One Thousand and One Nights

When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-seventh Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old Queen heard the handmaid's words she was angry with sore wrath because of her and cried, "How shall there be accord between man and Jinn?" But Safy al-Muluk replied, "Indeed, I will conform to your will and be your page and die in your love and will keep with you covenant and regard none but you: so right soon shall you see my truth and lack of falsehood and the excellence of my manly dealing with you, Inshallah!" The old woman pondered for a full hour with brow earthwards bent; after which she raised her head and said to him, "O you beautiful youth, will you indeed keep compact and covenant?" He replied, "Yes, by Him who raised the heavens and disspread the earth upon the waters, I will indeed keep faith and troth!" Thereupon said she, "I will win for you your wish, Inshallah! but for the present go you into the garden and take your pleasure therein and eat of its fruits, that have neither like in the world nor equal, while I send for my son Shahyal and confabulate with him of the matter. Nothing but good shall come of it, so Allah please, for he will not refuse me nor disobey my commandment and I will marry you with his daughter Badi'a al-Jamal. So be of good heart for she shall assuredly be your wife, O Sayf al-Muluk." The Prince thanked her for those words and kissing her hands and feet, went forth from her into the garden; while she turned to Marjanah and said to her, "Go seek my son Shahyal wherever he is and bring him to me." So Maranah went out in quest of King Shahyal and found him and set him before his mother. On such wise fared it with them; but as regards Sayf al-Muluk, while he walked in the garden, lo and behold! five Jinn of the people of the Blue King espied him and said to one another, "Whence comes yonder fellow and who brought him here? Haply 'tis he who slew the son and heir of our lord and master the Blue King;" presently adding, 'But we will go about with him and question him and find out all from him." So they walked gently and softly up to him, as he sat in a corner of the garden, and sitting down by him, said to him, "O beauteous youth, you did right well in slaying the son of the Blue King and delivering from him Daulat Khatun; for he was a treacherous hound and had tricked her, and had not Allah appointed you to her, she had never won free; no, never! But how did you slay him?" Sayf al-Muluk looked at them and deeming them of the gardenfolk, answered, "I slew him by means of this ring which is on my finger." Therewith they were assured that it was he who had slain him; so they seized him, two of them holding his hands, while other two held his feet and the fifth his mouth, lest he should cry out and King Shahyal's people should hear him and rescue him from their hands. Then they lifted him up and flying away with him ceased not their flight till they came to their King and set him down before him, saying, "O King of the Age, we bring you the murderer of your son." "Where is he?" asked the King and they answered, "This is he." So the Blue King said to Sayf al-Muluk, "How slew you my son, the core of my heart and the light of my sight, without anything of right, for all he had done you no ill deed?" Said the Prince, "Yea, verily! I slew him because of his violence and wontonness, in that he used to seize Kings' daughters and sever them from their families and carry them to the Ruined Well and the High-builded Castle of Japhet son of Noah and entreat them lewdly by debauching them. I slew him by means of this ring on my finger, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire and the abiding-place dire." Therewithal the King was assured that this was indeed he who slew his son; so presently he called his Wazirs and said to them, "This is the murderer of my son sans shadow of doubt: so how do you counsel me to deal with him? Shall I slay him with the foulest slaughter or torture him with the terriblest torments or how?" Said the Chief Minister, "Cut off his limbs, one a day." Another, "Beat him with a grievous beating every day till he die." A third, "Cut him across the middle." A fourth, "Chop off all his fingers and burn him with fire." A fifth, "Crucify him;" and so on, each speaking according to his rede. Now there was with the Blue King an old Emir, versed in the vicissitudes and experienced in the exchanges of the times, and he said, "O King of the Age, verily I would say to you something, and yours is the decision whether you will hearken or not to my say." Now he was the King's privy Councillor and the Chief Officer of his empire, and the Sovran was accustomed to give ear to his word and conduct himself by his counsel and refuse him not in anything. So he rose and kissing ground before his liege lord, said to him, "O King of the Age, if I advise you in this matter, will you follow my advice and grant me indemnity?" Said the King, "Set forth your opinion, and you shall have immunity." Then said he, "O King of the Age, if you slay this one nor accept my advice nor hearken to my word, in very truth I say that his death were now inexpedient, for that he is your prisoner and in your power, and under your protection; so when you will, you may lay hand on him and do with him what you desire. Have patience, then, O King of the Age, for he has entered the garden of Iram and is become the betrothed of Badi'a al-Jamal, daughter of King Shahyal, and one of them. Your people seized him there and brought him hither and he did not hide his case from them or from you. So if you slay him, assuredly King Shahyal will seek blood-revenge and lead his host against you for his daughter's sake, and you can not cope with him nor make head against his power." So the King hearkened to his counsel and commanded to imprison the captive. Thus fared it with Sayf al-Muluk; but as regards the old Queen, grandmother of Badi'a al-Jamal, when her son Shahyal came to her she despatched Marjanah in search of Sayf al-Muluk; but she found him not and returning to her mistress, said, "I found him not in the garden." So the ancient dame sent for the gardeners and questioned them of the Prince. Said they, "We saw him sitting under a tree when behold, five of the Blue King's folk alighted by him and spoke with him, after which they took him up and having gagged him flew away with him." When the old Queen heard the damsel's words it was no light matter to her and she was angry with exceeding wrath: so she rose to her feet and said to her son, King Shahyal, "You are a King and shall the Blue King's people come to our garden and carry off our guests unhindered, and you alive?" And she proceeded to provoke him, saying, "It behooves not that any transgress against us during your lifetime." [1] Answered he, "O mother of me, this man slew the Blue King's son, who was a Jinni and Allah threw him into his hand. He is a Jinni and I am a Jinni: how then shall I go to him and make war on him for the sake of a mortal?" But she rejoined, "Go to him and demand our guest of him, and if he is still alive and the Blue King deliver him to you, take him and return; but if he has slain him, take the King and all his children and Harim and household depending on him; then bring them to me alive that I may cut their throats with my own hand and lay in ruins his reign. Unless you go to him and do my bidding, I will not acquit you of my milk and my rearing of you shall be counted unlawful."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-eighth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the grandmother of Badi'a al-Jamal said to Shahyal, "Fare you to the Blue King and look after Sayf al-Muluk: if he is still in life come with him hither; but if he has slain him take that King and all his children and Harim and the whole of his dependents an protégés and bring them here alive that I may cut their throats with my own hand and ruin his realm. Unless you go to him and do my bidding, I will not acquit you of my milk and my rearing of you shall be accounted unlawful." Thereupon Shahyal rose and assembling his troops, set out, in deference to his mother, desiring to content her and her friends, and in accordance with whatever had been fore-ordained from eternity without beginning; nor did they leave journeying till they came to the land of the Blue King, who met them with his army and gave them battle. The Blue King's host was put to the rout and the conquerors having taken him and all his sons, great and small, and Grandees and officers bound and brought them before King Shahyal, who said to the captive, "O Azrak, [2] where is the mortal Sayf al-Muluk who was once my guest?" Answered the Blue King, "O Shahyal, you are a Jinni and I am a Jinni and is't on account of a mortal who slew my son that you have done this deed; yes, the murderer of my son, the core of my liver and solace of my soul. How could you work such work and spill the blood of so many thousand Jinn?" He replied, "Leave this talk! Know you not that a single mortal is better, in Allah's sight, than a thousand Jinn? [3] If he is alive, bring him to me, and I will set you free and all whom I have taken of your sons and people; but if you have slain him, I will slaughter you and your sons." Said the Malik al-Azrak, "O King, is this man of more account with you than my son?"; and said Shahyal, "Verily, your son was an evildoer who kidnapped Kings' daughters and shut them up in the Ruined Well and the High-builded Castle of Japhet son of Noah and entreated them lewdly." Then said the Blue King, "He is with me; but make your peace between us." So he delivered the Prince to Shahyal, who made peace between him and the Blue King, and Al-Azrak gave him a bond of absolution for the death of his son. Then Shahyal conferred robes of honor on them and entertained the Blue King and his troops hospitably for three days, after which he took Sayf al-Muluk and carried him back to the old Queen, his own mother, who rejoiced in him with an exceeding joy, and Shahyal marvelled at the beauty of the Prince and his loveliness and his perfection. Then the Prince related to him his story from beginning to end, especially what did befall him with Badi'a al-Jamal and Shahyal said, "O my mother, since 'tis your pleasure that this should be, I hear and I obey all that to command it pleases you; wherefore do you take him and bear him to Sarandib and there celebrate his wedding and marry him to her in all state, for he is a goodly youth and has endured horrors for her sake." So she and her maidens set out with Sayf al-Muluk for Sarandib and, entering the Garden belonging to the Queen of Hind, foregathered with Daulat Khatun and Badi'a al-Jamal. Then the lovers met, and the old Queen acquainted the two Princesses with all that had passed between Sayf al-Muluk and the Blue King and how the Prince had been nearhand to a captive's death; but in repetition is no fruition. Then King Taj al-Muluk father of Daulat Khatun assembled the lords of his land and drew up the contract of marriage between Sayf al-Muluk and Badi'a al-Jamal; and he conferred costly robes of honor and gave banquets to the lieges. Then Sayf al-Muluk rose and, kissing ground before the King, said to him, "O King, pardon! I would fain ask of you something but I fear lest you refuse it to my disappointment." Taj al-Muluk replied, "By Allah, though you sought my soul of me, I would not refuse it to you, after all the kindness you have done me!" Said Sayf al-Muluk, "I wish you to marry the Princess Daulat Khatun to my brother Sa'id, and we will both be your pages." "I hear and obey," answered Taj al-Muluk, and assembling his Grandees a second time, let draw up the contract of marriage between his daughter and Sa'id; after which they scattered gold and silver and the King bade decorate the city. So they held high festival and Sayf al-Muluk went in unto Badi'a al-Jamal and Sa'id went in unto Daulat Khatun on the same night. Moreover Sayf al-Muluk abode forty days with Badi'a al-Jamal, at the end of which she said to him, "O King's son, tell me, is there left in your heart any regret for anything?" And he replied, "Allah forfend! I have accomplished my quest and there abides no regret in my heart at all: but I would fain meet my father and my mother in the land of Egypt and see if they continue in welfare or not." So she commanded a company of her slaves to convey them to Egypt, and they carried them to Cairo, where Sayf al-Muluk and Sa'id foregathered with their parents and abode with them a week; after which they took leave of them and returned to Sarandib-city; and from this time forwards, whenever they longed for their folk, they used to go to them and return. Then Sayf al-Muluk and Badi'a al-Jamal abode in all solace of life and its joyance as did Sa'id and Daulat Khatun, till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and Severer of societies; and they all died good Moslems. So glory be to the Living One who dieth not, who creates all creatures and decrees to them death and who is the First, without beginning, and the Last, without end! This is all that has come down to us of the story of Sayf al-Muluk and Badi'a al-Jamal. And Allah alone knows the truth. [4] But not less excellent than this tale is the History of

[Footnote 5] There was once of days of yore and in ages and times long gone before, a merchant, who dwelt in the land of Bassorah and who owned two sons and wealth galore. But in due time Allah, the All-hearing the All-knowing, decreed that he should be admitted to the mercy of the Most High; so he died, and his two sons laid him out and buried him, after which they divided his gardens and estates equally between them and of his portion each one opened a shop. [6] Presently the elder son, named, a youth of passing beauty and loveliness, symmetry and perfect grace, betook himself to the company of lewd folk, women and low boys, frolicking with them in gardens and feasting them with meat and wine for months together and occupying himself not with his business like as his father had done, for that he exulted in the abundance of his good. After some time he had wasted all his ready money, so he sold all his father's lands and houses and played the wastrel until there remained in his hand nothing, neither little nor muchel, nor was one of his comrades left who knew him. He abode thus ahungred, he and his widowed mother, three days, and on the fourth day, as he walked along, unknowing where to wend, there met him a man of his father's friends, who questioned him of his case. He told him what had befallen him and the other said, "O my son, I have a brother who is a goldsmith; if you will, you shall be with him and learn his craft and become skilled therein." Hasan consented and accompanied him to his brother, to whom he commended him, saying, "In very sooth this is my son; do you teach him for my sake." So Hasan abode with the goldsmith and busied himself with the craft; and Allah opened to him the door of gain and in due course he set up shop for himself. One day, as he sat in his booth in the bazar, there came up to him an Ajamí, a foreigner, a Persian, with a great white beard and a white turband [7] on his head, having the semblance of a merchant who, after saluting him, looked at his handiwork and examined it knowingly. It pleased him and he shook his head, saying, "By Allah, you are a cunning goldsmith! What may be your name?" "Hasan," replied the other, shortly. [8] The Persian continued to look at his wares, while Hasan read in an old book [9] he held in hand and the folk were taken up with his beauty and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace, till the hour of midafternoon prayer, when the shop became clear of people and the Persian accosted the young man, saying, "O my son, you are a comely youth! What book is that? You have no sire and I have no son, and I know an art, than which there is no goodlier in the world."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Seventy-ninth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Persian accosted the young man saying, "O my son, you are a comely youth! You have no sire and I have no son, and I know an art than which there is no goodlier in the world. Many have sought of me instruction therein, but I consented not to instruct any of them in it; yet has my soul consented that I teach it to you, for your love has gotten hold upon my heart and I will make you my son and set up between you and poverty a barrier, so shall you be quit of this handicraft and toil no more with hammer and anvil, [10] charcoal and fire." Hasan asked, "O my lord and when will you teach me this?"; and the Persian answered, "Tomorrow, Inshallah, I will come to you betimes and make you in your presence fine gold of this copper." Whereupon Hasan rejoiced and sat talking with the Persian till nightfall, when he took leave of him and going in to his mother, saluted her with the salam and ate with her; but he was dazed, without memory or reason, for that the stranger's words had gotten hold upon his heart. So she questioned him and he told her what had passed between himself and the Persian, which when she heard, her heart fluttered and she strained him to her bosom, saying, "O my son, beware of hearkening to the talk of the folk, and especially of the Persians, and obey them not in anything; for they are sharpers and tricksters, who profess the art of alchemy [11] and swindle people and take their money and devour it in vain." Replied Hasan, "O my mother, we are paupers and have nothing he may covet, that he should put a cheat on us. Indeed, this Persian is a right worthy Shaykh and the signs of virtue are manifest on him; Allah has inclined his heart to me and he has adopted me to son." She was silent in her chagrin, and he passed the night without sleep, his heart being full of what the Persian had said to him; nor did slumber visit him for the excess of his joy therein. But when morning morrowed, he rose and taking the keys, opened the shop, whereupon behold, the Persian accosted him. Hasan stood up to him and would have kissed his hands; but he forbade him from this and suffered it not, saying, "O Hasan, set on the crucible and apply the bellows." [12] So he did as the stranger bade him and lighted the charcoal. Then said the Persian, "O my son, have you any copper?" and he replied, "I have a broken platter." So he bade him work the shears [13] and cut it into bittocks and cast it into the crucible and blow up the fire with the bellows, till the copper became liquid, when he put hand to turband and took therefrom a folded paper and opening it, sprinkled thereout into the pot about half a drachm of somewhat like yellow Kohl or eyepowder. [14] Then he bade Hasan blow upon it with the bellows, and he did so, till the contents of the crucible became a lump of gold. [15] When the youth saw this, he was stupefied and at his wits' end for the joy he felt and taking the ingot from the crucible handled it and tried it with the file and found it pure gold of the finest quality: whereupon his reason fled and he was dazed with excess of delight and bent over the Persian's hand to kiss it. But he forbade him, saying, "Are you married?" and when the youth replied "No!" he said, "Carry this ingot to the market and sell it and take the price in haste and speak not." So Hasan went down into the market and gave the bar to the broker, who took it and rubbed it upon the touchstone and found it pure gold. So they opened the biddings at ten thousand dirhams and the merchants bid against one another for it up to fifteen thousand dirhams, [16] at which price he sold it and taking the money, went home and told his mother all that had passed, saying, "O my mother, I have learnt this art and mystery." But she laughed at him, saying, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eightieth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan the goldsmith told his mother what he had done with the Ajami and cried, "I have learnt this art and mystery," she laughed at him, saying, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!"; and she was silent for vexation. Then of his ignorance, he took a metal mortar and returning to the shop, laid it before the Persian, who was still sitting there and asked him, "O my son, what will you do with this mortar?" Hasan answered, "Let us put it in the fire, and make of it lumps of gold." The Persian laughed and rejoined, "O my son, are you Jinn-mad that you would go down into the market with two ingots of gold in one day? Know you not that the folk would suspect us and our lives would be lost? Now, O my son, if I teach you this craft, you must practise it but once in each twelvemonth; for that will suffice you from year to year." Cried Hasan, "True, O my lord," and sitting down in his open shop, set on the crucible and cast more charcoal on the fire. Said the Persian, "What will thou, O my son?"; and said Hasan, "Teach me this craft." "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!" exclaimed the Persian, laughing; "Verily, O my son, you are little of wit and in nowise fitted for this noble craft. Did ever any during all his life learn this art on the beaten way or in the bazars? If we busy ourselves with it here, the folk will say of us, These practise alchemy; and the magistrates will hear of us, and we shall lose our lives. [17] Wherefore, O my son, if you desire to learn this mystery forthright, come you with me to my house." So Hasan barred his shop and went with that Ajamí; but by the way he remembered his mother's words and thinking in himself a thousand thoughts he stood still, with bowed head. The Persian turned and seeing him thus standing laughed and said to him, "Are you mad? What! I in my heart purpose you good and you think I will harm you!" presently adding, "But, if you fear to go with me to my house, I will go with you to yours and teach you there." Hasan replied, "'Tis well, O uncle," and the Persian rejoined, "Go you before me." So Hasan led the way to his own house, and entering, told his mother of the Persian's coming, for he had left him standing at the door. She ordered the house for them and when she had made an end of furnishing and adorning it, her son bade her go to one of the neighbours' lodgings. So she left her home to them and wended her way, whereupon Hasan brought in the Persian, who entered after asking leave. Then he took in hand a dish and going to the market, returned with food, which he set before the Persian, saying, "Eat, O my lord, that between us there may be bread and salt and may Almighty Allah do vengeance upon the traitor to bread and salt!" The Persian replied with a smile, "True, O my son! Who knows the virtue and worth of bread and salt?" [18] Then he came forward and ate with Hasan, till they were satisfied; after which the Ajami said, "O my son Hasan, bring us some sweetmeats." So Hasan went to the market, rejoicing in his words, and returned with ten saucers [19] of sweetmeats, of which they both ate and the Persian said, "May Allah abundantly requite you, O my son! It is the like of you with whom folk company and to whom they reveal their secrets and teach what may profit him!" [20] Then said he, "O Hasan bring the gear." But hardly did Hasan hear these words than he went forth like a colt let out to grass in spring-tide, and hastening to the shop, fetched the apparatus and set it before the Persian, who pulled out a piece of paper and said, "O Hasan, by the bond of bread and salt, were you not dearer to me than my son, I would not let you into the mysteries of this art, for I have none of the Elixir [21] left save what is in this paper; but by and by I will compound the simples whereof it is composed and will make it before you. Know, O my son Hasan, that to every ten pounds of copper you must set half a drachm of that which is in this paper, and the whole ten will presently become unalloyed virgin gold;" presently adding, "O my son, O Hasan, there are in this paper three ounces, [22] Egyptian measure, and when it is spent, I will make you other and more." Hasan took the packet and finding therein a yellow powder, finer than the first, said to the Persian, "O my lord, what is the name of this substance and where is it found and how is it made?" But he laughed, longing to get hold of the youth, and replied, "Of what do you question? Indeed you are a wayward boy! Do your work and hold your peace." So Hasan arose and fetching a brass platter from the house, shore it in shreds and threw it into the melting-pot; then he scattered on it a little of the powder from the paper and it became a lump of pure gold. When he saw this, he joyed with exceeding joy and was filled with amazement and could think of nothing save the gold; but, while he was occupied with taking up the lumps of metal from the melting-pot, the Persian pulled out of his turband in haste a packet of Cretan Bhang, which if an elephant smelt, he would sleep from night to night, and cutting off a little thereof, put it in a piece of the sweetmeat. Then said he, "O Hasan, you are become my very son and dearer to me than soul and wealth, and I have a daughter whose like never have eyes beheld for beauty and loveliness, symmetry and perfect grace. Now I see that you befit none but her and she none but you; wherefore, if it be Allah's will, I will marry you to her." Replied Hasan, "I am your servant and whatever good you do with me will be a deposit with the Almighty!" and the Persian rejoined, "O my son, have fair patience and fair shall betide you." Therewith he gave him the piece of sweetmeat and he took it and kissing his hand, put it in his mouth, knowing not what was hidden for him in the after time for only the Lord of Futurity knows the Future. But hardly had he swallowed it, when he fell down, head foregoing heels, and was lost to the world; whereupon the Persian, seeing him in such calamitous case, rejoiced exceedingly and cried, "You have fallen into my snares, O gallows-carrion, O dog of the Arabs! This many a year have I sought you and now I have found you, O Hasan!"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-first Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan the goldsmith ate the bit of sweetmeat given to him by the Ajami and fell fainting to the ground, the Persian rejoiced exceedingly and cried, "This many a year have I sought you and now I have found you!" Then he girt himself and pinioned Hasan's arms and binding his feet to his hands laid him in a chest, which he emptied to that end and locked it upon him. Moreover, he cleared another chest and laying therein all Hasan's valuables, together with the piece of the first gold-lump and the second ingot which he had made locked it with a padlock. Then he ran to the market and fetching a porter, took up the two chests and made off with them to a place within sight of the city, where he set them down on the sea-shore, hard by a vessel at anchor there. Now this craft had been freighted and fitted out by the Persian and her master was awaiting him; so, when the crew saw him, they came to him and bore the two chests on board. Then the Persian called out to the Rais or Captain, saying, "Up and let us be off, for I have done my desire and won my wish." So the skipper sang out to the sailors, saying, "Weigh anchor and set sail!" And the ship put out to sea with a fair wind. So far concerning the Persian; but as regards Hasan's mother, she awaited him till supper-time but heard neither sound nor news of him; so she went to the house and finding it thrown open, entered and saw none therein and missed the two chests and their valuables; wherefore she knew that her son was lost and that doom had overtaken him; and she buffeted her face and rent her raiment crying out and wailing and saying, "Alas, my son, ah! Alas, the fruit of my vitals, ah!" And she recited these couplets,

"My patience fails me and grows anxiety; * And with your absence growth of grief I see. By Allah, Patience went what time you went! * Loss of all Hope how suffer patiently? When lost my loved one how can' joy I sleep? * Who shall enjoy such life of low degree? You 'rt gone and, desolating house and home, * Hast fouled the fount erst flowed from foulness free: You wast my fame, my grace 'mid folk, my stay; * Mine aid wast you in all adversity! Perish the day, when from mine eyes they bore * My friend, till sight I your return to me!"

And she ceased not to weep and wail till the dawn, when the neighbours came in to her and asked her of her son, and she told them what had befallen him with the Persian, assured that she should never, never see him again. Then she went round about the house, weeping, and wending she espied two lines written upon the wall; so she sent for a scholar, who read them to her; and they were these,

"Leyla's phantom came by night, when drowsiness had overcome me, towards morning while my companions were sleeping in the desert, But when we awoke to behold the nightly phantom, I saw the air vacant and the place of visitation was distant." [23]

When Hasan's mother heard these lines, she shrieked and said, "Yes, O my son! Indeed, the house is desolate and the visitation-place is distant!" Then the neighbours took leave of her and after they had prayed that she might be granted patience and speedy reunion with her son, went away; but she ceased not to weep all watches of the night and tides of the day and she built in the middle of the house a tomb whereon she let write Hasan's name and the date of his loss, and thenceforward she quitted it not, but made a habit of incessantly biding thereby night and day. Such was her case; but touching her son Hasan and the Ajami, this Persian was a Magian, who hated Moslems with exceeding hatred and destroyed all who fell into his power. He was a lewd and filthy villain, a hankerer after alchemy, an astrologer and a hunter of hidden hoards, such an one as he of whom said the poet,

"A dog, dog-fathered, by dog-grandsire bred; * No good in dog from dog race issued: E'en for a gnat no resting-place gives he * Who is composed of seed by all men shed." [24]

The name of this accursed was Bahrám the Zoroastrian, and he was wont, every year, to take a Moslem and cut his throat for his own purposes. So, when he had carried out his plot against Hasan the goldsmith, they sailed on from dawn till dark, when the ship made fast to the shore for the night, and at sunrise, when they set sail again, Bahram bade his black slaves and white servants bring him the chest in which were Hasan. They did so, and he opened it and taking out the young man, made him sniff up vinegar and blew a powder into his nostrils. Hasan sneezed and vomited the Bhang; then, opening his eyes, he looked about him right and left and found himself at sea on aboard a ship in full sail, and saw the Persian sitting by him; wherefore he knew that the accursed Magian had put a cheat on him and that he had fallen into the very peril against which his mother had warned him. So he spoke the saying which shall never shame the sayer, to wit, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Verity, we are Allah's and unto Him we are returning! O my God, be You gracious to me in Thine appointment and give me patience to endure this Thine affliction, O Lord of the three Worlds!" Then he turned to the Persian and bespoke him softly, saying, "O my father, what fashion is this and where is the covenant of bread and salt and the oath you swore to me?" [25] But Bahram stared at him and replied, "O dog, know the like of me bond of bread and salt? I have slain of youths like you a thousand, save one, and you shall make up the thousand." And he cried out at him and Hasan was silent, knowing that the Fate-shaft had shot him.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-second Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan beheld himself fallen into the hands of the damned Persian he bespoke him softly but gained nothing thereby for the Ajami cried out at him in wrath, so he was silent, knowing that the Fate-shaft had shot him. Then the accursed bade loose his pinion-bonds and they gave him a little water to drink, while the Magian laughed and said, "By the virtue of the Fire and the Light and the Shade and the Heat, I did not think you would fall into my nets! But the Fire empowered me over you and helped me to lay hold upon you, that I might win my wish and return and make you a sacrifice, to her [26] so she may accept of me." Said Hasan, "You have foully betrayed bread and salt"; whereupon the Magus raised his hand and dealt him such a buffet that he fell and, biting the deck with his fore-teeth, swooned away, while the tears trickled down his cheeks. Then the Zoroastrian bade his servants light him a fire and Hasan said, "What will you do with it?" Replied the Magian, "This is the Fire, lady of light and sparkles bright! This it is I worship, and if you will worship her even as I, verily I will give you half my monies and marry you to my maiden daughter." Thereupon Hasan cried angrily at him, "Woe to you! You are a miscreant Magian who to Fire does pray in lieu of the King of Omnipotent sway, Creator of Night and Day; and this is nothing but a calamity among creeds!" At this the Magian was angry and said to him, "Will you not then conform with me, O dog of the Arabs, and enter my faith?" But Hasan consented not to this: so the accursed Zoroastrian arose and prostrating himself to the fire, bade his pages throw him flat on his face. They did so, and he beat him with a hide whip of plaited thongs [27] till his flanks were laid open, while he cried aloud for aid but none aided him, and besought protection, but none protected him. Then he raised his eyes to the All-powerful King and sought of Him succour in the name of the Chosen Prophet. And indeed patience failed him; his tears ran down his cheeks, like rain, and he repeated these couplets twain,

"In patience, O my God, Thy doom forecast * I'll bear, an thereby come Thy grace at last: They've dealt us wrong, transgressed and ordered ill; * Haply Thy Grace shall pardon what is past."

Then the Magian bade his negro-slaves raise him to a sitting posture and bring him some meat and drink. So they sat food before him; but he consented not to eat or drink; and Bahram ceased not to torment him day and night during the whole voyage, while Hasan took patience and humbled himself in supplication before Almighty Allah to whom belong Honour and Glory; whereby the Zoroastrian's heart was hardened against him. They ceased not to sail the sea three months, during which time Hasan was continually tortured till Allah Almighty sent forth upon them a foul wind and the sea grew black and rose against the ship, by reason of the fierce gale; whereupon said the captain and crew, [28] "By Allah, this is all on account of yonder youth, who has been these three months in torture with this Magian. Indeed, this is not allowed of God the Most High." Then they rose against the Magian and slew his servants and all who were with him; which when he saw, he made sure of death and feared for himself. So he loosed Hasan from his bonds and pulling off the ragged clothes the youth had on, clad him in others; and made excuses to him and promised to teach him the craft and restore him to his native land, saying, "O my son, return me not evil for that I have done with you." Said Hasan, "How can I ever rely upon you again?"; and said Bahram, "O my son, but for sin, there were no pardon. Indeed, I did all these doings with you, but to try your patience, and you know that the case is altogether in the hands of Allah." So the crew and captain rejoiced in Hasan's release, and he called down blessings on them and praised the Almighty and thanked Him. With this the wind was stilled and the sky cleared and with a fair breeze they continued their voyage. Then said Hasan to Bahram, "O Master, [29] where wend you?" Replied the Magian, "O, my son, I am bound for the Mountain of Clouds, where is the Elixir which we use in alchemy." And the Zoroastrian swore to him by the Fire and the Light that he had no longer any cause to fear him. So Hasan's heart was set at ease and rejoicing at the Persian's words, he continued to eat and drink and sleep with the Magian, who clad him in his own raiment. They ceased not sailing on other three months, when the ship came to anchor off a long shoreline of many colored pebbles, white and yellow and sky-blue and black and every other hue, and the Magian sprang up and said, "O Hasan, come, let us go ashore for we have reached the place of our wish and will." So Hasan rose and landed with Bahram, after the Persian had commended his goods to the captain's care. They walked on inland, till they were far enough from the ship to be out of sight, when Bahram sat down and taking from his pocket a kettle-drum [30] of copper and a silken strap, worked in gold with characts, beat the drum with the strap, until there arose a cloud of dust from the further side of the waste. Hasan marvelled at the Magian's doings and was afraid of him: he repented of having come ashore with him and his color changed. But Bahram looked at him and said, "What ails you, O my son? By the truth of the Fire and the Light, you have nothing to fear from me; and, were it not that my wish may never be won save by your means, I had not brought you ashore. So rejoice in all good; for yonder cloud of dust is the dust of something we will mount and which will aid us to cut across this wold and make easy to us the hardships thereof."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-third Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Persian said to Hasan, "In very sooth yonder dust-cloud is the cloud of something we will mount and which will aid us to cut across this wold and will make easy to us the hardships thereof." Presently the dust lifted off three she-dromedaries, one of which Bahram mounted and Hasan another. Then they loaded their victual on the third and fared on seven days, till they came to a wide champaign and, descending into its midst, they saw a dome vaulted upon four pilasters of red gold; so they alighted and entering thereunder, ate and drank and took their rest. Eventually Hasan chanced to glance aside and seeing from afar a something lofty said to the Magian, "What is that, O uncle?" Bahram replied, "'Tis a palace," and said Hasan, "Will you not go there, that we may enter and there repose ourselves and solace ourselves with inspecting it?" But the Persian was angry and said, "Name not to me yonder palace; for therein dwells a foe, with whom there befell me something about which this is no time to tell you." Then he beat the kettle-drum and up came the dromedaries, and they mounted and fared on other seven days. On the eighth day, the Magian said, "O Hasan, what see you?" Hasan replied, "I see clouds and mists between east and west." Said Bahram, "That is neither clouds nor mists, but a mountain vast and lofty whereon the clouds split, [31] and there are no clouds above it, for its exceeding height and surpassing elevation. Yon mount is my goal and on it is the need we seek. 'Tis for that I brought you here, for my wish may not be won save at your hands. Hasan hearing this gave his life up for lost and said to the Magian, "By the right of that you worship and by the faith in which you believe, I conjure you to tell me what is the object wherefor you have brought me!" Bahram replied, "The art of alchemy may not be accomplished save by means of a herb which grows in the place where the clouds pass and whereon they split. Such a site is yonder mountain upon whose head the herb grows and I purpose to send you up there to fetch it; and when we have it, I will show you the secret of this craft which you desire to learn." Hasan answered, in his fear, "'Tis well, O my master;" and indeed he despaired of life and wept for his parting from his parent and people and family home, repenting him of having rejected his mother and reciting these two couplets,

"Consider but your Lord, His work shall bring * Comfort to you, with quick relief and near: Despair not when you sufferest sorest bane: * In bane how many blessed boons appear!"

They ceased not faring on till they came to the foothills of that mountain where they halted; and Hasan saw on it a palace and asked Bahram, "What be yonder palace?"; whereto he answered, "'Tis the abode of the Jann and Ghuls and Satans." Then the Magian alighted and making Hasan also dismount from his dromedary kissed his head and said to him, "Bear me no ill will about that I did with you, for I will keep guard over you in your ascent to the palace; and I conjure you not to trick and cheat me of anything you shall bring therefrom; and I and you will share equally therein." And Hasan replied, "To hear is to obey." Then Bahram opened a bag and taking out a handmill and a sufficiency of wheat, ground the grain and kneaded three round cakes of the flour; after which he lighted a fire and baked the bannocks. Then he took out the copper kettledrum and beat it with the broidered strap, whereupon up came the dromedaries. He chose out one and said, "Hearken, O my son, O Hasan, to what I am about to enjoin on you;" and Hasan replied, "'Tis well." Bahram continued, "Lie down on this skin and I will sew you up therein and lay you on the ground; whereupon the Rakham birds [32] will come to you and carry you up to the mountain-top. Take this knife with you; and, when you feel that the birds have done flying and have set you down, slit open with it the skin and come forth. The vultures will then take fright at you and fly away; whereupon do you look down from the mountain head and speak to me, and I will tell you what to do." So he sewed him up in the skin, placing therein three cakes and a leathern bottle full of water, and withdrew to a distance. Presently a vulture pounced upon him and taking him up, flew away with him to the mountain-top and there set him down. As soon as Hasan felt himself on the ground, he slit the skin and coming forth, called out to the Magian, who hearing his speech rejoiced and danced for excess of joy, saying to him, "Look behind you and tell me what you see." Hasan looked and seeing many rotten bones and much wood, told Bahram, who said to him, "This be what we need and seek. Make six bundles of the wood and throw them down to me, for this is wherewithal we do alchemy." So he threw him the six bundles and when he had gotten them into his power he said to Hasan, "O gallows bird, I have won my wish of you; and now, if you will, you may abide on this mountain, or cast yourself down to the earth and perish. So saying, he left him [33] and went away, and Hasan exclaimed, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! This hound has played the traitor with me." And he sat bemoaning himself and reciting these couplets,

"When God upon a man possessed of reasoning, Hearing and sight His will in anything to pass would bring, He stops his ears and blinds his eyes and draws his wit, From him, as one draws out the hairs to paste that cling; Till, His decrees fulfilled, He gives him back His wit, That therewithal he may receive admonishing. So say you not of anything that haps, 'How happened it?' For Fate and fortune fixed do order everything. [34]"

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-fourth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Magian sent Hasan to the mountain-top and made him throw down all he required he presently reviled him and left him and wended his ways and the youth exclaimed, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! This damned hound has played the traitor." Then he rose to his feet and looked right and left, after which he walked on along the mountain top, in mind making certain of death. He fared on thus till he came to the counterslope of the mountain, along which he saw a dark-blue sea, dashing with billows clashing and yeasting waves each as it were a lofty mount. So he sat down and repeated what he might of the Koran and besought Allah the Most High to ease him of his troubles, or by death or by deliverance from such strait. Then he recited for himself the funeral-prayer [35] and cast himself down into the main; but, the waves bore him up by Allah's grace, so that he reached the water unhurt, and the angel in whose charge is the sea watched over him, so that the billows bore him safe to land, by the decree of the Most High. Thereupon he rejoiced and praised Almighty Allah and thanked Him; after which he walked on in quest of something to eat, for stress of hunger, and came presently to the place where he had halted with the Magian, Bahram. Then he fared on awhile, till behold, he caught sight of a great palace, rising high in air, and knew it for that of which he had questioned the Persian and he had replied, "Therein dwells a foe, of mine." Hasan said to himself, "By Allah, I must enter yonder palace; perchance relief awaits me there." So coming to it and finding the gate open, he entered the vestibule, where he saw seated on a bench two girls like twin moons with a chess-cloth before them and they were at play. One of them raised her head to him and cried out for joy saying, "By Allah, here is a son of Adam, and I think 'tis he whom Bahram the Magian brought hither this year!" So Hasan hearing her words cast himself at their feet and wept with sore weeping and said, "Yes, O my ladies, by Allah, I am indeed that unhappy." Then said the younger damsel to her elder sister, "Bear witness against me, [36] O my sister, that this is my brother by covenant of Allah and that I will die for his death and live for his life and joy for his joy and mourn for his mourning." So saying, she rose and embraced him and kissed him and presently taking him by the hand and her sister with her, led him into the palace, where she did off his ragged clothes and brought him a suit of King's raiment wherewith she arrayed him. Moreover, she made ready all manner of victuals [37] and set them before him, and sat and ate with him, she and her sister. Then said they to him, "Tell us your tale with yonder dog, the wicked, the wizard, from the time of your falling into his hands to that of your freeing you from him; and after we will tell you all that has passed between us and him, so you may be on your guard against him if you see him again." Hearing these words and finding himself thus kindly received, Hasan took heart of grace and reason returned to him and he related to them all that had befallen him with the Magian from first to last. Then they asked, "Did you ask him of this palace?"; and he answered, "Yes, but he said, 'Name it not to me; for it belongs to Ghuls and Satans.'" At this, the two damsels waxed angry with exceeding wrath and said, "Did that miscreant style us Ghuls and Satans?" And Hasan answered, "Yes." Cried the younger sister, "By Allah, I will assuredly do him die with the foulest death and make him to lack the wind of the world!" Said Hasan, "And how will you get at him, to kill him, for he is a crafty magician?"; and said she, "He is in a garden by name Al-Mushayyad, [38] and there is no help but that I slay him before long." Then said her sister, "Sooth spoke Hasan in everything he has recounted to us of this cur; but now tell him our tale, that all of it may abide in his memory." So the younger said to him, "Know, O my brother, that we are the daughters of a King of the mightiest Kings of the Jann, having Marids for troops and guards and servants, and Almighty Allah blessed him with seven daughters by one wife; but of his folly such jealousy and stiff-neckedness and pride beyond compare got hold upon him that he would not give us in marriage to any one and, summoning his Wazirs and Emirs, he said to them, 'Can you tell me of any place untrodden by the tread of men and Jinn and abounding in trees and fruits and rills?' And said they, 'What will you therewith, O King of the Age?' And said he, 'I desire there to lodge my seven daughters.' Answered they, 'O King, the place for them is the Castle of the Mountain of Clouds, built by an Ifrit of the rebellious Jinn, who revolted from the covenant of our lord Solomon, on whom be the peace! Since his destruction, none has dwelt there, neither man nor Jinni, for 'tis cut off [39] and none may win to it. And the Castle is girt about with trees and fruits and rills, and the water running around it is sweeter than honey and colder than snow: none who is afflicted with leprosy or elephantiasis [40] or what not else drinks thereof but he is healed forthright. Hearing this our father sent us hither, with an escort of his troops and guards and provided us with all that we need here. When he is minded to ride to us he beats a kettle-drum, whereupon all his hosts present themselves before him and he chooses whom he shall ride and dismisses the rest; but, when he desires that we shall visit him, he commands his followers, the enchanters, to fetch us and carry us to the presence; so he may solace himself with our society and we accomplish our desire of him; after which they again carry us back hither. Our five other sisters are gone a-hunting in our desert, in which are wild beasts beyond number or calculation and, it being our turn to do this we two abode at home, to make ready for them food. Indeed, we had besought Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) to grant us a son of Adam to cheer us with his company and praised be He who has brought you to us! So be of good cheer and keep your eyes cool and clear, for no harm shall befall you." Hasan rejoiced and said, "Alhamdolillah, laud to the Lord who guides us into the path of deliverance and inclines hearts to us!" Then his sister [41] rose and taking him by the hand, led him into a private chamber, where she brought out to him linen and furniture that no mortal can avail unto. Presently, the other damsels returned from hunting and birding and their sisters acquainted them with Hasan's case; whereupon they rejoiced in him and going into him in his chamber, saluted him with the salam and gave him joy of his safety. Then he abode with them in all the solace of life and its joyance, riding out with them to the chase and taking his pleasure with them while they entreated him courteously and cheered him with converse, till his sadness ceased from him and he recovered health and strength and his body waxed stout and fat, by dint of fair treatment and pleasant time among the seven moons in that fair palace with its gardens and flowers; for indeed he led the most delightful of lives with the damsels who delighted in him and he yet more in them. And they used to give him drink of the honey-dew of their lips [42] these beauties with the high bosoms, adorned with grace and loveliness, the perfection of brilliancy and in shape very symmetry. Moreover the youngest Princess told her sisters how Bahram the Magian had made them of the Ghuls and Demons and Satans, [43] and they swore that they would surely slay him. Next year the accursed Zoroastrian again made his appearance, having with him a handsome young Moslem, as he were the moon, bound hand and foot and tormented with grievous tortures, and alighted with him below the palace-walls. Now Hasan was sitting under the trees by the side of the stream; and when he espied Bahram, his heart fluttered, [44] his hue changed and he smote hand upon hand.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-fifth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan the goldsmith saw the Magian, his heart fluttered, his hue changed and he smote hand upon hand. Then he said to the Princesses, "O my sisters, help me to the slaughter of this accursed, for here he is come back and in your grasp, and he leads with him captive a young Moslem of the sons of the notables, whom he is torturing with all manner grievous torments. Lief would I kill him and console my heart of him; and, by delivering the young Moslem from his mischief and restoring him to his country and kith and kin and friends, fain would I lay up merit for the world to come, by taking my wreak of him. [45] This will be an almsdeed from you and you will reap the reward thereof from Almighty Allah." "We hear and we obey Allah and you, O our brother, O Hasan," replied they and binding chin-veils, armed themselves and slung on their swords: after which they brought Hasan a steed of the best and equipped him in panoply and weaponed him with goodly weapons. Then they all sallied out and found the Magian who had slaughtered and skinned a camel, ill-using the young Moslem, and saying to him, "Sit you in this hide." So Hasan came behind him, without his knowledge, and cried out at him till he was dazed and amazed. Then he came up to him, saying, "Hold your hand, O accursed! O enemy of Allah and foe of the Moslems! O dog! O traitor! O you that flame dost obey! O you that walks in the wicked ones' ways, worshipping the fire and the light and swearing by the shade and the heat!" Herewith the Magian turned and seeing Hasan, thought to wheedle him and said to him, "O my son, how did you escape and who brought you down to earth?" Hasan replied, "He delivered me, who has appointed the taking of your life to be at my hand, and I will torture you even as you tortured me the whole way long. O miscreant, O atheist, [46] you have fallen into the twist and the way you have missed; and neither mother shall avail you nor brother, nor friend nor solemn covenant shall assist you; for you said, O accursed, Whoever betrays bread and salt, may Allah do vengeance upon him! And you have broken the bond of bread and salt; wherefore the Almighty has thrown you into my grasp, and far is your chance of escape from me." Rejoined Bahram, "By Allah, O my son, O Hasan, you are dearer to me than my sprite and the light of mine eyes!" But Hasan stepped up to him and hastily smote him between the shoulders, that the sword issued gleaming from his throat-tendons and Allah hurried his soul to the fire, and abiding-place dire. Then Hasan took the Magian's bag and opened it, then having taken out the kettle-drum he struck it with the strap, whereupon up came the dromedaries like lightning. So he unbound the youth from his bonds and setting him on one of the camels, loaded him another with victual and water, [47] saying, "Go where you will." So he departed, after Almighty Allah had thus delivered him from his strait at the hands of Hasan. When the damsels saw their brother slay the Magian they joyed in him with exceeding joy and got round him, marvelling at his valour and prowess, [48] and thanked him for his deed and gave him joy of his safety, saying, "O Hasan you have done a deed, whereby you have healed the burning of him that thirsts for vengeance and pleased the King of Omnipotence!" Then they returned to the palace, and he abode with them, eating and drinking and laughing and making merry; and indeed his sojourn with them was joyous to him and he forgot his mother; [49] but while he led with them this goodly life one day, behold, there arose from the further side of the desert a great cloud of dust that darkened the welkin and made towards them. When the Princess saw this, they said to him, "Rise, O Hasan, run to your chamber and conceal yourself; or if you will, go down into the garden and hide yourself among the trees and vines; but fear not, for no harm shall befall you." So he arose and entering his chamber, locked the door upon himself, and lay lurking in the palace. Presently the dust opened out and showed beneath it a great conquering host, as it were a surging sea, coming from the King, the father of the damsels. Now when the troops reached the castle, the Princesses received them with all honor and hospitably entertained them three days; after which they questioned them of their case and tidings and they replied saying, "We come from the King in quest of you." They asked, "And what would the King with us?"; and the officers answered, "One of the Kings makes a marriage festival, and your father would have you be present thereat and take your pleasure therewith." The damsels enquired, "And how long shall we be absent from our place?"; and they rejoined, "The time to come and go, and to sojourn may be two months." So the Princesses arose and going in to the palace sought Hasan, acquainted him with the case and said to him, "Verily this place is your place and our house is your house; so be of good cheer and keep your eyes cool and clear and feel nor grief nor fear, for none can come at you here; but keep a good heart and a glad mind, till we return to you. The keys of our chambers we leave with you; but, O our brother, we beseech you, by the bond of brotherhood, in very deed not to open such a door, for you have no need thereto." Then they farewelled him and fared forth with the troops, leaving Hasan alone in the palace. It was not long before his breast grew straitened and his patience shortened: solitude and sadness were heavy on him and he sorrowed for his severance from them with passing chagrin. The palace for all its vastness, waxed small to him and finding himself sad and solitary, he bethought him of the damsels and their pleasant converse and recited these couplets,

"The wide plain is narrowed before these eyes * And the landscape troubles this heart of mine. Since my friends went forth, by the loss of them * Joy fled and these eyelids rail floods of brine: Sleep shunned these eyeballs for parting woe * And my mind is worn with sore pain and pine: Would I wot an Time shall rejoin our lots * And the joys of love with night-talk combine."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-sixth Night,

She said, it has reached me, O auspicious King, that after the departure of the damsels, Hasan sat in the palace sad and solitary and his breast was straitened by severance. He used to ride forth a-hunting by himself in the wold and bring back the game and slaughter it and eat thereof alone: but melancholy and disquiet redoubled on him, by reason of his loneliness. So he arose and went round about the palace and explored its every part; he opened the Princesses' apartments and found therein riches and treasures fit to ravish the beholder's reason; but he delighted not in anything thereof, by reason of their absence. His heart was fired by thinking of the door they had charged him not to approach or open on any account and he said in himself, "My sister had never enjoined me not to open this door, except there were behind it something whereof she would have none to know; but, by Allah, I will arise and open it and see what is within, though within it were sudden death!" Then he took the key and, opening the door, [50] saw therein no treasure but he espied a vaulted and winding staircase of Yamani onyx at the upper end of the chamber. So he mounted the stair, which brought him out upon the terrace-roof of the palace, whence he looked down upon the gardens and vergiers, full of trees and fruits and beasts and birds warbling praises of Allah, the One, the All-powerful; and said in himself "This is that they forbade to me." He gazed upon these pleasaunces and saw beyond a surging sea, dashing with clashing billows, and he ceased not to explore the palace right and left, till he ended at a pavilion builded with alternate courses, two bricks of gold and one of silver and jacinth and emerald and supported by four columns. And in the centre he saw a sitting-room paved and lined with a mosaic of all manner precious stones such as rubies and emeralds and balasses and other jewels of sorts; and in its midst stood a basin [51] brimful of water, over which was a trellis-work of sandalwood and aloes-wood reticulated with rods of red gold and wands of emerald and set with various kinds of jewels and fine pearls, each sized as a pigeon's egg. The trellis was covered with a climbing vine, bearing grapes like rubies, and beside the basin stood a throne of lign-aloes latticed with red gold, inlaid with great pearls and comprising vari-colored gems of every sort and precious minerals each kind fronting each and symmetrically disposed. About it the birds warbled with sweet tongues and various voices celebrating the praises of Allah the Most High: brief, it was a palace such as neither Cæsar nor Chosroës ever owned; but Hasan saw therein none of the creatures of Allah, whereat he marvelled and said to himself, "I wonder to which of the Kings this place pertains, or is it Many-Columned Iram whereof they tell, for who among mortals can avail to the like of this?" And indeed he was amazed at the spectacle and sat down in the pavilion and cast glances around him marvelling at the beauty of its ordinance and at the lustre of the pearls and jewels and the curious works which therein were, no less than at the gardens and orchards aforesaid and at the birds that hymned the praises of Allah, the One, the Almighty; and he abode pondering the traces of him whom the Most High had enabled to rear that structure, for indeed He is muchel of might. [52] And presently, behold, he spied ten birds [53] flying towards the pavilion from the heart of the desert and knew that they were making the palace and bound for the basin, to drink of its waters: so he hid himself, for fear they should see him and take flight. They lighted on a great tree and a goodly and circled round about it; and he saw among them a bird of marvel-beauty, the goodliest of them all, and the nine stood around it and did it service; and Hasan marvelled to see it peck them with its bill and lord it over them while they fled from it. He stood gazing at them from afar as they entered the pavilion and perched on the couch; after which each bird rent open its neck-skin with its claws and issued out of it; and lo! it was but a garment of feathers, and there came forth therefrom ten virgins, maids whose beauty shamed the brilliancy of the moon. They all doffed their clothes and plunging into the basin, washed and fell to playing and sporting one with other; while the chief bird of them lifted up the rest and ducked them down and they fled from her and dared not put forth their hands to her. When Hasan beheld her thus he took leave of his right reason and his sense was enslaved, so he knew that the Princesses had not forbidden him to open the door save because of this; for he fell passionately in love with her, for what he saw of her beauty and loveliness, symmetry and perfect grace, as she played and sported and splashed the others with the water. He stood looking upon them while they saw him not, with eye gazing and heart burning and soul [54] to evil prompting; and he sighed to be with them and wept for longing, because of the beauty and loveliness of the chief damsel. His mind was amazed at her charms and his heart taken in the net of her love; love was loosed in his heart for her sake and there waxed on him a flame, whose sparks might not be quenched, and desire, whose signs might not be hidden. Presently, they came up out of that basin, while Hasan marvelled at their beauty and loveliness and the tokens of inner gifts in the elegance of their movements. Then he cast a glance at the chief damsel who stood mother-naked and there was manifest to him what was between her thighs a goodly rounded dome on pillars borne, like a bowl of silver or crystal, which recalled to him the saying of the poet, [55]

"When I took up her shift and discovered the terrace-roof of her kaze, I found it as strait as my humour or eke my worldly ways: So I thrust it, incontinent, in, halfway, and she heaved a sigh. 'For what dost you sigh?' said I. 'For the rest of it sure,' she says."

Then coming out of the water they all put on their dresses and ornaments, and the chief maiden donned a green dress, [56] in which she surpassed for loveliness all the fair ones of the world and the lustre of her face outshone the resplendent full moons: she excelled the branches with the grace of her bending gait and confounded the wit with apprehension of disdain; and indeed she was as says the poet, [57]

"A maiden 'twas, the dresser's art had decked with cunning sleight; The sun you 'd'st say had robbed her cheek and shone with borrowed light. She came to us apparelled fair in under vest of green, Like as the ripe pomegranate hides beneath its leafy screen; And when we asked her what might be the name of what she wore, She answered in a quaint reply that double meaning bore: The desert's heart we penetrate in such apparel dressed, And Pierce-heart therefore is the name by which we call the vest."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-seventh Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan saw the damsels issue forth the basin, the chief maiden robbed his reason with her beauty and loveliness compelling him to recite the couplets forequoted. And after dressing they sat talking and laughing, while he stood gazing on them, drowned in the sea of his love, burning in the flames of passion and wandering in the Wady of his melancholy thought. And he said to himself, "By Allah, my sister forbade me not to open the door, but for cause of these maidens and for fear lest I should fall in love with one of them! How, O Hasan shall you woo and win them? How bring down a bird flying in the vast firmament? By Allah you have cast yourself into a bottomless sea and snared yourself in a net whence there is no escape! I shall die desolate and none shall know of my death." And he continued to gaze on the charms of the chief damsel, who was the loveliest creature Allah had made in her day, and indeed she outdid in beauty all human beings. She had a mouth magical as Solomon's seal and hair blacker than the night of estrangement to the love-despairing man; her brow was bright as the crescent moon of the Feast of Ramazán [58] and her eyes were like eyes wherewith gazelles scan; she had a polished nose straight as a cane and cheeks like blood-red anemones of Nu'uman, lips like coralline and teeth like strung pearls in carcanets of gold virgin to man, and a neck like an ingot of silver, above a shape like a wand of Bán: her middle was full of folds, a dimpled plain such as enforces the distracted lover to magnify Allah and extol His might and main, and her navel [59] an ounce of musk, sweetest of savour could contain: she had thighs great and plump, like marble columns twain or bolsters stuffed with down from ostrich ta'en, and between them a somewhat, as it were a hummock great of span or a hare with ears back lain while terrace-roof and pilasters completed the plan; and indeed she surpassed the bough of the myrobalan with her beauty and symmetry, and the Indian rattan, for she was even as says of them the poet whom love did unman, [60]

"Her lip-dews rival honey-sweets, that sweet virginity; * Keener than Hindi scymitar the glance she casts at you: She shames the bending bough of Bán with graceful movement slow * And as she smiles her teeth appear with leven's brilliancy: When I compared with rose a-bloom the tintage of her cheeks, * She laughed in scorn and cried, 'Whoever compares with rosery My hue and breasts, granados terms, is there no shame in him? * How should pomegranates bear on bough such fruit in form or blee? Now by my beauty and mine eyes and heart and eke by Heaven * Of favours mine and by the Hell of my unclemency, They say 'She is a garden-rose in very pride of bloom'; * And yet no rose can ape my cheek nor branch my symmetry! If any garden own a thing which unto me is like, * What then is that he comes to crave of me and only me?"'

They ceased not to laugh and play, while Hasan stood still watching them, forgetting meat and drink, till near the hour of mid-afternoon prayer, when the beauty, the chief damsel, said to her mates, "O Kings' daughters, it waxes late and our land is afar and we are weary of this stead. Come, therefore, let us depart to our own place." So they all arose and donned their feather vests, and becoming birds as they were before, flew away all together, with the chief lady in their midst. Then, Hasan, despairing of their return, would have arisen and gone down into the palace but could not move or even stand; wherefore the tears ran down his cheeks and passion was sore on him and he recited these couplets,

"May God deny me boon of troth if I * After your absence sweets of slumber know: Yea; since that sev'rance never close mine eyes, * Nor rest repose me since departed you! 'Twould seem as though you saw me in your sleep; * Would Heaven the dreams of sleep were real-true! Indeed I dote on sleep though needed not, * For sleep may bring me that dear form to view."

Then Hasan walked on, little by little, heeding not the way he went, till he reached the foot of the stairs, whence he dragged himself to his own chamber; then he entered and shutting the door, lay sick eating not nor drinking and drowned in the sea of his solitude. He spent the night thus, weeping and bemoaning himself, till the morning, and when it morrowed he repeated these couplets,

"The birds took flight at eve and winged their way; * And sinless he who died of Love's death-blow. I'll keep my love-tale secret while I can * But, an desire prevail, its needs must show: Night brought me nightly vision, bright as dawn; * While nights of my desire lack morning-glow. I mourn for them [61] while they heart-freest sleep * And winds of love on me their plaything blow: Free I bestow my tears, my wealth, my heart * My wit, my sprite:? most gain who most bestow! The worst of woes and banes is enmity * Beautiful maidens deal us to our woe. Favour they say's forbidden to the fair * And shedding lovers' blood their laws allow; That nothing can love-sicks do but lavish soul, * And stake in love-play life on single throw: [62] I cry in longing ardour for my love: * Lover can only weep and wail Love-lowe."

