maid,”——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fourth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old trot
+said to herself, “O Dalilah, the thing to do is to spirit away this
+boy from the maid!” she began crying out, “O disgrace! O ill luck!”
+Then pulling out a brass token, resembling a dinar, she said to the
+maid, who was a simpleton, “Take this ducat and go in to thy mistress
+and say to her, ‘Umm al-Khayr rejoiceth with thee and is beholden to
+thee for thy favours, and on the day of assembly she and her daughters
+will visit thee and handsel the tiring-women with the usual gifts.’”
+Said the girl, “O my mother, my young master here catcheth hold of
+his mamma, whenever he seeth her;” and she replied “Give him to me,
+whilst thou goest in and comest back.” So she gave her the child and
+taking the token, went in; whereupon Dalilah made off with the boy to
+a by-lane, where she stripped him of his clothes and jewels, saying
+to herself, “O Dalilah, ’twould indeed be the finest of tricks, even
+as thou hast cheated the maid and taken the boy from her, so now to
+carry on the game and pawn him for a thousand dinars.” So she repaired
+to the jewel-bazar, where she saw a Jew goldsmith seated with a cage
+full of jewellery before him, and said to herself, “’Twould be a rare
+trick to chouse this Jew fellow and get a thousand gold pieces worth of
+jewellery from him and leave the boy in pledge for it.” Presently the
+Jew looked at them and seeing the boy with the old woman, knew him for
+the son of the Provost of the Merchants. Now the Israelite was a man of
+great wealth, but would envy his neighbour if he sold and himself did
+not sell; so espying Dalilah, he said to her, “What seekest thou, O my
+mistress?” She asked, “Art thou Master Azariah[FN#200] the Jew?” having
+first enquired his name of others; and he answered, “Yes.” Quoth she,
+“This boy’s sister, daughter of the Shahbandar of the Merchants, is a
+promised bride, and to-day they celebrate her betrothal; and she hath
+need of jewellery. So give me two pair of gold ankle-rings, a brace of
+gold bracelets, and pearl ear-drops, with a girdle, a poignard and a
+seal-ring.” He brought them out and she took of him a thousand dinars’
+worth of jewellery, saying, “I will take these ornaments on approval;
+and whatso pleaseth them, they will keep and I will bring thee the
+price and leave this boy with thee till then.” He said, “Be it as thou
+wilt!” So she took the jewellery and made off to her own house, where
+her daughter asked her how the trick had sped. She told her how she
+had taken and stripped the Shahbandar’s boy, and Zaynab said, “Thou
+wilt never be able to walk abroad again in the town.” Meanwhile, the
+maid went in to her mistress and said to her, “O my lady, Umm al-Khayr
+saluteth thee and rejoiceth with thee and on assembly-day she will
+come, she and her daughters, and give the customary presents.” Quoth
+her mistress, “Where is thy young master?” Quoth the slave-girl, “I
+left him with her lest he cling to thee, and she gave me this, as
+largesse for the singing-women.” So the lady said to the chief of
+the singers, “Take thy money;” and she took it and found it a brass
+counter; whereupon the lady cried to the maid, “Get thee down, O whore,
+and look to thy young master.” Accordingly, she went down and finding
+neither boy nor old woman, shrieked aloud and fell on her face. Their
+joy was changed into annoy, and behold, the Provost came in, when his
+wife told him all that had befallen and he went out in quest of the
+child, whilst the other merchants also fared forth and each sought his
+own road. Presently, the Shahbandar, who had looked everywhere, espied
+his son seated, naked, in the Jew’s shop and said to the owner, “This
+is my son.” “’Tis well,” answered the Jew. So he took him up, without
+asking for his clothes, of the excess of his joy at finding him; but
+the Jew laid hold of him, saying, “Allah succour the Caliph against
+thee!”[FN#201] The Provost asked, “What aileth thee, O Jew?”; and he
+answered, “Verily the old woman took of me a thousand dinars’ worth of
+jewellery for thy daughter, and left this lad in pledge for the price;
+and I had not trusted her, but that she offered to leave the child
+whom I knew for thy Son.” Said the Provost, “My daughter needeth no
+jewellery, give me the boy’s clothes.” Thereupon the Jew shrieked out,
+“Come to my aid, O Moslems!” but at that moment up came the dyer and
+the ass-man and the young merchant, who were going about, seeking the
+old woman, and enquired the cause of their jangle. So they told them
+the case and they said, “This old woman is a cheat, who hath cheated us
+before you.” Then they recounted to them how she had dealt with them,
+and the Provost said, “Since I have found my son, be his clothes his
+ransom! If I come upon the old woman, I will require them of her.” And
+he carried the child home to his mother, who rejoiced in his safety.
+Then the Jew said to the three others “Whither go ye?”; and they
+answered, “We go to look for her.” Quoth the Jew, “Take me with you,”
+presently adding, “Is there any one of you knoweth her?” The donkey-boy
+cried, “I know her;” and the Jew said, “If we all go forth together,
+we shall never catch her; for she will flee from us. Let each take a
+different road, and be our rendezvous at the shop of Hajj Mas’úd, the
+Moorish barber.” They agreed to this and set off, each in a different
+direction. Presently, Dalilah sallied forth again to play her tricks
+and the ass-driver met her and knew her. So he caught hold of her and
+said to her, “Woe to thee! Hast thou been long at this trade?” She
+asked, “What aileth thee?”; and he answered, “Give me back my ass.”
+Quoth she, “Cover what Allah covereth, O my son! Dost thou seek thine
+ass and the people’s things?” Quoth he, “I want my ass; that’s all;”
+and quoth she, “I saw that thou wast poor: so I deposited thine ass for
+thee with the Moorish barber. Stand off, whilst I speak him fair, that
+he may give thee the beast.” So she went up to the Maghrabi and kissed
+his hand and shed tears. He asked her what ailed her and she said, “O
+my son, look at my boy who standeth yonder. He was ill and exposed
+himself to the air, which injured his intellect. He used to buy asses
+and now, if he stand he saith nothing but, My ass! if he sit he crieth,
+My ass! and if he walk he crieth, My ass! Now I have been told by a
+certain physician that his mind is disordered and that nothing will
+cure him but drawing two of his grinders and cauterising him twice on
+either temple. So do thou take this dinar and call him to thee, saying,
+‘Thine ass is with me.’” Said the barber, “May I fast for a year,
+if I do not give him his ass in his fist!” Now he had with him two
+journeymen, so he said to one of them “Go, heat the irons.” Then the
+old woman went her way and the barber called to the donkey-boy,[FN#202]
+saying, “Thine ass is with me, good fellow! come and take him, and as
+thou livest, I will give him into thy palm.” So he came to him and
+the barber carried him into a dark room, where he knocked him down
+and the journeymen bound him hand and foot. Then the Maghrabi arose
+and pulled out two of his grinders and fired him on either temple;
+after which he let him go, and he rose and said, “O Moor, why hast
+thou used me with this usage?” Quoth the barber, “Thy mother told me
+that thou hadst taken cold whilst ill, and hadst lost thy reason, so
+that, whether sitting or standing or walking, thou wouldst say nothing
+but My ass! So here is thine ass in thy fist.” Said the other, “Allah
+requite thee for pulling out my teeth.” Then the barber told him all
+that the old woman had related and he exclaimed, “Allah torment her!”;
+and the twain left the shop and went out, disputing. When the barber
+returned, he found his booth empty, for, whilst he was absent, the
+old woman had taken all that was therein and made off with it to her
+daughter, whom she acquainted with all that had befallen and all she
+had done. The barber, seeing his place plundered, caught hold of the
+donkey-boy and said to him, “Bring me thy mother.” But he answered,
+saying, “She is not my mother; she is a sharper who hath cozened much
+people and stolen my ass.” And lo! at this moment up came the dyer and
+the Jew and the young merchant, and seeing the Moorish barber holding
+on to the ass-driver who was fired on both temples, they said to him,
+“What hath befallen thee, O donkey-boy?” So he told them all that had
+betided him and the barber did the like; and the others in turn related
+to the Moor the tricks the old woman had played them. Then he shut up
+his shop and went with them to the office of the Police-master to whom
+they said, “We look to thee for our case and our coin.”[FN#203] Quoth
+the Wali, “And how many old women are there not in Baghdad! Say me,
+doth any of you know her?” Quoth the ass-man, “I do; so give me ten of
+thine officers.” He gave them half a score archers and they all five
+went out, followed by the sergeants, and patrolled the city, till they
+met the old woman, when they laid hands on her and carrying her to the
+house of the Chief of Police, stood waiting under his office windows
+till he should come forth. Presently, the warders fell asleep, for
+excess of watching with their chief, and old Dalilah feigned to follow
+their example, till the ass-man and his fellows slept likewise, when
+she stole away from them and, going in to the Wali’s Harim, kissed the
+hand of the mistress of the house and asked her “Where is the Chief of
+Police?” The lady answered, “He is asleep; what wouldst thou with him?”
+Quoth Dalilah, “My husband is a merchant of chattels and gave me five
+Mamelukes to sell, whilst he went on a journey. The Master of Police
+met me and bought them of me for a thousand dinars and two hundred for
+myself, saying, ‘Bring them to my house.’ So I have brought them.”——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old
+woman, entering the Harim of the Police-Master, said to his wife,
+“Verily the Wali bought of me five slaves for one thousand ducats and
+two hundred for myself, saying, ‘Bring them to my quarters.’ So I have
+brought them.” Hearing the old woman’s story she believed it and asked
+her, “Where are the slaves?” Dalilah replied, “O my lady, they are
+asleep under the palace window”; whereupon the dame looked out and
+seeing the Moorish barber clad in a Mameluke habit and the young
+merchant as he were a drunken Mameluke[FN#204] and the Jew and the
+dyer and the ass-driver as they were shaven Mamelukes, said in herself,
+“Each of these white slaves is worth more than a thousand dinars.” So
+she opened her chest and gave the old woman the thousand ducats,
+saying, “Fare thee forth now and come back anon; when my husband
+waketh, I will get thee the other two hundred dinars from him.”
+Answered the old woman, “O my lady, an hundred of them are thine,
+under the sherbet-gugglet whereof thou drinkest,[FN#205] and the other
+hundred do thou keep for me against I come back,” presently adding,
+“Now let me out by the private door.” So she let her out, and the
+Protector protected her and she made her way home to her daughter, to
+whom she related how she had gotten a thousand gold pieces and sold
+her five pursuers into slavery, ending with, “O my daughter, the one
+who troubleth me most is the ass-driver, for he knoweth me.” Said
+Zaynab, “O my mother, abide quiet awhile and let what thou hast done
+suffice thee, for the crock shall not always escape the shock.” When
+the Chief of Police awoke, his wife said to him, “I give thee joy of
+the five slaves thou hast bought of the old woman.” Asked he, “What
+slaves?” And she answered, “Why dost thou deny it to me? Allah
+willing, they shall become like thee people of condition.” Quoth he,
+“As my head liveth, I have bought no slaves! Who saith this?” Quoth
+she, “The old woman, the brokeress, from whom thou boughtest them; and
+thou didst promise her a thousand dinars for them and two hundred for
+herself.” Cried he, “Didst thou give her the money?” And she replied,
+“Yes; for I saw the slaves with my own eyes, and on each is a suit of
+clothes worth a thousand dinars; so I sent out to bid the sergeants
+have an eye to them.” The Wali went out and, seeing the five
+plaintiffs, said to the officers, “Where are the five slaves we bought
+for a thousand dinars of the old woman?” Said they, “There are no
+slaves here; only these five men, who found the old woman, and seized
+her and brought her hither. We fell asleep, whilst waiting for thee,
+and she stole away and entered the Harim. Presently out came a maid
+and asked us:—Are the five with you with whom the old woman came?”;
+and we answered, “Yes.” Cried the Master of Police, “By Allah, this
+is the biggest of swindles!”; and the five men said, “We look to thee
+for our goods.” Quoth the Wali, “The old woman, your mistress, sold
+you to me for a thousand gold pieces.” Quoth they, “That were not
+allowed of Allah; we are free-born men and may not be sold, and we
+appeal from thee to the Caliph.” Rejoined the Master of Police, “None
+showed her the way to the house save you, and I will sell you to the
+galleys for two hundred dinars apiece.” Just then, behold, up came the
+Emir Hasan Sharr al-Tarik who, on his return from his journey, had
+found his wife stripped of her clothes and jewellery and heard from her
+all that had passed; whereupon quoth he, “The Master of Police shall
+answer me this” and repairing to him, said, “Dost thou suffer old women
+to go round about the town and cozen folk of their goods? This is thy
+duty and I look to thee for my wife’s property.” Then said he to the
+five men, “What is the case with you?” So they told him their stories
+and he said, “Ye are wronged men,” and turning to the Master of
+Police, asked him, “Why dost thou arrest them?” Answered he, “None
+brought the old wretch to my house save these five, so that she took a
+thousand dinars of my money and sold them to my women.” Whereupon the
+five cried, “O Emir Hasan, be thou our advocate in this cause.” Then
+said the Master of Police to the Emir, “Thy wife’s goods are at my
+charge and I will be surety for the old woman. But which of you
+knoweth her?” They cried, “We all know her: send ten apparitors with
+us, and we will take her.” So he gave them ten men, and the ass-driver
+said to them, “Follow me, for I should know her with blue
+eyes.”[FN#206] Then they fared forth and lo! they met old Dalilah
+coming out of a by-street: so they at once laid hands on her and
+brought her to the office of the Wali who asked her, “Where are the
+people’s goods?” But she answered, saying, “I have neither gotten them
+nor seen them.” Then he cried to the gaoler, “Take her with thee and
+clap her in gaol till the morning;” but he replied, “I will not take
+her nor will I imprison her lest she play a trick on me and I be
+answerable for her.” So the Master of Police mounted and rode out with
+Dalilah and the rest to the bank of the Tigris, where he bade the
+lamp-lighter crucify her by her hair. He drew her up by the pulley and
+bound her on the cross; after which the Master of Police set ten men to
+guard her and went home. Presently, the night fell down and sleep
+overcame the watchmen. Now a certain Badawi had heard one man say to a
+friend, “Praise be to Allah for thy safe return! Where hast thou been
+all this time?” Replied the other, “In Baghdad where I broke my fast
+on honey-fritters.”[FN#207] Quoth the Badawi to himself, “Needs must I
+go to Baghdad and eat honey-fritters therein”; for in all his life he
+had never entered Baghdad nor seen fritters of the sort. So he mounted
+his stallion and rode on towards Baghdad, saying in his mind, “’Tis a
+fine thing to eat honey-fritters! On the honour of an Arab, I will
+break my fast with honey-fritters and naught else!”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the wild Arab
+mounted horse and made for Baghdad saying in his mind, “’Tis a fine
+thing to eat honey-fritters! On the honour of an Arab I will break my
+fast with honey-fritters and naught else;” and he rode on till he came
+to the place where Dalilah was crucified and she heard him utter these
+words. So he went up to her and said to her, “What art thou?” Quoth
+she, “I throw myself on thy protection, O Shaykh of the Arabs!” and
+quoth he, “Allah indeed protect thee! But what is the cause of thy
+crucifixion?” Said she, “I have an enemy, an oilman, who frieth
+fritters, and I stopped to buy some of him, when I chanced to spit and
+my spittle fell on the fritters. So he complained of me to the Governor
+who commanded to crucify me, saying, ‘I adjudge that ye take ten
+pounds of honey-fritters and feed her therewith upon the cross. If she
+eat them, let her go, but if not, leave her hanging.’ And my stomach
+will not brook sweet things.” Cried the Badawi, “By the honour of the
+Arabs, I departed not the camp but that I might taste of
+honey-fritters! I will eat them for thee.” Quoth she, “None may eat
+them, except he be hung up in my place.” So he fell into the trap and
+unbound her; whereupon she bound him in her stead, after she had
+stripped him of his clothes and turband and put them on; then covering
+herself with his burnouse and mounting his horse, she rode to her
+house, where Zaynab asked her, “What meaneth this plight?”; and she
+answered, “They crucified me;” and told her all that had befallen her
+with the Badawi. This is how it fared with her; but as regards the
+watchmen, the first who woke roused his companions and they saw that
+the day had broken. So one of them raised his eyes and cried,
+“Dalilah.” Replied the Badawi, “By Allah! I have not eaten all night.
+Have ye brought the honey-fritters?” All exclaimed, “This is a man and
+a Badawi,” and one of them asked him, “O Badawi, where is Dalilah and
+who loosed her?” He answered, “’Twas I; she shall not eat the
+honey-fritters against her will; for her soul abhorreth them.” So they
+knew that the Arab was ignorant of her case, whom she had cozened, and
+said to one another, “Shall we flee or abide the accomplishment of
+that which Allah hath written for us?” As they were talking, up came
+the Chief of Police, with all the folk whom the old woman had cheated,
+and said to the guards, “Arise, loose Dalilah.” Quoth the Badawi, “We
+have not eaten to-night. Hast thou brought the honey-fritters?”
+Whereupon the Wali raised his eyes to the cross and seeing the Badawi
+hung up in the stead of the old woman, said to the watchmen, “What is
+this?” “Pardon, O our lord!” “Tell me what hath happened.” “We were
+weary with watching with thee on guard and said:—Dalilah is crucified.
+So we fell asleep, and when we awoke, we found the Badawi hung up in
+her room; and we are at thy mercy.” “O folk, Allah’s pardon be upon
+you! She is indeed a clever cheat!” Then they unbound the Badawi, who
+laid hold of the Master of Police, saying, “Allah succour the Caliph
+against thee! I look to none but thee for my horse and clothes!” So the
+Wali questioned him and he told him what had passed between Dalilah
+and himself. The magistrate marvelled and asked him, “Why didst thou
+release her?”; and the Badawi answered, “I knew not that she was a
+felon.” Then said the others, “O Chief of Police, we look to thee in
+the matter of our goods; for we delivered the old woman into thy hands
+and she was in thy guard; and we cite thee before the Divan of the
+Caliph.” Now the Emir Hasan had gone up to the Divan, when in came the
+Wali with the Badawi and the five others, saying, “Verily, we are
+wronged men!” “Who hath wronged you?” asked the Caliph; so each came
+forward in turn and told his story, after which said the Master of
+Police, “O Commander of the Faithful, the old woman cheated me also
+and sold me these five men as slaves for a thousand dinars, albeit they
+are free-born.” Quoth the Prince of True Believers, “I take upon
+myself all that you have lost”; adding to the Master of Police, “I
+charge thee with the old woman.” But he shook his collar, saying, “O
+Commander of the Faithful, I will not answer for her; for, after I had
+ hung her on the cross, she tricked this Badawi and, when he loosed
+her, she tied him up in her room and made off with his clothes and
+horse.” Quoth the Caliph, “Whom but thee shall I charge with her?”;
+and quoth the Wali, “Charge Ahmad al-Danaf, for he hath a thousand
+dinars a month and one-and-forty followers, at a monthly wage of an
+hundred dinars each.” So the Caliph said, “Harkye, Captain Ahmad!” “At
+thy service, O Commander of the Faithful,” said he; and the Caliph
+cried, “I charge thee to bring the old woman before us.” Replied Ahmad,
+“I will answer for her.” Then the Caliph kept the Badawi and the five
+with him,——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventh Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Caliph said to Calamity Ahmad, “I charge thee to bring the old woman
+before us,” he said, “I will answer for her, O Commander of the
+Faithful!” Then the Caliph kept the Badawi and the five with him,
+whilst Ahmad and his men went down to their hall,[FN#208] saying to one
+another, “How shall we lay hands on her, seeing that there are many old
+women in the town?” And quoth Ahmad to Hasan Shuman, “What counsellest
+thou?” Whereupon quoth one of them, by name Ali Kitf al-Jamal,[FN#209]
+to Al-Danaf, “Of what dost thou take counsel with Hasan Shuman? Is the
+Pestilent one any great shakes?” Said Hasan, “O Ali, why dost thou
+disparage me? By the Most Great Name, I will not company with thee at
+this time!”; and he rose and went out in wrath. Then said Ahmad, “O my
+braves, let every sergeant take ten men, each to his own quarter and
+search for Dalilah.” All did his bidding, Ali included, and they said,
+“Ere we disperse let us agree to rendezvous in the quarter Al-Kalkh.”
+It was noised abroad in the city that Calamity Ahmad had undertaken to
+lay hands on Dalilah the Wily, and Zaynab said to her, “O my mother,
+an thou be indeed a trickstress, do thou befool Ahmad al-Danaf and
+his company.” Answered Dalilah, “I fear none save Hasan Shuman;” and
+Zaynab said, “By the life of my browlock, I will assuredly get thee the
+clothes of all the one-and-forty.” Then she dressed and veiled herself
+and going to a certain druggist, who had a saloon with two doors,
+salamed to him and gave him an ashrafí and said to him, “Take this gold
+piece as a douceur for thy saloon and let it to me till the end of the
+day.” So he gave her the keys and she fetched carpets and so forth on
+the stolen ass and furnishing the place, set on each raised pavement a
+tray of meat and wine. Then she went out and stood at the door, with
+her face unveiled and behold, up came Ali Kitf al-Jamal and his men.
+She kissed his hand; and he fell in love with her, seeing her to be
+a handsome girl, and said to her, “What dost thou want?” Quoth she,
+“Art thou Captain Ahmad al-Danaf?”; and quoth he, “No, but I am of his
+company and my name is Ali Camel-shoulder.” Asked she, “Whither fare
+you?”; and he answered, “We go about in quest of a sharkish old woman,
+who hath stolen folk’s good, and we mean to lay hands on her. But who
+art thou and what is thy business?” She replied, “My father was a
+taverner at Mosul and he died and left me much money. So I came hither,
+for fear of the Dignities, and asked the people who would protect
+me, to which they replied, ‘None but Ahmad al-Danaf.’” Said the men,
+“From this day forth, thou art under his protection”; and she replied,
+“Hearten me by eating a bit and drinking a sup of water.”[FN#210] They
+consented and entering, ate and drank till they were drunken, when she
+drugged them with Bhang and stripped them of their clothes and arms;
+and on like wise she did with the three other companions. Presently,
+Calamity Ahmad went out to look for Dalilah, but found her not, neither
+set eyes on any of his followers, and went on till he came to the door
+where Zaynab was standing. She kissed his hand and he looked on her and
+fell in love with her. Quoth she, “Art thou Captain Ahmad al-Danaf?”;
+and quoth he, “Yes: who art thou?” She replied, “I am a stranger from
+Mosul. My father was a vintner at that place and he died and left me
+much money wherewith I came to this city, for fear of the powers that
+be, and opened this tavern. The Master of Police hath imposed a tax
+on me, but it is my desire to put myself under thy protection and pay
+thee what the police would take of me, for thou hast the better right
+to it.” Quoth he, “Do not pay him aught: thou shalt have my protection
+and welcome.” Then quoth she, “Please to heal my heart and eat of my
+victual,” So he entered and ate and drank wine, till he could not sit
+upright, when she drugged him and took his clothes and arms. Then
+she loaded her purchase on the Badawi’s horse and the donkey-boy’s
+ass and made off with it, after she had aroused Ali Kitf al-Jamal.
+Camel-shoulder awoke and found himself naked and saw Ahmad and his men
+drugged and stripped: so he revived them with the counter-drug and
+they awoke and found themselves naked. Quoth Calamity Ahmad, “O lads,
+what is this? We were going to catch her, and lo! this strumpet hath
+caught us! How Hasan Shuman will rejoice over us! But we will wait till
+it is dark and then go away.” Meanwhile Pestilence Hasan said to the
+hall-keeper, “Where are the men?”; and as he asked, up they came naked;
+and he recited these two couplets[FN#211]:—
+
+Men in their purposes are much alike, * But in their issues
+     difference comes to light:
+Of men some wise are, others simple souls; * As of the stars
+     some dull, some pearly bright.
+
+
+Then he looked at them and asked, “Who hath played you this trick and
+made you naked?”; and they answered, “We went in quest of an old woman,
+and a pretty girl stripped us.” Quoth Hasan, “She hath done right
+well.” They asked, “Dost thou know her?”; and he answered, “Yes, I know
+her and the old trot too.” Quoth they, “What shall we say to the
+Caliph?”; and quoth he, “O Danaf, do thou shake thy collar before him,
+and he will say, ‘Who is answerable for her’; and if he ask why thou
+hast not caught her; say thou, ‘We know her not; but charge Hasan
+Shuman with her.’ And if he give her into my charge, I will lay hands
+on her.” So they slept that night and on the morrow they went up to
+the Caliph’s Divan and kissed ground before him. Quoth he, “Where is
+the old woman, O Captain Ahmad?” But he shook his collar. The Caliph
+asked him why he did so, and he answered, “I know her not; but do thou
+charge Hasan Shuman to lay hands on her, for he knoweth her and her
+daughter also.” Then Hasan interceded for her with the Caliph, saying,
+“Indeed, she hath not played off these tricks, because she coveted the
+folk’s stuff, but to show her cleverness and that of her daughter, to
+the intent that thou shouldst continue her husband’s stipend to her
+and that of her father to her daughter. So an thou wilt spare her life
+I will fetch her to thee.” Cried the Caliph, “By the life of my
+ancestors, if she restore the people’s goods, I will pardon her on
+thine intercession!” And said the Pestilence, “Give me a pledge, O
+Prince of True Believers!” Whereupon Al-Rashid gave him the kerchief of
+pardon. So Hasan repaired to Dalilah’s house and called to her. Her
+daughter Zaynab answered him and he asked her, “Where is thy mother?”
+“Upstairs,” she answered; and he said, “Bid her take the people’s
+goods and come with me to the presence of the Caliph; for I have
+brought her the kerchief of pardon, and if she will not come with a
+good grace, let her blame only herself.” So Dalilah came down and
+tying the kerchief about her neck gave him the people’s goods on the
+donkey-boy’s ass and the Badawi’s horse. Quoth he, “There remain the
+clothes of my Chief and his men”; and quoth she, “By the Most Great
+Name, ’twas not I who stripped them!” Rejoined Hasan, “Thou sayst
+sooth, it was thy daughter Zaynab’s doing, and this was a good turn
+she did thee.” Then he carried her to the Divan and laying the
+people’s goods and stuff before the Caliph, set the old trot in his
+presence. As soon as he saw her, he bade throw her down on the carpet
+of blood, whereat she cried, “I cast myself on thy protection, O
+Shuman.” So he rose and kissing the Caliph’s hands, said, “Pardon, O
+Commander of the Faithful! Indeed, thou gavest me the kerchief of
+pardon.” Said the Prince of True Believers, “I pardon her for thy
+sake: come hither, O old woman; what is thy name?” “My name is Wily
+Dalilah,” answered she, and the Caliph said “Thou art indeed crafty
+and full of guile.” Whence she was dubbed Dalilah the Wily One. Then
+quoth he, “Why hast thou played all these tricks on the folk and
+wearied our hearts?” and quoth she, “I did it not of lust for their
+goods, but because I had heard of the tricks which Ahmad al-Danaf and
+Hasan Shuman played in Baghdad and said to myself, ‘I too will do the
+like.’ And now I have returned the folk their goods.” But the
+ass-driver rose and said “I invoke Allah’s law[FN#212] between me and
+her; for it sufficed her not to take my ass, but she must needs egg on
+the Moorish barber to tear out my eye-teeth and fire me on both
+temples.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+donkey-boy rose and cried out, “I invoke Allah’s law between me and
+her; for it sufficed her not to take my ass, but she must needs egg on
+the barber to tear out my eye-teeth and fire me on both temples;”
+thereupon the Caliph bade give him an hundred dinars and ordered the
+dyer the like, saying, “Go; set up thy dyery again.” So they called
+down blessings on his head and went away. The Badawi also took his
+clothes and horse and departed, saying, “’Tis henceforth unlawful and
+forbidden me to enter Baghdad and eat honey-fritters.” And the others
+took their goods and went away. Then said the Caliph, “Ask a boon of
+me, O Dalilah!”; and she said, “Verily, my father was governor of the
+carrier-pigeons to thee and I know how to rear the birds; and my
+husband was town-captain of Baghdad. Now I wish to have the reversion
+of my husband and my daughter wisheth to have that of her father.” The
+Caliph granted both their requests and she said, “I ask of thee that I
+may be portress of thy Khan.” Now he had built a Khan of three stories,
+for the merchants to lodge in, and had assigned to its service forty
+slaves and also forty dogs he had brought from the King of the
+Sulaymániyah,[FN#213] when he deposed him; and there was in the Khan a
+cook-slave, who cooked for the chattels and fed the hounds for which
+he let make collars. Said the Caliph, “O Dalilah, I will write thee a
+patent of guardianship of the Khan, and if aught be lost therefrom,
+thou shalt be answerable for it.” “’Tis well,” replied she; “but do
+thou lodge my daughter in the pavilion over the door of the Khan, for
+it hath terraced roofs, and carrier-pigeons may not be reared to
+advantage save in an open space.” The Caliph granted her this also and
+she and her daughter removed to the pavilion in question, where Zaynab
+hung up the one-and-forty dresses of Calamity Ahmad and his company.
+Moreover, they delivered to Dalilah the forty pigeons which carried
+the royal messages, and the Caliph appointed the Wily One mistress
+over the forty slaves and charged them to obey her. She made the place
+of her sitting behind the door of the Khan, and every day she used to
+go up to the Caliph’s Divan, lest he should need to send a message by
+pigeon-post and stay there till eventide whilst the forty slaves stood
+on guard at the Khan; and when darkness came on they loosed the forty
+dogs that they might keep watch over the place by night. Such were the
+doings of Dalilah the Wily One in Baghdad and much like them were
+
+
+The Adventures of Mercury Ali of Cairo.[FN#214]
+
+Now as regards the works of Mercury ’Alí; there lived once at
+Cairo,[FN#215] in the days of Saláh the Egyptian, who was Chief of the
+Cairo Police and had forty men under him, a sharper named Ali, for
+whom the Master of Police used to set snares and think that he had
+fallen therein; but, when they sought for him, they found that he had
+fled like zaybak, or quicksilver, wherefore they dubbed him Ali Zaybak
+or Mercury Ali of Cairo. Now one day, as he sat with his men in his
+hall, his heart became heavy within him and his breast was straitened.
+The hall-keeper saw him sitting with frowning face and said to him,
+“What aileth thee, O my Chief? If thy breast be straitened take a turn
+in the streets of Cairo, for assuredly walking in her markets will do
+away with thy irk.” So he rose up and went out and threaded the streets
+ awhile, but only increased in cark and care. Presently, he came to a
+wine-shop and said to himself, “I will go in and drink myself drunken.”
+So he entered and seeing seven rows of people in the shop, said,
+“Harkye, taverner! I will not sit except by myself.” Accordingly, the
+vintner placed him in a chamber alone and set strong pure wine before
+him whereof he drank till he lost his senses. Then he sallied forth
+again and walked till he came to the road called Red, whilst the
+people left the street clear before him, out of fear of him.
+Presently, he turned and saw a water-carrier trudging along, with his
+skin and gugglet, crying out and saying, “O exchange! There is no
+drink but what raisins make, there is no love-delight but what of the
+lover we take and none sitteth in the place of honour save the
+sensible freke[FN#216]!” So he said to him, “Here, give me to drink!”
+The water-carrier looked at him and gave him the gugglet which he took
+and gazing into it, shook it up and lastly poured it out on the
+ground. Asked the water-carrier, “Why dost thou not drink?”; and he
+answered, saying, “Give me to drink.” So the man filled the cup a
+second time and he took it and shook it and emptied it on the ground;
+and thus he did a third time. Quoth the water-carrier, “An thou wilt
+not drink, I will be off.” And Ali said, “Give me to drink.” So he
+filled the cup a fourth time and gave it to him; and he drank and gave
+the man a dinar. The water-carrier looked at him with disdain and
+said, belittling him, “Good luck to thee! Good luck to thee, my lad!
+Little folk are one thing and great folk another!”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say,
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the
+water-carrier receiving the dinar, looked at the giver with disdain
+and said “Good luck to thee! Good luck to thee! Little folk are one
+thing and great folk another.” Now when Mercury Ali heard this, he
+caught hold of the man’s gaberdine and drawing on him a poignard of
+price, such an one as that whereof the poet speaketh in these two
+couplets,
+
+“Watered steel-blade, the world perfection calls, * Drunk with
+     the viper poison foes appals,
+Cuts lively, burns the blood whene’er it falls; * And picks up
+     gems from pave of marble halls;”[FN#217]
+
+
+cried to him, “O Shaykh, speak reasonably to me! Thy water-skin is
+worth if dear three dirhams, and the gugglets I emptied on the ground
+held a pint or so of water.” Replied the water-carrier “’Tis well,”
+and Ali rejoined, “I gave thee a golden ducat: why, then dost thou
+belittle me? Say me, hast thou ever seen any more valiant than I or
+more generous than I?” Answered the water-carrier; “I have indeed, seen
+one more valiant than thou and eke more generous than thou; for, never,
+since women bare children, was there on earth’s face a brave man who
+was not generous.” Quoth Ali, “And who is he thou deemest braver and
+more generous than I?” Quoth the other, “Thou must know that I have had
+a strange adventure. My father was a Shaykh of the Water-carriers who
+give drink in Cairo and, when he died, he left me five male camels,
+a he-mule, a shop and a house; but the poor man is never satisfied;
+or, if he be satisfied he dieth. So I said to myself:—I will go up to
+Al-Hijaz; and, taking a string of camels, bought goods on tick, till
+I had run in debt for five hundred ducats, all of which I lost in the
+pilgrimage. Then I said in my mind:—If I return to Cairo the folk will
+clap me in jail for their goods. So I fared with the pilgrims-caravan
+of Damascus to Aleppo and thence I went on to Baghdad, where I sought
+out the Shaykh of the Water-carriers of the city and finding his
+house I went in and repeated the opening chapter of the Koran to him.
+He questioned me of my case and I told him all that had betided me,
+whereupon he assigned me a shop and gave me a water-skin and gear. So
+I sallied forth a-morn trusting in Allah to provide, and went round
+about the city.” I offered the gugglet to one, that he might drink; but
+he cried, “I have eaten naught whereon to drink; for a niggard invited
+me this day and set two gugglets before me; so I said to him:—O son
+of the sordid, hast thou given me aught to eat that thou offerest me
+drink after it? Wherefore wend thy ways, O water-carrier, till I have
+eaten somewhat: then come and give me to drink.” Thereupon I accosted
+another and he said:—Allah provide thee! And so I went on till noon,
+without taking hansel, and I said to myself, ‘Would Heaven I had never
+come to Baghdad!’ Presently, I saw the folk running as fast as they
+could; so I followed them and behold, a long file of men riding two
+and two and clad in steel, with double neck-rings and felt bonnets and
+burnouses and swords and bucklers. I asked one of the folk whose suite
+this was, and he answered, ‘That of Captain Ahmad al-Danaf.’ Quoth I,
+‘And what is he?’ and quoth the other, ‘He is town-captain of Baghdad
+and her Divan, and to him is committed the care of the suburbs. He
+getteth a thousand dinars a month from the Caliph and Hasan Shuman
+hath the like. Moreover, each of his men draweth an hundred dinars a
+month; and they are now returning to their barrack from the Divan.’
+And lo! Calamity Ahmad saw me and cried out, ‘Come give me drink.’ So
+I filled the cup and gave it him, and he shook it and emptied it out,
+like unto thee; and thus he did a second time. Then I filled the cup
+a third time and he took a draught as thou diddest; after which he
+asked me, ‘O water-carrier, whence comest thou?’ And I answered, ‘From
+Cairo,’ and he, ‘Allah keep Cairo and her citizens! What may bring thee
+thither?’ So I told him my story and gave him to understand that I was
+a debtor fleeing from debt and distress. He cried, ‘Thou art welcome
+to Baghdad’; then he gave me five dinars and said to his men, ‘For the
+love of Allah be generous to him.’ So each of them gave me a dinar
+and Ahmad said to me, ‘O Shaykh, what while thou abidest in Baghdad
+thou shalt have of us the like every time thou givest us to drink.’
+Accordingly, I paid them frequent visits and good ceased not to come to
+me from the folk till, one day, reckoning up the profit I had made of
+them, I found it a thousand dinars and said to myself, The best thing
+thou canst do is to return to Egypt. So I went to Ahmad’s house and
+kissed his hand, and he said, What seekest thou? Quoth I, I have a
+mind to depart; and I repeated these two couplets:—
+
+Sojourn of stranger, in whatever land, * Is like the castle based
+     upon the wind:
+The breaths of breezes level all he raised. * And so on
+     homeward-way’s the stranger’s mind.
+
+
+I added, The caravan is about to start for Cairo and I wish to return
+to my people. So he gave me a she-mule and an hundred dinars and said
+to me, I desire to send somewhat by thee, O Shaykh! Dost thou know
+the people of Cairo? Yes, answered I;——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Tenth Night,
+
+She pursued, It bath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Ahmad
+al-Danaf had given the water-carrier a she-mule and an hundred dinars
+and said to him, “I desire to send a trust by thee. Dost thou know the
+people of Cairo?” “I answered (quoth the water-carrier), Yes; and he
+said, Take this letter and carry it to Ali Zaybak of Cairo and say to
+him, Thy Captain saluteth thee and he is now with the Caliph. So I
+took the letter and journeyed back to Cairo, where I paid my debts and
+plied my water-carrying trade; but I have not delivered the letter,
+because I know not the abode of Mercury Ali.” Quoth Ali, “O elder, be
+of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear: I am that Ali, the
+first of the lads of Captain Ahmad: here with the letter!” So he gave
+him the missive and he opened it and read these two couplets:—
+
+“O adornment of beauties to thee write I * On a paper that
+     flies as the winds go by:
+Could I fly, I had flown to their arms in desire, * But a bird
+     with cut wings; how shall ever he fly?”
+
+
+“But after salutation from Captain Ahmad al-Danaf to the eldest of
+his sons, Mercury Ali of Cairo. Thou knowest that I tormented Salah
+al-Din the Cairene and befooled him till I buried him alive and reduced
+his lads to obey me, and amongst them Ali Kitf al-Jamal; and I am now
+become town-captain of Baghdad in the Divan of the Caliph who hath made
+me over-seer of the suburbs. An thou be still mindful of our covenant,
+come to me; haply thou shalt play some trick in Baghdad which may
+promote thee to the Caliph’s service, so he may appoint thee stipends
+and allowances and assign thee a lodging, which is what thou wouldst
+see and so peace be on thee.” When Ali read this letter, he kissed it
+and laying it on his head, gave the water-carrier ten dinars; after
+which he returned to his barracks and told his comrades and said to
+them, “I commend you one to other.” Then he changed all his clothes
+and, donning a travelling cloak and a tarboosh, took a case, containing
+a spear of bamboo-cane, four-and-twenty cubits long, made in several
+pieces, to fit into one another. Quoth his lieutenant, “Wilt thou go
+a journey when the treasury is empty?”; and quoth Ali, “When I reach
+Damascus I will send you what shall suffice you.” Then he set out and
+fared on, till he overtook a caravan about to start, whereof were the
+Shah-bandar, or Provost of the Merchants, and forty other traders. They
+had all loaded their beasts, except the Provost, whose loads lay upon
+the ground, and Ali heard his caravan-leader, who was a Syrian, say
+to the muleteers, “Bear a hand, one of you!” But they reviled him and
+abused him. Quoth Ali in himself, “None will suit me so well to travel
+withal as this leader.” Now Ali was beardless and well-favoured; so
+he went up to and saluted the leader who welcomed him and said, “What
+seekest thou?” Replied Ali, “O my uncle, I see thee alone with forty
+mule-loads of goods; but why hast thou not brought hands to help thee?”
+Rejoined the other, “O my son, I hired two lads and clothed them and
+put in each one’s pocket two hundred dinars; and they helped me till
+we came to the Dervishes’ Convent,[FN#218] when they ran away.” Quoth
+Ali, “Whither are you bound?” and quoth the Syrian, “to Aleppo,” when
+Ali said, “I will lend thee a hand.” Accordingly they loaded the beasts
+and the Provost mounted his she-mule and they set out he rejoicing in
+Ali; and presently he loved him and made much of him and on this wise
+they fared on till nightfall, when they dismounted and ate and drank.
+Then came the time of sleep and Ali lay down on his side and made as if
+he slept; whereupon the Syrian stretched himself near him and Ali rose
+from his stead and sat down at the door of the merchant’s pavilion.
+Presently the Syrian turned over and would have taken Ali in his arms,
+but found him not and said to himself, “Haply he hath promised another
+and he hath taken him; but I have the first right and another night I
+will keep him.” Now Ali continued sitting at the door of the tent till
+nigh upon daybreak, when he returned and lay down near the Syrian, who
+found him by his side, when he awoke, and said to himself, “If I ask
+him where he hath been, he will leave me and go away.” So he dissembled
+with him and they went on till they came to a forest, in which was a
+cave, where dwelt a rending lion. Now whenever a caravan passed, they
+would draw lots among themselves and him on whom the lot fell they
+would throw to the beast. So they drew lots and the lot fell not save
+upon the Provost of the Merchants. And lo! the lion cut off their way
+awaiting his prey, wherefore the Provost was sore distressed and said
+to the leader, “Allah disappoint the fortunes[FN#219] of the far one
+and bring his journey to naught! I charge thee, after my death, give
+my loads to my children.” Quoth Ali the Clever One, “What meaneth all
+this?” So they told him the case and he said, “Why do ye run from the
+tom-cat of the desert? I warrant you I will kill him.” So the Syrian
+went to the Provost and told him of this and he said, “If he slay him,
+I will give him a thousand dinars,” and said the other merchants, “We
+will reward him likewise one and all.” With this Ali put off his mantle
+and there appeared upon him a suit of steel; then he took a chopper
+of steel[FN#220] and opening it turned the screw; after which he went
+forth alone and standing in the road before the lion, cried out to
+him. The lion ran at him, but Ali of Cairo smote him between the eyes
+with his chopper and cut him in sunder, whilst the caravan-leader and
+the merchants looked on. Then said he to the leader, “Have no fear, O
+nuncle!” and the Syrian answered, saying, “O my son, I am thy servant
+for all future time.” Then the Provost embraced him and kissed him
+between the eyes and gave him the thousand dinars, and each of the
+other merchants gave him twenty dinars. He deposited all the coin with
+the Provost and they slept that night till the morning, when they
+set out again, intending for Baghdad, and fared on till they came to
+the Lion’s Clump and the Wady of Dogs, where lay a villain Badawi, a
+brigand and his tribe, who sallied forth on them. The folk fled from
+the highwaymen, and the Provost said, “My monies are lost!”; when, lo!
+up came Ali in a buff coat hung with bells, and bringing out his long
+lance, fitted the pieces together. Then he seized one of the Arab’s
+horses and mounting it cried out to the Badawi Chief, saying, “Come out
+to fight me with spears!” Moreover he shook his bells and the Arab’s
+mare took fright at the noise and Ali struck the Chief’s spear and
+broke it. Then he smote him on the neck and cut off his head.[FN#221]
+When the Badawin saw their chief fall, they ran at Ali, but he cried
+out, saying, “Allaho Akbar—God is Most Great!”—and, falling on them
+broke them and put them to flight. Then he raised the Chief’s head
+on his spear-point and returned to the merchants, who rewarded him
+liberally and continued their journey, till they reached Baghdad.
+Thereupon Ali took his money from the Provost and committed it to the
+Syrian caravan-leader, saying, “When thou returnest to Cairo, ask for
+my barracks and give these monies to my deputy.” Then he slept that
+night and on the morrow he entered the city and threading the streets
+enquired for Calamity Ahmad’s quarters; but none would direct him
+thereto.[FN#222] So he walked on, till he came to the square Al-Nafz,
+where he saw children at play, and amongst them a lad called Ahmad
+al-Lakít,[FN#223] and said to himself, “O my Ali, thou shalt not get
+news of them but from their little ones.” Then he turned and seeing a
+sweetmeat seller bought Halwá of him and called to the children; but
+Ahmad al-Lakit drove the rest away and coming up to him, said, “What
+seekest thou?” Quoth Ali, “I had a son and he died and I saw him in
+a dream asking for sweetmeats: wherefore I have bought them and wish
+to give each child a bit.” So saying, he gave Ahmad a slice, and he
+looked at it and seeing a dinar sticking to it, said “Begone! I am no
+catamite: seek another than I.” Quoth Ali, “O my son, none but a sharp
+fellow taketh the hire, even as he is a sharp one who giveth it. I have
+sought all day for Ahmad al-Danaf’s barrack, but none would direct me
+thereto; so this dinar is thine an thou wilt guide me thither.” Quoth
+the lad, “I will run before thee and do thou keep up with me, till I
+come to the place, when I will catch up a pebble with my foot[FN#224]
+and kick it against the door; and so shalt thou know it.” Accordingly
+he ran on and Ali after him, till they came to the place, when the boy
+caught up a pebble between his toes and kicked it against the door so
+as to make the place known.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Eleventh Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Ahmad the
+Abortion had made known the place, Ali laid hold of him and would have
+taken the dinar from him, but could not; so he said to him, “Go: thou
+deservest largesse for thou art a sharp fellow, whole of wit and stout
+of heart. Inshallah, if I become a captain to the Caliph, I will make
+thee one of my lads.” Then the boy made off and Ali Zaybak went up to
+the door and knocked; whereupon quoth Ahmad al-Danaf, “O doorkeeper,
+open the door; that is the knock of Quicksilver Ali the Cairene.” So
+he opened the door and Ali entered and saluted with the salam Ahmad
+who embraced him, and the Forty greeted him. Then Calamity Ahmad gave
+him a suit of clothes, saying, “When the Caliph made me captain, he
+clothed my lads and I kept this suit[FN#225] for thee.” Then they
+seated him in the place of honour and setting on meat they ate well
+and drink they drank hard and made merry till the morning, when Ahmad
+said to Ali, “Beware thou walk not about the streets of Baghdad, but
+sit thee still in this barrack.” Asked Ali, “Why so? Have I come hither
+to be shut up? No, I came to look about me and divert myself.”
+Replied Ahmad, “O my son, think not that Baghdad be like Cairo.
+Baghdad is the seat of the Caliphate; sharpers abound therein and
+rogueries spring therefrom as worts spring out of earth.” So Ali abode
+in the barrack three days when Ahmad said to him, “I wish to present
+thee to the Caliph, that he may assign thee an allowance.” But he
+replied, “When the time cometh.” So he let him go his own way. One
+day, as Ali sat in the barrack, his breast became straitened and his
+soul troubled and he said in himself, “Come, let us up and thread the
+ways of Baghdad and broaden my bosom.” So he went out and walked from
+street to street, till he came to the middle bazar, where he entered a
+cook-shop and dined;[FN#226] after which he went out to wash his
+hands. Presently he saw forty slaves, with felt bonnets and steel
+cutlasses, come walking, two by two; and last of all came Dalilah the
+Wily, mounted on a she-mule, with a gilded helmet which bore a ball of
+polished steel, and clad in a coat of mail, and such like. Now she was
+returning from the Divan to the Khan of which she was portress; and
+when she espied Ali, she looked at him fixedly and saw that he
+resembled Calamity Ahmad in height and breadth. Moreover, he was clad
+in a striped Abá-cloak and a burnous, with a steel cutlass by his side
+and similar gear, while valour shone from his eyes, testifying in
+favour of him and not in disfavour of him. So she returned to the Khan
+ and going in to her daughter, fetched a table of sand, and struck a
+geomantic figure, whereby she discovered that the stranger’s name was
+Ali of Cairo and that his fortune overcame her fortune and that of her
+daughter. Asked Zaynab, “O my mother, what hath befallen thee that
+thou hast recourse to the sand-table?” Answered Dalilah, “O my
+daughter, I have seen this day a young man who resembleth Calamity
+Ahmad, and I fear lest he come to hear how thou didst strip Ahmad and
+his men and enter the Khan and play us a trick, in revenge for what we
+did with his chief and the forty; for methinks he has taken up his
+lodging in Al-Danaf’s barrack.” Zaynab rejoined, “What is this?
+Methinks thou hast taken his measure.” Then she donned her fine
+clothes and went out into the streets. When the people saw her, they
+all made love to her and she promised and sware and listened and
+coquetted and passed from market to market, till she saw Ali the
+Cairene coming, when she went up to him and rubbed her shoulder
+against him. Then she turned and said “Allah give long life to folk of
+ discrimination!” Quoth he, “How goodly is thy form! To whom dost thou
+belong?”; and quoth she, “To the gallant[FN#227] like thee;” and he
+said, “Art thou wife or spinster?” “Married,” said she. Asked Ali,
+“Shall it be in my lodging or thine?”[FN#228] and she answered, “I am a
+merchant’s daughter and a merchant’s wife and in all my life I have
+never been out of doors till to-day, and my only reason was that when
+I made ready food and thought to eat, I had no mind thereto without
+company. When I saw thee, love of thee entered my heart: so wilt thou
+deign solace my soul and eat a mouthful with me?” Quoth he, “Whoso is
+invited, let him accept.” Thereupon she went on and he followed her
+from street to street, but presently he bethought himself and said,
+“What wilt thou do and thou a stranger? Verily ’tis said, ‘Whoso doth
+whoredom in his strangerhood, Allah will send him back disappointed.’
+But I will put her off from thee with fair words.” So he said to her,
+“Take this dinar and appoint me a day other than this;” and she said,
+“By the Mighty Name, it may not be but thou shalt go home with me as
+my guest this very day and I will take thee to fast friend.” So he
+followed her till she came to a house with a lofty porch and a wooden
+bolt on the door and said to him, “Open this lock.”[FN#229] Asked he
+“Where is the key?”; and she answered, “’Tis lost.” Quoth he, “Whoso
+openeth a lock without a key is a knave whom it behoveth the ruler to
+punish, and I know not how to open doors without keys?”[FN#230] With
+this she raised her veil and showed him her face, whereat he took one
+glance of eyes that cost him a thousand sighs. Then she let fall her
+veil on the lock and repeating over it the names of the mother of
+Moses, opened it without a key and entered. He followed her and saw
+swords and steel-weapons hanging up; and she put off her veil and sat
+down with him. Quoth he to himself, “Accomplish what Allah hath
+decreed to thee,” and bent over her, to take a kiss of her cheek; but
+she caught the kiss upon her palm, saying, “This beseemeth not but by
+night.” Then she brought a tray of food and wine, and they ate and
+drank; after which she rose and drawing water from the well, poured it
+from the ewer over his hands, whilst he washed them. Now whilst they
+were on this wise, she cried out and beat upon her breast, saying, “My
+husband had a signet-ring of ruby, which was pledged to him for five
+hundred dinars, and I put it on; but ’twas too large for me, so I
+straitened it with wax, and when I let down the bucket,[FN#231] that
+ring must have dropped into the well. So turn thy face to the door,
+the while I doff my dress and go down into the well and fetch it.”
+Quoth Ali, “’Twere shame on me that thou shouldst go down there I
+being present; none shall do it save I.” So he put off his clothes and
+tied the rope about himself and she let him down into the well. Now
+there was much water therein and she said to him, “The rope is too
+short; loose thyself and drop down.” So he did himself loose from the
+rope and dropped into the water, in which he sank fathoms deep without
+touching bottom; whilst she donned her mantilla and taking his
+clothes, returned to her mother— And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When is was the Seven Hundred and Twelfth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Ali of Cairo
+was in the well, Zaynab donned her mantilla and, taking his clothes,
+returned to her mother and said, “I have stripped Ali the Egyptian and
+cast him into the Emir Hasan’s well, whence alas for his chance of
+escaping!”[FN#232] Presently, the Emir Hasan, the master of the house,
+who had been absent at the Divan, came home and, finding the door open,
+said to his Syce, “Why didst thou not draw the bolt?” “O my lord,”
+replied the groom, “indeed I locked it with my own hand.” The Emir
+cried, “As my head liveth, some robber hath entered my house!” Then he
+ went in and searched, but found none and said to the groom, “Fill the
+ewer, that I may make the Wuzu-ablution.” So the man lowered the
+bucket into the well but, when he drew it up, he found it heavy and
+looking down, saw something therein sitting; whereupon he let it fall
+into the water and cried out, saying, “O my lord, an Ifrit came up to
+me out of the well!” Replied the Emir, “Go and fetch four doctors of
+the law, that they may read the Koran over him, till he go away.” So
+he fetched the doctors and the Emir said to them, “Sit round this well
+and exorcise me this Ifrit.” They did as he bade them; after which the
+groom and another servant lowered the bucket again and Ali clung to it
+and hid himself under it patiently till he came near the top, when he
+sprang out and landed among the doctors, who fell a-cuffing one
+another and crying out, “Ifrit! Ifrit!” The Emir looked at Ali and
+seeing him a young man, said to him, “Art thou a thief?” “No,” replied
+Ali; “Then what dost thou in the well?” asked the Emir; and Ali
+answered, “I was asleep and dreamt a wet dream;[FN#233] so I went down
+to the Tigris to wash myself and dived, whereupon the current carried
+me under the earth and I came up in this well.” Quoth the other, “Tell
+the truth.”[FN#234] So Ali told him all that had befallen him, and the
+Emir gave him an old gown and let him go. He returned to Calamity
+Ahmad’s lodging and related to him all that had passed. Quoth Ahmad,
+“Did I not warn thee that Baghdad is full of women who play tricks upon
+ men?” And quoth Ali Kitf al-Jamal, “I conjure thee by the Mighty
+Name, tell me how it is that thou art the chief of the lads of Cairo
+and yet hast been stripped by a girl?” This was grievous to Ali and he
+repented him of not having followed Ahmad’s advice. Then the Calamity
+gave him another suit of clothes and Hasan Shuman said to him, “Dost
+thou know the young person?” “No,” replied Ali; and Hasan rejoined,
+“’Twas Zaynab, the daughter of Dalilah the Wily, the portress of the
+Caliph’s Khan; and hast thou fallen into her toils, O Ali?” Quoth he,
+“Yes,” and quoth Hasan, “O Ali, ’twas she who took thy Chief’s clothes
+and those of all his men.” “This is a disgrace to you all!” “And what
+thinkest thou to do?” “I purpose to marry her.” “Put away that thought
+far from thee, and console thy heart of her.” “O Hasan, do thou
+counsel me how I shall do to marry her.” “With all my heart: if thou
+wilt drink from my hand and march under my banner, I will bring thee
+to thy will of her.” “I will well.” So Hasan made Ali put off his
+clothes; and, taking a cauldron heated therein somewhat as it were
+pitch, wherewith he anointed him and he became like unto a blackamoor
+slave. Moreover, he smeared his lips and cheeks and pencilled his eyes
+with red Kohl.[FN#235] Then he clad him in a slave’s habit and giving
+him a tray of kabobs and wine, said to him, “There is a black cook in
+the Khan who requires from the bazar only meat; and thou art now
+become his like; so go thou to him civilly and accost him in friendly
+fashion and speak to him in the blacks’ lingo, and salute him, saying,
+’Tis long since we met in the beer-ken. He will answer thee, I have
+been too busy: on my hands be forty slaves, for whom I cook dinner and
+supper, besides making ready a tray for Dalilah and the like for her
+daughter Zaynab and the dogs’ food. And do thou say to him, Come,
+let us eat kabobs and lush swipes.[FN#236] Then go with him into the
+saloon and make him drunken and question him of his service, how many
+dishes and what dishes he hath to cook, and ask him of the dogs’ food
+and the keys of the kitchen and the larder; and he will tell thee; for
+a man, when he is drunken, telleth all he would conceal were he sober.
+When thou hast done this drug him and don his clothes and sticking the
+two knives in thy girdle, take the vegetable-basket and go to the
+market and buy meat and greens, with which do thou return to the Khan
+and enter the kitchen and the larder and cook the food. Dish it up and
+put Bhang in it, so as to drug the dogs and the slaves and Dalilah and
+Zaynab and lastly serve up. When all are asleep, hie thee to the upper
+ chamber and bring away every suit of clothes thou wilt find hanging
+there. And if thou have a mind to marry Zaynab, bring with thee also
+the forty carrier-pigeons.” So Ali went to the Khan and going in to
+the cook, saluted him and said, “’Tis long since I have met thee in
+the beer-ken.” The slave replied, “I have been busy cooking for the
+slaves and the dogs.” Then he took him and making him drunken,
+questioned him of his work. Quoth the kitchener, “Every day I cook
+five dishes for dinner and the like for supper; and yesterday they
+sought of me a sixth dish,[FN#237] yellow rice,[FN#238] and a seventh,
+a mess of cooked pomegranate seed.” Ali asked, “And what is the order
+of thy service?” and the slave answered, “First I serve up Zaynab’s
+tray, next Dalilah’s; then I feed the slaves and give the dogs their
+sufficiency of meat, and the least that satisfies them is a pound
+each.” But, as fate would have it, he forgot to ask him of the keys.
+Then he drugged him and donned his clothes; after which he took the
+basket and went to the market. There he bought meat and greens.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirteenth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Ali of
+Cairo, after drugging the cook-slave with Bhang, took the two knives
+which he stuck in his belt and, carrying the vegetable-basket, went to
+the market where he bought meat and greens; and, presently returning
+to the Khan, he saw Dalilah seated at the gate, watching those who
+went in and came out, and the forty slaves with her, armed. So he
+heartened his heart and entered; but Dalilah knew him and said to him,
+“Back, O captain of thieves! Wilt thou play a trick on me in the
+Khan?” Thereupon he (dressed as a slave) turned and said to her, “What
+sayest thou, O portress?” She asked, “What hast thou done with the
+slave, our cook?; say me if thou hast killed or drugged him?” He
+answered, “What cook? Is there here another slave-cook than I?” She
+rejoined, “Thou liest, thou art Mercury Ali the Cairene.” And he said
+to her, in slaves’ patois, “O portress, are the Cairenes black or
+white? I will slave for you no longer.” Then said the slaves to him,
+“What is the matter with thee, O our cousin?” Cried Dalilah, “This is
+none of your uncle’s children, but Ali Zaybak the Egyptian; and
+meseems he hath either drugged your cousin or killed him.” But they
+said, “Indeed this is our cousin Sa’adu’llah the cook;” and she, “Not
+so, ’tis Mercury Ali, and he hath dyed his skin.” Quoth the sharper,
+“And who is Ali? I am Sa’adu’llah.” Then she fetched unguent of proof,
+with which she anointed Ali’s forearm and rubbed it; but the black did
+not come off; whereupon quoth the slaves “Let him go and dress us our
+dinner.” Quoth Dalilah, “If he be indeed your cousin, he knoweth what
+you sought of him yesternight[FN#239] and how many dishes he cooketh
+every day.” So they asked him of this and he said, “Every day I cook
+you five dishes for the morning and the like for the evening meal,
+lentils and rice and broth and stew[FN#240] and sherbet of roses; and
+yesternight ye sought of me a sixth dish and a seventh, to wit yellow
+rice and cooked pomegranate seed.” And the slaves said “Right!” Then
+quoth Dalilah, “In with him and if he know the kitchen and the larder,
+he is indeed your cousin; but, if not, kill him.” Now the cook had a
+cat which he had brought up, and whenever he entered the kitchen it
+would stand at the door and spring to his back, as soon as he went in.
+So, when Ali entered, the cat saw him and jumped on his shoulders;
+but he threw it off and it ran before him to the door of the kitchen
+and stopped there. He guessed that this was the kitchen door; so he
+took the keys and seeing one with traces of feathers thereon, knew it
+for the kitchen key and therewith opened the door. Then he entered and
+setting down the greens, went out again, led by the cat, which ran
+before him and stopped at another door. He guessed that this was the
+larder and seeing one of the keys marked with grease, knew it for the
+key and opened the door therewith; whereupon quoth the slaves, “O
+Dalilah, were he a stranger, he had not known the kitchen and the
+larder, nor had he been able to distinguish the keys thereof from the
+rest; verily, he is our cousin Sa’adu’llah.” Quoth she, “He learned
+the places from the cat and distinguished the keys one from the other
+by the appearance: but this cleverness imposeth not upon me.” Then he
+returned to the kitchen where he cooked the dinner and, carrying
+Zaynab’s tray up to her room, saw all the stolen clothes hanging up;
+after which he went down and took Dalilah her tray and gave the slaves
+and the dogs their rations. The like he did at sundown and drugged
+Dalilah’s food and that of Zaynab and the slaves. Now the doors of the
+Khan were opened and shut with the sun. So Ali went forth and cried
+out, saying, “O dwellers in the Khan, the watch is set and we have
+loosed the dogs; whoso stirreth out after this can blame none save
+himself.” But he had delayed the dogs’ supper and put poison therein;
+consequently when he set it before them, they ate of it and died while
+the slaves and Dalilah and Zaynab still slept under Bhang. Then he
+went up and took all the clothes and the carrier-pigeons and, opening
+the gate made off to the barrack of the Forty, where he found Hasan
+Shuman the Pestilence who said to him, “How hast thou fared?” Thereupon
+he told him what had passed and he praised him. Then he caused him to
+put off his clothes and boiled a decoction of herbs wherewith he
+washed him, and his skin became white as it was; after which he donned
+his own dress and going back to the Khan, clad the cook in the habit
+he had taken from him and made him smell to the counter-drug; upon
+which the slave awoke and going forth to the greengrocer’s, bought
+vegetables and returned to the Khan. Such was the case with Al-Zaybak
+of Cairo; but as regards Dalilah the Wily, when the day broke, one of
+the lodgers in the Khan came out of his chamber and, seeing the gate
+open and the slaves drugged and the dogs dead, he went in to her and
+found her lying drugged, with a scroll on her neck and at her head a
+sponge steeped in the counter-drug. He set the sponge to her nostrils
+and she awoke and asked, “Where am I?” The merchant answered, “When I
+came down from my chamber I saw the gate of the Khan open and the dogs
+dead and found the slaves and thee drugged.” So she took up the paper
+and read therein these words, “None did this deed save Ali the
+Egyptian.” Then she awoke the slaves and Zaynab by making them smell
+the counter-Bhang and said to them, “Did I not tell you that this was
+Ali of Cairo?”; presently adding to the slaves, “But do ye conceal the
+matter.” Then she said to her daughter, “How often have I warned thee
+that Ali would not forego his revenge? He hath done this deed in
+requital of that which thou diddest with him and he had it in his
+power to do with thee other than this thing; but he refrained
+therefrom out of courtesy and a desire that there should be love and
+friendship between us.” So saying, she doffed her man’s gear and donned
+woman’s attire[FN#241] and, tying the kerchief of peace about her
+neck, repaired to Ahmad al-Danaf’s barrack. Now when Ali entered with
+the clothes and the carrier-pigeons, Hasan Shuman gave the hall-keeper
+the price of forty pigeons and he bought them and cooked them amongst
+the men. Presently there came a knock at the door and Ahmad said,
+“That is Dalilah’s knock: rise and open to her, O hall-keeper.” So he
+admitted her and——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to
+say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fourteenth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Dalilah
+was admitted, Hasan asked her, “What bringeth thee hither, O ill-omened
+old woman? Verily, thou and thy brother Zurayk the fishmonger are of a
+piece!”; and she answered, “O captain I am in the wrong and this my
+neck is at thy mercy; but tell me which of you it was that played me
+this trick?” Quoth Calamity Ahmad, “’Twas the first of my lads.”
+Rejoined Dalilah, “For the sake of Allah intercede with him to give me
+back the carrier-pigeons and what not, and thou wilt lay me under
+great obligation.” When Hasan heard this he said, “Allah requite thee,
+ O Ali! Why didst thou cook the pigeons?”; and Ali answered, “I knew
+not that they were carrier-pigeons.” Then said Ahmad, “O hall-keeper
+bring us the cooked pigeons.” So he brought them and Dalilah took a
+piece and tasting it, said, “This is none of the carrier-pigeons’
+flesh, for I fed them on grains of musk and their meat is become even
+as musk.” Quoth Shuman, “An thou desire to have the carrier-pigeons,
+comply with Ali’s will.” Asked she “What is that?” And Hasan answered,
+“He would have thee marry him to thy daughter Zaynab.” She said, “I
+have not command over her except of affection”; and Hasan said to Ali
+the Cairene “Give her the pigeons.” So he gave them to her, and she
+took them and rejoiced in them. Then quoth Hasan to her, “There is no
+help but thou return us a sufficient reply”; and Dalilah rejoined, “If
+it be indeed his wish to marry her, it availed nothing to play this
+clever trick upon us: it behoveth him rather to demand her in marriage
+of her mother’s brother and her guardian, Captain Zurayk, him who
+crieth out, saying, ‘Ho! a pound of fish for two farthings!’ and who
+hangeth up in his shop a purse containing two thousand dinars.” When
+the Forty heard this, they all rose and cried out, saying, “What
+manner of blather is this, O harlot? Dost thou wish to bereave us of
+our brother Ali of Cairo?” Then she returned to the Khan and said to
+her daughter, “Ali the Egyptian seeketh thee in marriage.” Whereat
+Zaynab rejoiced, for she loved him because of his chaste forbearance
+towards her,[FN#242] and asked her mother what had passed. So she told
+her, adding, “I made it a condition that he should demand thy hand of
+thine uncle, so I might make him fall into destruction.” Meanwhile Ali
+turned to his fellows and asked them, “What manner of man is this
+Zurayk?”; and they answered, “He was chief of the sharpers of Al-Irak
+land and could all but pierce mountains and lay hold upon the stars.
+He would steal the Kohl from the eye and, in brief, he had not his
+match for roguery; but he hath repented his sins and foresworn his old
+way of life and opened him a fishmonger’s shop. And now he hath
+amassed two thousand dinars by the sale of fish and laid them in a
+purse with strings of silk, to which he hath tied bells and rings and
+rattles of brass, hung on a peg within the doorway. Every time he
+openeth his shop he suspendeth the said purse and crieth out, saying,
+‘Where are ye, O sharpers of Egypt, O prigs of Al-Irak, O tricksters
+of Ajam-land? Behold, Zurayk the fishmonger hath hung up a purse in
+front of his shop, and whoso pretendeth to craft and cunning, and can
+take it by sleight, it is his.’ So the long fingered and greedy-minded
+come and try to take the purse, but cannot; for, whilst he frieth his
+fish and tendeth the fire, he layeth at his feet scone-like circles of
+lead; and whenever a thief thinketh to take him unawares and maketh a
+snatch at the purse he casteth at him a load of lead and slayeth him or
+doeth him a damage. So O Ali, wert thou to tackle him, thou wouldst be
+as one who jostleth a funeral cortège, unknowing who is dead;[FN#243]
+for thou art no match for him, and we fear his mischief for thee.