When the sun rose he opened the door, went forth of the chamber and mounted to the stead where he was before: then he sat down facing the pavilion and awaited the return of the birds till nightfall; but they returned not; wherefore he wept till he fell to the ground in a fainting-fit. When he came to after his swoon, he dragged himself down the stairs to his chamber; and indeed, the darkness was come and straitened upon him was the whole world and he ceased not to weep and wail himself through the livelong night, till the day broke and the sun rained over hill and dale its rays serene. He ate not nor drank nor slept, nor was there any rest for him; but by day he was distracted and by night distressed, with sleeplessness delirious and drunken with melancholy thought and excess of love-longing. And he repeated the verses of the love-distraught poet,

"O you who shamest sun in morning sheen * The branch confounding, yet with nescience blest; Would Heaven I wot an Time shall bring return * And quench the fires which flame unmanifest,— Bring us together in a close embrace, * Thy cheek upon my cheek, your breast abreast! Who saith, In Love dwells sweetness? when in Love * Are bitterer days than Aloës [63] bitterest."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-eighty Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan the goldsmith felt love redouble upon him, he recited those lines; and, as he abode thus in the stress of his love-distraction, alone and finding none to cheer him with company, behold, there arose a dust-cloud from the desert, wherefore he ran down and hid himself knowing that the Princesses who owned the castle had returned. Before long, the troops halted and dismounted round the palace and the seven damsels alighted and entering, put off their arms and armour of war. As for the youngest, she stayed not to doff her weapons and gear, but went straight to Hasan's chamber, where finding him not, she sought for him, till she lighted on him in one of the sleeping closets hidden, feeble and thin, with shrunken body and wasted bones and indeed his color was changed and his eyes sunken in his face for lack of food and drink and for much weeping, by reason of his love and longing for the young lady. When she saw him in this plight, she was confounded and lost her wits; but presently she questioned him of his case and what had befallen him, saying, "Tell me what ails you, O my brother, that I may contrive to do away your affliction, and I will be your ransom!" [64] Whereupon he wept with sore weeping and by way of reply he began reciting,

"Lover, when parted from the thing he loves, * Has nothing save weary woe and bane to bear. Inside is sickness, outside living lowe, * His first is fancy and his last despair."

When his sister heard this, she marvelled at his eloquence and loquent speech and his readiness at answering her in verse and said to him, "O my brother, when did you fall into this your case and what has betided you, that I find you speaking in song and shedding tears that throng? Allah upon you, O my brother, and by the honest love which is between us, tell me what ails you and reveal to me your secret, nor conceal from me anything of that which has befallen you in our absence; for my breast is straitened and my life is troubled because of you." He sighed and railed tears like rain, after which he said, "I fear, O my sister, if I tell you, that you will not aid me to win my wish but will leave me to die wretchedly in mine anguish." She replied, "No, by Allah, O my brother, I will not abandon you, though it cost me my life!" So he told her all that had befallen him, and that the cause of his distress and affliction was the passion he had conceived for the young lady whom he had seen when he opened the forbidden door; and how he had not tasted meat nor drink for ten days past. Then he wept with sore weeping and recited these couplets,

"Restore my heart as 'twas within my breast, * Let mine eyes sleep again, then fly fro' me. Deem you the nights have had the might to change * Love's vow? Who changeth may he never be!"

His sister wept for his weeping and was moved to pity for his case and pitied his strangerhood; so she said to him, "O my brother, be of good cheer and keep your eyes cool and clear, for I will venture being and risk existence to content you and devise you a device wherewith, though it cost me my dear life and all I hold dear, you may get possession of her and accomplish your desire, if such be the will of Allah Almighty. But I charge you, O my brother, keep the matter secret from my sisterhood and reveal not your case to any one of them, lest my life be lost with your life. If they question you of opening the forbidden door, reply to them, 'I opened it not; no, never; but I was troubled at heart for your absence and by my loneliness here and yearning for you.'" [65] And he answered, "Yes: this is the right advice." So he kissed her head and his heart was comforted and his bosom broadened. He had been nigh upon death for excess of affright, for he had gone in fear of her by reason of his having opened the door; but now his life and soul returned to him. Then he sought of her some food and after serving it she left him, and went in to her sisters, weeping and mourning for him. They questioned her of her case and she told them how she was heavy at heart for her brother, because he was sick and for ten days no food had found way into his stomach. So they asked the cause of his sickness and she answered, "The reason was our severance from him and our leaving him desolate; for these days we have been absent from him were longer to him than a thousand years and scant blame to him, seeing he is a stranger, and solitary and we left him alone, with none to company with him or hearten his heart; more by token that he is but a youth and may be he called to mind his family and his mother, who is a woman in years, and bethought him that she weeps for him all whiles of the day and watches of the night, ever mourning his loss; and we used to solace him with our society and divert him from thinking of her." When her sisters heard these words they wept in the stress of their distress for him and said, "Wa'lláhi—'fore Allah, he is not to blame!" Then they went out to the army and dismissed it, after which they went into Hasan and saluted him with the salam. When they saw his charms changed with yellow color and shrunken body, they wept for very pity and sat by his side and comforted him and cheered him with converse, relating to him all they had seen by the way of wonders and rarities and what had befallen the bridegroom with the bride. They abode with him thus a whole month, tendering him and caressing him with words sweeter than syrup; but every day sickness was added to his sickness, which when they saw, they bewept him with sore weeping, and the youngest wept even more than the rest. At the end of this time, the Princesses having made up their minds to ride forth hunting and birding invited their sister to accompany them, but she said, "By Allah, O my sisters, I cannot go forth with you while my brother is in this plight, nor indeed till he is restored to health and there cease from him that which is with him of affliction. Rather will I sit with him and comfort him." They thanked her for her kindness and said to her, "Allah will requite you all you do with this stranger." Then they left her with him in the palace and rode forth taking with them twenty days' victual;—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Eighty-ninth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Princesses mounted and rode forth hunting and birding, after leaving in the palace their youngest sister sitting by Hasan's side; and as soon as the damsel knew that they had covered a long distance from home, she went in to him and said, "O my brother, come, show me the place where you saw the maidens." He rejoiced in her words, making sure of winning his wish, and replied, "Bismillah! On my head!" Then he essayed to rise and show her the place, but could not walk; so she took him up in her arms, holding him to her bosom between her breasts; and, opening the staircase-door, carried him to the top of the palace, and he showed her the pavilion where he had seen the girls and the basin of water, in which they had bathed. Then she said to him, "Set forth to me, O my brother, their case and how they came." So he described to her whatever he had seen of them and especially the girl of whom he was enamoured; but hearing these words she knew her and her cheeks paled and her case changed. Said he, "O my sister, what ails you to wax wan and be troubled?"; and said she, "O my brother, know you that this young lady is the daughter of a Sovran of the Jann, of one of the most powerful of their Kings, and her father had dominion over men and Jinn and wizards and Cohens and tribal chiefs and guards and countries and cities and islands galore and hath immense wealth in store. Our father is a Viceroy and one of his vassals and none can avail against him, for the multitude of his many and the extent of his empire and the muchness of his monies. He has assigned to his offspring, the daughters you saw, a tract of country, a whole year's journey in length and breadth, a region girt about with a great river and a deep; and thereto none may attain, neither man nor Jann. He has an army of women, smiters with swords and lungers with lances, five-and-twenty thousand in number, each of whom, when she mounts steed and dons battle-gear, equals a thousand knights of the bravest. Moreover, he has seven daughters, who in valour and prowess equal and even excel their sisters, [66] and he has made the eldest of them, the damsel whom you saw, [67] queen over the country aforesaid and who is the wisest of her sisters and in valour and horsemanship and craft and skill and magic excels all the folk of her dominions. The girls who companied with her are the ladies of her court and guards and grandees of her empire, and the plumed skins wherewith they fly are the handiwork of enchanters of the Jann. Now if you would get possession of this queen and wed this jewel seldom-seen and enjoy her beauty and loveliness and grace, do you pay heed to my words and keep them in your memory. They resort to this place on the first day of every month; and you must take seat here and watch for them; and when you see them coming, hide yourself near the pavilion sitting where you may see them, without being seen by them, and beware, again beware lest you show yourself, or we shall all lose our lives. When they doff their dress note which is the feather-suit of her whom you love and take it, and it only, for this it is that carries her to her country, and when you have mastered it, you have mastered her. And beware lest she wile you, saying, 'O you who have robbed my raiment, restore it to me, because here am I in your hands and at your mercy!' For, if you give it her, she will kill you and break down over us palace and pavilion and slay our sire: know, then, your case and how you shall act. When her companions see that her feather-suit is stolen, they will take flight and leave her to you, and beware lest you show yourself to them, but wait till they have flown away and she despaires of them: whereupon do you go in to her and haul her by the hair of her head [68] and drag her to you; which being done, she will be at your mercy. And I tell you not to reveal to her that you have taken the feather-suit, but keep it with care; for, so long as you have it in hold, she is your prisoner and in your power, seeing that she cannot fly to her country save with it. And lastly carry her down to your chamber where she will be yours." When Hasan heard her words his heart became at ease, his trouble ceased and affliction left him; so he rose to his feet and kissing his sister's head, went down from the terrace with her into the palace, where they slept that night. He medicined himself till morning morrowed; and when the sun rose, he sprang up and opened the staircase-door and ascending to the flat roof sat there till supper-tide when his sister brought him up some meat and drink and a change of clothes and he slept. And thus they continued doing, day by day until the end of the month. When he saw the new moon, he rejoiced and began to watch for the birds, and while he was thus, behold, up they came, like lightning. As soon as he espied them, he hid himself where he could watch them, unwatched by them, and they lighted down one and all of them, and putting off their clothes, descended into the basin. All this took place near the stead where Hasan lay concealed, and as soon as he caught sight of the girl he loved, he arose and crept under cover, little by little, towards the dresses, and Allah veiled him so that none marked his approach for they were laughing and playing with one another, till he laid hand on the dress. Now when they had made an end of their diversion, they came forth of the basin and each of them slipped on her feather-suit. But the damsel he loved sought for her plumage that she might put it on, but found it not; whereupon she shrieked and beat her cheeks and rent her raiment. Her sisterhood [69] came to her and asked what ailed her, and she told them that her feather-suit was missing; wherefore they wept and shrieked and buffeted their faces: and they were confounded, knowing not the cause of this, and knew not what to do. Presently the night overtook them and they feared to abide with her lest that which had befallen her should befall them also; so they farewelled her and flying away left her alone upon the terrace-roof of the palace, by the pavilion basin.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninetieth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan had carried off the girl's plumery, she sought it but found it not and her sisterhood flew away leaving her alone. When they were out of sight, Hasan gave ear to her and heard her say, "O whoever has taken my dress and stripped me, I beseech you to restore it to me and cover my shame, so may Allah never make you taste of my tribulation!" But when Hasan heard her speak thus, with speech sweeter than syrup, his love for her redoubled, passion got the mastery of his reason and he had not patience to endure from her. So springing up from his hiding-place, he rushed upon her and laying hold of her by the hair dragged her to him and carried her down to the basement of the palace and set her in his own chamber, where he threw over her a silken cloak [70] and left her weeping and biting her hands. Then he shut the door upon her and going to his sister, informed her how he had made prize of his lover and carried her to his sleeping-closet, "And there," said he, "she is now sitting, weeping and biting her hands." When his sister heard this, she rose immediately and betook herself to the chamber, where she found the captive weeping and mourning. So she kissed ground before her and saluted her with the salam and the young lady said to her, "O King's daughter, do folk like you do such foul deed with the daughters of Kings? You know that my father is a mighty Sovran and that all the liege lords of the Jinn stand in awe of him and fear his majesty: for that there are with him magicians and sages and Cohens and Satans and Marids, such as none may cope withal, and under his hand are folk whose number none knows save Allah. How then does it become you, O daughters of Kings, to harbour mortal men with you and disclose to them our case and yours? Else how should this man, a stranger, come at us?" Hasan's sister made reply, "O King's daughter, in very truth this human is perfect in nobleness and plans you no villainy; but he loves you, and women were not made save for men. Did he not love you, he had not fallen sick for your sake and well-nigh given up the ghost for desire of you." And she told her the whole tale how Hasan had seen her bathing in the basin with her attendants, and fallen in love with her, and none had pleased him but she, for the rest were all her handmaids, and none had availed to put forth a hand to her. When the Princess heard this, she despaired of deliverance and presently Hasan's sister went forth and brought her a costly dress, in which she robed her. Then she set before her some meat and drink and ate with her and heartened her heart and soothed her sorrows. And she ceased not to speak her fair with soft and pleasant words, saying, "Have pity on him who saw you once and became as one slain by your love;" and continued to console her and caress her, quoting fair sayings and pleasant instances. But she wept till daybreak, when her trouble subsided and she left shedding tears, knowing that she had fallen into the net and that there was no deliverance for her. Then said she to Hasan's sister, "O King's daughter, with this my strangerhood and severance from my country and sisterhood which Allah wrote upon my brow, patience becomes me to support what my Lord has foreordained." Therewith the youngest Princess assigned her a chamber in the palace, than which there was none goodlier and ceased not to sit with her and console her and solace her heart, till she was satisfied with her lot and her bosom was broadened and she laughed and there ceased from her what trouble and oppression possessed her, by reason of her separation from her people and country and sisterhood and parents. Thereupon Hasan's sister repaired to him, and said, "Arise, go in to her in her chamber and kiss her hands and feet." [71] So he went in to her and did this and bussed her between the eyes, saying, "O Princess of fair ones and life of sprites and beholder's delight, be easy of heart, for I took you only that I might be your bondsman till the Day of Doom, and this my sister will be your servant; for I, O my lady, desire nothing but to take you to wife, after the law of Allah and the practice of His Apostle, and when you will, I will journey with you to my country and carry you to Baghdad-city and abide with you there: moreover, I will buy you handmaidens and negro chattels; and I have a mother, of the best of women, who will do you service. There is no goodlier land than our land; everything therein is better than elsewhere and its folk are a pleasant people and bright of face." Now as he bespoke her thus and strove to comfort her, what while she answered him not a syllable, lo! there came a knocking at the palace-gate. So Hasan went out to see who was at the door and found there the six Princesses, who had returned from hunting and birding, whereat he rejoiced and went to meet them and welcomed them. They wished him safety and health and he wished them the like; after which they dismounted and going each to her chamber doffed their soiled clothes and donned fine linen. Then they came forth and demanded the game, for they had taken a store of gazelles and wild cows, hares and lions, hyaenas, and others; so their suite brought out some thereof for butchering, keeping the rest by them in the palace, and Hasan girt himself and fell to slaughtering for them in due form, [72] while they sported and made merry, joying with great joy to see him standing among them hale and hearty once more. When they had made an end of slaughtering, they sat down and addressed themselves to get ready somewhat for breaking their fast, and Hasan, coming up to the eldest Princess, kissed her head and on likewise did he with the rest, one after other. Whereupon said they to him, "Indeed, you humble yourself to us passing measure, O our brother, and we marvel at the excess of the affection you show us. But Allah forfend that you should do this thing, which it behooves us rather to do with you, seeing you are a man and therefore worthier than we, who are of the Jinn." [73] Thereupon his eyes brimmed with tears and he wept sore; so they said to him, "What causes you to weep? Indeed, you trouble our pleasant lives with your weeping this day. 'Twould seem you long after your mother and native land. If things be so, we will equip you and carry you to your home and your friends." He replied, "By Allah, I desire not to part from you!" Then they asked, "Which of us has vexed you, that you are thus troubled?" But he was ashamed to say, "Nothing troubles me save love of a damsel," lest they should deny and disavow him: so he was silent and would tell them nothing of his case. Then his sister came forward and said to them, "He has caught a bird from the air and would have you help him to tame her." Whereupon they all turned to him and cried, "We are at your service every one of us and whatsoever you seek that will we do: but tell us your tale and conceal from us nothing of your case." So he said to his sister, "Do you tell them, for I am ashamed before them nor can I face them with these words."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-first Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Hasan said to his sister, "Do you tell them my tale, for before them I stand abashed nor can I face them with these words." So she said to them, "O my sisters, when we went away and left alone this unhappy one, the palace was straitened upon him and he feared lest some one should come in to him, for you know that the sons of Adam are light of wits. So, he opened the door of the staircase leading to the roof, of his loneliness and trouble, and sat there, looking upon the Wady and watching the gate, in his fear lest any should come there. One day, as he sat thus, suddenly he saw ten birds approach him, making for the palace, and they lighted down on the brink of the basin which is in the pavilion-terrace. He watched these birds and saw, among them, one goodlier than the rest, which pecked the others and flouted them, while none of them dared put out a claw to it. Presently, they set their nails to their neck-collars and, rending their feather-suits, came forth therefrom and became damsels, each and every, like the moon on fullest night. Then they doffed their dress and plunging into the water, fell to playing with one another, while the chief damsel ducked the others, who dared not lay a finger on her and she was fairest of favour and most famous of form and most feateous of finery. They ceased not to be in this case till near the hour of mid-afternoon prayer, when they came forth of the basin and, donning their feather-shifts, flew away home. Thereupon he waxed distracted, with a heart afire for love of the chief damsel and repenting him that he had not stolen her plumery. Wherefore he fell sick and abode on the palace-roof expecting her return and abstaining from meat and drink and sleep, and he ceased not to be so till the new moon showed, when behold, they again made their appearance according to custom and doffing their dresses went down into the basin. So he stole the chief damsel's feather-suit, knowing that she could not fly save therewith, hiding himself carefully lest they sight him and slay him. Then he waited till the rest had flown away, when he arose and seizing the damsel, carried her down from the terrace into the castle." Her sisters asked, "Where is she?"; and she answered, "She is with him in such a chamber." Said they, "Describe her to us, O our sister:" so said she, "She is fairer than the moon on the night of fullness and her face is sheenier than the sun; the dew of her lips is sweeter than honey and her shape is straighter and slenderer than the cane; one with eyes black as night and brow flower-white; a bosom jewel-bright, breasts like pomegranates twain and cheeks like apples twain, a waist with dimples overlain, a navel like a casket of ivory full of musk in grain, and legs like columns of alabastrine vein. She ravishes all hearts with Nature-kohl'd eyne, and a waist slender-fine and hips of heaviest design and speech that heals all pain and pine: she is goodly of shape and sweet of smile, as she were the moon in fullest sheen and shine." When the Princesses heard these praises, they turned to Hasan and said to him, "Show her to us." So he arose with them, all love-distraught, and carrying them to the chamber in which was the captive damsel, opened the door and entered, preceding the seven Princesses. Now when they saw her and noted her loveliness, they kissed the ground between her hands, marvelling at the fairness of her favour and the significance which showed her inner gifts, and said to her, "By Allah, O daughter of the Sovran Supreme, this is indeed a mighty matter: and had you heard tell of this mortal among women you would have marvelled at him all your days. Indeed, he loves you with passionate love; yet, O King's daughter, he seeks not lewdness, but desires you only in the way of lawful wedlock. Had we known that maids can do without men, we had impeached him from his intent, albeit he sent you no messenger, but came to you in person; and he tells us he hath burnt the feather dress; else had we taken it from him." Then one of them agreed with the Princess and becoming her deputy in the matter of the wedding contract, performed the marriage ceremony between them, while Hasan clapped palms with her, laying his hand in hers, and she wedded him to the damsel by consent; after which they celebrated her bridal feast, as befits Kings' daughters, and brought Hasan in to her. So he rose and rent the veil and oped the gate and pierced the forge [74] and brake the seal, whereupon affection for her waxed in him and he redoubled in love and longing for her. Then, since he had gotten that which he sought, he gave himself joy and improvised these couplets,

"Thy shape's temptation, eyes as Houri's fain * And sheddeth Beauty's sheen [75] that radiance rare: My glance portrayed your glorious portraiture: * Rubies one-half and gems the third part were: Musk made a fifth: a sixth was ambergris * The sixth a pearl but pearl without compare. Eve never bare a daughter evening you * Nor breathes your like in Khuld's [76] celestial air. An you would torture me 'tis wont of Love * And if you pardon 'tis your choice I swear: Then, O world bright'ner and O end of wish! * Loss of your charms who could in patience bear?"

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-second Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan went in unto the King's daughter and did away her maidenhead, he enjoyed her with exceeding joy and affection for her waxed in him and he redoubled in love-longing for her; so he recited the lines aforesaid. Now the Princesses were standing at the door and when they heard his verses, they said to her, "O King's daughter, hear you the words of this mortal? How can you blame us, seeing that he makes poetry for love of you and indeed he has so done a thousand times." [77] When she heard this she rejoiced and was glad and felt happy and Hasan abode with her forty [78] days in all solace and delight, joyance and happiest plight, while the damsels renewed festivities for him every day and overwhelmed him with bounty and presents and rarities; and the King's daughter became reconciled to her sojourn among them and forgot her kith and kin. At the end of the forty days, Hasan saw in a dream, one night, his mother mourning for him and indeed her bones were wasted and her body had waxed shrunken and her complexion had yellowed and her favour had changed the while he was in excellent case. When she saw him in this state, she said to him, "O my son, O Hasan, how is it that you live your worldly life at your ease and forget me? Look at my plight since your loss! I do not forget you, nor will my tongue cease to name your name till I die; and I have made you a tomb in my house, that I may never forget you. Would Heaven I knew [79] if I shall live, O my son, to see you by my side and if we shall ever again foregather as we were." Thereupon Hasan awoke from sleep, weeping and wailing, the tears railed down his cheeks like rain and he became mournful and melancholy; his tears dried not nor did sleep visit him, but he had no rest, and no patience was left to him. When he arose, the Princesses came in to him and gave him good-morrow and made merry with him as was their wont; but he paid no heed to them; so they asked his wife concerning his case and she said, "I know not." Said they, "Question him of his condition." So she went up to him and said, "What ails you, O my lord?" Whereupon he moaned and groaned and told her what he had seen in his dream and repeated these two couplets,

"Indeed afflicted sore are we and all distraught, * Seeking for union; yet we find no way: And Love's calamities upon us grow * And Love though light with heaviest weight doth weigh."

His wife repeated to the Princesses what he said and they, hearing the verses, had pity on him and said to him, "In Allah's name, do as you will, for we may not hinder you from visiting your mother; nay, we will help you to your wish by what means we may. But it behooves that you desert us not, but visit us, though it be only once a year." And he answered, "To hear is to obey: be your behest on my head and eyes!" Then they arose immediately and making him ready victual for the voyage, equipped the bride for him with raiment and ornaments and everything of price, such as defy description, and they bestowed on him gifts and presents which pens of ready writers lack power to set forth. Then they beat the magical kettle-drum and up came the dromedaries from all sides. They chose of them such as could carry all the gear they had prepared; among the rest five-and-twenty chests of gold and fifty of silver; and, mounting Hasan and his bride on others, rode with them three days, in which they accomplished a march of three months. Then they bade them farewell and addressed themselves to return; whereupon his sister, the youngest damsel, threw herself on Hasan's neck and wept till she fainted. When she came to herself, she repeated these two couplets,

"Ne'er dawn the severance-day on any wise * That robs of sleep these heavy-lidded eyes. From us and you it hath fair union torn * It wastes our force and makes our forms its prize."

Her verses finished she farewelled him, straitly charging him, when he should have come to his native land and have foregathered with his mother and set his heart at ease, to fail not of visiting her once in every six months and saying, "If anything grieve you or you fear anything of vexation, beat the Magian's kettle-drum, whereupon the dromedaries shall come to you; and do you mount and return to us and persist not in staying away." He swore thus to do and conjured them to go home. So they returned to the palace, mourning for their separation from him, especially the youngest, with whom no rest would stay nor would Patience her call obey, but she wept night and day. Thus it was with them; but as regards Hasan and his wife, they fared on by day and night over plain and desert site and valley and stony heights through noon-tide glare and dawn's soft light; and Allah decreed them safety, so that they reached Bassorah-city without hindrance and made their camels kneel at the door of his house. Hasan then dismissed the dromedaries and, going up to the door to open it, heard his mother weeping and in a faint strain, from a heart worn with parting-pain and on fire with consuming bane, reciting these couplets,

"How shall he taste of sleep who lacks repose * Who wakes a-night when all in slumber wone? He owned wealth and family and fame * Yet fared from house and home an exile lone: Live coal beneath his [80] ribs he bears for bane, * And mighty longing, mightier ne'er was known: Passion hath seized him, Passion mastered him; * Yet is he constant while he makes moan: His case for Love proclaimeth aye that he, * (As prove his tears) is wretched, woebegone."

When Hasan heard his mother weeping and wailing he wept also and knocked at the door a loud knock. Said she, "Who is at the door?"; and said he, "Open!" Whereupon she opened the door and knowing him at first sight fell down in a fainting fit; but he ceased not to tend her till she came to herself, when he embraced her and she embraced him and kissed him, while his wife looked on mother and son. Then he carried his goods and gear into the house, while his mother, for that her heart was comforted and Allah had reunited her with her son versified with these couplets,

"Fortune had pity upon my plight * Pitied my long long bane and blight; Gave me what I would liefest sight; * And set me free from all afright. So pardon I the sin that sin * nèd she in days evanisht quite; E'en to the sin she sinned when she * Bleached my hair-parting silvern white."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-third Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Hasan with his mother then sat talking and she asked him, "How fared you, O my son, with the Persian?" whereto he answered, "O my mother, he was no Persian, but a Magian, who worshipped the fire, not the All-powerful Sire." Then he told her how he dealt with him, in that he had journeyed with him to the Mountain of Clouds and sewed him up in the camel's skin, and how the vultures had taken him up and set him down on the summit and what he had seen there of dead folk, whom the Magian had deluded and left to die on the crest after they had done his desire. And he told her how he had cast himself from the mountain-top into the sea and Allah the Most High had preserved him and brought him to the palace of the seven Princesses and how the youngest of them had taken him to brother and he had sojourned with them till the Almighty brought the Magian to the place where he was and he slew him. Moreover, he told her of his passion for the King's daughter and how he had made prize of her and of his seeing her [81] in sleep and all else that had befallen him up to the time when Allah granted them reunion. She wondered at his story and praised the Lord who had restored him to her in health and safety. Then she arose and examined the baggage and loads and questioned him of them. So he told her what was in them, whereat she joyed with exceeding joy. Then she went up to the King's daughter, to talk with her and bear her company; but, when her eyes fell on her, her wits were confounded at her brilliancy and she rejoiced and marvelled at her beauty and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace: and she sat down beside her, cheering her and comforting her heart while she never ceased to repeat "Alhamdolillah, O my son, for your return to me safe and sound!" Next morning early she went down into the market and bought mighty fine furniture and ten suits of the richest raiment in the city, and clad the young wife and adorned her with everything seemly. Then said she to Hasan, "O my son, we cannot tarry in this town with all this wealth; for you know that we are poor folk and the people will suspect us of practising alchemy. So come, let us depart to Baghdad, the House [82] of Peace, where we may dwell in the Caliph's Sanctuary, and you shall sit in a shop to buy and sell, in the fear of Allah (to whom belong Might and Majesty!) and He shall open to you the door of blessings with this wealth." Hasan approved her counsel and going forth straightway, sold the house and summoned the dromedaries, which he loaded with all his goods and gear, together with his mother and wife. Then he went down to the Tigris, where he hired him a craft to carry them to Baghdad and embarked therein all his possessions and his mother and wife. They sailed up the river with a fair wind for ten days till they drew in sight of Baghdad, at which they all rejoiced, and the ship landed them in the city, where without stay or delay Hasan hired a storehouse in one of the caravanserais and transported his goods thither. He lodged that night in the Khan, and on the morrow he changed his clothes and going down into the city, enquired for a broker. The folk directed him to one, and when the broker saw him, he asked him what he lacked. Said he, "I want a house, a handsome one and a spacious." So the broker showed him the houses at his disposal and he chose one that belonged to one of the Wazirs and buying it of him for a hundred thousand golden dinars, gave him the price. Then he returned to his caravanserai and removed all his goods and monies to the house; after which he went down to the market and bought all the mansion needed of vessels and carpets and other household stuff, besides servants and eunuchs, including a little black boy for the house. He abode with his wife in all solace and delight of life three years, during which time he was granted by her two sons, one of whom he named Násir and the other Mansúr: but, at the end of this time he bethought him of his sisters, the Princesses, and called to mind all their goodness to him and how they had helped him to his desire. So he longed after them and going out to the market streets of the city, bought trinkets and costly stuffs and fruit-confections, such as they had never seen or known. His mother asked him the reason of his buying these rarities and he answered, "I purpose to visit my sisters, who showed me every kind of kindness and all the wealth that I at present enjoy is due to their goodness and munificence: wherefore I will journey to them and return soon, Inshallah!" Said she, "O my son, be not long absent from me;" and said he, "Know, O my mother, how you shall do with my wife. Here is her feather-dress in a chest, buried under ground in such a place; do you watch over it, lest perhaps she hap on it and take it, for she would fly away, she and her children, and I should never hear of them again and should die of grieving for them; wherefore take heed, O my mother, while I warn you that you name this not to her. You must know that she is the daughter of a King of the Jinn, than whom there is not a greater among the Sovrans of the Jann nor a richer in troops and treasure, and she is mistress of her people and dearest to her father of all he has. Moreover, she is passing high-spirited, so do you serve her yourself and suffer her not to go forth the door neither look out of window nor over the wall, for I fear the air for her when it blows, [83] and if anything befell her of the calamities of this world, I should slay myself for her sake." She replied, "O my son, I take refuge with Allah [84] from obstructing you! Am I mad that you should lay this charge on me and I disobey you therein? Depart, O my son, with heart at ease, and please Allah, soon you shall return in safety and see her and she shall tell you how I have dealt with her: but tarry not, O my son, beyond the time of travel."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-fourth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan had determined to visit the Princesses, he gave his mother the orders we have mentioned. [85] Now, as Fate would have it, his wife heard what he said to his mother and neither of them knew it. Then Hasan went without the city and beat the kettle-drum, whereupon up came the dromedaries and he loaded twenty of them with rarities of Al-Irak; after which he returned to his mother and repeated his charge to her and took leave of her and his wife and children, one of whom was a yearling babe and the other two years old. Then he mounted and fared on, without stopping night or day, over hills and valleys and plains and wastes for a term of ten days till, on the eleventh, he reached the palace and went in to his sisters, with the gifts he had brought them. The Princesses rejoiced at his sight and gave him joy of his safety, while his sister decorated the palace within and without. Then they took the presents and, lodging him in a chamber as before, asked him of his mother and his wife, and he told them that she had borne him two sons. And the youngest Princess, seeing him well and in good case, joyed with exceeding joy and repeated this couplet,

"I ever ask for news of you from whatever breezes pass * And never any but yourselves can pass across my mind."

Then he abode with them in all honor and hospitality, for three months, spending his time in feasting and merrymaking, joy and delight, hunting and sporting. So fared it with him; but as regards his wife, she abode with his mother two days after her husband's departure, and on the third day, she said to her, "Glory be to God! Have I lived with him three years and shall I never go to the bath?" Then she wept and Hasan's mother had pity on her condition and said to her, "O my daughter, here we are strangers and your husband is abroad. Were he at home, he would serve you himself, but, as for me, I know no one. However, O my daughter, I will heat you water and wash your head in the Hammam-bath which is in the house." Answered the King's daughter, "O my lady, had you spoken thus to one of the slave-girls, she had demanded to be sold in the Sultan's open market and had not abode with you. [86] Men are excusable, because they are jealous and their reason tells them that, if a woman go forth the house, perhaps she will do wanton acts. But women, O my lady, are not all equal and alike and you know that, if woman have a mind to anything, whether it is the Hammam or what not else, none has power over her to guard her or keep her chaste or debar her from her desire; for she will do whatever she wills and nothing restrains her but her reason and her religion." [87] Then she wept and cursed fate and bemoaned herself and her strangerhood, till Hasan's mother was moved to pity for her case and knew that all she said was but truth and that there was nothing for it but to let her have her way. So she committed the affair to Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) and making ready all that they needed for the bath, took her and went with her to the Hammam. She carried her two little sons with her, and when they entered, they put off their clothes and all the women fell to gazing on the Princess and glorifying God (to whom belong Might and Majesty!) for that He had created so fair a form. The women of the city, even those who were passing by, flocked to gaze upon her, and the report of her was noised abroad in Baghdad till the bath was crowded that there was no passing through it. Now it chanced there was present on that day and on that rare occasion with the rest of the women in the Hammam, one of the slave-girls of the Commander of the Faithful, Harun al-Rashid, by name Tohfah [88] the Lutanist, and she, finding the Hammam over crowded and no passing for the throng of women and girls, asked what was to do; and they told her of the young lady. So she walked up to her and, considering her closely, was amazed at her grace and loveliness and glorified God (magnified be His majesty!) for the fair forms He has created. The sight hindered her from her bath, so that she went not farther in nor washed, but sat staring at the Princess, till she had made an end of bathing and coming forth of the caldarium donned her raiment, whereupon beauty was added to her beauty. She sat down on the divan, [89] while the women gazed upon her; then she looked at them and veiling herself, went out. Tohfah went out with her and followed her, till she saw where she dwelt, when she left her and returned to the Caliph's palace; and ceased not wending till she went in to the Lady Zubaydah and kissed ground between her hands; whereupon said her mistress, "O Tohfah, why have you tarried in the Hammam?" She replied, "O my lady, I have seen a marvel, never saw I its like among men or women, and this it was that distracted me and dazed my wit and amazed me, so that I forgot even to wash my head." Asked Zubaydah, "And what was that?" ; and Tohfah answered, "O my lady, I saw a damsel in the bath, having with her two little boys like moons, eye never espied her like, nor before her nor after her, neither is there the fellow of her form in the whole world nor her peer among Ajams or Turks or Arabs. By the munificence, O my lady, if you told the Commander of the Faithful of her, he would slay her husband and take her from him, for her like is not to be found among women. I asked of her mate and they told me that he is a merchant named Hasan of Bassorah. Moreover, I followed her from the bath to her own house and found it to be that of the Wazir, with the two gates, one opening on the river and the other on the land. [90] Indeed, O my lady, I fear lest the Prince of True Believers hear of her and break the law and slay her husband and take love-liesse with her."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-fifth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Tohfah, after seeing the King's daughter, described her beauty to the Lady Zubaydah ending with, "Indeed, O my mistress, I fear lest the Prince of True Believers hear of her and break the law and slay her mate and take her to wife," Zubaydah cried, "Woe to you, O Tohfah, tell me, does this damsel display such passing beauty and loveliness that the Commander of the Faithful should, on her account, barter his soul's good for his worldly lust and break the Holy Law! By Allah, needs must I look on her, and if she be not as you say, I will bid strike off your head! O strumpet, there are in the Caliph's Serraglio three hundred and three score slave girls, after the number of the days of the year, yet is there none among them so excellent as you describe!" Tohfah replied, "No, by Allah, O my lady!: nor is there her like in all Baghdad; no, nor among the Arabs or the Daylamites nor has Allah (to whom belong Might and Majesty!) created the like of her!" Thereupon Zuhaydah called for Masrur, the eunuch, who came and kissed the ground before her, and she said to him, "O Masrur, go to the Wazir's house, that with the two gates, one giving on the water and the other on the land, and bring me the damsel who dwells there, also her two children and the old woman who is with her, and haste you and tarry not." Said Masrur, "I hear and I obey," and repairing to Hasan's house, knocked at the door. Said the old woman, "Who is at the door?" and said he, "Masrur, the eunuch of the Commander of the Faithful." So she opened the door and he entered and saluted her with the salam; whereupon she returned his salute and asked his need; and he replied, "The Lady Zubaydah, daughter of Al-Kasim [91] and queen-spouse of the Commander of the Faithful Harun al-Rashid sixth [92] of the sons of Al-Abbas, paternal uncle of the Prophet (whom Allah bless and keep!) summons you to her, you and your son's wife and her children; for the women have told her about her and her beauty." Rejoined the old woman, "O my lord Masrur, we are foreigner folk and the girl's husband (my son) who is abroad and far from home has strictly charged me not to go forth nor let her go forth in his absence, neither show her to any of the creatures of Allah Almighty; and I fear, if anything befalls her and he comes back, he will slay himself; wherefore of your favour I beseech you, O Masrur, require us not of that whereof we are unable." Masrur retorted, "O my lady, if I knew anything to be feared for you in this, I would not require you to go; the Lady Zubaydah desires but to see her and then she may return. So disobey not or you will repent; and like as I take you, I will bring you both back in safety, Inshallah!" Hasan's mother could not gainsay him; so she went in and making the damsel ready, brought her and her children forth and they all followed Masrur to the palace of the Caliphate where he carried them in and seated them on the floor before the Lady Zubaydah. They kissed ground before her and called down blessings upon her; and Zubaydah said to the young lady (who was veiled), "Will you not uncover your face, that I may look on it?" So she kissed the ground between her hands and revealed a face which put to shame the full moon in the height of heaven. Zubaydah fixed her eyes on her and let their glances wander over her, while the palace was illumined by the light of her countenance; whereupon the Queen and the whole company were amazed at her beauty and all who looked on her became Jinn-mad and unable to speak to one another. As for Zubaydah, she rose and making the damsel stand up, strained her to her bosom and seated her by herself on the couch. Moreover, she bade decorate the palace in her honor and calling for a suit of the richest raiment and a necklace of the rarest ornaments put them upon her. Then said she to her, "O liege lady of fair ones, verily you astound me and fill my eyes. [93] What arts do you know?" She replied, "O my lady, I have a dress of feathers, and could I but put it on before you, you would see one of the fairest of fashions and marvel thereat, and all who saw it would talk of its goodliness, generation after generation." Zubaydah asked, "And where is this dress of yours?"; and the damsel answered, "'Tis with my husband's mother. Do you seek it for me of her." So Zubaydah said to the old woman, "O my lady the pilgrimess, O my mother, go forth and fetch us her feather-dress, that we may solace ourselves by looking on what she will do, and after take it back again." Replied the old woman, "O my lady, this damsel is a liar. Have you ever seen any of womankind with a dress of feathers? Indeed, this belongs only to birds." But the damsel said to the Lady Zubaydah, "As you live, O my lady, she has a feather-dress of mine and it is in a chest, which is buried in such a store-closet in the house." So Zubaydah took off her neck a rivière of jewels, worth all the treasures of Chosroe and Cæsar, and gave it to the old woman, saying, "O my mother, I conjure you by my life, take this necklace and go and fetch us this dress, that we may divert ourselves with the sight thereof, and after take it again!" But she swore to her that she had never seen any such dress and knew not what the damsel meant by her speech. Then the Lady Zubaydah cried out at her and taking the key from her, called Masrur and said to him as soon as her came, "Take this key and go to the house; then open it and enter a store-closet there whose door is such and such and in the midst of it you will find a chest buried. Take it out and break it open and bring me the feather-dress which is therein and set it before me."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-sixth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Lady Zubaydah, having taken the key from Hasan's mother, handed it to Masrur, saying, "Take this key and open such a closet; then bring forth from it the chest; break it open; bring me the feather-dress which is therein and set it before me." "Hearkening and obedience," replied he and taking the key went forth, whereupon the old woman arose and followed him, weeping-eyed and repenting her of having given ear to the damsel and gone with her to the bath, for her desire to go there was but a device. So she went with him to the house and opened the door of the closet, and he entered and brought out the chest. Then he took therefrom the feather,dress and wrapping it in a napkin, carried it to the Lady Zubaydah, who took it and turned it about, marvelling at the beauty of its make; after which she gave it to the damsel, saying, "Is this your dress of feathers?" She replied, "Yes, O my lady," and at once putting forth her hand, took it joyfully. Then she examined it and rejoiced to find it whole as it was, not a feather gone. So she rose and came down from beside the Lady Zubaydah and taking her sons in her bosom, wrapped herself in the feather-dress and became a bird, by the ordinance of Allah (to whom belong Might and Majesty!), whereat Zubaydah marvelled as did all who were present. Then she walked with a swaying and graceful gait and danced and sported and flapped her wings, while all eyes were fixed on her and all marvelled at what she did. Then said she with fluent tongue, "Is this goodly, O my ladies?"; and they replied, "Yes, O Princess of the fair! All you do is goodly." Said she, "And this, O my mistresses, that I am about to do is better yet." Then she spread her wings and flying up with her children to the dome of the palace, perched on the saloon-roof while they all looked at her, wide-eyed and said, "By Allah, this is indeed a rare and peregrine fashion! Never saw we its like." Then, as she was about to take flight for her own land, she bethought her of Hasan and said, "Hark ye, my mistresses!" and she improvised these couplets, [94]

"O who bast quitted these abodes and faredst lief and light * To other objects of your love with fain and fastest flight! Deem'st you that 'bided I with you in solace and in joy * Or that my days amid you all were clear of bane and blight? When I was captive ta'en of Love and snarèd in his snare, * He made of Love my prison and he fared fro' me forthright: So when my fear was hidden, he made sure that ne'er should I * Pray to the One, th' Omnipotent to render me my right: He charged his mother keep the secret with all the care she could, * In closet shut and treated me with enemy's despight: But I o'erheard their words and held them fast in memory * And hoped for fortune fair and weal and blessings infinite: My faring to the Hammam-bath then proved to me the means * Of making minds of folk to be confounded at my sight: Wondered the Bride of Al-Rashid to see my brilliancy * When she beheld me right and left with all of beauty dight: Then said I, 'O our Caliph's wife, I once was wont to own * A dress of feathers rich and rare that did the eyes delight: An it were now on me you should indeed see wondrous things * That would efface all sorrows and disperse all sores of sprite:' Then deigned our Caliph's Bride to cry, 'Where is that dress of thine?' * And I replied, 'In house of him kept darkling as the night.' So down upon it pounced Masrúr and brought it unto her, * And when 'twas there each feather cast a ray of beaming light: Therewith I took it from his hand and opened it straightway * And saw its plumèd bosom and its buttons pleased my sight: And so I clad myself therein and took with me my babes; * And spread my wings and flew away with all my main and might; Saying, 'O husband's mother mine tell him when comes he * An ever wouldest meet her you from house and home must flee."'

When she had made an end of her verses, the Lady Zubaydah said to her, "Wilt you not come down to us, that we may take our fill of your beauty, O fairest of the fair? Glory be to Him who has given you eloquence and brilliance!" But she said, "Far be from me that the Past return should see!" Then said she to the mother of the hapless, wretched Hasan, "By Allah, O my lady, O mother of my husband, it irks me to part from you; but, when your son comes to you and upon him the nights of severance longsome shall be and he craves reunion and meeting to see and when breezes of love and longing shake him dolefully, let him come in the islands of Wák [95] to me." Then she took flight with her children and sought her own country, while the old woman wept and beat her face and moaned and groaned till she swooned away. When she came to herself, she said to the Lady Zubaydah, "O my lady, what is this you have done?" And Zubaydah said to her, "O my lady the pilgrimess, I knew not that this would happen and had you told me of the case and acquainted me with her condition, I had not gainsaid you. Nor did I know until now that she was of the Flying Jinn; else had I not suffered her to don the dress nor permitted her to take her children: but now, O my lady, words profit nothing; so do you acquit me of offence against you." And the old woman could do no otherwise than shortly answer, "You are acquitted.!" Then she went forth from the palace of the Caliphate and returned to her own house, where she buffeted her face till she swooned away, When she came to herself, she pined for her daughter-in-law and her grandchildren and for the sight of her son and versified with these couplets,

"Your faring on the parting-day drew many a tear fro' me, * Who must your flying from the home long mourn in misery: And cried I for the parting pang in anguish likest fire * And tear-floods chafed mine eyelids sore that ne'er of tears were free; 'Yes, this is Severance, Ah, shall we e'er oy return of you? * For your departure hath deprived my power of privacy!' Ah, would they had returned to me in covenant of faith * An they return perhaps restore of past these eyne may see."

Then arising she dug in the house three graves and betook herself to them with weeping all whiles of the day and watches of the night; and when her son's absence was longsome upon her and grief and yearning and unquiet waxed upon her, she recited these couplets,

"Deep in mine eye-balls ever dwells the phantom-form of you * My heart when throbbing or at rest holds fast your memory: And love of you doth never cease to course within my breast, * As course the juices in the fruits which deck the branchy tree: And every day I see you not my bosom straightened is * And even censurers excuse the woes in me they see: O you whose love hath gotten hold the foremost in the heart * Of me whose fondness is excelled by mine insanity: Fear the Compassionate in my case and some compassion show! * Love of you makes me taste of death in bitterest pungency."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-seventh Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Hasan's mother wept through the watches of the night and the whiles of the day her separation from her son and his wife and children. On this wise it fared with her; but as regards Hasan, when he came to the Princesses, they conjured him to tarry with them three months, after which long sojourn they gave him five loads of gold and the like of silver and one load of victual and accompanied him on his homeward way till he conjured them to return, whereupon they farewelled him with an embrace; but the youngest came up to him, to bid him adieu and clasping his neck wept till she fainted. Then she recited these two couplets,

"When shall the severance-fire be quenched by union, love, with you? * When shall I win my wish of you and days that were renew? The parting-day affrighted me and wrought me dire dismay * And doubleth woe, O master mine, by the sad word 'Adieu.'"

Anon came forward the second Princess and embraced him and recited these two couplets,

"Farewelling you indeed is like to bidding life farewell * And like the loss of Zephyr [96] 'tis to lose you far our sight: Thine absence is a flaming fire which burneth up my heart * And in your presence I enjoy the Gardens of Delight." [97]

Presently came forward the third and embraced him and recited these two couplets,

"We left not taking leave of you (when bound to other goal) * From anything of ill intention or from weariness and dole: You art my soul, my very soul, the only soul of me: * And how shall I farewell myself and say, 'Adieu my Soul?'" [98]

After her came forward the fourth and embraced him and recited these two couplets,

"Nought garred me weep save where and when of severance spoke he, * Persisting in his cruel will with sore persistency: Look at this pearl-like ornament I've hung upon mine ear: * 'Tis of the tears of me compact, this choicest jewelry!"

In her turn came forward the fifth and embraced him and recited these two couplets,

"Ah, fare you not; for I've no force your faring to endure, * Nor e'en to say the word farewell before my friend is sped: Nor any patience to support the days of severance, * Nor any tears on ruined house and wasted home to shed."

Next came the sixth and embraced him and recited these two couplets,

"I cried, as the camels went off with them, * And Love pained my vitals with sorest pain: Had I a King who would lend me rule * I'd seize every ship that dares sail the Main."

Lastly came forward the seventh and embraced him and recited these couplets,

"When you seest parting, be patient still, * Nor let foreign parts deal your soul affright: But abide, expecting a swift return, * For all hearts hold parting in sore despight."

And then these two couplets,

"Indeed I'm heartbroken to see you start, * Nor can I farewell you before you depart; Allah wotteth I left not to say adieu * Save for fear that saying would melt your heart."

Hasan also wept for parting from them, till he swooned, and repeated these couplets,

"Indeed, ran my tears on the severance-day * Like pearls I threaded in necklace-way The cameleer drove his camels with song * But I lost heart, patience and strength and stay: I bade them farewell and retired in grief * From tryst-place and camp where my dearlings lay: I turned me unknowing the way nor joyed * My soul, but in hopes to return some day. Oh listen, my friend, to the words of love * God forbid your heart forget all I say! O my soul when you partest wi' them, part too * With all joys of life nor for living pray!"

Then he farewelled them and fared on diligently night and day, till he came to Baghdad, the House of Peace and Sanctuary of the Abbaside Caliphs, unknowing what had passed during his wayfare. At once entering his house he went in to his mother to salute her, but found her worn of body and wasted of bones, for excess of mourning and watching, weeping and wailing, till she was grown thin as a toothpick and could not answer him a word. So he dismissed the dromedaries then asked her of his wife and children and she wept till she fainted, and he seeing her in this state searched the house for them, but found no trace of them. Then he went to the store-closet and finding it open and the chest broken and the feather-dress missing, knew immediately that his wife had possessed herself thereof and flown away with her children. Then he returned to his mother and, finding her recovered from her fit, questioned her of his spouse and babes, whereupon she wept and said, "O my son, may Allah amply requite you their loss! These are their three tombs." [99] When Hasan heard these words of his mother, he shrieked a loud shriek and fell down in a fainting-fit in which he lay from the first of the day till noon-tide; whereupon anguish was added to his mother's anguish and she despaired of his life. However, after awhile, he came to himself and wept and buffeted his face and rent his raiment and went about the house clean distraught, reciting these two couplets, [100]

"Folk have made moan of passion before me, of past years, * And live and dead for absence have suffered pains and fears; But that within my bosom I harbour, with mine eyes * I've never seen the like of nor heard with mine ears."

Then finishing his verses he bared his brand and coming up to his mother, said to her, "Unless you tell me the truth of the case, I will strike off your head and kill myself." She replied, "O my son, do not such deed: put up your sword and sit down, till I tell you what has passed." So he sheathed his scymitar and sat by her side, while she recounted to him all that had happened in his absence from first to last, adding, "O my son, but that I saw her weep in her longing for the bath and feared that she would go and complain to you on your return, and you would be angry with me. I had never carried her there; and were it not that the Lady Zubaydah was angry with me and took the key from me by force, I had never brought out the feather-dress, though I died for it. But you know, O my son, that no hand may measure length with that of the Caliphate. When they brought her the dress, she took it and turned it over, fancying that something might be lost thereof, but she found it uninjured; wherefore she rejoiced and making her children fast to her waist, donned the feather-vest, after the Lady Zubaydah had pulled off to her all that was upon herself and clad her therein, in honor of her and because of her beauty. No sooner had she donned the dress than she shook and becoming a bird, promenaded about the palace, while all who were present gazed at her and marvelled at her beauty and loveliness. Then she flew up to the palace roof and perching thereon, looked at me and said: 'When your son comes to you and the nights of separation upon him longsome shall be and he craves reunion and meeting to see and when the breezes of love and longing shake him dolefully let him leave his native land and journey to the Islands of Wak and seek me.' This, then, is her story and what befell in your absence."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-eighth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that as soon as Hasan's mother had made an end of her story, he gave a great cry and fell down in a fainting fit which continued till the end of day, when he revived and fell to buffeting his face and writhing on the floor like a scotched snake. His mother sat weeping by his head until midnight, when he came to himself and wept sore and recited these couplets', [101]

"Pause you and see his sorry state since when you fain withdrew; * Haply, when wrought your cruelty, you'll have the grace to rue: For if you look on him, you'll doubt of him by sickness-stress * As though, by Allah, he were one before you never knew. He dies for nothing save for love of you, and he would be * Numbered amid the dead did not he moan and groan for you. And deem not pangs of severance sit all lightly on his soul; * 'Tis heavy load on lover-wight; 'twere lighter if you slew."

Then having ended his verse he rose and went round about the house, weeping and wailing, groaning and bemoaning himself, five days, during which he tasted neither meat nor drink. His mother came to him and conjured him, till he broke his fast, and besought him to leave weeping; but he hearkened not to her and continued to shed tears and lament, while she strove to comfort him and he heeded her not. Then he recited these couplets, [102]

"Beareth for love a burden sore this soul of me, * Could break a mortal's back however strong that be; I am distraught to see my case and languor grows * Making my day and night indifferent in degree: I own to having dreaded Death before this day: * This day I hold my death mine only remedy."

And Hasan ceased not to do thus till daybreak, when his eyes closed and he saw in a dream his wife grief-full and repentant for that which she had done. So he started up from sleep crying out and reciting these two couplets,

"Their image bides with me, ne'er quits me, ne'er shall fly; * But holds within my heart most honorable stead; But for reunion-hope, I'd see me die forthright, * And but for phantom-form of you my sleep had fled."

And as morning morrowed he redoubled his lamentations. He abode weeping-eyed and heavy-hearted, wakeful by night and eating little, for a whole month, at the end of which he bethought him to repair to his sisters and take counsel with them in the matter of his wife, so perhaps they might help him to regain her. Accordingly he summoned the dromedaries and loading fifty of them with rarities of Al-Irak, committed the house to his mother's care and deposited all his goods in safe keeping, except some few he left at home. Then he mounted one of the beasts and set out on his journey single handed, intent upon obtaining aid from the Princesses, and he stayed not till he reached the Palace of the Mountain of Clouds, when he went in to the damsels and gave them the presents in which they rejoiced. Then they wished him joy of his safety and said to him, "O our brother, what can ail you to come again so soon, seeing you were with us but two months since?" Whereupon he wept and improvised these couplets,

"My soul for loss of lover sped I sight; * Nor life enjoying neither life's delight: My case is one whose cure is all unknown; * Can any cure the sick but doctor wight? O who have reft my sleep-joys, leaving me * To ask the breeze that blew from that fair site,— Blew from my lover's land (the land that owns * Those charms so sore a grief in soul excite), 'O breeze, that visitest her land, perhaps * Breathing her scent, you mayst revive my sprite!'"

And when he ended his verse he gave a great cry and fell down in a fainting-fit. The Princesses sat round him, weeping over him, till he recovered and repeated these two couplets,

"Haply and happily may Fortune bend her rein * Bringing my love, for Time's a freke of jealous strain; [103] Fortune may prosper me, supply mine every want, * And bring a blessing where before were ban and bane."

Then he wept till he fainted again, and presently coming to himself recited the two following couplets,

"My wish, mine illness, mine unease! by Allah, own * Art you content? then I in love contented wone! Dost you forsake me thus sans crime or sin * Meet me in ruth, I pray, and be our parting gone."

Then he wept till he swooned away once more and when he revived he repeated these couplets,

"Sleep fled me, by my side wake ever shows * And hoard of tear-drops from these eyne aye flows; For love they weep with beads cornelian-like * And growth of distance greater dolence grows: Lit up my longing, O my love, in me * Flames burning 'neath my ribs with fiery throes! Remembering you a tear I never shed * But in it thunder roars and leven glows."

Then he wept till he fainted away a fourth time, and presently recovering, recited these couplets,

"Ah! for lowe of love and longing suffer you as suffer we? * Say, as pine we and as yearn we for you are pining ye? Allah do the death of Love, what a bitter draught is his! * Would I wot of Love what plans and what projects nurseth he! Your faces radiant-fair though afar from me they shine, * Are mirrored in our eyes whatsoever the distance be; My heart must ever dwell on the memories of your tribe; * And the turtle-dove reneweth all as oft as moaneth she: Ho you dove, who passest night-tide in calling on your fere, * You doublest my repine, bringing grief for company; And leavest you mine eyelids with weeping unfulfilled * For the dearlings who departed, whom we never more may see: I melt for the thought of you at every time and hour, * And I long for you when Night showeth cheek of blackest blee."

Now when his sister heard these words and saw his condition and how he lay fainting on the floor, she screamed and beat her face and the other Princesses hearing her scream came out and learning his misfortune and the transport of love and longing and the passion and distraction that possessed him they questioned him of his case. He wept and told them what had befallen in his absence and how his wife had taken flight with her children, wherefore they grieved for him and asked him what she said at leave-taking. Answered he, "O my sisters, she said to my mother, 'Tell your son, when he comes to you and the nights of severance upon him longsome shall be and he craves reunion and meeting to see, and when the winds of love and longing shake him dolefully, let him fare in the Islands of Wak to me." When they heard his words they signed one to other with their eyes and shook their heads, and each looked at her sister, while Hasan looked at them all. Then they bowed their heads groundwards and bethought themselves awhile; after which they raised their heads and said, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!"; presently adding, "Put forth your hand to heaven and when you reach thither, then shall you win to your wife.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Seven Hundred and Ninety-ninth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Princesses said to Hasan, "Put forth your hand to Heaven and when you reach thither, then shall you win to wife and children," thereat the tears ran down his cheeks like rain and wet his clothes, and he recited these couplets,

"Pink cheeks and eyes enpupil'd black have dealt me sore despight; * And when wake overpowered sleep my patience fled in fright: The fair and sleek-limbed maidens hard of heart withal laid waste * My very bones till not a breath is left for man to sight: Houris, who fare with gait of grace as roes o'er sandy-mound: * Did Allah's saints behold their charms they'd doat on it forthright; Faring as fares the garden breeze that bloweth in the dawn. * For love of them a sore unrest and troubles rack my sprite: I hung my hopes upon a maid, a loveling fair of them, * For whom my heart still burns with lowe in Lazá-hell they light;— A dearling soft of sides and haught and graceful in her gait, * Her grace is white as morning, but her hair is black as night: She stirreth me! But ah, how many heroes have her cheeks * Upstirred for love, and eke her eyes that mingle black and white."

Then he wept, while the Princesses wept for his weeping, and they were moved to compassion and jealousy for him. So they fell to comforting him and exhorting him to patience and offering up prayers for his reunion with his wife; while his sister said to him, "O my brother, be of good cheer and keep your eyes cool and clear and be patient; so shall you win your will; for whoever has patience and waits, attains what he seeks. Patience holds the keys of relief and indeed the poet said,

'Let destiny with slackened rein its course appointed fare! And lie you down to sleep by night, with heart devoid of care; For 'twixt the closing of an eye and th' opening thereof, God hath it in His power to change a case from foul to fair." [104]

So hearten your heart and brace up your resolve, for the son of ten years dies not in the ninth. [105] Weeping and grief and mourning gender sickness and disease; wherefore do you abide with us till you be rested, and I will devise some device for your winning to your wife and children, Inshallah—so it please Allah the Most High!" And he wept sore and recited these verses,

"An I be healed of disease in frame, * I'm unhealed of illness in heart and sprite: There is no healing disease of love, * Save lover and loved one to re-unite."

Then he sat down beside her and she proceeded to talk with him and comfort him and question him of the cause and the manner of his wife's departure. So he told her and she said, "By Allah, O my brother, I was minded to bid you burn the feather-dress, but Satan made me forget it." She ceased not to converse with him and caress him and company with him other ten days, while sleep visited him not and he delighted not in food; and when the case was longsome upon him and unrest waxed in him, he versified with these couplets,

"A beloved familiar o'erreigns my heart * And Allah's ruling reigns evermore: She hath all the Arab's united charms * This gazelle who feeds on my bosom's core. Though my skill and patience for love of her fail, * I weep while I wot that 'tis vain to deplore. The dearling hath twice seven years, as though * She were moon of five nights and of five plus four." [106]

When the youngest Princess saw him thus distracted for love and longing for passion and the fever-heat of desire, she went in to her sisterhood weeping-eyed and woeful-hearted, and shedding copious tears threw herself upon them, kissed their feet and besought them to devise some device for bringing Hasan to the Islands of Wak and effecting his reunion with his wife and sons. She ceased not to conjure them to further her brother in the accomplishment of his desire and to weep before them, till she made them weep and they said to her, "Hearten your heart: we will do our best endeavour to bring about his reunion with his family, Inshallah!" And he abode with them a whole year, during which his eyes never could retain their tears. Now the sisterhood had an uncle, brother-german to their sire and his name was Abd al-Kaddús, or Slave of the Most Holy; and he loved the eldest with exceeding love and was wont to visit her once a year and do all she desired. They had told him of Hasan's adventure with the Magian and how he had been able to slay him; whereat he rejoiced and gave the eldest Princess a pouch [107] which contained certain perfumes, saying, "O daughter of my brother, if you be in concern for aught, or if anything irk you, or you stand in any need, cast of these perfumes upon fire naming my name and I will be with you immediately and will do your desire." This speech was spoken on the first of Moharram [108]; and the eldest Princess said to one of the sisterhood, "Lo, the year is wholly past and my uncle is not come. Rise, bring me the fire-sticks and the box of perfumes." So the damsel arose rejoicing and, fetching what she sought, laid it before her sister, who opened the box and taking thence a little of the perfume, cast it into the fire naming her uncle's name; nor was it burnt out before appeared a dust-cloud at the farther end of the Wady; and presently lifting, it revealed a Shaykh riding on an elephant, which moved at a swift and easy pace, and trumpeted under the rider. As soon as he came within sight of the Princesses, he began making signs to them with his hands and feet; nor was it long before he reached the castle and, alighting from the elephant, came in to them, whereupon they embraced him and kissed his hands and saluted him with the salam. Then he sat down, while the girls talked with him and questioned him of his absence. Said he, "I was sitting but now with my wife, your aunt, when I smelt the perfumes and hastened to you on this elephant. What would you, O daughter of my brother?" Said she, "O uncle, indeed we longed for you, as the year is past and 'tis not your custom to be absent from us more than a twelvemonth." Answered he, "I was busy, but I planned to come to you tomorrow." Wherefore they thanked him and blessed him and sat talking with him.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundredth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the girls sat down to chat with their uncle the eldest said to him "O my uncle, we told you the tale of Hasan of Bassorah, whom Bahram the Magian brought and how he slew the wizard and how, after enduring all manner of hardships and horrors, he made prize of the Supreme King's daughter and took her to wife and journeyed with her to his native land?" Replied he, "Yes, and what befell him after that?" Said the Princess, "She played him false after he was blest with two sons by her; for she took them in his absence and fled with them to her own country, saying to his mother: 'When your son returns to you and asks for me and upon him the nights of severance longsome shall be and he craves reunion and meeting to see and when the breezes of love and longing shake him dolefully, let him come in the Islands of Wak to me.'" When Abd al-Kaddus heard this, he shook his head and bit his forefinger; then, bowing his brow groundwards he began to make marks on the earth with his finger-tips; [109] after which he again shook his head and looked right and left and shook his head a third time, while Hasan watched him from a place where he was hidden from him. Then said the Princesses to their uncle, "Return us some answer, for our hearts are rent in sunder." But he shook his head at them, saying, "O my daughters, verily has this man wearied himself in vain and cast himself into grievous predicament and sore peril; for he may not gain access to the Islands of Wak." With this the Princesses called Hasan, who came forth and, advancing to Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus, kissed his hand and saluted him. The old man rejoiced in him and seated him by his side; whereupon said the damsels, "O uncle, acquaint our brother Hasan with that you have told us." So he said to Hasan, "O my son, put away from you this peine forte et dure; for you can never gain access to the Islands of Wak, though the Flying Jinn and the Wandering Stars were with you; for that between you and these islands are seven Wadys and seven seas and seven mighty mountains. How then can you come at this stead and who shall bring you there? Wherefore, Allah upon you, O my son, do you reckon your spouse and sons as dead and turn back immediately and weary not your sprite! Indeed, I give you good counsel, if you will but accept it." Hearing these words from the Shaykh, Hasan wept till he fainted, and the Princesses sat round him, weeping for his weeping, while the youngest sister rent her raiment and buffeted her face, till she swooned away. When Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus saw them in this transport of grief and trouble and mourning, he was moved to pity for them and cried, "Be you silent!" Then said he to Hasan, "O my son, hearten your heart and rejoice in the winning of your wish, if it be the will of Allah the Most High;" presently adding, "Rise, O my son, take courage and follow me." So Hasan arose immediately and after he had taken leave of the Princesses followed him, rejoicing in the fulfilment of his wish. Then the Shaykh called the elephant and mounting, took Hasan up behind him and fared on three days with their nights, like the blinding leven, till he came to a vast blue mountain, whose stones were all of azure hue and amiddlemost of which was a cavern, with a door of Chinese iron. Here he took Hasan's hand and let him down and alighting dismissed the elephant. Then he went up to the door and knocked, whereupon it opened and there came out to him a black slave, hairless, as he were an Ifrit, with brand in right hand and targe of steel in left. When he saw Abd al-Kaddus, he threw sword and buckler from his grip and coming up to the Shaykh kissed his hand. Thereupon the old man took Hasan by the hand and entered with him, while the slave shut the door behind them; when Hasan found himself in a vast cavern and a spacious, through which ran an arched corridor and they ceased not faring on therein a mile or so, till it abutted upon a great open space and thence they made for an angle of the mountain in which were two huge doors cast of solid brass. The old man opened one of them and said to Hasan, "Sit at the door, while I go within and come back to you in haste, and beware lest you open it and enter." Then he fared inside and, shutting the door after him, was absent during a full sidereal hour, after which he returned, leading a black stallion, thin of flank and short of nose, which was ready bridled and saddled, with velvet housings; and when it ran it flew, and when it flew, the very dust in vain would pursue; and brought it to Hasan, saying, "Mount!" So he mounted and Abd al-Kaddus opened the second door, beyond which appeared a vast desert. Then the two passed through the door into that desert and the old man said to him, "O my son, take this scroll and wend you where this steed will carry you. When you see him stop at the door of a cavern like this, alight and throw the reins over the saddle-bow and let him go. He will enter the cavern, which do you not enter with him, but tarry at the door five days, without being weary of waiting. On the sixth day there will come forth to you a black Shaykh, clad all in sable, with a long white beard, flowing down to his navel. As soon as you see him, kiss his hands and seize his skirt and lay it on your head and weep before him, till he take pity on you and he will ask you what you would have. When he says to you, 'What is your want?' give him this scroll which he will take without speaking and go in and leave you. Wait at the door another five days, without wearying, and on the sixth day expect him; and if he come out to you himself, know that your wish will be won, but, if one of his pages come forth to you, know that he who comes forth to you, plans to kill you; and—the Peace! [110] For know, O my son, that whoever self imperils does himself to death;"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and First Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that after handing the scroll to Hasan, Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus told him what would befall him and said, "Whoever self imperils does himself to death; but also who ventures nothing advantages nothing. However if you fear for your life, cast it not into danger of destruction; but, if you fear not, up and do your will, for I have expounded to you the whole case. Yet should you be minded to return to your friends, the elephant is still here and he will carry you to my nieces, who will restore you to your country and return you to your home, and Allah will grant you better than this girl, of whom you are enamoured." Hasan answered the Shaykh, saying, "And how shall life be sweet to me, unless I win my wish? By Allah, I will never turn back, till I regain my beloved or my death overtake me!" And he wept and recited these couplets,

"For loss of lover mine and stress of love I dree, * I stood bewailing self in deep despondency. Longing for him, the Spring-camp's dust I kissed and kissed, * But this bred more of grief and galling reverie. God guard the gone, who in our hearts must e'er abide * With nearing woes and joys which still the farther flee. They say me, 'Patience!' But they bore it all away: * On parting-day, and left me nothing save tormentry. And nothing affrighted me except the word he said, * 'Forget me not when gone nor drive from memory.' To whom shall turn I? hope in whom when you are lost? * Who were my only hopes and joys and woes of me? But ah, the pang of home-return when parting thus! * How joyed at seeing me return mine enemy. Then well-away! this 'twas I guarded me against! * And ah, you lowe of Love double your ardency! [111] An fled for aye my friends I'll not survive the flight; * Yet an they deign return, Oh joy! Oh ecstacy! Never, by Allah tears and weeping I'll contain * For loss of you, but tears on tears and tears will rain."

When Abd al-Kaddus heard his verse he knew that he would not turn back from his desire nor would words have effect on him, and was certified that nothing would serve him but he must imperil himself, though it lose him his life. So he said to him, "Know, O my son, that the Islands of Wak are seven islands, in which is a mighty host, all virgin girls, and the Inner Isles are peopled by Satans and Marids and warlocks and various tribesmen of the Jinn; and whoever enters their land never returns from there; at least none has done so to this day. So, Allah upon you, return presently to your people, for know that she whom you seek is the King's daughter of all these islands: and how can you attain to her? Hearken to me, O my son, and perhaps Allah will grant you in her stead a better than she." "O my lord," answered Hasan, though for the love of her I were cut in pieces yet should I but redouble in love and transport! There is no help but that I enter the Wak Islands and come to the sight of my wife and children; and Inshallah, I will not return save with her and with them." Said the Shaykh, "Then nothing will serve you but you must make the journey?" Hasan replied "Nothing! and I only ask of you your prayers for help and aidance; so perhaps Allah will reunite me with my wife and children right soon." Then he wept for stress of longing and recited these couplets,

"You are my wish, of creatures brightest-light * I deem you lief as hearing, fain as sight: You hold my heart which hath become your home * And since you left me, lords, right sore's my plight: Then think not I have yielded up your love, * Your love which set this wretch in fierce affright: You went and went my joy when you went; * And waned and wax'ed wan the brightest light: You left me lone to watch the stars in woe: * Railing tears likest rain-drops infinite. Thou'rt longsome to the wight, who pining lies * On wake, moon-gazing through the night, O Night! Wind! if you pass the tribe where they abide * Give them my greeting, life is fain of flight. And tell them somewhat of the pangs I bear: * The loved one kenneth not my case aright."

Then he wept with sore weeping till he fainted away; and when he came to himself, Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus said to him, "O my son, you have a mother; make her not taste the torment of your loss." Hasan replied, "By Allah, O my lord, I will never return except with my wife, or my death shall overtake me." And he wept and wailed and recited these couplets,

"By Love's right! nothing of farness your slave can estrange * Nor am I one to fail in my fealty: I suffer such pains did I tell my case * To folk, they'd cry, 'Madness! clean witless is he!' Then ecstasy, love-longing, transport and lowe! * Whose case is such case how shall ever he be?"

With this the old man knew that he would not turn from his purpose, though it cost him his life; so he handed him the scroll and prayed for him and charged him how he should do, saying "I have in this letter given a strict charge concerning you to Abú al-Ruwaysh, [112] son of Bilkís, daughter of Mu'in, for he is my Shaykh and my teacher, and all, men and Jinn, humble themselves to him and stand in awe of him. And now go with the blessing of God." Hasan immediately set out giving the horse the rein, and it flew off with him swifter than lightning, and stayed not in its course ten days, when he saw before him a vast loom black as night, walling the world from East to West. As he neared it, the stallion neighed under him, whereupon there flocked to it horses in number as the drops of rain, none could tell their tale or against them prevail, and fell to rubbing themselves against it. Hasan was affrighted at them and fared forwards surrounded by the horses, without drawing rein till he came to the cavern which Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus had described to him. The steed stood still at the door and Hasan alighted and bridged the bridle over the saddle-bow [113]; whereupon the steed entered the cavern, while the rider abode without, as the old man had charged him, pondering the issue of his case in perplexity and distraction and unknowing what would befall him.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Second Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Hasan, dismounting from the steed, stood at the cavern-mouth pondering the issue of his case and unknowing what might befall him. He abode standing on the same spot five days with their nights, sleepless, mournful, tearful-eyed; distracted, perplexed, pondering his severance from home and family, comrades and friends, with weeping eye-lids and heavy heart. Then he bethought him of his mother and of what might yet happen to him and of his separation from his wife and children and of all that he had suffered, and he recited these couplets,

"With you is my heart-cure a heart that goes; * And from hill-foot of eyelids the tear-rill flows: And parting and sorrow and exile and dole * And farness from country and throe that o'erthrows: Naught am I save a lover distracted by love, * Far parted from loved one and wilted by woes. And 'tis Love that hath brought me such sorrow, say where * Is the noble of soul who such sorrow unknows?"

Hardly had Hasan made an end of his verses, when out came the Shaykh Abu al-Ruwaysh, a blackamoor and clad in black raiment, and at first sight he knew him by the description that Abd al-Kaddus had given him. He threw himself at his feet and rubbed his cheeks on them and seizing his skirt, laid it on his head and wept before him. Said the old man, "What want you, O my son?" Whereupon he put out his hand to him with the letter, and Abu al-Ruwaysh took it and reentered the cavern, without making him any answer. So Hasan sat down at the cave-mouth in his place other five days as he had been bidden, while concern grew upon him and terror redoubled on him and restlessness got hold of him, and he fell to weeping and bemoaning himself for the anguish of estrangement and much watching. And he recited these couplets,

"Glory to Him who guides the skies! * The lover sore in sorrow lies. Who hath not tasted of Love's food * Knows not what mean its miseries. Did I attempt to stem my tears * Rivers of blood would fount and rise. How many an intimate is hard * Of heart, and pains in sorest wise! An she with me her word would keep, * Of tears and sighs I'd fain devise, But I'm forgone, rejected quite * Ruin on me hath cast her eyes. At my fell pangs fell wildlings weep * And not a bird for me but cries."

Hasan ceased not to weep till dawn of the sixth day, when Shaykh Abu al-Ruwaysh came forth to him, clad in white raiment, and with his hand signed [114] to him to enter. So he went in, rejoicing and assured of the winning of his wish, and the old man took him by the hand and leading him into the cavern, fared on with him half a day's journey, till they reached an arched doorway with a door of steel. The Shaykh opened the door and they two entered a vestibule vaulted with onyx stones and arabesqued with gold, and they stayed not walking till they came to a great hall and a wide, paved and walled with marble. In its midst was a flower-garden containing all manner trees and flowers and fruits, with birds warbling on the boughs and singing the praises of Allah the Almighty Sovran; and there were four daises, each facing other, and in each dais a jetting fountain, at whose corners stood lions of red gold, spouting streams from their mouths into the basin. On each dais stood a chair, whereon sat an elder, with exceeding store of books before him [115] and censers of gold, containing fire and perfumes, and before each elder were students, who read the books to him. Now when the two entered, the elders rose to them and did them honor; whereupon Abu al-Ruwaysh signed to them to dismiss their scholars and they did so. Then the four arose and seating themselves before that Shaykh, asked him of the case of Hasan to whom he said, "Tell the company your tale and all that has betided you from the beginning of your adventure to the end." So Hasan wept with sore weeping and related to them his story with Bahram; whereupon all the Shaykhs cried out and said, "Is this indeed he whom the Magian caused to climb the Mountain of Clouds by means of the vultures, sewn up in the camel-hide?" And Hasan said, "Yes." So they turned to the Shaykh, Abu al-Ruwaysh and said to him, "O our Shaykh, of a truth Bahram contrived his mounting to the mountaintop; but how came he down and what marvels saw he there?" And Abu al-Ruwaysh said, "O Hasan, tell them how you came down and acquaint them with what you saw of marvels." So he told them all that had befallen him, first and last; how he had gotten the Magian into his power and slain him, how he had delivered the youth from him and sent him back to his own country, and how he had captured the King's daughter of the Jinn and married her; yet had she played him false and taken the two boys she had borne him and flown away; brief, he related to them all the hardships and horrors he had undergone; whereat they marvelled, each and every, and said to Abu al-Ruwaysh, "O elder of elders, verily by Allah, this youth is to be pitied! But perhaps you will aid him to recover his wife and sons."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Third Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan told his tale to the elders, they said to Shaykh Abu al-Ruwaysh, "This youth is to be pitied and perhaps you will aid him to recover his wife and sons." He replied, "O my brothers, in truth this is a grave and perilous matter; and never saw I any loathe his life save this youth. You know that the Islands of Wak are hard of access and that none may come to them but at risk of life; and you know also the strength of their people and their guards. Moreover I have sworn an oath not to tread their soil nor transgress against them in anything; so how shall this man come at the daughter of the Great King, and who has power to bring him to her or help him in this matter?" Replied the other, "O Shaykh of Shaykhs, verily this man is consumed with desire and he has endangered himself to bring you a scroll from your brother Abd al-Kaddus; wherefore it behooves you to help him." And Hasan arose and kissed Abu al-Ruwaysh's feet and raising the hem of his garment laid it on his head, weeping and crying. "I beseech you, by Allah, to reunite me with my wife and children, though it cost me my life and my soul!" The four elders all wept for his weeping and said to Abu al-Ruwaysh, "Deal generously with this unhappy man and show him kindness for the sake of your brother Abd al-Kaddus and profit by this occasion to earn reward from Allah for helping him." Said he, "This wilful youth knows not what he undertakes; but Inshallah! we will help him after the measure of our means, nor leave anything feasible undone." When Hasan heard the Shaykh's word he rejoiced and kissed the hands of the five elders, one after other, imploring their aid. Thereupon Abd al-Ruwaysh took inkcase and a sheet of paper and wrote a letter, which he sealed and gave to Hasan, together with a pouch of perfumed leather, [116] containing incense and fire-sticks [117] and other needs, and said to him, "Take strictest care of this pouch, and when you fall into any strait, burn a little of the incense therein and name my name, whereupon I will be with you immediately and save you from your stress." Moreover, he bade one of those present fetch him an Ifrit of the Flying Jinn; and he did so incontinently; whereupon said Abu al-Ruwaysh to the fire-drake, "What is your name!" Replied the Ifrit, "Your thrall is called Dahnash bin Faktash." And the Shaykh said "Draw near to me!" So Dahnash drew near to him and he put his mouth to his ear and said somewhat to him, whereat the Ifrit shook his head and answered, "I accept, O elder of elders!" Then said Abu al-Ruwaysh to Hasan, "Arise, O my son, mount the shoulders of this Ifrit, Dahnash the Flyer; but, when he heaves you heavenwards and you hear the angels glorifying God in the sky with 'Subhána Iláh,' have a care lest you do the like; else will you perish and he too." Hasan replied, "I will not say a word; no, never;" and the old man continued, "O Hasan, after faring with you all this day, tomorrow at peep of dawn he will set you down in a land cleanly white, like unto camphor, whereupon do you walk on ten days by yourself, till you come to the gate of a city. Then enter and enquire for the King of the city; and when you come to his presence, salute him with the salam and kiss his hand: then give him this scroll and consider well whatever he shall counsel you," Hasan replied, "Hearing and obeying," and rose up and mounted the Ifrit's shoulders, while the elders rose and offered up prayers for him and commended him to the care of Dahnash the Firedrake. And when he had perched on the Flyer's back the Ifrit soared with him to the very confines of the sky, till he heard the angels glorifying God in Heaven, and flew on with him a day and a night till at dawn of the next day he set him down in a land white as camphor, and went his way, leaving him there. When Hasan found himself in the land aforesaid with none by his side he fared on night and day for ten days, till he came to the gate of the city in question and entering, enquired for the King. They directed him to him and told him that his name was King Hassún, [118] Lord of the Land of Camphor, and that he had troops and soldiers enough to fill the earth in its length and breadth. So he sought audience of him and, being admitted to his presence, found him a mighty King and kissed ground between his hands. Said the King, "What is your want?" Whereupon Hasan kissed the letter and gave it to him. The King read it and shook his head awhile, then said to one of his officers, "Take this youth and lodge him in the house of hospitality." So he took him and stablished him in the guest-house, where he tarried three days, eating and drinking and seeing none but the eunuch who waited on him and who entertained him with discourse and cheered him with his company, questioning him of his case and how he came to that city; whereupon he told him his whole story, and the perilous condition in which he was. On the fourth day, that eunuch carried him before the King, who said to him, "O Hasan, you come to me, seeking to enter the Islands of Wak, as the Shaykh of Shaykhs advises me. O my son, I would send you there this very day, but that by the way are many perils and thirsty wolds full of terrors; yet do you have patience and nothing save fair shall befall you, for I must devise to bring you to your desire, Inshallah! Know, O my son, that here is a mighty host, [119] equipped with arms and steeds and warlike gear, who long to enter the Wak Islands and lack power thereto. But, O my son, for the sake of the Shaykh Abu al-Ruwaysh, son of Bilkis, [120] the daughter of Mu'in, I may not send you back to him unfulfilled of your affair. Presently there will come to us ships from the Islands of Wak and the first that shall arrive I will send you on board of her and give you in charge to the sailors, so they may take care of you and carry you to the Islands. If any question you of your case and condition, answer him saying, 'I am kinsman to King Hassun, Lord of the Land of Camphor;' and when the ship shall make fast to the shore of the Islands of Wak and the master shall bid you land, do you land. Now as soon as you come ashore, you will see a multitude of wooden benches all about the beach, of which do you choose you one and crouch under it and stir not. And when dark night sets in, you will see an army of women appear and flock about the goods landed from the ship, and one of them will sit down on the bench, under which you have hidden yourself, whereupon do you put forth your hand to her and take hold of her and implore her protection. And know you, O my son, that if she accord you protection, you will win your wish and regain your wife and children; but, if she refuse to protect you, make your mourning for yourself and give up all hope of life, and make sure of death for indeed you are a dead man. Understand, O my son, that you risk your life and this is all I can do for you, and—the peace!"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fourth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that King Hassun spoke these words to Hasan and charged him as we have related, ending with, "This is all I can do for you and know that unless the Lord of Heaven had aided you, you had not come hither!" The youth wept till he swooned away, and when he recovered, he recited these two couplets,

"A term decreed my lot I 'spy; * And, when its days shall end, I die. Though lions fought with me in lair * If Time be mine I'd beat them, I!"

Then having ended his verse he kissed the ground before the Sovran and said to him, "O mighty King, how many days remain till the coming of the ships?" Replied the other, "In a month's time they will come and will tarry here, selling their cargoes, another two months, after which they will return to their own country; so hope not to set out save after three whole months." Then the King bade him return to the house of hospitality and bade supply him with all that he needed of meat and drink and raiment fit for Kings. Hasan abode in the guest-house a month, at the end of which the vessels arrived and the King and the merchants went forth to them, taking Hasan with them. Among them he saw a ship with many people in it, like the shingles for number; none knew their tale save He who created them. She was anchored in mid-harbour and had cocks which transported her lading to the shore. So Hasan abode till the crew had landed all the goods and sold and bought and to the time of departure there wanted but three days; whereupon the King sent for him and equipped him with all he required and gave him great gifts: after which he summoned the captain of the great ship and said to him, "Take this youth with you in the vessel, so none may know of him save you, and carry him to the Islands of Wak and leave him there; and bring him not back." And the Rais said, "To hear is to obey: with love and gladness!" Then said the King to Hasan, "Look you tell none of those who are with you in the ship your errand nor reveal to them anything of your case; else you are a lost man;" and said he, "Hearing and obedience!" With this he farewelled the King, after he had wished him long life and victory over his enviers and his enemies; wherefore the King thanked him and wished him safety and the winning of his wish. Then he committed him to the captain, who laid him in a chest which he embarked in a dinghy, and bore him aboard, while the folk were busy in breaking bulk and no man doubted but the chest contained some merchandise. After this, the vessels set sail and fared on without ceasing ten days, and on the eleventh day they made the land. So the Rais set Hasan ashore and, as he walked up the beach, he saw wooden bench chairs [121] without number, none knew their count save Allah, even as the King had told him. He went on, till he came to one that had no fellow and hid under it till nightfall, when there came up a mighty many of women, as they were locusts over-swarming the land and they marched afoot and armed cap-à-pie in hauberks and strait-knit coats of mail hending drawn swords in their hands, who, seeing the merchandise landed from the ships, busied themselves therewith. Presently they sat down to rest themselves, and one of them seated herself on the bench under which Hasan had crouched: whereupon he took hold of the hem of her garment and laid it on his head and throwing himself before her, fell to kissing her hands and feet and weeping and crying, "Your protection! your good-will!" Said she, "Ho, you! Arise and stand up, before any see you and slay you." So he came forth and springing up kissed her hands and wept and said to her, "O my mistress, I am under your protection!"; adding, "Have pity on one who is parted from his people and wife and children, one who has haste to rejoin them and one who risks life and soul for their sake! Take pity on me and be assured that therefor Paradise will be your reward; or, if you will not receive me, I beseech you, by Allah the Great, the Concealer, to conceal my case!" The merchants stared to see him talking with her; and she, hearing his words and beholding his humility, was moved to pity for him; her heart inclined to him and she knew that he had not ventured himself and come to that place, save for a grave matter. So she said to him, "O my son, be of good cheer and keep your eyes cool and clear, hearten your heart and take courage and return to your hiding-place till the coming night, and Allah shall do as He will." Then she took leave of him and Hasan crept under the wooden settle as before, while the troops lighted flambeaux of wax mixed with aloes-wood and Nadd-perfume and crude ambergris [122] and passed the night in sport and delight till the morning. At daybreak, the boats returned to the shore and the merchants busied themselves with buying and selling and the transport of the goods and gear till nightfall, while Hasan lay hidden beneath the settle, weeping-eyed and woeful-hearted, knowing not what was decreed to him in the secret preordainment of Allah. As he was thus, behold, the merchant-woman with whom he had taken refuge came up to him and giving him a coat of mail and a helmet, a spear, a sword and a gilded girdle, bade him don them and seat himself on the bench after which she left him, for fear of the troops. So he arose and donned the mail-coat and helmet and clasped the girdle about his middle; then he slung the sword over his shoulder till it hung under his armpit, and taking the spear in his hand, sat down on that settle, while his tongue neglected not to name Allah Almighty and call on Him for protection.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan received the weapons which the merchant-woman had given to him, saying, "Sit you upon the bench and let none know your case," he armed himself and took his seat, while his tongue neglected not to name Allah Almighty and to call upon Him for protection. And behold, there appeared cressets and lanterns and flambeaux and up came the army of women. So he arose and mingling with them, became as one of them. A little before daybreak, they set out, and Hasan with them, and fared on till they came to their camp, where they dispersed each to her tent, and Hasan followed one of them and lo! it was hers for whose protection he had prayed. When she entered, she threw down her arms and doffed her hauberk and veil. So Hasan did the like and looking at his companion, saw her to be a grizzled old woman blue-eyed and big-nosed, a calamity of calamities, the foulest of all created things, with face pock-marked and eyebrows bald, gap-toothed and chap-fallen, with hair hoary, nose running and mouth slavering; [123] even as says the like of her the poet,

"In her cheek-corners nine calamities * Wone, and when shown, each one Jehannam is: Hideous the face and favour foulest foul * As cheek of hog; yea, 'tis a cesspool phiz."

And indeed she was like a pied snake or a scald she-wolf. Now when the old woman looked at Hasan, she marvelled and said, "How came this one to these lands and in which of the ships was he and how arrived he hither in safety?" And she fell to questioning him of his case and admiring at his arrival, whereupon he fell at her feet and rubbed his face on them and wept till he fainted; and, when he recovered himself, he recited these couplets,

"When will Time grant we meet, when shall we be * Again united after severance stark? And I shall win my choicest wish and view? * Blame end and Love abide without remark? Were Nile to flow as freely as my tears, * 'Twould leave no region but with water-mark: 'Twould overthrow Hijaz and Egypt-land * 'Twould deluge Syria and 'twould drown Irák. This, O my love, is caused by your disdain, * Be kind and promise meeting fair and fain!"

Then he took the crone's skirt and laid it on his head and fell to weeping and craving her protection. When she saw his ardency and transport and anguish and distress, her heart softened to him and she promised him her safeguard, saying, "Have no fear whatsoever." Then she questioned him of his case and he told her the manner of his coming there and all that had befallen him from beginning to end, whereat she marvelled and said, "This that has befallen you, I think, never betided any save yourself and unless you had been granted the special protection of Allah, you would not have been saved: but now, O my son, take comfort and be of good courage; you have nothing more to fear, for indeed you have won your wish and attained your desire, if it please the Most High!" Thereat Hasan rejoiced with joy exceeding and she sent to summon the captains of the army to her presence, and it was the last day of the month. So they presented themselves and the old woman said to them, "Go out and proclaim to all the troops that they come forth tomorrow at daybreak and let none tarry behind, for whoever tarries shall be slain." They replied, "We hear and we obey," and going forth, made proclamation to all the host about a review next morning, even as she bade them, after which they returned and told her of this; whereby Hasan knew that she was the Commander-in-chief of the army and the Viceregent in authority over them; and her name was Shawahí the Fascinator, entitled Umm al-Dawáhi, or Mother of Calamities. [124] She ceased not to bid and forbid and Hasan doffed not off his arms from his body that day. Now when the morning broke, all the troops fared forth from their places, but the old woman came not out with them, and as soon as they were sped and the stead was clear of them, she said to Hasan, "Draw near to me, O my son [125]." So he drew near unto her and stood between her hands. Said she, "Why and wherefore have you riske yourself so boldly as to enter this land, and how came your soul to consent to its own undoing? Tell me the truth and the whole truth and fear anything of ill come of it, for you have my plighted word and I am moved to compassion for your case and pity you and have taken you under my protection. So, if you tell me the truth, I will help you to win your wish, though it involve the undoing of souls and the destruction of bodies; and since you have come to seek me, no hurt shall betide you from me, nor will I suffer any to have at you with harm of all who be in the Islands of Wak." So he told her his tale from first to last, acquainting her with the matter of his wife and of the birds; how he had captured her as his prize from among the ten and married her and abode with her, till she had borne him two sons, and how she had taken her children and flown away with them, when she knew the way to the feather-dress. Briefly, he concealed from her no whit of his case, from the beginning to that day. But when Shawahi heard his relation, she shook her head and said to him, "Glory be to God who has brought you here in safety and made you chance upon me! For, had you happened on any but myself, you would have lost your life without winning your wish; but the truth of your intent and your fond affection and the excess of your love-longing for your wife and yearning for your children, these it was that have brought you to the attainment of your aim. If you did not love her and love her to distraction, you would not have so imperilled yourself, and Alhamdolillah—Praised be Allah—for your safety! Wherefore it behooves us to do your desire and conduce to your quest, so you may presently attain that you seek, if it be the will of Almighty Allah. But know, O my son, that your wife is not here, but in the seventh of the Islands of Wak and between us and it is seven months' journey, night and day. From here we go to an island called the Land of Birds, wherein, for the loud crying of the birds and the flapping of their wings, one cannot hear other speak."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the old woman said to Hasan, "Indeed your wife is in the Seventh Island, [126] the greatest among the Islands of Wak and betwixt us and it is a seven-months' journey. From here we fare for the Land of Birds, whereon for the force of their flying and the flapping of their wings, we cannot hear one other speak. Over that country we journey night and day, eleven days, after which we come forth of it to another called the Land of Ferals where, for stress of roaring of lions and howling of wolves and laughing of hyaenas and the crying of other beasts of prey we shall hear nothing, and therein we travel twenty days' journey. Then we issue therefrom and come to a third country, called the Land of the Jánn, where, for stress of the crying of the Jinn and the flaming of fires and the flight of sparks and smoke from their mouths and the noise of their groaning and their arrogance in blocking up the road before us, our ears will be deafened and our eyes blinded, so that we shall neither hear nor see, nor dare any look behind him, or he perishes: but there horseman bows head on saddle-bow and raises it not for three days. After this, we abut upon a mighty mountain and a running river contiguous with the Isles of Wak, which are seven in number and the extent whereof is a whole year's journey for a well-girt horseman. And you must know, O my son, that these troops are all virgin girls, and that the ruler over us is a woman of the Archipelago of Wak. On the bank of the river aforesaid is another mountain, called Mount Wak, and it is thus named by reason of a tree which bears fruits like heads of the Sons of Adam. [127] When the sun riseth on them, the heads cry out all, saying in their cries:— 'Wak! Wak! Glory be to the Creating King, Al-Khallák!' And when we hear their crying, we know that the sun is risen. In like manner, at sundown, the heads set up the same cry, 'Wak! Wak! Glory to Al-Khallak!' and so we know that the sun has set. No man may abide with us or reach to us or tread our earth: and between us and the abiding-place of the Queen who rules over us is a month's journey from this shore, all the lieges whereof are under her hand, as are also the tribes of the Jinn, Marids and Satans, while of the warlocks none knows the number save He who created them. Wherefore, if you are afraid, I will send with you one who will convey you to the coast and there bring one who will embark you on board a ship that bear you to your own land. But if you are content to tarry with us, I will not forbid you and you shall be with me in mine eye, [128] till you win your wish, Inshallah!" Said he, "O my lady, I will never quit you till I foregather with my wife or lose my life!"; and said she, "This is a light matter; be of good heart, for soon shall you come to your desire, Allah willing; and there is no help but that I let the Queen know of you, that she may help you to attain your aim." Hasan blessed her and kissed her head and hands, thanking her for her good deed and exceeding kindness and firm will. Then he set out with her, pondering the issue of his case and the horrors of his strangerhood; wherefore he fell a-weeping and a-wailing and recited these couplets,

"A Zephyr bloweth from the lover's site; * And you canst view me in the saddest plight: The Night of Union is as brilliant morn; * And black the Severance-day as blackest night: Farewelling friend is sorrow sorest sore * Parting from lover's merest undelight. I will not blame her harshness save to her, * And 'mid mankind nor friend nor fere I sight: How can I be consoled for loss of you? * Base censor's blame shall not console my sprite! O you in charms unique, unique's my love; * O peerless thou, my heart hath peerless might! Who makes semblance that be loveth you * And dreadeth blame is most blame-worthy wight."

Then the old woman bade beat the kettle-drums for departure and the army set out. Hasan fared with her, drowned in the sea of solicitude and reciting verses like those above, while she strove to comfort him and exhorted him to patience; but he awoke not from his sadness and heeded not her exhortations. They journeyed thus till they came to the boundaries of the Land of Birds [129] and when they entered it, it seemed to Hasan as if the world were turned topsy-turvy for the exceeding clamour. His head ached and his mind was dazed, his eyes were blinded and his ears deafened, and he feared with exceeding fear and made certain of deaths saying to himself, "If this is the Land of Birds, how will the Land of Beasts be?" But, when the crone called Shawahi saw him in this plight, she laughed at him, saying, "O my son, if this be your case in the first island, how will it fare with you, when you come to the others?" So he prayed to Allah and humbled himself before the Lord, beseeching Him to assist him against that wherewith He had afflicted him and bring him to his wishes; and they ceased not going till they passed out of the Land of Birds and, traversing the Land of Beasts, came to the Land of the Jann which when Hasan saw, he was sore affrighted and repented him of having entered it with them. But he sought aid of Allah the Most High and fared on with them, till they were quit of the Land of the Jann and came to the river and set down their loads at the foot of a vast mountain and a lofty, and pitched their tents by the stream-bank. Then they rested and ate and drank and slept in security, for they were come to their own country. On the morrow the old woman set Hasan a couch of alabaster, inlaid with pearls and jewels and nuggets of red gold, by the river-side, and he sat down thereon, having first bound his face with a chin-kerchief, that discovered revealed of him but his eyes. Then she bade proclaim among the troops that they should all assemble before her tent and put off their clothes and go down into the stream and wash; and this she did that she might parade before him all the girls, so perhaps his wife should be among them and he know her. So the whole army mustered before her and putting off their clothes, went down into the stream, and Hasan seated on his couch watched them washing their white skins and frolicking and making merry, while they took no heed of his inspecting them, deeming him to be of the daughters of the Kings. When he beheld them stripped of their clothes, his chord stiffened for that looking at them mother-naked he saw what was between their thighs, and that of all kinds, soft and rounded, plump and cushioned; large-lipped, perfect, redundant and ample, [130] and their faces were as moons and their hair as night upon day, for that they were of the daughters of the Kings. When they were clean, they came up out of the water, stark naked, as the moon on the night of fullness and the old woman questioned Hasan of them, company by company, if his wife were among them; but, as often as she asked him of a troop, he made answer, "She is not among these, O my lady."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventh Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the old woman questioned Hasan of the girls, company after company, if perhaps his wife were among them; but as often as she asked him of a troop, he made answer, "She is not among these, O my lady!" Last of all, there came up a damsel, attended by ten slave-girls and thirty waiting-women, all of them high-bosomed maidens. They put off their clothes and went down into the river, where the damsel fell to riding the high horse over her women, throwing them down and ducking them. On this wise she continued for a full hour, after which all came up out of the water and sat down; and they brought her napkins [131] of gold-purfled silk, with which she dried herself. Then they brought her clothes and jewels and ornaments of the handiwork of the Jinn, and she donned them and rose and walked with graceful pace among the troops, she and her maidens. When Hasan saw her, his heart was ready to fly from his breast and he said, "Verily this girl is the likest of all folk to the bird I saw in the basin atop of the palace of my sisters the Princesses, and she lorded it over her lieges even as does this one." The old woman asked, "O Hasan, is this your wife?"; and he answered, "No, by your life, O my lady; this is not my wife, nor ever in my life have I set eyes on her; neither among all the girls I have seen in these islands is there the like of my wife nor her match for symmetry and grace and beauty and loveliness!" Then said Shawaki, "Describe her to me and acquaint me with all her attributes, that I may have her in my mind; for I know every girl in the Islands of Wak, being commander of the army of maids and governor over them; wherefore, if you describe her to me, I shall know her and will contrive for you to take her." Said he, "My wife has the fairest face and a form all grace; smooth is she of cheeks and high of breasts with eyes of liquid light, calves and thighs plump to sight, teeth snowy white, with dulcet speech dight; in speech soft and bland as she were a willow-wand; her gifts are a moral and lips are red as coral; her eyes wear natural Kohl-dye and her lower labia [132] in softness lie. On her right cheek is a mole and on her waist, under her navel, is a sign; her face shines as the rondure of the moon in sheen, her waist is slight, her hips a heavy weight, and the water of her mouth the sick does heal, as it were Kausar or Salsabil." [133] Said the old woman, "Give me an increased account of her, Allah increase you of passion for her!" Said he, "My wife has a face the fairest fair and oval cheeks the rarest rare; neck long and spare and eyes that Kohl wear; her side face shows the Anemones of Nu'uman, her mouth is like a seal of cornelian and flashing teeth that lure and stand one in stead of cup and ewer. She is cast in the mould of pleasantness and between her thighs is the throne of the Caliphate, there is no such sanctuary among the Holy Places; as says in its praise the poet,

"The name of what drave me distraught * Hath letters renowned among men: A four into five multiplied * And a multiplied six into ten. [134]"

Then Hasan wept and chanted the following Mawwál, [135]

"O heart, an lover false you, shun the parting bane * Nor to forgetfulness your thoughts constrain: Be patient; you shall bury all your foes; * Allah ne'er falseth man of patience fain."

And this also,

"An would be life,long safe, vaunt not delight; * Never despair, nor wone o'erjoyed in sprite! Forbear, rejoice not, mourn not o'er your plight * And in ill day 'Have not we oped?'—recite." [136]

Thereupon the old woman bowed her head groundwards awhile, then, raising it, said, "Laud be to the Lord, the Mighty of Award! Indeed I am afflicted with you, O Hasan! Would Heaven I had never known you! This woman, whom you describe to me as your wife, I know by description and I know her to be none other than the eldest daughter of the Supreme King, she who rules over all the Islands of Wak. So open both eyes and consider your case; and if you are asleep, awake; for, if this woman be indeed your wife, it is impossible for you ever to obtain her, and though you come to her, yet could you not avail to her possession, since between you and her the distance is as that between earth and Heaven. Wherefore, O my son, return presently and cast not yourself into destruction nor cast me with you; for it seems to me that you have no lot in her; so return whence you came lest our lives be lost." And she feared for herself and for him. When Hasan heard her words, he wept till he fainted and she left not sprinkling water on his face, till he came to himself, when he continued to weep, so that he drenched his dress with tears, for the much cark and care and chagrin which betided him by reason of her words. And indeed he despaired of life and said to the old woman, "O my lady, and how shall I go back, after having come hither? Verily, I thought not you would forsake me nor fail of the winning of my wish, especially as you art the Commander-in-chief of the army of the girls." Answered Shawahl, "O my son, I doubted not but your wife was a maid of the maids, and had I known she was the King's daughter, I would not have suffered you to come hither nor had I shown the troops to you, for all the love I bear you. But now, O my son, you have seen all the girls naked; so tell me which of them pleases you and I will give her to you, in lieu of your wife, and do you put it that your wife and children are dead and take her and return to your own country in safety, before you fall into the King's hand and I have no means of delivering you. So, Allah upon you, O my son, hearken unto me. Choose yourself one of these damsels, in the stead of yonder woman, and return presently to your country in safety and cause me not quaff the cup of your anguish! For, by Allah, you have cast yourself into affliction sore and peril galore, wherefrom none may avail to deliver you evermore!" But Hasan hung down his head and wept with long weeping and recited these couplets,

"'Blame not!' said I to all who blamèd me; * 'Mine eye-lids nothing but tears were made to dree:' The tears that brim these orbs have overflowed * My checks, for lovers and love's cruelty. Leave me to love though waste this form of me! * For I of Love adore the insanity: And, Oh my dearling, passion grows on me * For you—and you, why grudge me clemency? You wronged me after swearing troth and plight, * Falsed my companionship and turned to flee: And cup of humbling for your rigours sore * Ye made me drain what day departed ye: Then melt, O heart, with longing for their sight * And, O mine eyes, with crowns of tears be dight."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old woman said to Hasan, "By Allah, O my son, hearken to my words! Choose you one of these girls in lieu of your wife and presently return to your country in safety," he hung down his head and recited the couplets quoted above. Then he wept till he swooned away and Shawahl sprinkled water on his face till he revived, when she addressed him, "O my lord, I have no shift left; because if I carry you to the city your life is lost and mine also: for, when the Queen comes to know of this, she will blame me for admitting you into her lands and islands, whereto none of Adam's sons has access, and will slay me for bringing you with me and for suffering mortal to look upon the virgins seen by you in the sea, whom ne'er touched male, neither approached mate." And Hasan swore that he had never looked on them with evil of eye. She resumed, "O my son, hearken to me and return to your country and I will give you wealth and treasures and things of price, such as shall suffice you for all the women in the world. Moreover, I will give you a girl of the best of them, so lend an ear to my words and return presently and imperil not yourself; indeed I counsel you with good counsel." But he wept and rubbed both cheeks against her feet, saying, "O my lady and mistress and coolth of mine eyes, how can I turn back now that I have made my way hither, without the sight of those I desire, and now that I have come near the beloved's site, hoping for meeting forthright, so perhaps there may be a portion in reunion to my plight?" And he improvised these couplets,

"O Kings of beauty, grace to prisoner ta'en * Of eyelids fit to rule the Chosroës' reign: Ye pass the wafts of musk in perfumed breath; * Your cheeks the charms of blooming rose disdain. The softest Zephyr breathes where pitch you camp * And thence far-scattered sweetness fills the plain: Censor of me, leave blame and stint advice! * You bringest wearying words and wisdom vain: Why heat my passion with this flame and up-* braid me when nothing you know of its bane? Captured me eyes with passion maladifs, * And overthrew me with Love's might and main: I scatter tears the while I scatter verse; * You are my theme for rhyme and prosy strain. Melted my vitals glow of rosy cheeks * And in the Lazá-lowe my heart is lain: Tell me, an I leave to discourse of you, * What speech my breast shall broaden? Tell me deign! Life-long I loved the lovelings fair, but ah, * To grant my wish eke Allah must be fain!"

Hearing his verses the old woman was moved to pity for him and Allah planted the seed of affection for him in her heart; so coming up to him she consoled him, saying, "Be of good cheer and keep your eyes cool and clear and put away trouble from your thought, for, by Allah, I will venture my life with you, till you attain your aim or death undo me!" With this, Hasan's heart was comforted and his bosom broadened and he sat talking with the old woman till the end of the day, when all the girls dispersed, some entering their town-mansions and others nighting in the tents. Then the old woman carried him into the city and lodged him in a place apart, lest any should come to know of him and tell the Queen of him and she should slay him and slay her who had brought him thither. Moreover, she served him herself and strove to put him in fear of the awful majesty of the Supreme King, his wife's father; while he wept before her and said, "O my lady, I choose death for myself and loathe this worldly life, if I foregather not with my wife and children: I have set my existence on the venture and will either attain my aim or die." So the old woman fell to pondering the means of bringing him and his wife together and casting about how to do in the case of this unhappy one, who had thrown himself into destruction and would not be diverted from his purpose by fear or anything else; for, indeed he thought not of his life and the sayer of bywords says, "Lover in nowise hearkeneth he to the speech of the man who is fancy-free." Now the name of the Queen of the island in which they were was Núr al-Hudà, [137] eldest daughter of the Supreme King, and she had six virgin sisters, abiding with their father, whose capital and court were in the chief city of that region and who had made her ruler over all the lands and islands of Wak. So when the ancient dame saw Hasan on fire with yearning after his wife and children, she rose up and repaired to the palace and going in to Queen Nur al-Huda kissed ground before her; for she had a claim on her favour because she had reared the King's daughters one and all and had authority over each and every of them and was high in honor and consideration with them and with the King. Nur al-Huda rose to her as she entered and embracing her, seated her by her side and asked her of her journey. She answered, "By Allah, O my lady 'twas a blessed journey and I have brought you a gift which I will presently present to you," adding, "O my daughter, O Queen of the age and the time, I have a favour to crave of you and I fain would reveal it to you, that you may help me to accomplish it, and but for my confidence that you will not deny me, I would not expose it to you." Asked the Queen, "And what is your need? Expound it to me, and I will accomplish it to you, for I and my kingdom and troops are all at your commandment and disposition." Therewithal the old woman quivered as quivers the reed on a day when the storm-wind is abroad and saying in herself, "O [138] Protector, protect me from the Queen's mischief!" [139] fell down before her and acquainted her with Hasan's case, saying, "O my lady, a man, who had hidden himself under my wooden bench on the seashore, sought my protection; so I took him under my safeguard and carried him with me among the army of girls armed and accoutred so that none might know him, and brought him into the city; and indeed I have striven to frighten him with your fierceness, giving him to know of your power and prowess; but, as often as I threatened him, he weeps and recites verses and says, 'Needs must I have my wife and children or die, and I will not return to my country without them.' And indeed he has risked himself and come to the Islands of Wak, and never in all my days saw I mortal heartier of heart than he or doughtier of derring-do, save that love has mastered him to the utmost of mastery."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Ninth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old woman related to Queen Nur al-Huda the adventure of Hasan, ending with, "Never I saw any one heartier of heart than he save that love hath mastered him to the utmost of mastery," the Queen, after lending an attentive ear and comprehending the case, waxed angry at her with exceeding wrath and bowed her head awhile groundwards; then, raising it, she looked at Shawahi and said to her, "O ill-omened beldam, are you come to such a pass of lewdness that you carry males, men, with you into the Islands of Wak and bring them into me, unfearing of my mischief? Who has foregone you with this fashion, that you should do thus? By the head of the King, but for your claim on me for fosterage and service, I would forthwith do both him and you to die the foulest of deaths, that travellers might take warning by you, O accursed, lest any other do the like of this outrageous deed you have done, which none durst hitherto! But go and bring him hither forthright, that I may see him; or I will strike off your head, O accursed." So the old woman went out from her, confounded, unknowing where she went and saying, "All this calamity hath Allah driven upon me from this Queen because of Hasan!" and going in to him, said, "Rise, speak with the Queen, O fellow whose last hour is at hand!" So he rose and went with her, while his tongue ceased not to call upon Almighty Allah and say, "O my God, be gracious to me in Thy decrees and deliver me from this Thine affliction!" [140] And Shawahi went with him charging him by the way how he should speak with the Queen. When he stood before Nur al-Huda, he found that she had donned the chinveil [141]; so he kissed ground before her and saluted her with the salam, improvising these two couplets,

"God make your glory last in joy of life; * Allah confirm the boons he deigned bestow: Thy grace and grandeur may our Lord increase * And aye Th' Almighty aid you o'er your foe!"

When he ended his verse Nur al-Huda bade the old woman ask him questions before her, that she might hear his answers: so she said to him, "The Queen returns your salam-greeting and says to you, 'What is your name and that of your country, and what are the names of your wife and children, on whose account you are come hither?"' Said he, and indeed he had made firm his heart and destiny aided him, "O Queen of the age and tide and peerless jewel of the epoch and the time, my name is Hasan the fullfilled of sorrow, and my native city is Bassorah. I know not the name of my wife [142] but my children's names are Násir and Mansúr." When the Queen heard his reply and his provenance, she bespoke him herself and said, "And whence took she her children?" He replied, "O Queen, she took them from the city of Baghdad and the palace of the Caliphate." Said Nur al-Huda, "And did she say nothing to you at the time she flew away?;" and said he, "Yes; she said to my mother, 'When your son comes to you and the nights of severance upon him longsome shall be and he craves meeting and reunion to see, and when the breezes of love and longing shake him dolefully let him come in the Islands of Wak to me.'" Whereupon Queen Nur al-Huda shook her head and said to him, "Had she not desired you she had not said to your mother this say, and had she not yearned for reunion with you, never had she bid you to her stead nor acquainted you with her abiding-place." Rejoined Hasan, "O mistress of Kings and asylum of prince and pauper, whatever happened I have told you and have concealed nothing thereof, and I take refuge from evil with Allah and with you; wherefore oppress me not, but have compassion on me and earn recompense and requital for me in the world to come, and aid me to regain my wife and children. Grant me my urgent need and cool mine eyes with my children and help me to the sight of them." Then he wept and wailed and lamenting his lot recited these two couplets,

"Yea, I will laud you while the ring-dove moans, * Though fail my wish of due and lawful scope: Ne'er was I whirled in bliss and joys gone by * Wherein I found you not both root and rope." [143]

The Queen shook her head and bowed it in thought a long time; then, raising it, she said to Hasan (and indeed she was wroth), "I have pity on you and am resolved to show you in review all the girls in the city and in the provinces of my island; and in case you know your wife, I will deliver her to you; but, if you know her not and know not her place, I will put you to death and crucify you over the old woman's door." Replied Hasan, "I accept this from you, O Queen of the Age, and am content to submit to your condition. There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!" And he recited these couplets,

"You've roused my desire and remain at rest,— * Waked my wounded lids while you slept with zest. And you made me a vow you would not hang back * But your guile when you chained me waxt manifest. I loved you in childhood unknowing Love; * Then slay me not who am sore opprest. Fear you not from Allah when slaying a friend * Who gazeth on stars when folk sleep their best? By Allah, my kinsmen, indite on my tomb * 'This man was the slave of Love's harshest best!' Haps a noble youth, like me Love's own thrall, * When he sees my grave on my name shall call."

Then Queen Nur al-Huda commanded that not a girl should abide in the city but should come up to the palace and pass in review before Hasan and moreover she bade Shawahi go down in person and bring them up herself. Accordingly all the maidens in the city presented themselves before the Queen, who caused them to go in to Hasan, hundred after hundred, till there was no girl left in the place, but she had shown her to him; yet he saw not his wife among them. Then said she to him, "See you her among these?"; and he replied, "By your life, O Queen, she is not among them." With this she was sore enraged against him and said to the old woman, "Go in and bring out all who are in the palace and show them to him." So she displayed to him every one of the palace-girls, but he saw not his wife among them and said to the Queen, "By the life of your head, O Queen, she is not among these." Whereat the Queen was angry and cried out at those around her, saying, "Take him and haul him along, face to earth, and cut off his head, least any adventure himself after him and intrude upon us in our country and spy out our estate by thus treading the soil of our islands." So they threw him down on his face and dragged him along; then, covering his eyes with his skirt, stood at his head with bared brands awaiting royal permission. Thereupon Shawahi came forward and kissing the ground before the Queen, took the hem of her garment and laid it on her head, saying, "O Queen, by my claim for fosterage, be not hasty with him, more by token of your knowledge that this poor wretch is a stranger, who has adventured himself and suffered what none ever suffered before him, and Allah (to whom belong Might and Majesty,) preserved him from death, for that his life was ordained to be long. He heard of your equity and entered your city and guarded site; [144] wherefore, if you put him to death, the report will spread abroad of you, by means of the travellers, that you hate strangers and slay them. He is in any case at your mercy and the slain of your sword, if his wife is not found in your dominions; and whenever you desire his presence, I can bring him back to you. Moreover, in very truth I took him under my protection only because of my trust in your magnanimity through my claim on you for fosterage, so that I engaged to him that you would bring him to his desire, for my knowledge of your justice and quality of mercy. But for this, I would not have brought him into your kingdom; for I said to myself: 'The Queen will take pleasure in looking upon him, and hearing him speak his verses and his sweet discourse and eloquent which is like unto pearls strung on string.' Moreover, he has entered our land and eaten of our meat; wherefore he has a claim upon us."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Tenth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Queen Nur al-Huda bade her pages seize Hasan and smite his neck, the old woman, Shawahi, began to reason with her and say, "Verily he has entered our land and eaten of our meat, wherefore he has a claim upon us, the more especially since I promised him to bring him in company with you; and you know that, parting is a grievous ill and severance has power to kill, especially separation from children. Now he has seen all our women, save only yourself; so do you show him your face?" The Queen smiled and said, "How can he is my husband and have had children by me, that I should show him my face?" Then she made them bring Hasan before her and when he stood in the presence, she unveiled her face, which when he saw, he cried out with a great cry and fell down fainting. The old woman ceased not to tend him, till he came to himself and as soon as he revived he recited these couplets,

"O breeze that blowest from the land Irak * And from their corners whoever cry 'Wak! Wak!' Bear news of me to friends and say for me * I've tasted passion-food of bitter smack. O dearlings of my love, show grace and pity * My heart is melted for this severance-rack."

When he ended his verse he rose and looking on the Queen's face, cried out with a great cry, for stress whereof the palace was like to fall upon all therein. Then he swooned away again and the old woman ceased not to tend him till he revived, when she asked him what ailed him and he answered, "In very sooth this Queen is either my wife or else the likest of all folk to my wife."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eleventh Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old woman asked Hasan what ailed him, he answered, "In very truth this Queen is either my wife or else the likest of all folk to my wife." Said Nur al-Huda to the old woman, "Woe to you, O nurse! This stranger is either Jinn-mad or out of his mind, for he stares me in the face with wide eyes and says I am his wife." Said the old woman, "O Queen, indeed he is excusable; so blame him not, for the saying says, 'For the lovesick is no remedy and alike are the madman and he.'" And Hasan wept with sore weeping and recited these two couplets,

"I sight their track and pine for longing love; * And o'er their homesteads weep I and I yearn: And I pray Heaven who will'ed we should part, * Will deign to grant us boon of safe return."