+Indeed, thou hast no call to marry Zaynab, and he who leaveth a thing
+alone liveth without it.” Cried Ali, “This were shame, O comrades;
+needs must I take the purse: but bring me a young lady’s habit.” So
+they brought him women’s clothes and he clad himself therein and
+stained his hands with Henna, and modestly hung down his veil. Then he
+took a lamb and killing it, cut out the long intestine[FN#244] which
+he cleaned and tied up below; moreover he filled it with the blood and
+bound it between his thighs; after which he donned petticoat-trousers
+and walking boots. He also made himself a pair of false breasts with
+birds’ crops and filled them with thickened milk and tied round his
+hips and over his belly a piece of linen, which he stuffed with cotton,
+girding himself over all with a kerchief of silk well starched. Then
+he went out, whilst all who saw him exclaimed, “What a fine pair of
+hind cheeks!” Presently he saw an ass-driver coming, so he gave him a
+dinar and mounting, rode till he came to Zurayk’s shop, where he saw
+the purse hung up and the gold glittering through it. Now Zurayk was
+frying fish, and Ali said, “O ass-man, what is that smell?” Replied
+he, “It’s the smell of Zurayk’s fish.” Quoth Ali, “I am a woman with
+child and the smell harmeth me; go, fetch me a slice of the fish.” So
+the donkey-boy said to Zurayk, “What aileth thee to fry fish so early
+and annoy pregnant women with the smell? I have here the wife of the
+Emir Hasan Sharr al-Tarik, and she is with child; so give her a bit of
+fish, for the babe stirreth in her womb. O Protector, O my God, avert
+from us the mischief of this day!” Thereupon Zurayk took a piece of
+fish and would have fried it, but the fire had gone out and he went in
+to rekindle it. Meanwhile Ali dismounted and sitting down, pressed
+upon the lamb’s intestine till it burst and the blood ran out from
+between his legs. Then he cried aloud, saying, “O my back! O my side!”
+Whereupon the driver turned and seeing the blood running, said, “What
+aileth thee, O my lady?” Replied Ali, “I have miscarried”; whereupon
+Zurayk looked out and seeing the blood fled affrighted into the inner
+shop. Quoth the donkey-driver, “Allah torment thee, O Zurayk! The lady
+hath miscarried and thou art no match for her husband. Why must thou
+make a stench so early in the morning? I said to thee, ‘Bring her a
+slice,’ but thou wouldst not.” Thereupon, he took his ass and went his
+way and, as Zurayk still did not appear, Ali put out his hand to the
+purse; but no sooner had he touched it than the bells and rattles and
+rings began to jingle and the gold to chink. Quoth Zurayk, who
+returned at the sound, “Thy perfidy hath come to light, O gallows-bird!
+Wilt thou put a cheat on me and thou in a woman’s habit? Now take what
+cometh to thee!” And he threw a cake of lead at him, but it went agley
+and lighted on another; whereupon the people rose against Zurayk and
+said to him, “Art thou a tradesman or a swashbuckler? An thou be a
+tradesman, take down thy purse and spare the folk thy mischief.” He
+replied, “Bismillah, in the name of Allah! On my head be it.” As for
+Ali, he made off to the barrack and told Hasan Shuman what had
+happened, after which he put off his woman’s gear and donning a
+groom’s habit which was brought to him by his chief took a dish and
+five dirhams. Then he returned to Zurayk’s shop and the fishmonger
+said to him, “What dost thou want, O my master?”[FN#245] He showed him
+the dirhams and Zurayk would have given him of the fish in the tray,
+but he said, “I will have none save hot fish.” So he set fish in the
+earthen pan and finding the fire dead, went in to relight it;
+whereupon Ali put out his hand to the purse and caught hold of the end
+of it. The rattles and rings and bells jingled and Zurayk said, “Thy
+trick hath not deceived me. I knew thee for all thou art disguised as
+a groom by the grip of thy hand on the dish and the dirhams.”— And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifteenth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Ali of
+Egypt put out his hand to the purse, the bells and rings jingled and
+Zurayk said, “Thy trick hath not deceived me for all thou comest
+disguised as a groom I knew thee by the grip of thy hand on the dish
+and the dirhams!” So saying, he threw the lead at him, but he avoided
+it and it fell into the pan full of hot fish and broke it and
+overturned it, fat and all, upon the breast and shoulders of the Kazi,
+who was passing. The oil ran down inside his clothes to his privy
+parts and he cried out, “O my privities! What a sad pickle you are in!
+Alas, unhappy I! Who hath played me this trick?” Answered the people,
+“O our lord, it was some small boy that threw a stone into the pan:
+but for Allah’s word, it had been worse.” Then they turned and seeing
+the loaf of lead and that it was Zurayk who had thrown it, rose
+against him and said to him, “O Zurayk, this is not allowed of Allah!
+Take down the purse or it shall go ill for thee.” Answered he, “I will
+take it down, Inshallah!” Meanwhile Ali returned to the barrack and
+told his comrades who cried, “Where is the purse?”, all that had
+passed and they said, “Thou hast exhausted two-thirds of his
+cunning.” Then he changed his groom’s dress for the garb of a merchant
+and going out, met a snake-charmer, with a bag of serpents and a
+wallet containing his kit to whom said he, “O charmer, come and amuse
+my lads, and thou shalt have largesse.” So he accompanied him to the
+barrack, where he fed him and drugging him with Bhang, doffed his
+clothes and put them on. Then he took the bags and repairing to
+Zurayk’s shop began to play the reed-pipe. Quoth Zurayk, “Allah provide
+thee!” But Ali pulled out the serpents and cast them down before him;
+whereat the fishseller, who was afraid of snakes, fled from them into
+the inner shop. Thereupon Ali picked up the reptiles and, thrusting
+them back into the bag, stretched out his hand and caught hold of the
+end of the purse. The rings again rang and the bells and rattles
+jangled, and Zurayk cried, “Wilt thou never cease to play me tricks?
+Now thou feignest thyself a serpent-charmer!” So saying, he took up a
+piece of lead, and hurled it at Ali; but it missed him and fell on the
+head of a groom, who was passing by, following his master, a trooper,
+and knocked him down. Quoth the soldier, “Who felled him?”; and the
+folk said, “’Twas a stone fell from the roof.” So the soldier passed
+on and the people, seeing the piece of lead, went up to Zurayk and
+cried to him, “Take down the purse!”; and he said, “Inshallah, I will
+take it down this very night!” Ali ceased not to practice upon Zurayk
+till he had made seven different attempts but without taking the
+purse. Then he returned the snake-charmer his clothes and kit and gave
+him due benevolence; after which he went back to Zurayk’s shop and
+heard him say, “If I leave the purse here to-night, he will dig
+through the shop-wall and take it; I will carry it home with me.” So
+he arose and shut the shop; then he took down the purse and putting it
+in his bosom set out home, till he came near his house, when he saw a
+wedding in a neighbour’s lodging and said to himself, “I will hie me
+home and give my wife the purse and don my fine clothes and return to
+the marriage.” And Ali followed him. Now Zurayk had married a black
+girl, one of the freed women of the Wazir Ja’afar and she had borne
+him a son, whom he named Abdallah, and he had promised her to spend
+the money in the purse on the occasion of the boy’s circumcision and
+of his marriage-procession. So he went into his house and, as he
+entered, his wife saw that his face was overcast and asked him, “What
+hath caused thy sadness?” Quoth he, “Allah hath afflicted me this day
+with a rascal who made seven attempts to get the purse, but without
+avail;” and quoth she, “Give it to me, that I may lay it up against
+the boy’s festival-day.” (Now Ali, who had followed him lay hidden in
+a closet whence he could see and hear all.) So he gave her the purse
+and changed his clothes, saying, “Keep the purse safely, O Umm
+Abdallah, for I am going to the wedding.” But she said, “Take thy
+sleep awhile.” So he lay down and fell asleep. Presently, Ali rose and
+going on tiptoe to the purse, took it and went to the house of the
+wedding and stood there, looking on at the fun. Now meanwhile, Zurayk
+dreamt that he saw a bird fly away with the purse and awaking in
+affright, said to his wife, “Rise; look for the purse.” So she looked
+and finding it gone, buffeted her face and said, “Alas the blackness
+of thy fortune, O Umm Abdallah! A sharker hath taken the purse.” Quoth
+Zurayk, “By Allah it can be none other than rascal Ali who hath
+plagued me all day! He hath followed me home and seized the purse; and
+there is no help but that I go and get it back.” Quoth she, “Except
+thou bring it, I will lock on thee the door and leave thee to pass the
+night in the street.” So he went up to the house of the wedding, and
+seeing Ali looking on, said to himself, “This is he who took the
+purse; but he lodgeth with Ahmad al-Danaf.” So he forewent him to the
+barrack and, climbing up at the back, dropped down into the saloon,
+where he found every one asleep. Presently there came a rap at the
+door and Zurayk asked, “Who is there!” “Ali of Cairo,” answered the
+knocker; and Zurayk said, “Hast thou brought the purse?” So Ali thought
+it was Hasan Shuman and replied, “I have brought it;[FN#246] open the
+door.” Quoth Zurayk, “Impossible that I open to thee till I see the
+purse; for thy chief and I have laid a wager about it.” Said Ali, “Put
+out thy hand.” So he put out his hand through the hole in the
+side-door and Ali laid the purse in it; whereupon Zurayk took it and
+going forth, as he had come in, returned to the wedding. Ali stood for
+a long while at the door, but none opened to him; and at last he gave
+a thundering knock that awoke all the men and they said, “That is Ali
+of Cairo’s peculiar rap.” So the hall-keeper opened to him and Hasan
+Shuman said to him, “Hast thou brought the purse?” Replied Ali, “Enough
+of jesting, O Shuman: didst thou not swear that thou wouldest not open
+to me till I showed thee the purse, and did I not give it thee through
+the hole in the side door? And didst thou not say to me, I am sworn
+never to open the door till thou show me the purse?” Quoth Hasan, “By
+Allah, ’twas not I who took it, but Zurayk!” Quoth Ali, “Needs must I
+get it again,” and repaired to the house of the wedding, where he
+heard the buffoon[FN#247] say, “Bravo,[FN#248] O Abu Abdallah! Good
+luck to thee with thy son!” Said Ali, “My luck is in the ascendant,”
+and going to the fishmonger’s lodging, climbed over the back wall of
+the house and found his wife asleep. So he drugged her with Bhang and
+clad himself in her clothes. Then he took the child in his arms and
+went round, searching, till he found a palm-leaf basket containing
+buns,[FN#249] which Zurayk of his niggardliness, had kept from the
+Greater Feast. Presently, the fishmonger returned and knocked at the
+door, whereupon Ali imitated his wife’s voice and asked, “Who is at
+the door?” “Abu Abdallah,” answered Zurayk and Ali said, “I swore that
+I would not open the door to thee, except thou broughtest back the
+purse.” Quoth the fishmonger, “I have brought it.” Cried Ali, “Here
+with it into my hand before I open the door;” and Zurayk answered,
+saying, “Let down the basket and take it therein.” So Sharper Ali let
+down the basket and the other put the purse therein, whereupon Ali
+took it and drugged the child. Then he aroused the woman and making
+off by the back way as he had entered, returned with the child and the
+purse and the basket of cakes to the barrack and showed them all to
+the Forty, who praised his dexterity. Thereupon he gave them cakes,
+which they ate, and made over the boy to Hasan Shuman, saying, “This
+is Zurayk’s child; hide it by thee.” So he hid it and fetching a lamb,
+gave it to the hall-keeper who cooked it whole, wrapped in a cloth,
+and laid it out shrouded as it were a dead body. Meanwhile Zurayk
+stood awhile, waiting at the door, then gave a knock like thunder and
+his wife said to him, “Hast thou brought the purse?” He replied, “Didst
+thou not take it up in the basket thou diddest let down but now?”; and
+she rejoined, “I let no basket down to thee, nor have I set eyes on
+the purse.” Quoth he, “By Allah the sharper hath been beforehand with
+me and hath taken the purse again!” Then he searched the house and
+found the basket of cakes gone and the child missing and cried out,
+saying, “Alas, my child!” whereupon the woman beat her breast and
+said, “I and thee to the Wazir, for none hath killed my son save this
+sharper, and all because of thee.” Cried Zurayk, “I will answer for
+him.” So he tied the kerchief of truce about his neck and going to
+Ahmad al-Danaf’s lodging, knocked at the door. The hall-keeper
+admitted him and as he entered Hasan Shuman asked him, “What bringeth
+thee here?” He answered, “Do ye intercede with Ali the Cairene to
+restore me my child and I will yield to him the purse of gold.” Quoth
+Hasan, “Allah requite thee, O Ali! Why didst thou not tell me it was
+his child?” “What hath befallen him?” cried Zurayk, and Hasan replied,
+“We gave him raisins to eat, and he choked and died and this is he.”
+Quoth Zurayk “Alas, my son! What shall I say to his mother?” Then he
+rose and opening the shroud, saw it was a lamb barbecued and said,
+“Thou makest sport of me, O Ali!” Then they gave him the child and
+Calamity Ahmad said to him, “Thou didst hang up the purse, proclaiming
+that it should be the property of any sharper who should be able to
+take it, and Ali hath taken it; so ’tis the very property of our
+Cairene.” Zurayk answered “I make him a present of it;” but Ali said
+to him, “Do thou accept it on account of thy niece Zaynab.” And Zurayk
+replied, “I accept it.” Then quoth the Forty, “We demand of thee
+Zaynab in marriage for Ali of Cairo;” but quoth he, “I have no control
+over her save of kindness.” Hasan asked, “Dost thou grant our suit?”;
+and he answered, “Yes, I will grant her in marriage to him who can
+avail to her mahr or marriage-settlement.” “And what is her dowry?”
+enquired Hasan; and Zurayk replied, “She hath sworn that none shall
+mount her breast save the man who bringeth her the robe of Kamar,
+daughter of Azariah the Jew and the rest of her gear.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixteenth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zurayk
+replied to Shuman, “She hath sworn that none shall ride astraddle upon
+her breast save the man who bringeth her the clothes of Kamar, daughter
+of Azariah the Jew and her crown and girdle and pantoufle[FN#250] of
+gold,” Ali cried, “If I do not bring her the clothes this very night,
+I renounce my claim to her.” Rejoined Zurayk, “O Ali, thou art a dead
+man if thou play any of thy pranks on Kamar.” “Why so?” asked Ali and
+the other answered, “Her father, Jew Azariah, is a skilful, wily,
+perfidious magician who hath the Jinn at his service. He owneth
+without the city a castle, whose walls are one brick of gold and one
+of silver and which is visible to the folk only whilst he is therein:
+when he goeth forth, it disappeareth. He brought his daughter this
+dress I speak of from an enchanted treasure, and every day he layeth
+it in a charger of gold and, opening the windows of the palace, crieth
+out, ‘Where are the sharpers of Cairo, the prigs of Al-Irak, the
+master-thieves of Ajam-land? Whoso prevaileth to take this dress, ’tis
+his.’ So all the long-fingered ones essayed the adventure, but failed
+to take it, and he turned them by his magic into apes and asses.” But
+Ali said, “I will assuredly take it, and Zaynab shall be displayed
+therein.”[FN#251] So he went to the shop of the Jew and found him a
+man of stern and forbidding aspect, seated with scales and
+stone-weights and gold and silver and nests of drawers and so forth
+before him, and a she-mule tethered hard by. Presently he rose and
+shutting his shop, laid the gold and silver in two purses, which he
+placed in a pair of saddle-bags and set on the she-mule’s back. Then
+he mounted and rode till he reached the city-outskirts followed,
+without his knowledge, by Ali, when he took out some dust from a
+pocket-purse and, muttering over it, sprinkled it upon the air. No
+sooner had he done this than sharper Ali saw a castle which had not
+its like, and the Jew mounted the steps upon his beast which was a
+subject Jinni; after which he dismounted and taking the saddle-bags
+off her back, dismissed the she-mule and she vanished. Then he entered
+the castle and sat down. Presently, he arose and opening the lattices,
+took a wand of gold, which he set up in the open window and, hanging
+thereto a golden charger by chains of the same metal, laid in it the
+dress, whilst Ali watched him from behind the door, and presently he
+cried out, saying, “Where are the sharpers of Cairo? Where are the
+prigs of Al-Irak, the master-thieves of the Ajam-land? Whoso can take
+this dress by his sleight, ’tis his!” Then he pronounced certain
+magical words and a tray of food spread itself before him. He ate and
+conjured a second time, whereupon the tray disappeared; and yet a
+third time, when a table of wine was placed between his hands and he
+drank. Quoth Ali, “I know not how I am to take the dress except if he
+be drunken.” Then he stole up behind the Jew whinger in grip; but the
+other turned and conjured, saying to his hand, “Hold with the sword;”
+whereupon Ali’s right arm was held and abode half-way in the air
+hending the hanger. He put out his left hand to the weapon, but it
+also stood fixed in the air, and so with his right foot, leaving him
+standing on one foot. Then the Jew dispelled the charm from him and Ali
+became as before. Presently Azariah struck a table of sand and found
+that the thief’s name was Mercury Ali of Cairo; so he turned to him
+and said, “Come nearer! Who art thou and what dost thou here?” He
+replied, “I am Ali of Cairo, of the band of Ahmad al-Danaf. I sought
+the hand of Zaynab, daughter of Dalilah the Wily, and she demanded thy
+daughter’s dress to her dowry; so do thou give it to me and become a
+Moslem, an thou wouldst save thy life.” Rejoined the Jew, “After thy
+death! Many have gone about to steal the dress, but failed to take it
+from me; wherefore an thou deign be advised, thou wilt begone and save
+thyself; for they only seek the dress of thee, that thou mayst fall
+into destruction; and indeed, had I not seen by geomancy that thy
+fortune overrideth my fortunes I had smitten thy neck.” Ali rejoiced
+to hear that his luck overcame that of the Jew and said to him, “There
+is no help for it but I must have the dress and thou must become a
+True Believer.” Asked the Jew, “Is this thy will and last word,” and
+Ali answered, “Yes.” So the Jew took a cup and filling it with water,
+conjured over it and said to Ali, “Come forth from this shape of a man
+into the form of an ass.” Then he sprinkled him with the water and
+straightway he became a donkey, with hoofs and long ears, and fell to
+braying after the manner of asinines. The Jew drew round him a circle
+which became a wall over against him, and drank on till the morning,
+when he said to Ali, “I will ride thee to-day and give the she-mule a
+rest.” So he locked up the dress, the charger, the rod and the charms
+in a cupboard[FN#252] and conjured over Ali, who followed him. Then he
+set the saddle-bags on his back and mounting, fared forth of the
+Castle, whereupon it disappeared from sight and he rode into Baghdad,
+till he came to his shop, where he alighted and emptied the bags of
+gold and silver into the trays before him. As for Ali, he was tied up
+by the shop-door, where he stood in his asinine form hearing and
+understanding all that passed, without being able to speak. And
+behold, up came a young merchant with whom fortune had played the
+tyrant and who could find no easier way of earning his livelihood than
+water-carrying. So he brought his wife’s bracelets to the Jew and said
+to him, “Give me the price of these bracelets, that I may buy me an
+ass.” Asked the Jew, “What wilt thou do with him?”; and the other
+answered, “O master, I mean to fetch water from the river on his back,
+and earn my living thereby.” Quoth the Jew, “Take this ass of mine.”
+So he sold him the bracelets and received the ass-shaped Ali of Cairo
+in part payment and carried him home. Quoth Ali to himself, “If the
+Ass-man clap the pannel on thee and load thee with water-skins and go
+with thee half a score journeys a day he will ruin thy health and thou
+wilt die.” So, when the water-carrier’s wife came to bring him his
+fodder, he butted her with his head and she fell on her back;
+whereupon he sprang on her and smiting her brow with his mouth, put
+out and displayed that which his begetter left him. She cried aloud
+and the neighbours came to her assistance and beat him and raised him
+off her breast. When her husband the intended water-carrier came home,
+she said to him, “Now either divorce me or return the ass to his
+owner.” He asked, “What hath happened?”; and she answered, “This is a
+devil in the guise of a donkey. He sprang upon me, and had not the
+neighbours beaten him off my bosom he had done with me a foul thing.”
+So he carried the ass back to the Jew, who said to him, “Wherefore hast
+thou brought him back?” and he replied, “He did a foul thing with my
+wife.” So the Jew gave him his money again and he went away; and
+Azariah said to Ali, “Hast thou recourse to knavery, unlucky wretch
+that thou art, in order that”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventeenth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+water-carrier brought back the ass, its Jew owner returned to him the
+monies and turning to Ali of Cairo said, “Hast thou recourse to
+knavery, unlucky wretch that thou art, in order that he may return
+thee to me? But since it pleaseth thee to be an ass, I will make thee
+a spectacle and a laughing stock to great and small.” Then he mounted
+him and rode till he came without the city, when he brought out the
+ashes in powder and conjuring over it sprinkled it upon the air and
+immediately the Castle appeared. He entered and taking the saddle-bags
+off the ass’s back set up the rod and hung to it the charger wherein
+were the clothes proclaiming aloud, “Where be the clever ones of all
+quarters who may avail to take this dress?” Then he conjured as before
+and meat was set before him and he ate and then wine when he drank;
+after which he took a cup of water and muttering certain words
+thereover, sprinkled it on the ass Ali, saying, “Quit this form and
+return to thy former shape.” Ali straightway became a man once more
+and Azariah said to him, “O Ali, take good advice and be content with
+my mischief. Thou hast no call to marry Zaynab nor to take my
+daughter’s dress, for ’tis no easy matter for thee: so leave greed and
+’twill be better for thee; else will I turn thee into a bear or an ape
+or set on thee an Ifrit, who will cast thee behind the Mountain Kaf.”
+He replied, “I have engaged to take the dress and needs must I have it
+and thou must Islamize or I will slay thee.” Rejoined the Jew, “O Ali,
+thou art like a walnut; unless it be broken it cannot be eaten.” Then
+he took a cup of water and conjuring over it, sprinkled Ali with
+somewhat thereof, saying, “Take thou shape of bear;” whereupon he
+instantly became a bear and the Jew put a collar about his neck,
+muzzled him and chained him to a picket of iron. Then he sat down and
+ate and drank, now and then throwing him a morsel of his orts and
+emptying the dregs of the cup over him, till the morning, when he rose
+and laid by the tray and the dress and conjured over the bear, which
+followed him to the shop. There the Jew sat down and emptied the gold
+and silver into the trays before Ali, after binding him by the chain;
+and the bear there abode seeing and comprehending but not able to
+speak. Presently up came a man and a merchant, who accosted the Jew and
+said to him, “O Master, wilt thou sell me yonder bear? I have a wife
+who is my cousin and is sick; and they have prescribed for her to eat
+bears’ flesh and anoint herself with bears’ grease.” At this the Jew
+rejoiced and said to himself, “I will sell him to this merchant, so he
+may slaughter him and we be at peace from him.” And Ali also said in
+his mind, “By Allah, this fellow meaneth to slaughter me; but
+deliverance is with the Almighty.” Then said the Jew, “He is a present
+from me to thee.” So the merchant took him and carried him to the
+butcher, to whom he said, “Bring thy tools and company me.” The
+butcher took his knives and followed the merchant to his house, where
+he bound the beast and fell to sharpening his blade: but, when he went
+up to him to slaughter him, the bear escaped from his hands and rising
+into the air, disappeared from sight between heaven and earth; nor did
+he cease flying till he alighted at the Jew’s castle. Now the reason
+thereof was on this wise. When the Jew returned home, his daughter
+questioned him of Ali and he told her what had happened; whereupon she
+said, “Summon a Jinni and ask him of the youth, whether he be indeed
+Mercury Ali or another who seeketh to put a cheat on thee.” So Azariah
+called a Jinni by conjurations and questioned him of Ali; and he
+replied, “’Tis Ali of Cairo himself. The butcher hath pinioned him and
+whetted his knife to slaughter him.” Quoth the Jew, “Go, snatch him up
+and bring him hither, ere the butcher cut his throat.” So the Jinni
+flew off and, snatching Ali out of the butcher’s hands, bore him to the
+palace and set him down before the Jew, who took a cup of water and
+conjuring over it, sprinkled him therewith, saying, “Return to thine
+own shape.” And he straightway became a man again as before. The Jew’s
+daughter Kamar,[FN#253] seeing him to be a handsome young man, fell in
+love with him and he fell in love with her; and she said to him, “O
+unlucky one, why dost thou go about to take my dress, enforcing my
+father to deal thus with thee?” Quoth he, “I have engaged to get it
+for Zaynab the Coney-catcher, that I may wed her therewith.” And she
+said, “Others than thou have played pranks with my father to get my
+dress, but could not win to it,” presently adding, “So put away this
+thought from thee.” But he answered, “Needs must I have it, and thy
+father must become a Moslem, else I will slay him.” Then said the Jew,
+“See, O my daughter, how this unlucky fellow seeketh his own
+destruction,” adding, “Now I will turn thee into a dog.” So he took a
+cup graven with characters and full of water and conjuring over it,
+sprinkled some of it upon Ali, saying, “Take thou form of dog.”
+Whereupon he straightway became a dog, and the Jew and his daughter
+drank together till the morning, when the father laid up the dress and
+charger and mounted his mule. Then he conjured over the dog, which
+followed him, as he rode towards the town, and all dogs barked at
+Ali[FN#254] as he passed, till he came to the shop of a broker, a
+seller of second-hand goods, who rose and drove away the dogs, and Ali
+ lay down before him. The Jew turned and looked for him, but finding
+him not, passed onwards. Presently, the broker shut up his shop and
+went home, followed by the dog, which, when his daughter saw enter the
+house, she veiled her face and said, “O my papa, dost thou bring a
+strange man in to me?” He replied, “O my daughter, this is a dog.”
+Quoth she, “Not so, ’tis Ali the Cairene, whom the Jew Azariah hath
+enchanted;” and she turned to the dog and said to him, “Art not Ali of
+Cairo?” And he signed to her with his head, “Yes.” Then her father
+asked her, “Why did the Jew enchant him?”; and she answered, “Because
+of his daughter Kamar’s dress; but I can release him.” Said the broker,
+“An thou canst indeed do him this good office, now is the time,” and
+she, “If he will marry me, I will release him.” And he signed to her
+with his head, “Yes.” So she took a cup of water, graven with certain
+signs and conjuring over it, was about to sprinkle Ali therewith, when
+lo and behold! she heard a great cry and the cup fell from her hand.
+She turned and found that it was her father’s handmaid, who had cried
+out; and she said to her, “O my mistress, is’t thus thou keepest the
+covenant between me and thee? None taught thee this art save I, and
+thou didst agree with me that thou wouldst do naught without
+consulting me and that whoso married thee should marry me also, and
+that one night should be mine and one night thine.” And the broker’s
+daughter said, “’Tis well.” When the broker heard the maid’s words, he
+asked his daughter, “Who taught the maid?”; and she answered, “O my
+papa, enquire of herself.” So he put the question and she replied,
+“Know, O my lord, that, when I was with Azariah the Jew, I used to spy
+upon him and listen to him, when he performed his gramarye; and when
+he went forth to his shop in Baghdad, I opened his books and read in
+them, till I became skilled in the Cabbala-science. One day, he was
+warm with wine and would have me lie with him, but I objected, saying,
+‘I may not grant thee this except thou become a Moslem.’ He refused and
+I said to him, ‘Now for the Sultan’s market.’[FN#255] So he sold me to
+thee and I taught my young mistress, making it a condition with her
+that she should do naught without my counsel, and that whoso might wed
+her should wed me also, one night for me and one night for her.” Then
+she took a cup of water and conjuring over it, sprinkled the dog
+therewith; saying, “Return thou to form of man.” And he straightway
+was restored to his former shape; whereupon the broker saluted him with
+the salam and asked him the reason of his enchantment. So Ali told him
+ all that had passed——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighteenth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the broker,
+having saluted Ali of Cairo with the salam, asked him the reason of
+his enchantment and what had befallen him; and he answered by telling
+him all that had passed, when the broker said to him, “Will not my
+daughter and the handmaid suffice thee?” but he answered, “Needs must
+I have Zaynab also.” Now suddenly there came a rap at the door and the
+maid said, “Who is at the door?” The knocker replied, “Kamar, daughter
+of Azariah the Jew; say me, is Ali of Cairo with you?” Replied the
+broker’s daughter, “O thou daughter of a dog! If he be with us, what
+wilt thou with him? Go down, O maid, and open to her.” So the maid
+let her in, and when she looked upon Ali and he upon her, he said,
+“What bringeth thee hither O dog’s daughter?” Quoth she, “I testify
+that there is no god but _the_ God and I testify that Mohammed is the
+Apostle of God.” And, having thus Islamised, she asked him, “Do men
+in the Faith of Al-Islam give marriage portions to women or do women
+dower men?” Quoth he, “Men endow women.” “Then,” said she, “I come
+and dower myself for thee, bringing thee, as my marriage-portion, my
+dress together with the rod and charger and chains and the head of
+my father, the enemy of thee and the foeman of Allah.” And she threw
+down the Jew’s head before him. Now the cause of her slaying her sire
+was as follows. On the night of his turning Ali into a dog, she saw,
+in a dream, a speaker who said to her, “Become a Moslemah.” She did
+so; and as soon as she awoke next morning she expounded Al-Islam to
+her father who refused to embrace the Faith; so she drugged him with
+Bhang and killed him. As for Ali, he took the gear and said to the
+broker, “Meet we to-morrow at the Caliph’s Divan, that I may take
+thy daughter and the handmaid to wife.” Then he set out rejoicing,
+to return to the barrack of the Forty. On his way he met a sweetmeat
+seller, who was beating hand upon hand and saying, “There is no Majesty
+and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Folk’s
+labour hath waxed sinful and man is active only in fraud!” Then said
+he to Ali, “I conjure thee, by Allah, taste of this confection!” So
+Ali took a piece and ate it and fell down senseless, for there was
+Bhang therein; whereupon the sweetmeat-seller seized the dress and
+the charger and the rest of the gear and thrusting them into the box
+where he kept his sweetmeats hoisted it up and made off. Presently
+he met a Kazi, who called to him, saying, “Come hither, O sweetmeat
+seller!” So he went up to him and setting down his sack laid the tray
+of sweetmeats upon it and asked, “What dost thou want?” “Halwá and
+dragées,[FN#256]” answered the Kazi and, taking some in his hand,
+said, “Both of these are adulterated.” Then he brought out sweetmeats
+from his breast-pocket[FN#257] and gave them to the sweetmeat-seller,
+saying, “Look at this fashion; how excellent it is! Eat of it and make
+the like of it.” So he ate and fell down senseless, for the sweetmeats
+were drugged with Bhang, whereupon the Kazi bundled him into the sack
+and made off with him, charger and chest and all, to the barrack of the
+Forty. Now the Judge in question was Hasan Shuman and the reason of
+this was as follows. When Ali had been gone some days in quest of the
+dress and they heard no news of him, Calamity Ahmad said to his men,
+“O lads, go and seek for your brother Ali of Cairo.” So they sallied
+forth in quest of him and among the rest Hasan Shuman the Pestilence,
+disguised in a Kazi’s gear. He came upon the sweetmeat-seller and,
+knowing him for Ahmad al-Lakit[FN#258] suspected him of having played
+some trick upon Ali; so he drugged him and did as we have seen.
+Meanwhile, the other Forty fared about the streets and highways making
+search in different directions, and amongst them Ali Kitf al-Jamal,
+who espying a crowd, made towards the people and found the Cairene Ali
+lying drugged and senseless in their midst. So he revived him and he
+came to himself and seeing the folk flocking around him asked, “Where
+am I?” Answered Ali Camel-shoulder and his comrades, “We found thee
+lying here drugged but know not who drugged thee.” Quoth Ali, “’Twas a
+certain sweetmeat-seller who drugged me and took the gear from me; but
+where is he gone?” Quoth his comrades, “We have seen nothing of him;
+but come, rise and go home with us.” So they returned to the barrack,
+where they found Ahmad al-Danaf, who greeted Ali and enquired if he had
+brought the dress. He replied, “I was coming hither with it and other
+matters, including the Jew’s head, when a sweetmeat-seller met me and
+drugged me with Bhang and took them from me.” Then he told him the
+whole tale ending with, “If I come across that man of goodies again, I
+will requite him.” Presently Hasan Shuman came out of a closet and said
+to him, “Hast thou gotten the gear, O Ali?” So he told him what had
+befallen him and added, “If I know whither the rascal is gone and where
+to find the knave, I would pay him out. Knowest thou whither he went?”
+Answered Hasan, “I know where he is,” and opening the door of the
+closet, showed him the sweetmeat-seller within, drugged and senseless.
+Then he aroused him and he opened his eyes and finding himself in
+presence of Mercury Ali and Calamity Ahmad and the Forty, started up
+and said, “Where am I and who hath laid hands on me?” Replied Shuman,
+“’Twas I laid hands on thee;” and Ali cried, “O perfidious wretch, wilt
+thou play thy pranks on me?” And he would have slain him: but Hasan
+said to him, “Hold thy hand for this fellow is become thy kinsman.”
+“How my kinsman?” quoth Ali; and quoth Hasan, “This is Ahmad al-Lakit
+son of Zaynab’s sister.” Then said Ali to the prisoner, “Why didst thou
+thus, O Lakit?” and he replied, “My grandmother, Dalilah the Wily, bade
+me do it; only because Zurayk the fishmonger foregathered with the old
+woman and said, ‘Mercury Ali of Cairo is a sharper and a past master
+in knavery, and he will certainly slay the Jew and bring hither the
+dress.’ So she sent for me and said to me, ‘O Ahmad, dost thou know
+Ali of Cairo?’ Answered I, ‘Indeed I do and ’twas I directed him to
+Ahmad al-Danaf’s lodging when he first came to Baghdad.’ Quoth she, ‘Go
+and set thy nets for him, and if he have brought back the gear, put a
+cheat on him and take it from him.’ So I went round about the highways
+of the city, till I met a sweetmeat-seller and buying his clothes and
+stock-in-trade and gear for ten dinars, did what was done.” Thereupon
+quoth Ali, “Go back to thy grandmother and Zurayk, and tell them that
+I have brought the gear and the Jew’s head and say to them:—Meet me
+to-morrow at the Caliph’s Divan, there to receive Zaynab’s dowry.”
+And Calamity Ahmad rejoiced in this and said, “We have not wasted our
+pains in rearing thee, O Ali!” Next morning Ali took the dress, the
+charger, the rod and the chains of gold, together with the head of
+Azariah the Jew mounted on a pike, and went up, accompanied by Ahmad
+al-Danaf and the Forty, to the Divan, where they kissed ground before
+the Caliph——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Nineteenth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Ali the
+Cairene went up to the Caliph’s Divan, accompanied by his uncle Ahmad
+al-Danaf and his lads they kissed ground before the Caliph who turned
+and seeing a youth of the most valiant aspect, enquired of Calamity
+Ahmad concerning him and he replied, “O Commander of the Faithful, this
+is Mercury Ali the Egyptian captain of the brave boys of Cairo, and he
+is the first of my lads.” And the Caliph loved him for the valour that
+shone from between his eyes, testifying for him and not against him.
+Then Ali rose; and, casting the Jew’s head down before him, said, “May
+thine every enemy be like this one, O Prince of True Believers!”
+Quoth Al-Rashid, “Whose head is this?”; and quoth Ali, “’Tis the head
+of Azariah the Jew.” “Who slew him?” asked the Caliph. So Ali related
+to him all that had passed, from first to last, and the Caliph said,
+“I had not thought thou wouldst kill him, for that he was a sorcerer.”
+Ali replied, “O Commander of the Faithful, my Lord made me prevail to
+his slaughter.” Then the Caliph sent the Chief of Police to the Jew’s
+palace, where he found him lying headless; so he laid the body on a
+bier,[FN#259] and carried it to Al-Rashid, who commanded to burn it.
+Whereat, behold, up came Kamar and kissing the ground before the
+Caliph, informed him that she was the daughter of Jew Azariah and that
+ she had become a Moslemah. Then she renewed her profession of Faith
+before the Commander of the Faithful and said to him “Be thou my
+intercessor with Sharper Ali that he take me to wife.” She also
+appointed him her guardian to consent to her marriage with the
+Cairene, to whom he gave the Jew’s palace and all its contents,
+saying, “Ask a boon of me.” Quoth Ali, “I beg of thee to let me stand
+on thy carpet and eat of thy table;” and quoth the Caliph, “O Ali,
+hast thou any lads?” He replied, “I have forty lads; but they are in
+Cairo.” Rejoined the Caliph, “Send to Cairo and fetch them hither,”
+presently adding, “But, O Ali, hast thou a barrack for them?” “No,”
+answered Ali; and Hasan Shuman said, “I make him a present of my
+barrack with all that is therein, O Commander of the Faithful.”
+However, the Caliph retorted, saying, “Thy lodging is thine own, O
+Hasan;” and he bade his treasurer give the court architect ten thousand
+dinars, that he might build Ali a hall with four daïses and forty
+sleeping-closets for his lads. Then said he, “O Ali, hast thou any
+further wish, that we may command its fulfilment?”; and said Ali, “O
+King of the age, be thou my intercessor with Dalilah the Wily that she
+give me her daughter Zaynab to wife and take the dress and gear of
+Azariah’s girl in lieu of dower.” Dalilah accepted the Caliph’s
+intercession and accepted the charger and dress and what not, and they
+drew up the marriage contracts between Ali and Zaynab and Kamar, the
+Jew’s daughter and the broker’s daughter and the handmaid. Moreover,
+the Caliph assigned him a solde with a table morning and evening, and
+stipends and allowances for fodder; all of the most liberal. Then Ali
+the Cairene fell to making ready for the wedding festivities and,
+after thirty days, he sent a letter to his comrades in Cairo, wherein
+he gave them to know of the favours and honours which the Caliph had
+bestowed upon him and said, “I have married four maidens and needs
+must ye come to the wedding.” So, after a reasonable time the forty
+lads arrived and they held high festival; he homed them in his barrack
+and entreated them with the utmost regard and presented them to the
+Caliph, who bestowed on them robes of honour and largesse. Then the
+tiring-women displayed Zaynab before Ali in the dress of the Jew’s
+daughter, and he went in unto her and found her a pearl unthridden and
+a filly by all save himself unridden. Then he went in unto the three
+other maidens and found them accomplished in beauty and loveliness.
+After this it befel that Ali of Cairo was one night on guard by the
+Caliph who said to him, “I wish thee O Ali, to tell me all that hath
+befallen thee from first to last with Dalilah the Wily and Zaynab the
+Coney-catcher and Zurayk the Fishmonger.” So Ali related to him all his
+adventures and the Commander of the Faithful bade record them and lay
+them up in the royal muniment-rooms. So they wrote down all that had
+befallen him and kept it in store with other histories for the people
+of Mohammed the Best of Men. And Ali and his wives and comrades abode
+in all solace of life, and its joyance, till there came to them the
+Destroyer of Delights and Sunderer of Societies; and Allah (be He
+extolled and exalted!) is All-knowing![FN#260] And also men relate
+the tale of
+
+
+
+
+ARDASHIR AND HAYAT AL-NUFUS.[FN#261]
+
+
+There was once in the city of Shíráz a mighty King called Sayf
+al-A’azam Shah, who had grown old, without being blessed with a son. So
+he summoned the physicists and physicians and said to them, “I am now
+in years and ye know my case and the state of the kingdom and its
+ordinance; and I fear for my subjects after me; for that up to this
+present I have not been vouchsafed a son.” Thereupon they replied, “We
+will compound thee a somewhat of drugs wherein shall be efficacy, if it
+please Almighty Allah!” So they mixed him drugs, which he used and knew
+his wife carnally, and she conceived by leave of the Most High Lord,
+who saith to a thing, “Be,” and it becometh. When her months were
+accomplished, she gave birth to a male child like the moon, whom his
+father named Ardashir,[FN#262] and he grew up and throve and applied
+himself to the study of learning and letters, till he attained the age
+of fifteen. Now there was in Al-Irak a King called Abd al-Kádir who had
+a daughter, by name Hayát al-Nufús, and she was like the rising full
+moon, but she had an hatred for men and the folk very hardly dared name
+mankind in her presence. The Kings of the Chosroës had sought her in
+marriage of her sire; but, when he spoke with her thereof, she said,
+“Never will I do this; and if thou force me thereto, I will slay
+myself.” Now Prince Ardashir heard of her fame and fell in love with
+her and told his father who, seeing his case, took pity on him and
+promised him day by day that he should marry her. So he despatched his
+Wazir to demand her in wedlock, but King Abd al-Kadir refused, and when
+the Minister returned to King Sayf al-A’azam and acquainted him with
+what had befallen his mission and the failure thereof, he was wroth
+with exceeding wrath and cried, “Shall the like of me send to one of
+the Kings on a requisition and he accomplish it not?” Then he bade a
+herald make proclamation to his troops, bidding them bring out the
+tents and equip them for war with all diligence, though they should
+borrow money for the necessary expenses; and he said, “I will on no
+wise turn back, till I have laid waste King Abd al-Kadir’s dominions
+and slain his men and plundered his treasures and blotted out his
+traces!” When the report of this reached Ardashir he rose from his
+carpet-bed, and going in to his father, kissed ground[FN#263] between
+his hands and said, “O mighty King, trouble not thyself with aught of
+this thing”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twentieth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when report
+of this reached the Prince he went in to his sire the King and, kissing
+ground between his hands, said, “O mighty King, trouble not thy soul
+with aught of this thing and levy not thy champions and armies neither
+spend thy monies. Thou art stronger than he, and if thou loose upon him
+this thy host, thou wilt lay waste his cities and dominions and spoil
+his good and slay his strong men and himself; but when his daughter
+shall come to know what hath befallen her father and his people by
+reason of her, she will slay herself, and I shall die on her account;
+for I can never live after her; no, never.” Asked the King, “And what
+then thinkest thou to do, O my son?” and the Prince answered, “I will
+don a merchant’s habit and cast about how I may win to the Princess and
+compass my desire of her.” Quoth Sayf al-A’azam, “Art thou determined
+upon this?”; and quoth the Prince, “Yes, O my sire;” whereupon the King
+called to his Wazir, and said to him, “Do thou journey with my son, the
+core of my heart, and help him to win his will and watch over him and
+guide him with thy sound judgment, for thou standest to him even in my
+stead.” “I hear and obey,” answered the Minister; and the King gave his
+son three hundred thousand dinars in gold and great store of jewels and
+precious stones and goldsmiths’ ware and stuffs and other things of
+price. Then Prince Ardashir went in to his mother and kissed her hands
+and asked her blessing. She blessed him and, forthright opening her
+treasures, brought out to him necklaces and trinkets and apparel and
+all manner of other costly objects hoarded up from the time of the
+bygone Kings, whose price might not be evened with coin. Moreover, he
+took with him of his Mamelukes and negro-slaves and cattle all that he
+needed for the road and clad himself and the Wazir and their company in
+traders’ gear. Then he farewelled his parents and kinsfolk and friends;
+and, setting out, fared on over wolds and wastes all hours of the day
+and watches of the night; and whenas the way was longsome upon him he
+improvised these couplets,
+
+“My longing bred of love with mine unease for ever grows; *
+     Nor against all the wrongs of time one succourer arose:
+When Pleiads and the Fishes show in sky the rise I watch, * As
+     worshipper within whose breast a pious burning glows:
+For Star o’ Morn I speer until at last when it is seen, * I’m
+     madded with my passion and my fancy’s woes and throes:
+I swear by you that never from your love have I been loosed; *
+     Naught am I save a watcher who of slumber nothing knows!
+Though hard appear my hope to win, though languor aye
+     increase, * And after thee my patience fails and ne’er a
+     helper shows;
+Yet will I wait till Allah shall be pleased to join our loves;
+     * I’ll mortify the jealous and I’ll mock me of my foes.”
+
+
+When he ended his verse he swooned away and the Wazir sprinkled
+rose-water on him, till the Prince came to himself, when the Minister
+said to him, “O King’s son, possess thy soul in patience; for the
+consequence of patience is consolation, and behold, thou art on the way
+to whatso thou wishest.” And he ceased not to bespeak him fair and
+comfort him till his trouble subsided; and they continued their journey
+with all diligence. Presently, the Prince again became impatient of the
+length of the way and bethought him of his beloved and recited these
+couplets,
+
+“Longsome is absence, restlessness increaseth and despite; *
+     And burn my vitals in the blaze my love and longings
+     light:
+Grows my hair gray from pains and pangs which I am doomèd bear
+     * For pine, while tear-floods stream from eyes and sore
+     offend my sight:
+I swear, O Hope of me, O End of every wish and will, * By Him
+     who made mankind and every branch with leafage dight,
+A passion-load for thee, O my Desire, I must endure, * And
+     boast I that to bear such load no lover hath the might.
+Question the Night of me and Night thy soul shall satisfy *
+     Mine eyelids never close in sleep throughout the livelong
+     night.”
+
+
+Then he wept with sore weeping and ‘plained of that he suffered for
+stress of love-longing; but the Wazir comforted him and spoke him fair,
+promising him the winning of his wish; after which they fared on again
+for a few days, when they drew near to the White City, the capital of
+King Abd al-Kadir, soon after sunrise. Then said the Minister to the
+Prince, “Rejoice, O King’s son, in all good; for see, yonder is the
+White City, that which thou seekest.” Whereat the Prince rejoiced with
+exceeding joy and recited these couplets,
+
+“My friends, I yearn in heart distraught for him; * Longing
+     abides and with sore pains I brim:
+I mourn like childless mother, nor can find       * One to
+     console me when the light grows dim;
+Yet when the breezes blow from off thy land,      * I feel
+     their freshness shed on heart and limb;
+And rail mine eyes like water-laden clouds,       * While in a
+     tear-sea shed by heart I swim.”
+
+
+Now when they entered the White City they asked for the Merchants’
+Khan, a place of moneyed men; and when shown the hostelry they hired
+three magazines and on receiving the keys[FN#264] they laid up therein
+all their goods and gear. They abode in the Khan till they were rested,
+when the Wazir applied himself to devise a device for the Prince,——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-first Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Prince and
+the Minister alighted at the Khan and lodged their goods in the
+ground-floor magazines and there settled their servants. Then they
+tarried awhile till they had rested, when the Wazir arose and applied
+himself to devise a device for the Prince, and said to him, “I have
+bethought me of somewhat wherein, methinks, will be success for thee,
+so it please Almighty Allah.” Quoth Ardashir, “O thou Wazir of good
+counsel, do what cometh to thy mind, and may the Lord direct thy rede
+aright!” Quoth the Minister, “I purpose to hire thee a shop in the
+market-street of the stuff-sellers and set thee therein; for that all,
+great and small, have recourse to the bazar and, meseems, when the folk
+see thee with their own eyes sitting in the shop their hearts will
+incline to thee and thou wilt thus be enabled to attain thy desire, for
+thou art fair of favour and souls incline to thee and sight rejoiceth
+in thee.” The other replied, “Do what seemeth good to thee.” So the
+Wazir forthright began to robe the Prince and himself in their richest
+raiment and, putting a purse of a thousand dinars in his breast-pocket,
+went forth and walked about the city, whilst all who looked upon them
+marvelled at the beauty of the King’s son, saying, “Glory be to Him who
+created this youth ‘of vile water[FN#265]‘! Blessed be Allah
+excellentest of Creators!” Great was the talk anent him and some said,
+“This is no mortal, ‘this is naught save a noble angel’”;[FN#266] and
+others, “Hath Rizwan, the door-keeper of the Eden-garden, left the gate
+of Paradise unguarded, that this youth hath come forth?” The people
+followed them to the stuff-market, where they entered and stood, till
+there came up to them an old man of dignified presence and venerable
+appearance, who saluted them, and they returned his salam. Then the
+Shaykh said to them, “O my lords, have ye any need, that we may have
+the honour of accomplishing?”; and the Wazir asked him, “Who art thou,
+O elder?” He answered, “I am the Overseer of the market.” Quoth the
+Wazir, “Know then, O Shaykh, that this youth is my son and I wish to
+hire him a shop in the bazar, that he may sit therein and learn to sell
+and buy and take and give, and come to ken merchants’ ways and habits.”
+“I hear and I obey,” replied the Overseer and brought them without stay
+or delay the key of a shop, which he caused the brokers sweep and
+clean. And they did his bidding. Then the Wazir sent for a high
+mattress, stuffed with ostrich-down, and set it up in the shop,
+spreading upon it a small prayer-carpet, and a cushion fringed with
+broidery of red gold. Moreover he brought pillows and transported
+thither so much of the goods and stuffs that he had brought with him as
+filled the shop. Next morning the young Prince came and opening the
+shop, seated himself on the divan, and stationed two Mamelukes, clad in
+the richest of raiment before him and two black slaves of the goodliest
+of the Abyssinians in the lower part of the shop. The Wazir enjoined
+him to keep his secret from the folk, so thereby he might find aid in
+the winning of his wishes; then he left him and charging him to
+acquaint him with what befel him in the shop, day by day returned to
+the Khan. The Prince sat in the shop till night as he were the moon at
+its fullest, whilst the folk, hearing tell of his comeliness, flocked
+to the place, without errand, to gaze on his beauty and loveliness and
+symmetry and perfect grace and glorify the Almighty who created and
+shaped him, till none could pass through that bazar for the excessive
+crowding of the folk about him. The King’s son turned right and left,
+abashed at the throng of people that stared at him, hoping to make
+acquaintance with some one about the court, of whom he might get news
+of the Princess; but he found no way to this, wherefore his breast was
+straitened. Meanwhile, the Wazir daily promised him the attainment of
+his desire and the case so continued for a time till, one morning, as
+the youth sat in the shop, there came up an old woman of respectable
+semblance and dignified presence clad in raiment of devotees[FN#267]
+and followed by two slave-girls like moons. She stopped before the shop
+and, having considered the Prince awhile, cried, “Glory be to God who
+fashioned that face and perfected that figure!” Then she saluted him
+and he returned her salam and seated her by his side. Quoth she,
+“Whence cometh thou, O fair of favour?”; and quoth he, “From the parts
+of Hind, O my mother; and I have come to this city to see the world and
+look about me.” “Honour to thee for a visitor! What goods and stuffs
+hast thou? Show me something handsome, fit for Kings.” “If thou wish
+for handsome stuffs, I will show them to thee; for I have wares that
+beseem persons of every condition.” “O my son, I want somewhat costly
+of price and seemly to sight; brief, the best thou hast.” “Thou must
+needs tell me for whom thou seekest it, that I may show thee goods
+according to the rank of the requiter.” “Thou speakest sooth, O my
+son,” said she. “I want somewhat for my mistress, Hayat al-Nufus,
+daughter of Abd al-Kadir, lord of this land and King of this country.”
+Now when Ardashir heard his mistress’s name, his reason flew for joy
+and his heart fluttered and he gave no order to slave or servant, but,
+putting his hand behind him, pulled out a purse of an hundred dinars
+and offered it to the old woman, saying, “This is for the washing of
+thy clothes.” Then he again put forth his hand and brought out of a
+wrapper a dress worth ten thousand dinars or more and said to her,
+“This is of that which I have brought to your country.” When the old
+woman saw it, it pleased her and she asked, “What is the price of this
+dress, O perfect in qualities?” Answered he, “I will take no price for
+it!” whereupon she thanked him and repeated her question; but he said,
+“By Allah, I will take no price for it. I make thee a present of it, an
+the Princess will not accept it and ’tis a guest-gift from me to thee.
+Alhamdolillah—Glory be to God—who hath brought us together, so that,
+if one day I have a want, I shall find in thee a helper to me in
+winning it!” She marvelled at the goodliness of his speech and the
+excess of his generosity and the perfection of his courtesy and said to
+him, “What is thy name, O my lord?” He replied, “My name is Ardashir;”
+and she cried, “By Allah this is a rare name! Therewith are Kings’ sons
+named, and thou art in a guise of the sons of the merchants!” Quoth he,
+“Of the love my father bore me, he gave me this name, but a name
+signifieth naught;” and quoth she in wonder, “O my son, take the price
+of thy goods.” But he swore that he would not take aught. Then the old
+lady said to him, “O my dear one, Truth (I would have thee know) is the
+greatest of all things and thou hadst not dealt thus generously by me
+but for a special reason: so tell me thy case and thy secret thought;
+belike thou hast some wish to whose winning I may help thee.” Thereupon
+he laid his hand in hers and, after exacting an oath of secrecy, told
+her the whole story of his passion for the Princess and his condition
+by reason thereof. The old woman shook her head and said, “True; but O
+my son, the wise say, in the current adage, ‘An thou wouldest be
+obeyed, abstain from ordering what may not be made’; and thou, my son,
+thy name is Merchant, and though thou hadst the keys of the Hidden
+Hoards, yet wouldst thou be called naught but Merchant. An thou wouldst
+rise to high rank, according to thy station, then seek the hand of a
+Kazi’s daughter or even an Emir’s; but why, O my son, aspirest thou to
+none but the daughter of the King of the age and the time, and she a
+clean maid, who knoweth nothing of the things of the world and hath
+never in her life seen anything but her palace wherein she dwelleth?
+Yet, for all her tender age, she is intelligent, shrewd, vivacious,
+penetrating, quick of wit, sharp of act and rare of rede: her father
+hath no other child and she is dearer to him than his life and soul.
+Every morning he cometh to her and giveth her good-morrow, and all who
+dwell in the palace stand in dread of her. Think not, O my son, that
+any dare bespeak her with aught of these words; nor is there any way
+for me thereto. By Allah, O my son, my heart and vitals love thee and
+were it in my power to give thee access to her, I would assuredly do
+it; but I will tell thee somewhat, wherein Allah may haply appoint the
+healing of thy heart, and will risk life and goods for thee, till I win
+thy will for thee.” He asked, “And what is that, O my mother?” and she
+answered, “Seek of me the daughter of a Wazir or an Emir, and I will
+grant thy request; but it may not be that one should mount from earth
+to heaven at one bound.” When the Prince heard this, he replied to her
+with courtesy and sense, “O my mother, thou art a woman of wit and
+knowest how things go. Say me doth a man, when his head irketh him,
+bind up his hand?” Quoth she, “No, by Allah, O my son”; and quoth he,
+“Even so my heart seeketh none but her and naught slayeth me but love
+of her. By Allah, I am a dead man, and I find not one to counsel me
+aright and succour me! Allah upon thee, O my mother, take pity on my
+strangerhood and the streaming of my tears!”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-second Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Ardashir, the
+King’s son said to the old woman, “Allah upon thee, O my mother, take
+pity on my strangerhood and the streaming of my tears.” Replied she,
+“By Allah, O my son, thy words rend my heart, but my hand hath no
+cunning wherewith to help thee.” Quoth he, “I beseech thee of thy
+favour, carry her a letter and kiss her hands for me.” So she had
+compassion on him and said, “Write what thou wilt and I will bear it to
+her.” When he heard this, he was ready to fly for joy and calling for
+ink-case and paper, wrote these couplets,
+
+“O Hayát al-Nufús, be gen’rous, and incline * To one who
+     loving thee for parting’s doomed to pine.
+I was in all delight, in gladsomest of life, * But now I am
+     distraught with sufferings condign.
+To wakefulness I cling through longsomeness of night * And
+     with me sorrow chats[FN#268] through each sad eve of
+     mine;
+Pity a lover sad, a sore afflicted wretch * Whose eyelids
+     ever ulcered are with tearful brine;
+And when the morning comes at last, the real morn * He finds
+     him drunken and distraught with passion’s wine.”
+
+
+Then he folded the scroll and kissing it, gave it to the old woman;
+after which he put his hand to a chest and took out a second purse
+containing an hundred dinars, which he presented to her, saying,
+“Divide this among the slave-girls.” She refused it and cried, “By
+Allah, O my son, I am not with thee for aught of this!”; however, he
+thanked her and answered, “There is no help but that thou accept of
+it.” So she took it and kissing his hands, returned home; and going in
+to the Princess, cried, “O my lady, I have brought thee somewhat the
+like whereof is not with the people of our city, and it cometh from a
+handsome young man, than whom there is not a goodlier on earth’s face!”
+She asked “O my nurse, and whence cometh the youth?” and the old woman
+answered, “From the parts of Hind; and he hath given me this dress of
+gold brocade, embroidered with pearls and gems and worth the Kingdom of
+Chosroës and Cæsar.” Thereupon she opened the dress and the whole
+palace was illuminated by its brightness, because of the beauty of its
+fashion and the wealth of unions and jewels wherewith it was broidered,
+and all who were present marvelled at it. The Princess examined it and,
+judging it to be worth no less than a whole year’s revenue of her
+father’s kingdom, said to the old woman, “O my nurse, cometh this dress
+from him or from another?”[FN#269] Replied she, “From him;” and Hayat
+al-Nufus asked, “Is this trader of our town or a stranger?” The old
+woman answered, “He is a foreigner, O my lady, newly come hither; and
+by Allah he hath servants and slaves; and he is fair of face,
+symmetrical of form, well mannered, open-handed and open-hearted, never
+saw I a goodlier than he, save thyself.” The King’s daughter rejoined,
+“Indeed this is an extraordinary thing, that a dress like this, which
+money cannot buy, should be in the hands of a merchant! What price did
+he set on it, O my nurse?” Quoth she, “By Allah, he would set no price
+on it, but gave me back the money thou sentest by me and swore that he
+would take naught thereof, saying:—’Tis a gift from me to the King’s
+daughter; for it beseemeth none but her; and if she will not accept it,
+I make thee a present of it.” Cried the Princess, “By Allah, this is
+indeed marvellous generosity and wondrous munificence! But I fear the
+issue of his affair, lest haply[FN#270] he be brought to necessity. Why
+didst thou not ask him, O my nurse, if he had any desire, that we might
+fulfil it for him?” The nurse replied, “O my lady, I did ask him, and
+he said to me, ‘I have indeed a desire’; but he would not tell me what
+it was. However, he gave me this letter and said, ‘Carry it to the
+Princess.’” So Hayat al-Nufus took the letter and opened and read it to
+the end; whereupon she was sore chafed; and lost temper and changing
+colour for anger she cried out to the old woman, saying, “Woe to thee,
+O nurse! What is the name of this dog who durst write this language to
+a King’s daughter? What affinity is there between me and this hound
+that he should address me thus? By Almighty Allah, Lord of the well
+Zemzem and of the Hatim Wall,[FN#271] but that I fear the Omnipotent,
+the Most High, I would send and bind the cur’s hands behind him and
+slit his nostrils, and shear off his nose and ears and after, by way of
+example, crucify him on the gate of the bazar wherein is his booth!”
+When the old woman heard these words, she waxed yellow; her
+side-muscles[FN#272] quivered and her tongue clave to her mouth; but
+she heartened her heart and said, “Softly, O my lady! What is there in
+his letter to trouble thee thus? Is it aught but a memorial containing
+his complaint to thee of poverty or oppression, from which he hopeth to
+be relieved by thy favour?” Replied she, “No, by Allah, O my nurse,
+’tis naught of this; but verses and shameful words! However, O my
+nurse, this dog must be in one of three cases: either he is Jinn-mad,
+and hath no wit, or he seeketh his own slaughter, or else he is
+assisted to his wish of me by some one of exceeding puissance and a
+mighty Sultan. Or hath he heard that I am one of the baggages of the
+city, who lie a night or two with whosoever seeketh them, that he
+writeth me immodest verses to debauch my reason by talking of such
+matters?” Rejoined the old woman, “By Allah, O my lady, thou sayst
+sooth! But reck not thou of yonder ignorant hound, for thou art seated
+in thy lofty, firm-builded and unapproachable palace, to which the very
+birds cannot soar neither the wind pass over it, and as for him, he is
+clean distraught. Wherefore do thou write him a letter and chide him
+angrily and spare him no manner of reproof, but threaten him with
+dreadful threats and menace him with death and say to him, ‘Whence hast
+thou knowledge of me, that thou durst write me, O dog of a merchant, O
+thou who trudgest far and wide all thy days in wilds and wolds for the
+sake of gaining a dirham or a dinar? By Allah, except thou awake from
+thy sleep and put off thine intoxication, I will assuredly crucify thee
+on the gate of the market-street wherein is thy shop!’” Quoth the
+Princess, “I fear lest he presume, if I write to him”; and quoth the
+nurse, “And pray what is he and what is his rank that he should presume
+to us? Indeed, we write him but to the intent that his presumption may
+be cut off and his fear magnified.” And she ceased not craftily to
+persuade her, till she called for ink-case and paper and wrote him
+these couplets,
+
+“O thou who claimest to be prey of love and ecstasy; * Thou,
+     who for passion spendest nights in grief and saddest
+     gree:
+Say, dost thou (haughty one!) desire enjoyment of the moon? *
+     Did man e’er sue the moon for grace whate’er his lunacy?
+I verily will counsel thee with rede the best to hear: * Cut
+     short this course ere come thou nigh sore risk, nay
+     death, to dree!
+If thou to this request return, surely on thee shall fall *
+     Sore punishment, for vile offence a grievous penalty.
+Be reasonable then, be wise, hark back unto thy wits; *
+     Behold, in very truth I speak with best advice to thee:
+By Him who did all things that be create from nothingness; *
+     Who dressed the face of heaven with stars in brightest
+     radiancy:
+If in the like of this thy speech thou dare to sin again! *
+     I’ll surely have thee crucified upon a trunk of tree.”
+
+
+Then she rolled up the letter and gave it to the old woman who took it
+and, repairing to Ardashir’s shop, delivered it to him,——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-third Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old
+woman took that letter from Hayat al-Nufus she fared forth till she
+found the youth who was sitting in his shop and gave it to him, saying,
+“Read thine answer and know that when she perused thy paper she was
+wroth with exceeding wrath; but I soothed her and spake her fair, till
+she consented to write thee a reply.” He took the letter joyfully but,
+when he had read it and understood its drift, he wept sore, whereat the
+old woman’s heart ached and she cried, “O my son, Allah never cause
+thine eyes to weep nor thy heart to mourn! What can be more gracious
+than that she should answer thy letter when thou hast done what thou
+diddest?” He replied, “O my mother what shall I do for a subtle device?
+Behold, she writeth to me, threatening me with death and crucifixion
+and forbidding me from writing to her; and I, by Allah, see my death to
+be better than my life; but I beg thee of thy grace[FN#273] to carry
+her another letter from me.” She said, “Write and I warrant I’ll bring
+thee an answer. By Allah, I will assuredly venture my life to win for
+thee thy wish, though I die to pleasure thee!” He thanked her and
+kissing her hands, wrote these verses,
+
+“Do you threaten me wi’ death for my loving you so well? *
+     When Death to me were rest and all dying is by Fate?
+And man’s death is but a boon, when so longsome to him grows *
+     His life, and rejected he lives in lonest state:
+Then visit ye a lover who hath ne’er a soul to aid; * For on
+     pious works of men Heaven’s blessing shall await.
+But an ye be resolved on this deed then up and on; * I’m in
+     bonds to you, a bondsman confined within your gate:
+What path have I whose patience without you is no more? * How
+     is this, when a lover’s heart in stress of love is
+     strait?
+O my lady show me ruth, who by passion am misused; * For all
+     who love the noble stand for evermore excused.”
+
+
+He then folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, together with
+two purses of two hundred dinars, which she would have refused, but he
+conjured her by oath to accept of them. So she took them both and said,
+“Needs must I bring thee to thy desire, despite the noses of thy foes.”
+Then she repaired to the palace and gave the letter to Hayat al-Nufus
+who said, “What is this, O my nurse? Here are we in a correspondence
+and thou coming and going! Indeed, I fear lest the matter get wind and
+we be disgraced.” Rejoined the old woman, “How so, O my lady? Who dare
+speak such word?” So she took the letter and after reading and
+understanding it she smote hand on hand, saying “Verily, this is a
+calamity which is fallen upon us, and I know not whence this young man
+came to us!” Quoth the old woman, “O my lady, Allah upon thee, write
+him another letter; but be rough with him this time and say to him, ‘An
+thou write me another word after this, I will have thy head struck
+off.’” Quoth the Princess, “O my nurse, I am assured that the matter
+will not end on such wise; ’twere better to break off this exchange of
+letters; and, except the puppy take warning by my previous threats, I
+will strike off his head.” The old woman said, “Then write him a letter
+and give him to know this condition.” So Hayat al-Nufus called for
+pen-case and paper and wrote these couplets:—
+
+Ho, thou heedless of Time and his sore despight! * Ho, thou
+     heart whom hopes of my favours excite!
+Think O pride-full! would’st win for thyself the skies? *
+     Would’st attain to the moon shining clear and bright?
+I will burn thee with fire that shall ne’er be quenched, * Or
+     will slay thee with scymitar’s sharpest bite!
+Leave it, friend, and ’scape the tormenting pains, * Such as
+     turn hair-partings[FN#274] from black to white.
+Take my warning and fly from the road of love; * Draw thee
+     back from a course nor seemly nor right!
+
+
+Then she folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, who was
+puzzled and perplexed by the matter. She carried it to Ardashir, and
+the Prince read the letter and bowed his head to the earth, making as
+if he wrote with his finger and speaking not a word. Quoth the old
+woman, “How is it I see thee silent stay and not say thy say?”; and
+quoth he, “O my mother, what shall I say, seeing that she doth but
+threaten me and redoubleth in hard-heartedness and aversion?” Rejoined
+the nurse, “Write her a letter of what thou wilt: I will protect thee;
+nor let thy heart be cast down, for needs must I bring you twain
+together.” He thanked her for her kindness and kissing her hand, wrote
+these couplets,
+
+“A heart, by Allah! never soft to lover-wight, * Who sighs for
+     union only with his friends, his sprite!
+Who with tear-ulcered eyelids evermore must bide, * When
+     falleth upon earth first darkness of the night:
+Be just, be gen’rous, lend thy ruth and deign give alms * To
+     love-molested lover, parted, forced to flight!
+He spends the length of longsome night without a doze; *
+     Fire-brent and drent in tear-flood flowing infinite:
+Ah; cut not off the longing of my fondest heart * Now
+     disappointed, wasted, flutt’ring for its blight.”
+
+
+Then he folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, together with
+three hundred dinars, saying, “This is for the washing of thy hands.”
+She thanked him and kissed his hands, after which she returned to the
+palace and gave the letter to the Princess, who took it and read it and
+throwing it from her fingers, sprang to her feet. Then she walked, shod
+as she was with pattens of gold, set with pearls and jewels, till she
+came to her sire’s palace, whilst the vein of anger started out between
+her eyes, and none dared ask her of her case. When she reached the
+palace, she enquired for the King, and the slave-girls and concubines
+replied to her, “O my lady, he is gone forth a-hunting and sporting.”
+So she returned, as she were a rending lioness, and bespake none for
+the space of three hours, when her brow cleared and her wrath cooled.
+As soon as the old woman saw that her irk and anger were past, she went
+up to her and, kissing ground between her hands, asked her, “O my lady,
+whither went those noble steps?” The Princess answered, “To the palace
+of the King my sire.” “And could no one do thine errand?” enquired the
+nurse. Replied the Princess, “No, for I went to acquaint him of that
+which hath befallen me with yonder cur of a merchant, so he might lay
+hands on him and on all the merchants of his bazar and crucify them
+over their shops nor suffer a single foreign merchant to tarry in our
+town.” Quoth the old woman, “And was this thine only reason, O my lady,
+for going to thy sire?”; and quoth Hayat al-Nufus, “Yes, but I found
+him absent a-hunting and sporting and now I await his return.” Cried
+the old nurse, “I take refuge with Allah, the All-hearing, the
+All-knowing! Praised be He! O my lady, thou art the most sensible of
+women and how couldst thou think of telling the King these fond words,
+which it behoveth none to publish?” Asked the Princess, “And why so?”