Then said Hasan to the Queen once more, "By Allah, you are not my wife, but you are the likest of all folk to her!" Hereupon Nur al-Huda laughed till she fell backwards and rolled round on her side. [145] Then she said to him, "O my friend, take your time and observe me attentively: answer me at your leisure what I shall ask you and put away from you insanity and perplexity and inadvertency for relief is at hand." Answered Hasan, "O mistress of Kings and asylum of all princes and paupers, when I looked upon you, I was distracted, seeing you to be either my wife or the likest of all folk to her; but now ask me whatever you will." Said she, "What is it in your wife that resembles me?"; and said he, "O my lady, all that is in you of beauty and loveliness, elegance and amorous grace, such as the symmetry of your shape and the sweetness of your speech and the blushing of your cheeks and the jutting of your breasts and so forth, all resembles her and you are her very self in your faculty of parlance and the fairness of your favour and the brilliancy of your brow." [146] When the Queen heard this, she smiled and gloried in her beauty and loveliness and her cheeks reddened and her eyes wantoned; then she turned to Shawahi Umm Dawahi and said to her, "O my mother, carry him back to the place where he tarried with you and tend him yourself, till I examine into his affair; for, if he is indeed a man of manliness and mindful of friendship and love and affection, it behooves us to help him to win his wish, more by token that he has sojourned in our country and eaten of our victual, not to speak of the hardships of travel he has suffered and the travail and horrors he has undergone. But, when you have brought him to your house, commend him to the care of your dependents and return to me in all haste; and Allah Almighty willing! [147] all shall be well." Thereupon Shawahi carried him back to her lodging and charged her handmaids and servants and suite wait upon him and bring him all he needed nor fail in what was his due. Then she returned to Queen Nur al-Huda, who bade her don her arms and set out, taking with her a thousand doughty horsemen. So she obeyed and donned her war-gear and having collected the thousand riders reported them ready to the Queen, who bade her march upon the city of the Supreme King, her father, there to alight at the abode of her youngest sister, Manár al-Saná [148] and say to her, "Clothe your two sons in the coats of mail which their aunt has made them and send them to her; for she longs for them." Moreover the Queen charged her keep Hasan's affair secret and say to Manar al-Sana, after securing her children, "Your sister invites you to visit her." "Then," she continued, "bring the children to me in haste and let her follow at her leisure. Do you come by a road other than her road and journey night and day and beware of revealing this matter to any. And I swear by all manner oaths that, if my sister proves to be his wife and it appears that her children are his, I will not hinder him from taking her and them and departing with them to his own country."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twelfth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Oueen said, "I swear by Allah and by all manner of oaths that if she proves to be his wife, I will not hinder him from taking her but will aid him with it and help him with departing with them to his mother-land." And the old woman put faith in her words, knowing not what she planned in her mind, for the wicked Jezebel had resolved that if she were not his wife she would slay him; but if the children resembled him, she would believe him. The Queen resumed, "O my mother, if my thought tell me true, my sister Manar al-Sana is his wife, but Allah alone is All-knowing! seeing that these traits of surpassing beauty and excelling grace, of which he spoke, are found in none except my sisters and especially in the youngest." The old woman kissed her hand and returning to Hasan, told him what the Queen had said, whereat he was like to fly for joy and coming up to her, kissed her head. Said she, "O my son, kiss not my head, but kiss me on the mouth and be this kiss by way of sweetmeat for your salvation. [149] Be of good cheer and keep your eyes cool and clear and grudge not to kiss my mouth, for I and only I was the means of your foregathering with her. So take comfort, and hearten your heart and broaden your breast and gladden your glance and console your soul for, Allah willing, your desire shall be accomplished at my hand." So saying, she bade him farewell and departed, while he recited these two couplets,

"Witnesses unto love of you I've four; * And wants each case two witnesses; no more! A heart aye fluttering, limbs that ever quake, * A wasted frame and tongue that speech forswore."

And also these two,

"Two things there be, an blood-tears thereover * Wept eyes till not one trace you couldst discover, Eyes ne'er could pay the tithe to them is due * The prime of youth and severance from lover."

Then the old woman armed herself and, taking with her a thousand weaponed horsemen, set out and journeyed till she came to the island and the city where dwelt the Lady Manar al-Sana and between which and that of her sister Queen Nur al-Huda was three days' journey. When Shawahi reached the city, she went in to the Princess and saluting her, gave her her sister's salam and acquainted her with the Queen's longing for her and her children and that she reproached her for not visiting her. Said Manar al-Sana, "Verily, I am beholden to my sister and have failed of my duty to her in not visiting her, but I will do so forthright." Then she bade pitch her tents without the city and took with her for her sister a suitable present of rare things. Presently, the King her father looked out of a window of his palace, and seeing the tents pitched by the road, asked of them, and they answered him, "The Princess Manar al-Sana has pitched her tents by the way-side, being minded to visit her sister Queen Nur al-Huda." When the King heard this, he equipped troops to escort her to her sister and brought out to her from his treasuries meat and drink and monies and jewels and rarities which beggar description. Now the King had seven daughters, all sisters-german by one mother and father except the youngest: the eldest was called Núr al-Hudà, the second Najm al-Sabáh, the third Shams al-Zuhà, the fourth Shajarat al-Durr, the fifth Kút al-Kulúb, the sixth Sharaf al-Banát and the youngest Manar al-Sana, Hasan's wife, who was their sister by the father's side only. [150] Soon the old woman again presented herself and kissed ground before the Princess, who said to her, "Have you any need, O my mother?" Said Shawahi, "Your sister, Queen Nur al-Huda, bids you clothe your sons in the two habergeons which she fashioned for them and send them to her by me, and I will take them and forego you with them and be the harbinger of glad tidings and the announcer of your coming to her." When the Princess heard these words, her color changed and she bowed her head a long while, after which she shook it and looking up, said to the old woman, "O my mother, my vitals tremble and my heart flutters when you name my children; for, from the time of their birth none has looked on their faces either Jinn or man, male or female, and I am jealous for them of the zephyr when it breathes in the night." Exclaimed the old woman, "What words are these, O my lady? Do you fear for them from your sister?"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirteenth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the old woman said to the Princess Manar al-Sana, "What words be these, O my lady? Do you fear for them from your sister? Allah safeguard your reason! You may not cross the Queen's majesty in this matter, for she would be angry with you. However, O my lady, the children are young, and you are excusable in fearing for them, for those that love well are wont to deem ill: but, O my daughter, you know my tenderness and my affection for you and your children, for indeed I reared you before them. I will take them in my charge and make my cheek their pillow and open my heart and set them within, nor is it needful to charge me with care of them in the like of this case; so be of cheerful heart and tearless eye and send them to her, for, at the most, I shall but precede you with them a day or at most two days." And she ceased not to urge her, till she gave way, fearing her sister's fury and unknowing what lurked for her in the dark future, and consented to send them with the old woman. So she called them and bathed them and equipped them and changed their apparel. Then she clad them in the two little coats of mail and delivered them to Shawahi, who took them and sped on with them like a bird, by another road than that by which their mother should travel, even as the Queen had charged her; nor did she cease to fare on with all diligence, being fearful for them, till she came in sight of Nur al-Huda's city, when she crossed the river and entering the town, carried them in to their aunt. The Queen rejoiced at their sight and embraced them, and pressed them to her breast; after which she seated them, one upon the right thigh and the other upon the left; and turning round said to the old woman, "Fetch me Hasan forthright, for I have granted him my safeguard and have spared him from my sabre and he has sought asylum in my house and taken up his abode in my courts, after having endured hardships and horrors and passed through all manner mortal risks, each terribler than other; yet hitherto is he not safe from drinking the cup of death and from cutting off his breath." —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fourteenth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Queen Nur al-Huda bade the old woman bring Hasan she said, "Verily he hath endured hardships and horrors and passed through all manner mortal risks each terribler than other; yet hitherto he is not safe from death and from the cutting off of his breath." Replied Shawahi, "If I bring him to you, will you reunite him with these his children? Or, if they prove not his, will you pardon him and restore him to his own country?" Hearing these her words the Queen waxed exceeding angry and cried to her, "Fie upon you, O ill-omened old woman! How long will you false us in the matter of this strange man who has dared to intrude himself upon us and has lifted our veil and pried into our conditions? Tell me: do you think that he shall come to our land and look upon our faces and betray our honor, and afterwards return in safety to his own country and expose our affairs to his people, wherefore our report will be bruited abroad among all the Kings of the quarters of the earth and the merchants will journey bearing tidings of us in all directions, saying, 'A mortal entered the Isles of Wak and traversed the Land of the Jinn and the lands of the Wild Beasts and the Islands of Birds and set foot in the country of the Warlocks and the Enchanters and returned in safety?' This shall never be; no, never; and I swear by Him who made the Heavens and builded them; yea, by Him who spread out the earth and smoothed it, and who created all creatures and counted them, that, if they are not his children, I will assuredly slay him and strike his neck with mine own hand!" Then she cried out at the old woman, who fell down for fear; and set upon her the Chamberlain and twenty Mamelukes, saying, "Go with this crone and fetch me in haste the youth who is in her house." So they dragged Shawahi along, yellow with fright and with side-muscles quivering, till they came to her house, where she went in to Hasan, who rose to her and kissed her hands and saluted her. She returned not his salam, but said to him, "Come; speak the Queen. Did I not say to you: 'Return presently to your own country and I will give you that to which no mortal may avail?' And did I forbid you from all this? But you would not obey me nor listen to my words; nay, you rejected my counsel and chose to bring destruction on me and on yourself. Up, then, and take that which you have chosen; for death is near hand. Arise: speak with yonder vile harlot [151] and tyrant that she is!" So Hasan arose, broken-spirited, heavy, hearted, and full of fear, and crying, "O Preserver, preserve You me! O my God, be gracious to me in that which You have decreed to me of Your affliction and protect me, O You the most Merciful of the Mercifuls!" Then, despairing of his life, he followed the twenty Mamelukes, the Chamberlain and the crone to the Queen's presence, where he found his two sons Nasir and Mansur sitting in her lap, while she played and made merry with them. As soon as his eyes fell on them, he knew them and crying a great cry fell down a-fainting for excess of joy at the sight of his children.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifteenth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan's eyes fell upon his two sons, he knew them both and crying a great cry fell down a-fainting. They also knew him [152] and natural affection moved them so that they freed themselves from the Queen's lap and fell upon Hasan, and Allah (to whom belong Might and Majesty,) made them speak and say to him, "O our father!" Whereupon the old woman and all who were present wept for pity and tenderness over them and said, "Praised be Allah, who has reunited you with your Sire!" Presently, Hasan came to himself and embracing his children, wept till again he swooned away, and when he revived, he recited these verses,

"By rights of you, this heart of mine could ne'er aby * Severance from you albeit Union death imply! Your phantom says to me, 'A-morrow we shall meet!' * Shall I despite the foe the morrow-day espy? By rights of you I swear, my lords, that since the day * Of severance ne'er the sweets of lips enjoyèd I! An Allah bade me perish for the love of you, * Mid greatest martyrs for your love I lief will die. Oft a gazelle doth make my heart her browsing stead * The while her form of flesh like sleep eludes mine eye: If in the lists of Law my bloodshed she deny, * Prove it two witnesses those cheeks of ruddy dye."

When Nur al-Huda was assured that the little ones were indeed Hasan's children and that her sister, the Princess Manar al-Sana, was his wife, of whom he was come in quest, she was angry against her with wrath beyond measure.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixteenth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Nur al-Huda was certified that the little ones were Hasan's children and that her sister Manar al-Sana was his wife of whom he had come in quest, she raged with exceeding rage, too great to be assuaged and screamed in Hasan's face and reviled him and kicked him in the breast, so that he fell on his back in a swoon. Then she cried out at him, saying, "Arise! fly for your life. But that I swore that no evil should betide you from me, should your tale prove true, I would slay you with mine own hand forthright!" And she cried out at the old woman, who fell on her face for fear, and said to her, "By Allah, but that I am loath to break the oath that I swore, I would put both you and him to death after the foulest fashion!"; presently adding, "Arise, go out from before me in safety and return to your own country, for I swear by my fortune, if ever mine eye espy you or if any bring you in to me after this, I will smite off your head and that of whoever brings you!" Then she cried out to her officers, saying, "Put him out from before me!" So they thrust him out, and when he came to himself, he recited these couplets,

"You're far, yet to my heart you're nearest near; * Absent yet present in my sprite you appear: By Allah, ne'er to other I've inclined * But tyranny of Time in patience bear! Nights pass while still I love you and they end, * And burns my breast with flames of fell Sa'ir; [153] I was a youth who parting for an hour * Bore not, then what of months that make a year? Jealous am I of breeze-breath fanning you; * Yea jealous-mad of fair soft-sided fere!"

Then he once more fell down in a swoon, and when he came to himself, he found himself without the palace where they had dragged him on his face; so he rose, stumbling over his skirts and hardly crediting his escape from Nur al-Huda. Now this was grievous to Shawahi; but she dared not remonstrate with the Queen by reason of the violence of her wrath. And immediately Hasan went forth, distracted and knowing not whence to come or where to go; the world, for all its wideness, was straitened upon him and he found none to speak a kind word with him and comfort him, nor any to whom he might resort for counsel or to apply for refuge; wherefore he made sure of death for that he could not journey to his own country and knew none to travel with him, neither knew he the way there nor might he pass through the Wady of the Jann and the Land of Beasts and the Islands of Birds. So giving himself up for lost he bewept himself, till he fainted, and when he revived, he bethought him of his children and his wife and of that might befall her with her sister, repenting him of having come to those countries and of having hearkened to none, and recited these couplets,

"Suffer mine eye-babes weep lost of love and tears express: * Rare is my solace and increases my distress: The cup of Severance-chances to the dregs I've drained; * Who is the man to bear love-loss with manliness? Ye spread the Carpet of Disgrace [154] betwixt us twain; * Ah, when shall be uprolled, O Carpet of Disgrace? I watched the while you slept; and if you deemed that I * Forgot your love I but forget forgetfulness: Woe's me! indeed my heart is pining for the love * Of you, the only leaches who can cure my case: See you not what befell me from your fell disdain? * Debased am I before the low and high no less. I hid my love of you but longing laid it bare, * And burns my heart wi' fire of passion's sorest stress: Ah! deign have pity on my piteous case, for I * Have kept our troth in secresy and patent place! Would Heaven I wot shall Time e'er deign us twain rejoin! * You are my heart's desire, my sprite's sole happiness: My vitals bear the Severance-wound: would Heaven that you * With tidings from your camp would deign my soul to bless!"

Then he went on, till he came without the city, where he found the river, and walked along its bank, knowing not where he went. Such was Hasan's case; but as regards his wife Manar al-Sana, as she was about to carry out her purpose and to set out, on the second day after the departure of the old woman with her children, behold, there came in to her one of the chamberlains of the King her sire, and kissed ground between his hands,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventeenth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Manar al-Sana was about to set out upon the journey, behold, a chamberlain of the King, her sire, came in to her and kissing the ground before her, said, "O Princess, the Supreme King, your father salutes you and bids you to him." So she rose and accompanied the chamberlain to learn what was required by her father, who seated her by his side on the couch, and said to her, "O my daughter, know that I have this night had a dream which makes me fear for you and that long sorrow will betide you from this your journey." Said she, "How so, O my father, and what did you see in your dream?" and said he, "I dreamt that I entered a hidden hoard, in which was great store of monies, of jewels, of jacinths and of other riches; but 'twas as if nothing pleased me of all this treasure and jewelry save seven bezels, which were the finest things there. I chose out one of the seven jewels, for it was the smallest, finest and most lustrous of them and its water pleased me; so I took it in the palm of my hand and left the treasury. When I came out the door, I opened my hand, rejoicing, and turned over the jewel, when, behold, there swooped down on me out of the sky a strange bird from a far land (for it was not of the birds of our country) and, snatching it from my hand, returned with it whence it came. [155] Whereupon sorrow and concern and sore vexation overcame me and my exceeding chagrin so troubled me that I awoke, mourning and lamenting for the loss of the jewel. At once on awaking I summoned the interpreters and expounders of dreams and declared to them my dream, [156] and they said to me: 'You have seven daughters, the youngest of whom you will lose, and she will be taken from you perforce, without your will.' Now you, O my girl, are the youngest and dearest of my daughters and the most affectionate of them to me, and you are about to journey to your sister, and I know not what may befall you from her; so go you not; but return to your palace." But when the Princess heard her father's words, her heart fluttered and she feared for her children and bent earthwards her head awhile: then she raised it and said to her sire, "O King, Queen Nur al-Huda has made ready for me an entertainment and awaits my coming to her, hour by hour. These four years she has not seen me and if I delay to visit her, she will be angry with me. The utmost of my stay with her shall be a month and then I will return to you. Besides, who is the mortal who can travel our land and make his way to the Islands of Wak? Who can gain access to the White Country and the Black Mountain and come to the Land of Camphor and the Castle of Crystal, and how shall he traverse the Island of Birds and the Wady of Wild Beasts and the Valley of the Jann and enter our Islands? If any stranger came hither, he would be drowned in the seas of destruction: so be of good cheer and eyes without a tear about my journey; for none may avail to tread our earth." And she ceased not to persuade him, till he deigned give her leave to depart.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighteenth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Princess ceased not to persuade him till he deigned give her leave to depart, and bade a thousand horse escort her to the river and abide there, till she entered her sister's city and palace and returned to them, when they should take her and carry her back to him. Moreover, he charged her tarry with her sister but two days and return to him in haste; and she answered, "Hearing and obedience." Then rising up she went forth and he with her and farewelled her. Now his words had sunken deep into her heart and she feared for her children; but it avails not to fortify herself by any device against the onset of Destiny. So she set out and fared on diligently three days, till she came to the river and pitched her tents on its bank. Then she crossed the stream, with some of her counsellors, pages and suite and, going up to the city and the palace, went in to Queen Nur al-Huda, with whom she found her children who ran to her weeping and crying out, "O our father!" At this, the tears railed from her eyes and she wept; then she strained them to her bosom, saying, "What! Have you seen your sire at this time? Would the hour had never been, in which I left him! If I knew him to be in the house of the world, I would carry you to him." Then she bemoaned herself and her husband and her children weeping and reciting these couplets,

"My friends, despight this distance and this cruelty, * I pine for you, incline to you where'er you be. My glance for ever turns toward your hearth and home * And mourns my heart the bygone days you woned with me, How many a night foregathered we withouten fear * One loving, other faithful ever, fain and free!"

When her sister saw her fold her children to her bosom, saying, "'Tis I who have done thus with myself and my children and have ruined my own house!" she saluted her not, but said to her, "O whore, whence had you these children? Say, have you married unbeknown to your sire or have you committed fornication? [157] If you have played the piece, it behooves you be exemplarily punished; and if you have married without our knowledge, why did you abandon your husband and separate your sons from your sire and bring them here?"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Nineteenth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that said Nur al-Huda, the Queen, to her sister Manar al-Sana, the Princess, "An you have married sans our knowledge, why did you abandon your husband and separate your sons from their sire and bring them to our land? You have hidden your children from us. Think you we know not of this? Allah Almighty, He who is cognisant of the concealed, has made known to us your case and revealed your condition and bared your nakedness." Then she bade her guards seize her and pinion her elbows and shackle her with shackles of iron. So they did as she commanded and she beat her with a grievous beating, so that her skin was torn, and hanged her up by the hair; after which she cast her in prison and wrote the King her father a writ acquainting him with her case and saying, "There has appeared in our land a man, a mortal, by name Hasan, and our sister Manar al-Sana avows that she is lawfully married to him and bore him two sons, whom she has hidden from us and you; nor did she reveal anything of herself till there came to us this man and informed us that he wedded her and she tarried with him a long while; after which she took her children and departed, without his knowledge, bidding as she went his mother tell her son, when longing began to rack to come to her in the Islands of Wak. So we laid hands on the man and sent the old woman Shawahi to fetch her and her offspring, enjoining her to bring us the children in advance of her. And she did so, while Manar al-Sana equipped herself and set out to visit me. When the boys were brought to me and before the mother came, I sent for Hasan the mortal who claims her to wife, and he on entering and at first sight knew them and they knew him; whereby was I certified that the children were indeed his children and that she was his wife and I learned that the man's story was true and he was not to blame, but that the reproach and the infamy rested with my sister. Now I feared the rending of our honor-veil before the folk of our Isles; so when this wanton, this traitress, came in to me, I was incensed against her and cast her into prison and bastinado'd her grievously and hanged her up by the hair. Behold, I have acquainted you with her case and it is yours to command, and whatever you order us that we will do. You know that in this affair is dishonor and disgrace to our name and to yours, and perhaps the islanders will hear of it, and we shall become among them a byword; wherefore it befits you to return us an answer with all speed." Then she delivered the letter to a courier and he carried it to the King, who, when he read it, was angry with exceeding wrath with his daughter Manar al-Sana and wrote to Nur al-Huda, saying, "I commit her case to you and give you command over her life; so, if the matter be as you say, kill her without consulting me." When the Queen had received and read her father's letter, she sent for Manar al-Sana and they set before her the prisoner drowned in her blood and pinioned with her hair, shackled with heavy iron shackles and clad in hair-cloth; and they made her stand in the presence abject and abashed. When she saw herself in this condition of passing humiliation and exceeding abjection, she called to mind her former high estate and wept with sore weeping and recited these two couplets,

"O Lord my foes are fain to slay me in despight * Nor deem I anywise to find escape by flight: I have recourse to Thee t' annul what they have done; * You art th' asylum, Lord, of fearful suppliant wight."

Then wept she grievously, till she fell down in a swoon, and presently coming to herself, repeated these two couplets, [158]

"Troubles familiar with my heart are grown and I with them, * Erst shunning; for the generous are sociable still. Not one mere kind alone of woe doth lieger with me lie; * Praised be God! There are with me thousands of kinds of ill."

And also these,

"Oft times Mischance shall straiten noble breast * With grief, whence issue is for Him to shape: But when the meshes straitest, tightest, seem * They loose, though deemed I ne'er to find escape."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twentieth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Queen Nur al-Huda ordered into the presence her sister Princess Manar al-Sana, they set her between her hands and she, pinioned as she was recited the verses aforesaid. Then the Queen [159] sent for a ladder of wood and made the eunuchs lay her on her back, with her arms spread out and bind her with cords thereto; after which she bared her head and wound her hair about the ladder-rungs and indeed all pity for her was rooted out from her heart. When Manar al-Sana saw herself in this state of abjection and humiliation, she cried out and wept; but none succored her. Then said she to the Queen, "O my sister, how is your heart hardened against me? Have you no mercy on me nor pity on these little children?" But her words only hardened her sister's heart and she insulted her, saying, "O Wanton! O harlot! Allah have no pity on whoever sues for you! How should I have compassion on you, O traitress?" Replied Manar al-Sana who lay stretched on the ladder, "I appeal from you to the Lord of the Heavens, concerning that wherewith you revile me and whereof I am innocent! By Allah, I have done no whoredom, but am lawfully married to him, and my Lord knows if I speak the truth or not! Indeed, my heart is angry with you, by reason of your excessive hardheartedness against me! How can you cast at me the charge of harlotry, without knowledge? But my Lord will deliver me from you and if that whoredom whereof you accuse me be true, may He presently punish me for it!" Said Nur al-Huda after a few moments of reflection "How dare you bespeak me thus?" and rose and beat her till she fainted away; [160] whereupon they sprinkled water on her face till she revived; and in truth her charms were wasted for excess of beating and the straitness of her bonds and the sore insults she had suffered. Then she recited these two couplets,

"If anything I've sinned in sinful way, * Or done ill deed and gone astray, The past repent I and I come * To you and for your pardon pray!"

When Nur al-Huda heard these lines, her wrath redoubled and she said to her, "Will speak before me in verse, O whore, and seek to excuse yourself for the mortal sins you have sinned? 'Twas my desire that you should return to your husband, that I might witness your wickedness and matchless brazenfacedness; for you glory in your lewdness and wantonness and mortal heinousness." Then she called for a palm-stick and, when they brought the Jaríd, she arose and baring arms to elbows, beat her sister from head to foot; after which she called for a whip of plaited thongs, wherewith if one smote an elephant, he would start off at full speed, and came down with it on her back and her stomach and every part of her body, till she fainted. When the old woman Shawahi saw this, she fled forth from the Queen's presence, weeping and cursing her; but Nur al-Huda cried out to her eunuchs, saying, "Fetch her to me!" So they ran after her and seizing her, brought her back to the Queen, who bade throw her on the ground and making them lay hold of her, rose and took the whip, with which she beat her, till she swooned away, when she said to her waiting-women, "Drag this ill-omened beldam forth on her face and put her out." And they did as she bade them. So far concerning them; but as regards Hasan, he walked on beside the river, in the direction of the desert, distracted, troubled, and despairing of life; and indeed he was dazed and knew not night from day for stress of affliction. He ceased not faring on thus, till he came to a tree on which he saw a scroll hanging: so he took it and found written on it these couplets,

"When in your mother's womb you wast, * I cast your case the bestest best; And turned her heart to you, so she * Fosterèd you on fondest breast. We will suffice you in whate'er * Shall cause you trouble or unrest; We'll aid you in your enterprise * So rise and bow to our behest."

When he had ended reading this scroll, he made sure of deliverance from trouble and of winning reunion with those he loved. Then he walked forward a few steps and found himself alone in a wild and perilous wold in which there was none to company with him; upon which his heart sank within him for horror and loneliness and his side-muscles trembled, for that fearsome place, and he recited these couplets,

"O Zephyr of Morn, if you pass where the dear ones dwell, * Bear greeting of lover who ever in love-longing wones! And tell them I'm pledged to yearning and pawned to pine * And the might of my passion all passion of lovers unthrones. Their sympathies perhaps shall breathe in a Breeze like you * And quicken immediately this framework of rotting bones." [161]

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-first Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan read the scroll he was certified of deliverance from his trouble and made sure of winning reunion with those he loved. Then he walked forward a couple of steps and stopped finding himself alone in a wild and perilous wold in which was none to company with him, so he wept sore and recited the verses before mentioned. Then he walked on a few steps farther beside the river, till he came upon two little boys of the sons of the sorcerers, before whom lay a rod of copper graven with talismans, and beside it a skull-cap [162] of leather, made of three gores and wroughten in steel with names and characts. The cap and rod were upon the ground and the boys were disputing and beating each other, till the blood ran down between them; while each cried, "None shall take the wand but I." So Hasan interposed and parted them, saying, "What is the cause of your contention?" and they replied, "O uncle, you be the judge of our case, for Allah the Most High has surely sent you to do justice between us." Said Hasan, "Tell me your case, and I will judge between you;" and said one of them, "We two are brothers-german and our sire was a mighty magician, who dwelt in a cave on yonder mountain. He died and left us this cap and rod; and my brother says, 'None shall have the rod but I,' while I say the like; so be you judge between us and deliver us each from other." Hasan asked, "What is the difference between the rod and the cap and what is their value? The rod appears to be worth six coppers [163] and the cap three;" whereto they answered, "You know not their properties." "And what are their properties?" "Each of them has a wonderful secret virtue, wherefore the rod is worth the revenue of all the Islands of Wak and their provinces and dependencies, and the cap the like!" "By Allah, O my sons, reveal to me their secret virtues." So they said, "O uncle, they are extraordinary; for our father worked a hundred and thirty and five years at their contrivance, till he brought them to perfection and ingrafted them with secret attributes which might serve him extraordinary services and engraved them after the likeness of the revolving sphere, and by their aid he dissolved all spells; and when he had made an end of their fashion, Death, which all needs must suffer, overtook him. Now the hidden virtue of the cap is, that whoever sets it on his head is concealed from all folks' eyes, nor can any see him, while it remains on his head; and that of the rod is that whoever owns it has authority over seven tribes of the Jinn, who all serve the order and ordinance of the rod; and whenever he who possess it smites with it on the ground, their Kings comes to do him homage, and all the Jinn are at his service." Now when Hasan heard these words, he bowed his head groundwards awhile, then said in himself, "By Allah, I shall conquer every foe by means of this rod and cap, Inshallah! and I am worthier of them both than these two boys. So I will go about immediately to get them from the two by craft, that I may use them to free myself and my wife and children from yonder tyrannical Queen, and then we will depart from this dismal stead, whence there is no deliverance for mortal man nor flight. Doubtless, Allah caused me not to fall in with these two lads, but that I might get the rod and cap from them." Then he raised his head and said to the two boys, "If you would have me decide the case, I will make trial of you and see what each of you deserves. He who overcomes his brother shall have the rod and he who fails shall have the cap." They replied,"'O uncle, we depute you to make trial of us and do you decide between us as you deems fit." Hasan asked, "Will you hearken to me and have regard to my words?"; and they answered, "Yes." Then said he, "I will take a stone and throw it and he who outruns his brother thereto and picks it up shall take the rod, and the other who is outraced shall take the cap." And they said, "We accept and consent to this your proposal." Then Hasan took a stone and threw it with his might, so that it disappeared from sight. The two boys ran under and after it and when they were at a distance, he donned the cap and holding the rod in hand, removed from his place that he might prove the truth of that which the boys had said, with regard to their scant properties. The younger outran the elder and coming first to the stone, took it and returned with it to the place where they had left Hasan, but found no signs of him. So he called to his brother, saying, "Where is the man who was to be umpire between us?" Said the other, "I spy him not neither know I whether he has flown up to heaven above or sunk into earth beneath." Then they sought for him, but saw him not, though all the while he was standing in his stead hard by them. So they abused each other, saying, "Rod and Cap are both gone; they are neither mine nor yours: and indeed our father warned us of this very thing; but we forgot whatever he said." Then they retraced their steps and Hasan also entered the city, wearing the cap and bearing the rod; and none saw him. Now when he was thus certified of the truth of their speech, he rejoiced with exceeding joy and making the palace, went up into the lodging of Shawahi, who saw him not, because of the cap. Then he walked up to a shelf [164] over her head upon which were vessels of glass and chinaware, and shook it with his hand, so that what was on it fell to the ground. The old woman cried out and beat her face; then she rose and restored the fallen things to their places, [165] saying in herself, "By Allah, methinks Queen Nur al-Huda hath sent a Satan to torment me, and he has tricked me this trick! I beg Allah Almighty, deliver me from her and preserve me from her wrath, for, O Lord, if she deal thus abominably with her half-sister, beating and hanging her, dear as she is to her sire, how will she do with a stranger like myself, against whom she is incensed?"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-second Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the ancient Lady of Calamities cried, "When Queen Nur al-Huda does such misdeed to her sister, what will she do to a stranger like myself, against whom she is incensed?" Then said she, "I conjure you, O devil, by the Most Compassionate, the Bountiful-great, the High of Estate, of Dominion Elate who man and Jinn did create, and by the writing upon the seal of Solomon David-son (on both be the Peace!) speak to me and answer me;" Said Hasan, "I am no devil; I am Hasan, the afflicted, the distraught." Then he raised the cap from his head and appeared to the old woman, who knew him and taking him apart, said to him, "What is come to your reason, that you returned here? Go hide you; for, if this wicked woman has tormented your wife with such torments, and she her sister, what will she do, if she light on you?" Then she told him all that had befallen his spouse and that in which she was of travail and torment and tribulation, and straitly described all the pains she endured adding, "And indeed the Queen repents her of having let you go and has sent one after you, promising him an hundred-weight of gold and my rank in her service; and she hath sworn that, if he bring you back, she will do you and your wife and children dead." And she shed tears and revealed to Hasan what the Queen had done with herself, whereat he wept and said, "O my lady, how shall I do to escape from this land and deliver myself and my wife and children from this tyrannical Queen and how devise to return with them in safety to my own country?" Replied the old woman, "Woe to you! Save yourself." Said he, "There is no help but I deliver her and my children from the Queen perforce and in her despite;" and said Shawahi, "How can you forcibly rescue them from her? Go and hide yourself, O my son, till Allah Almighty empower you." Then Hasan showed her the rod and the cap, whereat she rejoiced with joy exceeding and cried, "Glory be to Him who quickens the bones, though they be rotten! By Allah, O my son, you and your wife were but lost folk; now, however, you are saved, you and your wife and children! For I know the rod and I know its maker, who was my Shaykh in the science of Gramarye. He was a mighty magician and spent a hundred and thirty and five years working at this rod and cap, till he brought them to perfection, when Death the Inevitable overtook him. And I have heard him say to his two boys, 'O my sons, these two things are not of your lot, for there will come a stranger from a far country, who will take them from you by force, and you shall not know how he takes them.' Said they, 'O our father, tell us how he will avail to take them.' But he answered, 'I know not.' And O my son," added she, "how availed you to take them?" So he told her how he had taken them from the two boys, whereat she rejoiced and said, "O my son, since you have gotten the means to free your wife and children, give ear to what I shall say to you. For me there is no remaining with this wicked woman, after the foul fashion in which she dared use me; so I am minded to depart from her to the caves of the Magicians and there abide with them until I die. But do thou, O my son, don the cap and hold the rod in hand and enter the place where your wife and children are. Unbind her bonds and smite the earth with the rod saying, 'Be you present, O servants of these names!' whereupon the servants of the rod will appear; and if there present himself one of the Chiefs of the Tribes, command him whatever you shall wish and will." So he farewelled her and went forth, donning the cap and hending the rod, and entered the place where his wife was. He found her well-nigh lifeless, bound to the ladder by her hair, tearful-eyed and woeful-hearted, in the sorriest of plights, knowing no way to deliver herself. Her children were playing under the ladder, while she looked at them and wept for them and herself, because of the barbarities and sore treatings and bitter penalties which had befallen her; and he heard her repeat these couplets [166],

"There remained not anything save a fluttering, breath and an eye whose owner is confounded. And a desirous lover whose bowels are burned with fire notwithstanding which she is silent. The exulting foe pitieth her at the sight of her. Alas for her whom the exulting foe pitieth!"

When Hasan saw her in this state of torment and misery and ignominy and infamy, he wept till he fainted; and when he recovered he saw his children playing and their mother aswoon for excess of pain; so he took the cap from his head and the children saw him and cried out, "O our father!" Then he covered his head again and the Princess came to herself, hearing their cry, but saw only her children weeping and shrieking, "O our father!" When she heard them name their sire and weep, her heart was broken and her vitals rent asunder and she said to them, "What makes you in mind of your father at this time?" And she wept sore and cried out, from a burst liver and an aching bosom, "Where are you and where is your father?" Then she recalled the days of her union with Hasan and what had befallen her since her desertion of him and wept with sore weeping till her cheeks were seared and furrowed and her face was drowned in a briny flood. Her tears ran down and wetted the ground and she had not a hand loose to wipe them from her cheeks, while the flies fed their fill on her skin, and she found no helper but weeping and no solace but improvising verses. Then she repeated these couplets,

"I call to mind the parting-day that rent our loves in twain, When, as I turned away, the tears in very streams did rain. The cameleer urged on his beasts with them, what while I found Nor strength nor fortitude, nor did my heart with me remain. Yea, back I turned, unknowing of the road nor might shake off The trance of grief and longing love that numbed my heart and brain; And worst of all betided me, on my return, was one Who came to me, in lowly guise, to glory in my pain. Since the belovèd's gone, O soul, forswear the sweet of life Nor covet its continuance, for, wanting him, 'twere vain. List, O my friend, unto the tale of love, and God forbid That I should speak and that your heart to hearken should not deign! As 'twere El Asmaï himself, of passion I discourse Fancies rare and marvellous, linked in an endless chain." [167]

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-third Night,

She continued, When Hasan went in to his wife he saw his children and heard her repeating the verses afore mentioned. [168] Then she turned right and left, seeking the cause of her children's crying out, "O our father!" but saw no one and marvelled that her sons should name their sire at that time and call upon him. But when Hasan heard her verses, he wept till he swooned away and the tears railed down his cheeks like rain. Then he drew near the children and raised the cap from his head unseen of his wife, whereupon they saw him and they knew him and cried out, saying, "O our father!" Their mother fell a-weeping again, when she heard them name their sire's name and said, "There is no avoiding the doom which Almighty Allah hath decreed!" adding, "O Strange! What makes them think of their father at this time and call upon him, albeit it is not of their custom?" Then she wept and recited these couplets,

"The land of lamping moon is bare and drear; * O eyne of me pour forth the brimming tear! They marched: how shall I now be patient? * That I nor heart nor patience own I swear! O ye, who marched yet bide in heart of me, * Will you, O lords of me, return to that we were? What harm if they return and I enjoy * Meeting, and they had pity on tears of care? Upon the parting-day they dimmed these eyne, * For sad surprise, and lit the flames that flare. Sore longed I for their stay, but Fortune stayed * Longings and turned my hope to mere despair. Return to us (O love!) by Allah, deign! * Enow of tears have flowed for absence-bane."

Then Hasan could no longer contain himself, but took the cap from his head; whereupon his wife saw him and recognising him screamed a scream which startled all in the palace, and said to him, "How came you hither? From the sky have you dropped or through the earth have you come up?" And her eyes brimmed with tears and Hasan also wept. Said she, "O man, this be no time for tears or blame. Fate has had its course and the sight was blinded and the Pen has run with what was ordained of Allah when Time was begun: so, Allah upon you, whencesoever you come, go hide, lest any spy you and tell my sister and she do you and me die!" Answered he, "O my lady and lady of all Queens, I have risked myself and come hither, and either I will die or I will deliver you from this strait and travel with you and my children to my country, despite the nose of your wickedest sister." But as she heard his words she smiled and for awhile fell to shaking her head and said, "Far, O my fife, far is it from the power of any except Allah Almighty to deliver me from this my strait! Save yourself by flight and wend your ways and cast not yourself into destruction; for she has conquering hosts none may withstand. Given that you took me and went forth, how can you make your country and escape from these islands and the perils of these awesome places? Verily, you have seen on your way hither, the wonders, the marvels, the dangers and the terrors of the road, such as none may escape, not even one of the rebel Jinns. Depart, therefore, immediately and add not cark to my cark and care to my care, neither do you pretend to rescue me from this my plight; for who shall carry me to your country through all these vales and thirsty wolds and fatal steads?" Rejoined Hasan, "By your life, O light of mine eyes, I will not depart this place nor fare but with you!" Said she, "O man! How canst you avail unto this thing and what manner of man art thou? You know not what you sayest! None can escape from these realms, even had he command over Jinns, Ifrits, magicians, chiefs of tribes and Marids. Save yourself and leave me; perchance Allah will bring about good after ill." Answered Hasan, "O lady of fair ones, I came not save to deliver you with this rod and with this cap." And he told her what had befallen him with the two boys; but, while he was speaking, behold, up came the Queen and heard their speech. Now when he was ware of her, he donned the cap and was hidden from sight, and she entered and said to the Princess, "O wanton, who is he with whom you were talking?" Answered Manar al-Sanar, "Who is with me that should talk with me, except these children?" Then the Quee took the whip and beat her, while Hasan stood by and looked on, nor did she leave beating her till she fainted; whereupon she bade transport her to another place. So they loosed her and carried her to another chamber while Hasan followed unseen. There they cast her down, senseless, and stood gazing upon her, till she revived and recited these couplets, [169]

"I have sorrowed on account of our disunion with a sorrow that made the tears to overflow from my eyelids; And I vowed that if Fortune reunite us, I would never again mention our separation; And I would say to the envious, Die you with regret; By Allah I have now attained my desire! Joy hath overwhelmed me to such a degree that by its excess it hath made me weep. O eye, how hath weeping become your habit? You weepest in joy as well, as in sorrows."

When she ceased her verse the slave-girls went out from her and Hasan took off the cap; whereupon his wife said to him, "See, O man, all this befell me not save by reason of my having rebelled against you and transgressed your commandment and gone forth without your leave. [170] So, Allah upon you blame me not for my sins and know that women never know a man's worth till they have lost him. Indeed, I have offended and done evil; but I crave pardon of Allah Almighty for whatever I did, and if He reunite us, I will never again refuse you anything, no, never!"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-fourth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Hasan's wife besought pardon of him saying, "Blame me not for my sin; and indeed I crave mercy of Allah Almighty." Said Hasan (and indeed his heart ached for her), "'Twas not you that were in fault; nay, the fault was mine and mine only, for I fared forth and left you with one who knew not your rank, neither your worth nor your degree. But know, O beloved of my heart and fruit of my vitals and light of mine eyes, that Allah (blessed be He!) has ordained to me power of releasing you; so, say me, would you have me carry you to your father's home, there to accomplish what Allah decrees unto you, or will you immediately depart with me to mine own country, now that relief is come to you?" Said she, "Who can deliver me save the Lord of the Heavens? Go to your motherland and put away from you false hope; for you know not the perils of these parts which, if you obey me not, soon shall you sight." And she improvised these couplets,

"On me and with me bides your volunty; * Why then such anger such despite to me? Whate'er befell us Heaven forbid that love * Fade for long time or e'er forgotten be! Ceased not the spy to haunt our sides, till seen * Our love estranged and then estranged was he: In truth I trusted to fair thoughts of your * Though spoke the wicked spy maliciously. We'll keep the secret 'twixt us twain and bold * Although the brand of blame unsheathed we see. The livelong day in longing love I spend * Hoping acceptance- message from my friend."

Then wept she and her children, and the handmaidens heard them: so they came in to them and found them weeping, but saw not Hasan with them; wherefore they wept for pity of them and damned Queen Nur al-Huda. Then Hasan took patience till night came on and her guards had gone to their sleeping-places, when he arose and girded his waist; then went up to her and, loosing her, kissed her on the head and between the eyes and pressed her to his bosom, saying, "How long have we wearied for our mother-land and for reunion there! Is this our meeting in sleep, or on wake?" Then he took up the elder boy and she took up the younger and they went forth the palace; and Allah veiled them with the veil of His protection, so that they came safe to the outer gate which closed the entrance to the Queen's Serraglio. But finding it locked from without, Hasan said, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Verily we are Allah's and unto Him shall we return!" With this they despaired of escape and Hasan beat hand upon hand, saying, "O Dispeller of dolours! Indeed, I had bethought me of every thing and considered its conclusion but this; and now, when it is daybreak, they will take us, and what device have we in this case?" And he recited the following two couplets, [171]

"You madest fair your thought of Fate, when the days were fair, And fearedst not the unknown ills that they to you might bring. The nights were fair and calm to you; you wast deceived by them, For in the peace of night is born full many a troublous thing."

Then Hasan wept and his wife wept for his weeping and for the abasement she had suffered and the cruelties of Time and Fortune,

"Baulks me my Fate as tho' she were my foe; * Each day she showeth me new cark and care: Fate, when I aim at good, brings clear reverse, * And lets foul morrow wait on day that's fair."

And also these,

"Irks me my Fate and clean unknows that I * Of my high worth her shifts and shafts despise. She nights parading what ill-will she works: * I night parading Patience to her eyes."

Then his wife said to him, "By Allah, there is no relief for us but to kill ourselves and be at rest from this great and weary travail; else we shall suffer grievous torment on the morrow." At this moment, behold, they heard a voice from without the door say, "By Allah, O my lady Manar al-Sana, I will not open to you and your husband Hasan, unless you obey me in whatever I shall say to you!" When they heard these words they were silent for excess of fright and would have returned whence they came; when lo! the voice spoke again saying, "What ails you both to be silent and answer me not?" Therewith they knew the speaker for the old woman Shawahi, Lady of Calamities, and said to her, "Whatsoever you bid us, that will we do; but first open the door to us; this being no time for talk." Replied she, "By Allah, I will not open to you until you both swear to me that you will take me with you and not leave me with yonder whore: so, whatever befalls you shall befall me and if you escape, I shall escape, and if you perish, I shall perish: for yonder abominable woman, tribade [172] that she is! treats me with indignity and still torments me on your account; and you, O my daughter, know my worth." Now recognising her they trusted in her and swore to her an oath such as contented her, whereupon she opened the door to them and they fared forth and found her riding on a Greek jar of red earthenware with a rope of palm-fibres about its neck, [173] which rolled under her and ran faster than a Najdi colt, and she came up to them, and said, "Follow me and fear nothing, for I know forty modes of magic by the least of which I could make this city a dashing sea, swollen with clashing billows, and ensorcel each damsel therein to a fish, and all before dawn. But I was not able to work anything of my mischief, for fear of the King her father and of regard to her sisters, for that they are formidable, by reason of their many guards and tribesmen and servants. However, soon will I show you wonders of my skill in witchcraft; and now let us on, relying upon the blessing of Allah and His good aid." Now Hasan and his wife rejoiced in this, making sure of escape, —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-fifth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan and his wife, accompanied by the ancient dame Shawahi, fared forth from the palace, they made sure of deliverance and they walked on till they came without the city, when he fortified his heart and, smiting the earth with the rod, cried, "Ho, you servants of these names, appear to me and acquaint me with your conditions!" Thereupon the earth clave asunder and out came ten [174] Ifrits, with their feet in the bowels of the earth and their heads in the clouds. They kissed the earth three times before Hasan and said as with one voice, "Adsumus! Here are we at your service, O our lord and ruler over us! What do you bid us do? For we hear and obey your commandment. If you will, we will dry you up seas and remove mountains from their places." So Hasan rejoiced in their words and at their speedy answer to his evocation then taking courage and bracing up his resolution, he said to them, "Who are you and what are your names and your races, and to what tribes and clans and companies appertain you?" They kissed the earth once more and answered as with one voice, saying, "We are seven Kings, each ruling over seven tribes of the Jinn of all conditions, and Satans and Marids, flyers and divers, dwellers in mountains and wastes and wolds and haunters of the seas: so bid us do whatever you will; for we are your servants and your slaves, and whoever possesses this rod has dominion over our necks and we owe him obedience." Now when Hasan heard this, he rejoiced with joy exceeding, as did his wife and the old woman, and presently he said to the Kings of the Jinn, "I desire of you that you show me your tribes and hosts and guards." "O our lord," answered they, "if we show you our tribes, we fear for you and these who are with you, for their name is legion and they are various in form and fashion, figure and favour. Some of us are heads sans bodies and others bodies sans heads, and others again are in the likeness of wild beasts and ravening lions. However, if this be your will, there is no help but we first show you those of us who are like unto wild beasts. But, O our lord, what would you of us at this present?" Said Hasan, "I would have you carry me forthwith to the city of Baghdad, me and my wife and this honest woman." But, hearing his words they hung down their heads and were silent, whereupon Hasan asked them, "Why do you not reply?" And they answered as with one voice, "O our lord and ruler over us, we are of the covenant of Solomon son of David (on the two be Peace!) and he swore us in that we would bear none of the sons of Adam on our backs; since which time we have borne no mortal on back or shoulder: but we will straightway harness you horses of the Jinn, that shall carry you and your company to your country." Hasan enquired, "How far are we from Baghdad?" and they, "Seven years' journey for a diligent horseman." Hasan marvelled at this and said to them, "Then how came I hither in less than a year?"; and they said, "Allah softened to you the hearts of His pious servants else had you never come to this country nor had you set eyes on these regions; no, never! For the Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus, who mounted you on the elephant and the magical horse, traversed with you, in ten days, three years' journey for a well-girt rider, and the Ifrit Dahnash, to whom the Shaykh committed you, carried you a three years' march in a day and a night; all which was of the blessing of Allah Almighty, for that the Shaykh Abu al-Ruwaysh is of the seed of Asaf bin Barkhiyá [175] and knows the Most Great name of Allah. [176] Moreover, from Baghdad to the palace of the damsels is a year's journey, and this makes up the seven years." When Hasan heard this, he marvelled with exceeding marvel and cried, "Glory be to God, Facilitator of the hard, Fortifier of the weak heart, Approximator of the far and Humbler of every froward tyrant, Who has eased us of every accident and carried me to these countries and subjected to me these creatures and reunited me with my wife and children! I know not whether I am asleep or awake or if I be sober or drunken!" Then he turned to the Jinn and asked, "When you have mounted me upon your steeds, in how many days will they bring us to Baghdad?"; and they answered, "They will carry you there under the year, but not till after you have endured terrible perils and hardships and horrors and you have traversed thirsty Wadys and frightful wastes and horrible steads without number; and we cannot promise you safety, O our lord, from the people of these islands,"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-sixth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Jann said to Hasan, "We cannot promise you safety, O our lord, from this Islandry, nor from the mischief of the Supreme King and his enchanters and warlocks. It may be they will overcome us and take you from us and we fall into affliction with them, and all to whom the tidings shall come after this will say to us: 'You are wrong-doers! How could you go against the Supreme King and carry a mortal out of his dominions, and take the King's daughter with him?' adding, 'Were you alone with us the thing were light; but He who conveyed you here is capable to carry you back to your country and reunite you with your own people immediately and in readiest plight. So take heart and put your trust in Allah and fear not; for we are at your service, to convey you to your country." Hasan thanked them therefor and said, "Allah requite you with good! but now make haste with the horses;" they replied, "We hear and we obey," and struck the ground with their feet, whereupon it opened and they disappeared within it and were absent awhile, after which they suddenly reappeared with three horses, saddled and bridled, and on each saddle-bow a pair of saddle-bags, with a leathern bottle of water in one pocket and the other full of provaunt. So Hasan mounted one steed and took a child before him, while his wife mounted a second and took the other child before her. Then the old woman alighted from the jar and bestrode the third horse and they rode on, without ceasing, all night. At break of day, they turned aside from the road and made for the mountain, while their tongues ceased not to name Allah. Then they fared on under the highland all that day, till Hasan caught sight of a black object afar as it were a tall column of smoke a-twisting skywards; so he recited somewhat of the Koran and Holy Writ, and sought refuge with Allah from Satan the Stoned. The black thing grew plainer as they drew near, and when hard by it, they saw that it was an Ifrit, with a head like a huge dome and tusks like grapnels and jaws like a lane and nostrils like ewers and ears like leathern targes and mouth like a cave and teeth like pillars of stone and hands like winnowing forks and legs like masts: his head was in the cloud and his feet in the bowels of the earth had plowed. When Hasan gazed upon him he bowed himself and kissed the ground before him, saying, "O Hasan, have no fear of me; for I am the chief of the dwellers in this land, which is the first of the Isles of Wak, and I am a Moslem and an adorer of the One God. I have heard of you and your coming and when I knew of your case, I desired to depart from the land of the magicians to another land, void of inhabitants and far from men and Jinn, that I might dwell there alone and worship Allah till my fated end came upon me. So I wish to accompany you and be your guide, till you fare forth of the Wak Islands; and I will not appear save at night; and do you hearten your hearts on my account; for I am a Moslem, even as you are Moslems." When Hasan heard the Ifrit's words, he rejoiced with exceeding joy and made sure of deliverance; and he said to him, "Allah requite you weal! Go with us relying upon the blessing of Allah!" So the Ifrit went before them and they followed, talking and making merry, for their hearts were pleased and their breasts were eased and Hasan fell to telling his wife all that had befallen him and all the hardships he had undergone, while she excused herself to him and told him, in turn, all she had seen and suffered. They ceased not faring all that night.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-seventh Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that they ceased not faring all that night and the horses bore them like the blinding leven, and when the day rose all put their hands to the saddle-bags and took forth provision which they ate and water which they drank. Then they sped diligently on their way, preceded by the Ifrit, who turned aside with them from the beaten track into another road, till then untrodden, along the seashores and they ceased not faring on, without stopping, across Wadys and wolds a whole month, till on the thirty-first day there arose before them a dust-cloud, that walled the world and darkened the day; and when Hasan saw this, he was confused and turned pale; and more so when a frightful crying and clamour struck their ears. There, upon the old woman said to him, "O my son, this is the army of the Wak Islands, that hath overtaken us; and presently they will lay violent hands on us." Hasan asked, "What shall I do, O my mother?"; and she answered, "Strike the earth with the rod." He did so whereupon the Seven Kings presented themselves and saluted him with the salam, kissing ground before him and saying, "Fear not neither grieve." Hasan rejoiced at these words and answered them, saying, "Well said, O Princes of the Jinn and the Ifrits! This is your time!" Said they, "Get you up to the mountain-top, you and your wife and children and she who is with you and leave us to deal with them, for we know that you all are in the right and they in the wrong and Allah will aid us against them." So Hasan and his wife and children and the old woman dismounted and dismissing the horses, ascended the flank of the mountain.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-eighth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Hasan with his wife, his children and the ancient dame ascended the mountain-flank after they had dismissed the coursers. Presently, up came Queen Nur al-Huda, with the troops right and left, and the captains went round about among the host and ranged them rank by rank in battle array. Then the hosts charged down upon each other and clashed together the twain with a mighty strain, the brave pressed on amain and the coward to fly was fain and the Jinn cast flames of fire from their mouths, while the smoke of them rose up to the confines of the sky and the two armies appeared and disappeared. The champions fought and heads flew from trunks and the blood ran in rills; nor did brand leave to play and blood to flow and battle fire to flow, till the murk o' night came, when the two hosts drew apart and, alighting from their steeds rested upon the field by the fires they had kindled. Therewith the Seven Kings went up to Hasan and kissed the earth before him. He pressed forwards to meet them and thanked them and prayed Allah to give them the victory and asked them how they had fared with the Queen's troops. Said they, "They will not withstand us more than three days, for we had the better of them today, taking some two thousand of them prisoners and slaying of them much folk whose number may not be told. So be of good cheer and broad of breast." Then they farewelled him and went down to look after the safety of their troops; and they ceased not to keep up the fires till the morning rose with its sheen and shone, when the fighting-men mounted their horses of noble strain and smote one another with thin-edged skean and with brawn of bill they thrust amain nor did they cease that day battle to darraign. Moreover, they passed the night on horseback clashing together like dashing seas; raged among them the fires of war and they stinted not from battle and jar, till the armies of Wak were defeated and their power broken and their courage quelled; their feet slipped and wherever they fled, defeat was before them; wherefore they turned tail and of flight began to avail: but the most part of them were slain and their Queen and her chief officers and the grandees of her realm were captive ta'en. When the morning morrowed, the Seven Kings presented themselves before Hasan and set for him a throne of alabaster inlaid with pearls and jewels, and he sat down thereon. They also set thereby a throne of ivory, plated with glittering gold, for the Princess Manar al-Sana and another for the ancient dame Shawahi Zat al-Dawahi. Then they brought before them the prisoners and among the rest, Queen Nur al-Huda with elbows pinioned and feet fettered, whom when Shawahi saw, she said to her, "Your recompense, O harlot, O tyrant, shall be that two bitches be starved and two mares stinted of water, till they be athirst: then shall you be bound to the mares' tails and these driven to the river, with the bitches following you that they may rend your skin; and after, your flesh shall be cut off and given them to eat. How could you do with your sister such deed, O strumpet, seeing that she was lawfully married, after the ordinance of Allah and of His Apostle? For there is no monkery in Al-Islam and marriage is one of the institutions of the Apostles (on whom be the Peace!) [177] nor were women created but for men." Then Hasan commanded to put all the captives to the sword and the old woman cried out, saying, "Slay them all and spare none [178]!" But, when Princess Manar al-Sana saw her sister in this plight, a bondswoman and in fetters, she wept over her and said, "O my sister, who is this has conquered us and made us captives in our own country?" Said Nur al-Huda, "Verily, this is a mighty matter. Indeed this man Hasan has gotten the mastery over us and Allah has given him dominion over us and over all our realm and he has overcome us, us and the Kings of the Jinn." And said her sister, "Indeed, Allah aided him not against you nor did he overcome you nor capture you save by means of this cap and rod." So Nur al-Huda was certified and assured that he had conquered her by means thereof and humbled herself to her sister, till she was moved to pity for her and said to her husband, "What will you do with my sister? Behold, she is in your hands and she has done you no misdeed that you should punish her." Replied Hasan, "Her torturing of you was misdeed enough." But she answered, saying, "She has excuse for all she did with me. As for you, you have set my father's heart on fire for the loss of me, and what will be his case, if he lose my sister also?" And he said to her, "'Tis yours to decide; do whatever you will." So she bade loose her sister and the rest of the captives, and they did her bidding. Then she went up to Queen Nur al-Huda and embraced her, and they wept together a long while; after which said the Queen, "O my sister, bear me not malice for that I did with you;" and said Manar al-Sana, "O my sister, this was foreordained to me by Fate." Then they sat on the couch talking and Manar al-Sana made peace between the old woman and her sister, after the goodliest fashion, and their hearts were set at ease. Thereupon Hasan dismissed the servants of the rod thanking them for the succour which they had afforded him against his foes, and Manar al-Sana related to her sister all that had befallen her with Hasan her husband and every thing he had suffered for her sake, saying, "O my sister, since he has done these deeds and is possessed of this might and Allah Almighty has gifted him with such exceeding prowess, that he has entered our country and beaten your army and taken you prisoner and defied our father, the Supreme King, who has dominion over all the Princes of the Jinn, it behooves us to fail not of what is due to him." Replied Nur al-Huda, "By Allah, O my sister, you speak the truth in whatever you tell me of the marvels which this man has seen and suffered; and none may fail of respect to him. But was all this on your account, O my sister?"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Twenty-ninth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Princess Manar al-Sana repeated to her sister these praises of Hasan, the other replied, "By Allah, this man can claim all respect more by token of his generosity. But was all this on your account?" "Yes," answered Manar al-Sana, and they passed the night in converse till the morning morrowed and the sun rose and they were minded to depart. So they farewelled one another and Manar al-Sana gave God-speed to the ancient dame after the reconciling her with Queen Nur al-Huda. Thereupon Hasan smote the earth with the rod and its servants the Jinn appeared and saluted him, saying, "Praised be Allah, who has set your soul at rest! Command us what you will, and we will do it for you in less than the twinkling of an eye." He thanked them for their saying and said to them "Allah requite you with good! Saddle me two steeds of the best." So they brought him forthwith two saddled coursers, one of which he mounted, taking his elder son before him, and his wife rode the other, taking the younger son in front of her. Then the Queen and the old woman also backed horse and departed, Hasan and his wife following the right and Nur al-Huda and Shawahi the left hand road. The spouses fared on with their children, without stopping, for a whole month, till they drew in sight of a city, which they found compassed about with trees and streams and, making the trees, dismounted beneath them thinking to rest there. As they sat talking, behold, they saw many horsemen coming towards them, whereupon Hasan rose and going to meet them, saw that it was King Hassun, lord of the Land of Camphor and Castle of Crystal, with his attendants. So Hasan went up to the King and kissed his hands and saluted him; and when Hassun saw him, he dismounted and seating himself with Hasan upon carpets under the trees returned his salam and gave him joy of his safety and rejoiced in him with exceeding joy, saying to him, "O Hasan, tell me all that has befallen you, first and last." So he told him all of that, whereupon the King marvelled and said to him, "O my son, none ever reached the Islands of Wak and returned from there but you, and indeed your case is wondrous; but Alhamdolillah—praised be God—for safety!" Then he mounted and bade Hasan ride with his wife and children into the city, where he lodged them in the guest-house of his palace; and they abode with him three days, eating and drinking in mirth and merriment, after which Hasan sought Hassun's leave to depart to his own country and the King granted it. Accordingly they took horse and the King rode with them ten days, after which he farewelled them and turned back, while Hasan and his wife and children fared on a whole month, at the end of which time they came to a great cavern, whose floor was of brass. Said Hasan to his wife, "Know you yonder cave?"; and said she, "No." Said he, "Therein dwells a Shaykh, named Abu al-Ruwaysh, to whom I am greatly beholden, for that he was the means of my becoming acquainted with King Hassun." Then he went on to tell her all that had passed between him and Abu al-Ruwaysh, and as he was thus engaged, behold, the Shaykh himself issued from the cavern mouth. When Hasan saw him, he dismounted from his steed and kissed his hands, and the old man saluted him and gave him joy of his safety and rejoiced in him. Then he carried him into the antre and sat down with him, while Hasan related to him what had befallen him in the Islands of Wak; whereat the Elder marvelled with exceeding marvel and said, "O Hasan, how did you deliver your wife and children?" So he told them the tale of the cap and the rod, hearing which he wondered and said, "O Hasan, O my son, but for this rod and the cap, you had never delivered your wife and children." And he replied, "Even so, O my lord." As they were talking, there came a knocking at the door and Abu al-Ruwaysh went out and found Abd al-Kaddus mounted on his elephant. So he saluted him and brought him into the cavern, where he embraced Hasan and congratulated him on his safety, rejoicing greatly in his return. Then said Abu al-Ruwaysh to Hasan, "Tell the Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus all that has befallen you, O Hasan." He repeated to him every thing that had passed, first and last, till he came to the tale of the rod and cap,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirtieth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Hasan began relating to Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus and Shaykh Abu al-Ruwaysh (who sat chattting in the cave) all that had passed, first and last, till he came to the tale of the rod and cap; where, upon said Abd al-Kaddus, "O my son, you have delivered your wife and your children and have no further need of the two. Now we were the means of your winning to the Islands of Wak, and I have done you kindness for the sake of my nieces, the daughters of my brother; wherefore I beg you, of your bounty and favour, to give me the rod and the Shaykh Abu al-Ruwaysh the cap." When Hasan heard this, he hung down his head, being ashamed to reply, "I will not give them to you," and said in his mind, "Indeed these two Shaykhs have done me great kindness and were the means of my winning to the Islands of Wak, and but for them I had never made the place, nor delivered my children, nor had I gotten me this rod and cap." So he raised his head and answered, "Yes, I will give them to you: but, O my lords, I fear lest the Supreme King, my wife's father, come upon me with his commando and combat with me in my own country, and I am unable to repel them, for want of the rod and the cap." Replied Abd al-Kaddus, "Fear not, O my son; we will continually succour you and keep watch and ward for you in this place; and whosoever shall come against you from your wife's father or any other, him we will fend off from you; wherefore be you of good cheer and keep your eyes cool of tear, and hearten your heart and broaden your breast and feel nothing whatsoever of fear, for no harm shall come to you." When Hasan heard this he was abashed and gave the cap to Abu al-Ruwaysh, saying to Abd al-Kaddus, "Accompany me to my own country and I will give you the rod." At this the two elders rejoiced with exceeding joy and made him ready riches and treasures which beggar all description. He abode with them three days, at the end of which he set out again and the Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus made ready to depart with him. So he and his wife mounted their beasts and Abd al-Kaddus whistled, when, behold, a mighty big elephant trotted up with fore hand and feet on amble from the heart of the desert and he took it and mounted it. Then they farewelled Abu al-Ruwaysh who disappeared within his cavern; and they fared on across country, traversing the land in its length and breadth wherever Abd al-Kaddus guided them by a short cut and an easy way, till they drew near the land of the Princesses; whereupon Hasan rejoiced at finding himself once more near his mother, and praised Allah for his safe return and reunion with his wife and children after so many hardships and perils; and thanked Him for His favours and bounties, reciting these couplets,

"Haply shall Allah deign us twain unite * And lockt in strict embrace we'll hail the light: And wonders that befell me I'll recount, * And all I suffered from the Severance-blight: And fain I'll cure mine eyes by viewing you * For ever yearned my heart to see your sight: I hid a tale for you my heart within * Which when we meet o' morn I'll fain recite: I'll blame you for the deeds by you were done * But while blame endeth love shall stay in site."