+and the nurse answered, “Suppose thou had found the King in his palace
+and told him all this tale and he had sent after the merchants and
+commanded to hang them over their shops, the folk would have seen them
+hanging and asked the reason and it would have been answered them,
+‘They sought to seduce the King’s daughter.’”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-fourth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old
+woman said to the Princess, “Suppose thou had told this to the King and
+he had ordered the merchants to be hanged, would not folk have seen
+them and have asked the cause of the execution when the answer would
+have been, ‘They sought to seduce the King’s daughter?’ Then would they
+have dispread divers reports concerning thee, some saying, ‘She abode
+with them ten days, away from her palace, till they had taken their
+fill of her’; and other some in otherguise: for woman’s honour, O my
+lady, is like curded milk, the least dust fouleth it; and like glass,
+which, if it be cracked, may not be mended. So beware of telling thy
+sire or any other of this matter, lest thy fair fame be smirched, O
+mistress mine, for ’twill never profit thee to tell folk aught; no,
+never! Weigh what I say with thy keen wit, and if thou find it not
+just, do whatso thou wilt.” The Princess pondered her words, and seeing
+them to be altogether profitable and right, said, “Thou speaketh sooth,
+O my nurse; but anger had blinded my judgment.” Quoth the old woman,
+“Thy resolve to tell no one is pleasing to the Almighty; but something
+remaineth to be done: we must not let the shamelessness of yonder vile
+dog of a merchant pass without notice. Write him a letter and say to
+him ‘O vilest of traders, but that I found the King my father absent, I
+had straightway commanded to hang thee and all thy neighbours. But thou
+shalt gain nothing by this; for I swear to thee, by Allah the Most
+High, that an thou return to the like of this talk, I will blot out the
+trace of thee from the face of earth!’ And deal thou roughly with him
+in words, so shalt thou discourage him in this attempt and arouse him
+from his heedlessness.” “And will these words cause him to abstain from
+his offending?” asked the Princess; and the old woman answered, “How
+should he not abstain? Besides, I will talk with him and tell him what
+hath passed.” So the Princess called for ink-case and paper and wrote
+these couplets,
+
+“To win our favours still thy hopes are bent;    * And still
+     to win thy will art confident!
+Naught save his pride-full aim shall slay a man; * And he by
+     us shall die of his intent.
+ Thou art no lord of might, no chief of men,     * Nabob or
+     Prince or Soldan Heaven-sent;
+And were this deed of one who is our peer,       * He had
+     returned with hair for fear white-sprent:
+Yet will I deign once more excuse thy sin        * So from
+     this time thou prove thee penitent.”
+
+
+Then she gave the missive to the old woman, saying, “O my nurse, do
+thou admonish this puppy lest I be forced to cut off his head and
+sin on his account.” Replied the old woman, “By Allah, O my lady, I
+will not leave him a side to turn on!” Then she returned to the youth
+and, when salams had been exchanged, she gave him the letter. He read
+it and shook his head, saying, “Verily, we are Allah’s and unto him
+shall we return!” adding, “O my mother, what shall I do? My fortitude
+faileth me and my patience palleth upon me!” She replied, “O my son, be
+long-suffering: peradventure, after this Allah shall bring somewhat to
+pass. Write that which is in thy mind and I will fetch thee an answer,
+and be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear; for needs must
+I bring about union between thee and her,— Inshallah!” He blessed her
+and wrote to the Princess a note containing these couplets,
+
+“Since none will lend my love a helping hand, * And I by
+     passion’s bale in death low-lain,
+I bear a flaming fire within my heart * By day and night nor
+     place of rest attain,
+How cease to hope in thee, my wishes’ term? * Or with my
+     longings to be glad and fain?
+The Lord of highmost Heaven to grant my prayer * Pray I, whom
+     love of lady fair hath slain;
+And as I’m clean o’erthrown by love and fear, * To grant me
+     speedy union deign, oh deign!”
+
+
+Then he folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, bringing out at
+the same time a purse of four hundred dinars. She took the whole and
+returning to the palace sought the Princess to whom she gave the
+letter; but the King’s daughter refused to take it and cried, “What is
+this?” Replied the old woman, “O my lady, this is only the answer to
+the letter thou sentest to that merchant dog.” Quoth Hayat al-Nufus,
+“Didst thou forbid him as I told thee?”; and quoth she, “Yes, and this
+is his reply.” So the Princess took the letter and read it to the end;
+then she turned to the old woman and exclaimed, “Where is the result of
+thy promise?” “O my lady, saith he not in his letter that he repenteth
+and will not again offend, excusing himself for the past?” “Not so, by
+Allah!: on the contrary, he increaseth.” “O my lady, write him a letter
+and thou shalt presently see what I will do with him.” “There needeth
+nor letter nor answer.” “I must have a letter that I may rebuke him
+roughly and cut off his hopes.” “Thou canst do that without a letter.”
+“I cannot do it without the letter.” So Hayat al-Nufus called for
+pen-case and paper and wrote these verses,
+
+“Long have I chid thee but my chiding hindereth thee not * How
+     often would my verse with writ o’ hand ensnare thee, ah!
+Then keep thy passion hidden deep and ever unrevealed, * And
+     if thou dare gainsay me Earth shall no more bear thee,
+     ah!
+And if, despite my warning, thou dost to such words return, *
+     Death’s Messenger[FN#275] shall go his rounds and dead
+     declare thee, ah!
+Soon shall the wold’s fierce chilling blast o’erblow that
+     corse o’ thine; * And birds o’ the wild with ravening
+     bills and beaks shall tear thee, ah!
+Return to righteous course; perchance that same will profit
+     thee; * If bent on wilful aims and lewd I fain forswear
+     thee, ah!”
+
+
+When she had made an end of her writing this, she cast the writ from
+her hand in wrath, and the old woman picked it up and went with it to
+Ardashir. When he read it to the last he knew that she had not softened
+to him, but only redoubled in rage against him and that he would never
+win to meet her, so he bethought himself to write her an answer
+invoking Allah’s help against her. Thereupon he indited these couplets,
+
+“O Lord, by the Five Shaykhs, I pray deliver me * From love,
+     which gars me bear such grief and misery.
+Thou knowest what I bear for passion’s fiery flame; * What
+     stress of sickness for that merciless maid I dree.
+She hath no pity on the pangs to me decreed; * How long on
+     weakly wight shall last her tyranny?
+I am distraught for her with passing agonies * And find no
+     friend, O folk! to hear my plaint and plea.
+How long, when Night hath drooped her pinions o’er the world,
+     * Shall I lament in public as in privacy?
+For love of you I cannot find forgetfulness; * And how forget
+     when Patience taketh wings to flee?
+O thou wild parting-bird[FN#276] say is she safe and sure *
+     From shift and change of time and the world’s cruelty?”
+
+
+Then he folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, adding a purse
+of five hundred dinars; and she took it and carried it to the Princess,
+who read it to the end and learned its purport. Then, casting it from
+her hand, she cried, “Tell me O wicked old woman, the cause of all that
+hath befallen me from thee and from thy cunning and thine advocacy of
+him, so that thou hast made me write letter after letter and thou
+ceasest not to carry messages, going and coming between us twain, till
+thou hast brought about a correspondence and a connection. Thou leavest
+not to say, ‘I will ensure thee against his mischief and cut off from
+thee his speech’; but thou speakest not thus save only to the intent
+that I may continue to write thee letters and thou to fetch and carry
+between us, evening and morning, till thou ruin my repute. Woe to thee!
+Ho, eunuchs, seize her!” Then Hayat al-Nufus commanded them to beat
+her, and they lashed her till her whole body flowed with blood and she
+fainted away, whereupon the King’s daughter caused her slave-women to
+drag her forth by the feet and cast her without the palace and bade one
+of them stand by her head till she recovered, and say to her, “The
+Princess hath sworn an oath that thou shalt never return to and
+re-enter this palace; and she hath commanded to slay thee without mercy
+an thou dare return hither.” So, when she came to herself, the damsel
+told her what the King’s daughter said and she answered, “Hearkening
+and obedience.” Presently the slave-girls fetched a basket and a porter
+whom they caused carry her to her own house; and they sent after her a
+physician, bidding him tend her assiduously till she recovered. He did
+what he was told to do and as soon as she was whole she mounted and
+rode to the shop of Ardashir who was concerned with sore concern for
+her absence and was longing for news of her. As soon as he saw her, he
+sprang up and coming to meet her, saluted her; then he noticed that she
+was weak and ailing; so he questioned her of her case and she told him
+all that had befallen her from her nursling. When he heard this, he
+found it grievous and smote hand upon hand, saying, “By Allah, O my
+mother, this that hath betided thee straiteneth my heart! But, what, O
+my mother, is the reason of the Princess’s hatred to men?” Replied the
+old woman, “Thou must know O my son, that she hath a beautiful garden,
+than which there is naught goodlier on earth’s face and it chanced that
+she lay there one night. In the joyance of sleep, she dreamt a dream
+and ’twas this, that she went down into the garden, where she saw a
+fowler set up his net and strew corn thereabout, after which he
+withdrew and sat down afar off to await what game should fall into it.
+Ere an hour had passed the birds flocked to pick up the corn and a male
+pigeon[FN#277] fell into the net and struggled in it, whereat all the
+others took fright and fled from him. His mate was amongst them, but
+she returned to him after the shortest delay; and, coming up to the
+net, sought out the mesh wherein his foot was entangled and ceased not
+to peck at it with her bill, till she severed it and released her
+husband, with whom she flew away. All this while, the fowler sat
+dozing, and when he awoke, he looked at the net and found it spoilt. So
+he mended it and strewed fresh grain, then withdrew to a distance and
+sat down to watch it again. The birds soon returned and began to pick
+up the corn, and among the rest the pair of pigeons. Presently, the
+she-pigeon fell into the net and struggled to get free; whereupon all
+the other birds flew away, and her mate, whom she had saved, fled with
+the rest and did not return to her. Meantime, sleep had again overcome
+the fowler; and, when he awoke after long slumbering, he saw the
+she-pigeon caught in the net; so he went up to her and freeing her feet
+from the meshes, cut her throat. The Princess startled by the dream
+awoke troubled, and said, ‘Thus do men with women, for women have pity
+on men and throw away their lives for them, when they are in
+difficulties; but if the Lord decree against a woman and she fall into
+calamity, her mate deserteth her and rescueth her not, and wasted is
+that which she did with him of kindness. Allah curse her who putteth
+her trust in men, for they ill requite the fair offices which women do
+them!’ And from that day she conceived an hatred to men.” Said the
+King’s son, “O my mother, doth she never go out into the highways?”;
+and the old woman replied, “Nay, O my son; but I will tell thee
+somewhat wherein, Allah willing, there shall be profit for thee. She
+hath a garden which is of the goodliest pleasaunces of the age; and
+every year, at the time of the ripening of the fruits, she goeth
+thither and taketh her pleasure therein only one day, nor layeth the
+night but in her pavilion. She entereth the garden by the private
+wicket of the palace which leadeth thereto; and thou must know that it
+wanteth now but a month to the time of her going forth. So take my
+advice and hie thee this very day to the keeper of that garden and make
+acquaintance with him and gain his good graces, for he admitteth not
+one of Allah’s creatures into the garth, because of its communication
+with the Princess’s palace. I will let thee know two days beforehand of
+the day fixed for her coming forth, when do thou repair to the garden,
+as of thy wont, and make shift to night there. When the King’s daughter
+cometh be thou hidden in some place or other”;——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-fifth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old woman
+charged the King’s son, saying, “I will let thee know two days
+beforehand of the King’s daughter going down to the garden: do thou
+hide thee in some place or other; and, when thou espiest her, come
+forth and show thyself to her. When she seeth thee, she will fall in
+love with thee; for thou art fair to look upon and love covereth all
+things. So keep thine eyes cool and clear[FN#278] and be of good cheer,
+O my son, for needs must I bring about union between thee and her.” The
+young Prince kissed her hand and thanked her and gave her three pieces
+of Alexandrian silk and three of satin of various colours, and with
+each piece, linen for shifts and stuff for trousers and a kerchief for
+the turband and fine white cotton cloth of Ba’albak for the linings, so
+as to make her six complete suits, each handsomer than its sister.
+Moreover, he gave her a purse containing six hundred gold pieces and
+said to her, “This is for the tailoring.” She took the whole and said
+to him, “O my son, art thou not pleased to acquaint me with thine
+abiding-place and I also will show thee the way to my lodging?” “Yes,”
+answered he and sent a Mameluke with her to note her home and show her
+his own house. Then he rose and bidding his slaves shut the shop, went
+back to the Wazir, to whom he related all that had passed between him
+and the old woman, from first to last. Quoth the Minister, “O my son,
+should the Princess Hayat al-Nufus come out and look upon thee and thou
+find no favour with her what wilt thou do?” Quoth Ardashir, “There will
+be nothing left but to pass from words to deeds and risk my life with
+her; for I will snatch her up from amongst her attendants and set her
+behind me on a swift horse and make for the wildest of the wold. If I
+escape, I shall have won my wish and if I perish, I shall be at rest
+from this hateful life.” Rejoined the Minister, “O my son, dost thou
+think to do this thing and live? How shall we make our escape, seeing
+that our country is far distant, and how wilt thou deal thus with a
+King of the Kings of the Age, who hath under his hand an hundred
+thousand horse, nor can we be sure but that he will despatch some of
+his troops to cut off our way? Verily, there is no good in this project
+which no wise man would attempt.” Asked Ardashir, “And how then shall
+we do, O Wazir of good counsel? For unless I win her I am a dead man
+without a chance.” The Minister answered, “Wait till to-morrow when we
+will visit this garden and note its condition and see what betideth us
+with the care-taker.” So when the morning morrowed they took a thousand
+dinars in a poke and, repairing to the garden, found it compassed about
+with high walls and strong, rich in trees and rill-full leas and goodly
+fruiteries. And indeed its flowers breathed perfume and its birds
+warbled amid the bloom as it were a garden of the gardens of Paradise.
+Within the door sat a Shaykh, an old man on a stone bench and they
+saluted him. When he saw them and noted the fairness of their favour,
+he rose to his feet after returning their salute, and said, “O my
+lords, perchance ye have a wish which we may have the honour of
+satisfying?” Replied the Wazir, “Know, O elder, that we are strangers
+and the heat hath overcome us: our lodging is afar off at the other end
+of the city; so we desire of thy courtesy that thou take these two
+dinars and buy us somewhat of provaunt and open us meanwhile the door
+of this flower-garden and seat us in some shaded place, where there is
+cold water, that we may cool ourselves there, against thy return with
+the provision, when we will eat, and thou with us, and then, rested and
+refreshed, we shall wend our ways.” So saying, he pulled out of his
+pouch a couple of dinars and put them into the keeper’s hand. Now this
+care-taker was a man aged three-score and ten, who had never in all his
+life possessed so much money: so, when he saw the two dinars in his
+hand, he was like to fly for joy and rising forthwith opened the garden
+gate to the Prince and the Wazir, and made them enter and sit down
+under a wide-spreading, fruit-laden, shade-affording tree, saying, “Sit
+ye here and go no further into the garden, for it hath a privy door
+communicating with the palace of the Princess Hayat al-Nufus.” They
+replied, “We will not stir hence.” Whereupon he went out to buy what
+they had ordered and returned after awhile, with a porter bearing on
+his head a roasted lamb and bread. They ate and drank together and
+talked awhile, till, presently, the Wazir, looking about him in all
+corners right and left, caught sight of a lofty pavilion at the farther
+end of the garden; but it was old and the plaster was peeled from its
+walls and its buttresses were broken down. So he said to the Gardener,
+“O Shaykh, is this garden thine own or dost thou hire it?”; and he
+replied, “I am neither owner nor tenant of the garden, only its
+care-taker.” Asked the Minister, “And what is thy wage?” whereto the
+old man answered, “A dinar a month,” and quoth the Wazir, “Verily they
+wrong thee, especially an thou have a family.” Quoth the elder, “By
+Allah, O my lord, I have eight children and I”— The Wazir broke in,
+“There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious,
+the Great! Thou makest me bear thy grief my poor fellow! What wouldst
+thou say of him who should do thee a good turn, on account of this
+family of thine?” Replied the old man, “O my lord, whatsoever good thou
+dost shall be garnered up for thee with God the Most High!” Thereupon
+said the Wazir, “O Shaykh, thou knowest this garden of thine to be a
+goodly place; but the pavilion yonder is old and ruinous. Now I mean to
+repair it and stucco it anew and paint it handsomely, so that it will
+be the finest thing in the garth; and when the owner comes and finds
+the pavilion restored and beautified, he will not fail to question thee
+concerning it. Then do thou say, ‘O my lord, at great expense I set it
+in repair, for that I saw it in ruins and none could make use of it nor
+could anyone sit therein.’ If he says, ‘Whence hadst thou the money for
+this?’ reply, ‘I spent of my own money upon the stucco, thereby
+thinking to whiten my face with thee and hoping for thy bounties.’ And
+needs must he recompense thee fairly over the extent of thine expenses.
+To-morrow I will bring builders and plasterers and painters to repair
+this pavilion and will give thee what I promised thee.” Then he pulled
+out of his poke a purse of five hundred dinars and gave it to the
+Gardener, saying, “Take these gold pieces and expend them upon thy
+family and let them pray for me and for this my son.” Thereupon the
+Prince asked the Wazir, “What is the meaning of all this?” and he
+answered, “Thou shalt presently see the issue thereof.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-sixth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Wazir
+gave five hundred ducats to the old Gardener, saying, “Take these gold
+pieces and expend them upon thy family and let them pray for this my
+son,” the old man looked at the gold and his wits fled; so he fell down
+at the Wazir’s feet, kissing them and invoking blessings on him and his
+son; and when they went away, he said to them, “I shall expect you
+to-morrow: for by Allah Almighty, there must be no parting between us,
+night or day.” Next morning the Wazir went to the Prince’s shop and
+sent for the syndic of the builders; then he carried him and his men to
+the garth, where the Gardener rejoiced in their sight. He gave them the
+price of rations[FN#279] and what was needful to the work-men for the
+restoration of the pavilion, and they repaired it and stucco’d it and
+decorated it. Then said the Minister to the painters, “Harkye, my
+masters, listen to my words and apprehend my wish and my aim. Know that
+I have a garden like this, where I was sleeping one night among the
+nights and saw in a dream a fowler set up nets and sprinkle corn
+thereabout. The birds flocked to pick up the grain, and a cock-bird
+fell into the net, whereupon the others took fright and flew away, and
+amongst the rest his mate; but, after awhile, she returned alone and
+picked at the mesh that held his feet, till she set him free and they
+flew away together. Now the fowler had fallen asleep and, when he
+awoke, he found the net empty; so he mended it and strewing fresh grain
+sat down afar off, waiting for game to fall into that snare. Presently
+the birds assembled again to pick up the grains, and amongst the rest
+the two pigeons. By-and-by, the hen-bird fell into the net, when all
+the other birds took fright at her and flew away, and her husband flew
+with them and did not return; whereupon the fowler came up and taking
+the quarry, cut her throat. Now, when her mate flew away with the
+others, a bird of raven seized him and slew him and ate his flesh and
+drank his blood, and I would have you pourtray me the presentment of
+this my dream, even as I have related it to you, in the liveliest
+colours, laying the fair scene in this rare garden, with its walls and
+trees and rills, and dwell especially on the fowler and the falcon. If
+ye do this I have set forth to you and the work please me, I will give
+you what shall gladden your hearts, over and above your wage.” The
+painters, hearing these words, applied themselves with all diligence to
+do what he required of them and wrought it out in masterly style; and
+when they had made an end of the work, they showed it to the Wazir who,
+seeing his so-called dream set forth as it was[FN#280] was pleased and
+thanked them and rewarded them munificently. Presently, the Prince came
+in, according to his custom, and entered the pavilion, unweeting what
+the Wazir had done. So when he saw the portraiture of the fowler and
+the birds and the net and beheld the male pigeon in the clutches of the
+hawk, which had slain him and was drinking his blood and eating his
+flesh, his understanding was confounded and he returned to the Minister
+and said, “O Wazir of good counsel, I have seen this day a marvel
+which, were it graven with needle-gravers on the eye-corners would be a
+warner to whoso will be warned.” Asked the Minister, “And what is that,
+O my lord?”; and the Prince answered, “Did I not tell thee of the dream
+the Princess had and how it was the cause of her hatred for men?”
+“Yes,” replied the Wazir; and Ardashir rejoined, “By Allah, O Minister,
+I have seen the whole dream pourtrayed in painting, as I had eyed it
+with mine own eyes; but I found therein a circumstance which was hidden
+from the Princess, so that she saw it not, and ’tis upon this that I
+rely for the winning of my wish.” Quoth the Wazir, “And what is that, O
+my son?”; and quoth the Prince, “I saw that, when the male bird flew
+away; and, leaving his mate entangled in the net, failed to return and
+save her, a falcon pounced on him and slaying him, ate his flesh and
+drank his blood. Would to Heaven the Princess had seen the whole of the
+dream and had beheld the cause of his failure to return and rescue
+her!” Replied the Wazir, “By Allah, O auspicious King, this is indeed a
+rare thing and a wonderful!” And the King’s son ceased not to marvel at
+the picture and lament that the King’s daughter had not beheld the
+dream to its end, saying in himself, “Would she had seen it to the last
+or might see the whole over again, though but in the imbroglio of
+sleep!” Then quoth the Wazir to him, “Thou saidst to me, ‘Why wilt thou
+repair the pavilion?’; and I replied, ‘Thou shalt presently see the
+issue thereof.’ And behold, now its issue thou seest; for it was I did
+this deed and bade the painters pourtray the Princess’s dream thus and
+paint the male bird in the pounces of the falcon which eateth his flesh
+and drinketh his blood; so that when she cometh to the pavilion, she
+will behold her dream depicted and see how the cock-pigeon was slain
+and excuse him and turn from her hate for men.” When the Prince heard
+the Wazir’s words, he kissed his hands and thanked him, saying,
+“Verily, the like of thee is fit to be Minister to the most mighty
+King, and, by Allah, an I win my wish and return to my sire, rejoicing,
+I will assuredly acquaint him with this, that he may redouble in
+honouring thee and advance thee in dignity and hearken to thine every
+word.” So the Wazir kissed his hand and they both went to the old
+Gardener and said, “Look at yonder pavilion and see how fine it is!”
+And he replied, “This is all of your happy thought.” Then said they, “O
+elder, when the owners of the place question thee concerning the
+restoration of the pavilion, say thou, ’Twas I did it of my own
+monies; to the intent that there may betide thee fair favour and good
+fortune.” He said, “I hear and I obey”; and the Prince continued to pay
+him frequent visits. Such was the case with the Prince and the Wazir;
+but as regards Hayat al-Nufus, when she ceased to receive the Prince’s
+letters and messages and when the old woman was absent from her, she
+rejoiced with joy exceeding and concluded that the young man had
+returned to his own country. One day, there came to her a covered tray
+from her father; so she uncovered it and finding therein fine fruits,
+asked her waiting-women, “Is the season of these fruits come?” Answered
+they, “Yes.” Thereupon she cried, “Would we might make ready to take
+our pleasure in the flower-garden!”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-seventh Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Princess,
+after receiving the fruit from her sire, asked, “Is the season of these
+fruits set in?”; and they answered, “Yes!” Thereupon she cried, “Would
+we might make ready to take our pleasure in the flower-garden!” “O my
+lady,” they replied, “thou sayest well, and by Allah, we also long for
+the garden!” So she enquired, “How shall we do, seeing that every year
+it is none save my nurse who taketh us to walk in the garden and who
+pointeth out to us the various trees and plants; and I have beaten her
+and forbidden her from me? Indeed, I repent me of what was done by me
+to her, for that, in any case, she is my nurse and hath over me the
+right of fosterage. But there is no Majesty and there is no Might save
+in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!” When her handmaids heard this, they
+all sprang up; and, kissing the ground between her hands, exclaimed,
+“Allah upon thee, O my lady, do thou pardon her and bid her to the
+presence!”; and quoth she, “By Allah, I am resolved upon this; but
+which of you will go to her, for I have prepared her a splendid robe of
+honour?” Hereupon two damsels came forward, by name Bulbul and Siwád
+al-‘Ayn, who were comely and graceful and the principals among the
+Princess’s women, and her favourites. And they said, “We will go to
+her, O King’s daughter!”; and she said, “Do what seemeth good to you.”
+So they went to the house of the nurse and knocked at the door and
+entered; and she, recognising the twain, received them with open arms
+and welcomed them. When they had sat awhile with her, they said to her,
+“O nurse, the Princess pardoneth thee and desireth to take thee back
+into favour.” She replied, “This may never be, though I drink the cup
+of ruin! Hast thou forgotten how she put me to shame before those who
+love me and those who hate me, when my clothes were dyed with my blood
+and I well nigh died for stress of beating, and after this they dragged
+me forth by the feet, like a dead dog, and cast me without the door? So
+by Allah, I will never return to her nor fill my eyes with her sight!”
+Quoth the two girls, “Disappoint not our pains in coming to thee nor
+send us away unsuccessful. Where is thy courtesy uswards? Think but who
+it is that cometh in to visit thee: canst thou wish for any higher of
+standing than we with the King’s daughter?” She replied, “I take refuge
+with Allah: well I wot that my station is less than yours; were it not
+that the Princess’s favour exalted me above all her women, so that,
+were I wroth with the greatest of them, she had died in her skin of
+fright.” They rejoined, “All is as it was and naught is in anywise
+changed. Indeed, ’tis better than before, for the Princess humbleth
+herself to thee and seeketh a reconciliation without intermediary.”
+Said the old woman, “By Allah, were it not for your presence and
+intercession with me, I had never returned to her; no, not though she
+had commanded to slay me!” They thanked her for this and she rose and
+dressing herself accompanied them to the palace. Now when the King’s
+daughter saw her, she sprang to her feet in honour, and the old woman
+said, “Allah! Allah! O King’s daughter, say me, whose was the fault,
+mine or thine?” Hayat al-Nufus replied, “The fault was mine, and ’tis
+thine to pardon and forgive. By Allah, O my nurse, thy rank is high
+with me and thou hast over me the right of fosterage; but thou knowest
+that Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) hath allotted to His creatures
+four things, disposition, life, daily bread and death; nor is it in
+man’s power to avert that which is decreed. Verily, I was beside myself
+and could not recover my senses; but, O my nurse, I repent of what deed
+I did.” With this, the crone’s anger ceased from her and she rose and
+kissed the ground before the Princess, who called for a costly robe of
+honour and threw it over her, whereat she rejoiced with exceeding joy
+in the presence of the Princess’s slaves and women. When all ended thus
+happily, Hayat al-Nufus said to the old woman, “O my nurse, how go the
+fruits and growths of our garth?”; and she replied, “O my lady, I see
+excellent fruits in the town; but I will enquire of this matter and
+return thee an answer this very day.” Then she withdrew, honoured with
+all honour and betook herself to Ardashir, who received her with open
+arms and embraced her and rejoiced in her coming, for that he had
+expected her long and longingly. She told him all that had passed
+between herself and the Princess and how her mistress was minded to go
+down into the garden on such a day.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-eighth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old
+woman betook herself to the Prince and told him all that had passed
+between herself and the Princess Hayat al-Nufus; and how her mistress
+was minded to go down into the garden on such a day and said to him,
+“Hast thou done as I bade thee with the Warder of the garden and
+hast thou made him taste of thy bounties?” He replied, “Yes, and the
+oldster is become my good friend: my way is his way and he would well
+I had need of him.” Then he told her all that had happened and of
+the dream-paintings which the Wazir had caused to be limned in the
+pavilion; especially of the fowler, the net and the falcon: whereat
+she joyed with great joy and said, “Allah upon thee, do thou set thy
+Minister midmost thy heart, for this that he hath done pointeth to the
+keenness of his wit and he hath helped thee to the winning thy wish.
+So rise forthright, O my son, and go to the Hammam-bath and don thy
+daintiest dress, wherein may be our success. Then fare thou to the
+Gardener and make shift to pass the night in the garden, for though
+he should give the earth full of gold none may win to pass into it,
+whilst the King’s daughter is therein. When thou hast entered, hide
+thee where no eye may espy thee and keep concealed till thou hear
+me cry, ‘O Thou whose boons are hidden, save us from that we fear!’
+Then come forth from thine ambush and walk among the trees and show
+thy beauty and loveliness which put the moons to shame, to the intent
+that Princess Hayat al-Nufus may see thee and that her heart and soul
+may be filled with love of thee; so shalt thou attain to thy wish and
+thy grief be gone.” “To hear is to obey,” replied the young Prince
+and gave her a purse of a thousand dinars, which she took and went
+away. Thereupon Ardashir fared straight for the bath and washed; after
+which he arrayed himself in the richest of robes of the apparel of the
+Kings of the Chosroës and girt his middle with a girdle wherein were
+conjoined all manner precious stones and donned a turband inwoven with
+red gold and purfled with pearls and gems. His cheeks shone rosy-red
+and his lips were scarlet; his eyelids like the gazelle’s wantoned;
+like a wine-struck wight in his gait he swayed; beauty and loveliness
+garbed him, and his shape shamed the bowing of the bough. Then he put
+in his pocket a purse containing a thousand dinars and, repairing
+to the flower-garden, knocked at the door. The Gardener opened to
+him and rejoicing with great joy salamed to him in most worshipful
+fashion; then, observing that his face was overcast, he asked him how
+he did. The King’s son answered, “Know, O elder, that I am dear to
+my father and he never laid his hand on me till this day, when words
+arose between us and he abused me and smote me on the face and struck
+me with his staff and drave me away. Now I have no friend to turn to
+and I fear the perfidy of Fortune, for thou knowest that the wrath of
+parents is no light thing. Wherefore I come to thee, O uncle, seeing
+that to my father thou art known, and I desire of thy favour that thou
+suffer me abide in the garden till the end of the day, or pass the
+night there, till Allah grant good understanding between myself and
+my sire.” When the old man heard these words he was concerned anent
+what had occurred and said, “O my lord, dost thou give me leave to
+go to thy sire and be the means of reconciliation between thee and
+him?” Replied Ardashir, “O uncle, thou must know that my father is of
+impatient nature, and irascible; so an thou proffer him reconciliation
+in his heat of temper he will make thee no answer; but when a day or
+two shall have passed, his heat will soften. Then go thou in to him
+and thereupon he will relent.” “Hearkening and obedience,” quoth the
+Gardener; “but, O my lord, do thou come with me to my house, where thou
+shalt night with my children and my family and none shall reproach
+this to us.” Quoth Ardashir, “O uncle, I must be alone when I am
+angry.”[FN#281] The old man said, “It irketh me that thou shouldst
+lie solitary in the garden, when I have a house.” But Ardashir said,
+“O uncle, I have an aim in this, that the trouble of my mind may be
+dispelled from me and I know that in this lies the means of regaining
+his favour and softening his heart to me.” Rejoined the Gardener, “I
+will fetch thee a carpet to sleep on and a coverlet wherewith to cover
+thee;” and the Prince said, “There is no harm in that, O uncle.” So
+the keeper rose and opened the garden to him, and brought him the
+carpet and coverlet, knowing not that the King’s daughter was minded
+to visit the garth. On this wise fared it with the Prince; but as
+regards the nurse, she returned to the Princess and told her that the
+fruits were kindly ripe on the garden trees; whereupon she said, “O
+my nurse, go down with me to-morrow into the garden, that we may walk
+about in it and take our pleasure,—Inshallah; and send meanwhile to
+the Gardener, to let him know what we purpose.” So she sent to the
+Gardener to say, “The Princess will visit the parterre to-morrow, so
+leave neither water-carriers nor tree-tenders therein, nor let one of
+Allah’s creatures enter the garth.” When word came to him, he set his
+water-ways and channels in order and, going to Ardashir, said to him,
+“O my lord, the King’s daughter is mistress of this garden; and I have
+only to crave thy pardon, for the place is thy place and I live only
+in thy favours, except that my tongue is under thy feet.[FN#282] I
+must tell thee that the Princess Hayat al-Nufus hath a mind to visit
+it to-morrow at the first of the day and hath bidden me leave none
+therein who might look upon her. So I would have thee of thy favour go
+forth of the garden this day, for the Queen will abide only in it till
+the time of mid-afternoon prayer and after it shall be at thy service
+for se’nnights and fortnights, months and years.” Ardashir asked, “O
+elder, haply we have caused thee some mishap?”; and the other answered,
+“By Allah, O my lord, naught hath betided me from thee but honour!”
+Rejoined the Prince, “An it be so, nothing but all good shall befal
+thee through us; for I will hide in the garden and none shall espy
+me, till the King’s daughter hath gone back to her palace.” Said the
+Gardener, “O my lord, an she espy the shadow of a man in the garden
+or any of Allah’s male creatures she will strike off my head;”——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Twenty-ninth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Gardener said to the Prince, “An the King’s daughter espy the shadow of
+a man in her garden, she will strike off my head;” the youth replied,
+“Have no fear, I will on no wise let any see me. But doubtless to-day
+thou lackest of spending-money for thy family.” Then he put his hand
+to his purse and pulled out five hundred ducats, which he gave to him
+saying, “Take this gold and lay it out on thy family, that thy heart
+may be at ease concerning them.” When the Shaykh looked upon the gold,
+his life seemed a light thing to him[FN#283] and he suffered the Prince
+to tarry where he was, charging him straitly not to show himself in the
+garden. Then he left him loitering about. Meanwhile, when the eunuchs
+went in to the Princess at break of day, she bade open the private
+wicket leading from the palace to the parterres and donned a royal
+robe, embroidered with pearls and jewels and gems, over a shift of
+fine silk purfled with rubies. Under the whole was that which tongue
+refuseth to explain, whereat was confounded the brain and whose love
+would embrave the craven’s strain. On her head she set a crown of red
+gold, inlaid with pearls and gems and she tripped in pattens of cloth
+of gold, embroidered with fresh pearls[FN#284] and adorned with all
+manner precious stones. Then she put her hand upon the old woman’s
+shoulder and commanded to go forth by the privy door; but the nurse
+looked at the garden and, seeing it full of eunuchs and handmaids
+walking about, eating the fruits and troubling the streams and taking
+their ease of sport and pleasure in the water said to the Princess, “O
+my lady, is this a garden or a madhouse?” Quoth the Princess, “What
+meaneth thy speech, O nurse?”; and quoth the old woman, “Verily the
+garden is full of slave-girls and eunuchs, eating of the fruits and
+troubling the streams and scaring the birds and hindering us from
+taking our ease and sporting and laughing and what not else; and thou
+hast no need of them. Wert thou going forth of thy palace into the
+highway, this would be fitting, as an honour and a ward to thee; but,
+now, O my lady, thou goest forth of the wicket into the garden, where
+none of Almighty Allah’s creatures may look on thee.” Rejoined the
+Princess, “By Allah, O nurse mine, thou sayst sooth! But how shall we
+do?”; and the old woman said, “Bid the eunuchs send them all away and
+keep only two of the slave-girls, that we may make merry with them.”
+So she dismissed them all, with the exception of two of her handmaids
+who were most in favour with her. But when the old woman saw that her
+heart was light and that the season was pleasant to her, she said to
+her, “Now we can enjoy ourselves aright: so up and let us take our
+pleasance in the garden.” The Princess put her hand upon her shoulder
+and went out by the private door. The two waiting-women walked in
+front and she followed them laughing at them and swaying gracefully
+to and fro in her ample robes; whilst the nurse forewent her, showing
+her the trees and feeding her with fruits; and so they fared on from
+place to place, till they came to the pavilion, which when the King’s
+daughter beheld and saw that it had been restored, she asked the old
+woman, “O my nurse, seest thou yonder pavilion? It hath been repaired
+and its walls whitened.” She answered, “By Allah, O my lady, I heard
+say that the keeper of the garden had taken stuffs of a company of
+merchants and sold them and bought bricks and lime and plaster and
+stones and so forth with the price; so I asked him what he had done
+with all this, and he said, ‘I have repaired the pavilion which lay in
+ruins,’ presently adding, ‘And when the merchants sought their due of
+me, I said to them, ‘Wait ‘till the Princess visit the garden and see
+the repairs and they satisfy her; then will I take of her what she is
+pleased to bestow on me, and pay you what is your due.’ Quoth I, ‘What
+moved thee to do this thing?’; and quoth he, ‘I saw the pavilion in
+ruins, the coigns thrown down and the stucco peeled from the walls,
+and none had the grace to repair it; so I borrowed the coin on my own
+account and restored the place; and I trust in the King’s daughter to
+deal with me as befitteth her dignity.’ I said, ‘The Princess is all
+goodness and generosity and will no doubt requite thee.’ And he did all
+this but in hopes of thy bounty.” Replied the Princess, “By Allah, he
+hath dealt nobly in rebuilding it and hath done the deed of generous
+men! Call me my purse-keeperess.” The old woman accordingly fetched the
+purse-keeperess, whom the Princess bade give the Gardener two thousand
+dinars; whereupon the nurse sent to him, bidding him to the presence
+of the King’s daughter. But when the messenger said to him, “Obey the
+Queen’s order,” the Gardener felt feeble and, trembling in every joint,
+said in himself, “Doubtless, the Princess hath seen the young man, and
+this day will be the most unlucky of days for me.” So he went home and
+told his wife and children what had happened and gave them his last
+charges and farewelled them, while they wept for and with him. Then
+he presented himself before the Princess, with a face the colour of
+turmeric and ready to fall flat at full length. The old woman remarked
+his plight and hastened to forestall him, saying “O Shaykh, kiss the
+earth in thanksgiving to Almighty Allah and be constant in prayer to
+Him for the Princess. I told her what thou didst in the matter of
+repairing the ruined pavilion, and she rejoiceth in this and bestoweth
+on thee two thousand dinars in requital of thy pains; so take them
+from the purse-keeperess and kiss the earth before the King’s daughter
+and bless her and wend thy way.” Hearing these words he took the gold
+and kissed the ground before Hayat al-Nufus, calling down blessings on
+her. Then he returned to his house, and his family rejoiced in him and
+blessed him[FN#285] who had been the prime cause of this business.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirtieth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Care-taker took the two thousand ducats from the Princess and returned
+to his house, all his family rejoiced in him and blessed him who had
+been the prime cause of this business. Thus it fared with these; but as
+regards the old woman, she said to the Princess, “O my lady, this is
+indeed become a fine place! Never saw I a purer white than its
+plastering nor properer than its painting! I wonder if he have also
+repaired it within: else hath he made the outside white and left the
+inside black. Come, let us enter and inspect.” So they went in, the
+nurse preceding, and found the interior painted and gilded in the
+goodliest way. The Princess looked right and left, till she came to the
+upper end of the estrade, when she fixed her eyes upon the wall and
+gazed long and earnestly thereat; whereupon the old woman knew that her
+glance had lighted on the presentment of her dream and took the two
+waiting-women away with her, that they might not divert her mind. When
+the King’s daughter had made an end of examining the painting, she
+turned to the old woman, wondering and beating hand on hand, and said
+to her, “O my nurse, come, see a wondrous thing which were it graven
+with needle-gravers on the eye-corners would be a warner to whoso will
+be warned.” She replied, “And what is that, O my lady?”; when the
+Princess rejoined, “Go, look at the upper end of the estrade, and tell
+me what thou seest there.” So she went up and considered the
+dream-drawing: then she came down, wondering, and said, “By Allah, O my
+lady, here is depicted the garden and the fowler and his net and the
+birds and all thou sawest in thy dream; and verily, nothing but urgent
+need withheld the male pigeon from returning to free his mate after he
+had fled her, for I see him in the talons of a bird of raven which hath
+slaughtered him and is drinking his blood and rending his flesh and
+eating it; and this, O my lady, caused his tarrying to return and
+rescue her from the net. But, O my mistress, the wonder is how thy
+dream came to be thus depicted, for, wert thou minded to set it forth
+in painture, thou hadst not availed to portray it. By Allah, this is a
+marvel which should be recorded in histories! Surely, O my lady, the
+angels appointed to attend upon the sons of Adam, knew that the
+cock-pigeon was wronged of us, because we blamed him for deserting his
+mate; so they embraced his cause and made manifest his excuse; and now
+for the first time we see him in the hawk’s pounces a dead bird.” Quoth
+the Princess, “O my nurse, verily, Fate and Fortune had course against
+this bird, and we did him wrong.” Quoth the nurse, “O my mistress, foes
+shall meet before Allah the Most High: but, O my lady, verily, the
+truth hath been made manifest and the male pigeon’s excuse certified to
+us; for had the hawk not seized him and drunk his blood and rent his
+flesh he had not held aloof from his mate, but had returned to her, and
+set her free from the net; but against death there is no recourse, nor,
+O my lady, is there aught in the world more tenderly solicitous than
+the male for the female, among all creatures which Almighty Allah hath
+created. And especially ’tis thus with man; for he starveth himself to
+feed his wife, strippeth himself to clothe her, angereth his family to
+please her and disobeyeth and denieth his parents to endow her. She
+knoweth his secrets and concealeth them and she cannot endure from him
+a single hour.[FN#286] An he be absent from her one night, her eyes
+sleep not, nor is there a dearer to her than he: she loveth him more
+than her parents and they lie down to sleep in each other’s arms, with
+his hand under her neck and her hand under his neck, even as saith the
+poet,
+
+‘I made my wrist her pillow and I lay with her in litter; *
+     And I said to Night ‘Be long!’ while the full moon showed
+     glitter:
+Ah me, it _was_ a night, Allah never made its like; * Whose
+     first was sweetest sweet and whose last was bitt’rest
+     bitter!’[FN#287]
+
+
+Then he kisseth her and she kisseth him; and I have heard of a certain
+King that, when his wife fell sick and died, he buried himself alive
+with her, submitting himself to death, for the love of her and the
+strait companionship which was between them. Moreover, a certain King
+sickened and died, and when they were about to bury him, his wife said
+to her people: ‘Let me bury myself alive with him: else will I slay
+myself and my blood shall be on your heads.’ So, when they saw she
+would not be turned from this thing, they left her, and she cast
+herself into the grave with her dead husband, of the greatness of her
+love and tenderness for him.” And the old woman ceased not to ply the
+Princess with anecdotes of conjugal love between men and women, till
+there ceased that which was in her heart of hatred for the sex
+masculine; and when she felt that she had succeeded in renewing in her
+the natural inclination of woman to man, she said to her, “’Tis time to
+go and walk in the garden.” So they fared forth from the pavilion and
+paced among the trees. Presently the Prince chanced to turn and his
+eyes fell on Hayat al-Nufus; and when he saw the symmetry of her shape
+and the rosiclearness of her cheeks and the blackness of her eyes and
+her exceeding grace and her passing loveliness and her excelling beauty
+and her prevailing elegance and her abounding perfection, his reason
+was confounded and he could not take his eyes off her. Passion
+annihilated his right judgment and love overpassed all limits in him;
+his vitals were occupied with her service and his heart was aflame with
+the fire of repine, so that he swooned away and fell to the ground.
+When he came to himself, she had passed from his sight and was hidden
+from him among the trees;——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-first Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Prince
+Ardashir, who lay hid in the garden, saw the Princess and her nurse
+walking amongst the trees, he swooned away for very love-longing. When
+he came to himself Hayat al-Nufus had passed from his sight and was
+hidden from him among the trees; so he sighed from his heart-core and
+improvised these couplets,
+
+“Whenas mine eyes behold her loveliness, * My heart is torn
+     with love’s own ecstasy.
+I wake o’erthrown, castdown on face of earth * Nor can the
+     Princess[FN#288] my sore torment see.
+She turned and ravished this sad Love-thrall’d sprite; *
+     Mercy, by Allah, ruth; nay, sympathy!
+O Lord, afford me union, deign Thou soothe * My soul, ere
+     grave-niche house this corse of me;
+I’ll kiss her ten times ten times, and times ten * For lover’s
+     wasted cheek the kisses be!”
+
+
+The old woman ceased not to lead the Princess a-pleasuring about the
+garden, till they reached the place where the Prince lay ambushed,
+when, behold she said, “O Thou whose bounties are hidden, vouchsafe us
+assurance from that we fear!” The King’s son hearing the signal, left
+his lurking-place and, surprised by the summons, walked among the
+trees, swaying to and fro with a proud and graceful gait and a shape
+that shamed the branches. His brow was crowned with pearly drops and
+his cheeks red as the afterglow, extolled be Allah the Almighty in that
+He hath created! When the King’s daughter caught sight of him, she
+gazed a long while on him and noticed his beauty and grace and
+loveliness and his eyes that wantoned like the gazelle’s, and his shape
+that outvied the branches of the myrobalan; wherefore her wits were
+confounded and her soul captivated and her heart transfixed with the
+arrows of his glances. Then she said to the old woman, “O my nurse,
+whence came yonder handsome youth?”; and the nurse asked, “Where is he,
+O my lady?” “There he is,” answered Hayat al-Nufus; “near hand, among
+the trees.” The old woman turned right and left, as if she knew not of
+his presence, and cried, “And pray, who can have taught this youth the
+way into this garden?” Quoth Hayat al-Nufus, “Who shall give us news of
+the young man? Glory be to Him who created men! But say me, dost thou
+know him, O my nurse?” Quoth the old woman, “O my lady, he is the young
+merchant who wrote to thee by me.” The Princess (and indeed she was
+drowned in the sea of her desire and the fire of her passion and
+love-longing) broke out, “O my nurse, how goodly is this youth! Indeed
+he is fair of favour. Methinks, there is not on the face of earth a
+goodlier than he!” Now when the old woman was assured that the love of
+him had gotten possession of the Princess, she said to her, “Did I not
+tell thee, O my lady, that he was a comely youth with a beaming
+favour?” Replied Hayat al-Nufus, “O my nurse, King’s daughters know not
+the ways of the world nor the manners of those that be therein, for
+that they company with none, neither give they nor take they. O my
+nurse, how shall I do to bring about a meeting and present myself to
+him, and what shall I say to him and what will he say to me?” Said the
+old woman, “What device is left me? Indeed, we were confounded in this
+matter by thy behaviour”; and the Princess said, “O my nurse, know thou
+that if any ever died of passion, I shall do so, and behold, I look for
+nothing but death on the spot by reason of the fire of my
+love-longing.” When the old woman heard her words and saw the transport
+of her desire for him, she answered, “O my lady, now as for his coming
+to thee, there is no way thereto; and indeed thou art excused from
+going to him, because of thy tender age; but rise with me and follow
+me. I will accost him: so shalt thou not be put to shame, and in the
+twinkling of an eye affection shall ensue between you.” The King’s
+daughter cried, “Go thou before me, for the decree of Allah may not be
+rejected.” Accordingly they went up to the place where Ardashir sat, as
+he were the full moon at its fullest, and the old woman said to him,
+“See O youth, who is present before thee! ’Tis the daughter of our King
+of the age, Hayat al-Nufus: bethink thee of her rank and appreciate the
+honour she doth thee in coming to thee and rise out of respect for her
+and stand before her.” The Prince sprang to his feet in an instant and
+his eyes met her eyes, whereupon they both became as they were drunken
+without wine. Then the love of him and desire redoubled upon the
+Princess and she opened her arms and he his, and they embraced; but
+love-longing and passion overcame them and they swooned away and fell
+to the ground and lay a long while without sense. The old woman,
+fearing scandalous exposure, carried them both into the pavilion, and,
+sitting down at the door, said to the two waiting-women, “Seize the
+occasion to take your pleasure in the garden, for the Princess
+sleepeth.” So they returned to their diversion. Presently the lovers
+revived from their swoon and found themselves in the pavilion, whereat
+quoth the Prince, “Allah upon thee, O Princess of fair ones, is this
+vision or sleep-illusion?” Then the twain embraced and intoxicated
+themselves without wine, complaining each to other of the anguish of
+passion; and the Prince improvised these couplets,
+
+“Sun riseth sheen from her brilliant brow, * And her cheek
+     shows the rosiest afterglow:
+And when both appear to the looker-on, * The skyline star
+     ne’er for shame will show:
+An the leven flash from those smiling lips, * Morn breaks and
+     the rays dusk and gloom o’erthrow.
+And when with her graceful shape she sways, * Droops leafiest
+     Bán-tree[FN#289] for envy low:
+Me her sight suffices; naught crave I more: * Lord of Men and
+     Morn, be her guard from foe!
+The full moon borrows a part of her charms; * The sun would
+     rival but fails his lowe.
+Whence could Sol aspire to that bending grace? * Whence should
+     Luna see such wit and such mind-gifts know?
+Who shall blame me for being all love to her, * ’Twixt accord
+     and discord aye doomed to woe:
+’Tis she won my heart with those forms that bend * What shall
+     lover’s heart from such charms defend?”
+
+
+——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-second Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Prince
+had made an end of his verses, the Princess strained him to her bosom
+and kissed him on the mouth and between the eyes; whereupon his soul
+returned to him and he fell to complaining to her of that he had
+endured for stress of love and tyranny of longing and excess of
+transport and distraction and all he had suffered for the hardness of
+her heart. Hearing those words she kissed his hands and feet and bared
+her head,[FN#290] whereupon the gloom gathered and the full moons
+dawned therein. Then said she to him, “O my beloved and term of all my
+wishes, would the day of estrangement had never been and Allah grant it
+may never return between us!” And they embraced and wept together,
+whilst she recited these couplets,
+
+“O who shamest the Moon and the sunny glow: * Thou whose
+     slaught’ring tyranny lays me low;
+With the sword of a look thou hast shorn my heart, * How
+     escape thy sword-glance fatal of blow?
+Thus eke are thine eyebrows a bow that shot * My bosom with
+     shafts of fiercest lowe:
+From thy cheeks’ rich crop cometh Paradise; * How, then, shall
+     my heart the rich crop forego?
+Thy graceful shape is a blooming branch, * And shall pluck the
+     fruits who shall bear that bough.
+Perforce thou drawest me, robst my sleep; * In thy love I
+     strip me and shameless show:[FN#291]
+Allah lend thee the rays of most righteous light, * Draw the
+     farthest near and a tryst bestow:
+Then have ruth on the vitals thy love hath seared, * And the
+     heart that flies to thy side the mo’e!”
+
+
+And when she ended her recitation, passion overcame her and she was
+distraught for love and wept copious tears, rain-like streaming down.
+This burnt the Prince’s heart and he in turn became troubled and
+distracted for love of her. So he drew nearer to her and kissed her
+hands and wept with sore weeping and they ceased not from
+lover-reproaches and converse and versifying, until the call to
+mid-afternoon prayer (nor was there aught between them other than
+this), when they bethought them of parting and she said to him, “O
+light of mine eyes and core of my heart, the time of severance has come
+between us twain: when shall we meet again?” “By Allah,” replied he
+(and indeed her words shot him as with shafts), “to mention of parting
+I am never fain!” Then she went forth of the pavilion, and he turned
+and saw her sighing sighs would melt the rock and weeping shower-like
+tears; whereupon he for love was sunken in the sea of desolation and
+improvised these couplets,
+
+“O my heart’s desire! grows my misery * From the stress of
+     love, and what cure for me?
+By thy face, like dawn when it lights the dark, * And thy hair
+     whose hue beareth night-tide’s blee,
+And thy form like the branch which in grace inclines * To
+     Zephyr’s[FN#292] breath blowing fain and free,
+By the glance of thine eyes like the fawn’s soft gaze, * When
+     she views pursuer of high degree,
+And thy waist down borne by the weight of hips, * These so
+     heavy and that lacking gravity,
+By the wine of thy lip-dew, the sweetest of drink, * Fresh
+     water and musk in its purity,
+O gazelle of the tribe, ease my soul of grief, * And grant me
+     thy phantom in sleep to see!”
+
+
+Now when she heard his verses in praise of her, she turned back to him
+and embracing him, with a heart on fire for the anguish of severance,
+fire which naught save kisses and embraces might quench, cried, “Sooth
+the byword saith, Patience is for a lover and not the lack thereof.
+There is no help for it but I contrive a means for our reunion.” Then
+she farewelled him and fared forth, knowing not where she set her feet,
+for stress of her love; nor did she stay her steps till she found
+herself in her own chamber. When she was gone, passion and love-longing
+redoubled upon the young Prince and the delight of sleep was forbidden
+him, and the Princess in her turn tasted not food and her patience
+failed and she sickened for desire. As soon as dawned the day, she sent
+for the nurse, who came and found her condition changed and she cried,
+“Question me not of my case; for all I suffer is due to thy handiwork.
+Where is the beloved of my heart?” “O my lady, when did he leave thee?
+Hath he been absent from thee more than this night?” “Can I endure
+absence from him an hour? Come, find some means to bring us together
+speedily, for my soul is like to flee my body.” “O my lady, have
+patience till I contrive thee some subtle device, whereof none shall be
+ware.” “By the Great God, except thou bring him to me this very day, I
+will tell the King that thou hast corrupted me, and he will cut off thy
+head!” “I conjure thee, by Allah, have patience with me, for this is a
+dangerous matter!” And the nurse humbled herself to her, till she
+granted her three days’ delay, saying, “O my nurse, the three days will
+be three years to me; and if the fourth day pass and thou bring him
+not, I will go about to slay thee.” So the old woman left her and
+returned to her lodging, where she abode till the morning of the fourth
+day, when she summoned the tirewomen of the town and sought of them
+fine dyes and rouge for the painting of a virgin girl and adorning; and
+they brought her cosmetics of the best. Then she sent for the Prince
+and, opening her chest, brought out a bundle containing a suit of
+woman’s apparel, worth five thousand dinars, and a head-kerchief
+fringed with all manner gems. Then said she to him, “O my son, hast
+thou a mind to foregather with Hayat al-Nufus?”; and he replied, “Yes.”
+So she took a pair of tweezers and pulled out the hairs of his face and
+pencilled his eyes with Kohl.[FN#293] Then she stripped him and painted
+him with Henna[FN#294] from his nails to his shoulders and from his
+insteps to his thighs and tattooed[FN#295] him about the body, till he
+was like red roses upon alabaster slabs. After a little, she washed him
+and dried him and bringing out a shift and a pair of petticoat-trousers
+made him put them on. Then she clad him in the royal suit aforesaid
+and, binding the kerchief about his head, veiled him and taught him how
+to walk, saying, “Advance thy left and draw back thy right.” He did her
+bidding and forewent her, as he were a Houri faring abroad from
+Paradise. Then said she to him, “Fortify thy heart, for thou art going
+to the King’s palace, where there will without fail be guards and
+eunuchs at the gate; and if thou be startled at them and show doubt or
+dread, they will suspect thee and examine thee, and we shall both get
+into grievous trouble and haply lose our lives: wherefore an thou feel
+thyself unable to this, tell me.” He answered, “In very sooth this
+thing hath no terrors for me, so be of good cheer and keep thine eyes
+cool and clear.” Then she went out preceding him till the twain came to
+the palace-gate, which was full of eunuchs. She turned and looked at
+him, as much as to say, “Art thou troubled or no?” and finding him all
+unchanged, went on. The chief eunuch glanced at the nurse and knew her
+but, seeing a damsel following her, whose charms confounded the reason,
+he said in his mind, “As for the old woman, she is the nurse; but as
+for the girl who is with her there is none in our land resembleth her
+in favour or approacheth her in fairness save the Princess Hayat
+al-Nufus, who is secluded and never goeth out. Would I knew how she
+came into the streets and would Heaven I wot whether or no ’twas by
+leave of the King!” Then he rose to learn somewhat concerning her and
+well nigh thirty castratos followed him; which when the old woman saw,
+her reason fled for fear and she said, “Verily, we are Allah’s and to
+Him we shall return! Without recourse we are dead folk this time.”——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-third Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old
+nurse saw the head of the eunuchry and his assistants making for her
+she was in exceeding fear and cried, “There is no Majesty and there is
+no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Verily we are God’s
+and unto him we shall return; without recourse we be dead folk this
+time.” When the head eunuch heard her speak thus, fear gat hold upon
+him, by reason of that which he knew of the Princess’s violence and
+that her father was ruled by her, and he said to himself, “Belike the
+King hath commanded the nurse to carry his daughter forth upon some
+occasion of hers, whereof she would have none know; and if I oppose
+her, she will be wroth with me and will say, ‘This eunuch fellow
+stopped me, that he might pry into my affairs.’ So she will do her best
+to kill me, and I have no call to meddle in this matter.” So saying, he
+turned back, and with him the thirty assistants who drove the people
+from the door of the palace; whereupon the nurse entered and saluted
+the eunuchs with her head, whilst all the thirty stood to do her honour
+and returned her salam. She led in the Prince and he ceased not
+following her from door to door, and the Protector protected them, so
+that they passed all the guards, till they came to the seventh door: it
+was that of the great pavilion, wherein was the King’s throne, and it
+communicated with the chambers of his women and the saloons of the
+Harim, as well as with his daughter’s pavilion. So the old woman halted
+and said, “Here we are, O my son, and glory be to Him who hath brought
+us thus far in safety! But, O my son, we cannot foregather with the
+Princess except by night; for night enveileth the fearful.” He replied,
+“True, but what is to be done?” Quoth she, “Hide thee in this black
+hole,” showing him behind the door a dark and deep cistern, with a
+cover thereto. So he entered the cistern, and she went away and left
+him there till ended day, when she returned and carried him into the
+palace, till they came to the door of Hayat al-Nufus’s apartment. The
+old woman knocked and a little maid came out and said, “Who is at the
+door?” Said the nurse, “’Tis I,” whereupon the maid returned and craved
+permission of her lady, who said, “Open to her and let her come in with
+any who may accompany her.” So they entered and the nurse, casting a
+glance around, perceived that the Princess had made ready the
+sitting-chamber and ranged the lamps in row and lighted candles of wax
+in chandeliers of gold and silver and spread the divans and estrades
+with carpets and cushions. Moreover, she had set on trays of food and
+fruits and confections and she had perfumed the place with musk and
+aloes-wood and ambergris. She was seated among the lamps and the tapers
+and the light of her face outshone the lustre of them all. When she saw
+the old woman, she said to her, “O nurse, where is the beloved of my
+heart?”; and the other replied, “O my lady, I cannot find him nor have
+mine eyes espied him, but I have brought thee his own sister; and here
+she is.” Cried the Princess, “Art thou Jinn-mad? What need have I of
+his sister? Say me, an a man’s head irk him, doth he bind up his hand?”
+The old woman answered, “No, by Allah, O my lady! But look on her, and
+if she pleases thee, let her be with thee.” Then she uncovered the
+Prince’s face, whereupon Hayat al-Nufus knew him and running to him,
+pressed him to her bosom, and he pressed her to his breast. Then they
+both fell down in a swoon and lay without sense a long while. The old
+woman sprinkled rose-water upon them till they came to themselves, when
+she kissed him on the mouth more than a thousand times and improvised
+these couplets,
+
+“Sought me this heart’s dear love at gloom of night; * I rose
+     in honour till he sat forthright,
+And said, ‘O aim of mine, O sole desire * In such night-visit
+     hast of guards no fright?’
+Replied he, ‘Yes, I fearèd much, but Love * Robbed me of all
+     my wits and reft my sprite.’
+We clipt with kisses and awhile clung we, * For here ’twas
+     safe; nor feared we watchman-wight:
+Then rose we parting without doubtful deed * And shook out
+     skirts where none a stain could sight.”
+
+
+——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-fourth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when her lover
+visited Hayat al-Nufus in her palace, the twain embraced and she
+improvised some happy couplets beseeming the occasion. And when she had
+ended her extempore lines she said, “Is it indeed true that I see thee
+in my abode and that thou art my cup-mate and my familiar?” Then
+passion grew on her and love was grievous to her, so that her reason
+well-nigh fled for joy and she improvised these couplets,
+
+“With all my soul I’ll ransom him who came to me in gloom * Of
+     night, whilst I had waited long to see his figure loom;
+And naught aroused me save his weeping voice of tender tone *
+     And whispered I, ‘Fair fall thy foot and welcome and well
+     come!’
+His cheek I kissed a thousand times, and yet a thousand more;
+     * Then clipt and clung about his breast enveiled in
+     darkling room.
+And cried, ‘Now verily I’ve won the aim of every wish * So
+     praise and prayers to Allah for this grace now best
+     become.’
+Then slept we even as we would the goodliest of nights * Till
+     morning came to end our night and light up earth with
+     bloom.”
+
+
+As soon as it was day, she made him enter a place in her apartment
+unknown to any and he abode there till nightfall, when she brought him
+out and they sat in converse and carouse. Presently he said to her, “I
+wish to return to my own country and tell my father what hath passed
+between us, that he may equip his Wazir to demand thee in marriage of
+thy sire.” She replied, “O my love, I fear, an thou return to thy
+country and kingdom, thou wilt be distracted from me and forget the
+love of me; or that thy father will not further thy wishes in this
+matter and I shall die. Meseems the better rede were that thou abide
+with me and in my hand-grasp, I looking on thy face, and thou on mine,
+till I devise some plan, whereby we may escape together some night and
+flee to thy country; for I have cut off my hopes from my own people and
+I despair of them.” He rejoined, “I hear and obey;” and they fell again
+to their carousal and conversing. He tarried with her thus for some
+time till, one night, the wine was pleasant to them and they lay not
+down nor did they sleep till break of day. Now it chanced that one of
+the Kings sent her father a present, and amongst other things, a
+necklace of union jewels, nine-and-twenty grains, to whose price a
+King’s treasures might not suffice. Quoth Abd al-Kadir, “This rivière
+beseemeth none but my daughter Hayat al-Nufus;” and, turning to an
+eunuch, whose jaw-teeth the Princess had knocked out for reasons best
+known to herself,[FN#296] he called to him and said, “Carry the
+necklace to thy lady and say to her, ‘One of the Kings hath sent thy
+father this, as a present, and its price may not be paid with money;
+put it on thy neck.’” The slave took the necklace, saying in himself,
+“Allah Almighty make it the last thing she shall put on in this world,
+for that she deprived me of the benefit of my grinder-teeth!”; and
+repairing to the Princess’s apartment, found the door locked and the
+old woman asleep before the threshold. He shook her, and she awoke in
+affright and asked, “What dost thou want?”; to which he answered, “The
+King hath sent me on an errand to his daughter.” Quoth the nurse, “The
+key is not here, go away, whilst I fetch it;” but quoth he, “I cannot
+go back to the King without having done his commandment.” So she went
+away, as if to fetch the key; but fear overtook her and she sought
+safety in flight. Then the eunuch awaited her awhile; then, finding she
+did not return, he feared that the King would be angry at his delay; so
+he rattled at the door and shook it, whereupon the bolt gave way and
+the leaf opened. He entered and passed on, till he came to the seventh
+door and walking in to the Princess’s chamber found the place
+splendidly furnished and saw candles and flagons there. At this
+spectacle he marvelled and going close up to the bed, which was
+curtained by a hanging of silk, embroidered with a net-work of jewels,
+drew back the curtain from before the Princess and saw her sleeping
+with her arms about the neck of a young man handsomer than herself;
+whereat he magnified Allah Almighty, who had created such a youth of
+vile water, and said, “How goodly be this fashion for one who hateth
+men! How came she by this fellow? Methinks ’twas on his account that
+she knocked out my back teeth!” Then he drew the curtain and made for
+the door; but the King’s daughter awoke in affright and seeing the
+eunuch, whose name was Káfúr, called to him. He made her no answer: so
+she came down from the bed on the estrade; and catching hold of his
+skirt laid it on her head and kissed his feet, saying, “Veil what Allah
+veileth!” Quoth he, “May Allah not veil thee nor him who would veil
+thee! Thou didst knock out my grinders and saidst to me, ‘Let none make
+mention to me aught of men and their ways!’” So saying, he disengaged
+himself from her grasp and running out, locked the door on them and set
+another eunuch to guard it. Then he went in to the King who said to him
+“Hast thou given the necklace to Hayat al-Nufus?” The eunuch replied,
+“By Allah, thou deservest altogether a better fate;” and the King
+asked, “What hath happened? Tell me quickly;” whereto he answered, “I
+will not tell thee, save in private and between our eyes,” but the King
+retorted, saying, “Tell me at once and in public.” Cried the eunuch,
+“Then grant me immunity.” So the King threw him the kerchief of
+immunity and he said, “O King, I went into the Princess Hayat al-Nufus
+and found her asleep in a carpeted chamber and on her bosom was a young
+man. So I locked the door upon the two and came back to thee.” When the
+King heard these words he started up and taking a sword in his hand,
+cried out to the Rais of the eunuchs, saying, “Take thy lads and go to
+the Princess’s chamber and bring me her and him who is with her as they
+twain lie on the bed; but cover them both up.”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-fifth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the King
+commanded the head eunuch to take his lads and to fetch and set before
+him Hayat al-Nufus and him who was with her, the chief and his men
+entered the Princess’s apartment where he found her standing up,
+dissolved in railing tears, and the Prince by her side; so he said to
+them, “Lie down on the bed, as thou wast and let him do likewise.” The
+King’s daughter feared for her lover[FN#297] and said to him, “This is
+no time for resistance.” So they both lay down and the eunuchs covered
+them up and carried the twain into the King’s presence. Thereupon Abd
+al-Kadir pulled off the coverings and the Princess sprang to her feet.
+He looked at her and would have smitten her neck: but the Prince threw
+himself on the father’s breast, saying, “The fault was not hers but
+mine only: kill me before thou killest her.” The King made at him, to
+cut him down, but Hayat al-Nufus cast herself on her father and said,
+“Kill me not him; for he is the son of a great King, lord of all the
+land in its length and breadth.” When the King heard this, he turned to
+the Chief Wazir, who was a gathering-place of all that is evil, and
+said to him, “What sayst thou of this matter, O Minister?” Quoth his
+Wazir, “What I say is that all who find themselves in such case as this
+have need of lying, and there is nothing for it but to cut off both
+their heads, after torturing them with all manner of tortures.”