Hardly had he made an end of these verses, when he looked and behold, there rose to view the Green Dome [179] and the jetting Fount and the Emerald Palace, and the Mountain of Clouds showed to them from afar; whereupon said Abd al-Kaddus, "Rejoice, O Hasan, in good tidings: tonight shall you be the guest of my nieces!" At this he joyed with exceeding joy and as also did his wife, and they alighted at the domed pavilion, where they took their rest [180] and ate and drank; after which they mounted horse again and rode on till they came upon the palace. As they drew near, the Princesses who were daughters of the King, brother to Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus, came forth to meet them and saluted them and their uncle who said to them, "O daughters of my brother, behold, I have accomplished the need of this your brother Hasan and have helped him to regain his wife and children." So they embraced him and gave him joy of his return in safety and health and of his reunion with his wife and children, and it was a day of festival [181] with them. Then came forward Hasan's sister, the youngest Princess, and embraced him, weeping with sore weeping, while he also wept for his long desolation: after which she complained to him of that which she had suffered for the pangs of separation and weariness of spirit in his absence and recited these two couplets,

"After your faring never chanced I'spy * A shape, but did your form therein descry: Nor closed mine eyes in sleep but you I saw, * E'en as though dwelling 'twixt the lid and eye."

When she had made an end of her verses, she rejoiced with joy exceeding and Hasan said to her, "O my sister, I thank none in this matter save yourself over all your sisters, and may Allah Almighty grant you aidance and countenance!" Then he related to her all that had past in his journey, from first to last, and all that he had undergone, telling her what had betided him with his wife's sister and how he had delivered his wife and children and he also described to her all that he had seen of marvels and grievous perils, even to how Queen Nur al-Huda would have slain him and his spouse and children and none saved them from her but the Lord the Most High. Moreover, he related to her the adventure of the cap and the rod and how Abd al-Kaddus and Abu al-Ruwaysh had asked for them and he had not agreed to give them to the two save for her sake; wherefore she thanked him and blessed him wishing him long life; and he cried, "By Allah, I shall never forget all the kindness you have done me from start to conclusion."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-first Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Hasan foregathered with the Princesses, he related to his sister all that he had endured and said to her, "Never will I forget what you have done for me from start to conclusion." Then she turned to his wife Manar al-Sana and embraced her and pressed her children to her breast, saying to her, "O daughter of the Supreme King, was there no pity in your bosom, that you parted him and his children and set his heart on fire for them? Tell me, did you desire by this deed that he should die?" The Princess laughed and answered, "So was it ordained of Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) and whoever beguiles folk, him shall Allah begule." [182] Then they set on somewhat of meat and drink, and they all ate and drank and made merry. They abode thus ten days in feast and festival, mirth and merry-making, at the end of which time Hasan prepared to continue his journey. So his sister rose and made him ready riches and rarities, such as defy description. Then she strained him to her bosom, because of leavetaking, and threw her arms round his neck while he recited on her account these couplets,

"The solace of lovers is nothing but far, * And parting is nothing save grief singular: And ill-will and absence are nothing but woe, * And the victims of Love nothing but martyrs are; And how tedious is night to the loving wight * From his true love parted 'neath evening star! His tears course over his cheeks and so * He cries, 'O tears be there more to flow?'"

With this Hasan gave the rod to Shaykh Abd al-Kaddus, who joyed therein with exceeding joy and thanking him and securing it mounted and returned to his own place. Then Hasan took horse with his wife and children and departed from the Palace of the Princesses, who went forth [183] with him, to farewell him. Then they turned back and Hasan fared on, over wild and wold, two months and ten days, till he came to the city of Baghdad, the House of Peace, and repairing to his home by the private postern which gave upon the open country, knocked at the door. Now his mother, for long absence, had forsworn sleep and given herself to mourning and weeping and wailing, till she fell sick and ate no meat, neither took delight in slumber but shed tears night and day. She ceased not to call upon her son's name albeit she despaired of his returning to her; and as he stood at the door, he heard her weeping and reciting these couplets,

"By Allah, heal, O my lords, the unwhole * Of wasted frame and heart worn with dole: An you grant her a meeting 'tis but your grace * Shall whelm in the boons of the friend her soul: I despair not of Union the Lord can grant * And to weal of meeting our woes control!"

When she had ended her verses, she heard her son's voice at the door, calling out, "O mother, mother ah! fortune has been kind and has allowed our reunion!" Hearing his cry she knew his voice and went to the door, between belief and misbelief; but, when she opened it she saw him standing there and with him his wife and children; so she shrieked aloud, for excess of joy, and fell to the earth in a fainting-fit. Hasan ceased not soothing her, till she recovered and embraced him; then she wept with joy, and presently she called his slaves and servants and bade them carry all his baggage into the house. [184] So they brought in every one of the loads, and his wife and children entered also, whereupon Hasan's mother went up to the Princess and kissed her head and bussed her feet, saying, "O daughter of the Supreme King, if I have failed of your due, behold, I crave pardon of Almighty Allah." Then she turned to Hasan and said to him, "O my son, what was the cause of this long strangerhood?" He related to her all his adventures from beginning to end; and when she heard tell of all that had befallen him, she cried a great cry and fell down a-fainting at the very mention of his mishaps. He solaced her, till she came to herself and said, "By Allah, O my son, you have done unwisely in parting with the rod and the cap for, had you kept them with the care due to them, you were master of the whole earth, in its breadth and length; but praised be Allah, for your safety, O my son, and that of your wife and children!" They passed the night in all pleasance and happiness, and on the morrow Hasan changed his clothes and donning a suit of the richest apparel, went down into the bazar and bought black slaves and slave-girls and the richest stuffs and ornaments and furniture such as carpets and costly vessels and all manner other precious things, whose like is not found with Kings. Moreover, he purchased houses and gardens and estates and so forth and abode with his wife and his children and his mother, eating and drinking and pleasuring: nor did they cease from all joy of life and its solace till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and the Severer of societies. And Glory be to Him who hath dominion over the Seen and the Unseen, [185] who is the Living, the Eternal, Who dies not at all! And men also recount the adventures of

There was once in tides of yore and in ages and times long gone before, in the city of Baghdad, a fisherman, named Khalífah, a pauper, who had never once been married in all his days. [186] It chanced one morning, that he took his net and went with it to the river, as was his practise, with the view of fishing before the others came. When he reached the bank, he girt himself and tucked up his skirts; then stepping into the water, he spread his net and cast it a first cast and a second but it brought up nothing. He ceased not to throw it, till he had made ten casts, and still nothing came up therein; wherefore his breast was straitened and his mind perplexed concerning his case and he said, "I crave pardon of God the Great, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal, and unto Him I repent. There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Whatever He wills is and whatever He nills is not! Upon Allah (to whom belong Honour and Glory!) depends daily bread! When He gives to His servant, none denies him; and when He denies a servant, none gives to him." And of the excess of his distress, he recited these two couplets,

"An Fate afflict you, with grief manifest, * Prepare your patience and make broad your breast; For of His grace the Lord of all the worlds * Shall send to wait upon unrest sweet Rest."

Then he sat awhile pondering his case, and with his head bowed down recited also these couplets,

"Patience with sweet and with bitter Fate! * And weet that His will He shall consummate: Night oft upon woe as on abscess acts * And brings it up to the bursting state: And Chance and Change shall pass o'er the youth * And fleet from his thoughts and no more shall bait."

Then he said in his mind, "I will make this one more cast, trusting in Allah, so perhaps He may not disappoint my hope;" and he rose and casting into the river the net as far as his arm availed, gathered the cords in his hands and waited a full hour, after which he pulled at it and, finding it heavy,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-second Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Khalifah the Fisherman had cast his net sundry times into the stream, yet had it brought up nothing, he pondered his case and improvised the verses afore quoted. Then he said in his mind, "I will make this one more cast, trusting in Allah who perhaps will not disappoint my hope." So he rose and threw the net and waited a full hour, after which time he pulled at it and, finding it heavy, handled it gently and drew it in, little by little, till he got it ashore, when lo and behold! he saw in it a one-eyed, lame-legged ape. Seeing this said Khalifah, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah! verily, we are Allah's and to Him we are returning! What means this heart-breaking, miserable ill-luck and hapless fortune? What is come to me this blessed day? But all this is of the destinies of Almighty Allah!" Then he took the ape and tied him with a cord to a tree which grew on the river-bank, and grasping a whip he had with him, raised his arm in the air, thinking to bring down the scourge upon the quarry, when Allah made the ape speak with a fluent tongue, saying, "O Khalifah, hold your hand and beat me not, but leave me bounden to this tree and go down to the river and cast your net, confiding in Allah; for He will give you your daily bread." Hearing this Khalifah went down to the river and casting his net, let the cords run out. Then he pulled it in and found it heavier than before; so he ceased not to tug at it, till he brought it to land, when, behold, there was another ape in it, with front teeth wide apart, [187] Kohl-darkened eyes and hands stained with Henna-dyes; and he was laughing and wore a tattered waistcloth about his middle. Said Khalifah, "Praised be Allah who has changed the fish of the river into apes!" [188] then, going up to the first ape, who was still tied to the tree, he said to him, "See, O unlucky, how fulsome was the counsel you gave me! None but you made me light on this second ape: and for that you gave me good-morrow with your one eye and your lameness, [189] I am become distressed and weary, without dirham or dinar." So saying, he took in hand a stick [190] and flourishing it thrice in the air, was about to come down with it upon the lame ape, when the creature cried out for mercy and said to him, "I conjure you, by Allah, spare me for the sake of this my fellow and seek of him your need; for he will guide you to your desire!" So he held his hand from him and throwing down the stick, went up to and stood by the second ape, who said to him, "O Khalifah, this my speech [191] will profit you nothing, unless you hearken to what I say to you; but, if you do my bidding and cross me not, I will be the cause of your enrichment." Asked Khalifah, "And what have you to say to me that I may obey there therein?" The Ape answered, "Leave me bound on the bank and go down to the river; then cast your net a third time, and after I will tell you what to do." So he took his net and going down to the river, cast it once more and waited awhile. Then he drew it in and finding it heavy, labored at it and ceased not his travail till he got it ashore, when he found in it yet another ape; but this one was red, with a blue waistcloth about his middle; his hands and feet were stained with Henna and his eyes blackened with Kohl. When Khalifah saw this, he exclaimed, "Glory to God the Great! Extolled be the perfection of the Lord of Dominion! Verily, this is a blessed day from first to last: its ascendant was fortunate in the countenance of the first ape, and the scroll [192] is known by its superscription! Verily, today is a day of apes: there is not a single fish left in the river, and we are come out today but to catch monkeys!" Then he turned to the third ape and said, "And what thing are you also, O unlucky?" Said the ape, "Do you not know me, O Khalifah!"; and said he, "Not I!" The ape cried, "I am the ape of Abu al-Sa'ádát [193] the Jew, the shroff." Asked Khalifah, "And what do you for him?"; and the ape answered, "I give him good-morrow at the first of the day, and he gains five ducats; and again at the end of the day, I give him good-even and he gains another five ducats." Whereupon Khalifah turned to the first ape and said to him, "See, O unlucky, what fine apes other folks have! As for you, you give me good-morrow with your one eye and your lameness and your ill-omened phiz and I become poor and bankrupt and hungry!" So saying, he took the cattle-stick and flourishing it thrice in the air, was about to come down with it on the first ape, when Abu al-Sa'adat's ape said to him, "Let him be, O Khalifah, hold your hand and come here to me, that I may tell you what to do." So Khalifah threw down the stick and walking up to him cried, "And what have you to say to me, O monarch of all monkeys?" Replied the ape, "Leave me and the other two apes here, and take your net and cast it into the river; and whatever comes up, bring it to me, and I will tell you what shall gladden you."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-third Night

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the ape of Abu al-Sa'adat said to Khalifah, "Take your net and cast it into the river; and whatever comes up, bring it to me, and I will tell you what shall gladden you." He replied, "I hear and obey," and took the net and gathered it on his shoulder, reciting these couplets,

"When straitened is my breast I will of my Creator pray, * Who may and can the heaviest weight lighten in easiest way; For before man's glance can turn or close his eye by God His grace * Waxeth the broken whole and yieldeth jail its prison-prey. Therefore with Allah one and all of your concerns commit * Whose grace and favour men of wit shall nevermore gainsay."

And also these two,

"You art the cause that castest men in ban and bane; * Sorrow e'en so and sorrow's cause You canst assain: Make me not covet anything that lies beyond my reach; * How many a greedy wight his wish hath failed to gain!"

Now when Khalifah had made an end of his verse, he went down to the river and casting his net, waited awhile; after which he drew it up and found therein a fine young fish, [194] with a big head, a tail like a ladle and eyes like two gold pieces. When Khalifah saw this fish, he rejoiced, for he had never in his life caught its like, so he took it, marvelling, and carried it to the ape of Abu al-Sa'adat the Jew, as 'twere he had gotten possession of the universal world. Said the ape, "O Khalifah, what will you do with this and with your ape?"; and said the Fisherman, "I will tell you, O monarch of monkeys all I am about to do. Know then that first, I will cast about to make away with yonder accursed, my ape, and take you in his stead and give you every day to eat of whatever you will." Rejoined the ape, "Since you have made choice of me, I will tell you how you shall do wherein, if it please Allah Almighty, shall be the mending of your fortune. Lend your mind, then, to what I say to you and 'tis this!: Take another cord and tie me also to a tree, where leave me and go to the midst of The Dyke [195] and cast your net into the Tigris. [196] Then after waiting awhile, draw it up and you shall find therein a fish, than which you never saw a finer in your whole life. Bring it to me and I will tell you how you shall do after this." So Khalifah rose immediately and casting his net into the Tigris, drew up a great cat-fish [197] the bigness of a lamb; never had he set eyes on its like, for it was larger than the first fish. He carried it to the ape, who said to him, "Gather you some green grass and set half of it in a basket; lay the fish therein and cover it with the other moiety. Then, leaving us here tied, shoulder the basket and betake you to Baghdad. If any bespeak you or question you by the way, answer him not, but fare on till you come to the market-street of the money-changers, at the upper end of whereof you will find the shop of Master [198] Abu al-Sa'adat the Jew, Shaykh of the shroffs, and will see him sitting on a mattress, with a cushion behind him and two coffers, one for gold and one for silver, before him, while around him stand his Mamelukes and negro-slaves and servant-lads. Go up to him and set the basket before him, saying 'O Abu al-Sa'adat, verily I went out today to fish and cast my net in your name and Allah Almighty sent me this fish.' He will ask, 'Have you shown it to any but me?;' and do you answer, "No, by Allah!' then will he take it of you and give you a dinar. Give it back to him and he will give you two dinars; but do you return them also and so do with everything he may offer you; and take nothing from him, though he give you the fish's weight in gold. Then will he say to you, 'Tell me what you would have,' and do you reply, "By Allah, I will not sell the fish save for two words!' He will ask, 'What are they?' and do you answer, 'Stand up and say, 'Bear witness, O you who are present in the market, that I give Khalifah the fisherman my ape in exchange for his ape, and that I barter for his lot my lot and luck for his luck.' This is the price of the fish, and I have no need of gold.' If he do this, I will every day give you good-morrow and good-even, and every day you shall gain ten dinars of good gold; while this one-eyed, lame-legged ape shall daily give the Jew good-morrow, and Allah shall afflict him every day with an avanie [199] which he must needs pay, nor will he cease to be thus afflicted till he is reduced to beggary and has nothing. Hearken then to my words; so shall you prosper and be guided aright." Said Khalifah, "I accept your counsel, O monarch of all the monkeys! But, as for this unlucky, may Allah never bless him! I know not what to do with him." Said the ape, "Let him go [200] into the water, and let me go also." "I hear and obey," answered Khalifah and unbound the three apes, and they went down into the river. Then he took up the cat-fish [201] which he washed then laid it in the basket upon some green grass, and covered it with other; and lastly shouldering his load, set out chanting the following Mawwál, [202]

"Thy case commit to a Heavenly Lord and you shall safety see; * Act kindly through your worldly life and live repentance- free. Mate not with folk suspected, lest eke you should suspected be * And from reviling keep your tongue lest men revile at you!"

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-fourth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Khalifah the fisherman, after ending his song, set out with the basket upon his shoulder and ceased not faring till he entered the city of Baghdad. And as he threaded the streets the folk knew him and cried out to him, saying, "What have you there, O Khalifah?" but he paid no heed to them and passed on till he came to the market-street of the money-changers and fared between the shops, as the ape had charged him, till he found the Jew seated at the upper end, with his servants in attendance upon him, as he were a King of the Kings of Khorason. He knew him at first sight; so he went up to him and stood before him, whereupon Abu al-Sa'adat raised his eyes and recognising him, said, "Welcome, O Khalifah! What do you want and what is your need? If any have missaid you or spited you, tell me and I will go with you to the Chief of Police, who shall do you justice on him." Replied Khalifah, "Nay, as your head lives, O chief of the Jews, none has missaid me. But I went forth this morning to the river and, casting my net into the Tigris on your luck, brought up this fish." Therewith he opened the basket and threw the fish before the Jew who admired it and said, "By the Pentateuch and the Ten Commandments, [203] I dreamt last night that the Virgin came to me and said, 'Know, O Abu al-Sa'adat, that I have sent you a pretty present!' and doubtless 'tis this fish." Then he turned to Khalifah and said to him, "By your faith, has any seen it but I?" Khalifah replied, "No by Allah and by Abu Bakr the Viridical, [204] none has seen it save thou, O chief of the Jews!" Whereupon the Jew turned to one of his lads and said to him, "Come, carry this fish to my house and bid Sa'ádah [205] dress it and fry and broil it, against I make an end of my business and go home." And Khalifah said, "Go, O my lad; let the master's wife fry some of it and broil the rest." Answered the boy, "I hear and I obey, O my lord" and, taking the fish, went away with it to the house. Then the Jew put out his hand and gave Khalifah the fisherman a dinar, saying, "Take this for yourself, O Khalifah, and spend it on your family." When Khalifah saw the dinar on his palm, he took it, saying, "Laud to the Lord of Dominion!" as if he had never seen anything of gold in his life; and went somewhat away; but, before he had gone far, he was minded of the ape's charge and turning back threw down the ducat, saying, "Take your gold and give folk back their fish! Do you make a laughing stock of folk? The Jew hearing this thought he was jesting and offered him two dinars upon the other, but Khalifah said, "Give me the fish and no nonsense. How knew you I would sell it at this price?" Whereupon the Jew gave him two more dinars and said, "Take these five ducats for your fish and leave greed." So Khalifah took the five dinars in hand and went away, rejoicing, and gazing and marvelling at the gold and saying, "Glory be to God! There is not with the Caliph of Baghdad what is with me this day!" Then he ceased not faring on till he came to the end of the market-street, when he remembered the words of the ape and his charge, and returning to the Jew, threw him back the gold. Said he, "What ails you, O Khalifah? Do you want silver in exchange for gold?" Khalifah replied, "I want neither dirhams nor dinars. I only want you to give me back folk's fish." With this the Jew waxed angry and shouted out at him, saying, "O fisherman, you bring me a fish not worth a sequin and I give you five for it; yet you are not content! Art you Jinn-mad? Tell me for how much you will sell it." Answered Khalifah, "I will not sell it for silver nor for gold, only for two sayings [206] you shall say me." When the Jew heard speak of the "Two Sayings," his eyes sank into his head, he breathed hard and ground his teeth for rage and said to him, "O nail-paring of the Moslems, will you have me throw off my faith for the sake of your fish, and will you debauch me from my religion and stultify my belief and my conviction which I inherited of old from my forbears?" Then he cried out to the servants who were in waiting and said, "Out on you! Bash me this unlucky rogue's neck and bastinado him soundly!" So they came down upon him with blows and ceased not beating him till he fell beneath the shop, and the Jew said to them, "Leave him and let him rise." Whereupon Khalifah jumped up, as if nothing ailed him, and the Jew said to him, "Tell me what price you ask for this fish and I will give it you: for you have gotten but scant good of us this day." Answered the Fisherman, "Have no fear for me, O master, because of the beating; for I can eat ten donkeys' rations of stick." The Jew laughed at his words and said, "Allah upon you, tell me what you will have and by the right of my Faith, I will give it you!" The Fisherman replied, "Naught from you will remunerate me for this fish save the two words whereof I spoke." And the Jew said, "I think you would have me become a Moslem?" [207] Khalifah rejoined, "By Allah, O Jew, if you islamise 'twill nor advantage the Moslems nor damage the Jews; and in like manner, if you hold to your misbelief 'twill nor damage the Moslems nor advantage the Jews. But what I desire of you is that you rise to your feet and say, 'Bear witness against me, O people of the market, that I barter my ape for the ape of Khalifah the Fisherman and my lot in the world for his lot and my luck for his luck.'" Said the Jew, "If this is all you desire 'twill sit lightly upon me." —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-fifth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Jew said to Khalifah the Fisherman, "If this is all you desire, 'twill sit lightly upon me." So he rose without stay or delay and standing on his feet, repeated the required words; after which he turned to the Fisherman and asked him, "Have you anything else to ask of me?" "No," answered he, and the Jew said, "Go in peace!" Hearing this Khalifah sprung to his feet forthright; took up his basket and net and returned straight to the Tigris, where he threw his net and pulled it in. He found it heavy and brought it not ashore but with travail, when he found it full of fish of all kinds. Presently, up came a woman with a dish, who gave me a dinar, and he gave her fish for it; and after her an eunuch, who also bought a dinar's worth of fish, and so forth till he had sold ten dinars' worth. And he continued to sell ten dinars' worth of fish daily for ten days, till he had gotten a hundred dinars. Now Khalifah the Fisherman had quarters in the Passage of the Merchants, [208] and, as he lay one night in his lodging much bemused with Hashish, he said to himself, "O Khalifah, the folk all know you for a poor fisherman, and now you have gotten a hundred golden dinars. Needs must the Commander of the Faithful, Harun al-Rashid, hear of this from someone, and perhaps he will be wanting money and will send for you and say to you, 'I need a sum of money and it has reached me that you have a hundred dinars: so do you lend them to me those same.' I shall answer, 'O Commander of the Faithful, I am a poor man, and whoever told you that I had a hundred dinars lied against me; for I have nothing of this.' Thereupon he will commit me to the Chief of Police, saying, "Strip him of his clothes and torment him with the bastinado till he confess and give up the hundred dinars in his possession. Wherefore, to provide against this predicament, the best thing I can do, is to rise immediately and bash myself with the whip, so to use myself to beating." And his Hashish [209] said to him, "Rise, doff your dress." So he stood up and putting off his clothes, took a whip he had by him and set handy a leathern pillow; then he fell to lashing himself, laying every other blow upon the pillow and roaring out the while, "Alas! Alas! By Allah, 'tis a false saying, O my lord, and they have lied against me; for I am a poor fisherman and have nothing of the goods of the world!" The noise of the whip falling on the pillow and on his person resounded in the still of night and the folk heard it, and among others the merchants, and they said, "Whatever can ail the poor fellow, that he cries and we hear the noise of blows falling on him?" 'Twould seem robbers have broken in upon him and are tormenting him." Presently they all came forth of their lodgings, at the noise of the blows and the crying, and repaired to Khalifah's room, but they found the door locked and said one to other, "Belike the robbers have come in upon him from the back of the adjoining saloon. It behooves us to climb over by the roofs." So they climbed over the roofs and coming down through the sky-light, [210] saw him naked and flogging himself and asked him, "What ails you, O Khalifah?" He answered, "Know, O folk, that I have gained some dinars and fear lest my case be carried up to the Prince of True Believers, Harun al-Rashid, and he send for me and demand of me those same gold pieces; whereupon I should deny, and I fear that, if I deny, he will torture me, so I am torturing myself, by way of accustoming me to what may come." The merchants laughed at him and said, "Leave this fooling, may Allah not bless you and the dinars you have gotten! Verily you have disturbed us this night and have troubled our hearts." So Khalifah left flogging himself and slept till the morning, when he rose and would have gone about his business, but bethought him of his hundred dinars and said in his mind, "If I leave them at home, thieves will steal them, and if I put them in a belt [211] about my waist, peradventure some one will see me and lay in wait for me till he come upon me in some lonely place and slay me and take the money: but I have a device that should serve me well, right well." So he jumped up immediately and made him a pocket in the collar of his gaberdine and tying the hundred dinars up in a purse, laid them in the collar-pocket. Then he took his net and basket and staff and went down to the Tigris, — And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-sixth Night

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Khalifah the Fisherman, having set his hundred dinars in the collar-pocket took basket, staff and net and went down to the Tigris, where he made a cast but brought up nothing. So he removed from that place to another and threw again, but once more the net came up empty; and he went on removing from place to place till he had gone half a day's journey from the city, ever casting the net which kept bringing up nothing. So he said to himself, "By Allah, I will throw my net a-stream but his once more, whether ill come of it or weal!" [212] Then he hurled the net with all his force, of the excess and his wrath and the purse with the hundred dinars flew out of his collar-pocket and, lighting in mid-stream, was carried away by the strong current; whereupon he threw down the net and plunged into the water after the purse. He dived for it nigh a hundred times, till his strength was exhausted and he came up for sheer fatigue without chancing on it. When he despaired of finding the purse, he returned to the shore, where he was nothing but staff, net and basket and sought for his clothes, but could light on no trace of them: so he said in himself, "O vilest of those wherefor was made the byword, 'The pilgrimage is not perfected save by copulation with the camel!" [213] Then he wrapped the net about him and taking staff in one hand and basket in other, went trotting about like a camel in rut, running right and left and backwards and forwards, dishevelled and dusty, as he were a rebel Marid let loose from Solomon's prison. [214] So far for what concerns the Fisherman Khalifah; but as regards the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, he had a friend, a jeweller called Ibn al-Kirnás, [215] and all the traders, brokers and middle-men knew him for the Caliph's merchant; wherefore there was nothing sold in Baghdad, by way of rarities and things of price or Mamelukes or handmaidens, but was first shown to him. As he sat one day in his shop, behold, there came up to him the Shaykh of the brokers, with a slave-girl, whose like seers never saw, for she was of passing beauty and loveliness, symmetry and perfect grace, and among her gifts was that she knew all arts and sciences and could make verses and play upon all manner musical instruments. So Ibn al-Kirnas bought her for five thousand golden dinars and clothed her with other thousand; after which he carried her to the Prince of True Believers, with whom she lay the night and who made trial of her in every kind of knowledge and accomplishment and found her versed in all sorts of arts and sciences, having no equal in her time. Her name was Kút al-Kulúb [216] and she was even as says the poet,

"I fix my glance on her, whene'er she wends; * And non-acceptance of my glance breeds pain: She favours graceful-necked gazelle at gaze; * And 'Graceful as gazelle' to say we're fain."

And where is this [217] beside the saying of another?

"Give me brunettes; the Syrian spears, so limber and so straight, Tell of the slender dusky maids, so lithe and proud of gait. Languid of eyelids, with a down like silk upon her cheek, Within her wasting lover's heart she queens it still in state."

On the morrow the Caliph sent for Ibn al-Kirnas the Jeweller, and bade him receive ten thousand dinars as to her price. And his heart was taken up with the slave-girl Kut al-Kulub and he forsook the Lady Zubaydah bint al-Kasim, for all she was the daughter of his father's brother [218] and he abandoned all his favorite concubines and abode a whole month without stirring from Kut al-Kulub's side save to go to the Friday prayers and return to her in all haste. This was grievous to the Lords of the Realm and they complained thereof to the Wazir Ja'afar the Barmecide, who bore with the Commander of the Faithful and waited till the next Friday, when he entered the cathedral-mosque and, foregathering with the Caliph, related to him all that occurred to him of extra-ordinary stories about seldom-seen love and lovers, with intent to draw out what was in his mind. Said the Caliph, "By Allah, O Ja'afar, this is not of my choice; but my heart is caught in the snare of love and I know not what is to be done!" The Wazir Ja'afar replied, "O Commander of the Faithful, you know how this girl Kut al-Kulub is become at your disposal and of the number of your servants, and that which hand possess soul covets not. Moreover, I will tell you another thing which is that the highest boast of Kings and Princes is in hunting and the pursuit of sport and victory; and if you apply yourself to this, perchance it will divert you from her, and it may be you will forget her." Rejoined the Caliph, "You say well, O Ja'afar; come let us go a-hunting forthright, without stay or delay." So soon as Friday prayers were prayed, they left the mosque and at once mounting their she-mules rode forth to the chase. —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-seventh Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Caliph Harun al-Rashid and the Wazir Ja'afar would go forth a-hunting and a-chasing, they mounted two she-mules and fared on into the open country, occupied with talk, and their attendants outwent them. Presently the heat became over hot and Al-Rashid said to his Wazir, "O Ja'afar, I am sore athirst." Then he looked around and espying a figure in the distance on a high mound, asked Ja'afar, "Do you see what I see?" Answered the Wazir, "Yes, O Commander of the Faithful; I see a dim figure on a high mound; probably he is the keeper of a garden or of a cucumber-plot, and in whatever wise water will not be lacking in his neighborhood;" presently adding, "I will go to him and fetch you some." But Al-Rashid said, "My mule is swifter than your mule; so you abide here, on account of the troops, while I go myself to him and get of this person [219] drink and return." So saying, he urged his she-mule, which started off like racing wind or railing-water and, in the twinkling of an eye, made the mound, where he found the figure he had seen to be none other than Khalifah the Fisherman, naked and wrapped in the net; and indeed he was horrible to behold, as to and fro he rolled with eyes for very redness like cresset-gleam and dusty hair in dishevelled trim, as he were an Ifrit or a lion grim. Al-Rashid saluted him and he returned his salutation; but he was angry and fires might have been lit at his breath. Said the Caliph, "O man, have you any water?"; and said Khalifah, "Ho you, are you blind, or Jinn-mad? Get you to the river Tigris, for 'tis behind this mound." So Al-Rashid went around the mound and going down to the river, drank and watered his mule: then without a moment's delay he returned to Khalifah and said to him, "What ails you, O man, to stand here, and what is your calling?" The Fisherman cried, "This is a stranger and sillier question than that about the water! See you not the gear of my craft on my shoulder?" Said the Caliph, "Perhaps you are a fisherman?"; and he replied, "Yes." Asked Al-Rashid, "Where is your gaberdine, [220] and where are your waistcloth and girdle and where be the rest of your raiment?" Now these were the very things which had been taken from Khalifah, like for like; so, when he heard the Caliph name them, he got into his head that it was he who had stolen his clothes from the river-bank and coming down from the top of the mound, swiftlier than the blinding leven, laid hold of the mule's bridle, saying, "Harkye, man, bring me back my things and leave jesting and joking." Al-Rashid replied, "By Allah, I have not seen your clothes nor know anything of them!" Now the Caliph had large cheeks and a small mouth; [221] so Khalifah said to him, "Belike, you are by trade a singer or a piper on pipes? But bring me back my clothes fairly and without more ado, or I will bash you with this my staff till you bepiss yourself and befoul your clothes." When Al-Rashid saw the staff in the Fisherman's hand and that he had the advantage of him, he said to himself, "By Allah, I cannot brook from this mad beggar half a blow of that staff!" Now he had on a satin gown; so he pulled it off and gave it to Khalifah, saying, "O man, take this in place of your clothes." The Fisherman took it and turned it about and said, "My clothes are worth ten of this painted 'Abá-cloak;" and rejoined the Caliph, "Put it on till I bring you your gear." So Khalifah donned the gown, but finding it too long for him, took a knife he had with him, tied to the handle of his basket, [222] and cut off nigh a third of the skirt, so that it fell only beneath his knees. Then he turned to Al-Rashid and said to him, "Allah upon you, O piper, tell me what wage you get every month from your master, for your craft of piping." Replied the Caliph, "My wage is ten dinars a month," and Khalifah continued, "By Allah, my poor fellow, you make me sorry for you! Why, I make your ten dinars every day! have you a mind to take service with me and I will teach you the art of fishing and share my gain with you? So shall you make five dinars a day and be my slave and I will protect you against your master with this staff." Said Al-Rashid, "I will well"; and said Khalifah, "Then get off your she-ass and tie her up, so she may serve us to carry the fish hereafter, and come hither, that I may teach you to fish forthright." So Al-Rashid alighted and hobbling his mule, tucked his skirts into his girdle, and Khalifah said to him, "O piper, lay hold of the net thus and put it over your forearm thus and cast it into the Tigris thus." Accordingly, the Caliph took heart of grace and, doing as the fisherman showed him, threw the net and pulled at it, but could not draw it up. So Khalifah came to his aid and tugged at it with him; but the two together could not hale it up: where upon said the fisherman, "O piper of ill-omen, for the first time I took your gown in place of my clothes; but this second time I will have your ass and will beat you to boot, till you bepiss and beskite yourself! An I find my net torn." Said Al-Rashid, "Let the twain of us pull at once." So they both pulled together and succeeded with difficulty in hauling that net ashore, when they found it full of fish of all kinds and colors;—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-eighth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Khalifah the Fisherman and the Caliph hauled that net ashore, they found it full of fish of all kinds; and Khalifah said to Al-Rashid, "By Allah, O piper, you are foul of favor but, if you apply yourself to fishing, you will make a mighty fine fisherman. But now 'twere best you bestraddle your ass and make for the market and fetch me a pair of frails, [223] and I will look after the fish till you return, when I and you will load it on your ass's back. I have scales and weights and all we want, so we can take them with us and you will have nothing to do but to hold the scales and pouch the price; for here we have fish worth twenty dinars. So be fast with the frails and loiter not." Answered the Caliph, "I hear and obey" and mounting, left him with his fish, and spurred his mule, in high good humour, and ceased not laughing over his adventures with the Fisherman, till he came up to Ja'afar, who said to him, "O Commander of the Faithful, perhaps, when you went down to drink, you found a pleasant flower-garden and entered and took your pleasure therein alone?" At this Al-Rashid fell a laughing again and all the Barmecides rose and kissed the ground before him, saying, "O Commander of the Faithful, Allah make joy to endure for you and do away annoy from you! What was the cause of your delaying when you fared to drink and what has befallen you?" Said the Caliph, "Verily, a right wonderous tale and a joyous and wonderous adventure has befallen me." And he repeated to them what had passed between himself and the Fisherman and his words, "You stole my clothes!" and how he had given him his gown and how he had cut off a part of it, finding it too long for him. Said Ja'afar, "By Allah, O Commander of the Faithful, I had it in mind to beg the gown of you; but now I will go straight to the Fisherman and buy it of him." The Caliph replied, "By Allah, he has cut off a third part of the skirt and spoilt it! But, O Ja'afar, I am tired with fishing in the river, for I have caught great store of fish which I left on the bank with my master Khalifah, and he is watching them and waiting for me to return to him with a couple of frails and a matchet. [224] Then we are to go, I and he, to the market and sell the fish and share the price." Ja'afar rejoined, "O Commander of the Faithful, I will bring you a purchaser for your fish." And Al-Rashid retorted, "O Ja'afar, by the virtue of my holy forefathers, whoever brings me one of the fish that are before Khalifah, who taught me angling, I will give him for it a gold dinar." So the crier proclaimed among the troops that they should go forth and buy fish for the Caliph, and they all arose and made for the river-side. Now, while Khalifah was expecting the Caliph's return with the two frails, behold, the Mamelukes swooped down upon him like vultures and took the fish and wrapped them in gold-embroidered kerchiefs, beating one another in their eagerness to get at the Fisherman. Whereupon said Khalifah, "Doubtless these are of the fish of Paradise!" [225] and taking two fish in right hand and left, plunged into the water up to his neck and fell a-saying, "O Allah, by the virtue of these fish, let Your servant the piper, my partner, come to me at this very moment." And suddenly up to him came a black slave which was the chief of the Caliph's negro eunuchs. He had tarried behind the rest, by reason of his horse having stopped to make water by the way, and finding that nothing remained of the fish, little or much, looked right and left, till he espied Khalifah standing in the stream, with a fish in either hand, and said to him, "Come hither, O Fisherman!" But Khalifah replied, "Begone and none of your impudence!" [226] So the eunuch went up to him and said, "Give me the fish and I will pay you their price." Replied the Fisherman, "Are you little of wit? I will not sell them." Therewith the eunuch drew his mace upon him, and Khalifah cried out, saying, "Strike not, O loon! Better largesse than the mace." [227] So saying, he threw the two fishes to the eunuch, who took them and laid them in his kerchief. Then he put hand in pouch, but found not a single dirham and said to Khalifah, "O Fisherman, verily you are out of luck for, by Allah, I have not a silver about me! But come tomorrow to the Palace of the Caliphate and ask for the eunuch Sandal; whereupon the castratos will direct you to me and by coming there you shall get what falls to your lot and with it wend your ways." Said Khalifah, "Indeed, this is a blessed day and its blessedness was manifest from the first of it!" [228] Then he shouldered his net and returned to Baghdad; and as he passed through the streets, the folk saw the Caliph's gown on him and stared at him till he came to the gate of his quarter, by which was the shop of the Caliph's tailor. When the man saw him wearing a dress of the apparel of the Caliph, worth a thousand dinars, he said to him, "O Khalifah, whence had you that gown?" Replied the Fisherman, "What ails you to be impudent? I had it of one whom I taught to fish and who is become my apprentice. O forgave him the cutting off of his hand [229] for that he stole my clothes and gave me this cape in their place." So the tailor knew that the Caliph had come upon him as he was fishing and jested with him and given him the gown;—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Thirty-ninth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Caliph came upon Khalifah the Fisherman and gave him his own gown in jest wherewith the man fared home. Such was his case; but as regards Harun al-Rashid, he had gone out a-hunting and a-fishing only to divert his thoughts from the damsel, Kut al-Kulub. But when Zubaydah heard of her and of the Caliph's devotion to her, the Lady was fired with the jealousy which the more especially fires women, so that she refused meat and drink and rejected the delights of sleep and awaited the Caliph's going forth on a journey or what not, that she might set a snare for the damsel. So when she learnt that he was gone hunting and fishing, she bade her women furnish the Palace fairly and decorate it splendidly and serve up viands and confections; and among the rest she made a China dish of the daintiest sweetmeats that can be made in which she had put Bhang. Then she ordered one of her eunuchs go to the damsel Kut al-Kulub and bid her to the banquet, saying, "The Lady Zubaydah bint Al-Kasim, the wife of the Commander of the Faithful, has drunken medicine today and, having heard tell of the sweetness of your singing, longs to divert herself somewhat with your art." Kut al-Kulub replied, "Hearing and obedience are due to Allah and the Lady Zubaydah," and rose without stay or delay, not knowing what was hidden for her in the Secret Purpose. Then she took with her what instruments she needed and, accompanying the eunuch, ceased not fairing till she stood in the presence of the Princess. When she entered she kissed ground before her again and again, then rising to her feet, said, "Peace be on the Lady of the exalted house Abbasi and scion of the Prophet's family! May Allah fulfil you of peace and prosperity in the days and the years!" [230] Then she stood with the rest of the women and eunuchs, and presently the Lady Zubaydah raised her eyes and considered her beauty and loveliness. She saw a damsel with cheeks smooth as rose and breasts like granado, a face moon-bright, a brow flower-white and great eyes black as night; her eyelids were langour-dight and her face beamed with light, as if the sun from her forehead arose and the murks of the night from the locks of her brow; and the fragrance of musk from her breath strayed and flowers bloomed in her lovely face inlaid; the moon beamed from her forehead and in her slender shape the branches swayed. She was like the full moon shining in the nightly shade; her eyes wantoned, her eyebrows were like a bow arched and her lips of coral moulded. Her beauty amazed all who espied her and her glances amated all who eyed her. Glory be to Him who formed her and fashioned her and perfected her! Brief, she was even as says the poet of one who favored her,

"When she's incensed you seest folk like slain, * And when she's pleased, their souls are quick again: Her eyne are armed with glances magical * Wherewith she kills and quickens as she's fain. The Worlds she leadeth captive with her eyes * As tho' the Worlds were all her slavish train."

Said the Lady Zubaydah, "Well come, and welcome and fair cheer to you, O Kut al-Kulub! Sit and divert us with your art and the goodliness of your accomplishments." Said the damsel, "I hear and I obey"; and, putting out her hand, took the tambourine, whereof one of its praisers speaks in the following verses,

"Ho you o' the tabret, my heart takes flight * And love-smit cries while your fingers smite! You takest nothing but a wounded heart, * The while for acceptance longs the wight: So say you word or heavy or light; * Play whate'er you please it will charm the sprite. Sois bonne, unveil your cheek, ma belle * Rise, deftly dance and all hearts delight."

Then she smote the tambourine briskly and so sang thereto, that she stopped the birds in the sky and the place danced with them blithely; after which she laid down the tambourine and took the pipe [231] whereof it is said,

"She hath eyes whose babes wi' their fingers sign * To sweet tunes without a discordant line."

And as the poet also said in this couplet,

"And, when she announceth the will to sing, * For Union-joy 'tis a time divine!"

Then she laid down the pipe, after she had charmed with it all who were present, and took up the lute, whereof says the poet,

"How many a blooming bough in the glee-girl's hand is fain * as lute to 'witch great souls by charm of cunning strain! She sweeps tormenting lute strings by her artful touch * Wi' finger-tips that surely chain with endless chain."

Then she tightened its pegs and tuned its strings and laying it in her lap, bended over it as mother bends over a child; and it seemed as it were of her and her lute that the poet spoke in these couplets,

"Sweetly discourses she on Persian string * And Unintelligence makes understand. And teaches she that Love's a murderer, * Who oft the reasoning Moslem hath unmann'd. A maid, by Allah, in whose palm a thing * Of painted wood like mouth can speech command. With lute she stauncheth flow of Love; and so * Stops flow of blood the cunning leach's hand."

Then she preluded in fourteen different modes and sang to the lute an entire piece, so as to confound the gazers and delight her hearers. After which she recited these two couplets,

"The coming unto you is blest: * Therein new joys for aye attend: Its blisses are continuous * Its blessings never end."

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fortieth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the maiden, Kut al-Kulub, after singing these songs and sweeping the strings in presence of the Lady Zubaydah, rose and exhibited tricks of sleight of hand and trickery and all manner pleasing arts, till the Princess came near to fall in love with her and said to herself, "Verily, my cousin Al-Rashid is not to blame for loving her!" Then the damsel kissed ground before Zubaydah and sat down, whereupon they set food before her. Presently they brought her the drugged dish of sweetmeats and she ate thereof; and hardly had it settled in her stomach when her head fell backward and she sank on the ground sleeping. With this, the Lady said to her women, "Carry her up to one of the chambers, till I summon her"; and they replied, "We hear and we obey." Then said she to one of her eunuchs, "Fashion me a chest and bring it hitherto to me!", and shortly afterwards she bade make the semblance of a tomb and spread the report that Kut al-Kulub had choked and died, threatening her familiars that she would smite the neck of whoever should say, "She is alive." Now, behold, the Caliph suddenly returned from the chase, and the first enquiry he made was for the damsel. So there came to him one of his eunuchs, whom the Lady Zubaydah had charged to declare she was dead, if the Caliph should ask for her and, kissing ground before him, said, "May your head live, O my lord! Be certified that Kut al-Kulub choked in eating and is dead." Whereupon cried Al-Rashid, "God never gladden you with good news, O you bad slave!" and entered the Palace, where he heard of her death from every one and asked, "Where is her tomb?" So they brought him to the sepulchre and showed him the pretended tomb, saying, "This is her burial-place." When he saw it, he cried out and wept and embraced it, quoting these two couplets, [232]

"By Allah, O tomb, have her beauties ceased and disappeared from sight * And is the countenance changed and wan, that shone so wonder-bright? O tomb, O tomb, you art neither heaven nor garden, verily: * How comes it then that swaying branch and moon in you unite?

The Caliph, weeping sore for her, abode by the tomb a full hour, after which he arose and went away, in the utmost distress and the deepest melancholy. So the Lady Zubaydah saw that her plot had succeeded and immediately sent for the eunuch and said, "Bring the chest here!" He set it before her, when she bade bring the damsel and locking her up therein, said to the eunuch, "Take all pains to sell this chest and make it a condition with the purchaser that he buy it locked; then give alms with its price." [233] So he took it and went forth, to do her bidding. Thus fared it with these; but as for Khalifah the Fisherman, when morning morrowed and shone with its light and sheen, he said to himself, "I cannot do anything better today than visit the eunuch who bought the fish of me, for he appointed me to come to him in the Palace of the Caliphate." So he went forth of his lodging, intending for the palace, and when he came thither, he found Mamelukes, negro-slaves and eunuchs standing and sitting; and looking at them, behold, seated among them was the Eunuch who had taken the fish of him, with the white slaves waiting on him. Presently, one of the Mameluke-lads called out to him; whereupon the Eunuch turned to see who he was an lo! it was the Fisherman. Now when Khalifah was aware that he saw him and recognized him, he said to him, "I have not failed you, O my little Tulip! [234] On this wise are men of their word." Hearing his address, Sandal the Eunuch [235] laughed and replied, "By Allah, you are right, O Fisherman," and put his hand to his pouch, to give him something; but at that moment there arose a great clamour. So he raised his head to see what was to do and finding that it was the Wazir Ja'afar the Barmecide coming forth from the Caliph's presence, he rose to him and went before him, and they walked about, conversing for a long time. Khalifah the Fisherman waited awhile; then, growing weary of standing and finding that the Eunuch took no heed of him, he set himself in his way and beckoned to him from afar, saying, "O my lord Tulip, give me my due and let me go!" The Eunuch heard him, but was ashamed to answer him because of the minister's presence; so he went on talking with Ja'afar and took no notice whatever of the Fisherman. Whereupon said Khalifah, "O Slow o' Pay! [236] May Allah put to shame all churls and all who take folks' goods and are niggardly with them! I put myself under your protection, O my lord Bran-belly, [237] to give me my due and let me go!" The Eunuch heard him, but was ashamed to answer him before Ja'afar; and the Minister saw the Fisherman beckoning and talking to him, though he knew not what he was saying; so he said to Sandal, disliking his behaviour, "O Eunuch, what would yonder beggar with you?" Sandal replied, "Do you not know him, O my lord the Wazir?"; and Ja'afar answered, "By Allah, I know him not! How should I know a man I have never seen but at this moment?" Rejoined the Eunuch, "O my lord, this is the Fisherman whose fish we seized on the banks of the Tigris. I came too late to get any and was ashamed to return to the Prince of True Believers, empty-handed, when all the Mamelukes had some. Presently I espied the Fisherman standing in mid-stream, calling on Allah, with four fishes in his hands, and said to him, 'Give me what you have there and take their worth.' He handed me the fish and I put my hand into my pocket, purposing to gift him with somewhat, but found nothing therein and said, 'Come to me in the Palace, and I will give you wherewithal to aid you in your poverty. So he came to me today and I was putting hand to pouch, that I might give him somewhat, when you came forth and I rose to wait on you and was diverted with you from him, till he grew tired of waiting and this is the whole story, how he comes to be standing here." —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-first Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Sandal the Eunuch related to Ja'afar the Barmecide the tale of Khalifah the Fisherman, ending with, "This is the whole story and how he comes to be standing here!" the Wazir, hearing this account, smiled and said, "O Eunuch, how is it that this Fisherman comes in his hour of need and you satisfy him not? Do you not know him, O Chief of the Eunuchs?" "No," answered Sandal and Ja'afar said, "This is the Master of the Commander of the Faithful, and his partner and our lord the Caliph has arisen this morning, strait of breast, heavy of heart and troubled of thought, nor is there anything will broaden his breast save this fisherman. So let him not go, till I crave the Caliph's pleasure concerning him and bring him before him; perchance Allah will relieve him of his oppression and console him for the loss of Kut al-Kulub, by means of the Fisherman's presence, and he will give him wherewithal to better himself; and you will be the cause of this." Replied Sandal, "O my lord, do as you will and may Allah Almighty long continue you a pillar of the dynasty of the Commander of the Faithful, whose shadow Allah perpetuate [238] and prosper it, root and branch!" Then the Wazir Ja'afar rose up and went in to the Caliph, and Sandal ordered the Mamelukes not to leave the Fisherman; whereupon Khalifah cried, "How goodly is your bounty, O Tulip! The seeker is become the sought. I come to seek my due, and they imprison me for debts in arrears!" [239] When Ja'afar came in to the presence of the Caliph, he found him sitting with his head bowed earthwards, breast straitened and mind melancholy, humming the verses of the poet,

"My blamers instant bid that I for her become consoled; * But I, what can I do, whose heart declines to be controlled? And how can I in patience bear the loss of lovely maid, * When fails me patience for a love that holds with firmest hold! Ne'er I'll forget her nor the bowl that 'twixt us both went round * And wine of glances maddened me with drunkenness ensoul'd."

When Ja'afar stood in the presence, he said, "Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful, Defender of the honor of the Faith and descendant of the uncle of the Prince of the Apostles, Allah assain him and save him and his family one and all!" The Caliph raised his head and answered, "And on you be peace and the mercy of Allah and His blessings!" Said Ja'afar; "With leave of the Prince of True Believers, his servant would speak without restraint." Asked the Caliph, "And when was restraint put upon you in speech and you the Prince of Wazirs? Say what you will." Answered Ja'afar, "When I went out, O my lord, from before you, intending for my house, I saw standing at the door your master and teacher and partner, Khalifah the Fisherman, who was aggrieved at you and complained of you saying, 'Glory be to God! I taught him to fish and he went away to fetch me a pair of frails, but never came back: and this is not the way of a good partner or of a good apprentice.' So, if you have a mind to partnership, well and good; and if not, tell him, that he may take to partner another." Now when the Caliph heard these words he smiled and his straitness of breast was done away with and he said, "My life on you, is this the truth you say, that the Fisherman stands at the door?" and Ja'afar replied, "By your life, O Commander of the Faithful, he stands at the door." Said the Caliph, "O Ja'afar, by Allah, I will assuredly do my best to give him his due! If Allah at my hands send him misery, he shall have it; and if prosperity he shall have it." Then he took a piece of paper and cutting it in pieces, said to the Wazir, "O Ja'afar, write down with your own hand twenty sums of money, from one dinar to a thousand, and the names of all kinds of offices and dignitaries from the least appointment to the Caliphate; also twenty kinds of punishment from the lightest beating to death." [240] "I hear and obey, O Commander of the Faithful," answered Ja'afar, and did as he was bidden. Then said the Caliph, "O Ja'afar, I swear by my holy forefathers and by my kinship to Hamzah [241] and Akil, [242] that I mean to summon the fisherman and bid him take one of these papers, whose contents none know save you and I; and whatsoever is written in the paper which he shall choose, I will give it to him; though it be the Caliphate I will divest myself thereof and invest him with it and grudge it not to him; and, on the other hand, if there be written therein hanging or mutilation or death, I will execute it upon him. Now go and fetch him to me." When Ja'afar heard this, he said to himself, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! It may be somewhat will fall to this poor wretch's lot that will bring about his destruction, and I shall be the cause. But the Caliph has sworn; so nothing remains now but to bring him in, and nothing will happen save whatever Allah wills." Accordingly he went out to Khalifah the Fisherman and laid hold of his hand to carry him in to the Caliph, whereupon his reason fled and he said in himself, "What a stupid I was to come after yonder ill-omened slave, Tulip, whereby he has brought me in company with Bran-belly!" Ja'afar fared on with him, with Mamelukes before and behind, while he said, "Does not arrest suffice, but these must go behind and before me, to hinder my making off?" till they had traversed seven vestibules, when the Wazir said to him, "Mark my words, O Fisherman! You stand before the Commander of the Faithful and Defender of the Faith!" Then he raised the great curtain and Khalifah's eyes fell on the Caliph, who was seated on his couch, with the Lords of the realm standing in attendance upon him. As soon as he knew him, he went up to him and said, "Well come, and welcome to you, O piper! 'Twas not right of you to make yourself a Fisherman and go away, leaving me sitting to guard the fish, and never to return! For, before I was aware, there came up Mamelukes on beasts of all manner colors, and snatched away the fish from me, I standing alone, and this was all of your fault; for, had you returned with the frails forthright, we had sold a hundred dinars' worth of fish. And now I come to seek my due, and they have arrested me but you, who has imprisoned you also in this place?" The Caliph smiled and raising a corner of the curtain, put forth his head and said to the Fisherman, "Come hither and take one of these papers." Said Khalifah the Fisherman, "Yesterday you were a fisherman, and today you have become an astrologer; but the more trades a man has, the poorer he waxes." Thereupon, Ja'afar, said, "Take the paper at once, and do as the Commander of the Faithful bids you without prating." So he came forward and put forth his hand saying, "Far be it from me that this piper should ever again be my knave and fish with me!" Then taking the paper he handed it to the Caliph, saying, "O piper, what has come out for me therein? Hide nothing thereof."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-second Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Khalifah the Fisherman took up one of the papers and handed it to the Caliph he said, "O piper, what have come out to me therein? Hide nothing thereof." So Al-Rashid received it and passed it on to Ja'afar and said to him, "Read what is therein." He looked at it and said, "There is no Majesty there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!" Said the Caliph, "Good news, [243] O Ja'afar? What see you therein?" Answered the Wazir, "O Commander of the Faithful, there came up from the paper, 'Let the Fisherman receive a hundred blows with a stick.'" So the Caliph commanded to beat the Fisherman and they gave him a hundred sticks: after which he arose, saying, "Allah damn this, O Bran-belly! Are jail and sticks part of the game?" Then said Ja'afar, "O Commander of the Faithful, this poor devil is come to the river, and how shall he go away thirsting? We hope that among the alms-deeds of the Commander of the Faithful, he may have leave to take another paper, so perhaps somewhat may come out wherewithal he may succor his poverty." Said the Caliph, "By Allah, O Ja'afar, if he take another paper and death be written therein, I will assuredly kill him, and you will be the cause." Answered Ja'afar, "If he die he will be at rest." But Khalifah the Fisherman said to him, "Allah ne'er gladden you with good news! Have I made Baghdad strait upon you, that you seek to slay me?" Said Ja'afar, "Take you a paper and crave the blessing of Allah Almighty!" So he put out his hand and taking a paper, gave it to Ja'afar, who read it and was silent. The Caliph asked, "Why are you silent, O son of Yahya?"; and he answered, "O Commander of the Faithful, there has come out on this paper, 'Nothing shall be given to the Fisherman.'" Then said the Caliph, "His daily bread will not come from us: bid him fare forth from before our face." Said Ja'afar, "By the claims of your pious forefathers, let him take a third paper, it may be it will bring him alimony;" and said the Caliph, "Let him take one and no more." So he put out his hand and took a third paper, and behold, therein was written, "Let the Fisherman be given one dinar." Ja'afar cried to him, "I sought good fortune for you, but Allah willed not to you anything save this dinar." And Khalifah answered, "Verily, a dinar for every hundred sticks were rare good luck, may Allah not send your body health!" The Caliph laughed at him and Ja'afar took him by the hand and led him out. When he reached the door, Sandal the eunuch saw him and said to him, "Hither, O Fisherman! Give us portion of that which the Commander of the Faithful has bestowed on you, while jesting with you." Replied Khalifah, "By Allah, O Tulip, you are right! Will you share with me, O nigger? Indeed I have eaten stick to the tune of a hundred blows and have earned one dinar, and you are but too welcome to it." So saying, he threw him the dinar and went out, with the tears flowing down the plain of his cheeks. When the eunuch saw him in this plight, he knew that he had spoken the truth and called to the lads to fetch him back: so they brought him back and Sandal, putting his hand to his pouch, pulled out a red purse, whence he emptied a hundred golden dinars into the Fisherman's hand, saying, "Take this gold in payment for your fish and wend your ways." So Khalifah, in high good humor, took the hundred ducats and the Caliph's one dinar and went his way, and forgot the beating. Now, as Allah willed it for the furthering of that which He had decreed, he passed by the mart of the hand-maidens and seeing there a mighty ring where many folks were foregathering, said to himself, "What is this crowd?" So he brake through the merchants and others, who said, "Make wide for the Skipper Rapscallion, [244] and let him pass." Then he looked and behold, he saw a chest, with an eunuch seated on it and an old man standing by it, and the Shaykh was crying, "O merchants, O men of money, who will hasten and hazard his coin for this chest of unknown contents from the Palace of the Lady Zubaydah bint al-Kasim, wife of the Commander of the Faithful? How much shall I say for you, Allah bless you all!" Said one of the merchants, "By Allah, this is a risk! But I will say one word and no blame to me. Be it mine for twenty dinars." Said another, "Fifty," and they went on bidding, one against other, till the price reached a hundred ducats. Then said the crier, "Will any of you bid more, O merchants?" And Khalifah the Fisherman said, "Be it mine for a hundred ducats and one dinar." The merchants, hearing these words, thought he was jesting and laughed at him, saying, "O eunuch sell it to Khalifah for a hundred ducats and one dinar!" Said the eunuch, "By Allah, I will sell it to none but him! Take it, O Fisherman, the Lord bless you in it, and here with your gold." So Khalifah pulled out the ducats and gave them to the eunuch, who, the bargain being duly made, delivered to him the chest and bestowed the price in alms on the spot; after which he returned to the Palace and acquainted the Lady Zubaydah with what he had done, whereat she rejoiced. Meanwhile the Fisherman hove the chest on shoulder, but could not carry it on this wise for the excess of its weight; so he lifted it on to his head and thus bore it to the quarter where he lived. Here he set it down and being weary, sat awhile, bemusing what had befallen him and saying in himself, "Would Heaven I knew what is in this chest!" Then he opened the door of his lodging and hauled the chest until he got it into his closet; after which he strove to open it, but failed. Said he, "What folly possessed me to buy this chest? There is no help for it but to break it open and see what is herein." So he applied himself to the lock, but could not open it, and said to himself, "I will leave it till to-morrow." Then he would have stretched him out to sleep, but could find no room; for the chest filled the whole closet. So he got upon it and lay him down; but, when he had lain awhile, behold, he felt something stir under him whereat sleep forsook him and his reason fled.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-third Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Khalifah the Fisherman lay down upon the chest and thus tarried awhile, behold, something stirred beneath him; whereat he was affrighted and his reason fled. So he arose and cried, "I think there are Jinns in the chest. Praise to Allah who suffered me not to open it! For, had I done so, they had risen against me in the dark and slain me, and from them would have befallen me nothing of good." Then he lay down again when, lo! The chest moved a second time, more than before; whereupon he sprang to his feet and said, "There it goes again: but this is terrible!" And he hastened to look for the lamp, but could not find it and had not the wherewithal to buy another. So he went forth and cried out, "Ho, people of the quarter!" Now the most part of the folk were asleep; but they awoke at his crying and asked, "What ails you, O Khalifah?" He answered, "Bring me a lamp, for the Jinn are upon me." They laughed at him and gave him a lamp, wherewith he returned to his closet. Then he smote the lock of the chest with a stone and broke it and opening it, saw a damsel like a Houri lying asleep within. Now she had been drugged with Bhang, but at that moment she threw up the stuff and awoke; then she opened her eyes and feeling herself confined and cramped, moved. At this sight said Khalifah, "By Allah, O my lady, where are from?"; and said she, "Bring me Jessamine, and Narcissus." [245] and Khalifah answered, "There is nothing here but Henna-flowers." [246] thereupon she came to herself and considering Khalifah, said to him, "What are you?" presently adding, "And where am I?" He said, "You are in my lodging." Asked she, "Am I not in the Palace of the Caliph Harun al-Rashid?" And said he, "What manner of thing is Al-Rashid? [247] O madwoman, You are nothing but my slave-girl: I bought you this very day for a hundred dinars and one dinar, and brought you home, and you were asleep in this here chest." When she had heard these words she said to him, "What is your name?" Said he, "My name is Khalifah. How comes my star to have grown propitious, when I know my ascendant to have been otherwise?" She laughed and cried, "Spare me this talk! Have you anything to eat?" Replied he, "No, by Allah, nor yet to drink! I have not eaten these two days, and am now in want of a morsel." She asked, "Have you no money?"; and he said, "Allah keep this chest which has beggared me: I gave all I had for it and am become bankrupt." The damsel laughed at him and said, "Up with you and seek of your neighbours something for me to eat, for I am hungry." So he went forth and cried out, "Ho, people of the quarter!" Now the folk were asleep; but they awoke and asked, "What ails you, O Khalifah?" Answered he, O my neighbours, I am hungry and have nothing to eat." So one came down to him with a bannock and another with broken meats and third with a bittock of cheese and a fourth with a cucumber; and so on till his lap was full and he returned to his closet and laid the whole between her hands, saying, "Eat." But she laughed at him, saying, "How can I eat of this, when I have not a mug of water whereof to drink? I fear to choke with a mouthful and die." Said he, "I will fill you this pitcher." [248] so he took the pitcher and going forth, stood in the midst of the street and cried out, saying, "Ho, people of the quarter!" Said they, "What calamity is upon you tonight, [249] O Khalifah!" And he said, "Ye gave me food and I ate; but now I am a-thirst; so give me to drink." Thereupon one came down to him with a mug and another with an ewer and a third with a gugglet; and he filled his pitcher and, bearing it back, said to the damsel, "O my lady, you lack nothing now." Answered she, "True, I want nothing more at this present." Said he, "Speak to me and tell me your story." And said she, "Fie upon you! If you know me not, I will tell you who I am. I am Kut al-Kulub, the Caliph's handmaiden, and the Lady Zubaydah was jealous of me; so she drugged me with Bhang and set me in this chest," presently adding, "Alham-dolillah—praised be God—for that the matter has come to easy issue and no worse! But this befell me not save for your good luck, for you will certainly get of the Caliph Al-Rashid money galore, that will be the means of your enrichment." Said Khalifah, "Is not Al-Rashid he in whose Palace I was imprisoned?" "Yes," answered she; and he said, "By Allah, never saw I more niggardly fellow than he, that piper little of good and wit! He gave me a hundred blows with a stick yesterday and but one dinar, for all I taught him to fish and made him my partner; but he played me false." Replied she, "Leave this unseemly talk, and open your eyes and look you bear yourself respectfully, when you see him after this, and you shall win your wish." When he heard her words, it was if he had been asleep and awoke; and Allah removed the veil from his judgment, because of his good luck, [250] and he answered, "On my head and eyes!" Then said he to her, "Sleep, in the name of Allah." [251] so she lay down and fell asleep (and he afar from her) till the morning, when she sought of him inkcase [252] and paper and, when they were brought wrote to Ibn al-Kirnas, the Caliph's friend, acquainting him with her case and how at the end of all that had befallen her she was with Khalifah the Fisherman, who had bought her. Then she gave him the scroll, saying, "Take this and go to the jewel-market and ask for the shop of Ibn al-Kirnas the Jeweller and give him this paper and speak not." "I hear and I obey," answered Khalifah and going with the scroll to the market, enquired for the shop of Ibn al-Kirnas. They directed him to there and on entering it he saluted the merchant, who returned his salam with contempt and said to him, "What do you want?" Thereupon he gave him the letter and he took it, but read it not, thinking the Fisherman a beggar, who sought an alms of him, and said to one of his lads, "Give him half a dirham." Said Khalifah, "I want no alms; read the paper." So Ibn al-Kirnas took the letter and read it; and no sooner knew its import than he kissed it and laying it on his head—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-fourth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Ibn al-Kirnas read the letter and knew its import, he kissed it and laid it on his head; then he arose and said to Khalifah, "O my brother, where is your house?" Asked Khalifah, "What want you with my house? Will you go there and steal my slave-girl?" Then Ibn al-Kirnas answered, "Not so: on the contrary, I will buy you something whereof you may eat, you and she." So he said, "My house is in such a quarter;" and the merchant rejoined, "You have done well. May Allah not give you health, O unlucky one!" [253] Then he called out to two of his slaves and said to them, "Carry this man to the shop of Mohsin the Shroff and say to him, 'O Mohsin, give this man a thousand dinars of gold;' then bring him back to me in haste." So they carried him to the money-changer, who paid him the money, and returned with him to their master, whom they found mounted on a dapple she-mule worth a thousand dinars, with Mamelukes and pages about him, and by his side another mule like his own, saddled and bridled. Said the jeweller to Khalifah, "Bismillah, mount this mule." Replied he, "I won't; for by Allah, I fear she throw me;" and said Ibn al-Kirnas, "By God, you must mount." So he came up and mounting her, face to crupper, caught hold of her tail and cried out; whereupon she threw him on the ground and they laughed at him; but he rose and said, "Did I not tell you I would not mount this great jenny-ass?" Thereupon Ibn al-Kirnas left him in the market and repairing to the Caliph, told him of the damsel; after which he returned and removed her to his own house. Meanwhile, Khalifah went home to look after the handmaid and found the people of the quarter foregathering and saying, "Verily, Khalifah is today in a terrible pickle! [254] Would we knew whence he can have gotten this damsel?" Said one of them, "He is a mad pimp; perhaps he found her lying on the road drunken, and carried her to his own house, and his absence shows his offence." As they were talking, behold, up came Khalifah, and they said to him, "What a plight is thine, O unhappy! Know you not what is come for you?" He replied, "No, by Allah!" and they said, "But just now there came Mamelukes and took away your slave-girl whom you stole, and sought for you, but found you not." Asked Khalifah, "And how came they to take my slave-girl?"; and said one, "Had he falled in their way, they had slain him." But he, so far from heeding them, returned running to the shop of Ibn al-Kirnas, whom he met riding, and said to him, "By Allah, 'twas not right of you to wheedle me and meanwhile send your Mamelukes to take my slave-girl!" Replied the jeweller, "O idiot, come with me and hold your tongue." So he took him and carried him into a house handsomely builded, where he found the damsel seated on a couch of gold, with ten slave-girls like moons round her. Sighting her Ibn al-Kirnas kissed ground before her and she said, "What have you done with my new master, who bought me with all he owned?" He replied, "O my lady, I gave him a thousand gold dinars;" and related to her Khalifah's history from first to last, whereat she laughed and said, "Blame him not; for he is but a common fellow. These other thousand dinars are a gift from me to him and Almighty Allah willing, he shall win of the Caliph what shall enrich him." As they were talking, there came an eunuch from the Commander of the Faithful, in quest of Kut al-Kulub, for, when he knew that she was in the house of Ibn al-Kirnas, he could not endure the severance, but bade bring her forthwith. So she repaired to the Palace, taking Khalifah with her, and going into the presence, kissed ground before the Caliph, who rose to her, saluting and welcoming her, and asked her how she had fared with him who had bought her. She replied, "He is a man, called Khalifah the Fisherman, and there he stands at the door. He tells me that he has an account to settle with the Commander of the Faithful, by reason of a partnership between him and the Caliph in fishing." Asked al-Rashid, "Is he at the door?" and she answered, "Yes." So the Caliph sent for him and he kissed ground before him and wished him endurance of glory and prosperity. The Caliph marvelled at him and laughed at him and said to him, "O Fisherman, were you in very deed my partner [255] yesterday?" Khalifah took his meaning and heartening his heart and summoning spirit replied, "By Him who bestowed upon you the succession to your cousin, [256] I know her not in anywise and have had no commerce with her save by way of sight and speech!" Then he repeated to him all that had befallen him, since he last saw him, [257] whereat the Caliph laughed and his breast broadened and he said to Khalifah, "Ask of us what you will, O you who brings to owners their own!" But he was silent; so the Caliph ordered him fifty thousand dinars of gold and a costly dress of honor such as great Sovrans don, and a she-mule, and gave him black slaves of the Súdán to serve him, so that he became as he were one of the Kings of that time. The Caliph was rejoiced at the recovery of his favourite and knew that all this was the doing of his cousin-wife, the Lady Zubaydah,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-fifth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Caliph rejoiced at the recovery of Kut al-Kulub and knew that all this was the doing of the Lady Zubaydah, his cousin-wife; wherefore he was sore enraged against her and held aloof from her a great while, visiting her not neither inclining to pardon her. When she was certified of this, she was sore concerned for his wrath and her face, that was wont to be rosy, waxed pale and wan till, when her patience was exhausted, she sent a letter to her cousin, the Commander of the Faithful making her excuses to him and confessing her offences, and ending with these verses

"I long once more the love that was between us to regain, * That I may quench the fire of grief and bate the force of bane. O lords of me, have pity upon the stress my passion deals * Enough to me is what you doled of sorrow and of pain. 'Tis life to me an deign you keep the troth you deigned to plight * 'Tis death to me an troth you break and fondest vows profane: Given I've sinned a sorry sin, you grant me ruth, for nothing * By Allah, sweeter is than friend who is of pardon fain."

When the Lady Zubaydah's letter reached the Caliph, and reading it he saw that she confessed her offence and sent her excuses to him therefor, he said to himself, "Verily, all sins does Allah forgive; aye, Gracious, Merciful is He!" [258] And he returned her an answer, expressing satisfaction and pardon and forgiveness for what was past, whereat she rejoiced greatly. As for Khalifah, the Fisherman, the Caliph assigned him a monthly stipend of fifty dinars and took him into especial favour, which would lead to rank and dignity, honor and worship. Then he kissed ground before the Commander of the Faithful and went forth with stately gait. When he came to the door, the Eunuch Sandal, who had given him the hundred dinars, saw him and knowing him, said to him, "O Fisherman, whence all this?" So he told him all that had befallen him, first and last, whereat Sandal rejoiced, because he had been the cause of his enrichment, and said to him, "Will you not give me largess of this wealth which is now become yours?" So Khalifah put hand to pouch and taking out a purse containing a thousand dinars, gave it to the Eunuch, who said, "Keep your coins and Allah bless you therein!" and marvelled at his manliness and at the liberality of his soul, for all his late poverty. [259] Then leaving the eunuch, Khalifah mounted his she-mule and rode, with the slaves' hands on her crupper, till he came to his lodging at the Khan, while the folk stared at him in surprise for that which had betided him of advancement. When he alighted from his beast they accosted him and enquired the cause of his change from poverty to prosperity, and he told them all that had happened to him from incept to conclusion. Then he bought a fine mansion and laid out on it much money, till it was perfect in all points. And he took up his abode therein and was wont to recite on it these two couplets,

"Behold a house that's like the Dwelling of Delight; [260] * Its aspect heals the sick and banishes despite. Its sojourn for the great and wise appointed it, * And Fortune fair therein abideth day and night."

Then, as soon as he was settled in his house, he sought him in marriage the daughter of one of the chief men of the city, a handsome girl, and went in unto her and led a life of solace and satisfaction, joyaunce and enjoyment; and he rose to passing affluence and exceeding prosperity. So, when he found himself in this fortunate condition, he offered up thanks to Allah (extolled and excelled be He!) for what He had bestowed on him of wealth exceeding and of favours ever succeeding, praising his Lord with the praise of the grateful and chanting the words of the poet,

"To Thee be praise, O You who showest unremitting grace; * O You whose universal bounties high and low embrace! To Thee be praise from me! Then deign accept my praise for I * Accept Thy boons and gifts with grateful soul in every case. You have with favours overwhelmed me, benefits and largesse * And gracious doles my memory ne'er ceaseth to retrace. All men from mighty main, Thy grace and goodness, drain and drink; * And in their need Thou, only Thou, to them art refuge-place! So for the sake of him who came to teach mankind in pity * Prophet, pure, truthful-worded scion of the noblest race; Ever be Allah's blessing and His peace on him and all * His aids [261] and kin while pilgrims fare his noble tomb to face! And on his helpmeets [262] one and all, Companions great and good, * Though time Eternal while the bird shall sing in shady wood!"

And thereafter Khalifah continued to pay frequent visits to the Caliph Harun al-Rashid, with whom he found acceptance and who ceased not to overwhelm him with boons and bounty: and he abode in the enjoyment of the utmost honor and happiness and joy and gladness and in riches more than sufficing and in rank ever rising; in short, a sweet life and a savoury, pure as pleasurable, till there came to him the Destroyer of delights and the Sunderer of societies; and extolled be the perfection of Him to whom belong glory and permanence and He is the Living, the Eternal, who shall never die!

NOTE. I have followed the example of Mr. Payne and have translated in its entirety the Tale of Khalifah the Fisherman from the Breslau Edit. (Vol. iv. Pp. 315-365, Night ccxxi-ccxxxii.) in preference to the unsatisfactory process of amalgamating it with that of the Mac. Edit. given above.

There was once, in days of yore and in ages and times long gone before, in the city of Baghdad, a fisherman, by name Khalíf, a man of muckle talk and little luck. One day, as he sat in his cell, [263] he bethought himself and said, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Would Heaven I knew what is my offence in the sight of my Lord and what caused the blackness of my fortune and my littleness of luck among the fishermen, albeit (and I say it who should not) in the city of Baghdad there is never a fisherman like myself." Now he lodged in a ruined place called a Khan, to wit, an inn, [264] without a door, and when he went forth to fish, he would shoulder the net, without basket or fish-slicers, [265] and when the folk would stare at him and say to him, "O Khalif, why not take with you a basket, to hold the fish you catch?"; he would reply, "Even as I carry it forth empty, so would it come back, for I never manage to catch anything." One night he arose, in the darkness before dawn, and taking his net on his shoulder, raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Allah mine, O You who subjected the sea to Moses son of Imrán, give me this day my daily bread, for You are the best of bread-givers!" Then he went down to the Tigris and spreading his net, cast it into the river and waited till it had settled down, when he hauled it in and drew it ashore, but behold, it held nothing save a dead dog. So he cast away the carcase, saying, "O morning of ill doom! What a gift is this dead hound, after I had rejoiced in its weight [266]!" Then he mended the rents in the net, saying, "Needs must there after this carrion be fish in plenty, attracted by the smell," and made a second cast. After awhile, he drew up and found in the net the hough [267] of a camel, that had caught in the meshes and rent them right and left. When Khalif saw his net in this state, he wept and said, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! I wonder what is my offence and the cause of the blackness of my fortune and the littleness of my luck, of all folk, so that I catch neither cat-fish nor sprat, [268] that I may broil on the embers and eat, for all I dare say there is not in the city of Baghdad a fisherman like me." Then with a Bismillah he cast his net a third time, and presently drawing it ashore found therein an ape scurvy and one-eyed, mangy, and limping, holding an ivory rod in forehand. When Khalif saw this, he said, "This is indeed a blessed opening! What are you, O ape?" "Do you not know me?" "No, by Allah, I have no knowledge of you!" "I am your ape!" "What use is there in you, O my ape?" "Every day I give you good-morrow, so Allah may not open to you the door of daily bread." "You fail not of this, O one-eye [269] of ill-omen! May Allah never bless you! Needs must I pluck out your sound eye and cut off your whole leg, so you may become a blind cripple and I be quit of you. But what is the use of that rod you hold in hand?" "O Khalif, I scare the fish therewith, so they may not enter your net." "Is it so?: then this very day will I punish you with a grievous punishment and devise you all manner torments and strip your flesh from your bones and be at rest from you, sorry bit of goods that you are!" So saying, Khalif the Fisherman unwound from his middle a strand of rope and binding him to a tree by his side, said, "Lookee, O dog of an ape! I mean to cast the net again and if anything come up therein, well and good; but, if it come up empty, I will verily and assuredly make an end of you, with the cruellest tortures and be quit of you, you stinking lot." So he cast the net and drawing it ashore, found in it another ape and said, "Glory be to God the Great! I was wont to pull nothing but fish out of this Tigris, but now it yields nothing but apes." Then he looked at the second ape and saw him fair of form and round of face with pendants of gold in his ears and a blue waistcloth about his middle, and he was like unto a lighted taper. So he asked him, "What are you, you also, O ape?"; and he answered, saying, "O Khalif, I am the ape of Abú al-Sa'ádát the Jew, the Caliph's Shroff. Every day, I give him good-morrow, and he makes a profit of ten gold pieces." Cried the Fisherman, "By Allah, you are a fine ape, not like this ill-omened monkey o' mine!" So saying, he took a stick [270] and came down upon the sides of the ape, till he broke his ribs and he jumped up and down. And the other ape, the handsome one, answered him, saying, "O Khalif, what will it profit you to beat him, though you belabour him till he die?" Khalif replied, "How shall I do? Shall I let him wend his ways that he may scare me the fish with his hang-dog face and give me good-even and good-morrow every day, so Allah may not open to me the door of daily bread? Nay, I will kill him and be quit of him and I will take you in his stead; so shall you give me good-morrow and I shall gain ten golden dinars a day." Thereupon the comely ape made answer, "I will tell you a better way than that, and if you hearken to me, you shall be at rest and I will become your ape in lieu of him." Asked the Fisherman, "And what do you counsel me?"; and the ape answered, saying, "Cast your net and you shall bring up a noble fish, never saw any its like, and I will tell you how you shall do with it." Replied Khalif, "Lookee, you too! If I throw my net and there come up therein a third ape, be assured that I will cut the three of you into six bits." And the second ape rejoined, "So be it, O Khalif. I agree to your condition." Then Khalif spread the net and cast it and drew it up, when behold, in it was a fine young barbel [271] with a round head, as it were a milking-pail, which when he saw, his wits fled for joy and he said, "Glory be to God! What is this noble creature? Were yonder apes in the river, I had not brought up this fish." Said the seemly ape, "O Khalif, if you give ear to my counsel, 'twill bring you good fortune"; and said the Fisherman, "May God damn him who would deny you henceforth!" Thereupon the ape said, "O Khalif, take some grass and lay the fish on it in the basket [272] and cover it with more grass and take also some basil [273] from the green grocer's and set it in the fish's mouth. Cover it with a kerchief and push you through the bazar of Baghdad. Whoever speaks to you about selling it, sell it not but fare on, till you come to the market street of the jewellers and money-changers. Then count five shops on the right-hand side and the sixth shop is that of Abu al-Sa'adat the Jew, the Caliph's Shroff. When you stand before him, he will say to you, 'What seek you?'; and do you make answer, 'I am a fisherwight, I threw my net in your name and took this noble barbel, which I have brought you as a present.' If he give you anything of silver, take it not, be it little or mickle, for it will spoil that which you would do, but say to him, 'I want of you nothing save one word, that you say to me, 'I sell you my ape for your ape and my luck for your luck.' An the Jew say this, give him the fish and I shall become your ape and this crippled, mangy and one-eyed ape will be his ape." Khalif replied, "Well said, O ape," nor did he cease faring Baghdad-wards and observing that which the ape had said to him, till he came to the Jew's shop and saw the Shroff seated, with eunuchs and pages about him, bidding and forbidding and giving and taking. So he set down his basket, saying, "O Sultan of the Jews, I am a fisher-wight and went forth today to the Tigris and casting my net in your name, cried, 'This is for the luck of Abu al-Sa'adat;' and there came up to me this Banni which I have brought you by way of present." Then he lifted the grass and revealed the fish to the Jew, who marvelled at its make and said, "Extolled be the perfection of the Most Excellent Creator!" Then he gave the fisherman a dinar, but he refused it and he gave him two. This also he refused and the Jew stayed not adding to his offer, till he made it ten dinars; but he still refused and Abu al-Sa'adat said to him, "By Allah, you are a greedy one. Tell me what you would have, O Moslem!" Said Khalif, "I would have of you but a single word. [274]" When the Jew heard this , he changed color and said, "Would you oust me from my faith? Wend your ways;" and Khalif said to him, "By Allah, O Jew, nothing matters if you become a Moslem or a Nazarene!" Asked the Jew, "Then what would you have me say?"; and the fisherman answered, "Say, I sell you my ape for your ape and my luck for your luck." The Jew laughed, deeming him little of wit, and said by way of jest, "I sell you my ape for your ape and my luck for your luck. Bear witness against him, O merchants! By Allah, O unhappy, you are debarred from further claim on me!" So Khalif turned back, blaming himself and saying, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great! Alas that I did not take the gold!" and fared on blaming himself in the matter of the money till he came to the Tigris, but found not the two apes, whereupon he wept and slapped his face and strewed dust on his head, saying, "But that the second ape wheedled me and put a cheat on me, the one-eyed ape had not escaped." And he gave not over wailing and weeping, till heat and hunger grew sore on him: so he took the net, saying, "Come, let us make a cast, trusting in Allah's blessing; perhaps I may catch a cat-fish or a barbel which I may boil and eat." So he threw the net and waiting till it had settled, drew it ashore and found it full of fish, whereat he was consoled and rejoiced and busied himself with unmeshing the fish and casting them on the earth. Presently, up came a woman seeking fish and crying out, "Fish is not to be found in the town." She caught sight of Khalif, and said to him, "Will you sell this fish, O Master?" Answered Khalif, "I am going to turn it into clothes, 'tis all for sale, even to my beard. [275] Take what you will." So she gave him a dinar and he filled her basket. Then she went away and behold, up came another servant, seeking a dinar's worth of fish; nor did the folk cease till it was the hour of mid-afternoon prayer and Khalif had sold ten golden dinars' worth of fish. Then, being faint and famished, he folded and shouldered his net and, repairing to the market, bought himself a woollen gown, a calotte with a plaited border and a honey-colored turband for a dinar receiving two dirhams by way of change, wherewith he purchased fried cheese and a fat sheep's tail and honey and setting them in the oilman's platter, ate till he was full and his ribs felt cold [276] from the mighty stuffing. Then he marched off to his lodgings in the magazine, clad in the gown and the honey-colored turband and with the nine golden dinars in his mouth, rejoicing in what he had never in his life seen. He entered and lay down, but could not sleep for anxious thoughts and abode playing with the money half the night. Then said he in himself, "Haply the Caliph may hear that I have gold and say to Ja'afar, 'Go to Khalif the Fisherman and borrow us some money of him.' If I give it him, it will be no light matter to me, and if I give it not, he will torment me; but torture is easier to me than the giving up of the cash. [277] However, I will arise and make trial of myself if I have a skin proof against stick or not." So he put off his clothes and taking a sailor's plaited whip, of a hundred and sixty strands, ceased not beating himself, till his sides and body were all bloody, crying out at every stroke he dealt himself and saying "O Moslems! I am a poor man! O Moslems, I am a poor man! O Moslems, whence should I have gold, whence should I have coin?" till the neighbours, who dwelt with him in that place, hearing him crying and saying, "Go to men of wealth and take of them," thought that thieves were torturing him, to get money from him, and that he was praying for aidance. Accordingly they flocked to him each armed with some weapon and finding the door of his lodging locked and hearing him roaring out for help, deemed that the thieves had come down upon him from the terrace-roof; so they fell upon the door and burst it open. Then they entered and found him mother-naked and bareheaded with body dripping blood, and altogether in a sad pickle; so they asked him, "What is this case in which we find you? Have you lost your wits and has Jinn-madness betided you this night?" And he answered them, "Nay; but I have gold with me and I feared lest the Caliph send to borrow of me and it were no light matter to give him aught; yet, an I gave not to him 'tis only too sure that he would put me to the torture; wherefore I arose to see if my skin were stick-proof or not." When they heard these words they said to him, "May Allah not assain your body, unlucky madman that you art! Of a surety you art fallen mad to-night! Lie down to sleep, may Allah never bless you! How many thousand dinars have thou, that the Caliph should come and borrow of you?" He replied, "By Allah, I have nothing but nine dinars." And they all said, "By Allah, he is not otherwise than passing rich!" Then they left him wondering at his want of wit, and Khalif took his cash and wrapped it in a rag, saying to himself, "Where shall I hide all this gold? An I bury it, they will take it, and if I put it out on deposit, they will deny that I did so, and if I carry it on my head, [278] they will snatch it, and if I tie it to my sleeve, they will cut it away." Presently, he espied a little breast-pocket in the gown and said, "By Allah, this is fine! 'Tis under my throat and hard by my mouth: if any put out his hand to hend it, I can come down on it with my mouth and hide it in my throttle." So he set the rag containing the gold in the pocket and lay down, but slept not that night for suspicion and trouble and anxious thought. On the morrow, he fared forth of his lodging on fishing intent and, betaking himself to the river, went down into the water, up to his knees. Then he threw the net and shook it with might and main; whereupon the purse fell down into the stream. So he tore off gown and turband and plunged in after it, saying, "There is no Majesty and there is no Might save in Allah, the Glorious, the Great!" Nor did he give over diving and searching the stream-bed, till the day was half spent, but found not the purse. Now one saw him from afar diving and plunging and his gown and turband lying in the sun at a distance from him, with no one by them; so he watched him, till he dived again when he dashed at the clothes and made off with them. Presently, Khalif came ashore and, missing his gown and turband, was chagrined for their loss with passing cark and care and ascended a mound, to look for some passer-by, of whom he might enquire concerning them, but found none. Now the Caliph Harun al-Rashid had gone a-hunting and chasing that day; and, returning at the time of the noon heat, was oppressed thereby and thirsted; so he looked for water from afar and seeing a naked man standing on the mound said to Ja'afar, "Seest you what I see?" Replied the Wazir, "Yes, O Commander of the Faithful; I see a man standing on a hillock." Al-Rashid asked, "What is he?"; and Ja'afar answered, "Haply he is the guardian of a cucumber-plot." Said the Caliph, "Perhaps he is a pious man [279]; I would fain go to him, alone, and desire of him his prayers; and abide you where you are." So he went up to Khalif and saluting him with the salam said to him, "What art thou, O man?" Replied the fisherman, "Dost you not know me? I am Khalif the Fisherman;" and the Caliph rejoined, "What? The Fisherman with the woollen gown and the honey-colored turband [280]?" When Khalif heard him name the clothes he had lost, he said in himself, "This is he who took my duds: belike he did but jest with me." So he came down from the knoll and said, "Can I not take a noontide nap [281] but you must trick me this trick? I saw you take my gear and knew that you wast joking with me." At this, laughter got the better of the Caliph and he said; "What clothes have you lost? I know nothing of that whereof you speakest, O Khalif." Cried the Fisherman, "By God the Great, unless you bring me back the gear, I will smash your ribs with this staff!" (For he always carried a quarterstaff.) Said the Caliph, "By Allah, I have not seen the things whereof you speakest!"; and said Khalif "I will go with you and take note of your dwelling-place and complain of you to the Chief of Police, so you mayst not trick me this trick again. By Allah, none took my gown and turband but thou, and unless you give them back to me at once, I will throw you off the back of that she-ass you ridest and come down on your pate with this quarterstaff, till you canst not stir!" Thereupon he tugged at the bridle of the mule so that she reared up on her hind legs and the Caliph said to himself, "What calamity is this I have fallen into with this madman?" Then he pulled off a gown he had on, worth a hundred dinars, and said to Khalif, "Take this gown in lieu of your own." He took it and donning it saw it was too long; so he cut it short at the knees and turbanded his head with the cut-off piece; then said to the Caliph, "What art you and what is your craft? But why ask? You art none other than a trumpeter." Al-Rashid asked, "What showed you that I was a trumpeter by trade?"; and Khalif answered, "Thy big nostrils and little mouth." Cried the Caliph, "Well guessed! Yes, I am of that craft." Then said Khalif, "An you will hearken to me, I will teach you the art of fishing: 'twill be better for you than trumpeting and you will eat lawfully [282]." Replied the Caliph, "Teach it me so that I may see whether I am capable of learning it." And Khalif said, "Come with me, O trumpeter." So the Caliph followed him down to the river and took the net from him, while he taught him how to throw it. Then he cast it and drew it up, when, behold, it was heavy, and the fisherman said, "O trumpeter, an the net be caught on one of the rocks, drag it not too hard, or I twill break and by Allah, I will take your she-ass in payment thereof!" The Caliph laughed at his words and drew up the net, little by little, till he brought it ashore and found it full of fish; which when Khalif saw, his reason fled for joy and presently he cried, "By Allah, O trumpeter, your luck is good in fishing! Never in my life will I part with you! But now I mean to send you to the fish-bazar, where do you enquire for the shop of Humayd the fisherman and say to him, 'My master Khalif saluteth you and biddeth you send him a pair of frails and a knife, so he may bring you more fish than yesterday.' Run and return to me forthright!" The Caliph replied (and indeed he was laughing), "On my head, O master!" and, mounting his mule, rode back to Ja'afar, who said to. him, "Tell me what hath betided you." So the Caliph told him all that had passed between Khalif the Fisherman and himself, from first to last, adding, "I left him awaiting my return to him with the baskets and I am resolved that he shall teach me how to scale fish and clean them." Said Ja'afar, "And I will go with you to sweep up the scales and clean out the shop." And the affair abode thus, till presently the Caliph cried, "O Ja'afar, I desire of you that you despatch the young Mamelukes, saying to them, 'Whoever bringeth me a fish from before yonder fisherman, I will give him a dinar;' for I love to eat of my own fishing." Accordingly Ja'afar repeated to the young white slaves what the Caliph had said and directed them where to find the man. They came down upon Khalif and snatched the fish from him; and when he saw them and noted their goodliness, he doubted not but that they were of the black-eyed Houris of Paradise: so he caught up a couple of fish and ran into the river, saying, "O Allah mine, by the secret virtue of these fish, forgive me!" Suddenly, up came the chief eunuch, questing fish, but he found none; so seeing Khalif ducking and rising in the water, with the two fish in his hands, called out to him, saying, "O Khalif, what have you there?" Replied the fisherman, "Two fish," and the eunuch said, "Give them to me and take a hundred dinars for them." Now when Khalif heard speak of a hundred dinars, he came up out of the water and cried, "Hand over the hundred dinars." Said the eunuch, "Follow me to the house of Al-Rashid and receive your gold, O Khalif; and, taking the fish, made off to the Palace of the Caliphate. Meanwhile Khalif betook himself to Baghdad, clad as he was in the Caliph's gown, which reached only to above his knees, [283] turbanded with the piece he had cut off therefrom and girt about his middle with a rope, and he pushed through the centre of the city. The folk fell a-laughing and marvelling at him and saying, "Whence had you that robe of honor?" But he went on, asking, "Where is the house of Al-Rashád [284]?;" and they answered, "Say, 'The house of Al-Rashíd';" and he rejoined, "'Tis all the same," and fared on, till he came to the Palace of the Caliphate. Now he was seen by the tailor, who had made the gown and who was standing at the door, and when he noticed it upon the Fisherman, he said to him, "For how many years have you had admission to the palace?" Khalif replied "Ever since I was a little one;" and the tailor asked, "Whence hadest you that gown you have spoilt on this wise?" Khalif answered, "I had it of my apprentice the trumpeter." Then he went up to the door, where he found the Chief Eunuch sitting with the two fishes by his side: and seeing him sable-black of hue, said to him, "Wilt you not bring the hundred dinars, O uncle Tulip?" Said he, "On my head, O Khalif," when, behold, out came Ja'afar from the presence of the Caliph and seeing the fisherman talking with the Eunuch and saying to him, "This is the reward of goodness, O nuncle Tulip," went in to Al-Rashid and said to him, "O Commander of the Faithful, your master the Fisherman is with the Chief Eunuch, dunning him for a hundred dinars." Cried the Caliph, "Bring him to me, O Ja'afar;" and the Minister answered, "Hearing and obeying." So he went out to the Fisherman and said to him, "O Khalif, your apprentice the trumpeter biddeth you to him;" then he walked on, followed by the other till they reached the presence-chamber, where he saw the Caliph seated, with a canopy over his head. When he entered, Al-Rashid wrote three scrolls and set them before him, and the Fisherman said to him, "So you have given up trumpeting and turned astrologer!" Said the Caliph to him, "Take you a scroll." Now in the first he had written, "Let him be given a gold piece," in the second, "An hundred dinars," and in the third, "Let him be given a hundred blows with a whip." So Khalif put out his hand and by the decree of the Predestinator, it lighted on the scroll in which was written, "Let him receive a hundred lashes," and Kings, when they ordain aught, go not back therefrom. So they threw him prone on the ground and beat him a hundred blows, while he wept and roared for succour, but none succored him, and said, "By Allah, this is a good joke O trumpeter! I teach you fishing and you turnest astrologer and drawest me an unlucky lot. Fie upon you, [285] in you is nothing of good!" When the Caliph heard his speech, he fell fainting in a fit of laughter and said, "O Khalif, no harm shall betide you: fear not. Give him a hundred gold pieces." So they gave him a hundred dinars, and he went out, and ceased not faring forth till he came to the trunk-market, where he found the folk assembled in a ring about a broker, who was crying out and saying, "At a hundred dinars, less one dinar! A locked chest!" So he pressed on and pushed through the crowd and said to the broker, "Mine for a hundred dinars!" The broker closed with him and took his money, whereupon there was left him nor little nor much. The porters disputed awhile about who should carry the chest and presently all said, "By Allah, none shall carry this chest but Zurayk!" [286] And the folk said, "Blue-eyes hath the best right to it." So Zurayk shouldered the chest, after the goodliest fashion, and walked a-rear of Khalif. As they went along, the Fisherman said in himself, "I have nothing left to give the porter; how shall I rid myself of him? Now I will traverse the main streets with him and lead him about, till he is weary and set it down and leave it, when I will take it up and carry it to my lodging." Accordingly, he went round about the city with the porter from noontide to sundown, till the man began to grumble and said, "O my lord, where is your house?" Said Khalif, "Yesterday I knew it, but today I have forgotten it." And the porter said, "Give me my hire and take your chest." But Khalif said, "Go on at your leisure, till I bethink me where my house is," presently adding, "O Zurayk, I have no money with me. 'Tis all in my house and I have forgotten where it is." As they were talking, there passed by them one who knew the Fisherman and said to him, "O Khalif, what bringeth you hither?" Said the porter, "O uncle, where is Khalif's house?" and said he, "'Tis in the ruined Khan in the Rawásín Quarter." [287] Then said Zurayk to Khalif, "Go to; would Heaven you had never lived nor been!" And the Fisherman trudged on, followed by the porter, till they came to the place when the Hammal said, "O you whose daily bread Allah cut off in this world, have we not passed this place a score of times? Hadst you said to me, 'Tis in such a stead, you had spared me this great toil; but now give me my wage and let me wend my way." Khalif replied "You shall have silver, if not gold. Stay here, till I bring you the same." So he entered his lodging and taking a mallet he had there, studded with forty nails (wherewith if he smote a camel, he had made an end of it), rushed upon the porter and raised his forearm to strike him therewith; but Zurayk cried out at him, saying, "Hold your hand! I have no claim on you," and fled. Now having got rid of the Hammal, Khalif carried the chest into the Khan, whereupon the neighbours came down and flocked about him, saying, "O Khalif, whence had you this robe and this chest?" Said he, "From my apprentice Al-Rashid who gave them to me," and they said, "The pimp is mad! Al-Rashid will assuredly hear of his talk and hang him over the door of his lodging and hang all in the Khan on account of the droll. This is a fine farce!" Then they helped him to carry the chest into his lodging and it filled the whole closet. [288] Thus far concerning Khalif; but as for the history of the chest, it was as follows: The Caliph had a Turkish slave-girl, by name Kut al-Kulúb, whom he loved with love exceeding and the Lady Zubaydah came to know of this from himself and was passing jealous of her and secretly plotted mischief against her. So, while the Commander of the Faithful was absent a-sporting and a-hunting, she sent for Kut al-Kulub and, inviting her to a banquet, set before her meat and wine, and she ate and drank. Now the wine was drugged with Bhang; so she slept and Zubaydah sent for her Chief Eunuch and putting her in a great chest, locked it and gave it to him, saying, "Take this chest and cast it into the river." Thereupon he took it up before him on a he-mule and set out with it for the sea, but found it unfit to carry; so, as he passed by the trunk-market, he saw the Shaykh of the brokers and salesmen and said to him, "Wilt you sell me this chest, O uncle?" The broker replied, "Yes, we will do this much." "But," said the Eunuch, "look you sell it not except locked;" and the other, "'Tis well; we will do that also." [289] So he set down the chest, and they cried it for sale, saying, "Who will buy this chest for a hundred dinars?"; and behold, up came Khalif the Fisherman and bought the chest after turning it over right and left; and there passed between him and the porter that which hath been before set out. Now as regards Khalif the Fisherman; he lay down on the chest to sleep, and presently Kut al-Kulub awoke from her Bhang and finding herself in the chest, cried out and said, "Alas!" Whereupon Khalif sprang off the chest-lid and cried out and said, "Ho, Moslems! Come to my help! There are Ifrits in the chest." So the neighbours awoke from sleep and said to him, "What mattereth you, O madman?" Said he, "The chest is full of Ifrits;" and said they, "Go to sleep; you have troubled our rest this night may Allah not bless you! Go in and sleep, without madness." He ejaculated, "I cannot sleep;" but they abused him and he went in and lay down once more. And behold, Kut al-Kulub spoke and said, "Where am I?" Upon which Khalif fled forth the closet and said, "O neighbours of the hostelry, come to my aid!" Said they, "What hath befallen you? You troublest the neighbours' rest." "O folk, there be Ifrits in the chest, moving and speaking." "You liest: what do they say?" "They say, 'Where am I?'" "Would Heaven you wert in Hell! You disturbest the neighbours and hinderest them of sleep. Go to sleep, would you had never lived nor been!" So Khalif went in fearful because he had no place in which to sleep save upon the chest-lid when lo! as he stood, with ears listening for speech, Kut al-Kulub spoke again and said, "I'm hungry." So in sore affright he fled forth and cried out, "Ho neighbours! ho dwellers in the Khan, come aid me!" Said they, "What is your calamity now?" [290] And he answered, "The Ifrits in the chest say, 'We are hungry.'" Said the neighbours one to other, "'Twould seem Khalif is hungry; let us feed him and give him the supper-orts; else he will not let us sleep to-night." So they brought him bread and meat and broken victuals and radishes and gave him a basket full of all kinds of things, saying, "Eat till you be full and go to sleep and talk not, else will we break your ribs and beat you to death this very night." So he took the basket with the provaunt and entered his lodging. Now it was a moonlight night and the moon shone in full sheen upon the chest and lit up the closet with its light, seeing this he sat down on his purchase and fell to eating of the food with both hands. Presently Kut al-Kulub spoke again and said, "Open to me and have mercy upon me, O Moslems!" So Khalif arose and taking a stone he had by him, broke the chest open and behold, therein lay a young lady as she were the sun's shining light with brow flower-white, face moonbright, cheeks of rose-hue exquisite and speech sweeter than sugar-bite, and in dress worth a thousand dinars and more bedight. Seeing this his wits flew from his head for joy and he said, "By Allah, you art of the fair!" She asked him, "What art thou, O fellow?" and he answered, "O my lady, I am Khalif the Fisherman." Said she, "Who brought me hither?"; and said he, "I bought you, and you art my slave-girl." Thereupon said she, "I see on you a robe of the raiment of the Caliph." So he told her all that had betided him, from first to last, and how he had bought the chest; wherefore she knew that the Lady Zubaydah had played her false; and she ceased not talking with him till the morning, when she said to him, "O Khalif, seek me from some one inkcase and reed-pen and paper and bring them to me." So he found with one of the neighbours what she sought and brought it to her, whereupon she wrote a letter and folded it and gave it to him, saying, "O Khalif, take this paper and carry it to the jewel-market, where do you enquire for the shop of Abu al-Hasan the jeweller and give it to him." Answered the Fisherman, "O my lady, this name is difficult to me; I cannot remember it." And she rejoined, "Then ask for the shop of Ibn al-'Ukáb." [291] Said he, "O my lady, what is an 'Ukab?"; and said she, "'Tis a bird which folk carry on fist with eyes hooded." And he exclaimed, "O my lady, I know it." Then he went forth from her and fared on, repeating the name, lest it fade from his memory; but, by the time he reached the jewel-market, he had forgotten it. So he accosted one of the merchants and said to him, "Is there any here named after a bird?" Replied the merchant, "Yes, you meanest Ibn al-Ukab." Khalif cried, "That's the man I want," and making his way to him, gave him the letter, which when he read and knew the purport thereof, he fell to kissing it and laying it on his head; for it is said that Abu al-Hasan was the agent of the Lady Kut al-Kulub and her intendant over all her property in lands and houses. Now she had written to him, saying, "From Her Highness the Lady Kut al-Kulub to Sir Abu al-Hasan the jeweller. The instant this letter reacheth you, set apart for us a saloon completely equipped with furniture and vessels and negro-slaves and slave-girls and what not else is needful for our residence and seemly, and take the bearer of the missive and carry him to the bath. Then clothe him in costly apparel and do with him thus and thus." So he said "Hearing and obeying," and locking up his shop, took the Fisherman and bore him to the bath, where he committed him to one of the bathmen, that he might serve him, according to custom. Then he went forth to carry out the Lady Kut al-Kulub's orders. As for Khalif, he concluded, of his lack of wit and stupidity, that the bath was a prison and said to the bathman, "What crime have I committed that you should lay me in limbo?" They laughed at him and made him sit on the side of the tank, while the bathman took hold of his legs, that he might shampoo them. Khalif thought he meant to wrestle with him and said to himself, "This is a wrestling-place [292] and I knew nothing of it." Then he arose and seizing the bathman's legs, lifted him up and threw him on the ground and broke his ribs. The man cried out for help, whereupon the other bathmen came in a crowd and fell upon Khalif and overcoming him by dint of numbers, delivered their comrade from his clutches and tunded him till he came to himself. Then they knew that the Fisherman was a simpleton and served him till Abu al-Hasan came back with a dress of rich stuff and clad him therein; after which he brought him a handsome she-mule, ready saddled, and taking him by the hand, carried him forth of the bath and said to him, "Mount." Said he, "How shall I mount? I fear lest she throw me and break my ribs into my belly." Nor would he back the mule, save after much travail and trouble, and they stinted not faring on, till they came to the place which Abu al-Hasan had set apart for the Lady Kut al-Kulub. Thereupon Khalif entered and found her sitting, with slaves and eunuchs about her and the porter at the door, staff in hand, who when he saw the Fisherman sprang up and kissing his hand, went before him, till he brought him within the saloon. Here the Fisherman saw what amazed his wit, and his eye was dazzled by that which he beheld of riches past count and slaves and servants, who kissed his hand and said, "May the bath be a blessing to you!" [293] When he entered the saloon and drew near unto Kut al-Kulub, she sprang up to him and taking him by the hand, seated him on a high-mattrassed divan. Then she brought him a vase of sherbet of sugar, mingled with rosewater and willow-water, and he took it and drank it off and left not a single drop. Moreover, he ran his finger round the inside of the vessel [294] and would have licked it, but she forbade him, saying, "That is foul." Said he, "Silence; this is nothing but good honey;" and she laughed at him and set before him a tray of meats, whereof he ate his sufficiency. Then they brought an ewer and basin of gold, and he washed his right hand and abode in the gladdest of life and the most honorable. Now hear what befell the Commander of the Faithful. When he came back from his journey and found not Kut al-Kulub, he questioned the Lady Zubaydah of her and she said, "She is verily dead, may your head live, O Prince of True Believers!" But she had bidden dig a grave amiddlemost the Palace and had built over it a mock tomb, for her knowledge of the love the Caliph bore to Kut al-Kulub: so she said to him, "O Commander of the Faithful, I made her a tomb amiddlemost the Palace and buried her there." Then she donned black, [295] a mere sham and pure pretence; and feigned mourning a great while. Now Kut al-Kulub knew that the Caliph was come back from his hunting excursion; so she turned to Khalif and said to him, "Arise; hie you to the bath and come back." So he rose and went to the Hammam-bath, and when he returned, she clad him in a dress worth a thousand dinars and taught him manners and respectful bearing to superiors. Then said she to him, "Go hence to the Caliph and say to him, 'O Commander of the Faithful, 'tis my desire that this night you deign be my guest.'" So Khalif arose and mounting his she-mule, rode, with pages and black slaves before him, till he came to the Palace of the Caliphate. Said the wise, "Dress up a stick and 'twill look chique." [296] And indeed his comeliness was manifest and his goodliness and the folk marvelled at this. Presently, the Chief Eunuch saw him, the same who had given him the hundred dinars that had been the cause of his good fortune; so he went in to the Caliph and said to him, "O Commander of the Faithful, Khalif the Fisherman is become a King, and on him is a robe of honor worth a thousand dinars." The Prince of True Believers bade admit him; so he entered and said, "Peace be with you, O Commander of the Faithful and Vice-regent of the Lord of the three Worlds and Defender of the folk of the Faith! Allah Almighty prolong your days and honor your dominion and exalt your degree to the highmost height!" The Caliph looked at him and marvelled at him and how fortune had come to him at unawares; then he said to him, "O Khalif, whence had you that robe which is upon you?" He replied, "O Commander of the Faithful, it comes from my house." Said the Caliph, "Hast you then a house?"; and said Khalif, "Yea, verily! and thou, O Commander of the Faithful, art my guest this day." Al-Rashid said, "I alone, O Khalif, or I and those who are with me?"; and he replied, "You and whom you wilt." So Ja'afar turned to him and said, "We will be your guests this night;" whereupon he kissed ground again and withdrawing, mounted his mule and rode off, attended by his servants and suite of Mamelukes leaving the Caliph marvelling at this and saying to Ja'afar, "Sawest you Khalif, with his mule and dress, his white slaves and his dignity? But yesterday I knew him for a buffoon and a jester." And they marvelled at this much. Then they mounted and rode, till they drew near Khalif's house, when the Fisherman alighted and, taking a bundle from one of his attendants, opened it and pulled out therefrom a piece of tabby silk [297] and spread it under the hoofs of the Caliph's she-mule; then he brought out a piece of velvet-Kimcob [298] and a third of fine satin and did with them likewise; and thus he spread well nigh twenty pieces of rich stuffs, till Al-Rashid and his suite had reached the house; when he came forward and said, "Bismillah, [299] O Commander of the Faithful!" Said Al-Rashid to Ja'afar, "I wonder to whom this house may belong," and said he, "It belongeth to a man hight Ibn al-Ukab, Syndic of the jewellers." So the Caliph dismounted and entering, with his courtiers, saw a high-builded saloon, spacious and boon, with couches on daïs and carpets and divans strown in place. So he went up to the couch that was set for himself on four legs of ivory, plated with glittering gold and covered with seven carpets. This pleased him and behold, up came Khalif, with eunuchs and little white slaves, bearing all manner sherbets, compounded with sugar and lemon and perfumed with rose and willow-water and the purest musk. The Fisherman advanced and drank and gave the Caliph to drink, and the cup-bearers came forward and served the rest of the company with the sherbets. Then Khalif brought a table spread with meats of various colors and geese and fowls and other birds, saying, "In the name of Allah!" So they ate their fill; after which he bade remove the tables and kissing the ground three times before the Caliph craved his royal leave to bring wine and music. [300] He granted him permission for this and turning to Ja'afar, said to him, "As my head liveth, the house and that which is therein is Khalif's; for that he is ruler over it and I am in admiration at him, whence there came to him this passing prosperity and exceeding felicity! However, this is no great matter to Him who says to a thing, 'Be!' and it becometh; what I most wonder at is his understanding, how it hath increased, and whence he hath gotten this loftiness and this lordliness; but, when Allah willeth weal unto a man, He amendeth his intelligence before bringing him to worldly affluence." As they were talking, behold, up came Khalif, followed by cup-bearer lads like moons, belted with zones of gold, who spread a cloth of siglaton [301] and set on it flagons of chinaware and tall flasks of glass and cups of crystal and bottles and hanaps [302] of all colors; and those flagons they filled with pure clear and old wine, whose scent was as the fragrance of virgin musk and it was even as says the poet,

"Ply me and also my mate be plied * With pure wine prest in the olden tide. [303] Daughter of nobles [304] they lead her forth [305] * In raiment of goblets beautified. They belt her round with the brightest gems, * And pearls and unions, the Ocean's pride; So I by these signs and signets know * Wherefore the Wine is entitled 'Bride.' [306]"

And round about these vessels were confections and flowers, such as may not be surpassed. When Al-Rashid saw this from Khalif, he inclined to him and smiled upon him and invested him with an office; so Khalif wished him continuance of honor and endurance of days and said, "Will the Commander of the Faithful deign give me leave to bring him a singer, a lute-player her like was never heard among mortals ever?" Said the Caliph, "You art permitted!" So he kissed ground before him and going to a secret closet, called Kut al-Kulub, who came after she had disguised and falsed and veiled herself, tripping in her robes and trinkets; and she kissed ground before the Commander of the Faithful. Then she sat down and tuning the lute, touched its strings and played upon it, till all present were like to faint for excess of delight; after which she improvised these verses,

"Would Heaven I wot, will ever Time bring our beloveds back again? * And, ah! will Union and its bliss to bless two lovers deign? Will Time assure to us united days and joinèd joy, * While from the storms and stowres of life in safety we remain? Then O Who bade this pleasure be, our parting past and gone, * And made one house our meeting-stead throughout the Nights contain; By him, draw near me, love, and closest cling to side of me * Else were my wearied wasted life, a vanity, a bane."