+Hereupon the King called his sworder of vengeance, who came with his
+lads, and said to him, “Take this gallows-bird and strike off his head
+and after do the like with this harlot and burn their bodies, and
+consult me not about them a second time.” So the headsmen put his hand
+to her back, to take her; but the King cried out at him and cast at him
+somewhat he hent in hand, which had well-nigh killed him, saying, “O
+dog, how durst thou show ruth to those with whom I am wroth? Put thy
+hand to her hair and drag her along by it, so that she may fall on her
+face.” Accordingly he haled her by her hair and the Prince in like
+manner to the place of blood, where he tore off a piece of his skirt
+and therewith bound the Prince’s eyes putting the Princess last, in the
+hope that some one would intercede for her. Then, having made ready the
+Prince he swung his sharp sword three times (whilst all the troops wept
+and prayed Allah to send them deliverance by some intercessor), and
+raised his hand to cut off Ardashir’s head when, behold, there arose a
+cloud of dust, that spread and flew till it veiled the view. Now the
+cause thereof was that when the young Prince had delayed beyond
+measure, the King, his sire, had levied a mighty host and had marched
+with it in person to get tidings of his son. Such was his case; but as
+regards King Abd al-Kadir, when he saw this, he said, “O wights, what
+is the meaning of yonder dust that dimmeth sights?” The Grand Wazir
+sprang up and went out to reconnoitre and found behind the cloud men
+like locusts, of whom no count could be made nor aught avail of aid,
+filling the hills and plains and valleys. So he returned with the
+report to the King, who said to him, “Go down and learn for us what may
+be this host and the cause of its marching upon our country. Ask also
+of their commander and salute him for me and enquire the reason of his
+coming. An he came in quest of aught, we will aid him, and if he have a
+blood-feud with one of the Kings, we will ride with him; or, if he
+desire a gift, we will handsel him; for this is indeed a numerous host
+and a power uttermost, and we fear for our land from its mischief.” So
+the Minister went forth and walked among the tents and troopers and
+body-guards, and ceased not faring on from the first of the day till
+near sundown, when he came to the warders with gilded swords in tents
+star-studded. Passing these, he made his way through Emirs and Wazirs
+and Nabobs and Chamberlains, to the pavilion of the Sultan, and found
+him a mighty King. When the King’s officers saw him, they cried out to
+him, saying, “Kiss ground! Kiss ground!”[FN#298] He did so and would
+have risen, but they cried out at him a second and a third time. So he
+kissed the earth again and again and raised his head and would have
+stood up, but fell down at full length for excess of awe. When at last
+he was set between the hands of the King he said to him, “Allah prolong
+thy days and increase thy sovranty and exalt thy rank, O thou
+auspicious King! And furthermore, of a truth, King Abd al-Kadir
+saluteth thee and kisseth the earth before thee and asketh on what
+weighty business thou art come. An thou seek to avenge thee for blood
+on any King, he will take horse in thy service; or, an thou come in
+quest of aught, wherein it is in his power to help thee, he standeth up
+at thy service on account thereof.” So Ardashir’s father replied to the
+Wazir, saying, “O messenger, return to thy lord and tell him that the
+most mighty King Sayf al-A’azam Shah, Lord of Shiraz, had a son who
+hath been long absent from him and news of him have not come and all
+traces of him have been cut off. An he be in this city, he will take
+him and depart from you; but, if aught have befallen him or any
+mischief have ensued to him from you, his father will lay waste your
+land and make spoil of your goods and slay your men and seize your
+women. Return, therefore, to thy lord in haste and tell him this, ere
+evil befal him.” Answered the Minister, “To hear is to obey!” and
+turned to go away, when the Chamberlains cried out to him, saying,
+“Kiss ground! Kiss ground!” So he kissed the ground a score of times
+and rose not till his life-breath was in his nostrils.[FN#299] Then he
+left the King’s high court and returned to the city, full of anxious
+thought concerning the affair of this King and the multitude of his
+troops, and going in to King Abd al-Kadir, pale with fear and trembling
+in his side-muscles, acquainted him with that had befallen him;——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-sixth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Wazir
+returned from the court of the Great King, pale with fear and with
+side-muscles quivering for dread exceeding; and acquainted his lord
+with that had befallen him. Hereat disquietude and terror for himself
+and for his people laid hold upon him and he said to the Minister, “O
+Wazir, and who is this King’s son?” Replied the other, “’Tis even he
+whom thou badest put to death, but praised be Allah who hastened not
+his slaughter! Else had his father wasted our lands and spoiled our
+good.” Quoth the King “See now thy corrupt judgment, in that thou didst
+counsel us to slay him! Where is the young man, the son of yonder
+magnanimous King?” And quoth the Wazir, “O mighty King, thou didst
+command him be put to death.” When the King heard this, he was clean
+distraught and cried out from his heart’s core and in-most of head,
+saying, “Woe to you! Fetch me the Headsman forthright, lest death fall
+on him!” So they fetched the Sworder and he said, “O King of the Age, I
+have smitten off his head even as thou badest me.” Cried Abd al-Kadir
+“O dog, an this be true, I will assuredly send thee after him.” The
+Headsman replied, “O King, thou didst command me to slay him without
+consulting thee a second time.” Said the King, “I was in my wrath; but
+speak the truth, ere thou lose thy life;” and said the Sworder, “O
+King, he is yet in the chains of life.” At this Abd al-Kadir rejoiced
+and his heart was set at rest; then he called for Ardashir, and when he
+came, he stood up to receive him and kissed his mouth, saying, “O my
+son, I ask pardon of Allah Almighty for the wrong I have done thee, and
+say thou not aught that may lower my credit with thy sire, the Great
+King.” The Prince asked “O King of the Age, and where is my father?”
+and the other answered, “He is come hither on thine account.” Thereupon
+quoth Ardashir, “By thy worship, I will not stir from before thee till
+I have cleared my honour and the honour of thy daughter from that which
+thou laidest to our charge; for she is a pure virgin. Send for the
+midwives and let them examine her before thee. An they find her
+maidenhead gone, I give thee leave to shed my blood; and if they find
+her a clean maid, her innocence of dishonour and mine also will be made
+manifest.” So he summoned the midwives, who examined the Princess and
+found her a pure virgin and so told the King, seeking largesse of him.
+He gave them what they sought, putting off his royal robes to bestow on
+them, and in like manner he was bountiful to all who were in the Harim.
+And they brought forth the scent-cups and perfumed all the Lords of
+estate and Grandees; and not one but rejoiced with exceeding joy. Then
+the King threw his arms about Ardashir’s neck and entreated him with
+all worship and honour, bidding his chief eunuchs bear him to the bath.
+When he came out, he cast over his shoulders a costly robe and crowned
+him with a coronet of jewels; he also girt him with a girdle of silk,
+purfled with red gold and set with pearls and gems, and mounted him on
+one of his noblest mares, with selle and trappings of gold inlaid with
+pearls and jewels. Then he bade his Grandees and Captains mount on his
+service and escort him to his father’s presence; and charged him tell
+his sire that King Abd al-Kadir was at his disposal, hearkening to and
+obeying him in whatso he should bid or forbid. “I will not fail of
+this,” answered Ardashir and farewelling him, repaired to his father
+who, at sight of him, was transported for delight and springing up,
+advanced to meet him and embraced him, whilst joy and gladness spread
+among all the host of the Great King. Then came the Wazirs and
+Chamberlains and Captains and guards and kissed the ground before the
+Prince and rejoiced in his coming: and it was a great day with them for
+enjoyment, for the King’s son gave leave to those of King Abd
+al-Kadir’s officers who had accompanied him and others of the
+townsfolk, to view the ordinance of his father’s host, without let or
+stay, so they might know the multitude of the Great King’s troops and
+the might of his empire. And all who had seen him selling stuffs in the
+linendrapers’ bazar marvelled how his soul could have consented
+thereto, considering the nobility of his spirit and the loftiness of
+his dignity; but it was his love and inclination to the King’s daughter
+that to this had constrained him. Meanwhile, news of the multitude of
+her lover’s troops came to Hayat al-Nufus, who was still jailed by her
+sire’s commandment, till they knew what he should order respecting her,
+whether pardon and release or death and burning; and she looked down
+from the terrace-roof of the palace and, turning towards the mountains,
+saw even these covered with armed men. When she beheld all those
+warriors and knew that they were the army of Ardashir’s father, she
+feared lest he should be diverted from her by his sire and forget her
+and depart from her, whereupon her father would slay her. So she called
+a handmaid that was with her in her apartment by way of service, and
+said to her, “Go to Ardashir, son of the Great King, and fear not. When
+thou comest into his presence, kiss the ground before him and tell him
+what thou art and say to him, ‘My lady saluteth thee and would have
+thee to know that she is a prisoner in her father’s palace, awaiting
+his sentence, whether he be minded to pardon her or put her to death,
+and she beseecheth thee not to forget her or forsake her; for to-day
+thou art all-powerful; and, in whatso thou commandest, no man dare
+cross thee. Wherefore, an it seem good to thee to rescue her from her
+sire and take her with thee, it were of thy bounty, for indeed she
+endureth all these trials for thy sake. But, an this seem not good to
+thee, for that thy desire of her is at an end, still speak to thy sire,
+so haply he may intercede for her with her father and he depart not,
+till he have made him set her free and taken surety from and made
+covenant with him, that he will not go about to put her to death nor
+work her aught of harm. This is her last word to thee, may Allah not
+desolate her of thee, and so The Peace!’”[FN#300]——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-seventh Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the bondmaid
+sent by Hayat al-Nufus made her way to Ardashir and delivered him her
+lady’s message, which when he heard, he wept with sore weeping and said
+to her, “Know that Hayat al-Nufus is my mistress and that I am her
+slave and the captive of her love. I have not forgotten what was
+between us nor the bitterness of the parting day; so do thou say to
+her, after thou hast kissed her feet, that I will speak with my father
+of her, and he shall send his Wazir, who sought her aforetime in
+marriage for me, to demand her hand once more of her sire, for he dare
+not refuse. So, if he send to her to consult her, let her make no
+opposition; for I will not return to my country without her.” Then the
+handmaid returned to Hayat al-Nufus; and, kissing her hands, delivered
+to her the message, which when she heard, she wept for very joy and
+returned thanks to Almighty Allah. Such was her case; but as regards
+Ardashir, he was alone with his father that night and the Great King
+questioned him of his case, whereupon he told him all that had befallen
+him, first and last. Then quoth the King, “What wilt thou have me do
+for thee, O my son? An thou desire Abd al-Kadir’s ruin, I will lay
+waste his lands and spoil his hoards and dishonour his house.” Replied
+Ardashir, “I do not desire that, O my father, for he hath done nothing
+to me deserving thereof; but I wish for union with her; wherefore I
+beseech thee of thy favour to make ready a present for her father (but
+let it be a magnificent gift!) and send it to him by thy Minister, the
+man of just judgment.” Quoth the King, “I hear and consent;” and
+sending for the treasures he had laid up from time past, brought out
+all manner precious things and showed them to his son, who was pleased
+with them. Then he called his Wazir and bade him bear the present with
+him[FN#301] to King Abd al-Kadir and demand his daughter in marriage
+for Ardashir, saying, “Accept the present and return him a reply.” Now
+from the time of Ardashir’s departure, King Abd al-Kadir had been
+troubled and ceased not to be heavy at heart, fearing the laying waste
+of his reign and the spoiling of his realm; when behold, the Wazir came
+in to him and saluting him, kissed ground before him. He rose up
+standing and received him with honour; but the Minister made haste to
+fall at his feet and kissing them cried, “Pardon, O King of the Age!
+The like of thee should not rise to the like of me, for I am the least
+of servants’ slaves. Know, O King, that Prince Ardashir hath acquainted
+his father with some of the favours and kindnesses thou hast done him,
+wherefore he thanketh thee and sendeth thee in company of thy servant
+who standeth before thee, a present, saluting thee and wishing thee
+especial blessings and prosperities.” Abd al-Kadir could not believe
+what he heard of the excess of his fear, till the Wazir laid the
+present before him, when he saw it to be such gift as no money could
+purchase nor could one of the Kings of the earth avail to the like
+thereof; wherefore he was belittled in his own eyes and springing to
+his feet, praised Almighty Allah and glorified Him and thanked the
+Prince. Then said the Minister to him, “O noble King, give ear to my
+word and know that the Great King sendeth to thee, desiring thine
+alliance, and I come to thee seeking and craving the hand of thy
+daughter, the chaste dame and treasured gem Hayat al-Nufus, in wedlock
+for his son Ardashir, wherefore, if thou consent to this proposal and
+accept of him, do thou agree with me for her marriage-portion.” Abd
+al-Kadir hearing these words replied, “I hear and obey. For my part, I
+make no objection, and nothing can be more pleasurable to me; but the
+girl is of full age and reason and her affair is in her own hand. So be
+assured that I will refer it to her and she shall choose for herself.”
+Then he turned to the chief eunuch and bade him go and acquaint the
+Princess with the event. So he repaired to the Harim and, kissing the
+Princess’s hands, acquainted her with the Great King’s offer adding,
+“What sayest thou in answer?” “I hear and I obey,” replied she.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the chief
+eunuch of the Harim having informed the Princess how she had been
+demanded in marriage by the Great King and having heard her reply, “I
+hear and I obey,” returned therewith to the King and gave him this
+answer, whereat he rejoiced with exceeding joy and, calling for a
+costly robe of honour, threw it over the Wazir’s shoulders.
+Furthermore, he ordered him ten thousand dinars and bade him carry the
+answer to the Great King and crave leave for him to pay him a visit.
+“Hearing and obeying,” answered the Minister; and, returning to his
+master, delivered him the reply and Abd al-Kadir’s message, and
+repeated all their talk, whereat he rejoiced greatly and Ardashir was
+transported for delight and his breast broadened and he was a most
+happy man. King Sayf al-A’azam also gave King Abd al-Kadir leave to
+come forth to visit him; so, on the morrow, he took horse and rode to
+the camp of the Great King, who came to meet him and saluting him,
+seated him in the place of honour, and gave him welcome; and they two
+sat whilst Ardashir stood before them. Then arose an orator of the King
+Abd al-Kadir’s court and pronounced an eloquent discourse, giving the
+Prince joy of the attainment of his desire and of his marriage with the
+Princess, a Queen among King’s daughters. When he sat down the Great
+King caused bring a chest full of pearls and gems, together with fifty
+thousand dinars, and said to King Abd al-Kadir, “I am my son’s deputy
+in all that concerneth this matter.” So Abd al-Kadir acknowledged
+receipt of the marriage-portion and amongst the rest, fifty thousand
+dinars for the nuptial festivities; after which they fetched the Kazis
+and the witnesses, who wrote out the contract of marriage between the
+Prince and Princess, and it was a notable day, wherein all lovers made
+merry and all haters and enviers were mortified. They spread the
+marriage-feasts and banquets and lastly Ardashir went in unto the
+Princess and found her a jewel which had been hidden, an union pearl
+unthridden and a filly that none but he had ridden, so he notified this
+to his sire. Then King Sayf al-A’azam asked his son, “Hast thou any
+wish thou wouldst have fulfilled ere we depart?”; and he answered,
+“Yes, O King, know that I would fain take my wreak of the Wazir who
+entreated us on evil wise and the eunuch who forged a lie against us.”
+So the King sent forthright to Abd al-Kadir, demanding of him the
+Minister and the castrato, whereupon he despatched them both to him and
+he commanded to hang them over the city-gate. After this, they abode a
+little while and then sought of Abd al-Kadir leave for his daughter to
+equip her for departure. So he equipped her and mounted her in a
+Takhtrawán, a travelling litter of red gold, inlaid with pearls and
+gems and drawn by noble steeds. She carried with her all her
+waiting-women and eunuchs, as well as the nurse, who had returned,
+after her flight, and resumed her office. Then King Sayf al-A’azam and
+his son mounted and Abd al-Kadir mounted also with all the lords of his
+land, to take leave of his son-in-law and daughter; and it was a day to
+be reckoned of the goodliest of days. After they had gone some
+distance, the Great King conjured Abd al-Kadir to turn back; so he
+farewelled him and his son, after he had strained him to his breast and
+kissed him between the eyes and thanked him for his grace and favours
+and commended his daughter to his care. Then he went in to the Princess
+and embraced her; and she kissed his hands and they wept in the
+standing-place of parting. After this he returned to his capital and
+Ardashir and his company fared on, till they reached Shiraz, where they
+celebrated the marriage-festivities anew. And they abode in all
+comfort and solace and joyance of life, till there came to them the
+Destroyer of delights and Severer of societies; the Depopulator of
+palaces and the Garnerer of graveyards. And men also relate the tale of
+
+
+
+
+JULNAR THE SEA-BORN AND HER SON KING BADR BASIM OF PERSIA.
+
+
+There was once in days of yore and in ages and times long gone before,
+in Ajam-land a King Shahrimán[FN#302] hight, whose abiding place was
+Khorásán. He owned an hundred concubines, but by none of them had he
+been blessed with boon of child, male or female, all the days of his
+life. One day, among the days, he bethought him of this and fell
+lamenting for that the most part of his existence was past and he had
+not been vouchsafed a son, to inherit the kingdom after him, even as he
+had inherited it from his fathers and forebears; by reason whereof
+there betided him sore cark and care and chagrin exceeding. As he sat
+thus one of his Mamelukes came in to him and said, “O my lord, at the
+door is a slave-girl with her merchant, and fairer than she eye hath
+never seen.” Quoth the King, “Hither to me with merchant and maid!”;
+and both came in to him. Now when Shahriman beheld the girl, he saw
+that she was like a Rudaynian lance,[FN#303] and she was wrapped in a
+veil of gold-purfled silk. The merchant uncovered her face, whereupon
+the place was illumined by her beauty and her seven tresses hung down
+to her anklets like horses’ tails. She had Nature-kohl’d eyes, heavy
+hips and thighs and waist of slenderest guise; her sight healed all
+maladies and quenched the fire of sighs, for she was even as the poet
+cries,
+
+“I love her madly for she is perfect fair, * Complete in
+     gravity and gracious way;
+Nor overtall nor overshort, the while * Too full for trousers
+     are those hips that sway:
+Her shape is midmost ’twixt o’er small and tall; * Nor long to
+     blame nor little to gainsay:
+O’erfall her anklets tresses black as night * Yet in her face
+     resplends eternal day.”
+
+
+The King seeing her marvelled at her beauty and loveliness, her
+symmetry and perfect grace and said to the merchant, “O Shaykh, how
+much for this maiden?” Replied the merchant, “O my lord, I bought her
+for two thousand dinars of the merchant who owned her before myself,
+since when I have travelled with her three years and she hath cost me,
+up to the time of my coming hither, other three thousand gold pieces;
+but she is a gift from me to thee.” The King robed him with a splendid
+robe of honour and ordered him ten thousand ducats, whereupon he kissed
+his hands, thanking him for his bounty and beneficence, and went his
+ways. Then the King committed the damsel to the tire-women, saying,
+“Amend ye the case of this maiden[FN#304] and adorn her and furnish her
+a bower and set her therein.” And he bade his chamberlains carry her
+everything she needed and shut all the doors upon her. Now his capital
+wherein he dwelt, was called the White City and was seated on the
+sea-shore; so they lodged her in a chamber, whose latticed casements
+overlooked the main.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Thirty-ninth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the King after
+taking the maiden, committed her to the tire-women bidding them amend
+her case and set her in a bower, and ordered his chamberlains to shut
+all the doors upon her when they had lodged her in a chamber whose
+latticed casements overlooked the main. Then Shahriman went in to her;
+but she spake not to him neither took any note of him.[FN#305] Quoth
+he, “’Twould seem she hath been with folk who have not taught her
+manners.” Then he looked at the damsel and saw her surpassing beauty
+and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace, with a face like the
+rondure of the moon at its full or the sun shining in the sheeny sky.
+So he marvelled at her charms of favour and figure and he praised Allah
+the Creator (magnified be His might!), after which he walked up to her
+and sat him down by her side; then he pressed her to his bosom and
+seating her on his thighs, sucked the dew of her lips, which he found
+sweeter than honey. Presently he called for trays spread with richest
+viands of all kinds and ate and fed her by mouthfuls, till she had
+enough; yet she spoke not one word. The King began to talk to her and
+asked her of her name; but she abode still silent and uttered not a
+syllable nor made him any answer, neither ceased to hang down her head
+groundwards; and it was but the excess of her beauty and loveliness and
+the amorous grace that saved her from the royal wrath. Quoth he to
+himself, “Glory be to God, the Creator of this girl! How charming she
+is, save that she speaketh not! But perfection belongeth only to Allah
+the Most High.” And he asked the slave-girls whether she had spoken,
+and they said, “From the time of her coming until now she hath not
+uttered a word nor have we heard her address us.” Then he summoned some
+of his women and concubines and bade them sing to her and make merry
+with her, so haply she might speak. Accordingly they played before her
+all manner instruments of music and sports and what not and sang, till
+the whole company was moved to mirth, except the damsel, who looked at
+them in silence, but neither laughed nor spoke. The King’s breast was
+straitened; thereupon he dismissed the women and abode alone with that
+damsel: after which he doffed his clothes and disrobing her with his
+own hand, looked upon her body and saw it as it were a silvern ingot.
+So he loved her with exceeding love and falling upon her, took her
+maidenhead and found her a pure virgin; whereat he rejoiced with
+excessive joy and said in himself, “By Allah, ’tis a wonder that a girl
+so fair of form and face should have been left by the merchants a clean
+maid as she is!”[FN#306] Then he devoted himself altogether to her,
+heeding none other and forsaking all his concubines and favourites, and
+tarried with her a whole year as it were a single day. Still she spoke
+not till, one morning he said to her (and indeed the love of her and
+longing waxed upon him), “O desire of souls, verily passion for thee is
+great with me, and I have forsaken for thy sake all my slave-girls and
+concubines and women and favourites and I have made thee my portion of
+the world and had patience with thee a whole year; and now I beseech
+Almighty Allah, of His favour, to soften thy heart to me, so thou mayst
+speak to me. Or, an thou be dumb, tell me by a sign, that I may give up
+hope of thy speech. I pray the Lord (extolled be He!) to vouchsafe me
+by thee a son child, who shall inherit the kingdom after me; for I am
+old and lone and have none to be my heir. Wherefore, Allah upon thee,
+an thou love me, return me a reply.” The damsel bowed her head awhile
+in thought, and presently raising it, smiled in his face, whereat it
+seemed to him as if lightning filled the chamber. Then she said, “O
+magnanimous liege lord, and valorous lion, Allah hath answered thy
+prayer, for I am with child by thee and the time of my delivery is near
+at hand, though I know not if the unborn babe be male or
+female.[FN#307] But, had I not conceived by thee, I had not spoken to
+thee one word.” When the King heard her speech, his face shone with joy
+and gladness and he kissed her head and hands for excess of delight,
+saying, “Alhamdolillah—laud to Lord—who hath vouchsafed me the things I
+desired!, first, thy speech, and secondly, thy tidings that thou art
+with child by me.” Then he rose up and went forth from her and, seating
+himself on the throne of his kingship, in an ecstasy of happiness, bade
+his Wazir distribute to the poor and needy and widows and others an
+hundred thousand dinars, by way of thank-offering to Allah Most High
+and alms on his own account. The Minister did as bidden by the King
+who, returning to the damsel, sat with her and embraced and pressed her
+to his breast, saying, “O my lady, my queen, whose slave I am, prithee
+what was the cause of this thy silence? Thou hast been with me a whole
+year, night and day, waking and sleeping, yet hast not spoken to me
+till this day.” She replied, “Hearken, O King of the Age, and know that
+I am a wretched exile, broken-hearted and far-parted from my mother and
+my family and my brother.” When the King heard her words, he knew her
+desire and said, “As for thy saying that thou art wretched, there is
+for such speech no ground, inasmuch as my kingdom and good and all I
+possess are at thy service and I also am become thy bondman; but, as
+for thy saying, ‘I am parted from my mother and brother and family’,
+tell me where they are and I will send and fetch them to thee.”
+Thereupon she answered, “Know, then, O auspicious King, that I am
+called Julnár[FN#308] the Sea-born and that my father was of the Kings
+of the Main. He died and left us his reign, but while we were yet
+unsettled, behold, one of the other Kings arose against us and took the
+realm from our hands. I have a brother called Sálih, and my mother also
+is a woman of the sea; but I fell out with my brother ‘The Pious’ and
+swore that I would throw myself into the hands of a man of the folk of
+the land. So I came forth of the sea and sat down on the edge of an
+island in the moonshine[FN#309], where a passer-by found me and,
+carrying me to his house, besought me of love-liesse; but I smote him
+on the head, so that he all but died; whereupon he carried me forth and
+sold me to the merchant from whom thou hadst me, and this was a good
+man and a virtuous; pious, loyal and generous. Were it not that thy
+heart loved me and that thou promotedest me over all thy concubines, I
+had not remained with thee a single hour, but had cast myself from this
+window into the sea and gone to my mother and family; but I was ashamed
+to fare themwards, being with child by thee; for they would have deemed
+evilly of me and would not have credited me, even although I swore to
+them, an I told them that a King had bought me with his gold and made
+me his portion of the world and preferred me over all his wives and
+every thing that his right hand possessed. This then is my story
+and—the Peace!”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to
+say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fortieth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when
+Julnar[FN#310] the Sea-born, answering the question of King Shahriman,
+told him her past from first to last, the King thanked her and kissed
+her between the eyes, saying, “By Allah, O my lady and light of mine
+eyes, I cannot bear to be parted from thee one hour; and given thou
+leave me, I shall die forthright. What then is to be done?” Replied
+she, “O my lord, the time of my delivery is at hand and my family needs
+must be present, that they may tend me; for the women of the land know
+not the manner of child-bearing of the women of the sea, nor do the
+daughters of the ocean know the manner of the daughters of the earth;
+and when my people come, I shall be reconciled to them and they will be
+reconciled to me.” Quoth the King, “How do the people of the sea walk
+therein, without being wetted?”; and quoth she, “O King of the Age, we
+walk in the waters with our eyes open, as do ye on the ground, by the
+blessing of the names graven upon the seal-ring of Solomon David-son
+(on whom be peace!). But, O King, when my kith and kin come, I will
+tell them how thou boughtest me with thy gold, and hast entreated me
+with kindness and benevolence. It behoveth that thou confirm my words
+to them and that they witness thine estate with their own eyes and they
+learn that thou art a King, son of a King.” He rejoined, “O my lady, do
+what seemeth good to thee and what pleaseth thee and I will consent to
+thee in all thou wouldst do.” The damsel continued, “Yes, we walk in
+the sea and see what is therein and behold the sun, moon, stars and
+sky, as it were on the surface of earth; and this irketh us naught.
+Know also that there be many peoples in the main and various forms and
+creatures of all kinds that are on the land, and that all that is on
+the land compared with that which is in the main is but a very small
+matter.” And the King marvelled at her words. Then she pulled out from
+her bosom two bits of Comorin lign-aloes and, kindling fire in a
+chafing-dish, chose somewhat of them and threw it in, then she whistled
+a loud whistle and spake words none understood. Thereupon arose a great
+smoke and she said to the King, who was looking on, “O my lord, arise
+and hide thyself in a closet, that I may show thee my brother and
+mother and family, whilst they see thee not; for I design to bring them
+hither, and thou shalt presently espy a wondrous thing and shalt marvel
+at the several creatures and strange shapes which Almighty Allah hath
+created.” So he arose without stay or delay and entering a closet, fell
+a-watching what she should do. She continued her fumigations and
+conjurations till the sea foamed and frothed turbid and there rose from
+it a handsome young man of a bright favour, as he were the moon at its
+full, with brow flower-white, cheeks of ruddy light and teeth like the
+marguerite. He was the likest of all creatures to his sister and the
+tongue of the case spoke in his praise these two couplets,
+
+“The full moon groweth perfect once a month * But thy face
+     each day we see perfectèd.
+And the full moon dwelleth in single sign, * But to thee all
+     hearts be a dwelling stead.”
+
+
+After him there came forth of the sea an ancient dame with hair
+speckled gray and five maidens, as they were moons, bearing a likeness
+to the damsel hight Julnar. The King looked upon them as they all
+walked upon the face of the water, till they drew near the window and
+saw Julnar, whereupon they knew her and went in to her. She rose to
+them and met them with joy and gladness, and they embraced her and wept
+with sore weeping. Then said they to her, “O Julnar, how couldst thou
+leave us four years, and we unknowing of thine abiding place? By Allah
+the world hath been straitened upon us for stress of severance from
+thee, and we have had no delight of food or drink; no, not for one day,
+but have wept with sore weeping night and day for the excess of our
+longing after thee!” Then she fell to kissing the hands of the youth
+her brother and her mother and cousins, and they sat with her awhile,
+questioning her of her case and of what had betided her, as well as of
+her present estate. “Know,” replied she, “that, when I left you, I
+issued from the sea and sat down on the shore of an island, where a man
+found me and sold me to a merchant, who brought me to this city and
+sold me for ten thousand dinars to the King of the country, who
+entreated me with honour and forsook all his concubines and women and
+favourites for my sake and was distracted by me from all he had and all
+that was in his city.” Quoth her brother, “Praised be Allah, who hath
+reunited us with thee! But now, O my sister, ’tis my purpose that thou
+arise and go with us to our country and people.” When the King heard
+these words, his wits fled him for fear lest the damsel accept her
+brother’s words and he himself avail not to stay her, albeit he loved
+her passionately, and he became distracted with fear of losing her. But
+Julnar answered, “By Allah, O my brother, the mortal who bought me is
+lord of this city and he is a mighty King and a wise man, good and
+generous with extreme generosity. Moreover, he is a personage of great
+worth and wealth and hath neither son nor daughter. He hath entreated
+me with honour and done me all manner of favour and kindness; nor, from
+the day of his buying me to this time have I heard from him an ill word
+to hurt my heart: but he hath never ceased to use me courteously; doing
+nothing save with my counsel, and I am in the best of case with him and
+in the perfection of fair fortune. Furthermore, were I to leave him, he
+would perish; for he cannot endure to be parted from me an hour; and if
+I left him, I also should die, for the excess of the love I bear him,
+by reason of his great goodness to me during the time of my sojourn
+with him; for, were my father alive, my estate with him would not be
+like my estate with this great and glorious and puissant potentate. And
+verily, ye see me with child by him and praise be to Allah, who hath
+made me a daughter of the Kings of the sea, and my husband the
+mightiest of the Kings of the land, and Allah, in very sooth, he hath
+compensated me for whatso I lost.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-first Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Julnar the Sea
+born told her brother all her tale, adding “Allah hath not cut me off,
+but hath compensated me for whatso I lost. Now this King hath no issue,
+male or female, so I pray the Almighty to vouchsafe me a son who shall
+inherit of this mighty sovran that which the Lord hath bestowed upon
+him of lands and palaces and possessions.” Now when her brother and the
+daughters of her uncle heard this her speech, their eyes were cooled
+thereby and they said, “O Julnar, thou knowest thy value with us and
+thou wottest the affection we bear thee and thou art certified that
+thou art to us the dearest of all creatures and thou art assured that
+we seek but ease for thee, without travail or trouble. Wherefore, an
+thou be in unease, arise and go with us to our land and our folk; but,
+an thou be at thine ease here, in honour and happiness, this is our
+wish and our will; for we desire naught save thy welfare in any
+case.”[FN#311] Quoth she, “By Allah, I am here in the utmost ease and
+solace and honour and grace!” When the King heard what she said, he
+joyed with a heart set at rest and thanked her silently for this; the
+love of her redoubled on him and entered his heart-core and he knew
+that she loved him as he loved her and that she desired to abide with
+him, that she might see his child by her. Then Julnar bade her women
+lay the tables and set on all sorts of viands, which had been cooked in
+kitchen under her own eyes, and fruits and sweetmeats, whereof she ate,
+she and her kinsfolk. But, presently, they said to her, “O Julnar, thy
+lord is a stranger to us, and we have entered his house, without his
+leave or weeting. Thou hast extolled to us his excellence and eke thou
+hast set before us of his victual whereof we have eaten; yet have we
+not companied with him nor seen him, neither hath he seen us nor come
+to our presence and eaten with us, so there might be between us bread
+and salt.” And they all left eating and were wroth with her, and fire
+issued from their mouths, as from cressets; which when the King saw,
+his wits fled for excess of fear of them. But Julnar arose and soothed
+them and going to the closet where was the King her lord, said to him,
+“O my lord, hast thou seen and heard how I praised thee and extolled
+thee to my people and hast thou noted what they said to me of their
+desire to carry me away with them?” Quoth he, “I both heard and saw:
+May the Almighty abundantly requite thee for me! By Allah, I knew not
+the full measure of thy fondness until this blessed hour, and now I
+doubt not of thy love to me!” Quoth she, “O my lord, is the reward of
+kindness aught but kindness? Verily, thou hast dealt generously with me
+and hast entreated me with worship and I have seen that thou lovest me
+with the utmost love, and thou hast done me all manner of honour and
+kindness and preferred me above all thou lovest and desirest. So how
+should my heart be content to leave thee and depart from thee, and how
+should I do thus after all thy goodness to me? But now I desire of thy
+courtesy that thou come and salute my family, so thou mayst see them
+and they thee and pure love and friendship may be between you; for
+know, O King of the Age, that my brother and mother and cousins love
+thee with exceeding love, by reason of my praises of thee to them, and
+they say, ‘We will not depart from thee nor go to our homes till we
+have foregathered with the King and saluted him.’ For indeed they
+desire to see thee and make acquaintance with thee.” The King replied,
+“To hear is to obey, for this is my very own wish.” So saying, he rose
+and went in to them and saluted them with the goodliest salutation; and
+they sprang up to him and received him with the utmost worship, after
+which he sat down in the palace and ate with them; and he entertained
+them thus for the space of thirty days. Then, being desirous of
+returning home, they took leave of the King and Queen and departed with
+due permission to their own land, after he had done them all possible
+honour. Awhile after this, Julnar completed the days of her pregnancy
+and the time of her delivery being come, she bore a boy, as he were the
+moon at its full; whereat the utmost joy betided the King, for that he
+had never in his life been vouchsafed son or daughter. So they held
+high festival and decorated the city seven days, in the extreme of joy
+and jollity: and on the seventh day came Queen Julnar’s mother,
+Faráshah hight,[FN#312] and brother and cousins, whenas they knew of
+her delivery.——And Shahrazad perceived the light of day and ceased to
+say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-second Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Julnar was
+brought to bed and was visited by her people, the King received them
+with joy at their coming and said to them, “I said that I would not
+give my son a name till you should come and name him of your
+knowledge.” So they named him Badr Básim,[FN#313] and all agreed upon
+this name. Then they showed the child to his uncle Salih, who took him
+in his arms and arising began to walk about the chamber with him in all
+directions right and left. Presently he carried him forth of the palace
+and going down to the salt sea, fared on with him, till he was hidden
+from the King’s sight. Now when Shahriman saw him take his son and
+disappear with him in the depth of the sea, he gave the child up for
+lost and fell to weeping and wailing; but Julnar said to him, “O King
+of the Age, fear not, neither grieve for thy son, for I love my child
+more than thou and he is with my brother, so reck thou not of the sea
+neither fear for him drowning. Had my brother known that aught of harm
+would betide the little one, he had not done this deed; and he will
+presently bring thee thy son safe, Inshallah—an it please the
+Almighty.” Nor was an hour past before the sea became turbid and
+troubled and King Salih came forth and flew from the sea till he came
+up to them with the child lying quiet and showing a face like the moon
+on the night of fulness. Then, looking at the King he said, “Haply thou
+fearedst harm for thy son, whenas I plunged into the sea with him?”
+Replied the father, “Yes, O my lord, I did indeed fear for him and
+thought he would never be saved therefrom.” Rejoined Salih, “O King of
+the land, we pencilled his eyes with an eye powder we know of and
+recited over him the names graven upon the seal-ring of Solomon
+David-son (on whom be the Peace!), for this is what we use to do with
+children newly born among us; and now thou needst not fear for him
+drowning or suffocation in all the oceans of the world, if he should go
+down into them; for, even as ye walk on the land, so walk we in the
+sea.” Then he pulled out of his pocket a casket, graven and sealed and,
+breaking open the seals, emptied it; whereupon there fell from it
+strings of all manner jacinths and other jewels, besides three hundred
+bugles of emerald and other three hundred hollow gems, as big as
+ostrich eggs, whose light dimmed that of sun and moon. Quoth Salih, “O
+King of the Age, these jewels and jacinths are a present from me to
+thee. We never yet brought thee a gift, for that we knew not Julnar’s
+abiding place neither had we of her any tidings or trace; but now that
+we see thee to be united with her and we are all become one thing, we
+have brought thee this present; and every little while we will bring
+thee the like thereof, Inshallah! for that these jewels and jacinths
+are more plentiful with us than pebbles on the beach and we know the
+good and the bad of them and their whereabouts and the way to them, and
+they are easy to us.” When the King saw the jewels, his wits were
+bewildered and his sense was astounded and he said, “By Allah, one
+single gem of these jewels is worth my realm!” Then he thanked for his
+bounty Salih the Sea-born and, looking towards Queen Julnar, said, “I
+am abashed before thy brother, for that he hath dealt munificently by
+me and bestowed on me this splendid gift, which the folk of the land
+were unable to present.” So she thanked her brother for his deed and he
+said, “O King of the Age, thou hast the prior claim on us and it
+behoves us to thank thee, for thou hast entreated our sister with
+kindness and we have entered thy dwelling and eaten of thy victual; and
+the poet saith[FN#314],
+
+‘Had I wept before she did in my passion for Saada, * I had
+     healed my soul before repentance came.
+But she wept before I did: her tears drew mine; and I said, *
+     The merit belongs to the precedent.’”
+
+
+“And” (resumed Salih the Pious) “if we stood on our faces in thy
+service, O King of the Age, a thousand years, yet had we not the might
+to requite thee, and this were but a scantling of thy due.” The King
+thanked him with heartiest thanks and the Merman and Merwomen abode
+with him forty days’ space, at the end of which Salih arose and kissed
+the ground before his brother in law, who asked “What wantest thou, O
+Salih?” He answered, “O King of the Age, indeed thou hast done us
+overabundant favours, and we crave of thy bounties that thou deal
+charitably with us and grant us permission to depart; for we yearn
+after our people and country and kinsfolk and our homes; so will we
+never forsake thy service nor that of my sister and my nephew; and by
+Allah, O King of the Age, ’tis not pleasant to my heart to part from
+thee; but how shall we do, seeing that we have been reared in the sea
+and that the sojourn of the shore liketh us not?” When the King heard
+these words he rose to his feet and farewelled Salih the Sea-born and
+his mother and his cousins, and all wept together, because of parting
+and presently they said to him, “Anon we will be with thee again, nor
+will we forsake thee, but will visit thee every few days.” Then they
+flew off and descending into the sea, disappeared from sight.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-third Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the
+relations of Julnar the Sea-born farewelled the King and her, weeping
+together because of parting; then they flew off and descending into the
+depths disappeared from sight. After this King Shahriman showed the
+more kindness to Julnar and honoured her with increase of honour; and
+the little one grew up and flourished, whilst his maternal uncle and
+grandam and cousins visited the King every few days and abode with him
+a month or two months at a time. The boy ceased not to increase in
+beauty and loveliness with increase of years, till he attained the age
+of fifteen and was unique in his perfection and symmetry. He learnt
+writing and Koran reading; history, syntax and lexicography; archery,
+spearplay and horsemanship and what not else behoveth the sons of
+Kings; nor was there one of the children of the folk of the city, men
+or women, but would talk of the youth’s charms, for he was of
+surpassing beauty and perfection, even such an one as is praised in the
+saying of the poet,[FN#315]
+
+“The whiskers write upon his cheek, with ambergris on pearl, *
+     Two lines, as ’twere with jet upon an apple, line for
+     line.
+Death harbours in his languid eye and slays with every glance,
+     * And in his cheek is drunkenness, and not in any wine.”
+
+
+And in that of another:—
+
+Upsprings from table of his lovely cheek[FN#316] * A growth
+     like broidery my wonder is:
+As ’twere a lamp that burns through night hung up * Beneath
+     the gloom[FN#317] in chains of ambergris.
+
+
+And indeed the King loved him with exceeding love, and summoning his
+Wazir and Emirs and the Chief Officers of state and Grandees of his
+realm, required of them a binding oath that they would make Badr Basim
+King over them after his sire; and they sware the oath gladly, for the
+sovran was liberal to the lieges, pleasant in parley and a very compend
+of goodness, saying naught but that wherein was advantage for the
+people. On the morrow Shahriman mounted, with all his troops and Emirs
+and Lords, and went forth into the city and returned. When they drew
+near the palace, the King dismounted, to wait upon his son who abode on
+horseback, and he and all the Emirs and Grandees bore the saddlecloth
+of honour before him, each and every of them bearing it in his turn,
+till they came to the vestibule of the palace, where the Prince
+alighted and his father and the Emirs embraced him and seated him on
+the throne of Kingship, whilst they (including his sire) stood before
+him. Then Badr Basim judged the people, deposing the unjust and
+promoting the just and continued so doing till near upon noon, when he
+descended from the throne and went in to his mother, Julnar the
+Sea-born, with the crown upon his head, as he were the moon. When she
+saw him, with the King standing before him, she rose and kissing him,
+gave him joy of the Sultanate and wished him and his sire length of
+life and victory over their foes. He sat with her and rested till the
+hour of mid-afternoon prayer, when he took horse and repaired, with the
+Emirs before him, to the Maydan plain, where he played at arms with his
+father and his lords, till night fall, when he returned to the palace,
+preceded by all the folk. He rode forth thus every day to the tilting
+ground, returning to sit and judge the people and do justice between
+carl and churl; and thus he continued doing a whole year, at the end of
+which he began to ride out a-hunting and a-chasing and to go round
+about in the cities and countries under his rule, proclaiming security
+and satisfaction and doing after the fashion of Kings; and he was
+unique among the people of his day for glory and valour and just
+dealing among the subjects. And it chanced that one day the old King
+fell sick and his fluttering heart forebode him of translation to the
+Mansion of Eternity. His sickness grew upon him till he was nigh upon
+death, when he called his son and commended his mother and subjects to
+his care and caused all the Emirs and Grandees once more swear
+allegiance to the Prince and assured himself of them by strongest
+oaths; after which he lingered a few days and departed to the mercy of
+Almighty Allah. His son and widow and all the Emirs and Wazirs and
+Lords mourned over him, and they built him a tomb and buried him
+therein. They ceased not ceremonially to mourn for him a whole month,
+till Salih and his mother and cousins arrived and condoled with their
+grieving for the King and said, “O Julnar, though the King be dead, yet
+hath he left this noble and peerless youth, and not dead is whoso
+leaveth the like of him, the rending lion and the shining moon.”——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-fourth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Salih brother
+of Julnar and her mother and cousins said to her, “Albeit the King be
+dead, yet hath he left behind him as successor this noble and peerless
+youth, the rending lion and the shining moon.” Thereupon the Grandees
+and notables of the Empire went in to King Badr Basim and said to
+him, “O King, there is no harm in mourning for the late sovran: but
+over-mourning beseemeth none save women; wherefore occupy thou not thy
+heart and our hearts with mourning for thy sire; inasmuch as he hath
+left thee behind him, and whoso leaveth the like of thee is not dead.”
+Then they comforted him and diverted him and lastly carried him to the
+bath. When he came out of the Hammam, he donned a rich robe, purfled
+with gold and embroidered with jewels and jacinths; and, setting the
+royal crown on his head, sat down on his throne of kingship and ordered
+the affairs of the folk, doing equal justice between strong and weak,
+and exacting from the prince the dues of the pauper; wherefore the
+people loved him with exceeding love. Thus he continued doing for a
+full year, whilst, every now and then, his kinsfolk of the sea visited
+him, and his life was pleasant and his eye was cooled. Now it came to
+pass that his uncle Salih went in one night of the nights to Julnar
+and saluted her; whereupon she rose and embracing him seated him by
+her side and asked him, “O my brother, how art thou and my mother
+and my cousins?” He answered, “O my sister, they are well and glad
+and in good case, lacking naught save a sight of thy face.” Then she
+set somewhat of food before him and he ate, after which talk ensued
+between the twain and they spake of King Badr Basim and his beauty
+and loveliness, his symmetry and skill in cavalarice and cleverness
+and good breeding. Now Badr was propped upon his elbow hard by them;
+and, hearing his mother and uncle speak of him, he feigned sleep and
+listened to their talk.[FN#318] Presently Salih said to his sister,
+“Thy son is now seventeen years old and is unmarried, and I fear lest
+mishap befal him and he have no son; wherefore it is my desire to marry
+him to a Princess of the princesses of the sea, who shall be a match
+for him in beauty and loveliness.” Quoth Julnar, “Name them to me for
+I know them all.” So Salih proceeded to enumerate them to her, one by
+one, but to each she said, “I like not this one for my son; I will not
+marry him but to one who is his equal in beauty and loveliness and wit
+and piety and good breeding and magnanimity and dominion and rank and
+lineage.”[FN#319] Quoth Salih, “I know none other of the daughters of
+the Kings of the sea, for I have numbered to thee more than an hundred
+girls and not one of them pleaseth thee: but see, O my sister, whether
+thy son be asleep or no.” So she felt Badr and finding on him the signs
+of slumber said to Salih, “He is asleep; what hast thou to say and
+what is thine object in making sure his sleeping?” Replied he, “O my
+sister, know that I have bethought me of a Mermaid of the mermaids who
+befitteth thy son; but I fear to name her, lest he be awake and his
+heart be taken with her love and maybe we shall be unable to win to
+her; so should he and we and the Grandees of the realm be wearied in
+vain and trouble betide us through this; for, as saith the poet,
+
+‘Love, at first sight, is a spurt of spray;[FN#320] * But a spreading
+sea when it gaineth sway.’”
+
+When she heard these words, she cried, “Tell me the condition of this
+girl, and her name for I know all the damsels of the sea, Kings’
+daughters and others; and, if I judge her worthy of him, I will demand
+her in marriage for him of her father, though I spend on her whatso my
+hand possesseth. So recount to me all anent her and fear naught, for my
+son sleepeth.” Quoth Salih, “I fear lest he be awake; and the poet
+saith,
+
+‘I loved him, soon as his praise I heard; * For ear oft loveth ere eye
+survey.’”
+
+But Julnar said, “Speak out and be brief and fear not, O my brother.”
+So he said, “By Allah, O my sister, none is worthy of thy son save the
+Princess Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal,[FN#321] for that she
+is like unto him in beauty and loveliness and brilliancy and
+perfection; nor is there found, in sea or on land, a sweeter or
+pleasanter of gifts than she; for she is prime in comeliness and
+seemlihead of face and symmetrical shape of perfect grace; her cheek is
+ruddy dight, her brow flower-white, her teeth gem-bright, her eyes
+blackest black and whitest white, her hips of heavy weight, her waist
+slight and her favour exquisite. When she turneth she shameth the wild
+cattle[FN#322] and the gazelles and when she walketh, she breedeth envy
+in the willow branch: when she unveileth her face outshineth sun and
+moon and all who look upon her she enslaveth soon: sweet-lipped and
+soft-sided indeed is she.” Now when Julnar heard what Salih said, she
+replied, “Thou sayest sooth, O my brother! By Allah, I have seen her
+many and many a time and she was my companion, when we were little ones;
+but now we have no knowledge of each other, for constraint of distance;
+nor have I set eyes on her for eighteen years. By Allah, none is worthy
+of my son but she!” Now Badr heard all they said and mastered what had
+passed, first and last, of these praises bestowed on Jauharah daughter
+of King Al-Samandal; so he fell in love with her on hearsay,
+pretending sleep the while, wherefore fire was kindled in his heart on
+her account full sore and he was drowned in a sea without bottom or
+shore.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-fifth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when King Badr
+Basim heard the words of his uncle Salih and his mother Julnar,
+praising the daughter of King Al-Samandal, a flame of fire burnt in his
+heart full sore and he was drowned in a sea which hath nor bottom nor
+shore. Then Salih, looking at his sister, exclaimed, “By Allah, O my
+sister, there is no greater fool among the Kings of the sea than her
+father nor one more violent of temper than he! So name thou not the
+girl to thy son, till we demand her in marriage of her father. If he
+favour us with his assent, we will praise Allah Almighty; and if he
+refuse us and will not give her to thy son to wife, we will say no more
+about it and seek another match.” Answered Julnar, “Right is thy rede;”
+and they parleyed no more: but Badr passed the night with a heart on
+fire with passion for Princess Jauharah. However he concealed his case
+and spake not of her to his mother or his uncle, albeit he was on coals
+of fire for love of her. Now when it was morning, the King and his
+uncle went to the Hammam-bath and washed, after which they came forth
+and drank wine and the servants set food before them, whereof they and
+Julnar ate their sufficiency, and washed their hands. Then Salih rose
+and said to his nephew and sister, “With your leave, I would fain go to
+my mother and my folk for I have been with you some days and their
+hearts are troubled with awaiting me.” But Badr Basim said to him,
+“Tarry with us this day;” and he consented. Then quoth the King, “Come,
+O my uncle, let us go forth to the garden.” So they sallied forth and
+promenaded about the pastures and took their solace awhile, after which
+King Badr lay down under a shady tree, thinking to rest and sleep; but
+he remembered his uncle’s description of the maiden and her beauty and
+loveliness and shed railing tears, reciting these two couplets[FN#323],
+
+“Were it said to me while the flame is burning within me, *
+     And the fire blazing in my heart and bowels,
+‘Wouldst thou rather that thou shouldest behold them * Or a
+     draught of pure water?’—I would answer, ‘Them.’”
+
+
+Then he sighed and wept and lamented, reciting these verses also,
+
+“Who shall save me from love of a lovely gazelle, * Brighter
+     browed than the sunshine, my bonnibel!
+My heart, erst free from her love, now burns * With fire for
+     the maid of Al-Samandal.”
+
+
+When Salih heard what his nephew said, he smote hand upon hand and
+said, “There is no god but _the_ God! Mohammed is the Apostle of God and
+there is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious,
+the Great!” adding, “O my son, heardest thou what passed between me and
+thy mother respecting Princess Jauharah?” Replied Badr Basim, “Yes, O
+my uncle, and I fell in love with her by hearsay through what I heard
+you say. Indeed, my heart cleaveth to her and I cannot live without
+her.” Rejoined his uncle, “O King, let us return to thy mother and tell
+her how the case standeth and crave her leave that I may take thee with
+me and seek the Princess in marriage of her sire; after which we will
+farewell her and I and thou will return. Indeed, I fear to take thee
+and go without her leave, lest she be wroth with me; and verily the
+right would be on her side, for I should be the cause of her separation
+from us. Moreover, the city would be left without king and there would
+be none to govern the citizens and look to their affairs, so should the
+realm be disordered against thee and the kingship depart from thy
+hands.” But Badr Basim, hearing these words, cried, “O my uncle, if I
+return to my mother and consult her on such matter, she will not suffer
+me to do this; wherefore I will not return to my mother nor consult
+her.” And he wept before him and presently added, “I will go with thee
+and tell her not and after will return.” When Salih heard what his
+nephew said, he was confused anent his case and said, “I crave help of
+the Almighty in any event.” Then, seeing that Badr Basim was resolved
+to go with him, whether his mother would let him or no, he drew from
+his finger a seal-ring, whereon were graven certain of the names of
+Allah the Most High, and gave it to him, saying, “Put this on thy
+finger, and thou shalt be safe from drowning and other perils and from
+the mischief of sea beasts and great fishes.” So King Badr Basim took
+the ring and set it on his finger. Then they dove into the deep——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-sixth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Badr Basim and
+his uncle, after diving into the deep, fared on till they came to
+Salih’s palace, where they found Badr Basim’s grandmother, the mother
+of his mother, seated with her kinsfolk and, going in to them, kissed
+their hands. When the old Queen saw Badr, she rose to him and embracing
+him, kissed him between the eyes and said to him, “A blessed coming,
+O my son! How didst thou leave thy mother Julnar?” He replied, “She
+is well in health and fortune, and saluteth thee and her uncle’s
+daughters.” Then Salih related to his mother what had occurred between
+him and his sister and how King Badr Basim had fallen in love with the
+Princess Jauharah daughter of Al-Samandal by report and told her the
+whole tale from beginning to end adding, “He hath not come save to
+demand her in wedlock of her sire;” which when the old Queen heard,
+she was wroth against her son with exceeding wrath and sore troubled
+and concerned and said, “O Salih, O my son, in very sooth thou diddest
+wrong to name the Princess before thy nephew, knowing, as thou dost,
+that her father is stupid and violent, little of wit and tyrannical of
+temper, grudging his daughter to every suitor; for all the Monarchs
+of the Main have sought her hand, but he rejected them all; nay, he
+would none of them, saying, ‘Ye are no match for her in beauty or
+in loveliness or in aught else.’ Wherefore we fear to demand her in
+wedlock of him, lest he reject us, even as he hath rejected others; and
+we are a folk of high spirit and should return broken-hearted.” Hearing
+these words Salih answered, “O my mother what is to do? For King Badr
+Basim saith, ‘There is no help but that I seek her in marriage of her
+sire, though I expend my whole kingdom’; and he avoucheth that, an he
+take her not to wife, he will die of love for her and longing.” And
+Salih continued, “He is handsomer and goodlier than she; his father
+was King of all the Persians, whose King he now is, and none is worthy
+of Jauharah save Badr Basim. Wherefore I purpose to carry her father
+a gift of jacinths and jewels befitting his dignity, and demand her
+of him in marriage. An he object to us that he is a King, behold, our
+man also is a King and the son of a King; or, if he object to us her
+beauty, behold our man is more beautiful than she; or, again, if he
+object to us the vastness of his dominion, behold our man’s dominion
+is vaster than hers and her father’s and numbereth more troops and
+guards, for that his kingdom is greater than that of Al-Samandal.
+Needs must I do my endeavour to further the desire of my sister’s son,
+though it relieve me of my life; because I was the cause of whatso
+hath betided; and, even as I plunged him into the ocean of her love,
+so will I go about to marry him to her, and may Almighty Allah help me
+thereto!” Rejoined his mother, “Do as thou wilt, but beware of giving
+her father rough words, whenas thou speakest with him; for thou knowest
+his stupidity and violence and I fear lest he do thee a mischief, for
+he knoweth not respect for any.” And Salih answered, “Hearkening and
+obedience.” Then he sprang up and taking two bags full of gems such as
+rubies and bugles of emerald, noble ores and all manner jewels gave
+them to his servants to carry and set out with his nephew for the
+palace of Al-Samandal. When they came thither, he sought audience of
+the King and being admitted to his presence, kissed ground before him
+and saluted him with the goodliest Salam. The King rose to him and
+honouring him with the utmost honour, bade him be seated. So he sat
+down and presently the King said to him, “A blessed coming: indeed
+thou hast desolated us, O Salih! But what bringeth thee to us? Tell
+me thine errand that we may fulfil it to thee.” Whereupon Salih arose
+and, kissing the ground a second time, said, “O King of the Age, my
+errand is to Allah and the magnanimous liege lord and the valiant lion,
+the report of whose good qualities the caravans far and near have
+dispread and whose renown for benefits and beneficence and clemency and
+graciousness and liberality to all climes and countries hath sped.”
+Thereupon he opened the two bags and, displaying their contents before
+Al-Samandal, said to him, “O King of the Age, haply wilt thou accept
+my gift and by showing favour to me heal my heart.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-seventh Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Salih
+offered his gift to the King, saying, “My aim and end is that the
+Sovran show favour to me and heal my heart by accepting my present,”
+King Al-Samandal asked, “With what object dost thou gift me with this
+gift? Tell me thy tale and acquaint me with thy requirement. An its
+accomplishment be in my power I will straightway accomplish it to thee
+and spare thee toil and trouble; and if I be unable thereunto, Allah
+compelleth not any soul aught beyond its power.”[FN#324] So Salih rose
+and kissing ground three times, said, “O King of the Age, that which I
+desire thou art indeed able to do; it is in thy power and thou art
+master thereof; and I impose not on the King a difficulty, nor am I
+Jinn-demented, that I should crave of the King a thing whereto he
+availeth not; for one of the sages saith, ‘An thou wouldst be complied
+with ask that which can be readily supplied’. Wherefore, that of which
+I am come in quest, the King (whom Allah preserve!) is able to grant.”
+The King replied, “Ask what thou wouldst have, and state thy case and
+seek thy need.” Then said Salih,[FN#325] “O King of the Age, know that
+I come as a suitor, seeking the unique pearl and the hoarded jewel, the
+Princess Jauharah, daughter of our lord the King; wherefore, O King
+disappoint thou not thy suitor.” Now when the King heard this, he
+laughed till he fell backwards, in mockery of him and said, “O Salih, I
+had thought thee a man of worth and a youth of sense, seeking naught
+save what was reasonable and speaking not save advisedly. What then
+hath befallen thy reason and urged thee to this monstrous matter and
+mighty hazard, that thou seekest in marriage daughters of Kings, lords
+of cities and climates? Say me, art thou of a rank to aspire to this
+great eminence and hath thy wit failed thee to this extreme pass that
+thou affrontest me with this demand?” Replied Salih, “Allah amend the
+King! I seek her not for myself (albeit, an I did, I am her match and
+more than her match, for thou knowest that my father was King of the
+Kings of the sea, for all thou art this day our King), but I seek her
+for King Badr Basim, lord of the lands of the Persians and son of King
+Shahriman, whose puissance thou knowest. An thou object that thou art a
+mighty great King, King Badr is a greater; and if thou object thy
+daughter’s beauty, King Badr is more beautiful than she and fairer of
+form and more excellent of rank and lineage; and he is the champion of
+the people of his day. Wherefore, if thou grant my request, O King of
+the Age, thou wilt have set the thing in its stead; but, if thou deal
+arrogantly with us, thou wilt not use us justly nor travel with us the
+‘road which is straight’.[FN#326] Moreover, O King, thou knowest that
+the Princess Jauharah, the daughter of our lord the King must needs be
+wedded and bedded, for the sage saith, a girl’s lot is either grace of
+marriage or the grave.[FN#327] Wherefore, an thou mean to marry her, my
+sister’s son is worthier of her than any other man.” Now when King
+Al-Samandal heard Salih’s words, he was wroth with exceeding wrath; his
+reason well nigh fled and his soul was like to depart his body for
+rage, and he cried, “O dog, shall the like of thee dare to bespeak me
+thus and name my daughter in the assemblies,[FN#328] saying that the
+son of thy sister Julnar is a match for her? Who art thou and who is
+this sister of thine and who is her son and who was his father,[FN#329]
+that thou durst say to me such say and address me with such address?
+What are ye all, in comparison with my daughter, but dogs?” And he
+cried out to his pages, saying, “Take yonder gallows-bird’s head!” So
+they drew their swords and made for Salih but he fled and for the
+palace-gate sped; and reaching the entrance, he found of his cousins
+and kinsfolk and servants, more than a thousand horse armed cap-à-pie
+in iron and close knitted mail-coats, hending in hand spears and naked
+swords glittering white. And these when they saw Salih come running out
+of the palace (they having been sent by his mother to his succour),
+questioned him and he told them what was to do; whereupon they knew
+that the King was a fool and violent-tempered to boot. So they
+dismounted and baring their blades, went in to the King Al-Samandal,
+whom they found seated upon the throne of his Kingship, unaware of
+their coming and enraged against Salih with furious rage; and they
+beheld his eunuchs and pages and officers unprepared. When the King saw
+them enter, drawn brand in hand, he cried out to his people, saying
+“Woe to you! Take me the heads of these hounds!” But ere an hour had
+sped Al-Samandal’s party were put to the rout and relied upon flight,
+and Salih and his kinsfolk seized upon the King and pinioned him.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Salih and
+his kinsfolk pinioned the King, Princess Jauharah awoke and knew that
+her father was a captive and his guards slain. So she fled forth the
+palace to a certain island, and climbing up into a high tree, hid
+herself in its summit. Now when the two parties came to blows, some of
+King Al-Samandal’s pages fled and Badr Basim meeting them, questioned
+them of their case and they told him what had happened. But when he
+heard that the King was a prisoner, Badr feared for himself and fled,
+saying in his heart, “Verily, all this turmoil is on my account and
+none is wanted but I.” So he sought safety in flight, security to
+sight, knowing not whither he went; but destiny from Eternity
+fore-ordained drave him to the very island where the Princess had taken
+refuge, and he came to the very tree whereon she sat and threw himself
+down, like a dead man, thinking to lie and repose himself and knowing
+not there is no rest for the pursued, for none knoweth what Fate hideth
+for him in the future. As he lay down, he raised his eyes to the tree
+and they met the eyes of the Princess. So he looked at her and seeing
+her to be like the moon rising in the East, cried, “Glory to Him who
+fashioned yonder perfect form, Him who is the Creator of all things and
+who over all things is Almighty! Glory to the Great God, the Maker, the
+Shaper and Fashioner! By Allah, if my presentiments be true, this is
+Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal! Methinks that, when she heard
+of our coming to blows with her father, she fled to this island and,
+happening upon this tree, hid herself on its head; but, if this be not
+the Princess herself, ’tis one yet goodlier than she.” Then he
+bethought himself of her case and said in himself, “I will arise and
+lay hands on her and question her of her condition; and, if she be
+indeed the she, I will demand her in wedlock of herself and so win my
+wish.” So he stood up and said to her, “O end of all desire, who art
+thou and who brought thee hither?” She looked at Badr Basim and seeing
+him to be as the full moon,[FN#330] when it shineth from under the
+black cloud, slender of shape and sweet of smile, answered, “O fair of
+fashion, I am Princess Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal, and I
+took refuge in this place, because Salih and his host came to blows
+with my sire and slew his troops and took him prisoner, with some of
+his men, wherefore I fled, fearing for my very life,” presently adding,
+“And I weet not what fortune hath done with my father.” When King Badr
+Basim heard these words he marvelled with exceeding marvel at this
+strange chance, and thought: “Doubtless I have won my wish by the
+capture of her sire.” Then he looked at Jauharah and said to her, “Come
+down, O my lady; for I am slain for love of thee and thine eyes have
+captivated me. On my account and thine are all these broils and
+battles; for thou must know that I am King Badr Basim, Lord of the
+Persians and Salih is my mother’s brother and he it is who came to thy
+sire to demand thee of him in marriage. As for me, I have quitted my
+kingdom for thy sake, and our meeting here is the rarest coincidence.
+So come down to me and let us twain fare for thy father’s palace, that
+I may beseech uncle Salih to release him and I may make thee my lawful
+wife.” When Jauharah heard his words, she said in herself, “’Twas on
+this miserable gallows-bird’s account, then, that all this hath
+befallen and that my father hath fallen prisoner and his chamberlains
+and suite have been slain and I have been departed from my palace, a
+miserable exile and have fled for refuge to this island. But, an I
+devise not against him some device to defend myself from him, he will
+possess himself of me and take his will of me; for he is in love and
+for aught that he doeth a lover is not blamed.” Then she beguiled him
+with winning words and soft speeches, whilst he knew not the perfidy
+against him she purposed, and asked him, “O my lord and light of my
+eyes, say me, art thou indeed King Badr Basim, son of Queen Julnar?”
+And he answered, “Yes, O my lady.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Forty-ninth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Jauharah,
+daughter of King Al-Samandal, asked the youth, “Art thou in very sooth
+King Badr Basim, son of Queen Julnar?” And he answered, “Yes, O my
+lady!” Then she, “May Allah cut off my father and gar his kingdom cease
+from him and heal not his heart neither avert from him strangerhood, if
+he could desire a comelier than thou or aught goodlier than these fair
+qualities of thine! By Allah, he is of little wit and judgment!”
+presently adding, “But, O King of the Age, punish him not for that he
+hath done; more by token that an thou love me a span, verily I love
+thee a cubit. Indeed, I have fallen into the net of thy love and am
+become of the number of thy slain. The love that was with thee hath
+transferred itself to me and there is left thereof with thee but a
+tithe of that which is with me.” So saying, she came down from the tree
+and drawing near him strained him to her bosom and fell to kissing him;
+whereat passion and desire for her redoubled on him and doubting not
+but she loved him, he trusted in her, and returned her kisses and
+caresses. Presently he said to her, “By Allah, O Princess, my uncle
+Salih set forth to me not a fortieth part of thy charms; no, nor a
+quarter-carat[FN#331] of the four-and-twenty.” Then Jauharah pressed
+him to her bosom and pronounced some unintelligible words; then spat on
+his face, saying, “Quit this form of man and take shape of bird, the
+handsomest of birds, white of robe, with red bill and legs.” Hardly had
+she spoken, when King Badr Basim found himself transformed into a bird,
+the handsomest of birds, who shook himself and stood looking at her.
+Now Jauharah had with her one of her slave-girls, by name
+Marsínah[FN#332]; so she called her and said to her, “By Allah, but
+that I fear for the life of my father, who is his uncle’s prisoner, I
+would kill him! Allah never requite him with good! How unlucky was his
+coming to us; for all this trouble is due to his hard-headedness! But
+do thou, O slave-girl, bear him to the Thirsty Island and leave him
+there to die of thirst.” So Marsinah carried him to the island in
+question and would have returned and left him there but she said in
+herself, “By Allah, the lord of such beauty and loveliness deserveth
+not to die of thirst!” So she went forth from that island and brought
+him to another abounding in trees and fruits and rills and, setting him
+down there, returned to her mistress and told her, “I have left him on
+the Thirsty Island.” Such was the case with Badr Basim; but as regards
+King Salih he sought for Jauharah after capturing the King and killing
+his folk; but, finding her not, returned to his palace and said to his
+mother, “Where is my sister’s son, King Badr Basim?” “By Allah, O my
+son,” replied she, “I know nothing of him! For when it reached him that
+you and King Al-Samandal had come to blows and that strife and
+slaughter had betided between you, he was affrighted and fled.” When
+Salih heard this, he grieved for his nephew and said, “O my mother, by
+Allah, we have dealt negligently by King Badr and I fear lest he perish
+or lest one of King Al-Samandal’s soldiers or his daughter Jauharah
+fall in with him. So should we come to shame with his mother and no
+good betide us from her, for that I took him without her leave.” Then
+he despatched guards and scouts throughout the sea and elsewhere to
+seek for Badr; but they could learn no tidings of him; so they returned
+and told King Salih, wherefore cark and care redoubled on him and his
+breast was straitened for King Badr Basim. So far concerning nephew and
+uncle, but as for Julnar the Sea-born, after their departure she abode
+in expectation of them, but her son returned not and she heard no
+report of him. So when many days of fruitless waiting had gone by, she
+arose and going down into the sea, repaired to her mother, who sighting
+her rose to her and kissed her and embraced her, as did the Mermaids
+her cousins. Then she questioned her mother of King Badr Basim, and she
+answered, saying, “O my daughter, of a truth he came hither with his
+uncle, who took jacinths and jewels and carrying them to King
+Al-Samandal, demanded his daughter in marriage for thy son but he
+consented not and was violent against thy brother in words. Now I had
+sent Salih nigh upon a thousand horse and a battle befel between him
+and King Al-Samandal; but Allah aided thy brother against him, and he
+slew his guards and troops and took himself prisoner. Meanwhile,
+tidings of this reached thy son, and it would seem as if he feared for
+himself; wherefore he fled forth from us, without our will, and
+returned not to us, nor have we heard any news of him.” Then Julnar
+enquired for King Salih, and his mother said, “He is seated on the
+throne of his kingship, in the stead of King Al-Samandal, and hath sent
+in all directions to seek thy son and Princess Jauharah.” When Julnar
+heard the maternal words, she mourned for her son with sad mourning and
+was highly incensed against her brother Salih for that he had taken him
+and gone down with him into the sea without her leave; and she said, “O
+my mother, I fear for our realm; as I came to thee without letting any
+know; and I dread tarrying with thee, lest the state fall into disorder
+and the kingdom pass from our hands. Wherefore I deem best to return
+and govern the reign till it please Allah to order our son’s affair for
+us. But look ye forget him not neither neglect his case; for should he
+come to any harm, it would infallibly kill me, since I see not the
+world save in him and delight but in his life.” She replied, “With love
+and gladness, O my daughter. Ask not what we suffer by reason of his
+loss and absence.” Then she sent to seek for her grandson, whilst
+Julnar returned to her kingdom, weeping-eyed and heavy-hearted, and
+indeed the gladness of the world was straitened upon her.——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fiftieth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Queen Julnar
+returned from her mother to her own realm, her breast was straitened
+and she was in ill case. So fared it with her; but as regards King Badr
+Basim, after Princess Jauharah had ensorcelled him and had sent him
+with her handmaid to the Thirsty Island, saying, “Leave him there to
+die of thirst,” and Marsinah had set him down in a green islet, he
+abode days and nights in the semblance of a bird eating of its fruits
+and drinking of its waters and knowing not whither to go nor how to
+fly; till, one day, there came a certain fowler to the island to catch
+somewhat wherewithal to get his living. He espied King Badr Basim in
+his form of a white-robed bird, with red bill and legs, captivating the
+sight and bewildering the thought; and, looking thereat, said in
+himself “Verily, yonder is a beautiful bird: never saw I its like in
+fairness or form.” So he cast his net over Badr and taking him, carried
+him to the town, mentally resolved to sell him for a high price. On his
+way one of the townsfolk accosted him and said, “For how much this
+fowl, O fowler?” Quoth the fowler, “What wilt thou do with him an thou
+buy him?” Answered the other, “I will cut his throat and eat him;”
+whereupon said the birder, “Who could have the heart to kill this bird
+and eat him? Verily, I mean to present him to our King, who will give
+me more than thou wouldest give me and will not kill him, but will
+divert himself by gazing upon his beauty and grace, for in all my life,
+since I have been a fowler, I never saw his like among land game or
+water fowl. The utmost thou wouldst give me for him, however much thou
+covet him, would be a dirham, and, by Allah Almighty I will not sell
+him!” Then he carried the bird up to the King’s palace and when the
+King saw it, its beauty and grace pleased him and the red colour of its
+beak and legs. So he sent an eunuch to buy it, who accosted the fowler
+and said to him, “Wilt thou sell this bird?” Answered he, “Nay, ’tis a
+gift from me to the King.”[FN#333] So the eunuch carried the bird to
+the King and told him what the man had said; and he took it and gave
+the fowler ten dinars, whereupon he kissed ground and fared forth. Then
+the eunuch carried the bird to the palace and placing him in a fine
+cage, hung him up after setting meat and drink by him. When the King
+came down from the Divan, he said to the eunuch, “Where is the bird?