When the Caliph heard this, he could not master himself, but rent his raiment and fell down a-swoon; whereupon all who were present hastened to doff their dress and throw it over him, while Kut al-Kulub signed to Khalif and said to him, "Hie to yonder chest and bring us what is therein;" for she had made ready therein a suit of the Caliph's wear against the like of such hour as this. So Khalif brought it to her and she threw it over the Commander of the Faithful, who came to himself and knowing her for Kut al-Kulub, said, "Is this the Day of Resurrection and hath Allah quickened those who are in the tombs; or am I asleep and is this an imbroglio of dreams?" Said Kut al-Kulub, "We are on wake, not on sleep, and I am alive, nor have I drained the cup of death." Then she told him all that had befallen her, and indeed, since he lost her, life had not been light to him nor had sleep been sweet, and he abode now wondering, then weeping and anon afire for longing. When she had made an end of her story, the Caliph rose and took her by the hand, intending for her palace, after he had kissed her inner lips, and had strained her to his bosom; whereupon Khalif rose and said, "By Allah, O Commander of the Faithful! You have already wronged me once, and now you wrongest me again." Said Al-Rashid, "Indeed you speakest sooth, O Khalif," and bade the Wazir Ja'afar give him what should satisfy him. So he straightway gifted him with all for which he wished and assigned him a village, the yearly revenues whereof were twenty thousand dinars. Moreover Kut al-Kulub generously presented him the house and all that was therein of furniture and hangings and white slaves and slave-girls and eunuchs great and small. So Khalif became possessed of this passing affluence and exceeding wealth and took him a wife, and prosperity taught him gravity and dignity, and good fortune overwhelmed him. The Caliph enrolled him among his equerries and he abode in all solace of life and its delights till he deceased and was admitted to the mercy of Allah. Furthermore they relate a tale about [307]

[Footnote 308] There was once in days of yore and in ages and times long gone before a man and a named merchant Masrúr, who was of the comeliest of the folk of his tide, a fellow of wealth galore and in easiest case; but he loved to take his pleasure in vergiers and flower-gardens and to divert himself with the love of the fair. Now it fortuned one night, as he lay asleep, he dreamt that he was in a garden of the loveliest, in which were four birds, and among them a dove, white as polished silver. That dove pleased him and for her grew up in his heart an exceeding love. Presently, he beheld a great bird swoop down on him and snatch the dove from his hand, and this was grievous to him. After which he awoke and not finding the bird strove with his yearnings till morning, when he said in himself, "There is no help but that I go today to some one who will expound to me this vision."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-sixth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the merchant awoke, he strove with his yearnings till morning when he said to himself, "There is no help but that I go this day to some one who will expound to me this vision." So he went forth and walked right and left, till he was far from his dwelling-place, but found none to interpret the dream to him. Then he would have returned, but on his way behold, the fancy took him to turn aside to the house of a certain trader, a man of the wealthiest, and when he drew near to it, suddenly he heard from within a plaintive voice from a sorrowful heart reciting these couplets,

"The breeze o' Morn blows uswards from her trace * Fragrant, and heals the love-sick lover's case. I stand like captive on the mounds and ask * While tears make answer for the ruined place: Said I, 'By Allah, Breeze o' Morning, say * Shall Time and Fortune aye this stead regrace? Shall I enjoy a fawn whose form bewitched * And langourous eyelids wasted frame and face?'"

When Masrur heard this, he looked in through the doorway and saw a garden of the goodliest of gardens, and at its farther end a curtain of red brocade, purfled with pearls and gems, behind which sat four damsels, and among them a young lady over four feet and under five in height, as she were the rondure of the lune and the full moon shining boon: she had eyes Kohl'd with nature's dye and joined eyebrows, a mouth as it were Solomon's seal and lips and teeth bright with pearls and coral's light; and indeed she ravished all wits with her beauty and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace. When Masrur spied her, he entered the porch and went on entering till he came to the curtain: whereupon she raised her head and glanced at him. So he saluted her and she returned his salam with sweetest speech; and, when he considered her more straitly, his reason was dazed and his heart amazed. Then he looked at the garden and saw that it was full of jessamine and gilly flowers and violets and roses and orange blossoms and all manner sweet-scented blooms and herbs. Every tree was girt about with fruits and there coursed down water from four daïses, which faced one another and occupied the four corners of the garden. He looked at the first Líwán and found written around it with vermilion these two couplets,

"Ho you the House! Grief never home in you; * Nor Time work treason on your owner's head: All good betide the House which every guest * Harbours, when sore distrest for way and stead!"

Then he looked at the second daïs and found written on it in red gold these couplets,

"Robe you, O House, in richest raiment Time, * Long as the birdies on the branchlets chime! And sweetest perfumes breathe within your walls * And lover meet beloved in bliss sublime. And dwell your dwellers all in joy and pride * Long as the wandering stars Heaven-hill shall climb."

Then he looked at the third, whereon he found written in ultramarine these two couplets,

"Ever your pomp and pride, O House! display * While starkeneth Night and shineth sheeny Day! Boon Fortune bless all entering your walls, * And whomso dwell in you, for ever and aye!"

Then he looked at the fourth and saw painted in yellow characters this couplet,

"This garden and this lake in truth * Are fair sitting-steads, by the Lord of Ruth!"

Moreover, in that garden were birds of all breeds, ring-dove and cushat and nightingale and culver, each singing his several song, and among them the lady, swaying gracefully to and fro in her beauty and grace and symmetry and loveliness and ravishing all who saw her. Presently said she to Masrur, "Hola man! what brings you into a house other than your house and wherefore come you in unto women other than your women, without leave of their owner?" Said he, "O my lady, I saw this garden, and the goodliness of its greenery pleased me and the fragrance of its flowers and the carolling of its birds; so I entered, thinking to gaze on it awhile and wend my way." Said she, "With love and gladness!"; and Masrur was amazed at the sweetness of her speech and the coquetry of her glances and the straightness of her shape, and transported by her beauty and seemliness and the pleasantness of the garden and the birds. So in the disorder of his spirits he recited these couplets,

"As a crescent-moon in the garth her form * 'Mid Basil and jasmine and Rose I scan; And Violet faced by the Myrtle-spray * And Nu'umán's bloom and Myrobalan: By her perfume the Zephyrs perfumèd breathe * And with scented sighings the branches fan. O Garden, you perfect of beauty art * All charms comprising in perfect plan; And melodious birdies sing madrigals * And the Full Moon [309] shineth in branchshade wan; Its ring-dove, its culver, its mocking-bird * And its Philomel sing my soul t' unman; And the longing of love all my wits confuseth * For her charms, as the man whom his wine bemuseth."

Now when Zayn al-Mawásif heard his verse, she glanced at him with eyes which bequeathed a thousand sighs and utterly ravished his wisdom and wits and replied to him in these lines,

"Hope not of our favours to make your prey * And of what you wishest your greed allay: And cease your longing; you canst not win * The love of the Fair thou'rt fain t' essay, My glances to lovers are baleful and nothing * I reek of your speech: I have said my say!"

"Ho, you! Begone about your business, for we are none of the woman-tribe who are neither yours nor another's. [310]" And he answered, "O my lady, I said nothing ill." Said she, "You sought to divert yourself [311] and you have had your diversion; so wend your ways." Said he, "O my lady, perhaps you will give me a draught of water, for I am athirst." Whereupon she cried, "How can you drink of a Jew's water, and you a Nazarene?" But he replied, "O my lady, your water is not forbidden to us nor ours unlawful to you, for we are all as one creation." So she said to her slave-girl, "Give him to drink;" and she did as she was bidden. Then she called for the table of food, and there came four damsels, high-bosomed maids, bearing four trays of meats and four gilt flagons full of strong old-wine, as it were the tears of a slave of love for clearness, and a table around whose edge were graven these couplets,

"For eaters a table they brought and set * In the banquet-hall and 'twas dight with gold: Like th' Eternal Garden that gathers all * Man wants of meat and wines manifold."

And when the high-breasted maids had set all this before him, said she, "You sought to drink of our drink; so up and at our meat and drink!" He could hardly credit what his ears had heard and sat down at the table forthright; whereupon she bade her nurse [312] give him a cup, that he might drink. Now her slave-girls were called, one Hubúb, another Khutúb and the third Sukúb, [313] and she who gave him the cup was Hubub. So he took the cup and looking at the outside there saw written these couplets,

"Drain not the howl but with lovely wight * Who loves you and wine makes brighter bright. And 'ware her Scorpions [314] that o'er you creep * And guard your tongue lest you vex her sprite."

Then the cup went round and when he emptied it he looked inside and saw written,

"And 'ware her Scorpions when pressing them, * And hide her secrets from foes' despight."

Whereupon Masrur laughed at her and she asked him, "What causes you to laugh?" "For the fulness of my joy," said he. Presently, the breeze blew on her and the scarf [315] fell from her head and discovered a fillet [316] of glittering gold, set with pearls and gems and jacinths; and on her breast was a necklace of all manner ring-jewels and precious stones, to the centre of which hung a sparrow of red gold, with feet of red coral and bill of white silver and body full of Nadd-powder and pure ambergris and odoriferous musk. And upon its back was engraved,

"The Nadd is my wine-scented powder, my bread; * And the bosom's my bed and the breasts my stead: And my neck-nape complains of the weight of love, * Of my pain, of my pine, of my drearihead."

Then Masrur looked at the breast of her shift and behold, on it lay wroughten in red gold this verse,

"The fragrance of musk from the breasts of the fair * Zephyr borrows, to sweeten the morning air."

Masrur marvelled at this with exceeding wonder and was dazed by her charms and amazement got hold upon him. Then said Zayn al-Mawásif to him, "Begone from us and go about your business, lest the neighbours hear of us and even us with the lewd." He replied, "By Allah, O my lady, suffer my sight to enjoy the view of your beauty and loveliness." With this she was angry with him and leaving him, walked in the garden, and he looked at her shift-sleeve and saw upon it embroidered these lines,

"The weaver-wight wrote with gold-ore bright * And her wrists on brocade rained a brighter light: Her palms are adorned with a silvern sheen; * And favour her fingers the ivory's white: For their tips are rounded like priceless pearl; * And her charms would enlighten the nightiest night."

And, as she paced the garth, Masrur gazed at her slippers and saw written upon them these pleasant lines,

"The slippers that carry these fair young feet * Cause her form to bend in its gracious bloom: When she paces and waves in the breeze she owns, * She shines fullest moon in the murkiest gloom."

She was followed by her women leaving Hubub with Masrur by the curtain, upon whose edge were embroidered these couplets,

"Behind the veil a damsel sits with gracious beauty dight, * Praise to the Lord who decked her with these inner gifts of sprite! Guards her the garden and the bird fain bears her company; * Gladden her wine-draughts and the bowl but makes her brighter-bright. Apple and Cassia-blossom show their envy of her cheeks; * And borrows Pearl resplendency from her resplendent light; As though the sperm that gendered her were drop of marguerite [317] * Happy who kisses her and spends in her embrace the night."

So Masrur entered into a long discourse with Hubub and presently said to her, "O Hubub, has your mistress a husband or not?" She replied, "My lady has a husband; but he is actually abroad on a journey with merchandise of his." Now when he heard that her husband was abroad on a journey, his heart lusted after her and he said, "O Hubub, glorified be He who created this damsel and fashioned her! How sweet is her beauty and her loveliness and her symmetry and perfect grace! Verily, into my heart is fallen sore travail for her. O Hubub, so do that I come to enjoy her, and you shall have of me what you will of wealth and what not else." Replied Hubub, "O Nazarene, if she heard you speak thus, she would slay you, or else she would kill herself, for she is the daughter of a Zealot [318] of the Jews nor is there her like among them: she has no need of money and she keeps herself ever cloistered, not revealing her case to any." Said Masrur, "O Hubub, if you will but bring me to enjoy her, I will be to you slave and foot page and will serve you all my life and give you whatsoever you seek of me." But said she, "O Masrur, in very sooth this woman has no lust for money nor yet for men, because my lady Zayn al-Mawasif is of the cloistered, going not forth her house-door in fear lest folk see her; and but that she bore with you by reason of your strangerhood, she had not permitted you to pass her threshold; no, not though you were her brother." He replied, "O Hubub, be our go-between and you shall have of me a hundred gold dinars and a dress worth as much more, for that the love of her has gotten hold of my heart." Hearing this she said, "O man, let me go about with her in talk and I will return you and answer and acquaint you with what she said. Indeed, she loves those who berhyme her and she affects those who set forth her charms and beauty and loveliness in verse, and we may not prevail over her save by wiles and soft speech and beguilement." Thereupon Hubub rose and going up to her mistress, accosted her with privy talk of this and that and presently said to her, "O my lady, look at yonder young man, the Nazarene; how sweet is his speech and how shapely his shape!" When Zayn al-Mawasif heard this, she turned to her and said, "If you like his comeliness love him yourself. Are you not ashamed to address the like of me with these words? Go, bid him begone about his business; or I will make it the worse for him." So Hubub returned to Masrur, but acquainted him not with that which her mistress had said. Then the lady bade her go to the door and look if she saw any of the folk, lest foul befall them. So she went and returning, said, "O my lady, without are folk in plenty and we cannot let him go forth this night." Said Zayn al-Mawasif, "I am saddened because of a dream I have seen and am frightened by it." And Masrur said, "What saw you? Allah never trouble your heart!" She replied, "I was asleep in the middle of the night, when suddenly an eagle swooped down upon me from the highest of the clouds and would have carried me off from behind the curtain, wherefore I was affrighted at him. Then I awoke from sleep and bade my women bring me meat and drink, so haply, when I had drunken, the dolour of the dream would cease from me." Hearing this, Masrur smiled and told her his dream from first to last and how he had caught the dove, whereat she marvelled with exceeding marvel. Then he went on to talk with her at great length and said, "I am now certified of the truth of my dream, for you are the dove and I the eagle, and there is no hope but that this must be, for, the moment I set eyes on you, you took possession of my vitals and set my heart a-fire for love of you!" Thereupon Zayn al-Mawasif became angry with exceeding wrath and said to him, "I take refuge with Allah from this! Allah upon you, begone about your business before the neighbours see you and there betide us sore reproach," adding, "Harkye, man! Let not your soul covet that it shall not obtain. You weary yourself in vain; for I am a merchant's wife and a merchant's daughter and you are a druggist; and when saw you a druggist and a merchant's daughter conjoined by such sentiment?" He replied, "O my lady, never lacked love-liesse between folk [319]; so cut you not off from me hope of this and whatsoever you seek of me of money and raiment and ornaments and what not else, I will give you." Then he abode with her in discourse and mutual blaming while she still redoubled in anger, till it was black night, when he said to her, "O my lady, take this gold piece and fetch me a little wine, for I am athirst and heavy hearted." So she said to the slave-girl Hubub, "Fetch him wine and take nothing from him, for we have no need of his dinar." So she went while Masrur held his peace and bespoke not the lady, who suddenly improvised these lines,

"Leave this your design and depart, O man! * Nor tread paths where lewdness and crime trepan! Love is a net shall enmesh your sprite, * Make you rise a-morning sad, weary and wan: For our spy you shall eke be the cause of talk; * And for you shall blame me my tribe and clan: Yet scant I marvel you lovest a Fair:— * Gazelles hunting lions we aye shall scan!"

And he answered her with these,

"Joy of boughs, bright branch of Myrobalan! * Have pity on the heart all your charms unman: Death-cup to the dregs you garrest me drain * And don weed of Love with its bane and ban: How can soothe I a heart which for stress of pine * Burns with living coals which my longings fan?"

Hearing these lines she exclaimed, "Away from me! Said the saw 'Whoever looses his sight wearies his sprite.' By Allah, I am tired of discourse with you and chiding, and indeed your soul covets what shall never become yours; nay, though you gave me my weight in gold, you should not get your wicked will of me; for, I know nothing of the things of the world, save pleasant life, by the boon of Allah Almighty!" He answered, "O my lady Zayn al-Mawasif, ask of me what you will of the goods of the world." Said she, "What shall I ask of you? For sure you will fare forth and prate of me in the highway and I shall become a laughing-stock among the folk and they will make a byword of me in verse, me who am the daughter of the chief of the merchants and whose father is known of the notables of the tribe. I have no need of money or raiment and such love will not be hidden from the people and I shall be brought to shame, I and my kith and kin." With this Masrur was confounded and could make her no answer; but presently she said, "Indeed, the master-thief, if he steal, steals not but what is worth his neck, and every woman who does lewdness with other than her husband is styled a thief; so, if it must be thus and no help [320], you shall give me whatsoever my heart desires of money and raiment and ornaments and what not." Said he, "If you sought of me the world and all its regions, from its East to its West, 'twere but a little thing, compared with your favour;" and said she, "I will have of you three suits, each worth a thousand Egyptian dinars, and adorned with gold and fairly purfled with pearls and jewels and jacinths, the best of their kind. Furthermore I require that you swear to me you will keep my secret nor reveal it to any and that you will company with none but me; and I in turn will swear to you a true oath that I will never play you false in love." So he swo re to her the oath she required and she swore to him, and they agreed upon this; after which she said to her nurse Hubub, "Tomorrow go with Masrur to his lodging and seek some musk and ambergris and Nadd and rose-water and see what he has. If he is a man of condition, we will take him into favour; but if he is otherwise we will leave him." Then said she to him, "O Masrur, I desire some musk and ambergris and aloes-wood and Nadd; so send it to me by Hubub;" and he answered, "With love and gladness; my shop is at your disposal!" Then the wine went round between them and their séance was sweet: but Masrur's heart was troubled for the passion and pining which possessed him; and when Zayn al-Mawasif saw him in this plight, she said to her slave-girl Sukub, "Arouse Masrur from his stupor; perhaps he will recover." Answered Sukub, "Hearkening and obedience," and sang these couplets,

"Bring gold and gear an a lover thou, * And hymn your love so success shall row; Joy the smiling fawn with the black-edged eyne * And the bending lines of the Cassiabough: On her look, and a marvel therein shall sight, * And pour out your life before your life-term show: Love's affect be this, if you weet the same; * But, an gold deceive you, leave gold and go!"

Hereupon Masrur understood her and said, "I hear and apprehend. Never was grief but after came relief, and after affliction dealing He will order the healing." Then Zayn al-Mawasif recited these couplets,

"From Love-stupor awake, O Masrur, 'twere best; * For this day I dread my love rend your breast; And to-morrow I fear me folks' marvel-tale * Shall make us a byword from East to West: Leave love of my like or thou'lt gain you blame; * Why turn you us-wards? Such love's unblest! For one strange of lineage whose kin repel * You shall wake ill-famed, of friends dispossest: I'm a Zealot's child and affright the folk: * Would my life were ended and I at rest!"

Then Masrur answered her improvisation and began to say these lines,

"To grief leave a heart that to love ne'er ceased; * Nor blame, for your blame ever love increased: You misrule my vitals in tyrant-guise; * Morn and Eve I wend not or West or East; Love's law forbids me to do me die; * They say Love's victim is ne'er released: Well-away! Could I find in Love's Court a judge * I'd 'plain and win to my rights at least."

They ceased not from mutual chiding till morning morrowed, when Zayn al-Mawasif said, "O Masrur 'tis time for you to depart, lest one of the folk see you and foul befall us two." So he arose and accompanied by nurse Hubub fared on, till they came to his lodging, where he talked with her and said to her, "All you seek of me is ready for you, so but you will bring me to enjoy her." Hubub replied, "Hearten your heart;" whereupon he rose and gave her a hundred dinars, saying "O Hubub, I have by me a dress worth a hundred gold pieces." Answered she, "O Masrur, make haste with the trinkets and other things promised her, before she change her mind, for we may not take her, save with wile and guile, and she loves the saying of verse." Said he, "Hearing and obeying," and bringing her the musk and ambergris and lign-aloes and rosewater, returned with her to Zayn al-Mawasif and saluted her. She returned his salam with the sweetest speech, and he was dazed by her beauty and improvised these lines,

"O you sheeniest Sun who in night dost shine! * O who stole my soul with those large black eyne! O slim-shaped fair with the graceful neck! * O who shamest Rose wi' those checks o' thine! Blind not our sight wi' your fell disdain, * Disdain, that shall load us with pain and pine; Passion homes in our inmost, nor will be quenched * The fire of yearning in vitals li'en: Your love has housèd in heart of me * And of issue but you see I ne'er a sign: Then perhaps you'll pity this hapless wight * Thy sad lover and then—O the Morn divine!"

When Zayn al-Mawasif heard his verses, she cast at him a glance of eyes, that bequeathed him a thousand regrets and sighs and his wits and soul were ravished in such wise, and answered him with these couplets [321],

"Think not from her, of whom you art enamored aye * To win delight; so put desire from you away. Leave that you hop'st, for 'gainst her rigours whom you lov'st * Among the fair, in vain is all you canst essay. My looks to lovers bring discomfiture and woe: Indeed, * I make no count of that which you dost say."

When Masrur heard this, he hardened his heart and took patience, concealing his case and saying in himself, "There is nothing for it against calamity save long suffering;" and after this fashion they abode till nightfall when Zayn al-Mawasif called for food and they set before her a tray in which were all manner of dishes, quails and pigeons and mutton and so forth, whereof they ate their fill. Then she bade take away the tables and they did so and fetched the lavatory gear; and they washed their hands, after which she ordered her women to bring the candlesticks, and they set on candelabra and candles therein of camphorated wax. Thereupon said Zayn al-Mawasif, "By Allah, my breast is straitened this night and I am afevered;" and said Masrur, "Allah broaden your breast and banish your bane!" Then she said, "O Masrur, I am used to play at chess: tell me, do you know anything of the game?" He replied, "Yes; I am skilled therein;" whereupon she commanded her handmaid Hubub fetch her the chessboard. So she went away and presently returning with the board, set it before her, and behold, it was of ivory-marquetried ebony with squares marked in glittering gold, and its pieces of pearl and ruby.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-seventh Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif bade the chessboard be brought, they set it between her hands; and Masrur was amazed at this, when she turned to him and said, "Will you have red or white?" He replied, "O Princess of the fair and adornment of morning air, do you take the red for they formous are and fitter for the like of you to bear and leave the white to my care." Answered she, "So be it;" and, taking the red pieces, ranged them opposite the white, then put out her hand to a piece purposing the first pass into the battle-plain. Masrur considered her fingers, which were white as paste, and was confounded at their beauty and shapely shape; whereupon she turned to him and said, "O Masrur, be not bedazed, but take patience and calm yourself." He rejoined, "O you whose beauty shames the moon, how shall a lover look on you and have patience-boon?" And while this was doing she cried, "Checkmate [322]!" and beat him; wherefore she knew that he was Jinn-mad for love of her and said to him, "O Masrur, I will not play with you save for a set stake." He replied, "I hear and obey," and she rejoined, "Swear to me and I will swear to you that neither of us will cheat [323] the adversary." So both swore this and she said, "O Masrur, an I beat you, I will have ten dinars of you, but if you beat me, I will give you a mere nothing." He expected to win, so he said, "O my lady, be not false to your oath, for I see you are an overmatch for me at this game!" "Agreed," said she and they ranged their men and fell again to playing and pushing on their pawns and catching them up with the queens and aligning and matching them with the castles and solacing them with the onslaught of the knights. Now the "Adornment of Qualities" wore on head a kerchief of blue brocade so she loosed it off and tucking up her sleeve, showed a wrist like a shaft of light and passed her palm over the red pieces, saying to him, "Look to yourself." But he was dazzled at her beauty, and the sight of her graces bereft him of reason, so that he became dazed and amazed and put out his hand to the white men, but it alit upon the red. Said she, "O Masrur, where be your wits? The red are mine and the white thine;" and he replied, "Whoever looks at you perforce loses all his senses." Then, seeing how it was with him, she took the white from him and gave him the red, and they played and she beat him. He ceased not to play with her and she to beat him, while he paid her each time ten dinars, till, knowing him to be distraught for love of her, she said, "O Masrur, you will never win to your wish, unless you beat me, for such was our understanding; and henceforth, I will not play with you save for a stake of a hundred dinars a game." "With love and gladness," answered he and she went on playing and ever beating him and he paid her a hundred dinars each time; and on this wise they abode till the morning, without his having won a single game, when he suddenly sprang to his feet. Said she, "What will you do, O Masrur?"; and said he, "I mean to go to my lodging and fetch some money: it may be I shall come to my desire." "Do whatever seems good to you," said she; so he went home and taking all the money he had, returned to her improvising these two couplets,

"In dream I saw a bird o'er speed (meseem'd), * Love's garden decked with blooms that smiled and gleamed: But I shall ken, when won my wish and will * Of you, the truthful sense of what I dreamed."

Now when Masrur returned to her with all his monies they fell a-playing again; but she still beat him and he could not beat her once; and in such case they abode three days, till she had gotten of him the whole of his coin; whereupon said she, "O Masrur, what will you do now?"; and he replied, "I will stake you a druggist's shop." "What is its worth?" asked she; and he answered, "Five hundred dinars." So they played five bouts and she won the shop of him. Then he betted his slave-girls, lands, houses, gardens, and she won the whole of them, till she had gotten of him all he had; whereupon she turned to him and said, "Have you anything left to lay down?" Cried he, "By Him who made me fall into the snare of your love, I have neither money to touch nor anything else left, little or much!" She rejoined, "O Masrur, the end of whatever began in content shall not drive man to repent; wherefore, if you regret anything, take back your goods and begone from us about your business and I will hold you quit towards me." Masrur rejoined, "By Him who decreed these things to us, though you sought to take my life 'twere a wee thing to stake for your approof, because I love none but you!" Then said she, "O Masrur, fare immediately and fetch the Kazi and the witnesses and make over to me by deed all your lands and possessions." "Willingly," replied he and, going forth without stay or delay, brought the Kazi and the witnesses and set them before her. When the judge saw her, his wits fled and his mind was amazed and his reason was dazed for the beauty of her fingers, and he said to her, "O my lady, I will not write out the writ of conveyance, save upon condition that you buy the lands and mansions and slave-girls and that they all pass under your control and into your possession." She rejoined, "We're agreed upon that. Write me a deed, whereby all Masrur's houses and lands and slave-girls and whatever his right hand possesseth shall pass to Zayn al-Mawasif and become her property at such a price." So the Kazi wrote out the writ and the witnesses set hands thereto; whereupon she took it.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-eighth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif took from the Kazi the deed which made over her lover's property to her, she said to him, "O Masrur, now gang your gait." But her slave-girl Hubub turned to him and said, "Recite us some verses." So he improvised upon that game of chess these couplets,

"Of Time and what befell me I complain, * Mourning my loss by chess and eyes of bane. For love of gentlest, softest-sided fair * Whose like is not of maids or mortal strain: The shafts of glances from those eyne who shot * And led her conquering host to battle-plain Red men and white men and the clashing Knights * And, crying 'Look to you!' came forth amain: And, when down charging, finger-tips she showed * That gloomed like blackest night for sable stain, The Whites I could not rescue, could not save * While ecstasy made tear, floods rail and rain: The Pawns and Castles with their Queens fell low * And fled the Whites nor could the brunt sustain: Yea, with her shaft of glance at me she shot * And soon that shaft had pierced my heart and brain: She gave me choice between her hosts, and I * The Whites like moonlight first to choose was fain, Saying, 'This argent folk best fitteth me * I love them, but the Red by you be ta'en!' She playèd me for free accepted stake * Yet amorous mercy I could ne'er obtain: O fire of heart, O pine and woe of me, * Wooing a fair like moon mid starry train: Burns not my heart O no! nor anything regrets * Of good or land, but ah! her eyes' disdain! Amazed I'm grown and dazed for drearihead * And blame I Time who brought such pine and pain. Said she, 'Why art you so bedazed!' said I * 'Wine-drunken wight shall more of wine assain?' That mortal stole my sense by silk-soft shape, * Which doth for heart-core hardest rock contain. I nervèd self and cried, 'This day she's mine' * By bet, nor fear I prove she unhumàne: My heart ne'er ceased to seek possession, till * Beggared I found me for conditions twain: Will youth you loveth shun the Love-dealt blow, * Tho' were he whelmed in Love's high-surging main? So woke the slave sans e'en a coin to turn, * Thralled to repine for what he ne'er shall gain!"

Zayn al-Mawasif hearing these words marvelled at the eloquence of his tongue and said to him, "O Masrur, leave this madness and return to your right reason and wend your ways; for you have wasted all your moveables and immoveables at the chessgame, yet have not won your wish, nor have you any resource or device whereby you mayst attain to it." But he turned to her and said, "O my lady, ask of me whatever you will and you shall have it; for I will bring it to you and lay it at your feet." Answered she, "O Masrur, you have no money left." "O goal of all hopes, if I have no money, the folk will help me." "Shall the giver turn asker?" "I have friends and kinsfolk, and whatsoever I seek of them, they will give me." "O Masrur, I will have of you four pods of musk and four vases of civet [324] and four pounds of ambergris and four thousand dinars and four hundred pieces of royal brocade, purfled with gold. An you bring me these things, O Masrur, I will grant you my favours." "This is a light matter to me, O you that puttest the moons to shame," replied he and went forth to fetch her what she sought. She sent her maid Hubub after him, to see what worth he had with the folk of whom he had spoken to her; but, as he walked along the highways he turned and seeing her afar off, waited till she came up to him and said to her, "Where away, O Hubub?" So she said to him, "My mistress sent me to follow for this and that," and he replied, "By Allah, O Hubub, I have nothing to hand!" She asked, "Then why did you promise her?"; and he answered, "How many a promise made is unkept of its maker! Fine words in love-matters needs must be." When she heard this from him, she said, "O Masrur, be of good cheer and eyes clear for, by Allah, most assuredly I will be the means of your coming to enjoy her!" Then she left him nor ceased walking till she stood before her mistress weeping with sore weeping, and said, "O my lady, indeed he is a man of great consideration, and good repute among the folk." Said Zayn al-Mawasif, "There is no device against the destiny of Almighty Allah! Verily, this man found not in me a pitiful heart, for that I despoiled him of his substance and he got of me neither affection nor complaisance in granting him amorous joy; but, if I incline to his inclination, I fear lest the thing be bruited abroad." Said Hubub, "O my lady, verily, grievous upon us is his present plight and the loss of his good and you have with you none save yourself and your slave-girl Sukub; so which of us two would dare prate of you, and we your handmaids?" With this, she bowed her head for a while ground-wards and the damsels said to her, "O my lady, it is our decision that you send after him and show him grace and suffer him not ask of the sordid; for how bitter is such begging!" So she accepted their counsel and calling for inkcase and paper, wrote him these couplets,

"Joy is nigh, O Masrúr, so rejoice in true rede; * Whenas night shall fall you shall do kind-deed: Crave not of the sordid a loan, fair youth, * Wine stole my wits but they now take heed: All your good I reft shall return to you, * O Masrúr, and I'll add to them amorous meed; For indeed th' art patient, and sweet of soul * When wronged by your lover's tyrannic greed. So haste to enjoy us and luck to you! * Lest my folk come between us speed, love, all speed! Hurry uswards thou, nor delay, and while * My mate is far, on Love's fruit come feed."

Then she folded the paper and gave it to Hubub the handmaid, who carried it to Masrur and found him weeping and reciting in a transport of passion and love-longing these lines,

"A breeze of love on my soul did blow * That consumed my liver for stress of lowe; When my sweetheart went all my longings grew; * And with tears in torrent mine eyelids flow: Such my doubt and fears, did I tell their tale * To deaf rocks and pebbles they'd melt for woe. Would Heaven I wot shall I sight delight, * And shall win my wish and my friend shall know! Shall be folded up nights that doomed us part * And I be healed of what harms my heart?"

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Forty-ninth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that while Masrur, transported by passion and love-longing, was repeating his couplets in sing-song tone Hubub knocked at his door; so he rose and opened to her, and she entered and gave him the letter. He read it and said to her, "O Hubub, what is behind you of your lady's news [325]?" She answered, "O my lord, verily, in this letter is that dispenseth me from reply, for you art of those who readily descry!" Thereat he rejoiced with joy exceeding and repeated these two couplets,

"Came the writ whose contents a new joy revealed, * Which in vitals mine I would keep ensealed: And my longings grew when I kissed that writ, * As were pearl of passion therein concealed."

Then he wrote a letter answering hers and gave it to Hubub, who took it and returned with it to her mistress and immediately fell to extolling his charms to her and expiating on his good gifts and generosity; for she had become a helper to him, to bring about his union with her lady. Said Zayn al-Mawasif, "O Hubub, indeed he tarries to come to us;" and said Hubub, "He will certainly come soon." Hardly had she made an end of speaking when behold, he knocked at the door, and she opened to him and brought him in to her mistress, who saluted him with the salam [326] and welcomed him and seated him by her side. Then she said to Hubub, "Bring me a suit of brocade;" so she brought a robe broidered with gold and Zayn al-Mawasif threw it over him, while she herself donned one of the richest dresses and crowned her head with a net of pearls of the freshest water. About this she bound a fillet of brocade, purfled with pearls, jacinths and other jewels, from beneath which she let down two tresses [327] each looped with a pendant of ruby, charactered with glittering gold, and she loosed her hair, as it were the sombrest night; and lastly she incensed herself with aloes-wood and scented herself with musk and ambergris, and Hubub said to her, "Allah save you from the evil eye!" Then she began to walk, swaying from side to side with gracefullest gait, while Hubub who excelled in verse-making, recited in her honor these couplets,

"Shamed is the bough of Bán by pace of her; * And harmed are lovers by the gaze of her. A moon she rose from murks, the hair of her, * A sun from locks the brow encase of her: Blest he she nights with by the grace of her, * Who dies in her with oath by days of her!"

So Zayn al-Mawasif thanked her and went up to Masrur, as she were full moon displayed. But when he saw her, he rose to his feet and exclaimed, "An my thought deceive me not, she is no human, but one of the brides of Heaven!" Then she called for food and they brought a table, about whose marge were written these couplets, [328]

"Dip you with spoons in saucers four and gladden heart and eye * With many a various kind of stew and fricassee and fry. Thereon fat quails (ne'er shall I cease to love and tender them) * And rails and fowls and dainty birds of all the kinds that fly. Glory to God for the Kabobs, for redness all aglow, * And potherbs, steeped in vinegar, in porringers thereby! Fair fall the rice with sweet milk dressed, in which the hands did plunge * And eke the forearms of the fair were buried, bracelet-high! How my heart yearneth with regret over two plates of fish * That by two manchet-cakes of bread of Tewarij [329] did lie!"

Then they ate and drank and made mirth and merriment, after which the servants removed the table of food and set on the wine service; so cup and tasse [330] passed round between them and they were gladdened in soul. Then Masrur filled the cup and saying, "O whose thrall am I and who is my mistress!" [331] chanted these improvised couplets,

"Mine eyes I admire that can feed their fill * On charms of a girl rising worlds to light: In her time she hath none to compare for gifts * Of spirit and body a mere delight. Her shape breeds envy in Cassia-tree * When fares she forth in her symmetry dight: With luminous brow shaming moon of dark * And crown-like crescent the brightest bright. When treads she earth's surface her fragrance scents * The Zephyr that breathes over plain and height."

When he ended his extempore song she said, "O Masrur, whoever religiously keepeth his faith and hath eaten our bread and salt, it behooves us to give him his due; so put away from you all thought of what hath been and I will restore you your lands and houses and all we have taken from you." He replied, "O my lady, I acquit you of that whereof you speakest, though you had been false to the oath and covenant between us; for I will go and become a Moslem." Zayn al-Mawasif protested that she would follow suit [332] when Hubub cried to her, "O my lady, you art young of years and know many things, and I claim the intercession of Almighty Allah with you for, unless you do my bidding and heal my heart, I will not lie the night with you in the house." And she replied, "O Hubub, it shall be as you wilt. Rise and make us ready another sitting-room." So she sprang to her feet and gat ready a room and adorned and perfumed it after fairest fashion even as her lady loved and preferred; after which she again set on food and wine, and the cup went round between them and their hearts were glad.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fiftieth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif bade her maid Hubub make ready a private sitting-room she arose and did her bidding, after which she again set food and wine before them and cup and tasse went round gladdening their hearts. Presently said Zayn al-Mawasif, "O Masrur, come is the time of Union and favour; so, as you studiest my love to savour recite us some verses surpassing of flavour. " Upon this he recited the following ode [333],

"I am taken: my heart bums with living flame For Union shorn when Severance came, In the love of a damsel who forced my soul And with delicate cheeklet my reason stole. She hath eyebrows united and eyes black-white And her teeth are leven that smiles in light: The tale of her years is but ten plus four; Tears like Dragon's blood [334] for her love I pour. First I saw that face 'mid parterre and rill, Outshining full Lune on horizon-hill; And stood like a captive for awe, and cried, 'Allah's Peace, O who in demesne [335] doth hide!' She returned my salam, gaily answering With the sweetest speech likest pearls a-string. But when heard my words, she right soon had known My want and her heart waxed hard as stone, And said she, 'Be not this a word silly-bold?' But said I, 'Refrain you nor flyte and scold! An today you consent such affair were light; They like is the loved, mine the lover-wight!' When she knew my mind she but smiled in mirth And cried, 'Now, by the Maker of Heaven and Earth! I'm a Jewess of Jewry's driest e'er seen And you art nothing save a Nazarene. Why seek my favours? Thine's other caste; An this deed you do thou'lt repent the past. Say, does Love allow with two Faiths to play? Men shall blame you like me, at each break of day! Wilt you laugh at beliefs and deride their rite, And in your and mine prove you sinful sprite? An you lovedest me you had turnèd Jew, Losing worlds for love and my favours due; And by the Evangel strong oath had sworn To keep our secret intact from scorn!' So I took the Torah and sware strong oath I would hold to the covenant made by both. Then by law, religion and creed I sware, And bound her by oaths that most binding were; And asked her, 'Thy name, O my dear delight?' And she, 'Zayn al-Mawásif at home I'm hight!' 'O Zayn al-Mawasif!' (cried I) 'Hear my call: Thy love hath made me your veriest thrall!' Then I peeped 'neath her chin-veil and 'spied such charms That the longing of love filled my heart with qualms. 'Neath the curtain I ceased not to humble me, And complain of my heart-felt misery; But when she saw me by Love beguiled She raised her face-veil and sweetly smiled: And when breeze of Union our faces kiss'd With musk-pod she scented fair neck and wrist; And the house with her essences seemed to drip, And I kissed pure wine from each smiling lip: Then like branch of Bán 'neath her robe she swayed And joys erst unlawful [336] she lawful made: And joined, conjoined through our night we lay With clip, kiss of inner lip, langue fourrée. The world hath no grace but the one loved fere In your arms to clasp with possession sheer! With the morn she rose and she bade Good-bye While her brow shone brighter than moon a-sky; Reciting at parting (while tear-drops hung On her cheeks, these scattered and other strung), [337] 'Allah's pact in mind all my life I'll bear And the lovely nights and strong oath I sware.'"

Zayn al-Mawasif was delighted and said to him, "O Masrur, how goodly are your inner gifts! May he live not who would harm your heart!" Then she entered her boudoir and called him: so he went in to her and taking her in his arms, embraced her and hugged her and kissed her and got of her that which he had deemed impossible and rejoiced in winning the sweet of amorous will. Then said she, "O Masrur, your good is unlawful to me and is lawfully your again now that we are become lovers." So she returned to him all she had taken of him and asked him, "O Masrur, have you a flower-garden where we may wend and take our pleasure?"; whereto he answered, "Yes, O my lady, I have a garden that has not its like." Then he returned to his lodgings and bade his slave-girls make ready a splendid banquet and a handsome room; after which he summoned Zayn al-Mawasif who came surrounded by her damsels, and they ate and drank and made mirth and merriment, while the cup passed round between them and their spirits rose high. Then lover withdrew with beloved and Zayn al-Mawasif said to Masrur, "I have bethought me of some dainty verses, which I would fain sing to the lute." He replied, "Do sing them"; so she took the lute and tuning it, sang to a pleasant air these couplets,

"Joy from stroke of string doth to me incline, * And sweet is a-morning our early wine; Whenas Love unveileth the amourist's heart, * And by rending the veil he displays his sign, With a draught so pure, so dear, so bright, * As in hand of Moons [338] the Sun's sheeny shine O' nights it comes with joy to 'rase * The hoar of sorrow by boon divine."

Then ending her verse, she said to him, "O Masrur, recite us somewhat of your poetry and favour us with the fruit of your thought." So he recited these two couplets,

"We joy in full Moon who the wine bears round, * And in concert of lutes that from gardens sound; Where the dove moans at dawn and where bends the bough * To Morn, and all pathways of pleasure are found."

When he had finished his recitation she said to him, "Make us some verses on that which hath passed between us if you be occupied with love of me."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-first Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif said to Masrur, "If you are occupied with love of me, make us some verses on what has passed between us," "With love and gladness," he replied and improvised the following Kasídah [339],

"Stand you and hear what fell to me * For love of you gazelle to dree! Shot me a white doe with her shaft * O' glances wounding woundily. Love was my ruin, for was I * Straitened by longing ecstasy: I loved and woo'd a young coquette * Girded by strong artillery, Whom in a garth I first beheld * A form whose sight was symmetry. I greeted her and when she deigned * Greeting return, 'Salám,' said she 'What be your name?' said I, she said, * 'My name declares my quality! [340]' 'Zayn al-Mawásif I am hight.' * Cried I, 'Oh deign I mercy see,' 'Such is the longing in my heart * No lover claimeth rivalry!' Said she, 'With me if you 'rt in love * And to enjoy me pleadest plea, I want of you oh! muchel wealth; * Beyond all compt my wants o' you! I want o' you full many a robe * Of sendal, silk and damaskry; A quarter quintal eke of musk: * These of one night shall pay the fee. Pearls, unions and carnelian [341]-stones * The bestest best of jewelry!' Of fairest patience showed I show * In contrariety albe: At last she favored me one night * When rose the moon a crescent wee; An stranger blame me for her sake * I say, 'O blamers listen ye! She showeth locks of goodly length * And black as blackest night its blee; While on her cheeks the roses glow * Like Lazá-flame incendiary: In every eyelash is a sword * And every glance hath archery: Her liplets twain old wine contain, * And dews of fount-like purity: Her teeth resemble strings o' pearls, * Arrayed in line and fresh from sea: Her neck is like the neck of doe, * Pretty and carven perfectly: Her bosom is a marble slab * Whence rise two breasts like towers on lea: And on her stomach shows a crease * Perfumed with rich perfumery; Beneath which same there lurks a Thing * Limit of mine expectancy. A something rounded, cushioned-high * And plump, my lords, to high degree: To me 'tis likest royal throne * Where my longings wander free; There 'twixt two pillars man shall find * Benches of high-built tracery. It hath specific qualities * Drive sanest men t' insanity; Full mouth it hath like mouth of neck * Or well begirt by stony key; Firm lips with camelry's compare * And shows it eye of cramoisie. An draw you nigh with doughty will * To do your doing lustily, Thou'll find it fain to face your bout * And strong and fierce in valiancy. It bendeth backwards every brave * Shorn of his battle-bravery. At times imberbe, but full of spunk * To battle with the Paynimry. 'T will show you liveliness galore * And perfect in its raillery: Zayn al-Mawasif it is like * Complete in charms and courtesy. To her dear arms one night I came * And won meed given lawfully: I passed with her that self-same night * (Best of my nights!) in gladdest glee; And when the morning rose, she rose * And crescent like her visnomy: Then swayed her supple form as sway * The lances lopt from limber tree; And when farewelling me she cried, * 'When shall such nights return to me?' Then I replied, 'O eyen-light, * When He vouchsafeth His decree!'" [342]

Zayn al-Mawasif was delighted with this Ode and the utmost gladness gat hold of her. Then said she, "O Masrur day-dawn draws nigh and there is nothing for it save to fly for fear of scandal and spy!" He replied, "I hear and obey," and rising led her to her lodging, after which he returned to his quarters [343] and passed the rest of the night pondering on her charms. When the morning morrowed with its sheen and shone, he made ready a splendid present and carried it to her and sat by her side. And thus they abode awhile, in all solace of life and its delight, till one day there came to Zayn al-Mawasif a letter from her husband reporting to her his speedy return. Thereupon she said in herself, "May Allah not keep him nor quicken him! If he comes here, our life will be troubled: would Heaven I might despair of him!" Presently entered Masrur and sat with her at chat, as was his wont, whereupon she said to him, "O Masrur, I have received a missive from my mate, announcing his speedy return from his wayfaring. What is to be done, since neither of us without other can live?" He replied, "I know not; but you are better able to judge, being acquainted with the ways of your man, more by token that you are one of the sharpest-witted of women and past mistress of devices such as devise that whereof fail the wise." Said she, "He is a hard man and jealous of his household: but, when he shall come home and you hear of his coming, do you repair to him and salute him and sit down by his side, saying, 'O my brother, I am a druggist.' Then buy of him some drugs and spices of sorts and call upon him frequently and prolong your talks with him and refuse him not in whatsoever he shall bid you; so perhaps that I would contrive may betide, as it were by chance." "I hear and I obey," said Masrur and fared forth from her, with heart a-fire for love. When her husband came home, she rejoiced in meeting him and after saluting him bade him welcome; but he looked in her face and seeing it pale and sallow (for she had washed it with saffron, using one of women's arts), asked her of her case. She answered that she had been sick, she and her women, from the time of his wayfaring, adding, "Verily, our hearts have been engrossed with thoughts of you because of the length of your absence." And she went on to complain to him of the misery of separation and to pour forth copious tears, saying, "Had you but a companion with you, my heart had not borne all this cark and care for you. So, Allah upon you, O my lord, travel not again without a comrade and cut me not off from news of you, that my heart and mind may be at rest concerning you!"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-second Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif said to her mate, "Travel not without comrade and cut me not off from news of you, that my heart and mind may be at rest concerning you," he replied, "With love and gladness! By Allah your bede is good indeed and right is your rede! By your life, it shall be as you do heed." Then he unpacked some of his stock-in-trade and carrying the goods to his shop, opened it and sat down to sell in the Soko. [344] No sooner had he taken his place than lo and behold! up came Masrur and saluting him, sat down by his side and began talking and talked with him awhile. Then he pulled out a purse and taking forth gold, handed it to Zayn al-Mawasif's man and said, "Give me the worth of these dinars in drugs and spices of sorts, that I may sell them in my shop." The Jew replied, "I hear and I obey," and gave him what he sought. And Masrur continued to pay him frequent visits till, one day, the merchant said to him, "I have a mind to take me a man to partner in trade." Said Masrur, "And I also, desire to take a partner; for my father was a merchant in the land of Al-Yaman and left me great store of money and I fear lest it fare from me." Said the Jew, turning towards him, "Will you be my partner, and I will be your partner and a true friend and comrade to you at home and abroad; and I will teach you selling and buying, giving and taking?" And Masrur rejoined, "With all my heart." So the merchant carried him to his place and seated him in the vestibule, while he went in to his wife and said to her, "I have provided me with a partner and have bidden him here as a guest; so do you get us ready good guest-cheer." When she heard this, she rejoiced divining that it was Masrur, and made ready a magnificent banquet, [345] of her delight in the success of her device. Then, when the guest drew nigh, her husband said to her, "Come out with me to him and bid him welcome and say, 'You gladden us [346]!'" But Zayn al-Mawasif made a show of anger, crying, "Will you have me display myself before a strange man? I take refuge with Allah! Though you cut me to bits, I will not appear before him!" Rejoined he, "Why should you be abashed at him, seeing that he is a Nazarene and we are Jews and, to boot, we are become chums, he and I?" Said she, "I am not minded to present myself before a strange man, on whom I have never once set eyes and whom I know not any wise." Her husband thought she spoke sooth and ceased not to importune her, till she rose and veiling herself, took the food and went out to Masrur and welcomed him; whereupon he bowed his head groundwards, as he were ashamed, and the Jew, seeing such dejection said in himself, "Doubtless, this man is a devotee." They ate their fill and the table being removed, wine was set on. As for Zayn al-Mawasif, she sat over against Masrur and gazed on him and he gazed on her till ended day, when he went home, with a heart to fire a prey. But the Jew abode pondering the grace and the comeliness of him; and, as soon as it was night, his wife according to custom served him with supper and they seated themselves before it. Now he had a mockingbird which was wont, whenever he sat down to meat, to come and eat with him and hover over his head; but in his absence the fowl was grown familiar with Masrur and used to flutter about him as he sat at meals. Now when Masrur disappeared and the master returned, it knew him not and would not draw near him, and this made him thoughtful concerning his case and the fowl's withdrawing from him. As for Zayn al-Mawasif, she could not sleep with her heart thinking of Masrur, and thus it was with her a second and even a third night, till the Jew became aware of her condition and, watching her while she sat distraught, began to suspect something wrong. On the fourth night, he awoke in the middle thereof and heard his wife babbling in her sleep and naming Masrur, what while she lay on her husband's bosom, wherefore he doubted her; but he dissembled his suspicions and when morning morrowed he repaired to his shop and sat therein. Presently, up came Masrur and saluted him. He returned his salam and said to him, "Welcome, O my brother!" adding anon, "I have wished for you;" and he sat talking with him for an hour or so, after which he said to him, "Rise, O my brother, and come with me to my house, that we may enter into the pact of brotherhood." [347] Replied Masrur, "With joy and goodly gree," and they repaired to the Jew's house, where the master went in and told his wife of Masrur's visit, for the purpose of conditioning their partnership, and said, "Make us ready a goodly entertainment, and needs must you be present and witness our brotherhood." But she replied, "Allah upon you, cause me not show myself to this strange man, for I have no mind to company with him." So he held his peace and forbore to press her and bade the waiting-women bring food and drink. Then he called the mocking-bird but it knew not its lord and settled upon Masrur's lap; and the Jew said to him, "O my master, what is your name?" He answered, "My name is Masrur;" whereupon the Jew remembered that this was the name which his wife had repeated all night long in her sleep. Presently, he raised his head and saw her making signs [348] with her forefingers to Masrur and motioning to him with her eyes, wherefore he knew that he had been completely cozened and cuckolded and said, "O my lord, excuse me awhile, till I fetch my kinsmen, so they may be present at our swearing brotherhood." Said Masrur, "Do what seems good to you;" whereupon the Jew went forth the house and returning privily by a back way.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-third Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Zayn al-Mawasif's husband said to Masrur, "Excuse me awhile, till I fetch my cousins to witness the brother-bond between me and you." Then he went forth and, privily returning behind the sitting-room, there took his station hard by a window which gave upon the saloon and whence he could watch them without their seeing him. Suddenly said Zayn al-Mawasif to her maid Sukub, "Where is your master gone?"; and said she, "He is gone out of the house." Cried the mistress, "Lock the door and bar it with iron and open you not till he knock, after you have told me." Answered Sukub, "So shall it be done." Then, while her husband watched them, she rose and filling a cup with wine, flavored with powdered musk and rose-water, went close to Masrur, who sprang up to meet her, saying, "By Allah, the water of your mouth is sweeter than this wine!" "Here it is for you," said she and filling her mouth with wine, gave him to drink thereof, while he gave her the like to drink; after which she sprinkled him with rose-water from front to foot, till the perfume scented the whole place. All this while, the Jew was looking on and marvelling at the stress of love that was between them and his heart was filled with fury for what he saw and he was not only wroth, but jealous with exceeding jealousy. Then he went out again and coming to the door found it locked and knocked a loud knock of the excess of his rage; whereupon said Sukub, "O my lady, here is my master;" and said Zayn al-Mawasif, "Open to him; would that Allah had not brought him back in safety!" So Sukub went and opened the door to the Jew, who said to her, "What ailed you to lock the door?" Said she, "It has never ceased to be locked thus during your absence; nor has it been opened night nor day;" and cried he, "You have done well; this pleases me." Then he went in to Masrur, laughing and dissembling his chagrin, and said to him, "O Masrur, let us put off the conclusion of our pact of brotherhood this day and defer it to another." Replied Masrur, "As you will," and went home, leaving the Jew pondering his case and knowing not what to do; for his heart was sore troubled and he said to himself, "Even the mocking-bird disowns me and the slave-girls shut the door in my face and favour another." And of his exceeding chagrin, he fell to reciting these couplets,

"Masrur joys life made fair by all delight of days, * Fulfilled of boons, while mine the sorest grief displays. The Days have falsed me in the breast of her I love * And in my heart are fires which all-consuming blaze: Yea, Time was clear for you, but now 'tis past and gone * While yet her lovely charms your wit and senses daze: Espied these eyes of mine her gifts of loveliness: * Oh, hard my case and sore my woe on spirit weighs! I saw the maiden of the tribe deal rich old wine * Of lips like Salsabíl to friend my love betrays: E'en so, O mocking-bird, you dost betray my breast * And to a rival teachest Love and lover-ways: Strange things indeed and wondrous saw these eyne of me * Which were they sleepdrowned still from Sleep's abyss would raise: I see my best belovèd hath forsworn my love * And eke like my mocking-bird fro' me a-startled strays. By truth of Allah, Lord of Worlds who, whatever wills * His Fate, for creatures works and none His hest gainsays, Forsure I'll deal to that ungodly wight his due * Who but to sate his wicked will her heart withdrew!"

When Zayn al-Mawasif heard this, her side-muscles trembled and said she to her handmaid, "Heard you those lines?"; whereupon said the girl, "I never heard him in my born days recite the like of these verses; but let him say what he will." Then having assured himself of the truth of his suspicions, the Jew began to sell all his property, saying to himself, "Unless I part them by removing her from her mother land the twain will not turn back from this that they are engaged in, no, never!" So, when he had converted all his possessions into coin, he forged a letter and read it to Zayn al-Mawasif, declaring that it had come from his kinsmen, who invited him to visit them, him and his wife. She asked, "How long shall we tarry with them?" and he answered, "Twelve days." Accordingly she consented to this and said, "Shall I take any of my maids with me?"; whereto he replied, "Take Hubub and Sukub and leave Khutub here." Then he made ready a handsome camel-litter [349] for his spouse and her women and prepared to set out with them; while she sent to her lover, telling him what had betided her and saying, "O Masrur, if the trysting-time [350] that is between us pass and I come not back, know that he has cheated and cozened us and planned a plot to separate us each from other, so forget you not the plighted faith between us, for I fear that he has found out our love and I dread his craft and perfidy." Then, while her man was busy about his march she fell a-weeping and lamenting and no peace was left her, night or day. Her husband saw this, but took no note thereof; and when she saw there was scant help for it, she gathered together her clothes and gear and deposited them with her sister, telling her what had befallen her. Then she farewelled her and going out from her, drowned in tears, returned to her own house, where she found her husband had brought the camels and was busy loading them, having set apart the handsomest dromedary for her riding, and when she saw this and knew that needs must she be separated from Masrur, she became completely distraught. Presently it chanced that the Jew went out on some business of his; so she fared forth to the first or outer door and wrote on it these couplets,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-fourth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif saw her spouse summon the camels and knew that the march needs must be, she waxt clean distraught. Presently it chanced that the Jew went out on some business so she fared forth to the first door and wrote on it these couplets,

"Bear our salams, O Dove, from this our stead * From lover to beloved far severèd! Bid him fro' me ne'er cease to yearn and mourn * O'er happy days and hours for ever fled: Eke I in grief shall ever mourn and yearn, * Dwelling on days of love and lustihead; Long was our joyance, seeming aye to last, * When night and morning to reunion led; Till croaked the Raven [351] of the Wold one day * His cursed croak and did our union dead. We sped and left the homestead dark and void * Its gates unpeopled and its dwellers sped."