+Bring it to me, that I may look upon it; for, by Allah, ’tis
+beautiful!” So the eunuch brought the cage and set it between the hands
+of the King, who looked and seeing the food untouched, said, “By Allah,
+I wis not what it will eat, that I may nourish it!” Then he called for
+food and they laid the tables and the King ate. Now when the bird saw
+the flesh and meats and fruits and sweet meats, he ate of all that was
+upon the trays before the King, whereat the Sovran and all the
+bystanders marvelled and the King said to his attendants, eunuchs and
+Mamelukes, “In all my life I never saw a bird eat as doth this bird!”
+Then he sent an eunuch to fetch his wife that she might enjoy looking
+upon the bird, and he went in to summon her and said, “O my lady, the
+King desireth thy presence, that thou mayst divert thyself with the
+sight of a bird he hath bought. When we set on the food, it flew down
+from its cage and perching on the table, ate of all that was thereon.
+So arise, O my lady, and solace thee with the sight for it is goodly of
+aspect and is a wonder of the wonders of the age.” Hearing these words
+she came in haste; but, when she noted the bird, she veiled her face
+and turned to fare away. The King rose up and looking at her, asked,
+“Why dost thou veil thy face when there is none in presence save the
+women and eunuchs who wait on thee and thy husband?” Answered she, “O
+King, this bird is no bird, but a man like thyself.” He rejoined, “Thou
+liest, this is too much of a jest. How should he be other than a
+bird?”; and she “O King, by Allah, I do not jest with thee nor do I
+tell thee aught but the truth; for verily this bird is King Badr Basim,
+son of King Shahriman, Lord of the land of the Persians, and his mother
+is Julnar the Sea-born.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-first Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+King’s wife said to the King, “Verily, this is no bird but a man like
+thyself: he is King Badr Basim son of King Shahriman and his mother is
+Julnar the Sea-born,” quoth the King, “And how came he in this shape?”;
+and quoth she, “Princess Jauharah, daughter of King Al-Samandal, hath
+enchanted him:” and told him all that had passed with King Badr Basim
+from first to last.[FN#334] The King marvelled exceedingly at his
+wife’s words and conjured her, on his life, to free Badr from his
+enchantment (for she was the notablest enchantress of her age), and not
+leave him in torment, saying, “May Almighty Allah cut off Jauharah’s
+hand, for a foul witch as she is! How little is her faith and how great
+her craft and perfidy!” Said the Queen, “Do thou say to him, ‘O Badr
+Basim, enter yonder closet!’” So the King bade him enter the closet and
+he went in obediently. Then the Queen veiled her face and taking in her
+hand a cup of water,[FN#335] entered the closet where she pronounced
+over the water certain incomprehensible words ending with, “By the
+virtue of these mighty names and holy verses and by the majesty of
+Allah Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the Quickener of the dead
+and Appointer of the means of daily bread and the terms determined,
+quit this thy form wherein thou art and return to the shape in which
+the Lord created thee!” Hardly had she made an end of her words, when
+the bird trembled once and became a man; and the King saw before him a
+handsome youth, than whom on earth’s face was none goodlier. But when
+King Badr Basim found himself thus restored to his own form he cried,
+“There is no god but _the_ God and Mohammed is the Apostle of God! Glory
+be to the Creator of all creatures and Provider of their provision, and
+Ordainer of their life terms preordained!” Then he kissed the King’s
+hand and wished him long life, and the King kissed his head and said to
+him, “O Badr Basim, tell me thy history from commencement to
+conclusion.” So he told him his whole tale, concealing naught; and the
+King marvelled thereat and said to him, “O Badr Basim, Allah hath saved
+thee from the spell: but what hath thy judgment decided and what
+thinkest thou to do?” Replied he, “O King of the Age, I desire thy
+bounty that thou equip me a ship with a company of thy servants and all
+that is needful; for ’tis long since I have been absent and I dread
+lest the kingdom depart from me. And I misdoubt me my mother is dead of
+grief for my loss; and this doubt is the stronger for that she knoweth
+not what is come of me nor whether I am alive or dead. Wherefore, I
+beseech thee, O King, to crown thy favours to me by granting me what I
+seek.” The King, after beholding the beauty and grace of Badr Basim and
+listening to his sweet speech, said, “I hear and obey.” So he fitted
+him out a ship, to which he transported all that was needful and which
+he manned with a company of his servants; and Badr Basim set sail in
+it, after having taken leave of the King. They sailed over the sea ten
+successive days with a favouring wind; but, on the eleventh day, the
+ocean became troubled with exceeding trouble, the ship rose and fell
+and the sailors were powerless to govern her. So they drifted at the
+mercy of the waves, till the craft neared a rock in mid-sea which fell
+upon her[FN#336] and broke her up and all on board were drowned, save
+King Badr Basim who got astride one of the planks of the vessel, after
+having been nigh upon destruction. The plank ceased not to be borne by
+the set of the sea, whilst he knew not whither he went and had no means
+of directing its motion, as the wind and waves wrought for three whole
+days. But on the fourth the plank grounded with him on the sea-shore
+where he sighted a white city, as it were a dove passing white, builded
+upon a tongue of land that jutted out into the deep and it was goodly
+of ordinance, with high towers and lofty walls against which the waves
+beat. When Badr Basim saw this, he rejoiced with exceeding joy, for he
+was well-nigh dead of hunger and thirst, and dismounting from the
+plank, would have gone up the beach to the city; but there came down to
+him mules and asses and horses, in number as the sea-sands and fell to
+striking at him and staying him from landing. So he swam round to the
+back of the city, where he waded to shore and entering the place, found
+none therein and marvelled at this, saying, “Would I knew to whom doth
+this city belong, wherein is no lord nor any liege, and whence came
+these mules and asses and horses that hindered me from landing?” And he
+mused over his case. Then he walked on at hazard till he espied an old
+man, a grocer.[FN#337] So he saluted him and the other returned his
+salam and seeing him to be a handsome young man, said to him, “O youth,
+whence comest thou and what brought thee to this city?” Badr told him
+his story; at which the old man marvelled and said, “O my son, didst
+thou see any on thy way?” He replied, “Indeed, O my father, I wondered
+in good sooth to sight a city void of folk.” Quoth the Shaykh, “O my
+son, come up into the shop, lest thou perish.” So Badr Basim went up
+into the shop and sat down; whereupon the old man set before him
+somewhat of food, saying, “O my son, enter the inner shop; glory be to
+Him who hath preserved thee from yonder she-Sathanas!” King Badr Basim
+was sore affrighted at the grocer’s words; but he ate his fill and
+washed his hands; then glanced at his host and said to him, “O my lord,
+what is the meaning of these words? Verily thou hast made me fearful of
+this city and its folk.” Replied the old man, “Know, O my son, that
+this is the City of the Magicians and its Queen is as she were a
+she-Satan, a sorceress and a mighty enchantress, passing crafty and
+perfidious exceedingly. All thou sawest of horses and mules and asses
+were once sons of Adam like thee and me; they were also strangers, for
+whoever entereth this city, being a young man like thyself, this
+miscreant witch taketh him and hometh him for forty days, after which
+she enchanteth him, and he becometh a mule or a horse or an ass, of
+those animals thou sawest on the sea-shore.”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-second Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old grocer
+related to King Badr Basim the history of the enchantress ending with,
+“All these people hath she spelled; and, when it was thy intent to land
+they feared lest thou be transmewed like themselves; so they counselled
+thee by signs that said, ‘Land not,’ of their solicitude for thee,
+fearing that haply she should do with thee like as she had done with
+them. She possessed herself of this city and seized it from its
+citizens by sorcery and her name is Queen Láb, which being interpreted,
+meaneth in Arabic ‘Almanac of the Sun.’”[FN#338] When Badr Basim heard
+what the old man said, he was affrighted with sore affright and
+trembled like reed in wind saying in himself, “Hardly do I feel me free
+from the affliction wherein I was by reason of sorcery, when Destiny
+casteth me into yet sorrier case!” And he fell amusing over his
+condition and that which had betided him. When the Shaykh looked at him
+and saw the violence of his terror, he said to him, “O my son, come,
+sit at the threshold of the shop and look upon yonder creatures and
+upon their dress and complexion and that wherein they are by reason of
+gramarye and dread not; for the Queen and all in the city love and
+tender me and will not vex my heart or trouble my mind.” So King Badr
+Basim came out and sat at the shop-door, looking out upon the folk; and
+there passed by him a world of creatures without number. But when the
+people saw him, they accosted the grocer and said to him, “O elder, is
+this thy captive and thy prey gotten in these days?” The old man
+replied, “He is my brother’s son, I heard that his father was dead; so
+I sent for him and brought him here that I might quench with him the
+fire of my home-sickness.” Quoth they, “Verily, he is a comely youth;
+but we fear for him from Queen Lab, lest she turn on thee with
+treachery and take him from thee, for she loveth handsome young men.”
+Quoth the Shaykh, “The Queen will not gainsay my commandment, for she
+loveth and tendereth me; and when she shall know that he is my
+brother’s son, she will not molest him or afflict me in him neither
+trouble my heart on his account.” Then King Badr Basim abode some
+months with the grocer, eating and drinking, and the old man loved him
+with exceeding love. One day, as he sat in the shop according to his
+custom, behold, there came up a thousand eunuchs, with drawn swords and
+clad in various kinds of raiment and girt with jewelled girdles: all
+rode Arabian steeds and bore in baldrick Indian blades. They saluted
+the grocer, as they passed his shop and were followed by a thousand
+damsels like moons, clad in various raiments of silks and satins
+fringed with gold and embroidered with jewels of sorts, and spears were
+slung to their shoulders. In their midst rode a damsel mounted on a
+Rabite mare, saddled with a saddle of gold set with various kinds of
+jewels and jacinths; and they reached in a body the Shaykh’s shop. The
+damsels saluted him and passed on, till, lo and behold! up came Queen
+Lab, in great state, and seeing King Badr Basim sitting in the shop, as
+he were the moon at its full, was amazed at his beauty and loveliness
+and became passionately enamoured of him, and distraught with desire of
+him. So she alighted and sitting down by King Badr Basim said to the
+old man, “Whence hadst thou this handsome one?”; and the Shaykh
+replied, “He is my brother’s son, and is lately come to me.” Quoth Lab,
+“Let him be with me this night, that I may talk with him;” and quoth
+the old man, “Wilt thou take him from me and not enchant him?” Said
+she, “Yes,” and said he, “Swear to me.” So she sware to him that she
+would not do him any hurt or ensorcell him, and bidding bring him a
+fine horse, saddled and bridled with a golden bridle and decked with
+trappings all of gold set with jewels, gave the old man a thousand
+dinars saying, “Use this.”[FN#339] Then she took Badr Basim and carried
+him off, as he were the full moon on its fourteenth night, whilst all
+the folk, seeing his beauty, were grieved for him and said, “By Allah,
+verily, this youth deserveth not to be bewitched by yonder sorceress,
+the accursed!” Now King Badr Basim heard all they said, but was silent,
+committing his case to Allah Almighty, till they came to——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-third Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that King Badr
+Basim ceased not faring with Queen Lab and her suite till they came to
+her palace-gate, where the Emirs and eunuchs and Lords of the realm
+took foot and she bade the Chamberlains dismiss her Officers and
+Grandees, who kissed ground and went away, whilst she entered the
+palace with Badr Basim and her eunuchs and women. Here he found a
+place, whose like he had never seen at all, for it was builded of gold
+and in its midst was a great basin brimfull of water midmost a vast
+flower-garden. He looked at the garden and saw it abounding in birds
+of various kinds and colours, warbling in all manner tongues and
+voices, pleasurable and plaintive. And everywhere he beheld great state
+and dominion and said, “Glory be to God, who of His bounty and
+long-suffering provideth those who serve other than Himself!” The Queen
+sat down at a latticed window overlooking the garden on a couch of
+ivory, whereon was a high bed, and King Badr Basim seated himself by
+her side. She kissed him and pressing him to her breast, bade her women
+bring a tray of food. So they brought a tray of red gold, inlaid with
+pearls and jewels and spread with all manner of viands and he and she
+ate, till they were satisfied, and washed their hands; after which the
+waiting-women set on flagons of gold and silver and glass, together
+with all kinds of flowers and dishes of dried fruits. Then the Queen
+summoned the singing-women and there came ten maidens, as they were
+moons, hending all manner of musical instruments. Queen Lab crowned a
+cup and drinking it off, filled another and passed it to King Badr
+Basim, who took it and drank; and they ceased not to drink till they
+had their sufficiency. Then she bade the damsels sing, and they sang
+all manner modes till it seemed to Badr Basim as if the palace danced
+with him for joy. His sense was ecstasied and his breast broadened, and
+he forgot his strangerhood and said in himself, “Verily, this Queen is
+young and beautiful[FN#340] and I will never leave her; for her kingdom
+is vaster than my kingdom and she is fairer than Princess Jauharah.” So
+he ceased not to drink with her till eventide came, when they lighted
+the lamps and waxen candles and diffused censer-perfumes; nor did they
+leave drinking, till they were both drunken, and the singing-women sang
+the while. Then Queen Lab, being in liquor, rose from her seat and lay
+down on a bed and dismissing her women called to Badr Basim to come and
+sleep by her side. So he lay with her, in all delight of life till the
+morning.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-fourth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Queen
+awoke she repaired to the Hammam-bath in the palace, King Badr Basim
+being with her, and they bathed and were purified; after which she clad
+him in the finest of raiment and called for the service of wine. So the
+waiting women brought the drinking-gear and they drank. Presently, the
+Queen arose and taking Badr Basim by the hand, sat down with him on
+chairs and bade bring food, whereof they ate, and washed their hands.
+Then the damsels fetched the drinking gear and fruits and flowers and
+confections, and they ceased not to eat and drink,[FN#341] whilst the
+singing-girls sang various airs till the evening. They gave not over
+eating and drinking and merry-making for a space of forty days, when
+the Queen said to him, “O Badr Basim, say me whether is the more
+pleasant, this place or the shop of thine uncle the grocer?” He
+replied, “By Allah, O Queen, this is the pleasanter, for my uncle is
+but a beggarly man, who vendeth pot-herbs.” She laughed at his words
+and the twain lay together in the pleasantest of case till the morning,
+when King Badr Basim awoke from sleep and found not Queen Lab by his
+side, so he said, “Would Heaven I knew where can she have gone!” And
+indeed he was troubled at her absence and perplexed about the case, for
+she stayed away from him a great while and did not return; so he donned
+his dress and went seeking her but not finding her, and he said to
+himself, “Haply, she is gone to the flower-garden.” Thereupon he went
+out into the garden and came to a running rill beside which he saw a
+white she-bird and on the stream-bank a tree full of birds of various
+colours, and he stood and watched the birds without their seeing him.
+And behold, a black bird flew down upon that white she-bird and fell to
+billing her pigeon-fashion, then he leapt on her and trod her three
+consecutive times, after which the bird changed and became a woman.
+Badr looked at her and lo! it was Queen Lab. So he knew that the black
+bird was a man transmewed and that she was enamoured of him and had
+transformed herself into a bird, that he might enjoy her; wherefore
+jealousy got hold upon him and he was wroth with the Queen because of
+the black bird. Then he returned to his place and lay down on the
+carpet-bed and after an hour or so she came back to him and fell to
+kissing him and jesting with him; but being sore incensed against her
+he answered her not a word. She saw what was to do with him and was
+assured that he had witnessed what befel her when she was a white bird
+and was trodden by the black bird; yet she discovered naught to him but
+concealed what ailed her. When he had done her need, he said to her, “O
+Queen, I would have thee give me leave to go to my uncle’s shop, for I
+long after him and have not seen him these forty days.” She replied,
+“Go to him but tarry not from me, for I cannot brook to be parted from
+thee, nor can I endure without thee an hour.” He said, “I hear and I
+obey,” and mounting, rode to the shop of the Shaykh, the grocer, who
+welcomed him and rose to him and embracing him said to him, “How hast
+thou fared with yonder idolatress?” He replied, “I was well in health
+and happiness till this last night,” and told him what had passed in
+the garden with the black bird.[FN#342] Now when the old man heard his
+words, he said, “Beware of her, for know that the birds upon the tree
+were all young men and strangers, whom she loved and enchanted and
+turned into birds. That black bird thou sawest was one of her Mamelukes
+whom she loved with exceeding love, till he cast his eyes upon one of
+her women, wherefore she changed him into a black bird”;——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-fifth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Badr
+Basim acquainted the old grocer with all the doings of Queen Lab and
+what he had seen of her proceedings, the Shaykh gave him to know that
+all the birds upon the tree were young men and strangers whom she had
+enchanted, and that the black bird was one of her Mamelukes whom she
+had transmewed. “And,” continued the Shaykh, “whenas she lusteth after
+him she transformeth herself into a she-bird that he may enjoy her, for
+she still loveth him with passionate love. When she found that thou
+knewest of her case, she plotted evil against thee, for she loveth thee
+not wholly. But no harm shall betide thee from her, so long as I
+protect thee; therefore fear nothing; for I am a Moslem, by name
+Abdallah, and there is none in my day more magical than I; yet do I not
+make use of gramarye save upon constraint. Many a time have I put to
+naught the sorceries of yonder accursed and delivered folk from her,
+and I care not for her, because she can do me no hurt: nay, she feareth
+me with exceeding fear, as do all in the city who, like her, are
+magicians and serve the fire, not the Omnipotent Sire. So to-morrow,
+come thou to me and tell me what she doth with thee; for this very
+night she will cast about to destroy thee, and I will tell thee how
+thou shalt do with her, that thou mayst save thyself from her malice.”
+Then King Badr Basim farewelled the Shaykh and returned to the Queen
+whom he found awaiting him. When she saw him, she rose and seating him
+and welcoming him brought him meat and drink and the two ate till they
+had enough and washed their hands; after which she called for wine and
+they drank till the night was well nigh half spent, when she plied him
+with cup after cup till he was drunken and lost sense[FN#343] and wit.
+When she saw him thus, she said to him, “I conjure thee by Allah and by
+whatso thou worshippest, if I ask thee a question wilt thou inform me
+rightly and answer me truly?” And he being drunken, answered, “Yes, O
+my lady.” Quoth she, “O my lord and light of mine eyes, when thou
+awokest last night and foundest me not, thou soughtest me, till thou
+sawest me in the garden, under the guise of a white she-bird, and also
+thou sawest the black bird leap on me and tread me. Now I will tell the
+truth of this matter. That black bird was one of my Mamelukes, whom I
+loved with exceeding love; but one day he cast his eyes upon a certain
+of my slave-girls, wherefore jealousy gat hold upon me and I
+transformed him by my spells into a black bird and her I slew. But now
+I cannot endure without him a single hour; so, whenever I lust after
+him, I change myself into a she-bird and go to him, that he may leap
+me and enjoy me, even as thou hast seen. Art thou not therefore
+incensed against me, because of this, albeit by the virtue of Fire and
+Light, Shade and Heat, I love thee more than ever and have made thee my
+portion of the world?” He answered (being drunken), “Thy conjecture of
+the cause of my rage is correct, and it had no reason other than this.”
+With this she embraced him and kissed him and made great show of love
+to him; then she lay down to sleep and he by her side. Presently about
+midnight she rose from the carpet-bed and King Badr Basim was awake;
+but he feigned sleep and watched stealthily to see what she would do.
+She took out of a red bag a something red, which she planted
+a-middlemost the chamber, and it became a stream, running like the sea;
+after which she took a handful of barley and strewing it on the ground,
+watered it with water from the river; whereupon it became wheat in the
+ear, and she gathered it and ground it into flour. Then she set it
+aside and returning to bed, lay down by Badr Basim till morning when he
+arose and washed his face and asked her leave to visit the Shaykh his
+uncle. She gave him permission and he repaired to Abdallah and told him
+what had passed. The old man laughed and said, “By Allah, this
+miscreant witch plotteth mischief against thee; but reck thou not of
+her ever!” Then he gave him a pound of parched corn[FN#344] and said to
+him, “Take this with thee and know that, when she seeth it, she will
+ask thee, ‘What is this and what wilt thou do with it?’ Do thou answer,
+‘Abundance of good things is good’; and eat of it. Then will she bring
+forth to thee parched grain of her own and say to thee, ‘Eat of this
+Sawík; and do thou feign to her that thou eatest thereof, but eat of
+this instead, and beware and have a care lest thou eat of hers even a
+grain; for, an thou eat so much as a grain thereof, her spells will
+have power over thee and she will enchant thee and say to thee, ‘Leave
+this form of a man.’ Whereupon thou wilt quit thine own shape for what
+shape she will. But, an thou eat not thereof, her enchantments will be
+null and void and no harm will betide thee therefrom; whereat she will
+be shamed with shame exceeding and say to thee, ‘I did but jest with
+thee!’ Then will she make a show of love and fondness to thee; but this
+will all be but hypocrisy in her and craft. And do thou also make a
+show of love to her and say to her, ‘O my lady and light of mine eyes,
+eat of this parched barley and see how delicious it is.’ And if she eat
+thereof, though it be but a grain, take water in thy hand and throw it
+in her face, saying, ‘Quit this human form’ (for what form soever thou
+wilt have her take). Then leave her and come to me and I will counsel
+thee what to do.” So Badr Basim took leave of him and returning to the
+palace, went in to the Queen, who said to him, “Welcome and well come
+and good cheer to thee!” And she rose and kissed him, saying, “Thou
+hast tarried long from me, O my lord.” He replied, “I have been with my
+uncle, and he gave me to eat of this Sawik.” Quoth she, “We have better
+than that.” Then she laid his parched Sawik in one plate and hers in
+another and said to him, “Eat of this, for ’tis better than thine.” So
+he feigned to eat of it and when she thought he had done so, she took
+water in her hand and sprinkled him therewith, saying, “Quit this form,
+O thou gallows-bird, thou miserable, and take that of a mule one-eyed
+and foul of favour.” But he changed not; which when she saw, she arose
+and went up to him and kissed him between the eyes, saying, “O my
+beloved, I did but jest with thee; bear me no malice because of this.”
+Quoth he, “O my lady, I bear thee no whit of malice; nay, I am assured
+that thou lovest me: but eat of this my parched barley.” So she ate a
+mouthful of Abdallah’s Sawik; but no sooner had it settled in her
+stomach than she was convulsed; and King Badr Basim took water in his
+palm and threw it in her face, saying, “Quit this human form and take
+that of a dapple mule.” No sooner had he spoken than she found herself
+changed into a she-mule, whereupon the tears rolled down her cheeks and
+she fell to rubbing her muzzle against his feet. Then he would have
+bridled her, but she would not take the bit; so he left her and, going
+to the grocer, told him what had passed. Abdallah brought out for him a
+bridle and bade him rein her forthwith. So he took it to the palace,
+and when she saw him, she came up to him and he set the bit in her
+mouth and mounting her, rode forth to find the Shaykh. But when the old
+man saw her, he rose and said to her, “Almighty Allah confound thee, O
+accursed woman!” Then quoth he to Badr, “O my son, there is no more
+tarrying for thee in this city; so ride her and fare with her whither
+thou wilt and beware lest thou commit the bridle[FN#345] to any.” King
+Badr thanked him and farewelling him, fared on three days, without
+ceasing, till he drew near another city and there met him an old man,
+gray-headed and comely, who said to him, “Whence comest thou, O my
+son?” Badr replied, “From the city of this witch”; and the old man
+said, “Thou art my guest to-night.” He consented and went with him; but
+by the way behold, they met an old woman, who wept when she saw the
+mule, and said, “There is no god but _the_ God! Verily, this mule
+resembleth my son’s she-mule, which is dead, and my heart acheth for
+her; so, Allah upon thee, O my lord, do thou sell her to me!” He
+replied, “By Allah, O my mother, I cannot sell her.” But she cried,
+“Allah upon thee, do not refuse my request, for my son will surely be a
+dead man except I buy him this mule.” And she importuned him, till he
+exclaimed, “I will not sell her save for a thousand dinars,” saying in
+himself, “Whence should this old woman get a thousand gold pieces?”
+Thereupon she brought out from her girdle a purse containing a thousand
+ducats, which when King Badr Basim saw, he said, “O my mother, I did
+but jest with thee; I cannot sell her.” But the old man looked at him
+and said, “O my son, in this city none may lie, for whoso lieth they
+put to death.” So King Badr Basim lighted down from the mule.——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-sixth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Badr
+Basim dismounted from and delivered the mule to the old woman, she drew
+the bit from her mouth and, taking water in her hand, sprinkled the
+mule therewith, saying, “O my daughter, quit this shape for that form
+wherein thou wast aforetime!” Upon this she was straightway restored to
+her original semblance and the two women embraced and kissed each
+other. So King Badr Basim knew that the old woman was Queen Lab’s
+mother and that he had been tricked and would have fled; when, lo! the
+old woman whistled a loud whistle and her call was obeyed by an Ifrit
+as he were a great mountain, whereat Badr was affrighted and stood
+still. Then the old woman mounted on the Ifrit’s back, taking her
+daughter behind her and King Badr Basim before her, and the Ifrit flew
+off with them; nor was it a full hour ere they were in the palace of
+Queen Lab, who sat down on the throne of kingship and said to Badr,
+“Gallows-bird that thou art, now am I come hither and have attained to
+that I desired and soon will I show thee how I will do with thee and
+with yonder old man the grocer! How many favours have I shown him! Yet
+he doth me frowardness; for thou hast not attained thine end but by
+means of him.” Then she took water and sprinkled him therewith, saying,
+“Quit the shape wherein thou art for the form of a foul-favoured fowl,
+the foulest of all fowls”; and she set him in a cage and cut off from
+him meat and drink; but one of her women seeing this cruelty, took
+compassion on him and gave him food and water without her knowledge.
+One day, the damsel took her mistress at unawares and going forth the
+palace, repaired to the old grocer, to whom she told the whole case,
+saying, “Queen Lab is minded to make an end of thy brother’s son.” The
+Shaykh thanked her and said, “There is no help but that I take the city
+from her and make thee Queen thereof in her stead.” Then he whistled a
+loud whistle and there came forth to him an Ifrit with four wings, to
+whom he said, “Take up this damsel and carry her to the city of Julnar
+the Sea-born and her mother Faráshah[FN#346] for they twain are the
+most powerful magicians on face of earth.” And he said to the damsel,
+“When thou comest thither, tell them that King Badr Basim is Queen
+Lab’s captive.” Then the Ifrit took up his load and, flying off with
+her, in a little while set her down upon the terrace roof of Queen
+Julnar’s palace. So she descended and going in to the Queen, kissed the
+earth and told her what had passed to her son, first and last,
+whereupon Julnar rose to her and entreated her with honour and thanked
+her. Then she let beat the drums in the city and acquainted her lieges
+and the lords of her realm with the good news that King Badr Basim was
+found; after which she and her mother Farashah and her brother Salih
+assembled all the tribes of the Jinn and the troops of the main; for
+the Kings of the Jinn obeyed them since the taking of King Al-Samandal.
+Presently they all flew up into the air and lighting down on the city
+of the sorceress, sacked the town and the palace and slew all the
+Unbelievers therein in the twinkling of an eye. Then said Julnar to the
+damsel, “Where is my son?” And the slave-girl brought her the cage and
+signing to the bird within, cried, “This is thy son.” So Julnar took
+him forth of the cage and sprinkled him with water, saying, “Quit this
+shape for the form wherein thou wast aforetime;” nor had she made an
+end of her speech ere he shook and became a man as before: whereupon
+his mother, seeing him restored to human shape, embraced him and he
+wept with sore weeping. On like wise did his uncle Salih and his
+grandmother and the daughters of his uncle and fell to kissing his
+hands and feet. Then Julnar sent for Shaykh Abdallah and thanking him
+for his kind dealing with her son, married him to the damsel, whom he
+had despatched to her with news of him, and made him King of the city.
+Moreover, she summoned those who survived of the citizens (and they
+were Moslems), and made them swear fealty to him and take the oath of
+loyalty, whereto they replied, “Hearkening and obedience!” Then she and
+her company farewelled him and returned to their own capital. The
+townsfolk came out to meet them, with drums beating, and decorated the
+place three days and held high festival, of the greatness of their joy
+for the return of their King Badr Basim. After this Badr said to his
+mother, “O my mother, naught remains but that I marry and we be all
+united.” She replied, “Right is thy rede, O my son, but wait till we
+ask who befitteth thee among the daughters of the Kings.” And his
+grandmother Farashah, and the daughters of both his uncles said, “O
+Badr Basim, we will help thee to win thy wish forthright.” Then each of
+them arose and fared forth questing in the lands, whilst Julnar sent
+out her waiting-women on the necks of Ifrits, bidding them leave not a
+city nor a King’s palace without noting all the handsome girls that
+were therein. But, when King Badr Basim saw the trouble they were
+taking in this matter, he said to Julnar, “O my mother, leave this
+thing, for none will content me save Jauharah, daughter of King
+Al-Samandal; for that she is indeed a jewel,[FN#347] according to her
+name.” Replied Julnar, “I know that which thou seekest;” and bade
+forthright bring Al-Samandal the King. As soon as he was present, she
+sent for Badr Basim and acquainted him with the King’s coming,
+whereupon he went in to him. Now when Al-Samandal was aware of his
+presence, he rose to him and saluted him and bade him welcome; and King
+Badr Basim demanded of him his daughter Jauharah in marriage. Quoth he,
+“She is thine handmaid and at thy service and disposition,” and
+despatched some of his suite bidding them seek her abode and, after
+telling her that her sire was in the hands of King Badr Basim, to bring
+her forthright. So they flew up into the air and disappeared and they
+returned after a while, with the Princess who, as soon as she saw her
+father, went up to him and threw her arms round his neck. Then looking
+at her he said, “O my daughter, know that I have given thee in wedlock
+to this magnanimous Sovran, and valiant lion King Badr Basim, son of
+Queen Julnar the Sea-born, for that he is the goodliest of the folk of
+his day and most powerful and the most exalted of them in degree and
+the noblest in rank; he befitteth none but thee and thou none but him.”
+Answered she, “I may not gainsay thee, O my sire do as thou wilt, for
+indeed chagrin and despite are at an end, and I am one of his
+handmaids.” So they summoned the Kazi and the witnesses who drew up the
+marriage contract between King Badr Basim and the Princess Jauharah,
+and the citizens decorated the city and beat the drums of rejoicing,
+and they released all who were in the jails, whilst the King clothed
+the widows and the orphans and bestowed robes of honour upon the Lords
+of the Realm and Emirs and Grandees: and they made bride-feasts and
+held high festival night and morn ten days, at the end of which time
+they displayed the bride, in nine different dresses, before King Badr
+Basim who bestowed an honourable robe upon King Al-Samandal and sent
+him back to his country and people and kinsfolk. And they ceased not
+from living the most delectable of life and the most solaceful of days,
+eating and drinking and enjoying every luxury, till there came to them
+the Destroyer of delights and the Sunderer of Societies; and this is
+the end of their story[FN#348], may Allah have mercy on them all!
+Moreover, O auspicious King, a tale is also told anent
+
+
+
+
+KING MOHAMMED BIN SABAIK AND THE MERCHANT HASAN.
+
+
+There was once, in days of yore and in ages and times long gone before,
+a King of the Kings of the Persians, by name Mohammed bin Sabáik, who
+ruled over Khorásán-land and used every year to go on razzia into the
+countries of the Miscreants in Hind and Sind and China and the lands of
+Máwarannahr beyond the Oxus and other regions of the barbarians and
+what not else. He was a just King, a valiant and a generous, and loved
+table-talk[FN#349] and tales and verses and anecdotes and histories and
+entertaining stories and legends of the ancients. Whoso knew a rare
+recital and related it to him in such fashion as to please him he would
+bestow on him a sumptuous robe of honour and clothe him from head to
+foot and give him a thousand dinars, and mount him on a horse saddled
+and bridled besides other great gifts; and the man would take all this
+and wend his way. Now it chanced that one day there came an old man
+before him and related to him a rare story, which pleased the King and
+made him marvel, so he ordered him a magnificent present, amongst other
+things a thousand dinars of Khorasan and a horse with its housings and
+trappings. After this, the bruit of the King’s munificence was blazed
+abroad in all countries and there heard of him a man, Hasan the
+Merchant hight, who was a generous, open-handed and learned, a scholar
+and an accomplished poet. Now the King had an envious Wazir, a
+multum-in-parvo of ill, loving no man, rich nor poor, and whoso came
+before the King and he gave him aught he envied him and said, “Verily,
+this fashion annihilateth wealth and ruineth the land; and such is the
+custom of the King.” But this was naught save envy and despite in that
+Minister. Presently the King heard talk of Hasan the Merchant and
+sending for him, said to him as soon as he came into the presence, “O
+Merchant Hasan, this Wazir of mine vexeth and thwarteth me concerning
+the money I give to poets and boon-companions and story-tellers and
+glee-men, and I would have thee tell me a goodly history and a rare
+story, such as I have never before heard. An it please me, I will give
+thee lands galore, with their forts, in free tenure, in addition to thy
+fiefs and untaxed lands; besides which I will put my whole kingdom in
+thy hands and make thee my Chief Wazir; so shalt thou sit on my right
+hand and rule my subjects. But, an thou bring me not that which I bid
+thee, I will take all that is in thy hand and banish thee my realm.”
+Replied Hasan, “Hearkening and obedience to our lord the King! But thy
+slave beseecheth thee to have patience with him a year; then will he
+tell thee a tale, such as thou hast never in thy life heard, neither
+hath other than thou heard its like, not to say a better than it.”
+Quoth the King, “I grant thee a whole year’s delay.” And he called for
+a costly robe of honour wherein he robed Hasan, saying, “Keep thy house
+and mount not horse, neither go nor come for a year’s time, till thou
+bring me that I seek of thee. An thou bring it, especial favour
+awaiteth thee and thou mayst count upon that which I have promised
+thee; but an thou bring it not, thou art not of us nor are we of
+thee.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her
+permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-seventh Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when King
+Mohammed son of Sabaik said to Hasan the Merchant, “An thou bring me
+that I seek of thee, especial favour awaiteth thee and thou mayest
+now rejoice in that which I have promised thee; but, an thou bring
+it not, thou art not of us nor are we of thee.” Hasan kissed ground
+before the King and went out from the presence. Then he chose five
+of the best of his Mamelukes, who could all write and read and were
+learned, intelligent, accomplished; and he gave each of them five
+thousand dinars, saying, “I reared you not save for the like of this
+day; so do ye help me to further the King’s desire and deliver me
+from his hand.” Quoth they, “What wilt thou have us do? Our lives be
+thy ransom!” Quoth he, “I wish you to go each to a different country
+and seek out diligently the learned and erudite and literate and the
+tellers of wondrous stories and marvellous histories and do your
+endeavour to procure me the story of Sayf al-Mulúk. If ye find it with
+any one, pay him what price soever he asketh for it although he demand
+a thousand dinars; give him what ye may and promise him the rest and
+bring me the story; for whoso happeneth on it and bringeth it to me,
+I will bestow on him a costly robe of honour and largesse galore, and
+there shall be to me none more worshipped than he.” Then said he to
+one of them, “Hie thou to Al-Hind and Al-Sind and all their provinces
+and dependencies.” To another, “Hie thou to the home of the Persians
+and to China and her climates.” To the third, “Hie thou to the land of
+Khorasan with its districts.” To the fourth, “Hie thou to Mauritania
+and all its regions, districts, provinces and quarters.” And to the
+fifth, “Hie thou to Syria and Egypt and their outliers.” Moreover,
+he chose them out an auspicious day and said to them, “Fare ye forth
+this day and be diligent in the accomplishment of my need and be not
+slothful, though the case cost you your lives.” So they farewelled him
+and departed, each taking the direction prescribed to him. Now, four of
+them were absent four months, and searched but found nothing; so they
+returned and told their master, whose breast was straitened, that they
+had ransacked towns and cities and countries for the thing he sought,
+but had happened upon naught thereof. Meanwhile, the fifth servant
+journeyed till he came to the land of Syria and entered Damascus, which
+he found a pleasant city and a secure, abounding in trees and rills,
+leas and fruiteries and birds chanting the praises of Allah the One,
+the All-powerful of sway, Creator of Night and Day. Here he tarried
+some time, asking for his master’s desire, but none answered him,
+wherefore he was on the point of departing thence to another place,
+when he met a young man running and stumbling over his skirts. So he
+asked of him, “Wherefore runnest thou in such eagerness and whither
+dost thou press?” And he answered, “There is an elder here, a man of
+learning, who every day at this time taketh his seat on a stool[FN#350]
+and relateth tales and stories and delectable anecdotes, whereof
+never heard any the like; and I am running to get me a place near him
+and fear I shall find no room, because of the much folk.” Quoth the
+Mameluke, “Take me with thee;” and quoth the youth, “Make haste in thy
+walking.” So he shut his door and hastened with him to the place of
+recitation, where he saw an old man of bright favour seated on a stool
+holding forth to the folk. He sat down near him and addressed himself
+to hear his story, till the going down of the sun, when the old man
+made an end of his tale and the people, having heard it all, dispersed
+from about him; whereupon the Mameluke accosted him and saluted him,
+and he returned his salam and greeted him with the utmost worship and
+courtesy. Then said the messenger to him, “O my lord Shaykh, thou art
+a comely and reverend man, and thy discourse is goodly; but I would
+fain ask thee of somewhat.” Replied the old man, “Ask of what thou
+wilt!” Then said the Mameluke, “Hast thou the story of Sayf al-Muluk
+and Badí’a al-Jamál?” Rejoined the elder, “And who told thee of this
+story and informed thee thereof?” Answered the messenger, “None told
+me of it, but I am come from a far country, in quest of this tale, and
+I will pay thee whatever thou askest for its price if thou have it and
+wilt, of thy bounty and charity, impart it to me and make it an alms
+to me, of the generosity of thy nature for, had I my life in my hand
+and lavished it upon thee for this thing, yet were it pleasing to my
+heart.” Replied the old man, “Be of good cheer and keep thine eye cool
+and clear: thou shalt have it; but this is no story that one telleth in
+the beaten highway, nor do I give it to every one.” Cried the other,
+“By Allah, O my lord, do not grudge it me, but ask of me what price
+thou wilt.” And the old man, “If thou wish for the history give me an
+hundred dinars and thou shalt have it; but upon five conditions.” Now
+when the Mameluke knew that the old man had the story and was willing
+to sell it to him, he joyed with exceeding joy and said, “I will give
+thee the hundred dinars by way of price and ten to boot as a gratuity
+and take it on the conditions of which thou speakest.” Said the old
+man, “Then go and fetch the gold pieces, and take that thou seekest.”
+So the messenger kissed his hands and joyful and happy returned to his
+lodging, where he laid an hundred and ten dinars[FN#351] in a purse
+he had by him. As soon as morning morrowed, he donned his clothes and
+taking the dinars, repaired to the story-teller, whom he found seated
+at the door of his house. So he saluted him and the other returned
+his salam. Then he gave him the gold and the old man took it and
+carrying the messenger into his house made him sit down in a convenient
+place, when he set before him ink-case and reed-pen and paper and
+giving him a book, said to him, “Write out what thou seekest of the
+night-story[FN#352] of Sayf al-Muluk from this book.” Accordingly the
+Mameluke fell to work and wrote till he had made an end of his copy,
+when he read it to the old man, and he corrected it and presently
+said to him, “Know, O my son, that my five conditions are as follows;
+firstly, that thou tell not this story in the beaten high road nor
+before women and slave-girls nor to black slaves nor feather-heads; nor
+again to boys; but read it only before Kings and Emirs and Wazirs and
+men of learning, such as expounders of the Koran and others.” Thereupon
+the messenger accepted the conditions and kissing the old man’s hand,
+took leave of him, and fared forth.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn
+of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-eighth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the
+Mameluke of Hasan the Merchant had copied the tale out of the book
+belonging to the old man of Damascus, and had accepted his conditions
+and farewelled him, he fared forth on the same day, glad and joyful,
+and journeyed on diligently, of the excess of his contentment, for that
+he had gotten the story of Sayf al-Muluk, till he came to his own
+country, when he despatched his servant to bear the good news to his
+master and say to him, “Thy Mameluke is come back in safety and hath
+won his will and his aim.” (Now of the term appointed between Hasan and
+the King there wanted but ten days.) Then, after taking rest in his own
+quarters he himself went in to the Merchant and told him all that had
+befallen him and gave him the book containing the story of Sayf
+al-Muluk and Badi’a al-Jamal, when Hasan joyed with exceeding joy at
+the sight and bestowed on him all the clothes he had on and gave him
+ten thoroughbred horses and the like number of camels and mules and
+three negro chattels and two white slaves. Then Hasan took the book and
+copied out the story plainly in his own hand; after which he presented
+himself before the King and said to him, “O thou auspicious King, I
+have brought thee a night-story and a rarely pleasant relation, whose
+like none ever heard at all.” When these words reached the King’s ear,
+he sent forthright for all the Emirs, who were men of understanding,
+and all the learned doctors and folk of erudition and culture and poets
+and wits; and Hasan sat down and read the history before the King, who
+marvelled thereat and approved it, as did all who were present, and
+they showered gold and silver and jewels upon the Merchant. Moreover,
+the King bestowed on him a costly robe of honour of the richest of his
+raiment and gave him a great city with its castles and outliers; and he
+appointed him one of his Chief Wazirs and seated him on his right hand.
+Then he caused the scribes write the story in letters of gold and lay
+it up in his privy treasures: and whenever his breast was straitened,
+he would summon Hasan and he would read him the story,[FN#353] which
+was as follows:—
+
+
+Story of Prince Sayf al-Muluk and the Princess Badi’a al-Jamal.
+
+There was once, in days of old and in ages and times long told, a King
+in Egypt called Asim bin Safwán,[FN#354] who was a liberal and
+beneficent sovran, venerable and majestic. He owned many cities and
+sconces and fortresses and troops and warriors and had a Wazir named
+Fáris bin Sálih,[FN#355] and he and all his subjects worshipped the sun
+and the fire, instead of the All-powerful Sire, the Glorious, the
+Victorious. Now this King was become a very old man, weakened and
+wasted with age and sickness and decrepitude; for he had lived an
+hundred and fourscore years and had no child, male or female, by reason
+whereof he was ever in cark and care from morning to night and from
+night to morn. It so happened that one day of the days, he was sitting
+on the throne of his Kingship, with his Emirs and Wazirs and Captains
+and Grandees in attendance on him, according to their custom, in their
+several stations, and whenever there came in an Emir, who had with him
+a son or two sons, or haply three who stood at the sides of their sires
+the King envied him and said in himself, “Every one of these is happy
+and rejoiceth in his children, whilst I, I have no child, and to-morrow
+I die and leave my reign and throne and lands and hoards, and strangers
+will take them and none will bear me in memory nor will there remain
+any mention of me in the world.” Then he became drowned in the sea of
+thought and for the much thronging of griefs and anxieties upon his
+heart, like travellers faring for the well, he shed tears and
+descending from his throne, sat down upon the floor,[FN#356] weeping
+and humbling himself before the Lord. Now when the Wazir and notables
+of the realm and others who were present in the assembly saw him do
+thus with his royal person, they feared for their lives and let the
+poursuivants cry aloud to the lieges, saying, “Hie ye to your homes and
+rest till the King recover from what aileth him.” So they went away,
+leaving none in the presence save the Minister who, as soon as the King
+came to himself, kissed ground between his hands and said, “O King of
+the Age and the Time, wherefore this weeping and wailing? Tell me who
+hath transgressed against thee of the Kings or Castellans or Emirs or
+Grandees, and inform me who hath thwarted thee, O my liege lord, that
+we may all fall on him and tear his soul from his two sides.” But he
+spake not neither raised his head; whereupon the Minister kissed ground
+before him a second time and said to him, “O Master,[FN#357] I am even
+as thy son and thy slave, nay, I have reared thee; yet know I not the
+cause of thy cark and chagrin and of this thy case; and who should know
+but I who should stand in my stead between thy hands? Tell me therefore
+why this weeping and wherefore thine affliction.” Nevertheless, the
+King neither opened his mouth nor raised his head, but ceased not to
+weep and cry with a loud crying and lament with exceeding lamentation
+and ejaculate, “Alas!” The Wazir took patience with him awhile, after
+which he said to him, “Except thou tell me the cause of this thine
+affliction, I will set this sword to my heart and will slay myself
+before thine eyes, rather than see thee thus distressed.” Then King
+Asim raised his head and, wiping away his tears, said, “O Minister of
+good counsel and experience, leave me to my care and my chagrin, for
+that which is in my heart of sorrow sufficeth me.” But Faris said,
+“Tell me, O King, the cause of this thy weeping, haply Allah will
+appoint thee relief at my hands.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Fifty-ninth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the Wazir said
+to King Asim, “Tell me the cause of this thy weeping: haply Allah shall
+appoint thee relief at my hands.” Replied the King, “O Wazir, I weep
+not for monies nor horses nor kingdoms nor aught else, but that I am
+become an old man, yea, very old, nigh upon an hundred and fourscore
+years of age, and I have not been blessed with a child, male or female;
+so, when I die, they will bury me and my trace will be effaced and my
+name cut off; the stranger will take my throne and reign and none will
+ever make mention of my being.” Rejoined the Minister Faris, “O King of
+the Age, I am older than thou by an hundred years yet have I never been
+blest with boon of child and cease not day and night from cark and care
+and concern; so how shall we do, I and thou?” Quoth Asim, “O Wazir,
+hast thou no device or shift in this matter?” and quoth the Minister,
+“Know, O King that I have heard of a Sovran in the land of Sabá[FN#358]
+by name Solomon David-son (upon the twain be the Peace!),[FN#359] who
+pretendeth to prophetship and avoucheth that he hath a mighty Lord who
+can do all things and whose kingdom is in the Heavens and who hath
+dominion over all mankind and birds and beasts and over the wind and
+the Jinn. Moreover, he kenneth the speech of birds and the language of
+every other created thing; and withal, he calleth all creatures to the
+worship of his Lord and discourseth to them of their service. So let us
+send him a messenger in the King’s name and seek of him our need,
+beseeching him to put up prayer to his Lord, that He vouchsafe each of
+us boon of issue. If his Faith be soothfast and his Lord Omnipotent, He
+will assuredly bless each of us with a child male or female, and if the
+thing thus fall out, we will enter his faith and worship his Lord; else
+will we take patience and devise us another device.” The King cried,
+“This is well seen, and my breast is broadened by this thy speech; but
+where shall we find a messenger befitting this grave matter, for that
+this Solomon is no Kinglet and the approaching him is no light affair?
+Indeed, I will send him none, on the like of this matter, save thyself;
+for thou art ancient and versed in all manner affairs and the like of
+thee is the like of myself; wherefore I desire that thou weary thyself
+and journey to him and occupy thyself sedulously with accomplishing
+this matter, so haply solace may be at thy hand.” The Minister said, “I
+hear and I obey; but rise thou forthwith and seat thee upon the throne,
+so the Emirs and Lords of the realm and officers and the lieges may
+enter applying themselves to thy service, according to their custom;
+for they all went away from thee, troubled at heart on thine account.
+Then will I go out and set forth on the Sovran’s errand.” So the King
+arose forthright and sat down on the throne of his kingship, whilst the
+Wazir went out and said to the Chamberlain, “Bid the folk proceed to
+their service, as of their wont.” Accordingly the troops and Captains
+and Lords of the land entered, after they had spread the tables and ate
+and drank and withdrew as was their wont, after which the Wazir Faris
+went forth from King Asim and, repairing to his own house, equipped
+himself for travel and returned to the King, who opened to him the
+treasuries and provided him with rarities and things of price and rich
+stuffs and gear without compare, such as nor Emir nor Wazir hath power
+to possess. Moreover, King Asim charged him to accost Solomon with
+reverence, foregoing him with the salam, but not exceeding in speech;
+“and (continued he) then do thou ask of him thy need, and if he say
+’tis granted, return to us in haste, for I shall be awaiting thee.”
+Accordingly, the Minister kissed hands and took the presents and
+setting out, fared on night and day, till he came within fifteen days’
+journey of Saba. Meanwhile Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) inspired
+Solomon the son of David (the Peace be upon both!) and said to him, “O
+Solomon, the King of Egypt sendeth unto thee his Chief Wazir, with a
+present of rarities and such and such things of price; so do thou also
+despatch thy Counsellor Asaf bin Barkhiyá to meet him with honour and
+with victual at the halting-places; and when he cometh to thy presence,
+say unto him, ‘Verily, thy King hath sent thee in quest of this and
+that and thy business is thus and thus.’ Then do thou propound to him
+The Saving Faith.”[FN#360] Whereupon Solomon bade his Wazir make ready
+a company of his retainers and go forth to meet the Minister of Egypt
+with honour and sumptuous provision at the halting-places. So Asaf made
+ready all that was needed for their entertainment and setting out,
+fared on till he fell in with Faris and accosted him with the salam,
+honouring him and his company with exceeding honour. Moreover, he
+brought them provaunt and provender at the halting-places and said to
+them, “Well come and welcome and fair welcome to the coming guests!
+Rejoice in the certain winning of your wish! Be your souls of good
+cheer and your eyes cool and clear and your breasts be broadened!”
+Quoth Faris in himself, “Who acquainted him with this?”; and he said to
+Asaf,[FN#361] “O my lord, and who gave thee to know of us and our
+need?” “It was Solomon son of David (on whom be the Peace!), told us of
+this!” “And who told our lord Solomon?” “The Lord of the heaven and the
+earth told him, _the_ God of all creatures!” “This is none other than a
+mighty God!” “And do ye not worship him?” “We worship the Sun, and
+prostrate ourselves thereto.” “O Wazir Faris, the sun is but a star of
+the stars created by Allah (extolled and exalted be He!), and Allah
+forbid that it should be a Lord! Because whiles it riseth and whiles it
+setteth, but our Lord is ever present and never absent and He over all
+things is Omnipotent!” Then they journeyed on a little while till they
+came to the land Saba and drew near the throne of Solomon David-son,
+(upon the twain be peace!), who commanded his hosts of men and Jinn and
+others[FN#362] to form line on their road. So the beasts of the sea and
+the elephants and leopards and lynxes and all beasts of the land ranged
+themselves in espalier on either side of the way, after their several
+kinds, and similarly the Jinn drew out in two ranks, appearing all to
+mortal eyes without concealment, in divers forms grisly and gruesome.
+So they lined the road on either hand, and the birds bespread their
+wings over the host of creatures to shade them, warbling one to other
+in all manner of voices and tongues. Now when the people of Egypt came
+to this terrible array, they dreaded it and durst not proceed; but Asaf
+said to them, “Pass on amidst them and walk forward and fear them not:
+for they are slaves of Solomon son of David, and none of them will harm
+you.” So saying, he entered between the ranks, followed by all the folk
+and amongst them the Wazir of Egypt and his company, fearful: and they
+ceased not faring forwards till they reached the city, where they
+lodged the embassy in the guest-house and for the space of three days
+entertained them sumptuously, entreating them with the utmost honour.
+Then they carried them before Solomon, prophet of Allah (on whom be the
+Peace!), and when entering they would have kissed the earth before him;
+but he forbade them, saying, “It befitteth not a man prostrate himself
+to earth save before Allah (to whom belong Might and Majesty!), Creator
+of Earth and Heaven and all other things; wherefore, whosoever of you
+hath a mind to sit let him be seated in my service, or to stand, let
+him stand, but let none stand to do me worship.” So they obeyed him and
+the Wazir Faris and some of his intimates sat down, whilst certain of
+the lesser sort remained afoot to wait on him. When they had sat
+awhile, the servants spread the tables and they all, men and beasts,
+ate their sufficiency.[FN#363] Then Solomon bade Faris expound his
+errand, that it might be accomplished, saying, “Speak and hide naught
+of that wherefor thou art come; for I know why ye come and what is your
+errand, which is thus and thus. The King of Egypt who despatched thee,
+Asim hight, hath become a very old man, infirm, decrepit; and Allah
+(whose name be exalted!) hath not blessed him with offspring, male or
+female. So he abode in cark and care and chagrin from morn to night and
+from night to morn. It so happened that one day of the days as he sat
+upon the throne of his kingship with his Emirs and Wazirs, and Captains
+and Grandees in attendance on him, he saw some of them with two sons,
+others with one, and others even three, who came with their sires to do
+him service. So he said in himself, of the excess of his sorrow, ‘Who
+shall get my kingdom after my death? Will any save a stranger take it?
+And thus shall I pass out of being as though I had never been!’ On this
+account he became drowned in the sea of thought, until his eyes were
+flooded with tears and he covered his face with his kerchief and wept
+with sore weeping. Then he rose from off his throne and sat down upon
+the floor wailing and lamenting and none knew what was in heart as he
+grovelled in the ground save Allah Almighty.”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixtieth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Solomon
+David-son (upon both of whom be peace!) after disclosing to the Wazir
+Faris that which had passed between himself and his master, King Asim,
+said to him, “Is this that I have told thee the truth, O Wazir?”
+Replied Faris, “O prophet of Allah, this thou hast said is indeed sooth
+and verity; but when we discoursed of this matter, none was with the
+King and myself, nor was any ware of our case; who, then told thee of
+all these things?” Answered Solomon, “They were told to me by my Lord
+who knoweth whatso is concealed[FN#364] from the eye and what is hidden
+in the breasts.” Quoth Faris, “O Prophet of Allah, verily this is none
+other than a mighty Lord and an omnipotent God!” And he Islamized with
+all his many. Then said Solomon to him, “Thou hast with thee such and
+such presents and rarities;” and Faris replied “Yes.” The prophet
+continued, “I accept them all and give them in free gift unto thee. So
+do ye rest, thou and thy company, in the place where you have been
+lodging, till the fatigue of the journey shall cease from you; and
+to-morrow, Inshallah! thine errand shall be accomplished to the
+uttermost, if it be the will of Allah the Most High, Lord of heaven and
+earth and the light which followeth the gloom; Creator of all
+creatures.” So Faris returned to his quarters and passed the night in
+deep thought. But when morning morrowed he presented himself before the
+Lord Solomon, who said to him, “When thou returnest to King Asim bin
+Safwan and you twain are reunited, do ye both go forth some day armed
+with bow, bolts and brand, and fare to such a place, where ye shall
+find a certain tree. Mount upon it and sit silent until the midhour
+between noon-prayer and that of mid-afternoon, when the noontide heat
+hath cooled; then descend and look at the foot of the tree, whence ye
+will see two serpents come forth, one with a head like an ape’s and the
+other with a head like an Ifrit’s. Shoot them ye twain with bolts and
+kill them both; then cut off a span’s length from their heads and the
+like from their tails and throw it away. The rest of the flesh cook and
+cook well and give it to your wives to eat: then lie with them that
+night and, by Allah’s leave, they shall conceive and bear male
+children.” Moreover, he gave him a seal-ring, a sword and a wrapper
+containing two tunics[FN#365] embroidered with gold and jewels, saying,
+“O Wazir Faris, when your sons grow up to man’s estate, give to each of
+them one of these tunics.” Then said he, “In the name of Allah! May the
+Almighty accomplish your desire! And now nothing remaineth for thee but
+to depart, relying on the blessing of the Lord the Most High, for the
+King looketh for thy return night and day and his eye is ever gazing on
+the road.” So the Wazir advanced to the prophet Solomon son of David
+(upon both of whom be the Peace!) and farewelled him and fared forth
+from him after kissing his hands. Rejoicing in the accomplishment of
+his errand he travelled on with all diligence night and day, and ceased
+not wayfaring till he drew near to Cairo, when he despatched one of his
+servants to acquaint King Asim with his approach and the successful
+issue of his journey; which when the King heard he joyed with exceeding
+joy, he and his Grandees and Officers and troops especially in the
+Wazir’s safe return. When they met, the Minister dismounted and,
+kissing ground before the King, gave him the glad news anent the
+winning of his wish in fullest fashion; after which he expounded the
+True Faith to him, and the King and all his people embraced Al-Islam
+with much joy and gladness. Then said Asim to his Wazir, “Go home and
+rest this night and a week to boot; then go to the Hammam-bath and come
+to me, that I may inform thee of what we shall have to consider.” So
+Faris kissed ground and withdrew, with his suite, pages and eunuchs, to
+his house, where he rested eight days; after which he repaired to the
+King and related to him all that had passed between Solomon and
+himself, adding, “Do thou rise and go forth with me alone.” Then the
+King and the Minister took two bows and two bolts and repairing to the
+tree indicated by Solomon, clomb up into it and there sat in silence
+till the mid-day heat had passed away and it was near upon the hour of
+mid-afternoon prayer, when they descended and looking about them saw a
+serpent-couple[FN#366] issue from the roots of the tree. The King gazed
+at them, marvelling to see them ringed with collars of gold about their
+necks, and said to Faris, “O Wazir, verily these snakes have golden
+torques! By Allah, this is forsooth a rare thing! Let us catch them and
+set them in a cage and keep them to look upon.” But the Minister said,
+“These hath Allah created for profitable use;[FN#367] so do thou shoot
+one and I will shoot the other with these our shafts.” Accordingly they
+shot at them with arrows and slew them; after which they cut off a
+span’s length of their heads and tails and threw it away. Then they
+carried the rest to the King’s palace, where they called the kitchener
+and giving him the flesh said, “Dress this meat daintily, with
+onion-sauce[FN#368] and spices, and ladle it out into two saucers and
+bring them hither at such an hour, without delay!”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-first Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the King and
+the Wazir gave the serpents’ flesh to the kitchener, saying, “Cook it
+and ladle it out into two saucers and bring them hither without
+delay!”; the cook took the meat and went with it to the kitchen, where
+he cooked it and dressed it in skilful fashion with a mighty fine
+onion-sauce and hot spices; after which he ladled it out into two
+saucers and set them before the King and the Wazir, who took each a
+dish and gave their wives to eat of the meat. Then they went in that
+night unto them and knew them carnally, and by the good pleasure of
+Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) and His all-might and furtherance,
+they both conceived on one and the same night. The King abode three
+months, troubled in mind and saying in himself, “I wonder whether this
+thing will prove true or untrue”; till one day, as the lady his Queen
+was sitting, the child stirred in her womb and she felt a pain and her
+colour changed. So she knew that she was with child and calling the
+chief of her eunuchs, gave him this command, “Go to the King, wherever
+he may be and congratulate him saying, ‘O King of the Age, I bring thee
+the glad tidings that our lady’s pregnancy is become manifest, for the
+child stirreth in her womb’.” So the eunuch went out in haste,
+rejoicing, and finding the King alone, with cheek on palm, pondering
+this thing, kissed ground between his hands and acquainted him with his
+wife’s pregnancy. When the King heard his words, he sprang to his feet
+and in the excess of his joy, he kissed[FN#369] the eunuch’s hands and
+head and doffing the clothes he had on, gave them to him. Moreover, he
+said to those who were present in his assembly, “Whoso loveth me, let
+him bestow largesse upon this man.”[FN#370] And they gave him of coin
+and jewels and jacinths and horses and mules and estates and gardens
+what was beyond count or calculation. At that moment in came the Wazir
+Faris and said to Asim, “O my master, but now I was sitting alone at
+home and absorbed in thought, pondering the matter of the pregnancy and
+saying to myself, ‘Would I wot an this thing be true and whether my
+wife Khátún[FN#371] have conceived or not!’ when, behold, an eunuch
+came in to me and brought me the glad tidings that his lady was indeed
+pregnant, for that her colour was changed and the child stirred in her
+womb; whereupon, in my joy, I doffed all the clothes I had on and gave
+them to him, together with a thousand dinars, and made him Chief of the
+Eunuchs.” Rejoined the King, “O Minister, Allah (extolled and exalted
+be He!) hath, of His grace and bounty and goodness, and beneficence,
+made gift to us of the True Faith and brought us out of night into
+light, and hath been bountiful to us, of His favour and benevolence;
+wherefore I am minded to solace the folk and cause them to rejoice.”
+Quoth Faris, “Do what thou wilt,[FN#372]” and quoth the King, “O Wazir,
+go down without stay or delay and set free all who are in the prisons,
+both criminals and debtors, and whoso transgresseth after this, we will
+requite as he deserveth even to the striking off of his head. Moreover,
+we forgive the people three years’ taxes, and do thou set up kitchens
+all around about the city walls[FN#373] and bid the kitcheners hang
+over the fire all kinds of cooking pots and cook all manner of meats,
+continuing their cooking night and day, and let all comers, both of our
+citizens and of the neighbouring countries, far and near, eat and drink
+and carry to their houses. And do thou command the people to make
+holiday and decorate the city seven days and shut not the taverns night
+nor day[FN#374]; and if thou delay I will behead thee[FN#375]!” So he
+did as the King bade him and the folk decorated the city and citadel
+and bulwarks after the goodliest fashion and, donning their richest
+attire, passed their time in feasting and sporting and making merry,
+till the days of the Queen’s pregnancy were accomplished and she was
+taken, one night, with labour pains hard before dawn. Then the King
+bade summon all the Olema and astronomers, mathematicians and men of
+learning, astrologers, scientists and scribes in the city, and they
+assembled and sat awaiting the throwing of a bead into the cup[FN#376]
+which was to be the signal to the Astrophils, as well as to the nurses
+and attendants, that the child was born. Presently, as they sat in
+expectation, the Queen gave birth to a boy like a slice of the moon
+when fullest and the astrologers fell to calculating and noted his star
+and nativity and drew his horoscope. Then, on being summoned they rose
+and, kissing the earth before the King, gave him the glad tidings,
+saying, “In very sooth the new-born child is of happy augury and born
+under an auspicious aspect, but” they added, “in the first of his life
+there will befall him a thing which we fear to name before the King.”
+Quoth Asim, “Speak and fear not;” so quoth they, “O King, this boy will
+fare forth from this land and journey in strangerhood and suffer
+shipwreck and hardship and prisonment and distress, and indeed he hath
+before him the sorest of sufferings; but he shall free him of them in
+the end, and win to his wish and live the happiest of lives the rest of
+his days, ruling over subjects with a strong hand and having dominion
+in the land, despite enemies and enviers.” Now when the King heard the
+astrologers’ words, he said, “The matter is a mystery; but all that
+Allah Almighty hath written for the creature of good and bad cometh to
+pass and needs must betide him from this day to that a thousand
+solaces.” So he paid no heed to their words or attention to their
+speeches but bestowed on them robes of honour, as well upon all who
+were present, and dismissed them; when, behold, in came Faris the Wazir
+and kissed the earth before the King in huge joy, saying, “Good
+tidings, O King! My wife hath but now given birth to a son, as he were
+a slice of the moon.” Replied Asim, “O Wazir, go, bring thy wife and
+child hither, that she may abide with my wife in my palace, and they
+shall bring up the two boys together.” So Faris fetched his wife and
+son and they committed the two children to the nurses wet and dry. And
+after seven days had passed over them, they brought them before the
+King and said to him, “What wilt thou name the twain?” Quoth he, “Do ye
+name them;” but quoth they, “None nameth the son save his sire.” So he
+said, “Name my son Sayf al-Muluk, after my grandfather, and the
+Minister’s son Sa’id.”[FN#377] Then he bestowed robes of honour on the
+nurses wet and dry and said to them, “Be ye ruthful over them and rear
+them after the goodliest fashion.” So they brought up the two boys
+diligently till they reached the age of five, when the King committed
+them to a doctor of Sciences[FN#378] who taught them to read the Koran
+and write. When they were ten years old, King Asim gave them in charge
+to masters, who instructed them in cavalarice and shooting with shafts
+and lunging with lance and play of Polo and the like till, by the time
+they were fifteen years old, they were clever in all manner of martial
+exercises, nor was there one to vie with them in horsemanship, for each
+of them would do battle with a thousand men and make head against them
+single handed. So when they came to years of discretion, whenever King
+Asim looked on them he joyed in them with exceeding joy; and when they
+attained their twenty-fifth year, he took Faris his Minister apart one
+day and said to him, “O Wazir, I am minded to consult with thee
+concerning a thing I desire to do.” Replied he, “Whatever thou hast a
+mind to do, do it; for thy judgment is blessed.” Quoth the King, “O
+Wazir, I am become a very old and decrepit man, sore stricken in years,
+and I desire to take up my abode in an oratory, that I may worship
+Allah Almighty and give my kingdom and Sultanate to my son Sayf
+al-Muluk for that he is grown a goodly youth, perfect in knightly
+exercises and intellectual attainments, polite letters and gravity,
+dignity and the art of government. What sayst thou, O Minister, of this
+project?” And quoth the counsellor, “Right indeed is thy rede: the idea
+is a blessed and a fortunate, and if thou do this, I will do the like
+and my son Sa’id shall be the Prince’s Wazir, for he is a comely young
+man and complete in knowledge and judgment. Thus will the two youths be
+together, and we will order their affair and neglect not their case,
+but guide them to goodness and in the way that is straight.” Quoth the
+King, “Write letters and send them by couriers to all the countries and
+cities and sconces and fortresses that be under our hands, bidding
+their chiefs be present on such a day at the Horse-course of the
+Elephant.”[FN#379] So the Wazir went out without stay or delay and
+despatched letters of this purport to all the deputies and governors of
+fortresses and others under King Asim; and he commanded also that all
+in the city should be present, far and near, high and low. When the
+appointed time drew nigh, King Asim bade the tent-pitchers plant
+pavilions in the midst of the Champ-de-Mars and decorate them after the
+most sumptuous fashion and set up the great throne whereon he sat not
+but on festivals. And they at once did his bidding. Then he and all his
+Nabobs and Chamberlains and Emirs sallied forth, and he commanded
+proclamation be made to the people, saying, “In the name of Allah, come
+forth to the Maydán!” So all the Emirs and Wazirs and Governors of
+provinces and Feudatories[FN#380] came forth to the place of assembly
+and, entering the royal pavilion, addressed themselves to the service
+of the King as was their wont, and abode in their several stations,
+some sitting and others standing, till all the people were gathered
+together, when the King bade spread the tables and they ate and drank
+and prayed for him. Then he commanded the Chamberlains[FN#381] to
+proclaim to the people that they should not depart: so they made
+proclamation to them, saying, “Let none of you fare hence till he have
+heard the King’s words!” So they withdrew the curtains of the royal
+pavilion and the King said, “Whoso loveth me, let him remain till he
+have heard my speech!” Whereupon all the folk sat down in mind tranquil
+after they had been fearful, saying, “Wherefore have we been summoned
+by the King?” Then the Sovran rose to his feet, and making them swear
+that none would stir from his stead, said to them, “O ye Emirs and
+Wazirs and Lords of the land; the great and the small of you, and all
+ye who are present of the people; say me, wot ye not that this kingdom
+was an inheritance to me from my fathers and forefathers?” Answered
+they, “Yes, O King we all know that.” And he continued, “I and you, we
+all worshipped the sun and moon, till Allah (extolled and exalted be
+He!) vouchsafed us the knowledge of the True Faith and brought us out
+of darkness unto light, and directed us to the religion of Al-Islam.
+Know that I am become a very old man, feeble and decrepit, and I desire
+to take up my abode in a hermitage[FN#382] there to worship Allah
+Almighty and crave His pardon for past offenses and make this my son
+Sayf al-Muluk ruler. Ye know full well that he is a comely youth,
+eloquent, liberal, learned, versed in affairs, intelligent, equitable;
+wherefore I am minded presently to resign to him my realm and to make
+him ruler over you and seat him as Sultan in my stead, whilst I give
+myself to solitude and to the worship of Allah in an oratory, and my
+son and heir shall judge between you. What say ye then, all of you?”
+Thereupon they all rose and kissing ground before him, made answer with
+“Hearing and obedience,” saying, “O our King and our defender an thou
+should set over us one of thy blackamoor slaves we would obey him and
+hearken to thy word and accept thy command: how much more then with thy
+son Sayf al-Muluk? Indeed, we accept of him and approve him on our eyes
+and heads!” So King Asim bin Safwan arose and came down from his seat
+and seating his son on the great throne,[FN#383] took the crown from
+his own head and set it on the head of Sayf al-Muluk and girt his
+middle with the royal girdle.[FN#384] Then he sat down beside his son
+on the throne of his kingship, whilst the Emirs and Wazirs and Lords of
+the land and all the rest of the folk rose and kissed ground before
+him, saying, “Indeed, he is worthy of the kingship and hath better
+right to it than any other.” Then the Chamberlains made proclamation
+crying, “Amán! Amán! Safety! Safety!” and offered up prayers for his
+victory and prosperity. And Sayf al-Muluk scattered gold and silver on
+the heads of the lieges one and all.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn
+of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-second Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when King Asim
+seated his son, Sayf al-Muluk, upon the throne and all the people
+prayed for his victory and prosperity, the youth scattered gold and
+silver on the heads of the lieges, one and all, and conferred robes of
+honour and gave gifts and largesse. Then, after a moment, the Wazir
+Faris arose and kissing ground said, “O Emirs, O Grandees, ye ken that
+I am Wazir and that my Wazirate dateth from old, before the accession
+of King Asim bin Safwan, who hath now divested himself of the Kingship
+and made his son King in his stead?” Answered they, “Yes, we know that
+thy Wazirate is from sire after grandsire.” He continued, “And now in
+my turn I divest myself of office and invest this my son Sa’id, for he
+is intelligent, quick-witted, sagacious. What say ye all?” And they
+replied, “None is worthy to be Wazir to King Sayf al-Muluk but thy son
+Sa’id, and they befit each other.” With this Faris arose and taking off
+his Wazirial turband, set it on his son’s head and eke laid his
+ink-case of office before him, whilst the Chamberlains and the Emirs
+said, “Indeed, he is deserving of the Wazirship” and the Heralds cried
+aloud, “Mubárak! Mubarak!—Felix sit et faustus!” After this, King Asim
+and Faris the Minister arose and, opening the royal treasuries,
+conferred magnificent robes of honour on all the Viceroys and Emirs and
+Wazirs and Lords of the land and other folk and gave salaries and
+benefactions and wrote them new mandates and diplomas with the
+signatures of King Sayf al-Muluk and his Wazir Sa’id. Moreover, he made
+distribution of money to the men-at-arms and gave guerdons, and the
+provincials abode in the city a full week ere they departed each to his
+own country and place. Then King Asim carried his son and his Wazir
+Sa’id back to the palace which was in the city and bade the treasurer
+bring the seal-ring and signet,[FN#385] sword and wrapper; which being
+done, he said to the two young men, “O my sons, come hither and let
+each of you choose two of these things and take them.” The first to
+make choice was Sayf al-Muluk, who put out his hand and took the ring
+and the wrapper, whilst Sa’id took the sword and the signet; after
+which they both kissed the King’s hands and went away to their lodging.
+Now Sayf al-Muluk opened not the wrapper to see what was therein, but
+threw it on the couch where he and Sa’id slept by night, for it was
+their habit to lie together. Presently they spread them the bed and the
+two lay down with a pair of wax candles burning over them, and slept
+till midnight, when Sayf al-Muluk awoke and, seeing the bundle at his
+head, said in his mind, “I wonder what thing of price is in this
+wrapper my father gave me!” So he took it together with a candle and
+descended from the couch leaving Sa’id sleeping and carried the bundle
+into a closet, where he opened it and found within a tunic of the
+fabric of the Jann. He spread it out and saw on the lining[FN#386] of
+the back, the portraiture wroughten in gold of a girl and marvellous
+was her loveliness; and no sooner had he set eyes on the figure than
+his reason fled his head and he became Jinn-mad for love thereof, so
+that he fell down in a swoon and presently recovering, began to weep
+and lament, beating his face and breast and kissing her. And he recited
+these verses,
+
+“Love, at the first, is a spurt of spray[FN#387] * Which Doom
+     disposes and Fates display;
+Till, when deep diveth youth in passion-sea * Unbearable
+     sorrows his soul waylay.”
+
+
+And also these two couplets,
+
+“Had I known of love in what fashion he * Robbeth heart and
+     soul I had guarded me:
+But of malice prepense I threw self away, * Unwitting of Love
+     what his nature be.”
+
+
+And Sayf al-Muluk ceased not to weep and wail and beat face and breast,
+till Sa’id awoke and missing him from the bed and seeing but a single
+candle, said to himself, “Whither is Sayf al-Muluk gone?” Then he took
+the other candle and went round about the palace, till he came upon the
+closet where he saw the Prince lying at full length, weeping with sore
+weeping and lamenting aloud. So he said to him, “O my brother, for what
+cause are these tears and what hath befallen thee? Speak to me and tell
+me the reason thereof.” But Sayf al-Muluk spoke not neither raised his
+head and continued to weep and wail and beat hand on breast. Seeing him
+in this case quoth Sa’id, “I am thy Wazir and thy brother, and we were
+reared together, I and thou; so an thou do not unburden thy breast and
+discover thy secret to me, to whom shalt thou reveal it and disclose
+its cause?” And he went on to humble himself and kiss the ground before
+him a full hour, whilst Sayf al-Muluk paid no heed to him nor answered
+him a word, but gave not over to weeping. At last, being affrighted
+at his case and weary of striving with him, he went out and fetched
+a sword, with which he returned to the closet, and setting the point
+to his own breast, said to the Prince, “Rouse thee, O my brother! An
+thou tell me not what aileth thee, I will slay myself and see thee no
+longer in this case.” Whereupon Sayf al-Muluk raised his head towards
+the Wazir and answered him, “O my brother, I am ashamed to tell thee
+what hath betided me;” but Sa’id said, “I conjure thee by Allah, Lord
+of Lords, Liberator of Necks,[FN#388] Causer of causes, the One, the
+Ruthful, the Gift-full, the Bountiful, that thou tell me what aileth
+thee and be not abashed at me, for I am thy slave and thy Minister and
+counsellor in all thine affairs!” Quoth Sayf al-Muluk, “Come and look
+at this likeness.” So Sa’id looked at it awhile and considering it
+straitly, behold, he saw written, as a crown over its head, in letters
+of pearl, these words, “This is the counterfeit presentment of Badi’a
+al-Jamal, daughter of Shahyál bin Shárukh, a King of the Kings of the
+true-believing Jann who have taken up their abode in the city of Babel
+and sojourn in the garden of Iram, Son of ‘Ad the Greater”[FN#389]——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-third Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Sa’id,
+son of the Wazir Faris, had read to Sayf al-Muluk, son of King Asim,
+the writ on the tunic, which showed the portraiture of Badi’a al-Jamal,
+daughter of Shahyal bin Sharukh, a King of the Kings of the Moslem
+Jinns dwelling in Babel-city and in the Garden of Iram, son of ‘Ad the
+Greater, he cried, “O my brother, knowest thou of what woman this is
+the presentment, that we may seek for her?” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “No,
+by Allah, O my brother, I know her not!” and Sa’id rejoined, “Come,
+read this writing on the crown.” So Sayf al-Muluk read it and cried out
+from his heart’s core and very vitals, saying, “Alas! Alas! Alas!”
+Quoth Sa’id, “O my brother, an the original of the portrait exist and
+her name be Badi’a al-Jamal, and she abide in the world, I will hasten
+to seek her, that thou mayst win thy will without delay. But, Allah
+upon thee, O my brother, leave this weeping and ascend thy throne, that
+the Officers of the State may come in to do their service to thee, and
+in the undurn, do thou summon the merchants and fakirs and travellers
+and pilgrims and paupers and ask of them concerning this city and the
+garden of Iram; haply by the help and blessing of Allah (extolled and
+exalted be He!), some one of them shall direct us thither.” So, when it
+was day, Sayf al-Muluk went forth and mounted the throne, clasping the
+tunic in his arms, for he could neither stand nor sit without it, nor
+would sleep visit him save it were with him; and the Emirs and Wazirs
+and Lords and Officers came in to him. When the Divan was complete all
+being assembled in their places he said to his Minister, “Go forth to
+them and tell them that the King hath been suddenly struck by sickness
+and he, by Allah, hath passed the night in ill case.” So Sa’id fared
+forth and told the folk what he said; which when old King Asim heard,
+he was concerned for his son and, summoning the physicians and
+astrologers, carried them in to Sayf al-Muluk. They looked at him and
+prescribed him ptisanes and diet-drinks, simples and medicinal waters
+and wrote him characts and incensed him with Nadd and aloes-wood and
+ambergris three days’ space; but his malady persisted three months,
+till King Asim was wroth with the leaches and said to them, “Woe to
+you, O dogs! What? Are all of you impotent to cure my son? Except ye
+heal him forthright, I will put the whole of you to death.” The
+Archiater replied, “O King of the Age, in very sooth we know that this
+is thy son and thou wottest that we fail not of diligence in tending a
+stranger; so how much more with medicining thy son? But thy son is
+afflicted with a malady hard to heal, which, if thou desire to know, we
+will discover it to thee.” Quoth Asim, “What then find ye to be the
+malady of my son?”; and quoth the leach, “O King of the Age, thy son is
+in love and he loveth one to whose enjoyment he hath no way of access.”
+At this the King was wroth and asked, “How know ye that my son is in
+love and how came love to him?”; they answered, “Enquire of his Wazir
+and brother Sa’id, for he knoweth his case.” The King rose and repaired
+to his private closet and summoning Sa’id said to him, “Tell me the
+truth of thy brother’s malady.” But Sa’id replied, “I know it not.” So
+King Asim said to the Sworder, “Take Sa’id and bind his eyes and strike
+his neck.” Whereupon Sa’id feared for himself and cried, “O King of the
+Age, grant me immunity.” Replied the King, “Speak and thou shalt have
+it.” “Thy son is in love.” “With whom is he in love?” “With a King’s
+daughter of the Jann.” “And where could he have espied a daughter of
+the Jinns?” “Her portrait is wroughten on the tunic that was in the
+bundle given thee by Solomon, prophet of Allah!” When the King heard
+this, he rose, and going in to Sayf al-Muluk, said to him, “O my son,
+what hath afflicted thee? What is this portrait whereof thou art
+enamoured? And why didst thou not tell me.” He replied, “O my sire, I
+was ashamed to name this to thee and could not bring myself to discover
+aught thereof to any one at all; but now thou knowest my case, look how
+thou mayest do to cure me.” Rejoined his father, “What is to be done?
+Were this one of the daughters of men we might devise a device for
+coming at her; but she is a King’s daughter of the Jinns and who can
+woo and win her, save it be Solomon David-son, and hardly he?[FN#390]
+However, O my son, do thou arise forthright and hearten thy heart and
+take horse and ride out a-hunting or to weapon-play in the Maydan.
+Divert thyself with eating and drinking and put away cark and care from
+thy heart, and I will bring thee an hundred maids of the daughters of
+Kings; for thou hast no need to the daughters of the Jann, over whom we
+lack controul and of kind other than ours.” But he said, “I cannot
+renounce her nor will I seek other than her.” Asked King Asim, “How
+then shall we do, O my son?”; and Sayf al-Muluk answered, “Bring us all
+the merchants and travellers and wanderers in the city, that we may
+question them thereof. Peradventure, Allah will lead us to the city of
+Babel and the garden of Iram.” So King Asim bade summon all the
+merchants in the city and strangers and sea-captains and, as each came,
+enquired of him anent the city of Babel and its peninsula[FN#391] and
+the garden of Iram; but none of them knew these places nor could any
+give him tidings thereof. However, when the séance broke up, one of
+them said, “O King of the Age, an thou be minded to ken this thing, up
+and hie thee to the land of China; for it hath a vast city[FN#392] and
+a safe, wherein are store of rarities and things of price and folk of
+all kinds; and thou shalt not come to the knowledge of this city and
+garden but from its folk; it may be one of them will direct thee to
+that thou seekest.” Whereupon quoth Sayf al-Muluk, “O my sire, equip me
+a ship, that I may fare to the China-land; and do thou rule the reign
+in my stead.” Replied the old King, “O my son, abide thou on the throne
+of thy kingship and govern thy commons, and I myself will make the
+voyage to China and ask for thee of the city of Babel and the garden of
+Iram.” But Sayf al-Muluk rejoined, “O my sire, in very sooth this
+affair concerneth me and none can search after it like myself: so, come
+what will, an thou give me leave to make the voyage, I will depart and
+wander awhile. If I find trace or tidings of her, my wish will be won,
+and if not, belike the voyage will broaden my breast and recruit my
+courage; and haply by foreign travel my case will be made easy to me,
+and if I live, I shall return to thee safe and sound.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-fourth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sayf al-Muluk
+said to his sire King Asim, “Equip me a ship that I may fare therein to
+the China-land and search for the object of my desire. If I live I
+shall return to thee safe and sound.” The old King looked at his son
+and saw nothing for it but to do what he desired; so he gave him the
+leave he wanted and fitted him forty ships, manned with twenty thousand
+armed Mamelukes, besides servants, and presented him with great plenty
+of money and necessaries and warlike gear, as much as he required. When
+the ships were laden with water and victual, weapons and troops, Sayf
+al-Muluk’s father and mother farewelled him and King Asim said,
+“Depart, O my son, and travel in weal and health and safety. I commend
+thee to Him with Whom deposits are not lost.”[FN#393] So the Prince
+bade adieu to his parents and embarked, with his brother Sa’id, and
+they weighed anchor and sailed till they came to the City of China.
+When the Chinamen heard of the coming of forty ships, full of armed men
+and stores, weapons and hoards, they made sure that these were enemies
+come to battle with them and seige them; so they bolted the gates of
+the town and made ready the mangonels.[FN#394] But Sayf al-Muluk,
+hearing of this, sent two of his Chief Mamelukes to the King of China,
+bidding them say to him, “This is Sayf al-Muluk, son of King Asim of
+Egypt, who is come to thy city as a guest, to divert himself by viewing
+thy country awhile, and not for conquest or contention; wherefore, an
+thou wilt receive him, he will come ashore to thee; and if not he will
+return and will not disquiet thee nor the people of thy capital.” They
+presented themselves at the city-gates and said, “We are messengers
+from King Sayf al-Muluk.” Whereupon the townsfolk opened the gates and
+carried them to their King, whose name was Faghfúr[FN#395] Shah and
+between whom and King Asim there had erst been acquaintance. So, when
+he heard that the new-comer Prince was the son of King Asim, he
+bestowed robes of honour on the messengers and, bidding open the gates,
+made ready guest-gifts and went forth in person with the chief officers
+of his realm, to meet Sayf al-Muluk, and the two Kings embraced. Then
+Faghfur said to his guest, “Well come and welcome and fair cheer to him
+who cometh to us! I am thy slave and the slave of thy sire: my city is
+between thy hands to command and whatso thou seekest shall be brought
+before thee.” Then he presented him with the guest-gifts and victual
+for the folk at their stations; and they took horse, with the Wazir
+Sa’id and the chiefs of their officers and the rest of their troops,
+and rode from the sea-shore to the city, which they entered with
+cymbals clashing and drums beating in token of rejoicing. There they
+abode in the enjoyment of fair entertainment for forty days, at the end
+of which quoth the King of China to Sayf al-Muluk, “O son of my
+brother, how is thy case[FN#396]? Doth my country please thee?”; and
+quoth Sayf al-Muluk, “May Allah Almighty long honour it with thee, O
+King!” Said Faghfur, “Naught hath brought thee hither save some need
+which hath occurred to thee; and whatso thou desirest of my country I
+will accomplish it to thee.” Replied Sayf al-Muluk, “O King, my case is
+a wondrous,” and told him how he had fallen in love with the portrait
+of Badi’a al-Jamal, and wept bitter tears. When the King of China heard
+his story, he wept for pity and solicitude for him and cried, “And what
+wouldst thou have now, O Sayf al-Muluk?”; and he rejoined, “I would
+have thee bring me all the wanderers and travellers, the seafarers and
+sea-captains, that I may question them of the original of this
+portrait; perhaps one of them may give me tidings of her.” So Faghfur
+Shah sent out his Nabobs and Chamberlains and body-guards to fetch all
+the wanderers and travellers in the land, and they brought them before
+the two Kings, and they were a numerous company. Then Sayf al-Muluk
+questioned them of the City of Babel and the Garden of Iram, but none
+of them returned him a reply, whereupon he was bewildered and wist not
+what to do; but one of the sea-captains said to him, “O auspicious
+King, an thou wouldst know of this city and that garden, up and hie
+thee to the Islands of the Indian realm.”[FN#397] Thereupon Sayf
+al-Muluk bade bring the ships; which being done, they freighted them
+with vivers and water and all that they needed, and the Prince and his
+Wazir re-embarked, with all their men, after they had farewelled King
+Faghfur Shah. They sailed the seas four months with a fair wind, in
+safety and satisfaction till it chanced that one day of the days there
+came out upon them a wind and the billows buffeted them from all
+quarters. The rain and hail[FN#398] descended on them and during twenty
+days the sea was troubled for the violence of the wind; wherefor the
+ships drave one against other and brake up, as did the carracks[FN#399]
+and all on board were drowned, except Sayf al-Muluk and some of his
+servants, who saved themselves in a little cock-boat. Then the wind
+fell by the decree of Allah Almighty and the sun shone out; whereupon
+Sayf al-Muluk opened his eyes and seeing no sign of the ships nor aught
+but sky and sea, said to the Mamelukes who were with him, “Where are
+the carracks and cock-boats and where is my brother Sa’id?” They
+replied, “O King of the Age, there remain nor ships nor boats nor those
+who were therein; for they are all drowned and become food for fishes.”
+Now when he heard this, he cried aloud and repeated the saying which
+whoso saith shall not be confounded, and it is, “There is no Majesty
+and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!” Then he
+fell to buffeting his face and would have cast himself into the sea,
+but his Mamelukes withheld him, saying “O King, what will this profit
+thee? Thou hast brought all this on thyself; for, hadst thou hearkened
+to thy father’s words, naught thereof had betided thee. But this was
+written from all eternity by the will of the Creator of Souls.”——And
+Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted
+say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-fifth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Sayf
+al-Muluk would have cast himself into the main, his Mamelukes withheld
+him saying, “What will this profit thee? Thou hast done this deed by
+thyself, yet was it written from all eternity by the will of the
+Creator of Souls, that the creature might accomplish that which Allah
+hath decreed unto him. And indeed, at the time of thy birth, the
+astrologers assured thy sire that all manner troubles should befal
+thee. So there is naught for it but patience till Allah deliver us from
+this our strait.” Replied the Prince, “There is no Majesty and there is
+no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Neither is there
+refuge nor fleeing from that which He decreeth!” And he sighed and
+recited these couplets,
+
+“By the Compassionate, I’m dazed about my case for lo! *
+     Troubles and griefs beset me sore; I know not whence they
+     grow.
+I will be patient, so the folk, that I against a thing *
+     Bitt’rer than very aloes’ self,[FN#400] endurèd have, may
+     know.
+Less bitter than my patience is the taste of aloes-juice; *
+     I’ve borne with patience what’s more hot than coals with
+     fire aglow.
+In this my trouble what resource have I, save to commit * My
+     case to Him who orders all that is, for weal or woe?”
+
+
+Then he became drowned in the depth of thoughts and his tears ran down
+upon his cheeks like torrent-rain; and he slept a while of the day,
+after which he awoke and sought of food somewhat. So they set meat
+before him and he ate his sufficiency, till they removed the food from
+before him, whilst the boat drove on with them they knew not whither it
+was wandering. It drifted with them at the will of the winds and the
+waves, night and day a great while, till their victual was spent and
+they saw themselves shent and were reduced to extreme hunger and thirst
+and exhaustion, when behold, suddenly they sighted an island from afar
+and the breezes wafted them on, till they came thither. Then, making
+the cock-boat fast to the coast and leaving one therein to guard it,
+they fared on into the island, where they found abundance of fruits
+of all colours and ate of them till they were satisfied. Presently,
+they saw a person sitting among those trees and he was long-faced,
+of strange favour and white of beard and body. He called to one of
+the Mamelukes by his name, saying, “Eat not of these fruits, for they
+are unripe; but come hither to me, that I may give thee to eat of the
+best and the ripest.” The slave looked at him and thought that he was
+one of the shipwrecked, who had made his way to that island; so he
+joyed with exceeding joy at sight of him and went close up to him,
+knowing not what was decreed to him in the Secret Purpose nor what
+was writ upon his brow. But, when he drew near, the stranger in human
+shape leapt upon him, for he was a Marid,[FN#401] and riding upon his
+shoulderblades and twisting one of his legs about his neck, let the
+other hang down upon his back, saying, “Walk on, fellow; for there is
+no escape for thee from me and thou art become mine ass.” Thereupon
+the Mameluke fell a-weeping and cried out to his comrades, “Alas, my
+lord! Flee ye forth of this wood and save yourselves, for one of the
+dwellers therein hath mounted on my shoulders, and the rest seek you,
+desiring to ride you like me.” When they heard these words, all fled
+down to the boat and pushed off to sea; whilst the islanders followed
+them into the water, saying, “Whither wend ye? Come, tarry with us and
+we will mount on your backs and give you meat and drink, and you shall
+be our donkeys.” Hearing this they hastened the more seawards till they
+left them in the distance and fared on, trusting in Allah Almighty; nor
+did they leave faring for a month, till another island rose before them
+and thereon they landed. Here they found fruits of various kinds and
+busied themselves with eating of them, when behold, they saw from afar,
+somewhat lying in the road, a hideous creature as it were a column of
+silver. So they went up to it and one of the men gave it a kick, when
+lo! it was a thing of human semblance, long of eyes and cloven of head
+and hidden under one of his ears, for he was wont, whenas he lay down
+to sleep, to spread one ear under his head, and cover his face with
+the other ear.[FN#402] He snatched up the Mameluke who had kicked him
+and carried him off into the middle of the island, and behold, it was
+all full of Ghuls who eat the sons of Adam. The man cried out to his
+fellows, “Save yourselves, for this is the island of the man-eating
+Ghuls, and they mean to tear me to bits and devour me.” When they heard
+these words they fled back to the boat, without gathering any store
+of the fruits and, putting out to sea, fared on some days till it so
+happened that they came to another island, where they found a high
+mountain. So they climbed to the top and there saw a thick copse. Now
+they were sore anhungered; so they took to eating of the fruits; but,
+before they were aware, there came upon them from among the trees black
+men of terrible aspect, each fifty cubits high with eye-teeth[FN#403]
+protruding from their mouths like elephants’ tusks; and, laying hands
+on Sayf al-Muluk and his company, carried them to their King, whom
+they found seated on a piece of black felt laid on a rock, and about
+him a great company of Zanzibar-blacks, standing in his service. The
+blackamoors who had captured the Prince and his Mamelukes set them
+before the King and said to him, “We found these birds among the
+trees”; and the King was sharp-set; so he took two of the servants and
+cut their throats and ate them;——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of
+day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-sixth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the
+Zanzibar-blacks took Sayf al-Muluk and his Mamelukes and set them
+before the King, saying, “O King, we came upon these birds among the
+trees.” Thereupon the King seized two of the Mamelukes and cut their
+throats and ate them; which, when Sayf al-Muluk saw, he feared for
+himself and wept and repeated these verses,
+
+“Familiar with my heart are woes and with them I * Who shunned
+     them; for familiar are great hearts and high.
+The woes I suffer are not all of single kind. * I have, thank
+     Allah, varied thousands to aby!”
+
+
+Then he signed and repeated these also,
+
+“The World hath shot me with its sorrows till * My heart is
+     coverèd with shafts galore;
+And now, when strike me other shafts, must break * Against th’
+     old points the points that latest pour.”
+
+
+When the King heard his weeping and wailing, he said, “Verily these
+birds have sweet voices and their song pleaseth me: put them in cages.”
+So they set them each in his own cage and hung them up at the King’s
+head that he might listen to their warbling. On this wise Sayf al-Muluk
+and his Mamelukes abode and the blackamoors gave them to eat and drink:
+and now they wept and now laughed, now spake and now were hushed,
+whilst the King of the blacks delighted in the sound of their voices.
+And so they continued for a long time. Now this King had a daughter
+married in another island who, hearing that her father had birds with
+sweet voices, sent a messenger to him seeking of him some of them. So
+he sent her, by her Cossid,[FN#404] Sayf al-Muluk and three of his men
+in four cages; and, when she saw them, they pleased her and she bade
+hang them up in a place over her head. The Prince fell to marvelling at
+that which had befallen him and calling to mind his former high and
+honourable estate and weeping for himself; and the three servants wept
+for themselves; and the King’s daughter deemed that they sang. Now it
+was her wont, whenever any one from the land of Egypt or elsewhere fell
+into her hands and he pleased her, to advance him to great favour with
+her; and by the decree of Allah Almighty it befel that, when she saw
+Sayf al-Muluk she was charmed by his beauty and loveliness and symmetry
+and perfect grace, and she commanded to entreat him and his companions
+with honour and to loose them from their cages. Now one day she took
+the Prince apart and would have him enjoy her; but he refused, saying,
+“O my lady, I am a banisht wight and with passion for a beloved one in
+piteous plight, nor with other will I consent to love-delight.” Then
+she coaxed him and importuned him, but he held aloof from her, and she
+could not approach him nor get her desire of him by any ways and means.
+At last, when she was weary of courting him in vain, she waxed wroth
+with him and his Mamelukes, and commanded that they should serve her
+and fetch her wood and water. In such condition they abode four years
+till Sayf al-Muluk became weary of his life and sent to intercede with
+the Princess, so haply she might release them and let them wend their
+ways and be at rest from that their hard labour. So she sent for him
+and said to him, “If thou wilt do my desire, I will free thee from this
+thy durance vile and thou shalt go to thy country, safe and sound.” And
+she wept and ceased not to humble herself to him and wheedle him, but
+he would not hearken to her words; whereupon she turned from him, in
+anger, and he and his companions abode on the island in the same
+plight. The islanders knew them for “The Princess’s birds” and durst
+not work them any wrong; and her heart was at ease concerning them,
+being assured that they could not escape from the island. So they used
+to absent themselves from her two and three days at a time and go round
+about the desert parts in all directions, gathering firewood, which
+they brought to the Princess’s kitchen; and thus they abode
+five[FN#405] years. Now one day it so chanced that the Prince and his
+men were sitting on the sea-shore, devising of what had befallen, and
+Sayf al-Muluk, seeing himself and his men in such case, bethought him
+of his mother and father and his brother Sa’id and, calling to mind
+what high degree he had been in, fell a-weeping and lamenting passing
+sore, whilst his slaves wept likewise. Then said they to him, “O King
+of the Age, how long shall we weep? Weeping availeth not; for this
+thing was written on our brows by the ordinance of Allah, to whom
+belong Might and Majesty. Indeed, the Pen runneth with that He decreeth
+and nought will serve us but patience: haply Allah (extolled and
+exalted be He!) who hath saddened us shall gladden us!” Quoth he, “O my
+brothers, how shall we win free from this accursed woman? I see no way
+of escape for us, save Allah of his grace deliver us from her; but
+methinks we may flee and be at rest from this hard labour.” And quoth
+they, “O King of the Age, whither shall we flee? For the whole island
+is full of Ghuls which devour the Sons of Adam, and whithersoever we
+go, they will find us there and either eat us or capture and carry us
+back to that accursed, the King’s daughter, who will be wroth with us.”
+Sayf al-Muluk rejoined, “I will contrive you somewhat, whereby
+peradventure Allah Almighty shall deliver us and help us to escape from
+this island.” They asked, “And how wilt thou do?”; and he answered,
+“Let us cut some of these long pieces of wood, and twist ropes of their
+bark and bind them one with another, and make of them a raft[FN#406]
+which we will launch and load with these fruits: then we will fashion
+us paddles and embark on the raft after breaking our bonds with the
+axe. It may be that Almighty Allah will make it the means of our
+deliverance from this accursed woman and vouchsafe us a fair wind to
+bring us to the land of Hind, for He over all things is Almighty!” Said
+they, “Right is thy rede,” and rejoiced thereat with exceeding joy. So
+they arose without stay or delay and cut with their axes wood for the
+raft and twisted ropes to bind the logs and at this they worked a whole
+month. Every day about evening they gathered somewhat of fuel and bore
+it to the Princess’s kitchen, and employed the rest of the twenty-four
+hours working at the raft.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sayf
+al-Muluk and his Mamelukes, having cut the wood and twisted the ropes
+for their raft, made an end of it and launched it upon the sea; then,
+after breaking their bonds with the axe, and loading the craft with
+fruits plucked from the island-trees, they embarked at close of day;
+nor did any wot of their intent. They put out to sea in their raft and
+paddled on four months, knowing not whither the craft carried them,
+till their provaunt failed them and they were suffering the severest
+extreme of hunger and thirst, when behold, the sea waxed troubled and
+foamed and rose in high waves, and there came forth upon them a
+frightful crocodile,[FN#407] which put out its claw and catching up one
+of the Mamelukes swallowed him. At the sight of this horror Sayf
+al-Muluk wept bitterly and he and the two men[FN#408] that remained to
+him pushed off from the place where they had seen the crocodile, sore
+affrighted. After this they continued drifting on till one day they
+espied a mountain terrible tall and spiring high in air, whereat they
+rejoiced, when presently an island appeared. They made towards it with
+all their might congratulating one another on the prospect of making
+land; but hardly had they sighted the island on which was the mountain,
+when the sea changed face and boiled and rose in big waves and a second
+crocodile raised its head and putting out its claw caught up the two
+remaining Mamelukes and swallowed them. So Sayf al-Muluk abode alone,
+and making his way to the island, toiled till he reached the
+mountain top, where he looked about and found a copse, and walking
+among the trees fell to eating of the fruits. Presently, he saw among
+the branches more than twenty great apes, each bigger than a he-mule,
+whereat he was seized with exceeding fear. The apes came down and
+surrounded him;[FN#409] then they forewent him, signing to him to
+follow them, and walked on, and he too, till he came to a castle, tall
+of base and strong of build whose ordinance was one brick of gold and
+one of silver. The apes entered and he after them, and he saw in the
+castle all manner of rarities, jewels and precious metals such as
+tongue faileth to describe. Here also he found a young man, passing
+tall of stature with no hair on his cheeks, and Sayf al-Muluk was
+cheered by the sight for there was no human being but he in the castle.
+The stranger marvelled exceedingly at sight of the Prince and asked
+him, “What is thy name and of what land art thou and how camest thou
+hither? Tell me thy tale and hide from me naught thereof.” Answered the
+Prince, “By Allah, I came not hither of my own consent nor is this
+place of my intent; yet I cannot but go from place to place till I win
+my wish.” Quoth the youth, “And what is thy object?”; and quoth the
+other, “I am of the land of Egypt and my name is Sayf al-Muluk son of
+King Asim bin Safwan”; and told him all that had passed with him, from
+first to last. Whereupon the youth arose and stood in his service,
+saying, “O King of the Age, I was erst in Egypt and heard that thou
+hadst gone to the land of China; but where is this land and where lies
+China-land?[FN#410] Verily, this is a wondrous thing and marvellous
+matter!” Answered the Prince, “Sooth thou speakest but, when I left
+China-land, I set out, intending for the land of Hind and a stormy wind
+arose and the sea boiled and broke all my ships”; brief, he told him
+all that had befallen him till he came thither; whereupon quoth the
+other, “O King’s son, thou hast had enough of strangerhood and its
+sufferings; Alhamdolillah,—praised be Allah who hath brought thee
+hither! So now do thou abide with me, that I may enjoy thy company till
+I die, when thou shalt become King over this island, to which no bound
+is known, and these apes thou seest are indeed skilled in all manner of
+crafts; and whatso thou seekest here shalt thou find.” Replied Sayf
+al-Muluk, “O my brother I may not tarry in any place till my wish be
+won, albeit I compass the whole world in pursuit thereof and make quest
+of every one so peradventure Allah may bring me to my desire or my
+course lead me to the place wherein is the appointed term of my days,
+and I shall die my death.” Then the youth turned with a sign to one of
+the apes, and he went out and was absent awhile, after which he
+returned with other apes girt with silken zones.[FN#411] They brought
+the trays and set on near[FN#412] an hundred chargers of gold and
+saucers of silver, containing all manner of meats. Then they stood,
+after the manner of servants between the hands of Kings, till the youth
+signalled to the Chamberlains, who sat down, and he whose wont it was
+to serve stood, whilst the two Princes ate their sufficiency. Then the
+apes cleared the table and brought basins and ewers of gold, and they
+washed their hands in rose-water; after which they set on fine sugar
+and nigh forty flagons, in each a different kind of wine, and they
+drank and took their pleasure and made merry and had a fine time. And
+all the apes danced and gambolled before them, what while the eaters
+sat at meat; which when Sayf al-Muluk saw, he marvelled at them and
+forgot that which had befallen him of sufferings.——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-eighth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Sayf
+al-Muluk saw the gestures and gambols of the apes, he marvelled thereat
+and forgot that which had betided him of strangerhood and its
+sufferings. At nightfall they lighted waxen candles in candlesticks of
+gold studded with gems and set on dishes of confections and fruits of
+sugar-candy. So they ate; and when the hour of rest was come, the apes
+spread them bedding and they slept. And when morning morrowed, the
+young man arose, as was his wont, before sunrise and waking Sayf
+al-Muluk said to him, “Put thy head forth of this lattice and see what
+standeth beneath it.” So he put out his head and saw the wide waste and
+all the wold filled with apes, whose number none knew save Allah
+Almighty. Quoth he, “Here be great plenty of apes, for they cover the
+whole country: but why are they assembled at this hour?” Quoth the
+youth, “This is their custom. Every Sabbath,[FN#413] all the apes in
+the island come hither, some from two and three days’ distance, and
+stand here till I awake from sleep and put forth my head from this
+lattice, when they kiss ground before me and go about their business.”
+So saying, he put his head out of the window; and when the apes saw
+him, they kissed the earth before him and went their way. Sayf al-Muluk
+abode with the young man a whole month when he farewelled him and
+departed, escorted by a party of nigh a hundred apes, which the young
+man bade escort him. They journeyed with him seven days, till they came
+to the limits of their islands,[FN#414] when they took leave of him and
+returned to their places, while Sayf al-Muluk fared on alone over mount
+and hill, desert and plain, four months’ journey, one day anhungered
+and the next satiated, now eating of the herbs of the earth and then of
+the fruits of the trees, till he repented him of the harm he had done
+himself by leaving the young man; and he was about to retrace his steps
+to him, when he saw something black afar off and said to himself, “Is
+this a city or trees? But I will not turn back till I see what it is.”
+So he made towards it and when he drew near, he saw that it was a
+palace tall of base. Now he who built it was Japhet son of Noah (on
+whom be peace!) and it is of this palace that God the Most High
+speaketh in His precious Book, whenas He saith, “And an abandoned well
+and a high-builded palace.”[FN#415] Sayf al-Muluk sat down at the gate
+and said in his mind, “Would I knew what is within yonder palace and
+what King dwelleth there and who shall acquaint me whether its folk are
+men or Jinn? Who will tell me the truth of the case?” He sat
+considering awhile, but, seeing none go in or come out, he rose and
+committing himself to Allah Almighty entered the palace and walked on,
+till he had counted seven vestibules; yet saw no one. Presently looking
+to his right he beheld three doors, while before him was a fourth, over
+which hung a curtain. So he went up to this and raising the curtain,
+found himself in a great hall[FN#416] spread with silken carpets. At
+the upper end rose a throne of gold whereon sat a damsel, whose face
+was like the moon, arrayed in royal raiment and beautified as she were
+a bride on the night of her displaying; and at the foot of the throne
+was a table of forty trays spread with golden and silvern dishes full
+of dainty viands. The Prince went up and saluted her, and she returned
+his salam, saying, “Art thou of mankind or of the Jinn?” Replied he, “I
+am a man of the best of mankind;[FN#417] for I am a King, son of a
+King.” She rejoined, “What seekest thou? Up with thee and eat of yonder
+food, and after tell me thy past from first to last and how thou camest
+hither.” So he sat down at the table and removing the cover from a tray
+of meats (he being hungry), ate till he was full; then washed his right
+hand and going up to the throne, sat down by the damsel who asked him,
+“Who art thou and what is thy name and whence comest thou and who
+brought thee hither?” He answered, “Indeed my story is a long but do
+thou first tell me who and what and whence thou art and why thou
+dwellest in this place alone.” She rejoined, “My name is Daulat
+Khátún[FN#418] and I am the daughter of the King of Hind. My father
+dwelleth in the Capital-city of Sarandíb and hath a great and goodly
+garden, there is no goodlier in all the land of Hind or its
+dependencies; and in this garden is a great tank. One day, I went out
+into the garden with my slave-women and I stripped me naked and they
+likewise and, entering the tank, fell to sporting and solacing
+ourselves therein. Presently, before I could be ware, a something as it
+were a cloud swooped down on me and snatching me up from amongst my
+handmaids, soared aloft with me betwixt heaven and earth, saying, ‘Fear
+not, O Daulat Khatun, but be of good heart.’ Then he flew on with me a
+little while, after which he set me down in this palace and straightway
+without stay or delay became a handsome young man daintily apparelled,
+who said to me, ‘Now dost thou know me?’ Replied I, ‘No, O my lord’;
+and he said, ‘I am the Blue King, Sovran of the Jann; my father
+dwelleth in the Castle Al-Kulzum[FN#419] hight, and hath under his hand
+six hundred thousand Jinn, flyers and divers. It chanced that while
+passing on my way I saw thee and fell in love with thee for thy lovely
+form: so I swooped down on thee and snatched thee up from among the
+slave-girls and brought thee to this the High-builded Castle, which is
+my dwelling-place. None may fare hither be he man or be he Jinni, and
+from Hind hither is a journey of an hundred and twenty years: wherefore
+do thou hold that thou wilt never again behold the land of thy father
+and thy mother; so abide with me here, in contentment of heart and
+peace, and I will bring to thy hands whatso thou seekest.’ Then he
+embraced me and kissed me,”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and
+ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Sixty-ninth Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the damsel
+said to Sayf al-Muluk, “Then the King of the Jann, after he had
+acquainted me with his case, embraced me and kissed me, saying, ‘Abide
+here and fear nothing’; whereupon he went away from me for an hour and
+presently returned with these tables and carpets and furniture. He
+comes to me every Third[FN#420] and abideth with me three days and on
+Friday, at the time of mid-afternoon prayer, he departeth and is absent
+till the following Third. When he is here, he eateth and drinketh and
+kisseth and huggeth me, but doth naught else with me, and I am a pure
+virgin, even as Allah Almighty created me. My father’s name is Táj
+al-Mulúk, and he wotteth not what is come of me nor hath he hit upon
+any trace of me. This is my story: now tell me thy tale.” Answered the
+Prince, “My story is a long and I fear lest while I am telling it to
+thee the Ifrit come.” Quoth she “He went out from me but an hour before
+thy entering and will not return till Third: so sit thee down and take
+thine ease and hearten thy heart and tell me what hath betided thee,
+from beginning to end.” And quoth he, “I hear and I obey.” So he fell
+to telling her all that had befallen him from commencement to
+conclusion but, when she heard speak of Badi’a al-Jamal, her eyes ran
+over with railing tears and she cried, “O Badi’a al-Jamal, I had not
+thought this of thee! Alack for our luck! O Badi’a al-Jamal, dost thou
+not remember me nor say, ‘My sister Daulat Khatun whither is she
+gone?’” And her weeping redoubled, lamenting for that Badi’a al-Jamal
+had forgotten her.[FN#421] Then said Sayf al-Muluk, “O Daulat Khatun,
+thou art a mortal and she is a Jinniyah: how then can she be thy
+sister?” Replied the Princess, “She is my sister by fosterage and this
+is how it came about. My mother went out to solace herself in the
+garden, when labour-pangs seized her and she bare me. Now the mother of
+Badi’a al-Jamal chanced to be passing with her guards, when she also
+was taken with travail-pains; so she alighted in a side of the garden
+and there brought forth Badi’a al-Jamal. She despatched one of her
+women to seek food and childbirth-gear of my mother, who sent her what
+she sought and invited her to visit her. So she came to her with Badi’a
+al-Jamal and my mother suckled the child, who with her mother tarried
+with us in the garden two months. And before wending her ways the
+mother of Badi’a al-Jamal gave my mother somewhat,[FN#422] saying,
+‘When thou hast need of me, I will come to thee a-middlemost the
+garden,’ and departed to her own land; but she and her daughter used to
+visit us every year and abide with us awhile before returning home.
+Wherefore an I were with my mother, O Sayf al-Muluk, and if thou wert
+with me in my own country and Badi’a al-Jamal and I were together as of
+wont, I would devise some device with her to bring thee to thy desire
+of her: but I am here and they know naught of me; for that an they
+kenned what is become of me, they have power to deliver me from this
+place; however, the matter is in Allah’s hands (extolled and exalteth
+be He!) and what can I do?” Quoth Sayf al-Muluk, “Rise and let us flee
+and go whither the Almighty willeth;” but, quoth she, “We cannot do
+that: for, by Allah, though we fled hence a year’s journey that
+accursed would overtake us in an hour and slaughter us.” Then said the
+Prince, “I will hide myself in his way, and when he passeth by I will
+smite him with the sword and slay him.” Daulat Khatun replied, “Thou
+canst not succeed in slaying him save thou slay his soul.” Asked he, “And
+where is his soul?”; and she answered, “Many a time have I questioned
+him thereof but he would not tell me, till one day I pressed him and he
+waxed wroth with me and said to me, ‘How often wilt thou ask me of my
+soul? What hast thou to do with my soul?’ I rejoined, ‘O Hátim,[FN#423]
+there remaineth none to me but thou, except Allah; and my life
+dependeth on thy life and whilst thou livest, all is well for me; so,
+except I care for thy soul and set it in the apple of this mine eye,
+how shall I live in thine absence? An I knew where thy soul abideth, I
+would never cease whilst I live, to hold it in mine embrace and would
+keep it as my right eye.’ Whereupon said he to me, ‘What time I was
+born, the astrologers predicted that I should lose my soul at the hands
+of the son of a king of mankind. So I took it and set it in the crop of
+a sparrow, and shut up the bird in a box. The box I set in a casket,
+and enclosing this in seven other caskets and seven chests, laid the
+whole in a alabastrine coffer,[FN#424] which I buried within the marge
+of yon earth-circling sea; for that these parts are far from the world
+of men and none of them can win hither. So now see I have told thee
+what thou wouldst know, and do thou tell none thereof, for it is a
+secret between me and thee.’”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventieth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Daulat
+Khatun acquainted Sayf al-Muluk with the whereabouts of the soul of the
+Jinni who had carried her off and repeated to him his speech ending
+with, “And this is a secret between me and thee!” “I rejoined,” quoth
+she, “‘To whom should I tell it, seeing that none but thou cometh
+hither with whom I may talk thereof?’ adding, ‘By Allah, thou hast
+indeed set thy soul in the strongest of strongholds to which none may
+gain access! How should a man win to it, unless the impossible be
+fore-ordained and Allah decree like as the astrologers predicted?’
+Thereupon the Jinni, ‘Peradventure one may come, having on his finger
+the seal-ring of Solomon son of David (on the twain be peace!) and
+lay his hand with the ring on the face of the water, saying, ‘By the
+virtue of the names engraven upon this ring, let the soul of such an
+one come forth!’ Whereupon the coffer will rise to the surface and he
+will break it open and do the like with the chests and caskets, till he
+come to the little box, when he will take out the sparrow and strangle
+it, and I shall die.’” Then said Sayf al-Muluk, “I am the King’s son
+of whom he spake, and this is the ring of Solomon David-son on my
+finger: so rise, let us go down to the sea-shore and see if his words
+be leal or leasing!” Thereupon the two walked down to the sea-shore
+and the Princess stood on the beach, whilst the Prince waded into the
+water to his waist and laying his hand with the ring on the surface
+of the sea, said, “By the virtue of the names and talismans engraven
+on this ring, and by the might of Sulayman bid Dáúd (on whom be the
+Peace!), let the soul of Hatim the Jinni, son of the Blue King, come
+forth!” Whereat the sea boiled in billows and the coffer of alabaster
+rose to the surface. Sayf al-Muluk took it and shattered it against
+the rock and broke open the chests and caskets, till he came to the
+little box and drew thereout the sparrow. Then the twain returned to
+the castle and sat down on the throne; but hardly had they done this,
+when lo and behold! there arose a dust-cloud terrifying and some huge
+thing came flying and crying, “Spare me, O King’s son, and slay me
+not; but make me thy freedman, and I will bring thee to thy desire!”
+Quoth Daulat Khatun, “The Jinni cometh; slay the sparrow, lest this
+accursed enter the palace and take it from thee and slaughter me and
+slaughter thee after me.” So the Prince wrung the sparrow’s neck and
+it died, whereupon the Jinni fell down at the palace-door and became
+a heap of black ashes. Then said Daulat Khatun, “We are delivered
+from the hand of yonder accursed; what shall we do now?”; and Sayf
+al-Muluk replied, “It behoveth us to ask aid of Allah Almighty who hath
+afflicted us; belike He will direct us and help us to escape from this
+our strait.” So saying, he arose and pulling up[FN#425] half a score of
+the doors of the palace, which were of sandal-wood and lign-aloes with
+nails of gold and silver, bound them together with ropes of silk and
+floss[FN#426]-silk and fine linen and wrought of them a raft, which he
+and the Princess aided each other to hale down to the sea-shore. They
+launched it upon the water till it floated and, making it fast to the
+beach, returned to the palace, whence they removed all the chargers of
+gold and saucers of silver and jewels and precious stones and metals
+and what else was light of load and weighty of worth and freighted the
+raft therewith. Then they embarked after fashioning two pieces of wood
+into the likeness of paddles and casting off the rope-moorings, let
+the raft drift out to sea with them, committing themselves to Allah
+the Most High, who contenteth those that put their trust in Him and
+disappointeth not them who rely upon Him. They ceased not faring on
+thus four months until their victual was exhausted and their sufferings
+waxed severe and their souls were straitened; so they prayed Allah to
+vouchsafe them deliverance from that danger. But all this time when
+they lay down to sleep, Sayf al-Muluk set Daulat Khatun behind him
+and laid a naked brand at his back, so that, when he turned in sleep
+the sword was between them.[FN#427] At last it chanced one night,
+when Sayf al-Muluk was asleep and Daulat Khatun awake, that behold,
+the raft drifted landwards and entered a port wherein were ships. The
+Princess saw the ships and heard a man, he being the chief and head
+of the captains, talking with the sailors; whereby she knew that this
+was the port of some city and that they were come to an inhabited
+country. So she joyed with exceeding joy and waking the Prince said
+to him, “Ask the captain the name of the city and harbour.” Thereupon
+Sayf al-Muluk arose and said to the captain, “O my brother, how is
+this harbour hight and what be the names of yonder city and its King?”
+Replied the Captain, “O false face![FN#428] O frosty beard! an thou
+knew not the name of this port and city, how camest thou hither?” Quoth
+Sayf al-Muluk, “I am a stranger and had taken passage in a merchant
+ship which was wrecked and sank with all on board; but I saved myself
+on a plank and made my way hither; wherefore I asked thee the name
+of the place, and in asking is no offence.” Then said the captain,
+“This is the city of ‘Amáriyah and this harbour is called Kamín
+al-Bahrayn.”[FN#429] When the Princess heard this she rejoiced with
+exceeding joy and said, “Praised be Allah!” He asked, “What is to do?”;
+and she answered, “O Sayf al-Muluk, rejoice in succour near hand; for
+the King of this city is my uncle, my father’s brother.”——And Shahrazad
+perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-first Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Daulat
+Khatun said to Sayf al-Muluk, “Rejoice in safety near hand; for the
+King of this city is my uncle, my father’s brother and his name is ‘Ali
+al-Mulúk,”[FN#430] adding, “Say thou then to the captain, ‘Is the
+Sultan of the city, Ali al-Muluk, well?’” He asked but the captain was
+wroth with him and cried, “Thou sayest, ‘I am a stranger and never in
+my life came hither.’ Who then told thee the name of the lord of the
+city?” When Daulat Khatun heard this, she rejoiced and knew him for
+Mu’ín al-Dín,[FN#431] one of her father’s captains. Now he had fared
+forth in search of her, after she was lost and finding her not, he
+never ceased cruising till he came to her uncle’s city. Then she bade
+Sayf al-Muluk say to him, “O Captain Mu’in al-Din, come and speak with
+thy mistress!” So he called out to him as she bade, whereat he was
+wroth with exceeding wrath and answered, “O dog, O thief, O spy, who
+art thou and how knowest thou me?” Then he said to one of the sailors,
+“Give me an ash[FN#432]-stave, that I may go to yonder plaguing Arab
+and break his head.” So he took the stick and made for Sayf al-Muluk,
+but, when he came to the raft, he saw a something, wondrous, beauteous,
+which confounded his wits and considering it straitly he made sure that
+it was Daulat Khatun sitting there, as she were a slice of the moon;
+whereat he said to the Prince, “Who is that with thee?” Replied he, “A
+damsel by name Daulat Khatun.” When the captain heard the Princess’s
+name and knew that she was his mistress and the daughter of his King,
+he fell down in a fainting-fit, and when he came to himself, he left
+the raft and whatso was thereon and riding up to the palace, craved an
+audience of the King; whereupon the chamberlain went in to the presence
+and said, “Captain Mu’in al-Din is come to bring thee good news; so bid
+he be brought in.” The King bade admit him; accordingly he entered and
+kissing ground[FN#433] said to him, “O King, thou owest me a gift for
+glad tidings; for thy brother’s daughter Daulat Khatun hath reached our
+city safe and sound, and is now on a raft in the harbour, in company
+with a young man like the moon on the night of its full.” When the King
+heard this, he rejoiced and conferred a costly robe of honour on the
+captain. Then he straightway bade decorate the city in honour of the
+safe return of his brother’s daughter, and sending for her and Sayf
+al-Muluk, saluted the twain and gave them joy of their safety; after
+which he despatched a messenger to his brother, to let him know that
+his daughter was found and was with him. As soon as the news reached
+Taj al-Muluk he gat him ready and assembling his troops set out for his
+brother’s capital, where he found his daughter and they rejoiced with
+exceeding joy. He sojourned with his brother a week, after which he
+took his daughter and Sayf al-Muluk and returned to Sarandib, where the
+Princess foregathered with her mother and they rejoiced at her safe
+return; and held high festival and that day was a great day, never was
+seen its like. As for Sayf al-Muluk, the King entreated him with honour
+and said to him, “O Sayf al-Muluk, thou hast done me and my daughter
+all this good for which I cannot requite thee nor can any requite thee,
+save the Lord of the three Worlds; but I wish thee to sit upon the
+throne in my stead and rule the land of Hind, for I offer thee of my
+throne and kingdom and treasures and servants, all this in free gift to
+thee.” Whereupon Sayf al-Muluk rose and kissing the ground before the
+King, thanked him and answered, “O King of the Age, I accept all thou
+givest me and return it to thee in freest gift; for I, O King of the
+Age, covet not sovranty nor sultanate nor desire aught but that Allah
+the Most High bring me to my desire.” Rejoined the King, “O Sayf
+al-Muluk these my treasures are at thy disposal: take of them what thou
+wilt, without consulting me, and Allah requite thee for me with all
+weal!” Quoth the Prince, “Allah advance the King! There is no delight
+for me in money or in dominion till I win my wish: but now I have a
+mind to solace myself in the city and view its thoroughfares and
+market-streets.” So the King bade bring him a mare of the
+thoroughbreds, saddled and bridled; and Sayf al-Muluk mounted her and
+rode through the streets and markets of the city. As he looked about
+him right and left, lo! his eyes fell on a young man, who was carrying
+a tunic and crying it for sale at fifteen dinars: so he considered him
+and saw him to be like his brother Sa’id; and indeed it was his very
+self, but he was wan of blee and changed for long strangerhood and the
+travails of travel, so that he knew him not. However, he said to his
+attendants, “Take yonder youth and carry him to the palace where I
+lodge, and keep him with you till my return from the ride when I will
+question him.” But they understood him to say, “Carry him to the
+prison,” and said in themselves “Haply this is some runaway Mameluke of
+his.” So they took him and bore him to the bridewell, where they laid
+him in irons and left him seated in solitude, unremembered by any.
+Presently Sayf al-Muluk returned to the palace, but he forgot his
+brother Sa’id, and none made mention of him. So he abode in prison, and
+when they brought out the prisoners, to cut ashlar from the quarries
+they took Sa’id with them, and he wrought with the rest. He abode a
+month’s space, in this squalor and sore sorrow, pondering his case and
+saying in himself, “What is the cause of my imprisonment?”; while Sayf
+al-Muluk’s mind was diverted from him by rejoicing and other things;
+but one day, as he sat, he bethought him of Sa’id and said to his
+Mamelukes, “Where is the white slave I gave into your charge on such a
+day?” Quoth they, “Didst thou not bid us bear him to the bridewell?”;
+and quoth he, “Nay, I said not so; I bade you carry him to my palace
+after the ride.” Then he sent his Chamberlains and Emirs for Sa’id and
+they fetched him in fetters, and loosing him from his irons set him
+before the Prince, who asked him, “O young man, what countryman art
+thou?”; and he answered, “I am from Egypt and my name is Sa’id, son of
+Faris the Wazir.” Now hearing these words Sayf al-Muluk sprang to his
+feet and throwing himself off the throne and upon his friend, hung on
+his neck, weeping aloud for very joy and saying, “O my brother, O
+Sa’id, praise be Allah for that I see thee alive! I am thy brother Sayf
+al-Muluk, son of King Asim.” Then they embraced and shed tears together
+and all who were present marvelled at them. After this Sayf al-Muluk
+bade his people bear Sa’id to the Hammam-bath: and they did so. When he
+came out, they clad him in costly clothing and carried him back to Sayf
+al-Muluk who seated him on the throne beside himself. When King Taj
+al-Muluk heard of the reunion of Sayf al-Muluk and his brother Sa’id,
+he joyed with joy exceeding and came to them, and the three sat
+devising of all that had befallen them in the past from first to last.
+Then said Sa’id, “O my brother, O Sayf al-Muluk, when the ship sank
+with all on board I saved myself on a plank with a company of Mamelukes
+and it drifted with us a whole month, when the wind cast us, by the
+ordinance of Allah Almighty, upon an island. So we landed and entering
+among the trees took to eating of the fruits, for we were anhungered.
+Whilst we were busy eating, there fell on us unawares, folk like
+Ifrits[FN#434] and springing on our shoulders rode us[FN#435] and said
+to us, ‘Go on with us; for ye are become our asses.’ So I said to him
+who had mounted me, ‘What art thou and why mountest thou me?’ At this
+he twisted one of his legs about my neck, till I was all but dead, and
+beat upon my back the while with the other leg, till I thought he had
+broken my backbone. So I fell to the ground on my face, having no
+strength left in me for famine and thirst. From my fall he knew that I
+was hungry and taking me by the hand, led me to a tree laden with fruit
+which was a pear-tree[FN#436] and said to me, ‘Eat thy fill of this
+tree.’ So I ate till I had enough and rose to walk against my will;
+but, ere I had fared afar the creature turned and leaping on my
+shoulders again drove me on, now walking, now running and now trotting,
+and he the while mounted on me, laughing and saying, ‘Never in my life
+saw I a donkey like unto thee!’ We abode thus for years till, one day
+of the days, it chanced that we saw there great plenty of vines,
+covered with ripe fruit; so we gathered a quantity of grape-bunches and
+throwing them into a pit, trod them with our feet, till the pit became
+a great water-pool. Then we waited awhile and presently returning
+thither, found that the sun had wroughten on the grape-juice and it was
+become wine. So we used to drink it till we were drunken and our faces
+flushed and we fell to singing and dancing and running about in the
+merriment of drunkenness;[FN#437] whereupon our masters said to us,
+‘What is it that reddeneth your faces and maketh you dance and sing?’
+We replied, ‘Ask us not, what is your quest in questioning us hereof?’
+But they insisted, saying, ‘You must tell us so that we may know the
+truth of the case,’ till we told them how we had pressed grapes and
+made wine. Quoth they, ‘Give us to drink thereof’; but quoth we, ‘The
+grapes are spent.’ So they brought us to a Wady, whose length we knew
+not from its breadth nor its beginning from its end wherein were vines
+each bunch of grapes on them weighing twenty pounds[FN#438] by the
+scale and all within easy reach, and they said, ‘Gather of these.’ So
+we gathered a mighty great store of grapes and finding there a big
+trench bigger than the great tank in the King’s garden we filled it
+full of fruit. This we trod with our feet and did with the juice as
+before till it became strong wine, which it did after a month;
+whereupon we said to them, ’Tis come to perfection; but in what will
+ye drink it?’ And they replied, ‘We had asses like unto you; but we ate
+them and kept their heads: so give us to drink in their skulls.’ We
+went to their caves which we found full of heads and bones of the Sons
+of Adam, and we gave them to drink, when they became drunken and lay
+down, nigh two hundred of them. Then we said to one another, ‘Is it not
+enough that they should ride us, but they must eat us also? There is no
+Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!
+But we will ply them with wine, till they are overcome by drunkenness,
+when we will slay them and be at rest from them.’ Accordingly, we awoke
+them and fell to filling the skulls and gave them to drink, but they
+said, ‘This is bitter.’ We replied, ‘Why say ye ’tis bitter? Whoso
+saith thus, except he drink of it ten times, he dieth the same day.’
+When they heard this, they feared death and cried to us, ‘Give us to
+drink the whole ten times.’ So we gave them to drink, and when they had
+swallowed the rest of the ten draughts they waxed drunken exceedingly
+and their strength failed them and they availed not to mount us.
+Thereupon we dragged them together by their hands and laying them one
+upon another, collected great plenty of dry vine-stalks and branches
+and heaped it about and upon them: then we set fire to the pile and
+stood afar off, to see what became of them.”——And Shahrazad perceived
+the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-second Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sa’id
+continued:—When we set fire to the pile wherein were the Ghuls, I with
+the Mamelukes stood afar off to see what became of them; and, as soon
+the fire was burnt out, we came back and found them a heap of ashes,
+wherefore we praised Allah Almighty who had delivered us from them.
+Then we went forth about the island and sought the sea-shore, where we
+parted and I and two of the Mamelukes fared on till we came to a thick
+copse full of fruit and there busied ourselves with eating, and behold,
+presently up came a man tall of stature, long of beard and lengthy of
+ear, with eyes like cressets, driving before him and feeding a great
+flock of sheep.[FN#439] When he saw us he rejoiced and said to us,
+‘Well come, and fair welcome to you! Draw near me that I may slaughter
+you an ewe of these sheep and roast it and give you to eat.’ Quoth we,
+‘Where is thine abode?’ And quoth he, ‘Hard by yonder mountain; go on
+towards it till ye come to a cave and enter therein, for you will see
+many guests like yourselves; and do ye sit with them, whilst we make
+ready for you the guest-meal.’ We believed him so fared on, as he bade
+us, till we came to the cavern, where we found many guests, Sons of
+Adam like ourselves, but they were all blinded;[FN#440] and when we
+entered, one said, ‘I’m sick’; and another, ‘I’m weak.’ So we cried to
+them, ‘What is this you say and what is the cause of your sickness and
+weakness?’ They asked, ‘Who are ye?’; and we answered, ‘We are guests.’
+Then said they, ‘What hath made you fall into the hands of yonder
+accursed? But there is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah,
+the Glorious, the Great! This is a Ghul who devoureth the Sons of Adam
+and he hath blinded us and meaneth to eat us.’ Said we, ‘And how did he
+blind you?’ and they replied, ‘Even as he will blind yourselves anon.’
+Quoth we, ‘And how so?’ And quoth they, ‘He will bring you bowls of
+soured milk[FN#441] and will say to you, ‘Ye are weary with wayfare:
+take this milk and drink it.’ And when ye have drunken thereof, ye will
+become blind like us.’ Said I to myself, ‘There is no escape for us but
+by contrivance.’ So I dug a hole in the ground and sat over it. After
+an hour or so in came the accursed Ghul with bowls of milk, whereof he
+gave to each of us, saying, ‘Ye come from the desert and are athirst:
+so take this milk and drink it, whilst I roast you the flesh.’ I took
+the cup and carried it to my mouth but emptied it into the hole; then I
+cried out, ‘Alas! my sight is gone and I am blind!’ and clapping my
+hand to my eyes, fell a-weeping and a-wailing, whilst the accursed
+laughed and said, ‘Fear not, thou art now become like mine other
+guests.’ But, as for my two comrades, they drank the milk and became
+blind. Thereupon the Ghul arose and stopping up the mouth of the cavern
+came to me and felt my ribs, but found me lean and with no flesh on my
+bones: so he tried another and finding him fat, rejoiced. Then he
+slaughtered three sheep and skinned them and fetching iron spits,
+spitted the flesh thereon and set them over the fire to roast. When the
+meat was done, he placed it before my comrades who ate and he with
+them; after which he brought a leather-bag full of wine and drank
+thereof and lay down prone and snored. Said I to myself, ‘He’s drowned
+in sleep: how shall I slay him?’ Then I bethought me of the spits and
+thrusting two of them into the fire, waited till they were as red-hot
+coals: whereupon I arose and girded myself and taking a spit in each
+hand went up to the accursed Ghul and thrust them into his eyes,
+pressing upon them with all my might. He sprang to his feet for sweet
+life and would have laid hold of me; but he was blind. So I fled from
+him into the inner cavern, whilst he ran after me; but I found no place
+of refuge from him nor whence I might escape into the open country, for
+the cave was stopped up with stones; wherefore I was bewildered and
+said to the blind men, ‘How shall I do with this accursed?’ Replied one
+of them, ‘O Sa’id, with a run and a spring mount up to yonder
+niche[FN#442] and thou wilt find there a sharpened scymitar of copper:
+bring it to me and I will tell thee what to do.’ So I climbed to the
+niche and taking the blade, returned to the blind man, who said to me,
+‘Smite him with the sword in his middle, and he will die forthright.’
+So I rushed after the Ghul, who was weary with running after me and
+felt for the blind men that he might kill them and, coming up to him
+smote him with the sword a single stroke across his waist and he fell
+in twain. Then he screamed and cried out to me, “O man, an thou desire
+to slay me, strike me a second stroke.” Accordingly, I was about to
+smite him another cut; but he who had directed me to the niche and the
+scymitar said, “Smite him not a second time, for then he will not die,
+but will live and destroy us.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-third Night,
+
+She resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sa’id
+continued, “Now when I struck the Ghul with the sword he cried out to
+me, ‘O man, an thou desire to slay me, strike me a second stroke!” I
+was about so to do when he who had directed me to the scymitar said,
+‘Smite him not a second time, for then he will not die but will live
+and destroy us!’ So I held my hand as he bade me, and the Ghul died.
+Then said the blind man to me, ‘Open the mouth of the cave and let us
+fare forth; so haply Allah may help us and bring us to rest from this
+place.’ And I said, ‘No harm can come to us now; let us rather abide
+here and repose and eat of these sheep and drink of this wine, for long
+is the land.’ Accordingly we tarried there two months, eating of the
+sheep and of the fruits of the island and drinking the generous
+grape-juice till it so chanced one day, as we sat upon the beach, we
+caught sight of a ship looming large in the distance; so we made signs
+for the crew and holla’d to them. They feared to draw near, knowing
+that the island was inhabited by a Ghul[FN#443] who ate Adamites, and
+would have sheered off; but we ran down to the marge of the sea and
+made signs to them, with our turband-ends and shouted to them,
+whereupon one of the sailors, who was sharp of sight, said to the rest,
+“Harkye, comrades, I see these men formed like ourselves, for they have
+not the fashion of Ghuls.’ So they made for us, little by little, till
+they drew near us in the dinghy[FN#444] and were certified that we were
+indeed human beings, when they saluted us and we returned their salam
+and gave them the glad tidings of the slaying of the accursed,
+wherefore they thanked us. Then we carried to the ship all that was in
+the cave of stuffs and sheep and treasure, together with a viaticum of
+the island-fruits, such as should serve us days and months, and
+embarking, sailed on with a fair breeze three days; at the end of which
+the wind veered round against us and the air became exceeding dark; nor
+had an hour passed before the wind drave the craft on to a rock, where
+it broke up and its planks were torn asunder.[FN#445] However, the
+Great God decreed that I should lay hold of one of the planks, which I
+bestrode, and it bore me along two days, for the wind had fallen fair
+again, and I paddled with my feet awhile, till Allah the Most High
+brought me safe ashore and I landed and came to this city, where I
+found myself a stranger, solitary, friendless, not knowing what to do;
+for hunger was sore upon me and I was in great tribulation. Thereupon
+I, O my brother, hid myself and pulling off this my tunic, carried it
+to the market, saying in my mind, ‘I will sell it and live on its
+price, till Allah accomplish to me whatso he will accomplish.’ Then I
+took the tunic in my hand and cried it for sale, and the folk were
+looking at it and bidding for it, when, O my brother, thou camest by
+and seeing me commandedst me to the palace; but thy pages arrested and
+thrust me into the prison and there I abode till thou bethoughtest thee
+of me and badest bring me before thee. So now I have told thee what
+befel me, and Alhamdolillah—Glorified be God—for reunion!” Much
+marvelled the two Kings at Sa’id’s tale and Taj al-Muluk having made
+ready a goodly dwelling for Sayf al-Muluk and his Wazir, Daulat Khatun
+used to visit the Prince there and thank him for his favours and talk
+with him. One day, he met her and said to her, “O my lady, where is the
+promise thou madest me, in the palace of Japhet son of Noah, saying,
+‘Were I with my people, I would make shift to bring thee to thy
+desire?’” And Sa’id said to her, “O Princess, I crave thine aid to
+enable him to win his will.” Answered she, “Yea, verily; I will do my
+endeavour for him, that he may attain his aim, if it please Allah
+Almighty.” And she turned to Sayf al-Muluk and said to him, “Be of good
+cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear.” Then she rose and going in
+to her mother, said to her, “Come with me forthright and let us purify
+ourselves and make fumigations[FN#446] that Badi’a al-Jamal and her
+mother may come and see me and rejoice in me.” Answered the Queen,
+“With love and goodly gree;” and rising, betook herself to the garden
+and burnt off these perfumes which she always had by her; nor was it
+long before Badi’a al-Jamal and her mother made their appearance. The
+Queen of Hind foregathered with the other Queen and acquainted her with
+her daughter’s safe return, whereat she rejoiced; and Badi’a al-Jamal
+and Daulat Khatun foregathered likewise and rejoiced in each other.
+Then they pitched the pavilions[FN#447] and dressed dainty viands and
+made ready the place of entertainment; whilst the two Princesses
+withdrew to a tent apart and ate together and drank and made merry;
+after which they sat down to converse, and Badi’a al-Jamal said, “What
+hath befallen thee in thy strangerhood?” Replied Daulat Khatun, “O my
+sister how sad is severance and how gladsome is reunion; ask me not
+what hath befallen me! Oh, what hardships mortals suffer!” cried she,
+“How so?” and the other said to her, “O my sister, I was inmured in the
+High-builded Castle of Japhet son of Noah, whither the son of the Blue
+King carried me off till Sayf al-Muluk slew the Jinni and brought me
+back to my sire;” and she told her to boot all that the Prince had
+undergone of hardships and horrors before he came to the
+Castle.[FN#448] Badi’a al-Jamal marvelled at her tale and said, “By
+Allah, O my sister, this is the most wondrous of wonders! This Sayf
+al-Muluk is indeed a man! But why did he leave his father and mother
+and betake himself to travel and expose himself to these perils?” Quoth
+Daulat Khatun, “I have a mind to tell thee the first part of his
+history; but shame of thee hindereth me therefrom.” Quoth Badi’a
+al-Jamal, “Why shouldst thou have shame of me, seeing that thou art my
+sister and my bosom-friend and there is muchel a matter between thee
+and me and I know thou willest me naught but well? Tell me then what
+thou hast to say and be not abashed at me and hide nothing from me and
+have no fear of consequences.” Answered Daulat Khatun, “By Allah, all
+the calamities that have betided this unfortunate have been on thine
+account and because of thee!” Asked Badi’a al-Jamal, “How so, O my
+sister?”; and the other answered, “Know that he saw thy portrait
+wrought on a tunic which thy father sent to Solomon son of David (on
+the twain be peace!) and he opened it not neither looked at it, but
+despatched it, with other presents and rarities to Asim bin Safwan,
+King of Egypt, who gave it, still unopened, to his son Sayf al-Muluk.
+The Prince unfolded the tunic, thinking to put it on, and seeing thy
+portrait, became enamoured of it; wherefore he came forth in quest of
+thee, and left his folk and reign and suffered all these terrors and
+hardships on thine account.”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day
+and ceased to say her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-fourth Night,
+
+She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Daulat Khatun
+related to Badi’a al-Jamal the first part of Sayf al-Muluk’s history;
+how his love for her was caused by the tunic whereon her presentment
+was wrought; how he went forth, passion-distraught, in quest of her;
+how he forsook his people and his kingdom for her sake and how he had
+suffered all these terrors and hardships on her account. When Badi’a
+al-Jamal heard this, she blushed rosy red and was confounded at Daulat
+Khatun and said, “Verily this may never, never be; for man accordeth
+not with the Jann.” Then Daulat Khatun went on to praise Sayf al-Muluk
+and extol his comeliness and courage and cavalarice, and ceased not
+repeating her memories of his prowess and his excellent qualities till
+she ended with saying, “For the sake of Almighty Allah and of me, O
+sister mine, come and speak with him, though but one word!” But Badi’a
+al-Jamal cried, “By Allah, O sister mine, this that thou sayest I will
+not hear, neither will I assent to thee therein;” and it was as if she
+heard naught of what the other said and as if no love of Sayf al-Muluk
+and his beauty and bearing and bravery had gotten hold upon her heart.
+Then Daulat Khatun humbled herself and said, “O Badi’a al-Jamal, by the
+milk we have sucked, I and thou, and by that which is graven on the
+seal-ring of Solomon (on whom be peace!) hearken to these my words for
+I pledged myself in the High-builded Castle of Japhet, to show him thy
+face. So Allah upon thee, show it to him once, for the love of me, and
+look thyself on him!” And she ceased not to weep and implore her and
+kiss her hands and feet, till she consented and said, “For thy sake I
+will show him my face once and he shall have a single glance.” With
+that Daulat Khatun’s heart was gladdened and she kissed her hands and
+feet. Then she went forth and fared to the great pavilion in the garden
+and bade her slave-women spread it with carpets and set up a couch of
+gold and place the wine-vessels in order; after which she went into
+Sayf al-Muluk and to his Wazir Sa’id, whom she found seated in their
+lodging, and gave the Prince the glad tidings of the winning of his
+wish, saying, “Go to the pavilion in the garden, thou and thy brother,
+and hide yourselves there from the eyes of men so none in the palace
+may espy you, till I come to you with Badi’a al-Jamal.” So they rose
+and repaired to the appointed pavilion, where they found the couch of
+gold set and furnished with cushions, and meat and wine ready served.
+So they sat awhile, whilst Sayf al-Muluk bethought him of his beloved
+and his breast was straitened and love and longing assailed him:
+wherefore he rose and walked forth from the vestibule of the pavilion.
+Sa’id would have followed him, but he said to him, “O my brother,
+follow me not, but sit in thy stead till I return to thee.” So Sa’id
+abode seated, whilst Sayf al-Muluk went down into the garden, drunken
+with the wine of desire and distracted for excess of love-longing and
+passion-fire: yearning agitated him and transport overcame him and he
+recited these couplets,
+
+“O passing Fair[FN#449] I have none else but thee; * Pity this
+     slave in thy love’s slavery!
+Thou art my search, my joy and my desire! * None save thyself
+     shall love this heart of me:
+Would Heaven I knew thou knewest of my wails * Night-long and
+     eyelids oped by memory.
+Bid sleep to sojourn on these eyen-lids * Haply in vision I thy
+     sight shall see.
+Show favour then to one thus love-distraught: * Save him from
+     ruin by thy cruelty!
+Allah increase thy beauty and thy weal; * And be thy ransom
+     every enemy!
+So shall on Doomsday lovers range beneath * Thy flag, and
+     beauties ‘neath thy banner be.”
+
+
+Then he wept and recited these also,
+
+“That rarest beauty ever bides my foe * Who holds my heart and
+     lurks in secresy:
+Speaking, I speak of nothing save her charms * And when I’m
+     dumb in heart-core woneth she.”
+
+
+Then he wept sore and recited the following,
+
+“And in my liver higher flames the fire; * You are my wish and
+     longsome still I yearn:
+To you (none other!) bend I and I hope * (Lovers long-suffering
+     are!) your grace to earn;
+And that you pity me whose frame by Love * Is waste and weak
+     his heart with sore concern:
+Relent, be gen’rous, tender-hearted, kind: * From you I’ll
+     ne’er remove, from you ne’er turn!”
+
+
+Then he wept and recited these also,
+
+“Came to me care when came the love of thee, * Cruel sleep
+     fled me like thy cruelty:
+Tells me the messenger that thou are wroth: * Allah forfend
+     what evils told me he!”
+
+
+Presently Sa’id waxed weary of awaiting him and going forth in quest of
+him, found him walking in the garden, distraught and reciting these two
+couplets,
+
+“By Allah, by th’ Almighty, by his right[FN#450] * Who read
+     the Koran-Chapter ‘Fátír[FN#451] hight;
+Ne’er roam my glances o’er the charms I see; * Thy grace, rare
+     beauty, is my talk by night.”
+
+
+So he joined him and the twain walked about the garden together
+solacing themselves and ate of its fruits. Such was their case;[FN#452]
+but as regards the two Princesses, they came to the pavilion and
+entering therein after the eunuchs had richly furnished it, according
+to command, sat down on the couch of gold, beside which was a window
+that gave upon the garden. The castratos then set before them all
+manner rich meats and they ate, Daulat Khatun feeding her foster-sister
+by mouthfuls,[FN#453] till she was satisfied; when she called for
+divers kinds of sweetmeats, and when the neutrals brought them, they
+ate what they would of them and washed their hands. After this Daulat
+Khatun made ready wine and its service, setting on the ewers and bowls
+and she proceeded to crown the cups and give Badi’a al-Jamal to drink,
+filling for herself after and drinking in turn. Then Badi’a al-Jamal
+looked from the window into the garden and gazed upon the fruits and
+branches that were therein, till her glance fell on Sayf al-Muluk, and
+she saw him wandering about the parterres, followed by Sa’id, and she
+heard him recite verses, raining the while railing tears. And that
+glance of eyes cost her a thousand sighs,——And Shahrazad perceived the
+dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-fifth Night,
+
+She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Badi’a
+al-Jamal caught sight of Sayf al-Muluk as he wandered about the garden,
+that glance of eyes cost her a thousand sighs, and she turned to Daulat
+Khatun and said to her (and indeed the wine sported with her senses),
+“O my sister, who is that young man I see in the garden, distraught,
+love-abying, disappointed, sighing?” Quoth the other, “Dost thou give
+me leave to bring him hither, that we may look on him?”; and quoth the
+other, “An thou can avail to bring him, bring him.” So Daulat Khatun
+called to him, saying “O King’s son, come up to us and bring us thy
+beauty and thy loveliness!” Sayf al-Muluk recognised her voice and came
+up into the pavilion; but no sooner had he set eyes on Badi’a al-Jamal,
+than he fell down in a swoon; whereupon Daulat Khatun sprinkled on him
+a little rose-water and he revived. Then he rose and kissed ground
+before Badi’a al-Jamal who was amazed at his beauty and loveliness; and
+Daulat Khatun said to her, “Know, O Princess, that this is Sayf
+al-Muluk, whose hand saved me by the ordinance of Allah Almighty and he
+it is who hath borne all manner burthens on thine account: wherefore I
+would have thee look upon him with favour.” Hearing this Badi’a
+al-Jamal laughed and said, “And who keepeth faith, that this youth
+should do so? For there is no true love in men.” Cried Sayf al-Muluk,
+“O Princess, never shall lack of faith be in me, and all men are not
+created alike.” And he wept before her and recited these verses,
+
+“O thou, Badi’a ‘l-Jamál, show thou some clemency * To one
+     those lovely eyes opprest with witchery!
+By rights of beauteous hues and tints thy cheeks combine * Of
+     snowy white and glowing red anemone,
+Punish not with disdain one who is sorely sick * By long, long
+     parting waste hath waxed this frame of me:
+This is my wish, my will, the end of my desire, * And Union is
+     my hope an haply this may be!”
+
+
+Then he wept with violent weeping; and love and longing got the mastery
+over him and he greeted her with these couplets,
+
+“Peace be to you from lover’s wasted love, * All noble hearts
+     to noble favour show:
+Peace be to you! Ne’er fail your form my dreams; * Nor hall
+     nor chamber the fair sight forego!
+Of you I’m jealous: none may name your name: * Lovers to
+     lovers aye should bend thee low:
+So cut not off your grace from him who loves * While sickness
+     wastes and sorrows overthrow.
+I watch the flowery stars which frighten me; * While cark and
+     care mine every night foreslow.
+Nor Patience bides with me nor plan appears: * What shall I
+     say when questioned of my foe?
+God’s peace be with you in the hour of need, * Peace sent by
+     lover patient bearing woe!”
+
+
+Then for the excess of his desire and ecstasy he repeated these
+couplets also:—
+
+If I to aught save you, O lords of me, incline; * Ne’er may I
+     win of you my wish, my sole design!
+Who doth comprise all loveliness save only you? * Who makes
+     the Doomsday dawn e’en now before these eyne?
+Far be it Love find any rest, for I am one * Who lost for love
+     of you this heart, these vitals mine.
+
+
+When he had made an end of his verses, he wept with sore weeping and
+she said to him, “O Prince, I fear to grant myself wholly to thee lest
+I find in thee nor fondness nor affection; for oftentimes man’s
+fidelity is small and his perfidy is great and thou knowest how the
+lord Solomon, son of David (on whom be the Peace!), took Bilkis to his
+love but, whenas he saw another fairer than she, turned from her
+thereto.” Sayf al-Muluk replied, “O my eye and O my soul, Allah hath
+not made all men alike, and I, Inshallah, will keep my troth and die
+beneath thy feet. Soon shalt thou see what I will do in accordance with
+my words, and for whatso I say Allah is my warrant.” Quoth Badi’a
+al-Jamal, “Sit and be of good heart and swear to me by the right of thy
+Faith and let us covenant together that each will not be false to
+other; and whichever of us breaketh faith may Almighty Allah punish!”
+At these words he sat down and set his hand in her hand and they sware
+each to other that neither of them would ever prefer to the other any
+one, either of man or of the Jann. Then they embraced for a whole hour
+and wept for excess of their joy, whilst passion overcame Sayf al-Muluk
+and he recited these couplets,
+
+“I weep for longing love’s own ardency * To her who claims the
+     heart and soul of me.
+And sore’s my sorrow parted long from you, * And short’s my
+     arm to reach the prize I see;
+And mourning grief for what my patience marred * To blamer’s
+     eye unveiled my secresy;
+And waxed strait that whilome was so wide * Patience nor force
+     remains nor power to dree.
+Would Heaven I knew if God will ever deign to join * Our
+     lives, and from our cark and care and grief set free!”
+
+
+After this mutual troth-plighting, Sayf al-Muluk arose and walked in
+the garden and Badi’a al-Jamal arose also and went forth also afoot
+followed by a slave-girl bearing somewhat of food and a flask[FN#454]
+of wine. The Princess sat down and the damsel set the meat and wine
+before her: nor remained they long ere they were joined by Sayf
+al-Muluk, who was received with greeting and the two embraced and sat
+them down.——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say
+her permitted say.
+
+When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-sixth Night,
+
+She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that having
+provided food and wine, Badi’a al-Jamal met Sayf al-Muluk with
+greetings, and the twain having embraced and kissed sat them down
+awhile to eat and drink. Then said she to him, “O King’s son, thou must
+now go to the garden of Iram, where dwelleth my grandmother, and seek
+her consent to our marriage. My slave-girl Marjánah will convey thee
+thither and as thou farest therein thou wilt see a great pavilion of
+red satin, lined with green silk. Enter the pavilion heartening thyself
+and thou wilt see inside it an ancient dame sitting on a couch of red
+gold set with pearls and jewels. Salute her with respect and courtesy:
+then look at the foot of the couch, where thou wilt descry a pair of
+sandals[FN#455] of cloth interwoven with bars of gold, embroidered with
+jewels. Take them and kiss them and lay them on thy head[FN#456]; then
+put them under thy right armpit and stand before the old woman, in
+silence and with thy head bowed down. If she ask thee, ‘Who art thou
+and how camest thou hither and who led thee to this land? And why hast
+thou taken up the sandals?’ make her no answer, but abide silent till
+Marjanah enter, when she will speak with her and seek to win her aproof
+for thee and cause her look on thee with consent; so haply Allah
+Almighty may incline her heart to thee and she may grant thee thy wish.”
+Then she called the handmaid Marjanah hight and said to her, “As thou
+lovest me, do my errand this day and be not neglectful therein! An thou
+accomplish it, thou shalt be a free woman for the sake of Allah
+Almighty, and I will deal honourably by thee with gifts and there shall
+be none dearer to me than thou, nor will I discover my secrets to any
+save thee. So, by my love for thee, fulfil this my need and be not
+slothful therein.” Replied Marjanah, “O my lady and light of mine eyes,
+tell me what is it thou requirest of me, that I may accomplish it with
+both mine eyes.” Badi’a rejoined, “Take this mortal on thy shoulders
+and bear him to the bloom-garden of Iram and the pavilion of my
+grandmother, my father’s mother, and be careful of his safety. When
+thou hast brought him into her presence and seest him take the slippers
+and do them homage, and hearest her ask him, saying:—Whence art thou
+and by what road art come and who led thee to this land, and why hast
+thou taken up the sandals and what is thy need that I give heed to it?
+do thou come forward in haste and salute her with the salam and say to
+her:—O my lady, I am she who brought him hither and he is the King’s
+son of Egypt.”[FN#457] ’Tis he who went to the High-builded Castle and
+slew the son of the Blue King and delivered the Princess Daulat Khatun
+from the Castle of Japhet son of Noah and brought her back safe to her
+father: and I have brought him to thee, that he may give thee the glad
+tidings of her safety: so deign thou be gracious to him. Then do thou
+say to her:—Allah upon thee! is not this young man handsome, O my
+lady? She will reply, Yes; and do thou rejoin:—O my lady, indeed he
+is complete in honour and manhood and valour and he is lord and King of
+Egypt and compriseth all praiseworthy qualities. An she ask thee,
+What is his need? do thou make answer, My lady saluteth thee and
+saith to thee, how long shall she sit at home, a maid and unmarried?
+Indeed, the time is longsome upon her for she is as a magazine wherein
+wheat is heaped up.[FN#458] What then is thine intent in leaving her
+without a mate and why dost thou not marry her in thy lifetide and that
+of her mother, like other girls? If she say, How shall we do to marry
+her? An she have any one in mind, let her tell us of him, and we will
+do her will as far as may be! do thou make answer, O my lady, thy
+daughter saith to thee, “Ye were minded aforetime to marry me to
+Solomon (on whom be peace!) and portrayed him my portrait on a tunic.
+But he had no lot in me; so he sent the tunic to the King of Egypt and
+he gave it to his son, who saw my portrait figured thereon and fell in
+love with me; wherefore he left his father and mother’s realm and
+turning away from the world and whatso is therein, went forth at a
+venture, a wanderer, love-distraught, and hath borne the utmost
+hardships and honours for the sake of me.’ Now thou seest his beauty and
+loveliness, and thy daughter’s heart is enamoured of him; so if ye have
+a mind to marry her, marry her to this young man and forbid her not
+from him for he is young and passing comely and King of Egypt, nor wilt
+thou find a goodlier than he; and if ye will not give her to him, she
+will slay herself and marry none neither man nor Jinn.’” “And,”
+continued Badi’a al-Jamal, “Look thou, O Marjanah, _ma mie_,[FN#459] how
+thou mayst do with my grandmother, to win her consent, and beguile her
+with soft words, so haply she may do my desire.” Quoth the damsel, “O
+my lady, upon my head and eyes will I serve thee and do what shall
+content thee.” Then she took Sayf al-Muluk on her shoulders and said to
+him, “O King’s son, shut thine eyes.” He did so and she flew up with
+him into the welkin; and after awhile she said to him, “O King’s son,
+open thine eyes.” He opened them and found himself in a garden, which
+was none other than the garden of Iram; and she showed him the pavilion
+and said, “O Sayf al-Muluk, enter therein!” Thereupon he pronounced the
+name of Allah Almighty and entering cast a look upon the garden, when
+he saw the old Queen sitting on the couch, attended by her waiting
+women. So he drew near her with courtesy and reverence and taking the
+sandals bussed them and did as Badi’a al-Jamal had enjoined him. Quoth
+the ancient dame, “Who art thou and what is thy country; whence comest
+thou and who brought thee hither and what may be thy wish? Wherefore
+dost thou take the sandals and kiss them and when didst thou ask of me
+a favour which I did not grant?” With this in came Marjanah[FN#460] and
+saluting her reverently and worshipfully, repeated to her what Badi’a
+al-Jamal had told her; which when the old Queen heard, she cried out at
+her and was wroth with her and said, “How shall there be accord between
+man and Jinn?”——And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased
+saying her permitted say.
+
+End of Vol. 7
+
+                   Arabian Nights, Volume 7
+                          Footnotes
+
+
+[FN#1] Mayyafarikin, whose adjective for shortness is “Fárikí”: the
+place is often mentioned in The Nights as the then capital of Diyár
+Bakr, thirty parasangs from Násibín, the classical Nisibis, between
+the upper Euphrates and Tigris.
+
+[FN#2] This proportion is singular to moderns but characterised Arab
+and more especially Turcoman armies.
+
+[FN#3] Such is the bathos caused by the Saja’-assonance: in the music
+of the Arabic it contrasts strangely with the baldness of translation.
+The same is the case with the Koran beautiful in the original and
+miserably dull in European languages, it is like the glorious style of
+the “Anglican Version” by the side of its bastard brothers in
+Hindostani or Marathi; one of these marvels of stupidity translating
+the “Lamb of God” by “God’s little goat.”
+
+[FN#4] This incident is taken from the Life of Mohammed who, in the
+“Year of Missions” (A. H. 7) sent letters to foreign potentates bidding
+them embrace Al-Islam, and, his seal being in three lines,
+Mohammed|Apostle|of Allah, Khusrau Parwíz (=the Charming) was offended
+because his name was placed below Mohammed’s. So he tore the letter in
+pieces adding, says Firdausi, these words:—
+
+          Hath the Arab’s daring performed such feat,
+          Fed on camel’s milk and the lizard’s meat,
+          That he cast on Kayánian crown his eye?
+          Fie, O whirling world! on thy faith and fie!
+
+
+Hearing of this insult Mohammed exclaimed, “Allah shall tear his
+kingdom!” a prophecy which was of course fulfilled, or we should not
+have heard of it. These lines are horribly mutilated in the Dabistan
+(iii. 99).
+
+[FN#5] This “Taklíd” must not be translated “girt on the sword.” The
+Arab carries his weapon by a baldrick or bandoleer passed over his
+right shoulder. In modern days the “Majdal” over the left shoulder
+supports on the right hip a line of Tatárif or brass cylinders for
+cartridges: the other cross-belt (Al-Masdar) bears on the left side
+the Kharízah or bullet-pouch of hide; and the Hizám or waist-belt
+holds the dagger and extra cartridges. (Pilgrimage iii. 90.)
+
+[FN#6] Arab. “Bab,” which may mean door or gate. The plural form
+(Abwáb) occurs in the next line, meaning that he displayed all manner
+of martial prowess.
+
+[FN#7] Arab. “Farrásh” (also used in Persian), a man of general utility
+who pitches tents, sweeps the floors, administers floggings, etc. etc.
+(Pilgrimage iii. 90.)
+
+[FN#8] _i.e._ the slogan-cry of “Allaho Akbar,” which M. C.
+Barbier de Meynard compares with the Christian “Te Deum.”
+
+
+[FN#9] The Anglo-Indian term for the Moslem rite of killing animals for
+food. (Pilgrimage i. 377.)
+
+[FN#10] Arab. “tawílan jiddan” a hideous Cairenism in these days; but
+formerly used by Al-Mas’údí and other good writers.
+
+[FN#11] Arab. “‘Ajwah,” enucleated dates pressed together into a solid
+mass so as to be sliced with a knife like cold pudding. The allusion is
+to the dough-idols of the Hanífah tribe, whose eating their gods made
+the saturnine Caliph Omar laugh.
+
+[FN#12] Mr. Payne writes “Julned.” In a fancy name we must not look for
+grammar, but a quiescent lám (_l_) followed by nún (_n_) is unknown to
+Arabic while we find sundry cases of “lan” (fath’d lám and nún), and
+Jalandah means noxious or injurious. In Oman also there was a dynasty
+called Julándah for which see Mr. Badger (xiii. and _passim_).
+
+[FN#13] Doubtless for Jawan-mard—un giovane, a brave See vol. iv., p.
+208.
+
+[FN#14] Mr. Payne transposes the distichs, making the last first. I
+have followed the Arabic order finding it in the Mac. and Bul. Edits.
+(ii. 129).
+
+[FN#15] Al-Irak like Al-Yaman may lose the article in verse.
+
+[FN#16] Arab. “Ka’ka’at”: hence Jabal Ka’ka’án, the higher levels in
+Meccah, of old inhabited by the Jurhamites and so called from their
+clashing and jangling arms; whilst the Amalekites dwelt in the lower
+grounds called Jiyád from their generous steeds. (Pilgrimage iii. 191.)
+
+[FN#17] Al-Shara’, a mountain in Arabia.
+
+[FN#18] See vol. vi., 249. “This (mace) is a dangerous weapon when
+struck on the shoulders or unguarded arm: I am convinced that a blow
+with it on a head armoured with a salade (cassis cælata, a light iron
+helmet) would stun a man” (says La Brocquière).
+
+[FN#19] Oman, which the natives pronounce “Amán,” is the region best
+known by its capital Maskat. These are the Omana Moscha and Omanum
+Emporium of Ptolemy and the Periplus. Ibn Batutah writes Ammán, but the
+best dictionaries give “Oman.” (N.B.—Mr. Badger, p. 1, wrongly derives
+Sachalitis from “Sawáhíly”: it is evidently “Sáhili.”) The people bear
+by no means the best character: Ibn Batutah (fourteenth century) says,
+“their wives are most base; yet, without denying this, their husbands
+express nothing like jealousy on the subject.” (Lee, p. 62.)
+
+[FN#20] The name I have said of a quasi-historical personage, son of
+Joktan, the first Arabist and the founder of the Tobbá (“successor”)
+dynasty in Al-Yaman; while Jurham, his brother, established that of
+Al-Hijaz. The name is probably chosen because well-known.
+
+[FN#21] Arab. “Hákim”: lit. one who orders; often confounded by the
+unscientific with Hakím, doctor, a philosopher. The latter re-appears
+in the Heb. Khákhám applied in modern days to the Jewish scribe who
+takes the place of the Rabbi.
+
+[FN#22] As has been seen, acids have ever been and are still
+administered as counter-inebriants, while hot spices and sweets greatly
+increase the effect of Bhang, opium, henbane, datura &c. The Persians
+have a most unpleasant form of treating men when dead-drunk with wine
+or spirits. They hang them up by the heels, as we used to do with the
+drowned, and stuff their mouths with human ordure which is sure to
+produce emesis.
+
+[FN#23] Compare the description of the elephant-faced Vetála
+(Kathá S.S. Fasc. xi. p. 388).
+
+
+[FN#24] The lover’s name Sá’ik= the Striker (with lightning);
+Najmah, the beloved= the star.
+
+
+[FN#25] I have modified the last three lines of the Mac. Edit. which
+contain a repetition evidently introduced by the carelessness of the
+copyist.
+
+[FN#26] The Hindu Charvakas explain the Triad, Bramha, Vishnu and
+Shiva, by the sexual organs and upon Vishnu’s having four arms they
+gloss, “At the time of sexual intercourse, each man and woman has as
+many.” (Dabistan ii. 202.) This is the Eastern view of Rabelais’ “beast
+with two backs.”
+
+[FN#27] Arab. “Rabbat-i,” my she Lord, fire (nár) being feminine.
+
+[FN#28] The prose-rhyme is answerable for this galimatias.
+
+[FN#29] A common phrase equivalent to our “started from his head.”
+
+[FN#30] Arab. “Máridúna”=rebels (against Allah and his orders).
+
+[FN#31] Arab. Yáfis or Yáfat. He had eleven sons and was entitled Abú
+al-Turk because this one engendered the Turcomans as others did the
+Chinese, Scythians, Slaves (Saklab), Gog, Magog, and the Muscovites or
+Russians. According to the Moslems there was a rapid falling off in
+size amongst this family. Noah’s grave at Karak (the Ruin) a suburb of
+Zahlah, in La Brocquière’s “Valley of Noah, where the Ark was built,”
+is 104 ft. 10 in. Iong by 8 ft. 8 in. broad. (N.B.—It is a bit of the
+old aqueduct which Mr. Porter, the learned author of the “Giant Cities
+of Bashan,” quotes as a “traditional memorial of primeval
+giants”—talibus carduis pascuntur asini!). Nabi Ham measures only 9 ft.
+6 in. between headstone and tombstone, being in fact about as long as
+his father was broad.
+
+[FN#32] See Night dcliv., vol. vii, p. 43, _infra._
+
+[FN#33] According to Turcoman legends (evidently post-Mohammedan) Noah
+gave his son, Japhet a stone inscribed with the Greatest Name, and it
+had the virtue of bringing on or driving off rain. The Moghuls long
+preserved the tradition and hence probably the sword.
+
+[FN#34] This expresses Moslem sentiment; the convert to Al-Islam being
+theoretically respected and practically despised. The Turks call him a
+“Burmá”=twister, a turncoat, and no one either trusts him or believes
+in his sincerity.
+
+[FN#35] The name of the city first appears here: it is found also in
+the Bul. Edit., vol. ii. p. 132.
+
+[FN#36] Arab. “‘Amala hílah,” a Syro-Egyptian vulgarism.
+
+[FN#37] _i.e._ his cousin, but he will not use the word.
+
+[FN#38] Arab. “La’ab,” meaning very serious use of the sword: we still
+preserve the old “sword-play.”
+
+[FN#39] Arab. “Ikhsa,” from a root meaning to drive away a dog.
+
+[FN#40] Arab. “Hazza-hu,” the quivering motion given to the “Harbak” (a
+light throw-spear or javelin) before it leaves the hand.
+
+[FN#41] Here the translator must either order the sequence of the
+sentences or follow the rhyme.
+
+[FN#42] Possibly taken from the Lions’ Court in the
+Alhambra=(Dár) Al-hamrá, the Red House.
+
+
+[FN#43] Arab. “Sházarwán” from Pers. Shadurwán, a palace, cornice, etc.
+That of the Meccan Ka’abah is a projection of about a foot broad in
+pent-house shape sloping downwards and two feet above the granite
+pavement: its only use appears in the large brass rings welded into it
+to hold down the covering. There are two breaks in it, one under the
+doorway and the other opposite Ishmael’s tomb; and pilgrims are
+directed during circuit to keep the whole body outside it.
+
+[FN#44] The “Musáfahah” before noticed, vol. vi., p. 287.
+
+[FN#45] _i.e._ He was confounded at its beauty.
+
+[FN#46] Arab. “‘Ajíb,” punning upon the name.
+
+[FN#47] Arab. “Zarráf” (whence our word) from “Zarf”=walking hastily:
+the old “cameleopard” which originated the nursery idea of its origin.
+It is one of the most timid of the antelope tribe and unfit for riding.
+
+[FN#48] Arab. “Takht,” a useful word, meaning even a saddle.
+The usual term is “Haudaj”=the Anglo-Indian “howdah.”
+
+[FN#49] “Thunder-King,” Arab. and Persian.
+
+[FN#50] _i.e._ “He who violently assaults his peers” (the best men of the
+age). Batshat al-Kubrá=the Great Disaster, is applied to the unhappy
+“Battle of Bedr” (Badr) on Ramazan 17, A.H. 2 (=Jan. 13, 624) when
+Mohammed was so nearly defeated that the Angels were obliged to assist
+him (Koran, chapts. iii. 11; i. 42; viii. 9). Mohammed is soundly rated
+by Christian writers for beheading two prisoners Utbah ibn Rabí’a who
+had once spat on his face and Nazir ibn Háris who recited Persian
+romances and preferred them to the “foolish fables of the Koran.” What
+would our forefathers have done to a man who spat in the face of John
+Knox and openly preferred a French play to Pentateuch?
+
+[FN#51] Arab. “Jilbáb” either habergeon (mail-coat) or the buff-jacket
+worn under it.
+
+[FN#52] A favourite way, rough and ready, of carrying light weapons,
+often alluded to in The Nights. So Khusrawán in Antar carried “under
+his thighs four small darts, each like a blazing flame.”
+
+[FN#53] Mr. Payne very reasonably supplants here and below Fakhr Taj
+(who in Night dcxxxiv. is left in her father’s palace and who is
+reported to be dead in Night dclxvii.) by Star o’ Morn. But the former
+is also given in the Bul. Edit. (ii. 148), so the story-teller must
+have forgotten all about her. I leave it as a model specimen of Eastern
+incuriousness.
+
+[FN#54] There is some chivalry in his unwillingness to use the magical
+blade. As a rule the Knights of Romance utterly ignore fair play and
+take every dirty advantage in the magic line that comes to hand.
+
+[FN#55] Arab. “Hammál al-Hatabi”=one who carries to market the
+fuel-sticks which he picks up in the waste. In the Koran (chapt. cxi.)
+it is applied to Umm Jamíl, wife of Mohammed’s hostile cousin, Abd
+al-Uzza, there termed Abú Lahab (Father of smokeless Flame) with the
+implied meaning that she will bear fuel to feed Hell-fire.
+
+[FN#56] Arab. “Akyál,” lit. whose word (Kaul) is obeyed, a title of the
+Himyarite Kings, of whom Al-Bergendi relates that one of them left an
+inscription at Samarcand, which many centuries ago no man could read.
+This evidently alludes to the dynasty which preceded the “Tobba” and to
+No. xxiv. Shamar Yar’ash (Shamar the Palsied). Some make him son of
+Malik surnamed Náshir al-Ni’am (Scatterer of Blessings) others of
+Afríkús (No. xviii.), who, according to Al-Jannabi, Ahmad bin Yusuf
+and Ibn Ibdun (Pocock, Spec. Hist. Arab.) founded the Berber (Barbar)
+race, the remnants of the Causanites expelled by the “robber, Joshua
+son of Nún,” and became the eponymus of “Africa.” This word which,
+under the Romans, denoted a small province on the Northern Sea-board,
+is, I would suggest, A’far-Káhi (Afar-land), the Afar being now the
+Dankali race, the country of Osiris whom my learned friend, the late
+Mariette Pasha, derived from the Egyptian “Punt” identified by him with
+the Somali country. This would make “Africa,” as it ought to be, an
+Egyptian (Coptic) term.
+
+[FN#57] Herodotus (i. 80) notes this concerning the camel. Elephants
+are not allowed to walk the streets in Anglo-Indian cities, where they
+have caused many accidents.
+
+[FN#58] Arab. Wahk or Wahak, suggesting the Roman retiarius. But the
+lasso pure and simple, the favourite weapon of shepherd and herdsmen
+was well-known to the old Egyptians and in ancient India. It forms one
+of the T-letters in the hieroglyphs.
+
+[FN#59] Compare with this and other Arab battle-pieces the Pandit’s
+description in the Kathá Sarit Sagara, _e.g._ “Then a confused battle
+arose with dint of arrow, javelin, lance, mace and axe, costing the
+lives of countless soldiers (N.B.— Millions are nothing to him);
+rivers of blood flowed with the bodies of elephants and horses for
+alligators, with the pearls from the heads of elephants for sands and
+with the heads of heroes for stones. That feast of battle delighted the
+flesh-loving demons who, drunk with blood instead of wine, were dancing
+with the palpitating trunks,” etc. etc. Fasc. xii. 526.
+
+[FN#60] The giraffe is here mal-placé: it is, I repeat, one of the most
+timid of the antelope tribe. Nothing can be more graceful than this
+huge game as it stands under a tree extending its long and slender neck
+to the foliage above it; but when in flight all the limbs seem loose
+and the head is carried almost on a level with the back.
+
+[FN#61] The fire-arms may have been inserted by the copier; the
+cross-bow (Arcubalista) is of unknown antiquity. I have remarked in my
+book of the Sword (p. 19) that the bow is the first crucial evidence of
+the distinction between the human weapon and the bestial arm, and like
+the hymen or membrane of virginity proves a difference of degree if not
+of kind between man and the so-called lower animals. I note from Yule’s
+Marco Polo (ii., 143) “that the cross-bow was re-introduced into
+European warfare during the twelfth century”; but the arbalesta was
+well known to the bon roi Charlemagne (Regnier Sat. X).
+
+[FN#62] In Al-Islam this was unjustifiable homicide, excused only
+because the Kafir had tried to slay his own son. He should have been
+summoned to become a tributary and then, on express refusal, he might
+legally have been put to death.
+
+[FN#63] _i.e._ “Rose King,” like the Sikh name “Gulab Singh”=Rosewater
+Lion, sounding in translation almost too absurd to be true.
+
+[FN#64] “Repentance acquits the penitent” is a favourite and noble
+saying popular in Al-Islam. It is first found in Seneca; and is
+probably as old as the dawn of literature.
+
+[FN#65] Here an ejaculation of impatience.
+
+[FN#66] _i.e._ “King Intelligence”: it has a ludicrous sound suggesting
+only “Dandanha-i-Khirad”=wisdom-teeth. The Mac. Edit. persistently
+keeps “Ward Shah,” copyist error.
+
+[FN#67] _i.e._ Fakhr Taj, who had been promised him in marriage.
+See Night dcxxxiii. supra, vol. vi.
+
+
+[FN#68] The name does not appear till further on, after vague Eastern
+fashion which, here and elsewhere I have not had the heart to adopt.
+The same may be found in Ariosto, _passim_.
+
+[FN#69] A town in Persian Irak, unhappily far from the “Salt sea.”
+
+[FN#70] “Earthquake son of Ennosigaius” (the Earthquake-maker).
+
+[FN#71] Arab. “Ruba’al-Kharáb” or Ruba’al-Khálí (empty quarter), the
+great central wilderness of Arabia covering some 50,000 square miles
+and still left white on our maps. (Pilgrimage, i 14.)
+
+[FN#72] Pers. “Life King”, women also assume the title of
+Shah.
+
+
+[FN#73] Arab. “Mujauhar”: the watery or wavy mark upon Eastern blades
+is called the “jauhar,” lit.=jewel. The peculiarity is also called
+water and grain, which gives rise to a host of _double-entendres_, puns,
+paronomasias and conceits more or less frigid.
+
+[FN#74] Etymologically meaning tyrants or giants; and applied to great
+heathen conquerors like Nimrod and the mighty rulers of Syria, the
+Anakim, Giants and other peoples of Hebrew fable. The Akásirah are the
+Chosroës before noticed.
+
+[FN#75] Arab. “Asker jarrár” lit. “drawing”: so in Egyptian slang “Nás
+jarrár”=folk who wish to draw your money out of your pocket, greedy
+cheats.
+
+[FN#76] In Turkestan: the name means “Two lights.”
+
+[FN#77] In Armenia, mentioned by Sadik Isfaháni (Transl. p. 62).
+
+[FN#78] This is the only ludicrous incident in the tale which justifies
+Von Hammer’s suspicion. Compare it with the combat between Rustam and
+his son Sohráb.
+
+[FN#79] I cannot understand why Trébutien, iii., 457, writes
+this word Afba. He remarks that it is the “Oina and Riya” of
+Jámí, elegantly translated by M. de Chezy in the Journal
+Asiatique, vol. 1, 144.
+
+
+[FN#80] I have described this part of the Medinah Mosque in Pilgrimage
+ii., 62–69. The name derives from a saying of Mohammed (of which there
+are many variants), “Between my tomb and my pulpit is a garden of the
+Gardens of Paradise” (Burckhardt, Arabia, p. 337). The whole Southern
+portico (not only a part) now enjoys that honoured name and the tawdry
+decorations are intended to suggest a parterre.
+
+[FN#81] Mohammed’s companions (Asháb), numbering some five hundred,
+were divided into two orders, the Muhájirin (fugitives) or Meccans who
+accompanied the Apostle to Al-Medinah (Pilgrimage ii. 138) and the
+Ansár (Auxiliaries) or Medinites who invited him to their city and lent
+him zealous aid (Ibid. ii. 130). The terms constantly occur in Arab
+history.
+
+[FN#82] The “Mosque of the Troops,” also called Al-Fath (victory), the
+largest of the “Four Mosques:” it is still a place of pious visitation
+where prayer is granted. Koran, chap. xxxiii., and Pilgrimage ii. 325.
+
+[FN#83] Arab. “Al-Wars,” with two meanings. The Alfáz Adwiyah gives
+it=Kurkum, curcuma, turmeric, safran d’Inde; but popular usage assigns
+it to Usfur, Kurtum or safflower (_carthamus tinctorius_). I saw the
+shrub growing all about Harar which exports it, and it is plentiful in
+Al-Yaman (Niebuhr, p. 133), where women affect it to stain the skin a
+light yellow and remove freckles: it is also an internal remedy in
+leprosy. But the main use is that of a dye, and the Tob stained with
+Wars is almost universal in some parts of Arabia. Sonnini (p. 510)
+describes it at length and says that Europeans in Egypt call it
+“Parrot-seeds” because the bird loves it, and the Levant trader
+“Saffrenum.”
+
+[FN#84] Two men of the great ‘Anazah race went forth to gather Karaz,
+the fruit of the Sant (Mimosa Nilotica) both used for tanning, and
+never returned. Hence the proverb which is obsolete in conversation.
+See Burckhardt, Prov. 659: where it takes the place of “ad Graecas
+Kalendas.”
+
+[FN#85] Name of a desert (Mafázah) and a settlement on the
+Euphrates’ bank between Basrah and the site of old Kufah near
+Kerbela; the well-known visitation place in Babylonian Irak.
+
+
+[FN#86] Of the Banu Sulaym tribe; the adjective is Sulami not
+Sulaymi.
+
+
+[FN#87] Arab. “Amám-ak”=before thee (in space); from the same root as
+Imam=antistes, leader of prayer; and conducing to perpetual puns, _e.g._
+“You are Imám-i (my leader) and therefore should be Amám-i” (in advance
+of me).
+
+[FN#88] He was angry, as presently appears, because he had heard of
+certain love passages between the two and this in Arabia is a dishonour
+to the family.
+
+[FN#89] Euphemy for “my daughter.”
+
+[FN#90] The Badawin call a sound dollar “Kirsh hajar” or “Riyal hajar”
+(a stone dollar; but the word is spelt with the greater h).
+
+[FN#91] Arab. Burdah and Habárah. The former often translated mantle is
+a thick woollen stuff, brown or gray, woven oblong and used like a
+plaid by day and by night. Mohammed’s Burdah woven in his Harem and
+given to the poet, Ka’ab, was 7½ ft. long by 4½: it is still in
+the upper Serraglio of Stambul. In early days the stuff was mostly
+striped; now it is either plain or with lines so narrow that it looks
+like one colour. The Habarah is a Burd made in Al-Yaman and not to be
+confounded with the Egyptian mantilla of like name (Lane, M. E. chapt.
+iii.).
+
+[FN#92] Every Eastern city has its special title. Al-Medinah is
+entitled “Al-Munawwarah” (the Illumined) from the blinding light which
+surrounds the Prophet’s tomb and which does not show to eyes profane
+(Pilgrimage ii. 3). I presume that the idea arose from the huge lamps
+of “The Garden.” I have noted that Mohammed’s coffin suspended by
+magnets is an idea unknown to Moslems, but we find the fancy in
+Al-Harawi related of St. Peter, “Simon Cephas (the rock) is in the City
+of Great Rome, in its largest church within a silver ark hanging by
+chains from the ceiling.” (Lee, Ibn Batutah, p. 161).
+
+[FN#93] Here the fillets are hung instead of the normal rag-strips to
+denote an honoured tomb. Lane (iii. 242) and many others are puzzled
+about the use of these articles. In many cases they are suspended to
+trees in order to transfer sickness from the body to the tree and
+whoever shall touch it. The Sawáhílí people term such articles a Keti
+(seat or vehicle) for the mysterious haunter of the tree who prefers
+occupying it to the patient’s person. Briefly the custom still popular
+throughout Arabia, is African and Fetish.
+
+[FN#94] Al-Mas’údí (chap. xcv.), mentions a Hind bint Asmá and tells a
+facetious story of her and the “enemy of Allah,” the poet Jarir.
+
+[FN#95] Here the old Shiah hatred of the energetic conqueror of Oman
+crops out again. Hind’s song is that of Maysum concerning her husband
+Mu’áwiyah which Mrs. Godfrey Clark (‘Ilâm-en-Nâs, p. 108) thus
+translates:—
+
+     A hut that the winds make tremble
+        Is dearer to me than a noble palace;
+     And a dish of crumbs on the floor of my home
+        Is dearer to me than a varied feast;
+     And the soughing of the breeze through every crevice
+        Is dearer to me than the beating of drums.
+
+
+Compare with Dr. Carlyle’s No. X.:—
+
+     The russet suit of camel’s hair
+        With spirits light and eye serene
+     Is dearer to my bosom far
+        Than all the trappings of a queen, etc. etc.
+
+
+And with mine (Pilgrimage iii. 262):—
+
+     O take these purple robes away,
+        Give back my cloak of camel’s hair
+     And bear me from this towering pile
+        To where the black tents flap i’ the air, etc. etc.
+
+
+[FN#96] AI-Hajjaj’s tribal name was Al-Thakifi or descendant of
+Thakíf. According to Al-Mas’udi, he was son of Faríghah (the tall
+Beauty) by Yúsuf bin Ukayl the Thakafite and vint au monde tout
+difforme avec l’anus obstrué. As he refused the breast, Satan, in human
+form, advised suckling him with the blood of two black kids, a black
+buck-goat and a black snake; which had the desired effect.
+
+[FN#97] Trebutien, iii., 465, translates these sayings into
+Italian.
+
+
+[FN#98] Making him a “Kawwád”=leader, _i.e._ pimp; a true piece of
+feminine spite. But the Caliph prized Al-Hajjaj too highly to treat him
+as in the text.
+
+[FN#99] _i.e._ “The overflowing,” with benefits; on account of his
+generosity.
+
+[FN#100] The seventh Ommiade A. H. 96–99 (715–719). He died of his fine
+appetite after eating at a sitting a lamb, six fowls, seventy
+pomegranates, and 11¼ lbs. of currants. He was also proud of his
+youth and beauty and was wont to say, “Mohammed was the Apostle and Abu
+Bakr witness to the Truth; Omar the Discriminator and Othman the
+Bashful, Mu’awiyah the Mild and Yazid the Patient; Abd al-Malik the
+Administrator and Walid the Tyrant; but I am the Young King!”
+
+[FN#101] Arab. Al-Jazírah, “the Island;” name of the region and the
+capital.
+
+[FN#102] _i.e._ “Repairer of the Slips of the Generous,” an evasive
+reply, which of course did not deceive the questioner.
+
+[FN#103] Arab. “Falastín,” now obsolete. The word has echoed far west
+and the name of the noble race has been degraded to “Philister,” a
+bourgeois, a greasy burgher.
+
+[FN#104] Saying, “The Peace be with thee, O Prince of True
+Believers!”
+
+
+[FN#105] Arab. “Mutanakkir,” which may also mean proud or in disguise.
+
+[FN#106] On appointment as viceroy. See vol. iii., 307.
+
+[FN#107] The custom with outgoing Governors. It was adopted by the
+Spaniards and Portuguese especially in America. The generosity of
+Ikrimah without the slightest regard to justice or common honesty is
+characteristic of the Arab in story-books.
+
+[FN#108] The celebrated half-way house between Jaffa and
+Jerusalem.
+
+
+[FN#109] Alias the Kohistan or mountain region, Susiana (Khuzistan)
+whose capital was Susa; and the head quarters of fire-worship. Azar
+(fire) was the name of Abraham’s father whom Eusebius calls “Athar.”
+(Pilgrimage iii. 336.)
+
+[FN#110] Tenth Ommiade A.H. 105–125 (=724–743), a wise and discreet
+ruler with an inclination to avarice and asceticism. According to some,
+the Ommiades produced only three statesmen, Mu’awayah, Abd al-Malik and
+Hisham; and the reign of the latter was the end of sage government and
+wise administration.
+
+[FN#111] About £1,250, which seems a long price; but in those days
+Damascus had been enriched with the spoils of the world adjacent.
+
+[FN#112] Eleventh Ommiade dynasty, A.H. 125–126 (=743–744). Ibn Sahl
+(son of ease, _i.e._ free and easy) was a nickname; he was the son of
+Yazíd II. and brother of Hishám. He scandalised the lieges by his
+profligacy, wishing to make the pilgrimage in order to drink upon the
+Ka’abah-roof; so they attacked the palace and lynched him. His death is
+supposed to have been brought about (27th of Jamáda al-Akhirah = April
+16, 744) by his cousin and successor Yazíd (No. iii.) surnamed the
+Retrencher. The tale in the text speaks well for him; but generosity
+amongst the Arabs covers a multitude of sins, and people say, “Better a
+liberal sinner than a stingy saint.”
+
+[FN#113] The tents of black wool woven by the Badawi women are
+generally supported by three parallel rows of poles lengthways and
+crossways (the highest line being the central) and the covering is
+pegged down. Thus the outline of the roofs forms two or more hanging
+curves, and these characterise the architecture of the Tartars and
+Chinese; they are still preserved in the Turkish (and sometimes in the
+European) “Kiosque,” and they have extended to the Brazil where the
+upturned eaves, often painted vermilion below, at once attract the
+traveller’s notice.
+
+[FN#114] See vol. iv., 159. The author of “Antar,” known to Englishmen
+by the old translation of Mr. Terrick Hamilton, secretary of Legation
+at Constantinople. There is an abridgement of the forty-five volumes of
+Al-Asma’i’s “Antar” which mostly supplies or rather supplied the
+“Antariyyah” or professional tale-tellers; whose theme was the heroic
+Mulatto lover.
+
+[FN#115] The “Dakkah” or long wooden sofa, as opposed to the “mastabah”
+or stone bench, is often a tall platform and in mosques is a kind of
+ambo railed round and supported by columns. Here readers recite the
+Koran: Lane (M.E. chapt. iii.) sketches it in the “Interior of a
+Mosque.”
+
+[FN#116] Alif (ا) Ha (ه) and Waw (و), the first, twenty-seventh and
+twenty-sixth letters of the Arabic alphabet: No. 1 is the most simple
+and difficult to write caligraphically.
+
+[FN#117] Reeds washed with gold and used for love-letters, &c.
+
+[FN#118] Lane introduced this tale into vol. i., p. 223, notes on
+chapt. iii., apparently not knowing that it was in The Nights. He gives
+a mere abstract, omitting all the verse, and he borrowed it either from
+the Halbat al-Kumayt (chapt. xiv.) or from Al-Mas’údí (chapt. cxi.).
+See the French translation, vol. vi. p. 340. I am at pains to
+understand why M. C. Barbier de Maynard writes “Réchid” with an
+accented vowel; although French delicacy made him render, by “fils de
+courtisane,” the expression in the text, “O biter of thy mother’s
+enlarged (or uncircumcised) clitoris” (Bazar).
+
+[FN#119] In Al-Mas’údi the Devil is “a young man fair of favour and
+formous of figure,” which is more appropriate to a “Tempter.” He also
+wears light stuffs of dyed silks.
+
+[FN#120] It would have been more courteous in an utter stranger to say,
+O my lord.
+
+[FN#121] The Arab Tempe (of fiction, not of grisly fact).
+
+[FN#122] These four lines are in Al-Mas’údi, chapt, cxviii. Fr. Trans.
+vii. 313, but that author does not tell us who wrote them.
+
+[FN#123] _i.e._ Father of Bitterness=the Devil. This legend of the Foul
+Fiend appearing to Ibrahim of Mosul (and also to Isam, N. dcxcv.) seems
+to have been accepted by contemporaries and reminds us of similar
+visitations in Europe—notably to Dr. Faust. One can only exclaim, “Lor,
+papa, what nonsense you are talking!” the words of a small girl whose
+father thought proper to indoctrinate her into certain Biblical
+stories. I once began to write a biography of the Devil; but I found
+that European folk-lore had made such an unmitigated fool of the grand
+old Typhon-Ahriman as to take away from him all human interest.
+
+[FN#124] In Al-Mas’udi the Caliph exclaims, “Verily thou hast received
+a visit from Satan!”
+
+[FN#125] Al-Mas’udi, chapt. cxix. (Fr. transl. vii., 351) mentions the
+Banu Odhrah as famed for lovers and tells the pathetic tale of ‘Orwah
+and ‘Afrá.
+
+[FN#126] Jamil bin Ma’amar the poet has been noticed in Vol. ii. 102;
+and he has no business here as he died years before Al-Rashid was born.
+The tale begins like that of Ibn Mansúr and the Lady Budúr (Night
+cccxxvii.), except that Mansur does not offer his advice.
+
+[FN#127] Arab. “Halumma,” an interjection=bring! a congener of the Heb.
+“Halúm”; the grammarians of Kufah and Bassorah are divided concerning
+its origin.
+
+[FN#128] Arab. “Nafs-í” which here corresponds with our canting “the
+flesh” the “Old Adam,” &c.
+
+[FN#129] Arab. “Atmárí” used for travel. The Anglo-Americans are the
+only people who have the common sense to travel (where they are not
+known) in their “store clothes” and reserve the worst for where they
+are known.
+
+[FN#130] _e.g._ a branch or bough.
+
+[FN#131] Arab. “Ráyah káimah,” which Lane translates a “beast
+standing”!
+
+[FN#132] Tying up the near foreleg just above the knee; and even with
+this a camel can hop over sundry miles of ground in the course of a
+night. The hobbling is shown in Lane. (Nights vol. ii., p. 46.)
+
+[FN#133] As opposed to “Severance” in the old knightly language of
+love, which is now apparently lost to the world. I tried it in the
+Lyrics of Camoens and found that I was speaking a forgotten tongue,
+which mightily amused the common sort of critic and reviewer.
+
+[FN#134] More exactly three days and eight hours, after which the guest
+becomes a friend, and as in the Argentine prairies is expected to do
+friend’s duty. The popular saying is, “The entertainment of a guest is
+three days; the viaticum (jáizah) is a day and a night, and whatso
+exceedeth this is alms.”
+
+[FN#135] Arab. “‘Ashírah.” Books tell us there are seven degrees of
+connection among the Badawin: Sha’ab, tribe or rather race; nation (as
+the Anazah) descended from a common ancestor; Kabílah the tribe proper
+(whence _les Kabyles_); Fasílah (sept), Imarah; Ashirah (all a man’s
+connections); Fakhiz (lit. the thigh, i.e., his blood relations) and
+Batn (belly) his kith and kin. Practically Kabílah is the tribe,
+Ashírah the clan, and Bayt the household; while Hayy may be anything
+between tribe and kith and kin.
+
+[FN#136] This is the true platonic love of noble Arabs, the
+Ishk ‘uzrí, noted in vol. ii., 104.
+
+
+[FN#137] Arab. “‘Alá raghm,” a favourite term. It occurs in theology;
+for instance, when the Shí’ahs are asked the cause of such and such a
+ritual distinction they will reply, “Ala raghmi ‘l-Tasannun”: lit.=to
+spite the Sunnis.
+
+[FN#138] In the text “Al-Kaus” for which Lane and Payne substitute a
+shield. The bow had not been mentioned but—_n’importe_, the Arab reader
+would say. In the text it is left at home because it is a cowardly,
+far-killing weapon compared with sword and lance. Hence the Spaniard
+calls and justly calls the knife the “bravest of arms” as it wants a
+man behind it.
+
+[FN#139] Arab. “Rahim” or “Rihm”=womb, uterine relations, pity or
+sympathy, which may here be meant.
+
+[FN#140] Reciting Fátihahs and so forth, as I have described in the
+Cemetery of Al-Medinah (ii. 300). Moslems do not pay for prayers to
+benefit the dead like the majority of Christendom and, according to
+Calvinistic Wahhábi-ism, their prayers and blessings are of no avail.
+But the mourner’s heart loathes reason and he prays for his dead
+instinctively like the so-termed “Protestant.” Amongst the latter, by
+the bye, I find four great _Sommités_, (1) Paul of Tarsus who protested
+against the Hebraism of Peter; (2) Mohammed who protested against the
+perversions of Christianity; (3) Luther who protested against Italian
+rule in Germany, and lastly (4) one (who shall be nameless) that
+protests against the whole business.
+
+[FN#141] Lane transfers this to vol. i. 520 (notes to chapt. vii); and
+gives a mere abstract as of that preceding.
+
+[FN#142] We learn from Ibn Batutah that it stood South of the Great
+Mosque and afterwards became the Coppersmiths’ Bazar. The site was
+known as Al-Khazrá (the Green) and the building was destroyed by the
+Abbasides. See Defrémery and Sanguinetti, i. 206.
+
+[FN#143] This great tribe or rather nation has been noticed before
+(vol. ii. 170). The name means “Strong,” and derives from one Tamim bin
+Murr of the race of Adnan, nat. circ. A.D. 121. They hold the
+North-Eastern uplands of Najd, comprising the great desert Al-Dahná and
+extend to Al-Bahrayn. They are split up into a multitude of clans and
+septs; and they can boast of producing two famous sectarians. One was
+Abdullah bin Suffár, head of the Suffriyah; and the other Abdullah bin
+Ibáz (Ibadh) whence the Ibázíyah heretics of Oman who long included
+her princes. Mr. Palgrave wrongly writes Abadeeyah and Biadeeyah and my
+“Bayázi” was an Arab vulgarism used by the Zanzibarians. Dr. Badger
+rightly prefers Ibáziyah which he writes Ibâdhiyah (Hist. of the Imams,
+etc.).
+
+[FN#144] Governor of Al-Medinah under Mu’awiyah and afterwards (A.H.
+64–65=683–4) fourth Ommiade. Al-Siyúti (p. 216) will not account him
+amongst the princes of the Faithful, holding him a rebel against
+Al-Zubayr. Ockley makes Ibn al-Zubayr ninth and Marwán tenth Caliph.
+
+[FN#145] The address, without the vocative particle, is more emphatic;
+and the P.N. Mu’awiyah seems to court the omission.
+
+[FN#146] This may also mean that the £500 were the woman’s “mahr” or
+marriage dowry and the £250 a present to buy the father’s consent.
+
+[FN#147] Quite true to nature. See an account of the quasi-epileptic
+fits to which Syrians are subject and by them called Al-Wahtah in “The
+Inner Life of Syria,” i. 233.
+
+[FN#148] Arab. “Wayha-k” here equivalent to Wayla-k. M. C. Barbier de
+Meynard renders the first “mon ami” and the second “misérable.”
+
+[FN#149] This is an instance when the article (Al) is correctly used
+with one proper name and not with another. Al-Kumayt (P. N. of poet)
+lit. means a bay horse with black points: Nasr is victory.
+
+[FN#150] This anecdote, which reads like truth, is ample set off for a
+cart-load of abuse of women. But even the Hindus, determined
+misogynists in books, sometimes relent. Says the Katha Sarit Sagara:
+“So you see, King, honourable matrons are devoted to their husbands,
+and it is not the case that all women are always bad” (ii. 624). Let me
+hope that after all this Mistress Su’ad did not lead her husband a
+hardish life.
+
+[FN#151] Al-Khalí’a has been explained in vol. i. 311 {Vol 1, FN#633}:
+ the translation of Al-Mas’udi (vi. 10) renders it “scélérat.” Abú Alí
+al-Husayn the Wag was a Bassorite and a worthy companion of Abu Nowas
+the Debauchee; but he adorned the Court of Al-Amin the son, not of
+Al-Rashid the father.
+
+[FN#152] Governor of Bassorah, but not in Al-Husayn’s day.
+
+[FN#153] The famous market-place where poems were recited, mentioned by
+Al-Hariri.
+
+[FN#154] A quarter of Bassorah.
+
+[FN#155] Capital of Al-Yaman, and then famed for its leather and other
+work (vol. v. 16).
+
+[FN#156] The creases in the stomach like the large navel are always
+insisted upon. Says the Kathá (ii. 525) “And he looked on that torrent
+river of the elixir of beauty, adorned with a waist made charming by
+those wave-like wrinkles,” etc.
+
+[FN#157] Arab. Sabaj (not Sabah, as the Mac. Edit. misprints it): I am
+not sure of its meaning.
+
+[FN#158] A truly Arab conceit, suggesting—
+
+The music breathing from her face;
+
+her calves moved rhythmically, suggesting the movement and consequent
+sound of a musical instrument.
+
+[FN#159] The _morosa voluptas_ of the Catholic divines. The Sapphist
+described in the text would procure an orgasm (_in gloria_, as the
+Italians call it) by biting and rolling over the girl she loved; but by
+loosening the trouser-string she evidently aims at a closer tribadism—the
+Arab “Musáhikah.”
+
+[FN#160] We drink (or drank) after dinner, Easterns before the meal and
+half-Easterns (like the Russians) before and after. We talk of liquor
+being unwholesome on an empty stomach; but the truth is that all is
+purely habit. And as the Russian accompanies his Vodki with caviare,
+etc., so the Oriental drinks his Raki or Mahayá (Ma al-hayát=aqua vitæ)
+alternately with a Salátah, for whose composition see Pilgrimage i.
+198. The Eastern practice has its advantages: it awakens the appetite,
+stimulates digestion and, what Easterns greatly regard, it is
+economical; half a bottle doing the work of a whole. Bhang and Kusumbá
+(opium dissolved and strained through a pledget of cotton) are always
+drunk before dinner and thus the “jolly” time is the preprandial, not
+the postprandial.
+
+[FN#161] “Abu al-Sakhá” (pronounced Abussakhá) = Father of munificence.
+
+[FN#162] ‘Arab. “Shammara,” also used for gathering up the gown, so as
+to run the faster.
+
+[FN#163] i.e., blessing the Prophet and all True Believers (herself
+included).
+
+[FN#164] The style of this letter is that of a public scribe in a Cairo
+market-place thirty years ago.
+
+[FN#165] i.e., she could not help falling in love with this beauty man.
+
+[FN#166] “Kudrat,” used somewhat in the sense of our vague
+“Providence.” The sentence means, leave Omnipotence to manage him. Mr.
+Redhouse, who forces a likeness between Moslem and Christian theology,
+tells us that “Qader is unjustly translated by Fate and Destiny, an old
+pagan idea abhorrent to Al-Islam which reposes on God’s providence.” He
+makes Kazá and Kismet quasi-synonymes of “Qazá” and “Qader,” the former
+signifying God’s decree, the latter our allotted portion, and he would
+render both by dispensation. Of course it is convenient to forget the
+Guarded Tablet of the learned and the Night of Power and skull-lectures
+of the vulgar. The eminent Turkish scholar would also translate Salát
+by worship (du’á being prayer) because it signifies a simple act of
+adoration without entreaty. If he will read the Opener of the Koran,
+recited in every set of prayers, he will find an especial request to be
+“led to the path which is straight.” These vagaries are seriously
+adopted by Mr. E. J. W. Gibb in his Ottoman Poems (p. 245, etc.)
+London: Trübner and Co., 1882; and they deserve, I think, reprehension,
+because they serve only to mislead; and the high authority of the
+source whence they come necessarily recommends them to many.
+
+[FN#167] The reader will have noticed the likeness of this tale to that
+of Ibn Mansúr and the Lady Budúr (vol. iv., 228 et seq.){Vol 4, Tale
+42} For this reason Lane leaves it untranslated (iii. 252).
+
+[FN#168] Lane also omits this tale (iii. 252). See Night dclxxxviii.,
+vol. vii. p. 113 et seq., for a variant of the story.
+
+[FN#169] Third Abbaside, A.H. 158–169 (=775–785), and father of Harun
+Al-Rashid. He is known chiefly for his eccentricities, such as cutting
+the throats of all his carrier-pigeons, making a man dine off marrow
+and sugar and having snow sent to him at Meccah, a distance of 700
+miles.
+
+[FN#170] Arab. “Mirt”; the dictionaries give a short shift, cloak or
+breeches of wool or coarse silk.
+
+[FN#171] Arab. “Mayázíb” plur. of the Pers. Mizáb (orig.
+Míz-i-áb=channel of water) a spout for roof-rain. That which drains
+the Ka’abah on the N.-W. side is called Mizáb al-Rahmah (Gargoyle of
+Mercy) and pilgrims stand under it for a douche of holy water. It is
+supposed to be of gold, but really of silver gold-plated and is
+described of Burckhardt and myself. (Pilgrimage iii. 164.) The length
+is 4 feet 10 in.; width 9 in.; height of sides 8 in.; and slope at
+mouth 1 foot 6 in long.
+
+[FN#172] The Mac. and Bul. Edits. have by mistake “Son of Ishak.” Lane
+has “Is-hak the son of Ibrahim” following Trébutien (iii. 483) but
+suggests in a note the right reading as above.
+
+[FN#173] Again masculine for feminine.
+
+[FN#174] There are two of this name. The Upper al-Akik contains the
+whole site of Al-Medinah; the Lower is on the Meccan road about four
+miles S.W. of the city. The Prophet called it “blessed” because ordered
+by an angel to pray therein. The poets have said pretty things about
+it, _e.g._
+
+     O friend, this is the vale Akik; here stand and strive in
+thought:
+     If not a very lover, strive to be by love-distraught!
+
+
+for whose esoteric meaning see Pilgrimage ii. 24. I passed through
+Al-Akík in July when it was dry as summer dust and its “beautiful
+trees” were mere vegetable mummies.
+
+[FN#175] Those who live in the wet climates of the Northern temperates
+can hardly understand the delight of a shower in rainless lands, like
+Arabia and Nubia. In Sind we used to strip and stand in the downfall
+and raise faces sky-wards to get the full benefit of the douche. In
+Southern Persia food is hastily cooked at such times, wine strained,
+Kaliuns made ready and horses saddled for a ride to the nearest gardens
+and a happy drinking-bout under the cypresses. If a man refused, his
+friends would say of him, “See how he turns his back upon the blessing
+of Allah!” (like an ass which presents its tail to the weather).
+
+[FN#176] _i.e._ the destruction of the Barmecides.
+
+[FN#177] He was Wazir to the Great “Saladin” (Saláh al-Din = one
+conforming with the Faith): see vol. iv. 271, where Saladin is also
+entitled Al-Malik al-Nasir = the Conquering King. He was a Kurd and
+therefore fond of boys (like Virgil, Horace, etc.), but that perversion
+did not prevent his being one of the noblest of men. He lies in the
+Great Amawi Mosque of Damascus and I never visited a tomb with more
+reverence.
+
+[FN#178] Arab. “Ahassa bi’l-Shurbah;” in our idiom “he smelt a rat”.
+
+[FN#179] This and the next tale are omitted by Lane (iii. 254) on
+“account of its vulgarity, rendered more objectionable by indecent
+incidents.” It has been honoured with a lithographed reprint at Cairo
+A.H. 1278 and the Bresl. Edit. ix. 193 calls it the “Tale of Ahmad
+al-Danaf with Dalílah.”
+
+[FN#180] “Ahmad, the Distressing Sickness,” or “Calamity;” Hasan the
+Pestilent and Dalílah the bawd. See vol. ii. 329, and vol. iv. 75.
+
+[FN#181] A fœtus, a foundling, a contemptible fellow.
+
+[FN#182] In the Mac. Edit. “her husband”: the end of the tale shows the
+error, _infra_, p. 171. The Bresl. Edit., x. 195, informs us that Dalilah
+was a “Faylasúfiyah”=philosopheress.
+
+[FN#183] Arab. “Ibrík” usually a ewer, a spout-pot, from the Pers.
+Ab-ríz=water-pourer: the old woman thus vaunted her ceremonial purity.
+The basin and ewer are called in poetry “the two rumourers,” because
+they rattle when borne about.
+
+[FN#184] Khátún in Turk. is=a lady, a dame of high degree; at times as
+here and elsewhere, it becomes a P. N.
+
+[FN#185] Arab. “Maut,” a word mostly avoided in the Koran and by the
+Founder of Christianity.
+
+[FN#186] Arab. “Akákír,” drugs, spices, simples which cannot be
+distinguished without study and practice. Hence the proverb
+(Burckhardt, 703), Is this an art of drugs?—difficult as the druggist’s
+craft?
+
+[FN#187] _i.e._ Beautiful as the fairy damsels who guard enchanted
+treasures, such as that of Al-Shamardal (vol. vi. 221).
+
+[FN#188] _i.e._ by contact with a person in a state of ceremonial
+impurity; servants are not particular upon this point and “Salát
+mamlúkíyah” (Mameluke’s prayers) means praying without ablution.
+
+[FN#189] _i.e._ Father of assaults, burdens or pregnancies; the last
+being here the meaning.
+
+[FN#190] Ex votos and so forth.
+
+[FN#191] Arab. “Iksah,” plaits, braids, also the little gold coins and
+other ornaments worn in the hair, now mostly by the middle and lower
+classes. Low Europeans sometimes take advantage of the native
+prostitutes by detaching these valuables, a form of “bilking” peculiar
+to the Nile-Valley.
+
+[FN#192] In Bresl. Edit. Malíh Kawí (pron. ‘Awi), a Cairene
+vulgarism.
+
+[FN#193] Meaning without veil or upper clothing.
+
+[FN#194] Arab. “Kallakás” the edible African arum before explained.
+This Colocasia is supposed to bear, unlike the palm, male and female
+flowers in one spathe.
+
+[FN#195] See vol. iii. 302. The figs refer to the anus and the
+pomegranates, like the sycomore, to the female parts. Me nec fæmina nec
+puer, &c., says Horace in pensive mood.
+
+[FN#196] It is in accordance to custom that the Shaykh be attended by a
+half-witted fanatic who would be made furious by seeing gold and silks
+in the reverend presence so coyly curtained.
+
+[FN#197] In English, “God damn everything an inch high!”
+
+[FN#198] Burckhardt notes that the Wali, or chief police officer at
+Cairo, was exclusively termed Al-Aghá and quotes the proverb (No. 156)
+“One night the whore repented and cried:—What! no Wali (Al-Aghá) to lay
+whores by the heels?” Some of these Egyptian by-words are most amusing
+and characteristic; but they require literal translation, not the timid
+touch of the last generation. I am preparing, for the use of my friend,
+Bernard Quaritch, a bonâ fide version which awaits only the promised
+volume of Herr Landberg.
+
+[FN#199] Lit. for “we leave them for the present”: the formula is much
+used in this tale, showing another hand, author or copyist.
+
+[FN#200] Arab. “Uzrah.”
+
+[FN#201] _i.e._ “Thou art unjust and violent enough to wrong even the
+Caliph!”
+
+[FN#202] I may note that a “donkey-boy” like our “post-boy” can be of
+any age in Egypt.
+
+[FN#203] They could legally demand to be recouped but the chief would
+have found some pretext to put off payment. Such at least is the legal
+process of these days.
+
+[FN#204] _i.e._ drunk with the excess of his beauty.
+
+[FN#205] A delicate way of offering a fee. When officers commanding
+regiments in India contracted for clothing the men, they found these
+douceurs under their dinner-napkins. All that is now changed; but I
+doubt the change being an improvement: the public is plundered by a
+“Board” instead of an individual.
+
+[FN#206] This may mean, I should know her even were my eyes blue (or
+blind) with cataract and the Bresl. Edit. ix. 231, reads “Ayní”=my
+eye; or it may be, I should know her by her staring, glittering, hungry
+eyes, as opposed to the “Hawar” soft-black and languishing (Arab. Prov.
+i. 115, and ii. 848). The Prophet said “blue-eyed (women) are of good
+omen.” And when one man reproached another saying “Thou art Azrak”
+(blue-eyed!) he retorted, “So is the falcon!” “Zurk-an” in Kor. xx.
+102, is translated by Mr. Rodwell “leaden eyes.” It ought to be
+blue-eyed, dim-sighted, purblind.
+
+[FN#207] Arab, “Zalábiyah bi-‘Asal.”
+
+[FN#208] Arab. “Ká’ah,” their mess-room, barracks.
+
+[FN#209] _i.e._ Camel shoulder-blade.
+
+[FN#210] So in the Brazil you are invited to drink a copa d’agua and
+find a splendid banquet. There is a smack of Chinese ceremony in this
+practice which lingers throughout southern Europe; but the less
+advanced society is, the more it is fettered by ceremony and
+“etiquette.”
+
+[FN#211] The Bresl. edit. (ix. 239) prefers these lines:—
+
+     Some of us be hawks and some sparrow-hawks, *
+          And vultures some which at carrion pike;
+     And maidens deem all alike we be *
+          But, save in our turbands, we’re not alike.
+
+
+[FN#212] Arab. Shar’a=holy law; here it especially applies to
+Al-Kisás=_lex talionis_, which would order her eye-tooth to be torn out.
+
+[FN#213] i.e., of the Afghans. Sulaymáni is the Egypt and Hijazi term
+for an Afghan and the proverb says “Sulaymáni harámi”—the Afghan is a
+villainous man. See Pilgrimage i. 59, which gives them a better
+character. The Bresl. Edit. simply says, “King Sulaymán.”
+
+[FN#214] This is a sequel to the Story of Dalilah and both are highly
+relished by Arabs. The Bresl. Edit. ix. 245, runs both into one.
+
+[FN#215] Arab. “Misr” (Masr), the Capital, says Savary, applied
+alternately to Memphis, Fostat and Grand Cairo each of which had a
+Jízah (pron. Gízah), skirt, angle, outlying suburb.
+
+[FN#216] For the curious street-cries of old Cairo see Lane (M. E.
+chapt. xiv.) and my Pilgrimage (i. 120): here the rhymes are of Zabíb
+(raisins), habíb (lover) and labíb (man of sense).
+
+[FN#217] The Mac. and Bul. Edits. give two silly couplets of moral
+advice:—
+
+     Strike with thy stubborn steel, and never fear *
+          Aught save the Godhead of Almighty Might;
+     And shun ill practices and never show *
+          Through life but generous gifts to human sight.
+
+
+The above is from the Bresl. Edit. ix. 247.
+
+[FN#218] Arab. “Al-Khanakah” now more usually termed a
+Takíyah. (Pilgrim. i. 124.)
+
+
+[FN#219] Arab. “Ka’b al-ba’íd” (Bresl. Edit. ix. 255)=heel or ankle,
+metaph. for fortune, reputation: so the Arabs say the “Ka’b of the
+tribe is gone!” here “the far one”=the caravan-leader.
+
+[FN#220] Arab. “Sharít,” from Sharata=he Scarified; “Mishrat”=a lancet
+and “Sharítah”=a mason’s rule. Mr. Payne renders “Sharít” by
+whinyard: it must be a chopper-like weapon, with a pin or screw
+(laulab) to keep the blade open like the snap of the Spaniard’s
+cuchillo. Dozy explains it=epée, synonyme de Sayf.
+
+[FN#221] Text “Dimágh,” a Persianism when used for the head: the word
+properly means brain or meninx.
+
+[FN#222] They were afraid even to stand and answer this remarkable
+ruffian.
+
+[FN#223] Ahmad the Abortion, or the Foundling, nephew (sister’s son) of
+Zaynab the Coney-catcher. See supra, p. 145.
+
+[FN#224] Here the sharp lad discovers the direction without pointing it
+out. I need hardly enlarge upon the prehensile powers of the Eastern
+foot: the tailor will hold his cloth between his toes and pick up his
+needle with it, whilst the woman can knead every muscle and at times
+catch a mosquito between the toes. I knew an officer in India whose
+mistress hurt his feelings by so doing at a critical time when he
+attributed her movement to pleasure.
+
+[FN#225] Arab. “Hullah”=dress. In old days it was composed of the Burd
+or Ridá, the shoulder-cloth from 6 to 9 or 10 feet long, and the Izár
+or waistcloth which was either tied or tucked into a girdle of leather
+or metal. The woman’s waistcloth was called Nitáh and descended to the
+feet while the upper part was doubled and provided with a Tikkah or
+string over which it fell to the knees, overhanging the lower folds.
+This doubling of the “Hujrah,” or part round the waist, was called the
+“Hubkah.”
+
+[FN#226] Arab. “Taghaddá,” the dinner being at eleven a.m. or noon.
+
+[FN#227] Arab. Ghandúr for which the Dictionaries give only “fat,
+thick.” It applies in Arabia especially to a Harámi, brigand or
+freebooter, most honourable of professions, slain in foray or fray,
+opposed to “Fatís” or carrion (the _corps crévé_ of the Klephts), the
+man who dies the straw-death. Pilgrimage iii. 66.
+
+[FN#228] My fair readers will note with surprise how such matters are
+hurried in the East. The picture is, however, true to life in lands
+where “flirtation” is utterly unknown and, indeed, impossible.
+
+[FN#229] Arab. “Zabbah,” the wooden bolt (before noticed) which forms
+the lock and is opened by a slider and pins. It is illustrated by Lane
+(M. E. Introduction).
+
+[FN#230] _i.e._ I am not a petty thief.
+
+[FN#231] Arab. Satl=kettle, bucket. Lat. Situla (?).
+
+[FN#232] _i.e._ “there is no chance of his escaping.” It may also mean,
+“And far from him (Hayhát) is escape.”
+
+[FN#233] Arab. “Ihtilám,” the sign of puberty in boy or girl; this,
+like all emissions of semen, voluntary or involuntary, requires the
+Ghuzl or total ablution before prayers can be said, etc. See vol. v.
+199, in the Tale of Tawaddud.
+
+[FN#234] This is the way to take an Eastern when he tells a deliberate
+lie; and it often surprises him into speaking the truth.
+
+[FN#235] The conjunctiva in Africans is seldom white; often it is red
+and more frequently yellow.
+
+[FN#236] So in the texts, possibly a clerical error for the wine which
+he had brought with the kabobs. But beer is the especial tipple of
+African slaves in Egypt.
+
+[FN#237] Arab. “Laun”, prop.=color, hue; but applied to species and
+genus, our “kind”; and especially to dishes which differ in appearance;
+whilst in Egypt it means any dish.
+
+[FN#238] Arab. “Zardah”=rice dressed with honey and saffron.
+Vol. ii. 313. The word is still common in Turkey.
+
+
+[FN#239] Arab. “Laylat Ams,” the night of yesterday (Al-bárihah) not
+our “last night” which would be the night of the day spoken of.
+
+[FN#240] Arab. “Yakhní,” a word much used in Persia and India and
+properly applied to the complicated broth prepared for the rice and
+meat. For a good recipe see Herklots, Appendix xxix.
+
+[FN#241] In token of defeat and in acknowledgment that she was no match
+for men.
+
+[FN#242] This is a neat touch of nature. Many a woman, even of the
+world, has fallen in love with a man before indifferent to her because
+he did not take advantage of her when he had the opportunity.
+
+[FN#243] The slightest movement causes a fight at a funeral or a
+wedding-procession in the East; even amongst the “mild Hindus.”
+
+[FN#244] Arab. “Al-Musrán” (plur. of “Masír”) properly the intestines
+which contain the chyle. The bag made by Ali was, in fact, a “Cundum”
+(so called from the inventor, Colonel Cundum of the Guards in the days
+of Charles Second) or “French letter”; une capote anglaise, a “check
+upon child.” Captain Grose says (Class. Dict. etc. s.v. Cundum) “The
+dried gut of a sheep worn by a man in the act of coition to prevent
+venereal infection. These machines were long prepared and sold by a
+matron of the name of Philips at the Green Canister in Half Moon Street
+in the Strand * * * Also a false scabbard over a sword and the oilskin
+case for the colours of a regiment.” Another account is given in the
+Guide Pratique des Maladies Secrètes, Dr. G. Harris, Bruxelles.
+Librairie Populaire. He calls these petits sachets de baudruche
+“Candoms, from the doctor who invented them” (Littré ignores the word)
+and declares that the famous Ricord compared them with a bad umbrella
+which a storm can break or burst, while others term them cuirasses
+against pleasure and cobwebs against infection. They were much used in
+the last century. “Those pretended stolen goods were Mr. Wilkes’s
+Papers, many of which tended to prove his authorship of the North
+Briton, No. 45, April 23, 1763, and some _Cundums_ enclosed in an
+envelope” (Records of C. of King’s Bench, London, 1763). “Pour finir
+l’inventaire de ces curiosités du cabinet de Madame Gourdan, il ne faut
+pas omettre une multitude de _redingottes_ appelées _d’Angleterre_, je ne
+sais pourquois. Vous connoissez, au surplus, ces espèces de boucliers
+qu’on oppose aux traits empoisonnés de l’amour; et qui n’emoussent que
+ceux du plaisir.” (L’Observateur Anglois, Londres 1778, iii. 69.) Again
+we read:—
+
+     “Les capotes mélancoliques
+     Qui pendent chez les gros Millan (?)
+     S’enflent d’elles-memes, lubriques,
+     Et dechargent en se gonflant.”
+                                Passage Satyrique.
+
+
+Also in Louis Prolat:—
+
+“Il fuyait, me laissant une capote au cul.”
+
+The articles are now of two kinds mostly of baudruche (sheep’s gut) and
+a few of caout-chouc. They are made almost exclusively in the faubourgs
+of Paris, giving employment to many women and young girls; Grenelle
+turns out the baudruche and Grenelle and Lilas the India-rubber
+article; and of the three or four makers M. Deschamps is best known.
+The sheep’s gut is not joined in any way but of single piece as it
+comes from the animal after, of course, much manipulation to make it
+thin and supple; the inferior qualities are stuck together at the
+sides. Prices vary from 4½ to 36 francs per gross. Those of
+India-rubber are always joined at the side with a solution especially
+prepared for the purpose. I have also heard of fish-bladders but can
+give no details on the subject. The Cundum was unknown to the ancients
+of Europe although syphilis was not: even prehistoric skeletons show
+traces of its ravages.
+
+[FN#245] Arab. “Yá Ustá” (for “Ustáz.”) The Pers. term is Ustád=a
+craft-master, an artisan and especially a barber. Here it is merely a
+polite address.
+
+[FN#246] In common parlance Arabs answer a question (like the classics
+of Europe who rarely used Yes and No, Yea and Nay), by repeating its
+last words. They have, however, many affirmative particles _e.g._ Ni’am
+which answers a negative “Dost thou not go?”—Ni’am (Yes!); and Ajal, a
+stronger form following a command, _e.g._ Sir (go)—Ajal, Yes verily. The
+popular form is Aywá (‘lláhi)=Yes, by Allah. The chief negatives are Má
+and Lá, both often used in the sense of “There is not.”
+
+[FN#247] Arab. “Khalbús,” prop. the servant of the Almah-girls who acts
+buffoon as well as pimp. The “Maskharah” (whence our “mask”)
+corresponds with the fool or jester of mediæval Europe: amongst the
+Arnauts he is called “Suttari” and is known by his fox’s tails: he
+mounts a mare, tom-toms on the kettle-drum and is generally one of the
+bravest of the corps. These buffoons are noted for extreme indecency:
+they generally appear in the ring provided with an enormous phallus of
+whip-cord and with this they charge man, woman and child, to the
+infinite delight of the public.
+
+[FN#248] Arab. “Shúbash” pronounced in Egypt Shobash: it is the Persian
+Sháh-básh lit.=be a King, equivalent to our bravo. Here, however, the
+allusion is to the buffoon’s cry at an Egyptian feast, “Shohbash
+‘alayk, yá Sáhib al-faraj,”=a present is due from thee, O giver of the
+fête! See Lane M. E. xxvii.
+
+[FN#249] Arab. “Ka’ak al-I’d:” the former is the Arab form of the
+Persian “Kahk” (still retained in Egypt) whence I would derive our word
+“cake.” It alludes to the sweet cakes which are served up with dates,
+the quatre mendiants and sherbets during visits of the Lesser (not the
+greater) Festival, at the end of the Ramazan fast. (Lane M.E. xxv.)
+
+[FN#250] Arab. “Tásúmah,” a rare word for a peculiar slipper. Dozy (s.
+v.) says only, espece de chaussure, sandale, pantoufle, soulier.
+
+[FN#251] Arab. “Ijtilá”=the displaying of the bride on her wedding
+night so often alluded to in The Nights.
+
+[FN#252] Arab. Khiskhánah; a mixed word from Klaysh=canvass or stuffs
+generally and Pers. Khánah=house room. Dozy (s.v.) says armoire,
+buffet.
+
+[FN#253] The Bresl. Edit. “Kamaríyah”=Moon-like (fem.) for
+Moon.
+
+
+[FN#254] Every traveller describes the manners and customs of dogs in
+Eastern cities where they furiously attack all canine intruders. I have
+noticed the subject in writing of Al-Medinah where the beasts are
+confined to the suburbs. (Pilgrimage ii. 52–54.)
+
+[FN#255] She could legally compel him to sell her; because, being an
+Infidel, he had attempted to debauch a Moslemah.
+
+[FN#256] Arab. “Haláwat wa Mulabbas”; the latter etymologically means
+one dressed or clothed. Here it alludes to almonds, etc., clothed or
+coated with sugar. See Dozy (s.v.) “labas.”
+
+[FN#257] Arab. “‘Ubb” from a root=being long: Dozy (s.v.), says poche
+au sein; Habb al-‘ubb is a woman’s ornament.
+
+[FN#258] Who, it will be remembered, was Dalilah’s grandson.
+
+[FN#259] Arab. “Tábút,” a term applied to the Ark of the Covenant
+(Koran ii. 249), which contained Moses’ rod and shoes, Aaron’s mitre,
+the manna-pot, the broken Tables of the Law, and the portraits of all
+the prophets which are to appear till the end of time—an extensive list
+for a box measuring 3 by 2 cubits. Europeans often translate it coffin,
+but it is properly the wooden case placed over an honoured grave.
+“Irán” is the Ark of Moses’ exposure, also the large hearse on which
+tribal chiefs were carried to earth.
+
+[FN#260] _i.e._ What we have related is not “Gospel Truth.”
+
+[FN#261] Omitted by Lane (iii. 252) “because little more than a
+repetition” of Taj al-Mulúk and the Lady Dunyá. This is true; but the
+nice progress of the nurse’s pimping is a well-finished picture and the
+old woman’s speech (_infra_ p. 243) is a gem.
+
+[FN#262] Artaxerxes; in the Mac. Edit. Azdashir, a misprint.
+
+[FN#263] I use “kiss ground” as we say “kiss hands.” But it must not be
+understood literally: the nearest approach would be to touch the earth
+with the finger-tips and apply them to the lips or brow. Amongst Hindus
+the Ashtánga-prostration included actually kissing the ground.
+
+[FN#264] The “key” is mentioned because a fee so called (miftáh) is
+paid on its being handed to the new lodger. (Pilgrimage i. 62.)
+
+[FN#265] The Koranic term for semen, often quoted.
+
+[FN#266] Koran, xii. 31, in the story of Joseph, before noticed.
+
+[FN#267] Probably the white woollens, so often mentioned, whose use is
+now returning to Europe, where men have a reasonable fear of dyed
+stuffs, especially since Aniline conquered Cochineal.
+
+[FN#268] Arab. “samír,” one who enjoys the musámarah or night-talk
+outside the Arab tents. “Samar” is the shade of the moon, or half
+darkness when only stars shine without a moon, or the darkness of a
+moonless night. Hence the proverb (A. P. ii. 513) “Má af’al-hú al-samar
+wa’l kamar;” I will not do it by moondarkness or by moonshine, _i.e._
+never. I have elsewhere remarked that “Early to bed and early to rise”
+is a civilised maxim; most barbarians sit deep into the night in the
+light of the moon or a camp-fire and will not rise till nearly noon.
+They agree in our modern version of the old saw:—
+
+     Early to bed and early to rise
+     Makes a man surly and gives him red eyes.
+
+
+The Shayks of Arab tribes especially transact most of their public
+business during the dark hours.
+
+[FN#269] Suspecting that it had been sent by some Royal lover.
+
+[FN#270] Arab. “Rubbamá” a particle more emphatic than rubba,=perhaps,
+sometimes, often.
+
+[FN#271] “The broken (wall)” from Hatim=breaking. It fences the Hijr or
+space where Ishmael is buried (vol. vi. 205); and I have described it
+in Pilgrimage iii. 165.
+
+[FN#272] Arab. “Faráis” (plur. of farísah): the phrase has often
+occurred and is=our “trembled in every nerve.” As often happens in
+Arabic, it is “horsey;” alluding to the shoulder-muscles (not
+shoulder-blades, Preston p. 89) between neck and flank which readily
+quiver in blood-horses when excited or frightened.
+
+[FN#273] Arab. “Fazl”=exceeding goodness as in “Fazl wa
+ma’rifah”=virtue and learning.
+
+[FN#274] Arab. “Al-Mafárik” (plur. of Mafrak),=the pole or crown of the
+head, where the hair parts naturally and where baldness mostly begins.
+
+[FN#275] Arab. “Ná’i al-maut”, the person sent round to announce a
+death to the friends and relations of the deceased and invite them to
+the funeral.
+
+[FN#276] Arab. “Táir al-bayn”, any bird, not only the Hátim or black
+crow, which announces separation. Crows and ravens flock for food to
+the camps broken up for the springtide and autumnal marches, and thus
+become emblems of desertion and desolation. The same birds are also
+connected with Abel’s burial in the Koran (v. 34), a Jewish tradition
+borrowed by Mohammed. Lastly, here is a paranomasia in the words
+“Ghuráb al-Bayn”=Raven of the Wold (the black bird with white breast
+and red beak and legs): “Ghuráb” (Heb. Oreb) connects with
+Ghurbah=strangerhood, exile, and “Bayn” with distance, interval,
+disunion, the desert (between the cultivated spots). There is another
+and a similar pun anent the Bán-tree; the first word meaning “he fared,
+he left.”
+
+[FN#277] Arab. “Tayr,” any flying thing, a bird; with true
+Arab carelessness the writer waits till the tale is nearly
+ended before letting us know that the birds are pigeons
+(Hamám).
+
+
+[FN#278] Arab. “Karr’aynan.” The Arabs say, “Allah cool thine eye,”
+because tears of grief are hot and those of joy cool (Al-Asma’i);
+others say the cool eye is opposed to that heated by watching; and
+Al-Hariri (Ass. xxvii.) makes a scorching afternoon “hotter than the
+tear of a childless mother.” In the burning climate of Arabia coolth
+and refrigeration are equivalent to refreshment and delight.
+
+[FN#279] Arab. “Muunah,” the “Mona” of Maroccan travellers (English not
+Italian who are scandalised by “Mona”) meaning the provisions supplied
+gratis by the unhappy villagers to all who visit them with passport
+from the Sultan. Our cousins German have lately scored a great success
+by paying for all their rations which the Ministers of other nations,
+England included, were mean enough to accept.
+
+[FN#280] Arab. “Kaannahu huwa”; lit.=as he (was) he. This reminds us of
+the great grammarian, Sibawayh, whose name the Persians derive from
+“Apple-flavour”(Sib + bú). He was disputing, in presence of Harun
+al-Rashid with a rival Al-Kisá’í, and advocated the Basrian form,
+“Fa-izá huwa hú” (behold, it was he) against the Kufan, “Fa-izá huwa
+iyyáhu” (behold, it was him). The enemy overcame him by appealing to
+Badawin, who spoke impurely, whereupon Sibawayh left the court, retired
+to Khorasan and died, it is said of a broken heart.
+
+[FN#281] This is a sign of the Saudáwí or melancholic temperament in
+which black bile pre-dominates. It is supposed to cause a distaste for
+society and a longing for solitude, an unsettled habit of mind and
+neglect of worldly affairs. I remarked that in Arabia students are
+subject to it, and that amongst philosophers and literary men of Mecca
+and Al-Medinah there was hardly one who was not spoken of as a
+“Saudawi.” See Pilgrimage ii. 49, 50.
+
+[FN#282] _i.e._ I am a servant and bound to tell thee what my orders are.
+
+[FN#283] A touching lesson on how bribes settle matters in the
+East.
+
+
+[FN#284] _i.e._ fresh from water (Arab. “Rutub”), before the air can
+tarnish them. The pearl (margarita) in Arab. is Lu’lu’; the “unio” or
+large pearl Durr, plur. Durar. In modern parlance Durr is the second
+quality of the twelve into which pearls are divided.
+
+[FN#285] _i.e._ the Wazir, but purposely left vague.
+
+[FN#286] The whole of the nurse’s speech is admirable: its naïve and
+striking picture of conjugal affection goes far to redeem the grossness
+of The Nights.
+
+[FN#287] The bitterness was the parting in the morning.
+
+[FN#288] English “Prin’cess,” too often pronounced in French fashion
+Princess.
+
+[FN#289] In dictionaries “Bán” (Anglice ben-tree) is the myrobalan
+which produces gum benzoin. It resembles the tamarisk. Mr. Lyall (p. 74
+Translations of Ancient Arab Poetry, Williams and Norgate, 1885), calls
+it a species of Moringa, tall, with plentiful and intensely green
+foliage used for comparisons on account of its straightness and
+graceful shape of its branches. The nut supplies a medicinal oil.
+
+[FN#290] A sign of extreme familiarity: the glooms are the hands and
+the full moons are the eyes.
+
+[FN#291] Arab. “Khal’a al-‘izár”: lit.=stripping off jaws or
+side-beard.
+
+[FN#292] Arab. “Shimál”=the north wind.
+
+[FN#293] An operation well described by Juvenal—
+
+     Illa supercilium, modicâ fuligine tactum,
+     Obliquâ producit acu, pingitque, trementes
+     Attolens oculos.
+
+
+Sonnini (Travels in Egypt, chapt. xvi.) justly remarks that this
+pencilling the angles of the eyes with Kohl, which the old Levant trade
+called alquifoux or arquifoux, makes them appear large and more oblong;
+and I have noted that the modern Egyptian (especially Coptic) eye, like
+that of the Sphinx and the old figures looks in profile as if it were
+seen in full. (Pilgrimage i. 214.)
+
+[FN#294] The same traveller notes a singular property in the
+Henna-flower that when smelt closely it exhales a “very powerful
+spermatic odour,” hence it became a favourite with women as the
+tea-rose with us. He finds it on the nails of mummies, and identifies
+it with the Kupros of the ancient Greeks (the moderns call it Kene or
+Kena) and the {Bótrys tês kýproy} (Botrus cypri) of Solomon’s Song (i.
+14). The Hebr. is “Copher,” a well-known word which the A. V.
+translates by “a cluster of camphire (?) in the vineyards of En-gedi”;
+and a note on iv. 13 ineptly adds, “or, cypress.” The Revised Edit.
+amends it to “a cluster of henna-flowers.” The Solomonic (?)
+description is very correct; the shrub affects vineyards, and about
+Bombay forms fine hedges which can be smelt from a distance.
+
+[FN#295] Hardly the equivalent of the Arab. “Kataba” (which includes
+true tattooing with needles) and is applied to painting “patches” of
+blue or green colour, with sprigs and arabesques upon the arms and
+especially the breasts of women. “Kataba” would also be applied to
+striping the fingers with Henna which becomes a shining black under a
+paste of honey, lime and sal-ammoniac. This “patching” is alluded to by
+Strabo and Galen (Lane M. E. chapt. ii.); and we may note that savages
+and barbarians can leave nothing of beauty unadorned; they seem to hate
+a plain surface like the Hindu silversmith, whose art is shown only in
+chasing.
+
+[FN#296] A violent temper, accompanied with _voies de fait_ and personal
+violence, is by no means rare amongst Eastern princesses; and terrible
+tales are told in Persia concerning the daughters of Fath Ali Shah. Few
+men and no woman can resist the temptations of absolute command. The
+daughter of a certain Dictator all-powerful in the Argentine Republic
+was once seen on horseback with a white bridle of peculiar leather; it
+was made of the skin of a man who had boasted of her favours. The
+slave-girls suffer first from these masterful young persons and then it
+is the turn of the eunuchry.
+
+[FN#297] A neat touch; she was too thorough-bred to care for herself
+first.
+
+[FN#298] Here the ground or earth is really kissed.
+
+[FN#299] Corresponding with our phrase, “His heart was in his mouth.”
+
+[FN#300] Very artful is the contrast of the love-lorn Princess’s
+humility with her furious behaviour, in the pride of her purity, while
+she was yet a virginette and fancy free.
+
+[FN#301] Arab. “Suhbat-hu” lit.=in company with him, a popular idiom in
+Egypt and Syria. It often occurs in the Bresl. Edit.
+
+[FN#302] In the Mac. Edit. “Shahzamán,” a corruption of Sháh
+Zamán=King of the Age. (See vol. i. 2)
+
+
+[FN#303] For a note on this subject see vol. ii. 2.
+
+[FN#304] _i.e._ bathe her and apply cosmetics to remove all traces of
+travel.
+
+[FN#305] These pretentious and curious displays of coquetry are not
+uncommon in handsome slave-girls when newly bought; and it is a kind of
+pundonor to humour them. They may also refuse their favours and a
+master who took possession of their persons by brute force would be
+blamed by his friends, men and women. Even the most despotic of
+despots, Fath Ali Shah of Persia, put up with refusals from his
+slave-girls and did not, as would the mean-minded, marry them to the
+grooms or cooks of the palace.
+
+[FN#306] Such continence is rarely shown by the young Jallabs or
+slave-traders; when older they learn how much money is lost with the
+chattel’s virginity.
+
+[FN#307] Midwives in the East, as in the less civilised parts of the
+West, have many nostrums for divining the sex of the unborn child.
+
+[FN#308] Arabic (which has no written “g”) from Pers. Gulnár
+(Gul-i-anár) pomegranate-flower, the “Gulnare” of Byron who learnt his
+Orientalism at the Mekhitarist (Armenian) Convent, Venice. I regret to
+see the little honour now paid to the gallant poet in the land where he
+should be honoured the most. The systematic depreciation was begun by
+the late Mr. Thackeray, perhaps the last man to value the noble
+independence of Byron’s spirit; and it has been perpetuated, I regret
+to see, by better judges. These critics seem wholly to ignore the fact
+that Byron founded a school which covered Europe from Russia to Spain,
+from Norway to Sicily, and which from England passed over to the two
+Americas. This exceptional success, which has not yet fallen even to
+Shakespeare’s lot, was due to genius only, for the poet almost ignored
+study and poetic art. His great misfortune was being born in England
+under the Georgium Sidus. Any Continental people would have regarded
+him as one of the prime glories of his race.
+
+[FN#309] Arab. “Fí al-Kamar,” which Lane renders “in the moonlight.”
+It seems to me that the allusion is to the Comorin Islands; but the
+sequel speaks simply of an island.
+
+[FN#310] The Mac. Edit. misprints Julnár as Julnáz (so the Bul. Edit.
+ii. 233), and Lane’s Jullanár is an Egyptian vulgarism. He is right in
+suspecting the “White City” to be imaginary; but its sea has no
+apparent connection with the Caspian. The mermen and mermaids appear to
+him to be of an inferior order of the Jinn, termed Al-Ghawwásah, the
+Divers, who fly through air and are made of fire which at times issues
+from their mouths.
+
+[FN#311] Arab. “Alá Kulli hál,” a popular phrase, like the
+Anglo-American “anyhow.”
+
+
+[FN#312] In the text the name does not appear till near the end of the
+tale.
+
+[FN#313] _i.e._ Full moon smiling.
+
+[FN#314] These lines have occurred in vol. iii. 264. so I quote
+Lane ii. 499.
+
+
+[FN#315] ‘These lines occurred in vol. ii. 301. I quote Mr.
+Payne.
+
+
+[FN#316] Arab. “Khadd” = cheek from the eye-orbit to the place where
+the beard grows; also applied to the side of a rough highland, the
+side-planks of a litter, etc. etc.
+
+[FN#317] The black hair of youth.
+
+[FN#318] This manner of listening is not held dishonourable amongst
+Arabs or Easterns generally; who, however, hear as little good of
+themselves as Westerns declare in proverb.
+
+[FN#319] Arab. “Hasab wa nasab,” before explained as inherited degree
+and acquired dignity. See vol. iv. 171.
+
+[FN#320] Arab. “Mujájat”=spittle running from the mouth: hence Lane,
+“is like running saliva,” which, in poetry is not pretty.
+
+[FN#321] Arab. and Heb. “Salmandra” from Pers. Samandal (— dar—duk—dun,
+etc.), a Salamander, a mouse which lives in fire, some say a bird in
+India and China and others confuse with the chameleon (Bochart Hiero.
+Part ii. chapt. vi).
+
+[FN#322] Arab. “Mahá” one of the four kinds of wild cows or bovine
+antelopes, bubalus, Antelope defassa, A. Ieucoryx, etc.
+
+[FN#323] These lines have occurred in vol. iii. 279; so I quote Lane
+(iii. 274) by way of variety; although I do not like his “bowels.”
+
+[FN#324] The last verse (286) of chapt. ii. The Cow: “compelleth” in
+the sense of “burdeneth.”
+
+[FN#325] Salih’s speeches are euphuistic.
+
+[FN#326] From the Fátihah.
+
+[FN#327] A truly Eastern saying, which ignores the “old maids” of the
+West.
+
+[FN#328] _i.e._ naming her before the lieges as if the speaker were
+her and his superior. It would have been more polite not to have gone
+beyond “the unique pearl and the hoarded jewel:” the offensive part of
+the speech was using the girl’s name.
+
+[FN#329] Meaning emphatically that one and all were nobodies.
+
+[FN#330] Arab Badr, the usual pun.
+
+[FN#331] Arab. “Kirát” (κεράτιον) the bean of the _Abrus precatorius_,
+used as a weight in Arabia and India and as a bead for decoration in
+Africa. It is equal to four Kamhahs or wheat grains and about 3 grs.
+avoir.; and being the twenty fourth of a miskal, it is applied to that
+proportion of everything. Thus the Arabs say of a perfect man, “He is
+of four-and-twenty Kirát” _i.e._ pure gold. See vol. iii. 239.
+
+[FN#332] The (she) myrtle: Kazimirski (A. de Biberstein)
+Dictionnaire Arabe-Francais (Pairs Maisonneuve 1867) gives
+Marsín=Rose de Jericho: myrte.
+
+
+[FN#333] Needless to note that the fowler had a right to expect a
+return present worth double or treble the price of his gift. Such is
+the universal practice of the East: in the West the extortioner says,
+“I leave it to you, sir!”
+
+[FN#334] And she does tell him all that the reader well knows.
+
+[FN#335] This was for sprinkling him, but the texts omit that
+operation. Arabic has distinct terms for various forms of
+metamorphosis. “Naskh” is change from a lower to a higher, as beast
+to man; “Maskh” (the common expression) is the reverse; “Raskh” is
+from animate to inanimate (man to stone) and “Faskh” is absolute
+wasting away to corruption.
+
+[FN#336] I render this improbable detail literally: it can only mean
+that the ship was dashed against a rock.
+
+[FN#337] Who was probably squatting on his shop counter. The “Bakkál”
+(who must not be confounded with the _épicier_), lit. “vender of herbs”
+=greengrocer, and according to Richardson used incorrectly for Baddál
+(?) vendor of provisions. Popularly it is applied to a seller of oil,
+honey, butter and fruit, like the Ital. “Pizzicagnolo”=Salsamentarius,
+and in North-West Africa to an inn-keeper.
+
+[FN#338] Here the Shaykh is mistaken: he should have said, “The Sun in
+old Persian.” “Almanac” simply makes nonsense of the Arabian Circe’s
+name. In Arab. it is “Takwím,” whence the Span. and Port. “Tacuino:”
+in Heb. Hakamathá-Takunah=sapientia dispositionis astrorum (Asiat.
+Research. iii. 120).
+
+[FN#339] _i.e._ for thy daily expenses.
+
+[FN#340] _Un adolescent aime toutes les femmes._ Man is by nature
+polygamic whereas woman as a rule is monogamic and polyandrous only
+when tired of her lover. For the man, as has been truly said, loves the
+woman, but the love of the woman is for the love of the man.
+
+[FN#341] I have already noted that the heroes and heroines of Eastern
+love-tales are always _bonnes fourchettes_: they eat and drink hard
+enough to scandalise the sentimental amourist of the West; but it is
+understood that this abundant diet is necessary to qualify them for the
+Herculean labours of the love night.
+
+[FN#342] Here again a little excision is necessary; the reader already
+knows all about it.
+
+[FN#343] Arab. “Hiss,” prop. speaking a perception (as of sound or
+motion) as opposed to “Hadas,” a surmise or opinion without proof.
+
+[FN#344] Arab. “Sawík,” the old and modern name for native frumenty,
+green grain (mostly barley) toasted, pounded, mixed with dates or sugar
+and eaten on journeys when cooking is impracticable. M. C. de Perceval
+(iii. 54), gives it a different and now unknown name; and Mr. Lane also
+applies it to “ptisane.” It named the “Day of Sawaykah” (for which
+see Pilgrimage ii. 19), called by our popular authors the “War of the
+Meal-sacks.”
+
+[FN#345] Mr. Keightley (H. 122–24 Tales and Popular Fictions, a book
+now somewhat obsolete) remarks, “There is nothing said about the bridle
+in the account of the sale (_infra_), but I am sure that in the original
+tale, Badr’s misfortunes must have been owing to his having parted with
+it. In Chaucer’s Squier’s Tale the bridle would also appear to have
+been of some importance.” He quotes a story from the Notti Piacevoli of
+Straparola, the Milanese, published at Venice in 1550. And there is a
+popular story of the kind in Germany.
+
+[FN#346] Here, for the first time we find the name of the mother who
+has often been mentioned in the story. Faráshah is the fem. or singular
+form of “Farásh,” a butterfly, a moth. Lane notes that his Shaykh gives
+it the very unusual sense of “a locust.”
+
+[FN#347] Punning upon Jauharah = “a jewel” a name which has an
+Hibernian smack.
+
+
+[FN#348] In the old version “All the lovers of the Magic Queen resumed
+their pristine forms as soon as she ceased to live;” moreover, they
+were all sons of kings, princes, or persons of high degree.
+
+[FN#349] Arab. “Munádamah,” = conversation over the cup (Lane), used
+somewhat in the sense of “Musámarah” = talks by moonlight.
+
+[FN#350] Arab. “Kursi,” a word of many meanings; here it would allure
+to the square crate-like seat of palm-fronds used by the Ráwi or public
+reciter of tales when he is not pacing about the coffee-house.
+
+[FN#351] Von Hammer remarks that this is precisely the sum paid in
+Egypt for a MS. copy of The Nights.
+
+[FN#352] Arab. “Samar,” the origin of Musámarah, which see, vol. iv.
+237.
+
+[FN#353] The pomp and circumstance, with which the tale is introduced
+to the reader showing the importance attached to it. Lane, most
+injudiciously I think, transfers the Proemium to a note in chapt.
+xxiv., thus converting an Arabian Night into an Arabian Note.
+
+[FN#354] ‘Asim = defending (honour) or defended, son of Safwán = clear,
+cold (dry). Trébutien ii. 126, has Safran.
+
+[FN#355] Fáris = the rider, the Knight, son of Sálih = the righteous,
+the pious, the just.
+
+[FN#356] In sign of the deepest dejection, when a man would signify
+that he can fall no lower.
+
+[FN#357] Arab. Yá Khawand (in Bresl. Edit. vol. iv. 191) and fem. form
+Khawandah (p. 20) from Pers. Kháwand or Kháwandagár = superior, lord,
+master; Khudáwand is still used in popular as in classical Persian, and
+is universally understood in Hindostan.
+
+[FN#358] The Biblical Sheba, whence came the Queen of many
+Hebrew fables.
+
+
+[FN#359] These would be the interjections of the writer or
+story-teller. The Mac. Edit. is here a sketch which must be filled up
+by the Bresl. Edit. vol. iv. 189–318: “Tale of King Asim and his son
+Sayf al-Mulúk with Badí’a al-Jamál.”
+
+[FN#360] The oath by the Seal-ring of Solomon was the Stygian “swear”
+in Fairy-land. The signet consisted of four jewels, presented by as
+many angels, representing the Winds, the Birds, Earth (including sea)
+and Spirits, and the gems were inscribed with as many sentences: (1) To
+Allah belong Majesty and Might; (2) All created things praise the Lord;
+(3) Heaven and Earth are Allah’s slaves and (4) There is no god but _the_
+God and Mohammed is His messenger. For Sakhr and his theft of the
+signet see Dr. Weil’s, “The Bible, the Koran, and the Talmud.”
+
+[FN#361] Trébutien (ii. 128) remarks, “Cet Assaf peut être celui auquel
+David adresse plusieurs de ses psaumes, et que nos interprètes disent
+avoir été son maître de chapelle (from Biblioth. Orient).”
+
+[FN#362] Mermen, monsters, beasts, etc.
+
+[FN#363] This is in accordance with Eastern etiquette; the guest must
+be fed before his errand is asked. The Porte, in the days of its pride,
+managed in this way sorely to insult the Ambassadors of the most
+powerful European kingdoms and the first French Republic had the honour
+of abating the barbarians’ nuisance. So the old Scottish Highlanders
+never asked the name or clan of a chance guest, lest he prove a foe
+before he had eaten their food.
+
+[FN#364] In Bresl. Edit. (301) Kháfiyah: in Mac. Kháinah, the perfidy.
+
+[FN#365] So in the Mac. Edit., in the Bresl. only one “Kabá” or Kaftan;
+but from the sequel it seems to be a clerical error.
+
+[FN#366] Arab. “Su’ubán” (Thu’ubán) popularly translated “basilisk.”
+The Egyptians suppose that when this serpent forms ring round the Ibn
+‘Irs (weasel or ichneumon) the latter emits a peculiar air which causes
+the reptile to burst.
+
+[FN#367] _i.e._ that prophesied by Solomon.
+
+[FN#368] Arab. “Takliyah” from kaly, a fry: Lane’s Shaykh explained it
+as “onions cooked in clarified butter, after which they are put upon
+other cooked food.” The mention of onions points to Egypt as the origin
+of this tale and certainly not to Arabia, where the strong-smelling
+root is hated.
+
+[FN#369] Von Hammer quotes the case of the Grand Vizier Yúsuf
+throwing his own pelisse over the shoulders of the Aleppine
+Merchant who brought him the news of the death of his enemy,
+Jazzár Pasha.
+
+
+[FN#370] This peculiar style of generosity was also the custom in
+contemporary Europe.
+
+[FN#371] Khátún, which follows the name (_e.g._ Hurmat Khatun), in India
+corresponds with the male title Khan, taken by the Pathan Moslems (_e.g._
+Pír Khán). Khánum is the affix to the Moghul or Tartar nobility, the
+men assuming a double designation _e.g._ Mirza Abdallah Beg. See Oriental
+collections (Ouseley’s) vol. i. 97.
+
+[FN#372] Lit. “Whatso thou wouldest do that do!” a contrast with our
+European laconism.
+
+[FN#373] These are booths built against and outside the walls, made of
+palm-fronds and light materials.
+
+[FN#374] Von Hammer in Trébutien (ii. 135) says, “Such rejoicings are
+still customary at Constantinople, under the name of Donánmá, not only
+when the Sultanas are _enceintes_, but also when they are brought to bed.
+In 1803 the rumour of the pregnancy of a Sultana, being falsely spread,
+involved all the Ministers in useless expenses to prepare for a Donánmá
+which never took place.” Lane justly remarks upon this passage that the
+title Sultán precedes while the feminine Sultánah follows the name.
+
+[FN#375] These words (Bresl. Edit.) would be spoken in jest, a grim
+joke enough, but showing the elation of the King’s spirits.
+
+[FN#376] A signal like a gong: the Mac. Edit. reads “Tákah,” = in at
+the window.
+
+[FN#377] Sayf al-Mulúk = “Sword (Egyptian Sif, Arab. Sayf, Gr.
+{xíphos}) of the Kings”; and he must not be called tout bonnement Sayf.
+Sái’d = the forearm.
+
+[FN#378] Arab. “Fakíh” = a divine, from Fikh = theology, a man versed
+in law and divinity _i.e._ (1) the Koran and its interpretation
+comprehending the sacred ancient history of the creation and prophets
+(Chapters iii., iv., v. and vi.), (2) the traditions and legends
+connected with early Moslem History and (3) some auxiliary sciences as
+grammar, syntax and prosody; logic, rhetoric and philosophy. See p. 18
+of “El-Mas’údí’s Historical Encyclopædia etc.,” by my friend Prof.
+Aloys Springer, London 1841. This fine fragment printed by the Oriental
+Translation Fund has been left unfinished when the Asiatic Society of
+Paris has printed in Eight Vols. 8vo the text and translation of MM.
+Barbier de Meynard and Pavet de Courteille. What a national disgrace!
+And the same with the mere abridgment of Ibn Batutah by Prof. Lee
+(Orient. Tr. Fund 1820) when the French have the fine Edition and
+translation by Defrémery and Sanguinetti with index etc. in 4 vols. 8vo
+1858–59. But England is now content to rank in such matters as
+encouragement of learning, endowment of research etc., into the basest
+of kingdoms, and the contrast of status between the learned Societies
+of London and of Paris, Berlin, Vienna or Rome is mortifying to an
+Englishman—a national opprobrium.
+
+[FN#379] Arab. “Maydán al-Fíl,” prob. for Birkat al-Fíl, the Tank of
+the Elephant before-mentioned. Lane quotes Al-Makrizi who in his Khitat
+informs us that the lakelet was made about the end of the seventh
+century (A.H.), and in the seventeenth year of the eighth century
+became the site of the stables. The Bresl. Edit. (iv. 214) reads
+“Maydan al-‘Adl,” prob. for Al-‘Ádil the name of the King who laid out
+the Maydán.
+
+[FN#380] Arab. “Asháb al-Ziyá’,” the latter word mostly signifies
+estates consisting, strictly speaking, of land under artificial
+irrigation.
+
+[FN#381] The Bresl. Edit. (iv. 215) has “Chawáshiyah” = ‘Chiaush, the
+Turkish word, written with the Pers. “ch,” a letter which in Arabic is
+supplanted by “sh,” everywhere except in Morocco.
+
+[FN#382] Arab. “Záwiyah” lit. a corner, a cell. Lane (M. E., chapt.
+xxiv.) renders it “a small kiosque,” and translates the famous Zawiyat
+al-Umyán (Blind Men’s Angle) near the south-eastern corner of the Azhar
+or great Collegiate Mosque of Cairo, “Chapel of the Blind” (chapt.
+ix.). In popular parlance it suggests a hermitage.
+
+[FN#383] Arab. “Takht,” a Pers. word used as more emphatic than the
+Arab. Sarír.
+
+[FN#384] This girding the sovereign is found in the hieroglyphs as a
+peculiarity of the ancient Kings of Egypt, says Von Hammer referring
+readers to Denon.
+
+[FN#385] Arab. “Mohr,” which was not amongst the gifts of Solomon in
+Night dcclx. The Bresl. Edit. (p. 220) adds “and the bow,” which is
+also de trop.
+
+[FN#386] Arab. “Batánah,” the ordinary lining opp. to Tazríb, or
+quilting with a layer of cotton between two folds of cloth. The idea in
+the text is that the unhappy wearer would have to carry his cross (the
+girl) on his back.
+
+[FN#387] This line has occurred in Night dccxliv. supra p. 280.
+
+[FN#388] Arab. “Mu’attik al-Rikáb” _i.e._ who frees those in bondage from
+the yoke.
+
+[FN#389] In the Mac. Edit. and in Trébutien (ii. 143) the King is here
+called Schimakh son of Scharoukh, but elsewhere, Schohiali = Shahyál,
+in the Bresl. Edit. Shahál. What the author means by “Son of ‘Ád the
+Greater,” I cannot divine.
+
+[FN#390] Lit. “For he is the man who can avail thereto,” with the
+meaning given in the text.
+
+[FN#391] Arab. “Jazírat,” insula or peninsula, vol. i. 2.
+
+[FN#392] Probably Canton with which the Arabs were familiar.
+
+[FN#393] _i.e._ “Who disappointeth not those who put their trust in Him.”
+
+[FN#394] Arab. “Al-Manjaníkát” plur. of manjanik, from Gr. Μάγγανον,
+Lat. Manganum (Engl. Mangonel from the dim. Mangonella). Ducange
+Glossarium, s.v. The Greek is applied originally to defensive weapons,
+then to the artillery of the day, Ballista, catapults, etc. The kindred
+Arab. form “Manjanín” is applied chiefly to the Noria or Persian
+waterwheel.
+
+[FN#395] Faghfúr is the common Moslem title for the Emperors of China;
+in the Kamus the first syllable is Zammated (Fugh); in Al-Mas’udi
+(chapt. xiv.) we find Baghfúr and in Al-Idrisi Baghbúgh, or Baghbún. In
+Al-Asma’i Bagh = god or idol (Pehlewi and Persian); hence according to
+some Baghdád (?) and Bághistán a pagoda (?). Sprenger (Al-Mas’údi, p.
+327) remarks that Baghfúr is a literal translation of Tien-tse and
+quotes Visdelou, “pour mieux faire comprendre de quel ciel ils veulent
+parler, ils poussent la généalogie (of the Emperor) plus loin. Ils lui
+donnent le ciel pour père, la terre pour mère, le soleil pour frère
+aîné et la lune pour sœur aînée.”
+
+[FN#396] Arab. “Kayf hálak” = how de doo? the salutation of a
+Fellah.
+
+
+[FN#397] _i.e._ subject to the Maharajah of Hind.
+
+[FN#398] This is not a mistake: I have seen heavy hail in
+Africa, N. Lat. 4 degrees; within sight of the Equator.
+
+
+[FN#399] Arab. “Harrákat,” here used in the sense of smaller craft, and
+presently for a cock-boat.
+
+[FN#400] See vol. i. 138: here by way of variety I quote Mr.
+Payne.
+
+
+[FN#401] This explains the Arab idea of the “Old Man of the Sea” in
+Sindbad the Seaman (vol. vi. 50). He was not a monkey nor an unknown
+monster; but an evil Jinni of the most powerful class, yet subject to
+defeat and death.
+
+[FN#402] These Plinian monsters abound in Persian literature.
+For a specimen see Richardson Dissert. p. xlviii.
+
+
+[FN#403] Arab. “Anyáb,” plur. of “Náb” = canine tooth (eye-tooth of
+man), tusks of horse and camel, etc.
+
+[FN#404] Arab, “Kásid,” the Anglo-Indian Cossid. The post is called
+Baríd from the Persian “burídah” (cut) because the mules used for the
+purpose were dock-tailed. Barid applies equally to the post-mule, the
+rider and the distance from one station (Sikkah) to another which
+varied from two to six parasangs. The letter-carrier was termed
+Al-Faránik from the Pers. Parwánah, a servant. In the Diwán al-Baríd
+(Post-office) every letter was entered in a Madraj or list called in
+Arabic Al-Askidár from the Persian “Az Kih dárí” = from whom hast thou
+it?
+
+[FN#405] “Ten years” in the Bresl. Edit. iv. 244.
+
+[FN#406] In the Bresl. Edit. (iv. 245) we find “Kalak,” a raft, like
+those used upon the Euphrates, and better than the “Fulk,” or ship, of
+the Mac. Edit.
+
+[FN#407] Arab. “Timsah” from Coptic (Old Egypt) Emsuh or Msuh.
+The animal cannot live in salt-water, a fact which proves that
+the Crocodile Lakes on the Suez Canal were in old days fed by
+Nile-water; and this was necessarily a Canal.
+
+
+[FN#408] So in the Bresl. Edit. (iv. 245). In the Mac. text “one man,”
+which better suits the second crocodile, for the animal can hardly be
+expected to take two at a time.
+
+[FN#409] He had ample reason to be frightened. The large Cynocephalus
+is exceedingly dangerous. When travelling on the Gold Coast with my
+late friend Colonel De Ruvignes, we suddenly came in the grey of the
+morning upon a herd of these beasts. We dismounted, hobbled our nags
+and sat down, sword and revolver in hand. Luckily it was feeding time
+for the vicious brutes, which scowled at us but did not attack us.
+During my four years’ service on the West African Coast I heard enough
+to satisfy me that these powerful beasts often kill men and rape women;
+but I could not convince myself that they ever kept the women as
+concubines.
+
+[FN#410] As we should say in English “it is a far cry to Loch
+Awe”: the Hindu by-word is, “Dihlí (Delhi) is a long way off.”
+See vol. i. 37.
+
+
+[FN#411] Arab. “Fútah”, a napkin, a waistcloth, the Indian
+Zones alluded to by the old Greek travellers.
+
+
+[FN#412] Arab. “Yají (it comes) miat khwánjah”—quite Fellah talk.
+
+[FN#413] As Trébutien shows (ii. 155) these apes were a remnant of some
+ancient tribe possibly those of Ád who had gone to Meccah to pray for
+rain and thus escaped the general destruction. See vol. i. 65. Perhaps
+they were the Jews of Aylah who in David’s day were transformed into
+monkeys for fishing on the Sabbath (Saturday) Koran ii. 61.
+
+[FN#414] I can see no reason why Lane purposely changes this to “the
+extremity of their country.”
+
+[FN#415] Koran xxii. 44, Mr. Payne remarks:—This absurd addition is
+probably due to some copyist, who thought to show his knowledge of the
+Koran, but did not understand the meaning of the verse from which the
+quotation is taken and which runs thus, “How many cities have We
+destroyed, whilst yet they transgressed, and they are laid low on their
+own foundations and wells abandoned and high-builded palaces!” Mr. Lane
+observes that the words are either misunderstood or purposely
+misapplied by the author of the tale. Purposeful perversions of Holy
+Writ are very popular amongst Moslems and form part of their rhetoric;
+but such is not the case here. According to Von Hammer (Trébutien ii.
+154), “Eastern geographers place the Bir al-Mu’utallal (Ruined Well)
+and the Kasr al-Mashíd (High-builded Castle) in the province of
+Hadramaut, and we wait for a new Niebuhr to inform us what are the
+monuments or the ruins so called.” His text translates puits arides et
+palais de plâtre (not likely!). Lane remarks that Mashíd mostly means
+“plastered,” but here = Mushayyad, lofty, explained in the Jalálayn
+Commentary as = rafí’a, high-raised. The two places are also mentioned
+by Al-Mas’údi; and they occur in Al-Kazwíni (see Night dccclviii.):
+both of these authors making the Koran directly allude to them.
+
+[FN#416] Arab. (from Pers.) “Aywán” which here corresponds with the
+Egyptian “líwán” a tall saloon with estrades.
+
+[FN#417] This naïve style of “renowning it” is customary in the East,
+contrasting with the servile address of the subject—“thy slave” etc.
+
+[FN#418] Daulat (not Dawlah) the Anglo-Indian Dowlat; prop. meaning the
+shifts of affairs, hence, fortune, empire, kingdom. Khátún = “lady,” I
+have noted, follows the name after Turkish fashion.
+
+[FN#419] The old name of Suez-town from the Greek Clysma (the
+shutting), which named the Gulf of Suez “Sea of Kulzum.” The ruins in
+the shape of a huge mound, upon which Sá’id Pasha built a Kiosk-palace,
+lie to the north of the modern town and have been noticed by me.
+(Pilgrimage, Midian, etc.) The Rev. Prof. Sayce examined the mound and
+from the Roman remains found in it determined it to be a fort guarding
+the old mouth of the Old Egyptian Sweet-water Canal which then
+debouched near the town.
+
+[FN#420] _i.e._ Tuesday. See vol. iii. 249.
+
+[FN#421] Because being a Jinniyah the foster-sister could have come to
+her and saved her from old maidenhood.
+
+[FN#422] Arab. “Hájah” properly a needful thing. This consisted
+according to the Bresl. Edit. of certain perfumes, by burning which she
+could summon the Queen of the Jinn.
+
+[FN#423] Probably used in its sense of a “black crow.” The Bresl. Edit.
+(iv. 261) has “Khátim” (seal-ring) which is but one of its almost
+innumerable misprints.
+
+[FN#424] Here it is called “Tábik” and afterwards “Tábút.”
+
+[FN#425] _i.e._ raising from the lower hinge-pins. See vol. ii. 214.
+
+[FN#426] Arab. “Abrísam” or “Ibrísam” (from Persian Abrísham or
+Ibrísham) = raw silk or floss, _i.e._ untwisted silk.
+
+[FN#427] This knightly practice, evidently borrowed from the
+East, appears in many romances of chivalry _e.g._ When Sir
+Tristram is found by King Mark asleep beside Ysonde (Isentt)
+with drawn sword between them, the former cried:—
+
+
+          Gif they weren in sinne
+          Nought so they no lay.
+
+
+And we are told:—
+
+          Sir Amys and the lady bright
+               To bed gan they go;
+          And when they weren in bed laid,
+          Sir Amys his sword out-brayed
+          And held it between them two.
+
+
+This occurs in the old French romance of Amys and Amyloun which is
+taken into the tale of the Ravens in the Seven Wise Masters where
+Ludovic personates his friend Alexander in marrying the King of Egypt’s
+daughter and sleeps every night with a bare blade between him and the
+bride. See also Aladdin and his lamp. An Englishman remarked, “The
+drawn sword would be little hindrance to a man and maid coming
+together.” The drawn sword represented only the Prince’s honour.
+
+[FN#428] Arab. “Ya Sáki’ al-Wajh,” which Lane translates by “lying” or
+“liar.”
+
+[FN#429] Kamín (in Bresl. Edit. “bayn” = between) Al-Bahrayn =
+Ambuscade or lurking-place of the two seas. The name of the city in
+Lane is “‘Emareeych” imaginary but derived from Emarch (‘imárah) =
+being populous. Trébutien (ii. 161) takes from Bresl. Edit. “Amar” and
+translates the port-name, “le lieu de refuge des deux mers.”
+
+[FN#430] _i.e._ “High of (among) the Kings.” Lane proposes to read ‘Ali
+al-Mulk = high in dominion.
+
+[FN#431] Pronounce Mu’inuddeen = Aider of the Faith. The Bresl. Edit.
+(iv. 266) also read “Mu’in al-Riyásah” = Mu’in of the Captaincies.
+
+[FN#432] Arab. “Shúm” = a tough wood used for the staves with which
+donkeys are driven. Sir Gardner Wilkinson informed Lane that it is the
+ash.
+
+[FN#433] In Persian we find the fuller metaphorical form, “kissing the
+ground of obedience.”
+
+[FN#434] For the Shaykh of the Sea(-board) in Sindbad the
+Seaman see vol. vi. 50.
+
+
+[FN#435] That this riding is a facetious exaggeration of the
+African practice I find was guessed by Mr. Keightley.
+
+
+[FN#436] Arab. “Kummasra”: the root seems to be “Kamsara” = being
+slender or compact.
+
+[FN#437] Lane translates, “by reason of the exhilaration produced by
+intoxication.” But the Arabic here has no assonance. The passage also
+alludes to the drunken habits of those blameless Ethiopians, the races
+of Central Africa where, after midday a chief is rarely if ever found
+sober. We hear much about drink in England but Englishmen are mere
+babes compared with these stalwart Negroes. In Unyamwezi I found all
+the standing bedsteads of pole-sleepers and bark-slabs disposed at an
+angle of about 20 degrees for the purpose of draining off the huge
+pottle-fulls of Pombe (Osirian beer) drained by the occupants; and,
+comminxit lectum potus might be said of the whole male population.
+
+[FN#438] This is not exaggerated. When at Hebron I saw the biblical
+spectacle of two men carrying a huge bunch slung to a pole, not so much
+for the weight as to keep the grapes from injury.
+
+[FN#439] The Mac. and Bul. Edits. add, “and with him a host of
+others after his kind”; but these words are omitted by the
+Bresl. Edit. and apparently from the sequel there was only one
+Ghul-giant.
+
+
+[FN#440] Probably alluding to the most barbarous Persian practice of
+plucking or tearing out the eyes from their sockets. See Sir John
+Malcolm’s description of the capture of Kirmán and Morier (in Zohrab,
+the hostage) for the wholesale blinding of the Asterabadian by the
+Eunuch-King Agha Mohammed Shah. I may note that the mediæval Italian
+practice called _bacinare_, or scorching with red-hot basins, came from
+Persia.
+
+[FN#441] Arab. “Laban” as opposed to “Halíb”: in Night dcclxxiv.
+(_infra_ p. 365) the former is used for sweet milk, and other passages
+could be cited. I have noted that all galaktophagi, or milk-drinking
+races, prefer the artificially soured to the sweet, choosing the
+fermentation to take place outside rather than inside their stomachs.
+Amongst the Somal I never saw man, woman or child drink a drop of fresh
+milk; and they offered considerable opposition to our heating it for
+coffee.
+
+[FN#442] Arab. “Tákah” not “an aperture” as Lane has it, but an arched
+hollow in the wall.
+
+[FN#443] In Trébutien (ii. 168) the cannibal is called “Goul
+Eli-Fenioun” and Von Hammer remarks, “There is no need of such likeness
+of name to prove that al this episode is a manifest imitation of the
+adventures of Ulysses in Polyphemus’s cave; * * * and this induces the
+belief that the Arabs have been acquainted with the poems of Homer.”
+Living intimately with the Greeks they could not have ignored the Iliad
+and the Odyssey: indeed we know by tradition that they had
+translations, now apparently lost. I cannot however, accept Lane’s
+conjecture that “the story of Ulysses and Polyphemus may have been of
+Eastern origin.” Possibly the myth came from Egypt, for I have shown
+that the opening of the Iliad bears a suspicious likeness to the proem
+of Pentaur’s Epic.
+
+[FN#444] Arab. “Shakhtúr”.
+
+[FN#445] In the Bresl. Edit. the ship is not wrecked but lands Sa’id in
+safety.
+
+[FN#446] So in the Shah-nameh the Símurgh-bird gives one of her
+feathers to her protégé Zál which he will throw into the fire when she
+is wanted.
+
+[FN#447] Bresl. Edit. “Al-Zardakhánát” Arab. plur. of Zarad-Khánah, a
+bastard word = armoury, from Arab. Zarad (hauberk) and Pers. Khánah =
+house etc.
+
+[FN#448] Some retrenchment was here found necessary to avoid “damnable
+iteration.”
+
+[FN#449] _i.e._ Badi’a al-Jamal.
+
+[FN#450] Mohammed.
+
+[FN#451] Koran xxxv. “The Creator” (Fátir) or the Angels, so called
+from the first verse.
+
+[FN#452] In the Bresl. Edit. (p. 263) Sayf al-Muluk drops asleep under
+a tree to the lulling sound of a Sákiyah or water-wheel, and is seen by
+Badi’a al-Jamal, who falls in love with him and drops tears upon his
+cheeks, etc. The scene, containing much recitation, is long and well
+told.
+
+[FN#453] Arab. “Lukmah” = a _bouchée_ of bread, meat, fruit or pastry,
+and especially applied to the rice balled with the hand and delicately
+inserted into a friend’s mouth.
+
+[FN#454] Arab. “Saláhiyah,” also written Saráhiyah: it means an
+ewer-shaped glass-bottle.
+
+[FN#455] Arab. “Sarmújah,” of which Von Hammer remarks that the
+dictionaries ignore it; Dozy gives the forms Sarmúj, Sarmúz, and
+Sarmúzah and explains them by “espèce de guêtre, de sandale ou de mule,
+qu’on chausse par-dessus la botte.”
+
+[FN#456] In token of profound submission.
+
+[FN#457] Arab. “Misr” in Ibn Khaldún is a land whose people are settled
+and civilised hence “Namsur” = we settle; and “Amsár” = settled
+provinces. Al-Misrayn was the title of Basrah and Kufah the two
+military cantonments founded by Caliph Omar on the frontier of
+conquering Arabia and conquered Persia. Hence “Tamsír” = founding such
+posts, which were planted in Mesopotamia, Syria and Egypt. In these
+camps were stationed the veterans who had fought under Mohammed; but
+the spoils of the East soon changed them to splendid cities where
+luxury and learning flourished side by side. Sprenger (Al-Mas’údi pp.
+19, 177) compares them ecclesiastically with the primitive Christian
+Churches such as Jerusalem, Alexandria and Antioch. But the Moslems
+were animated with an ardent love of liberty and Kufah under Al-Hajjaj
+the masterful, lost 100,000 of her turbulent sons without the thirst
+for independence being quenched. This can hardly be said of the Early
+Christians who, with the exception of a few staunch-hearted martyrs,
+appear in history as pauvres diables and poules mouillées, ever
+oppressed by their own most ignorant and harmful fancy that the world
+was about to end.
+
+[FN#458] _i.e._ Waiting to be sold and wasting away in single cursedness.
+
+[FN#459] Arab. “Yá dádati”: dádat is an old servant-woman or slave,
+often applied to a nurse, like its congener the Pers. Dádá, the latter
+often pronounced Daddeh, as Daddeh Bazm-árá in the Kuisum-nameh
+(Atkinson’s “Customs of the Women of Persia,” London, 8vo, 1832).
+
+[FN#460] Marjánah has been already explained. D’Herbelot derives from
+it the Romance name _Morgante la Déconvenue_, here confounding Morgana
+with Urganda; and Keltic scholars make Morgain = Mor Gwynn—the white
+maid (p. 10, Keightley’s Fairy Mythology, London, Whittaker, 1833).
+
+
+
+
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