Then she went to the second door and wrote on it these couplets,

"O who passest this doorway, by Allah, see * The charms of my fere in the glooms and make plea For me, saying, 'I think of the Past and weep * Yet boot me no tears flowing full and free.' Say, 'An fail you patience for what befell * Scatter earth and dust on the head of you! And o'er travel lands East and West, and deem * God sufficeth your case, so bear patiently!'"

Then she went to the third door and wept sore and on it wrote these couplets,

"Fare softly, Masrúr! an her sanctuary * You seek, and read what a-door writ she. Ne'er forget Love-plight, if true man; how oft * Hast savored Nights' bitter and sweetest gree! O Masrúr! forget not her neighbourhood * For wi' you must her gladness and joyance flee! But beweep those dearest united days * When you came veilèd in secresy; Wend for sake of us over farthest wone; * Span the wold for us, for us dive in sea; Allah bless the past days! Ah, how glad they were * When in Gardens of Fancy the flowers pluckt we! The nights of Union from us are fled * And parting-glooms dim their radiancy; Ah! had this lasted as hopèd we, but * He left only our breasts and the rosery. Will revolving days on Re-union dawn? * Then our vow to the Lord shall accomplisht be. Learn you our lots are in hand of Him * Who on lines of skull [352] writes our destiny!"

Then she wept with sore weeping and returned to the house, wailing and remembering what had passed and saying, "Glory be to God who has decreed to us this!" And her affliction redoubled for severance from her beloved and her departure from her mother-land, and she recited these couplets,

"Allah's peace on you, House of Vacancy! * Ceased in you all our joys, all our jubilee. O you Dove of the homestead, ne'er cease to bemoan * Whose moons and full moons [353] sorest severance dree: Masrúr, fare softly and mourn our loss; * Loving you our eyes lose their brilliancy: Would your sight had seen, on our marching day, * Tears shed by a heart in Hell's flagrancy! Forget not the plight in the garth-shade pledged * When we sat enveiléd in privacy:"

Then she presented herself before her husband, who lifted her into the litter he had let make for her; and, when she found herself on the camel's back, she recited these couplets,

"The Lord, empty House! to you peace decree * Long we bore therein growth of misery: Would my life-thread were shorn in that safe abode * And o' night I had died in mine ecstasy! Home-sickness I mourn, and my strangerhood * Irks my soul, nor the riddle of future I ree. Would I wot shall I ever that house resee * And find it, as erst, home of joy and glee!"

Said her husband, "O Zayn al-Mawasif grieve not for your departure from your dwelling; for you shall return to it before long Inshallah!" And he went on to comfort her heart and soothe her sorrow. Then all set out and fared on till they came outside the town and struck into the high road, whereupon she knew that separation was certain and this was very grievous to her. And while such things happened Masrur sat in his quarters, pondering his case and that of his mistress, and his heart forewarned him of severance. So he rose without stay and delay and repairing to her house, found the outer door padlocked and read the couplets she had written thereon; upon which he fell down in a fainting fit. When he came to himself, he opened the first door and entering, read what was written upon the second and likewise upon the third doors; wherefore passion and love-longing and distraction grew on him. So he went forth and hastened in her track, till he came up with the light caravan [354] and found her at the rear, while her husband rode in the van, because of his merchandise. When he saw her, he clung to the litter, weeping and wailing for the anguish of parting, and recited these couplets,

"Would I wot for what crime shot and pierced are we * Thro' the days with Estrangement's archery! O my heart's desire, to your door I came * One day, when high waxt mine expectancy: But I found the home waste as the wold and void * And I 'plained my pine and groaned wretchedly: And I asked the walls of my friends who fared * With my heart in pawn and in pendency; And they said, 'All marched from the camp and left *An ambushed sorrow on hill and lea;' And a writ on the walls did they write, as write * Folk who keep their faith while the Worlds are three."

Now when Zayn al-Mawasif heard these lines, she knew that it was Masrur.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-fifth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif heard these lines she knew that it was Masrur and wept, she and her handmaids, and said to him, "O Masrur, I conjure you by Allah, turn back, lest my husband see us two together!" At her words he swooned away; and when he revived, they took leave each of other and he recited the following couplets,

"The Caravan-chief calleth loud o' night * Ere the Breeze bear his cry in the morninglight: They girded their loads and prepared to fare, * And hurried while murmured the leader-wight. They scent the scene on its every side, * As their march through the valley they expedite. After winning my heart by their love they went * O' morn when their track could deceive my sight. O my neighbour fair, I reckt ne'er to part, * Or the ground bedewed with my tears to sight! Woe betide my heart, now hath Severance hand * To heart and vitals dealt bane and blight."

Then he clung to the litter, weeping and wailing, while she besought him to turn back before morn for fear of scorn. So he came up to her Haudaj and farewelling her a second time, fell down in a swoon. He lay an hour or so without life, and when he revived he found the caravan had fared forth of sight. So he turned in the direction of their wayfare and scenting the breeze which blew from their quarter, chanted these improvised lines,

"No breeze of Union to the lover blows * But moan he makes burnt with fiery woes: The Zephyr fans him at the dawn o' day; * But when he wakes the horizon lonely shows: On bed of sickness strewn in pain he lies, * And weeps he bloody tears in burning throes, For the fair neighbour with my heart they bore * 'Mid travellers urging beasts with cries and blows. By Allah from their stead no Zephyr blew * But sniffed I as the wight on eyeballs goes; [355] And snuff the sweetest South as musk it breathes * And on the longing lover scent bestows."

Then Masrur returned, mad with love-longing, to her house, and finding it lone from end to end [356] and forlorn of friend, wept till he wet his clothes; after which he swooned away and his soul was like to leave his body. When he revived, he recited these two couplets,

"O Spring-camp have pity on mine overthrowing * My abjection, my leanness, my tears aye flowing, Waft the scented powder [357] of breezes they breathe * In hope it cure heart of a grief e'er growing."

Then he returned to his own lodging confounded and tearful-eyed, and abode there for the space of ten days. Such was his case; but as regards the Jew, he journeyed on with Zayn al-Mawasif half a score days, at the end of which he halted at a certain city and she, being by that time assured that her husband had played her false, wrote to Masrur a letter and gave it to Hubub, saying, "Send this to Masrur, so he may know how foully and fully we have been tricked and how the Jew has cheated us." So Hubub took it and despatched it to Masrur, and when it reached, its news was grievous to him and he wept till he watered the ground. Then he wrote a reply and sent it to his mistress, subscribing it with these two couplets,

"Where is the way to Consolation's door * How shall console him flames burn evermore? How pleasant were the days of yore all gone: * Would we had somewhat of those days of yore!"

When the missive reached Zayn al-Mawasif, she read it and again gave it to her handmaid Hubub, saying to her, "Keep it secret!" However, the husband came to know of their correspondence and removed with her and her two women to another city, at a distance of twenty days' march. Thus it befell Zayn al-Mawasif; but as regards Masrur, sleep was not sweet to him nor was peace peaceful to him or patience left to him, and he ceased not to be thus till, one night, his eyes closed for weariness and he dreamt that he saw Zayn al-Mawasif come to him in the garden and embrace him; but presently he awoke and found her not: whereupon his reason fled and his wits wandered and his eyes ran over with tears; love-longing to the utterest gat hold of his heart and he recited these couplets,

"Peace be to her, who visits me in sleeping phantasy * Stirring desire and growing love to uttermost degree: Verily from that dream I rose with passion maddenèd * For sight of fairest phantom come in peace to visit me: Say me, can dreams declare the truth about the maid I love, * And quench the fires of thirst and heal my love-sick malady? Anon to me she is liberal and she strains me to her breast; * Anon she soothes mine anxious heart with sweetest pleasantry: From off her dark-red damask lips the dew I wont to sip * The fine old wine that seemed to reek of musk's perfumery. I wondered at the wondrous things between us done in dreams, * And won my wish and all my will of things I hoped to see; And from that dreamery I rose, yet ne'er could hope to find * Trace of my phantom save my pain and fiery misery: And when I looked on her a-morn, 'twas as a lover mad * And every eve was drunken yet no wine brought jollity. O breathings of the northern breeze, by Allah fro' me bear * Them-wards the greetings of my love and best salams that be: Say them, 'The wight with whom you made that plight of fealty * Time with his changes made him drain Death's cup and slain is he!'"

Then he went out and ceased not to weep till he came to her house and looking on it, saw it empty and void. Presently, it seemed to him he beheld her form before him, whereupon fires flamed in him and his griefs redoubled and he fell down aswoon;—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-sixth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Masrur saw the vision of Zayn al-Mawasif and felt her embrace, he joyed with passing joy. As soon as he awoke he sought her house, but finding it empty and void he fell down a-swoon; and when he came to himself, he recited these couplets,

"Fro' them inhale I scent of Ottar and of Bán; * So fare with heart which ecstasies of love unman: I'd heal your longings (love-sick lover!) by return * To site of beauty void sans friend or mate to scan: But still it sickeneth me with parting's ban and bane * Minding mine olden plight with friend and partisan."

When he had made an end of these verses, he heard a raven croak beside the house and wept, saying, "Glory be to God! The raven croaketh not save over a ruined homestead." Then he moaned and groaned and recited these couplets,

"What ails the Raven that he croaks my lover's house hard by, * And in my vitals lights a fire that flameth fierce and high? For times now past and gone I spent in joyance of their love * With love my heart hath gone to waste and I sore pain aby: I die of longing love and lowe still in my liver raging * And wrote to her but none there is who with the writ may hie: Ah well-away for wasted frame! Hath farèd forth my friend * And if she will o' nights return Oh would that thing wot I! Then, Ho you Breeze of East, and you by morn e'er visit her; * Greet her from me and stand where doth her tribe encampèd lie!"

Now Zayn al-Mawasif had a sister, by name Nasím—the Zephyr—who stood espying him from a high place; and when she saw him in this plight, she wept and sighed and recited these couplets,

"How oft bewailing the place shall be this coming and going, * While the House bemoaneth its builder with tear-flood ever a-flowing? Here was bestest joy before fared my friend with the caravan hieing * And its dwellers and brightest-suns [358] ne'er ceased in its walls a-glowing: Where be those fullest moons that here were always arising? * Bedimmed them the Shafts of Days their charms of spirit unknowing: Leave then what is past of the Fair you wast ever with love espying * And look; for perhaps the days may restore them without foreshowing: For had you not been, its dwellers had never departed flying * Nor haddest you seen the Crow with ill-omened croak a-crying."

Masrur wept sore hearing these verses and apprehending their significance. Now Nasim knew that which was between him and her sister of love and longing, ecstasy and passion; so she said to him, "Allah upon you, O Masrur, away from this house, lest any see you and deem you come on my account! Indeed you have caused my sister to leave it and now you would drive me also away. You know that, but for you, the house would not now be void of its dwellers: so be consoled for her loss and leave her: what is past is past." When he heard this, he wept bitterly and said to her, "O Nasim, if I could, I should fly for longing after her; so how can I be comforted for her?" Said she, "You have no device save patience;" and said he, "I beseech you, for Allah's sake, write me a writ to her, as from yourself, and get me an answer from her, to comfort my heart and quench the fire in my vitals." She replied, "With love and gladness," and took inkcase and paper, while Masrur began to set out to her the violence of his longing and what tortures he suffered for the anguish of severance, saying, "This letter is from the lover despairing and sorrowful * the bereaved, the woeful * with whom no peace can stay * nor by night nor by day * but he weepeth copious tears alway. * Indeed, tears his eyelids have ulcerated and his sorrows have kindled in his liver a fire unsated. His lamentation is lengthened and restlessness is strengthened and he is as he were a bird unmated * While for sudden death he awaiteth * Alas, my desolation for the loss of you * and alas, my yearning affliction for the companionship of you! * Indeed, emaciation hath wasted my frame * and my tears a torrent became * mountains and plains are straitened upon me for grame * and of the excess of my distress, I go saying,

"Still cleaves to this homestead mine ecstasy, * And redoubled pine for its dwellers I dree; And I send to your quarters the tale of my love * And the cup of your love gave the Cup-boy to me. And for faring of you and your farness from home * My wounded lids are from tears ne'er free: O you leader of litters, turn back with my love * For my heart redoubleth its ardency: Greet my love and say him that nothing except * Those brown-red lips deals me remedy: They bore him away and our union rent * And my vitals with Severance-shaft shot he: My love, my lowe and my longing to him * Convey, for of parting no cure I see: I swear an oath by your love that I * Will keep pact and covenant faithfully, To none I'll incline or forget your love * How shall love-sick lover forgetful be? So with you be the peace and my greeting fair * In letters that perfume of musk-pod bear."

Her sister Nasim admired his eloquence of tongue and the goodliness of his speech and the elegance of the verses he sang, and was moved to pity for him. So she sealed the letter with virgin musk and incensed it with Nadd-scent and ambergris, after which she committed it to a certain of the merchants saying, "Deliver it not to any save to Zayn al-Mawasif or to her handmaid Hubub." Now when the letter reached her sister, she knew it for Masrur's dictation and recognised himself in the grace of its expression. So she kissed it and laid it on her eyes, while the tears streamed from her lids and she gave not over weeping, till she fainted. As soon as she came to herself, she called for pencase and paper and wrote him the following answer; complaining the while of her desire and love-longing and ecstasy and what was hers to endure of pining for her lover and yearning to him and the passion she had conceived for him.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-seventh Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Zayn al-Mawasif wrote the following reply to Masrur's missive: "This letter to my lord and master I indite * the king of my heart and my secret sprite * Indeed, wakefulness agitateth me * and melancholy increaseth on me * and I have no patience to endure the absence of you * O you who excellest sun and moon in brilliancy * Desire of repose despoileth me * and passion destroyeth me * and how should it be otherwise with me, seeing that I am of the number of the dying? *O glory of the world and Ornament of life, she whose vital spirits are cut off shall her cup be sweet to quaff? * For that she is neither with the quick nor with the dead." And she improvised these couplets and said,

"Thy writ, O Masrúr, stirred my sprite to pine * For by Allah, all patience and solace I tyne: When I read your scripture, my vitals yearned * And watered the herbs of the wold these eyne. On Night's wings I'd fly an a bird * And sans you I weet not the sweets of wine: Life's unlawful to me since you faredst far * To bear parting- lowe is no force of mine."

Then she sprinkled the letter with powder of musk and ambergris and, having sealed it with her signet, committed it to a merchant, saying, "Deliver it to none save to my sister." When it reached Nasim she sent it to Masrur, who kissed it and laid it on his eyes and wept till he fell into a trance. Such was their case; but as regards the Jew, he presently heard of their correspondence and began again to travel from place to place with Zayn al-Mawasif and her damsels, till she said to him, "Glory to God! How long will you fare with us and bear us afar from our homes?" Said he, "I will fare on with you a year's journey, so no more letters may reach you from Masrur. I see how you take all my monies and give them to him; so all that I miss I shall recover from you: and I shall see if Masrur will profit you or have power to deliver you from my hand." Then he repaired to a blacksmith, after stripping her and her damsels of their silken apparel and clothing them in raiment of hair-cloth, and bade him make three pairs of iron shackles. When they were ready, he brought the smith in to his wife, having said to him, "Put the shackles on the legs of these three slave-girls." The first that came forward was Zayn al-Mawasif, and when the blacksmith saw her, his sense forsook him and he bit his finger tips and his wit fled forth his head and his transport grew sore upon him. So he said to the Jew, "What is the crime of these damsels?" Replied the other, "They are my slave-girls, and have stolen my goods and fled from me." Cried the smith, "Allah disappoint your jealous whims! By the Almighty, were this girl before the Kazi of Kazis, [359] he would not even reprove her, though she committed a thousand crimes a day. Indeed, she shows not thief's favour and she cannot brook the laying of irons on her legs." And he asked him as a boon not to fetter her, interceding with him to forbear the shackles. When she saw the blacksmith taking her part in this wise she said to her husband, "I conjure you, by Allah, bring me not forth before yonder strange man!" Said he, "Why then came you forth before Masrur?"; and she made him no reply. Then he accepted the smith's intercession, so far as to allow him to put a light pair of irons on her legs, for that she had a delicate body, which might not brook harsh usage, while he laid her handmaids in heavy bilboes, and they ceased not, all three, to wear hair-cloth night and day till their bodies became wasted and their color changed. As for the blacksmith, exceeding love had fallen on his heart for Zayn al-Mawasif; so he returned home in great concern and he fell to reciting extempore these couplets,

"Wither your right, O smith, which made her bear * Those iron chains her hands and feet to wear! You have ensoiled a lady soft and bright, * Marvel of marvels, fairest of the fair: Hadst you been just, those anklets ne'er had been * Of iron: nay of purest gold they were: By Allah! did the Kázis' Kázi sight * Her charms, he'd seat her in the highest chair."

Now it chanced that the Kazi of Kazis passed by the smith's house and heard him improvise these lines; so he sent for him and as soon as he saw him said to him, "O blacksmith, who is she on whom you call so instantly and eloquently and with whose love your heart is full filled?" The smith sprang to his feet and kissing the Judge's hand, answered, "Allah prolong the days of our lord the Kazi and ample his life!" Then he described to him Zayn al-Mawasif's beauty and loveliness, brilliancy and perfection, and symmetry and grace and how she was lovely faced and had a slender waist and heavily based; and acquainted him with the sorry plight in which she was for abasement and durance vile and lack of victual. When the Kazi heard this, he said, "O blacksmith, send her to us and show her that we may do her justice, for you are become accountable for the damsel and unless you guide her to us, Allah will punish you at the Day of Doom." "I hear and obey," replied the smith and betook himself without stay and delay to Zayn al-Mawasif's lodging, but found the door barred and heard a voice of plaintive tone that came from heart forlorn and lone; and it was Zayn al-Mawasif reciting these couplets,

"I and my love in union were unite; * And filled my friend to me cups clearly bright Between us reigned high mirth and jollity, * Nor Eve nor Morn brought 'noyance or affright Indeed we spent most joyous time, with cup * And lute and dulcimer to add delight, Till Time estranged our fair companionship; * My lover went and blessing turned to blight. Ah would the Severance-raven's croak were stilled * And Union-dawn of Love show blessèd light!"

When the blacksmith heard this, he wept like the weeping of the clouds. Then he knocked at the door and the women said, "Who is at the door?" Answered he, "'Tis I, the blacksmith," and told them what the Kazi had said and how he would have them appear before him and make their complaint to him, that he might do them justice on their adversary.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say,

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-eighth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the blacksmith told Zayn al-Mawasif what the Kazi had said, and how he summoned them that he might apply the Lex Talionis to their adversary, she rejoined, "How can we go to him, seeing the door is locked on us and our feet shackled and the Jew has the keys?" The smith replied, "I will make the keys for the padlocks and with it open door and shackles." Asked she, "But who will show us the Kazi's house?"; and he answered, "I will describe it to you." She enquired, "But how can we appear before him, clad as we are in haircloth reeking with sulphur?" And the smith rejoined, "The Kazi will not reproach this to you, considering your case." So saying, he went immediately and made keys for the padlocks, wherewith he opened the door and the shackles, and loosing the irons from their legs, carried them forth and guided them to the Kazi's mansion. Then Hubub did off the hair-cloth garments from her lady's body and carried her to the Hammam, where she bathed her and attired her in silken raiment, and her color returned to her. Now it happened, by exceeding good fortune, that her husband was abroad at a bride-feast in the house of one of the merchants; so Zayn al-Mawasif, the Adornment of Qualities, adorned herself with the fairest ornaments and repaired to the Kazi, who at once on espying her rose to receive her. She saluted him with softest speech and winsomest words, shooting him through the vitals the while with the shafts of her glances, and said, "May Allah prolong the life of our lord the Kazi and strengthen him to judge between man and man!" Then she acquainted him with the affair of the blacksmith and how he had done nobly by them, when the Jew had inflicted on her and her women heart-confounding torments; and how his victims he drave, nor was there any found to save. "O damsel," said the Kazi, "what is your name?" "My name is Zayn al Mawasif,—Adomment of Qualities—and this my handmaid's name is Hubub." "Your name accords with the named and its sound conforms with its sense." Whereupon she smiled and veiled her face, and he said to her, "O Zayn al-Mawasif, have you a husband or not?" "I have no husband"; "And what Is your Faith?" "That of Al-Islam, and the religion of the Best Of Men." "Swear to me by Holy Law replete with signs and instances that you own the creed of the Best of Mankind." So she swore to him and pronounced the profession of the Faith. Then asked the Kazi, "How comes it that you were your youth with this Jew?" And she answered, "Know, O Kazi (may Allah prolong your days in contentment and bring you to your will and your acts with benefits seal!), that my father left me, after his death, fifteen thousand dinars, which he placed in the hands of this Jew, that he might trade with it and share his gains with me, the head of the property [360] being secured by legal acknowledgment. When my father died, the Jew coveted me and sought me in marriage of my mother, who said, 'How shall I drive her from her Faith and cause to become a Jewess? By Allah, I will denounce you to the rulers!' He was affrighted at her words and taking the money, fled to the town of Adan. [361] When we heard where he was, we came to Adan in search of him, and when we foregathered with him there, he told us that he was trading in stuffs with the monies and buying goods upon goods. So we believed him and he ceased not to cozen us till he cast us into jail and fettered us and tortured us with exceeding sore torments; and we are strangers in the land and have no helper save Almighty Allah and our lord the Kazi." When the judge heard this tale he asked Hubub the nurse, "Is this indeed your lady and are you strangers and is she unmarried?", and she answered, "Yes." Said he, "Marry her to me and on me be incumbent manumission of my slaves and fasting and pilgrimage and almsgiving of all my good an I do you not justice on this dog and punish him for that he hath done!" And said she, "I hear and obey." Then said the Kazi, "Go, hearten your heart and that of your lady; and to-morrow, Inshallah, I will send for this miscreant and do you justice on him and you shall see prodigies of his punishment." So Hubub called down blessings upon him and went forth from him with her mistress, leaving him with passion and love-longing fraught and with distress and desire distraught. Then they enquired for the house of the second Kazi and presenting themselves before him, told him the same tale. On like wise did the two, mistress and maid with the third and the fourth, till Zayn al-Mawasif had made her complaint to all the four Kazis, each of whom fell in love with her and besought her to wed him, to which she consented with a "Yes"; nor knew any one of the four that which had happened to the others. All this passed without the knowledge of the Jew, who spent the night in the house of the bridefeast. And when morning morrowed, Hubub arose and got ready her lady's richest raiment; then she clad her with it and presented herself with her before the four Kazis in the court of justice. As soon as she entered, she veiled her face and saluted the judges, who returned her salam and each and every of them recognised her. One was writing, and the reed-pen dropped from his hand, another was talking, and his tongue became tied, and a third was reckoning and blundered in his reckoning; and they said to her, "O admirable of attributes and singular among beauties! be not your heart other than hearty, for we will assuredly do you justice and bring you to your desire." So she called down blessings on them and farewelled them and went her ways.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Fifty-ninth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Kazis said to Zayn al-Mawasif, "O admirable of attributes and singular among beauties! Be not your heart other than hearty for our doing your desire and your winning to your will." So she called down blessings on them and farewelled them and went her ways, the while her husband abode with his friends at the marriage-banquet and knew nothing of her doings. Then she proceeded to beseech the notaries and scribes and the notables and the Chiefs of Police to succour her against that unbelieving miscreant and deliver her from the torment she suffered from him. Then she wept with sore weeping and improvised these couplets,

"Rain showers of torrent tears, O Eyne and see * An they will quench the fires that flame in me: After my robes of gold-embroidered silk * I wake to wear the frieze of monkery: And all my raiment reeks of sulphur-fumes * When erst my shift shed musky fragrancy: And had thou, O Masrúr, my case descried, * Ne'er had you borne my shame and ignomy. And eke Hubúb in iron chains is laid * By Miscreant who unknows God's Unity. The creed of Jewry I renounce and home, * The Moslem's Faith accepting faithfully Eastwards [362] I prostrate self in fairest guise * Holding the only True Belief that be: Masrúr! forget not love between us twain * And keep our vows and troth with goodly gree: I've changed my faith for sake of you, and I * For stress of love will cleave to secrecy: So haste to us, an us in heart you bear, * As noble spirit, nor as laggard fare."

After this she wrote a letter to Masrur, describing to him all that the Jew had done with her from first to last and enclosed the verses aforesaid. Then she folded the scroll and gave it to her maid Hubub, saying, "Keep this in your pocket, till we send it to Masrur." Upon these doings lo and behold! in came the Jew and seeing them joyous, said to them, "How comes it that I find you merry? Tell me, has a letter reached you from your bosom friend Masrur?" Replied Zayn al-Mawasif, "We have no helper against you save Allah, extolled and exalted be He! He will deliver us from your tyranny, and unless you restore us to our birth-place and homestead, we will complain of you tomorrow to the Governor of this town and to the Kazi." Said he, "Who struck off the shackles from your legs? But needs must I let make for each of you fetters ten pounds in weight and go round about the city with you." Replied Hubub, "All that you plan against us you shall fall into yourself, so it please Allah the Most High, by token that you have exiled us from our homes, and tomorrow we shall stand, we and you, before the Governor of the city." They nighted on this wise and next morning the Jew rose up in haste and went out to order new shackles, whereupon Zayn al-Mawasif arose and repaired with her women to the court-house, where she found the four Kazis and saluted them. They all returned her salutation and the Kazi of Kazis said to those about him, "Verily this damsel is lovely as the Venus-star [363] and all who see her love her and bow before her beauty and loveliness." Then he despatched four sergeants, who were Sharífs, [364] saying, "Bring the criminal here in the most abject fashion." So, when the Jew returned with the shackles and found none in the house, he was confounded; but, as he abode in perplexity, suddenly up came the officers and laying hold of him beat him with a sore beating and dragged him face downwards before the Kazi. When the judge saw him, he cried out in his face and said to him, "Woe to you, O foe of God, is it come to such a pass with you that you do the deed you have done and bring these women far from their country and steal their monies and would make them Jews? How dare you seek to make miscreants of Moslems?" Answered the Jew, "O my lord this woman is my wife." Now when the Kazis heard this, they all cried out, saying, "Throw this hound on the ground and come down on his face with your sandals and beat him with sore blows, for his offence is unpardonable." So they pulled off his silken gear and clad him in his wife's raiment of hair-cloth, after which they threw him down and plucked out his beard and belabored him about the face with sandals. Then they sat him on an ass, face to crupper, arsi-versy, and making him take its tail in his hand, paraded him round about the city, ringing the bell before him in every street; after which they brought him back to the judges in sorriest plight; and the four Kazis with one voice condemned him to have his feet and hands cut off and lastly to be crucified. When the accursed heard this sentence his sense forsook him and he was confounded and said, "O my lords the Kazis, what would you have of me?" They replied, "Say: 'This damsel is not my wife and the monies are her monies, and I have transgressed against her and brought her far from her country.'" So he confessed to this and the Kazis recorded his confession in legal form and taking the money from him, gave it to Zayn al-Mawasif, together with the document. Then she went away and all who saw her were confounded at her beauty and loveliness, while each of the Kazis looked for her committing herself to him. But, when she came to her lodging, she made ready all matters she needed and waited till night. Then she took what was light of load and weighty of worth, and setting out with her maids under cover of the murks three days with their nights fared on without stopping. Thus it was with her; but as regards the Kazis they ordered the Jew to prison.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixtieth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Kazis ordered the Jew to prison and on the morrow they looked for Zayn al-Mawasif coming to them, they and their assessors; but she presented herself not to any of them. Then said the Chief Kazi, "I wish today to make an excursion outside the town on business there." So he mounted his she-mule and taking his page with him, went winding about the streets of the town, searching its length and width for Zayn al-Mawasif, but never finding her. On this errand he came upon the other three Kazis, going about on the same, each deeming himself the only one to whom she had given tryst. He asked them where they were riding and why they were going about the streets; when they told him their business, whereby he saw that their plight was as his plight and their quest as his quest. So they all four rode throughout the city, seeking her, but could hit on no trace of her and returned to their houses, sick for love, and lay down on the bed of langour. Presently the Chief Kazi bethought himself of the blacksmith; so he sent for him and said to him, "O blacksmith, do you know anything about the damsel whom you did direct to me? By Allah, if you reveal her not to me, I will whack you with whips." Now when the smith heard this, he recited these couplets [365],

"She who my all of love by love of her hath won * Owns every Beauty and for others leaves she none: She gazes, a gazelle; she breathes, fresh ambergris * She waves, a lake; she sways, a bough; she shines, a Sun."

Then said the blacksmith, "By Allah, O my lord, since she fared forth from your worshipful presence, [366] I have not set eyes on her; no, not once. Indeed she took possession of my heart and wits and all my talk and thoughts are of her. I went to her lodging but found her not, nor found I any who could give me news of her, and it is as if she had dived into the depths of the sea or had ascended to the sky." Now when the Kazi heard this, he groaned a groan, that his soul was like to depart therefore, and he said, "By Allah, well it were had we never seen her!" Then the smith went away, while the Kazi fell down on his bed and became sick of langour for her sake, and on like wise fared it with the other three Kazis and assessors. The mediciners paid them frequent calls, but found in them no ailment requiring a doctor: so the city-notables went in to the Chief Kazi and saluting him, questioned him of his case; whereupon he sighed and showed them that was in his heart, reciting these couplets,

"Stint you this blame; enough I suffer from Love's malady * Nor chide the Kazi frail who fain must deal to folk decree! Who doth accuse my love let him for me find some excuse: * Nor blame; for lovers blameless are in lover-slavery! I was a Kázi whom my Fate deigned aid with choicest aid * By writ and reed and raisèd me to wealth and high degree; Till I was shot by sharpest shaft that knows nor leach nor cure * By Damsel's glance who came to spill my blood and murder me. To me came she, a Moslemah and of her wrongs she 'plained * With lips that oped on Orient-pearls ranged fair and orderly: I looked beneath her veil and saw a wending moon at full * Rising below the wings of Night engloomed with blackest blee: A brightest favour and a mouth bedight with wondrous smiles; * Beauty had brought the loveliest garb and robed her cap-à-pie. By Allah, ne'er beheld my eyes a face so ferly fair * Amid mankind whoever are, Arab or Ajamí. My Fair! What promise did you make what time to me you said'st * 'Whenas I promise I perform, O Kazi, faithfully.' Such is my stead and such my case calamitous and dire * And ask me not, you men of spunk, what dreadful teen I dree."

When he ended his verse he wept with sore weeping and sobbed one sob and his spirit departed his body, which seeing they washed him and shrouded him and prayed over him and buried him graving on his tomb these couplets,

"Perfect were lover's qualities in him was brought a-morn, * Slain by his love and his beloved, to this untimely grave: Kázi was he amid the folk, and aye 'twas his delight * To foster all the folk and keep a-sheath the Justice-glaive: Love caused his doom and ne'er we saw among mankind before * The lord and master louting low before his thrallèd slave."

Then they committed him to the mercy of Allah and went away to the second Kazi, in company with the physician, but found in him nor injury nor ailment needing a leach. Accordingly they questioned him of his case and what preoccupied him; so he told them what ailed him, whereupon they blamed him and chid him for his predicament and he answered them with these couplets,

"Blighted by her yet am I not to blame; * Struck by the dart at me her fair hand threw. Unto me came a woman called Hubúb * Chiding the world from year to year anew: And brought a damsel showing face that shamed * Full moon that sails through Night-tide's blackest hue, She showed her beauties and she 'plained her plain * Which tears in torrents from her eyelids drew: I to her words gave ear and gazed on her * Whenas with smiling lips she made me rue. Then with my heart she fared where'er she fared * And left me pledged to sorrows soul subdue. Such is my tale! So pity you my case * And this my page with Kazi's gear indue."

Then he sobbed one sob and his soul fled his flesh; whereupon they got ready his funeral and buried him commending him to the mercy of Allah; after which they repaired to the third Kazi and the fourth, and there befell them the like of what befell their brethren. [367] Furthermore, they found the Assessors also sick for love of her, and indeed all who saw her died of her love or, if they died not, lived on tortured with the lowe of passion.— And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-first Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the city folk found all the Kazis and the Assessors sick for love of her, and all who saw her died lovesick or, if they died not, lived on tortured with the lowe of passion for stress of pining to no purpose—Allah have mercy on them one and all! Meanwhile Zayn al-Mawasif and her women drove on with all diligence till they were far distant from the city and it so fortuned that they came to a convent by the way, in which dwelt a Prior called Danis and forty monks. [368] When the Prior saw her beauty, he went out to her and invited her to alight, saying, "Rest with us ten days and after wend your ways." So she and her damsels alighted and entered the convent; and when Danis saw her beauty and loveliness, she debauched his belief and he was seduced by her: wherefore he fell to sending the monks, one after other with love-messages; but each who saw her fell in love with her and sought her favours for himself, while she excused and denied herself to them. But Danis ceased not his importunities till he had dispatched all the forty, each one of whom fell love-sick at first sight and plied her with blandishments never even naming Danis; while she refused and rebuffed them with harsh replies. At last when Danis's patience was at an end and his passion was sore on him, he said in himself, "Verily, the sooth-sayer said, 'Nothing scratches my skin but my own nail and nothing like my own feet for mine errand may avail.'" So up he rose and made ready rich meats, and it was the ninth day of her sojourn in the convent where she had purposed only to rest. Then he carried them in to her and set them before her, saying, "Bismillah, favour us by tasting the best of the food at our command." So she put forth her hand, saying, "For the name of Allah the Compassionating, the Compassionate!" and ate, she and her handmaidens. When she had made an end of eating, he said to her, "O my lady, I wish to recite to you some verses." Said she, "Say on," and he recited these couplets,

"You have won my heart by cheek and eye of you, * I'll praise for love in prose and poesy. Wilt fly a lover, love-sick, love-distraught * Who strives in dreams some cure of love to see? Leave me not fallen, passion-fooled, since I * For pine have left uncared the Monast'ry: O Fairest, 'tis your right to shed my blood, * So rue my case and hear the cry of me!"

When Zayn al-Mawasif heard his verses, she answered him with these two couplets,

"O who suest Union, ne'er hope such delight * Nor solicit my favours, O hapless wight! Cease to hanker for what you canst never have: * Next door are the greedy to sore despight."

Hearing this he returned to his place, pondering in himself and knowing not how he should do in her affair, and passed the night in the sorriest plight. But, as soon as the darkness was darkest Zayn al-Mawasif arose and said to her handmaids, "Come, let us get away, for we cannot avail against forty men, monks, each of whom requires me for himself." Said they, "Right willingly!" So they mounted their beasts and issued forth the convent gate,— Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-second Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Zayn al-Mawasif and her handmaids issued forth the convent gate and, under favour of the night, rode on till they overtook a caravan, with which they mingled and found it came from the city of 'Adan in which the lady had dwelt. Presently, Zayn al-Mawasif heard the people of the caravan discoursing of her own case and telling how the Kazis and Assessors were dead of love for her and how the townsfolk had appointed in their stead others who released her husband from prison. Whereupon she turned to her maids and asked them, "Heard you that?"; and Hubub answered, "If the monks were ravished with love of you, whose belief it is that shunning women is worship, how should it be with the Kazis, who hold that there is no monkery in Al-Islam? But let us make our way to our own country, while our affair is yet hidden." So they drove on with all diligence. Such was their case; but as regards the monks, on the morrow, as soon as it was day they repaired to Zayn al-Mawasif's lodging, to salute her, but found the place empty, and their hearts sickened within them. So the first monk rent his raiment and improvised these couplets,

"Ho ye, my friends, draw near, for I immediately * From you depart, since parting is my lot: My vitals suffer pangs o' fiery love; * Flames of desire in heart burn high and hot, For sake of fairest girl who sought our land * Whose charms th' horizon's full moon evens not. She fared and left me victimed by her love * And slain by shaft those lids death-dealing shot."

Then another monk recited the following couplets,

"O you who with my vitals fled, have pity * On this unhappy: haste you homeward-bound: They fared, and fared fair Peace on farthest track * Yet lingers in mine ear that sweetest sound: Fared far, and far their fane; would Heaven I saw Their shade in vision float my couch around: And when they went wi' them they bore my heart * And in my tear-floods all of me left drowned."

A third monk followed with these extempore lines,

"Throne you on highmost stead, heart, ears and sight * Your wone's my heart; mine all's your dwelling-site: Sweeter than honey is your name a-lip, * Running, as 'neath my ribs runs vital sprite: For Love hath made me as a tooth-pick [368] lean * And drowned in tears of sorrow and despight: Let me but see you in my sleep, belike * Shall clear my cheeks of tears that lovely sight."

Then a fourth recited the following couplets,

"Dumb is my tongue and scant my speech for you * And Love the direst torture gars me dree: O you full Moon, whose place is highest Heaven, * For you but double pine and pain in me."

And a fifth these, [370]

"I love a moon of comely shapely form * Whose slender waist hath title to complain: Whose lip-dews rival must and long-kept wine; * Whose heavy haunches haunt the minds of men: My heart each morning burns with pain and pine * And the night-talkers note I'm passion-slain; While down my cheeks carnelian-like the tears * Of rosy red shower down like railing rain."

And a sixth the following,

"O you who shunnest him your love misled! * O Branch of Bán, O star of highmost stead! To you of pine and passion I complain, * O you who fired me with cheeks rosyred. Did e'er such lover lose his soul for you, * Or from prostration and from prayers fled?"

And a seventh these,

"He seized my heart and freed my tears to flow * Brought strength to Love and bade my Patience go. His charms are sweet as bitter his disdain; * And shafts of love his suitors overthrow. Stint blame, O blamer, and for past repent * None will believe you who dost Love unknow!"

And on like wise all the rest of the monks shed tears and repeated verses. As for Danis, the Prior, weeping and wailing redoubled on him, for that he found no way to her enjoyment, and he chanted the following couplets [371],

"My patience failed me when my lover went * And fled that day mine aim and best intent. O Guide o' litters lead their camels fair, * Haply some day they'll deign with me to tent! On parting-day Sleep parted from my lids * And grew my grieving and my joy was shent. I moan to Allah what for Love I dree'd * My wasted body and my forces spent."

Then, despairing of her, they took counsel together and with one mind agreed to fashion her image and set it up with them, and applied themselves to this till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and Severer of societies. Meanwhile, Zayn al-Mawasif fared on, without ceasing, to find her lover Masrur, till she reached her own house. She opened the doors, and entered; then she sent to her sister Nasim, who rejoiced with exceeding joy at the news of her return and brought her the furniture and precious stuffs left in her charge. So she furnished the house and dressed it, hanging the curtains over the doors and burning aloes-wood and musk and ambergris and other essences till the whole place recked with the most delightful perfumes: after which the Adornment of Qualities donned her finest dress and decorations and sat talking with her maids, whom she had left behind when journeying, and related to them all that had befallen her first and last. Then she turned to Hubub and giving her dirhams, bade her fetch them something to eat. So she brought meat and drink and when they had made an end of eating and drinking, [372] Zayn al-Mawasif bade Hubub go and see where Masrur was and how it fared with him. Now he knew not of her return; but abode with concern overcast and sorrow might not be overpast;—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-third Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Zayn al-Mawasif entered her house she was met by her sister Nasim who brought her the furniture and stuffs wherewith she furnished the place; and then she donned her finest dress. But Masrur knew nothing of her return and abode with concern overcast and sorrow might not be overpast; no peace prevailed with him nor was patience possible to him. Whenas pine and passion, desire and distraction waxed on him, he would solace himself by reciting verse and go to the house and set him its walls to buss. It chanced that he went out that day to the place where he had parted from his mistress and repeated this rare song,

"My wrongs hide I, withal they show to sight; * And now mine eyes from sleep to wake are dight. I cry when melancholy tries my sprite * Last not, O world nor work more despight; Lo hangs my soul 'twixt hardship and affright. Were the Sultan hight Love but fair to me, * Slumber mine eyes' companion were to me, My Lords, some little mercy spare to me, * Chief of my tribe: be debonnair to me, Whom Love cast down, erst rich now pauper-wight!

Censors may blame you but I look beyond * Mine ears I stop and leave their lies unconned And keep my pact wi' those I love so fond: * They say, 'You lov'st a runaway!' I respond, 'Whist! when Fate descends she blinds the sight!'"

Then he returned to his lodging and sat there weeping, till sleep overcame him, when he saw in a dream as if Zayn al-Mawasif were come to the house, and awoke in tears. So he set off to go thither, improvising these couplets,

"Shall I be consoled when Love hath mastered the secret of me * And my heart is aglow with more than the charcoal's ardency? I love her whose absence I plain before Allah for parting-stower * And the shifts of the days and doom which allotted me Destiny: When shall our meeting be, O wish O' my heart and will? * O favour of fullest Moon, when shall we Re-union see?"

As he made an end of his recitation, he found himself walking down in Zayn al-Mawasif's street and smelt the sweet savour of the pastiles wherewithal she had incensed the house; wherefore his vitals fluttered and his heart was like to leave his breast and desire flamed up in him and distraction redoubled upon him; when lo, and behold! Hubub, on her way to do her lady's errand suddenly appeared at the head of the street and he rejoiced with joy exceeding. When she saw him, she went up to him and saluting him, gave him the glad news of her mistress's return, saying, "She has sent me to bid you to her." Whereat he was glad indeed, with gladness nothing could exceed; and she took him and returned with him to the house. When Zayn al-Mawasif saw him, she came down to him from the couch and kissed him and he kissed her and she embraced him and he embraced her; nor did they leave kissing and embracing till both swooned away for stress of affection and separation. They lay a long while senseless, and when they revived, Zayn al-Mawasif bade Hubub fetch her a gugglet of sherbet of sugar and another of sherbet of lemons. So she brought what she desired and they sat eating and drinking nor ceased before nightfall, when they fell to recalling all that had befallen them from commencement to conclusion. Then she acquainted him with her return to Al-Islam, whereat he rejoiced and he also became a Moslem. On like wise did her women, and they all repented to Allah Almighty of their infidelity. On the morrow she made send for the Kazi and the witnesses and told them that she was a widow and had completed the purification period and was minded to marry Masrur. So they drew up the wedding-contract between them and they abode in all delight of life. Meanwhile, the Jew, when the people of Adan released him from prison, set out homewards and fared on nor ceased faring till he came within three days' journey of the city. Now as soon as Zayn al-Mawasif heard of his coming she called for her handmaid Hubub and said to her, "Go to the Jews' burial-place and there dig a grave and plant on it sweet basil and jessamine and sprinkle water thereabout. If the Jew come and ask you of me, answer, 'My mistress died twenty days ago of chagrin on your account.' If he say, show me her tomb, take him to the grave and after weeping over it and making moan and lament before him, contrive to cast him therein and bury him alive." [373] And Hubub answered, "I hear and I obey." Then they laid up the furniture in the store closets, and Zayn al-Mawasif removed to Masrur's lodging, where he and she abode eating and drinking, till the three days were past; at the end of which the Jew arrived and knocked at the door of his house. Said Hubub, "Who's at the door?"; and said he, "Your master." So she opened to him and he saw the tears raining down her cheeks and said, "What ails you to weep and where is your mistress?" She replied, "My mistress is dead of chagrin on your account." When he heard this, he was perplexed and wept with sore weeping and presently said, "O Hubub, where is her tomb?" So she carried him to the Jews' burial-ground and showed him the grave she had dug; whereupon he shed bitter tears and recited this pair of couplets, [374]

"Two things there are, for which if eyes wept tear on tear * Of blood, till they were like indeed to disappear, They never could fulfil the Tithe of all their due: * And these are prime of youth and loss of loveling dear."

Then he wept again with bitter tears and recited these also,

"Alack and Alas! Patience taketh flight: * And from parting of friend to sore death I'm dight: O how woeful this farness from dear one, and oh * How my heart is rent by mine own unright! Would Heaven my secret I erst had kept * Nor had told the pangs and my liverblight: I lived in all solace and joyance of life * Till she left and left me in piteous plight: O Zayn al-Mawasif, I would there were * No parting departing my frame and sprite: I repent me for troth-breach and blame my guilt * Of unruth to her whereon hopes I built."

When he had made an end of this verse, he wept and groaned and lamented till he fell down a-swoon, whereupon Hubub made haste to drag him to the grave and throw him in, while he was insensible yet alive nonetheless. Then she stopped up the grave on him and returning to her mistress acquainted her with what had passed, whereat she rejoiced with exceeding joy and recited these two couplets,

"The world sware that for ever 'twould gar me grieve: *Tis false, O world, so your oath retrieve [375]! The blamer is dead and my love's in my arms: * Rise to herald of joys and tuck high your sleeve [376]!"

Then she and Masrur abode each with other in eating and drinking and sport and pleasure and good cheer, till there came to them the Destroyer of delights and Sunderer of societies and Slayer of sons and daughters. And I have also heard tell the following tale of

[Footnote 377] There was once in days of yore and in ages and times long gone before in the parts of Cairo, a merchant named Táj al-Dín who was of the most considerable of the merchants and of the chiefs of the freeborn. But he was given to travelling everywhere and loved to fare over wild and wold, waterless lowland and stony waste, and to journey to the isles of the seas, in quest of dirhams and dinars: wherefore he had in his time encountered dangers and suffered duress of the way such as would grizzle little children and turn their black hair grey. He was possessed of black slaves and Mamelukes, eunuchs and concubines, and was the wealthiest of the merchants of his time and the goodliest of them in speech, owning horses and mules and Bactrian camels and dromedaries; sacks great and small of size; goods and merchandise and stuffs such as muslins of Hums, silks and brocades of Ba'allak, cotton of Merv, stuffs of India, gauzes of Baghdad, burnouses of Moorland and Turkish white slaves and Abyssinian castratos and Grecian girls and Egyptian boys; and the coverings of his bales were silk with gold purfled fair, for he was wealthy beyond compare. Furthermore he was rare of comeliness, accomplished in goodliness, and gracious in his kindliness, even as one of his describers does thus express,

"A merchant I spied whose lovers * Were fighting in furious guise: Said he, 'Why this turmoil of people?' * Said I, 'Trader, for those fine eyes!'"

And says another in his praise and says well enough to accomplish the wish of him,

"Came a merchant to pay us a visit * Whose glance did my heart surprise: Said he, 'What surprised you so?' * Said I, 'Trader, 'twas those fine eyes.'"

Now that merchant had a son called Ali Nur al-Din, as he were the full moon when it meets the sight on its fourteenth night, a marvel of beauty and loveliness, a model of form and symmetrical grace, who was sitting one day as was his wont, in his father's shop, selling and buying, giving and taking, when the sons of the merchants girt him around and he was among them as moon among stars, with brow flower-white and cheeks of rosy light in down the tenderest dight, and body like alabaster-bright even as says of him the poet,

"'Describe me!' a fair one said. * Said I, 'You art Beauty's queen.' And, speaking briefest speech, * 'All charms in you are seen.'"

And as says of him one of his describers,

"His mole upon plain of cheek is like * Ambergrís-crumb on marble plate, And his glances likest the sword proclaim * To all Love's rebels 'The Lord is Great!'" [378]

The young merchants invited him saying, "O my lord Nur al-Din, we wish you to go this day a-pleasuring with us in such a garden." And he answered, "Wait till I consult my parent, for I cannot go without his consent." As they were talking, behold, up came Taj al-Din, and his son looked at him and said, "O father mine, the sons of the merchants have invited me to wend a-pleasuring with them in such a garden. Do you grant me leave to go?" His father replied, "Yes, O my son, fare with them;" and gave him some money. So the young men mounted their mules and asses and Nur al-Din mounted a she-mule and rode with them to a garden, in which was all that soul desires and that eye charmes. It was high of walls which from broad base were seen to rise; and it had a gateway vault-wise with a portico like a saloon and a door azure as the skies, as it were one of the gates of Paradise: the name of the door-keeper was Rizwán, [379] and over the gate were trained a hundred trellises which grapes overran; and these were of various dyes, the red like coralline, the black like the snouts of Súdán [380]-men and the white like egg of the pigeon-hen. And in it peach and pomegranate were shown and pear, apricot and pomegranate were grown and fruits with and without stone hanging in clusters or alone,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-fourth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the sons of the merchants entered the vergier, they found therein all that soul desires or eye charmes, grapes of many hues grown, hanging in bunches or alone, even as says of them the poet,

"Grapes tasting with the taste of wine * Whose coats like blackest Raven's shine: Their sheen, amid the leafage shows, * Like women's fingers henna'd fine."

And as says another on the same theme,

"Grape-bunches likest as they sway * A-stalk, my body frail and snell: Honey and water thus in jar, * When sourness past, make Hydromel."

Then they entered the arbour of the garden and say there Rizwan the gate-keeper sitting, as he were Rizwan the Paradise-guardian, and on the door were written these lines,

"Garth Heaven-watered in which clusters waved * On boughs which full of sap to bend were fain: And, when the branches danced on Zephyr's palm, * The Pleiads shower'd as gifts [381] fresh pearls for rain."

And within the arbour were written these two couplets,

"Come with us, friend, and enter you * This garth that cleanses rust of grief: Over their skits the Zephyrs trip [382] * And flowers in sleeve to laugh are lief." [383]

So they entered and found all manner fruits in view and birds of every kind and hue, such as ringdove, nightingale and curlew; and the turtle and the cushat sang their love lays on the sprays. Therein were rills that ran with limpid wave and flowers suave; and bloom for whose perfume we crave and it was even as says of it the poet in these two couplets,

"The Zephyr breatheth o'er its branches, like * Fair girls that trip as in fair skirts they pace: Its rills resemble swords in hands of knights * Drawn from the scabbard and containing-case." [384]

And again as singeth the songster,

"The streamlet swings by branchy wood and aye * Joys in its breast those beauties to display; And Zephyr noting this, for jealousy * Hastens and bends the branches other way."

On the trees of the garden were all manner fruits, each in two sorts, among them the pomegranate, as it were a ball of silver-dross, [385] whereof says the poet and says right well,

"Granados of finest skin, like the breasts * Of maid firm-standing in sight of male; When I strip the skin, they at once display * The rubies compelling all sense to quail."

And even as said another bard,

"Close prest appear to him who views th' inside * Red rubies in brocaded skirts bedight: Granado I compare with marble dome * Or virgin's breasts delighting every sight: Therein is cure for every ill as e'en * Left an Hadís the Prophet pure of sprite; And Allah (glorify His name) eke deigned * A noble say in Holy Book indite. [386]

The apples were the sugared and the musky and the Dámáni, amazing the beholder, whereof says Hassan the poet,

"Apple which joins hues twain, and brings to mind * The cheek of lover and beloved combined: Two wondrous opposites on branch they show * This dark [387] and that with hue incarnadined The twain embraced when spied the spy and turned * This red, that yellow for the shame designed." [388]

There also were apricots of various kinds, almond and camphor and Jíláni and 'Antábi, [389] wereof says the poet,

"And Almond-apricot suggesting swain * Whose lover's visit all his wits hath ta'en. Enough of love-sick lovers' plight it shows * Of face deep yellow and heart torn in twain." [390]

And says another and says well,

"Look at that Apricot whose bloom contains * Gardens with brightness gladding all men's eyne: Like stars the blossoms sparkle when the boughs * Are clad in foliage dight with sheen and shine."

There likewise were plums and cherries and grapes, that the sick of all diseases assain and do away giddiness and yellow choler from the brain; and figs the branches between, varicolored red and green, amazing sight and sense, even as says the poet,

"'Tis as the Figs with clear white skins outthrown * By foliaged trees, athwart whose green they peep, Were sons of Roum that guard the palace-roof * When shades close in and night-long ward they keep." [391]

And says another and says well,

"Welcome [392] the Fig! To us it comes * Ordered in handsome plates they bring: Likest a Surfah [393]-cloth we draw * To shape of bag without a ring."

And how well says a third,

"Give me the Fig sweet-flavoured, beauty-clad, * Whose inner beauties rival outer sheen: And when it fruits you tastest it to find * Chamomile's scent and Sugar's saccharine: And eke it favoureth on platters pored * Puff-balls of silken thread and sendal green."

And how excellent is the saying of one of them,

"Said they (and I had trained my taste thereto * Nor cared for other fruits whereby they swore), 'Why lovest so the Fig?' whereto said I * 'Some men love Fig and others Sycamore. [394]'"

And are yet goodlier those of another,

"Pleaseth me more the fig than every fruit * When ripe and hanging from the sheeny bough; Like Devotee who, when the clouds pour rain, * Sheds tears and Allah's power doth avow."

And in that garth were also pears of various kinds Sinaïtic, [395] Aleppine and Grecian growing in clusters and alone, parcel green and parcel golden.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-fifth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the merchants' sons went down into the garth they saw therein all the fruits we mentioned and found pears Sinaïtic, Aleppine and Grecian of every hue, which here clustering there single grew, parcel green and parcel yellow to the gazer a marvel-view, as says of them the poet,

"With you that Pear agree, whose hue a-morn * Is hue of hapless lover yellow pale; Like virgin cloistered strait in strong Harím * Whose face like racing steed outstrips the veil."

And Sultani [396] peaches of shades varied, yellow and red, whereof says the poet,

"Like Peach in vergier growing * And sheen of Andam [397] showing: Whose balls of yellow gold * Are dyed with blood-gouts flowing."

There were also green almonds of passing sweetness, resembling the cabbage [398] of the palm-tree, with their kernels within three tunics lurking of the Munificent King's handiworking, even as is said of them,

"Three coats yon freshest form endue * God's work of varied shape and hue: Hardness surrounds it night and day; * Prisoning without a sin to rue."

And as well says another,

"Seest not that Almond plucked by hand * Of man from bough where wont to dwell: Peeling it shows the heart within * As union-pearl in oyster- shell."

And as says a third better than he,

"How good is Almond green I view! * The smallest fills the hand of you: Its nap is as the down upon * The cheeks where yet no beardlet grew: Its kernels in the shell are seen, * Or bachelors or married two, As pearls they were of lucent white * Casèd and lapped in Jasper's hue."

And as says yet another and says well,

"Mine eyes ne'er looked on anything the Almond like * For charms, when blossoms [399] in the Prime show bright: Its head to hoariness of age inclines * The while its cheek by youth's fresh down is dight."

And jujube-plums of various colors, grown in clusters and alone whereof says one, describing them,

"Look at the Lote-tree, note on boughs arrayed * Like goodly apricots on reed-strown floor, [400] Their morning-hue to viewer's eye is like * Cascavels [401] cast of purest golden ore."

And as says another and says right well,

"The Jujube-tree each Day * Robeth in bright array. As though each pome on it * Would self to sight display. Like falcon-bell of gold * Swinging from every spray."

And in that garth grew blood oranges, as they were the Khaulanján, [402] whereof said the enamored poet, [403]

"Red fruits that fill the hand, and shine with sheen * Of fire, albe the scarf-skin's white as snow. 'Tis marvel snow on fire doth never melt * And, stranger still, ne'er burns this living lowe!"

And said another and said well,

"And trees of Orange fruiting ferly fair * To those who straitest have their charms surveyed; Like cheeks of women who their forms have decked * For holiday in robes of gold brocade."

And yet another as well,

"Like are the Orange-hills [404] when Zephyr breathes * Swaying the boughs and spray with airy grace, Her cheeks that glow with lovely light when met * At greeting- tide by cheeks of other face."

And a fourth as fairly,

"And fairest Fawn, we said to him 'Portray * This garth and oranges your eyes survey:' And he, 'Your garden favoureth my face * Who gathereth orange gathereth fire alway.'"

In that garden too grew citrons, in color as virgin gold, hanging down from on high and dangling among the branches, as they were ingots of growing gold; [405] and says thereof the 'namored poet,

"Hast seen a Citron-copse so weighed adown * You fearest bending roll their fruit on mould; And seemed, when Zephyr passed athwart the tree * Its branches hung with bells of purest gold?"

And shaddocks, [406] that among their boughs hung laden as though each were the breast of a gazelle-like maiden, contenting the most longing wight, as says of them the poet and says aright,

"And Shaddock mid the garden-paths, on bough * Freshest like fairest damsel met my sight; And to the blowing of the breeze it bent * Like golden ball to bat of chrysolite."

And the lime sweet of scent, which resembleth a hen's egg, but its yellowness ornamenteth its ripe fruit, and its fragrance hearteneth him who plucketh it, as says the poet who singeth it,

"Seest not the Lemon, when it taketh form, * Catch rays of light and all to gaze constrain; Like egg of pullet which the huckster's hand * Adorneth dyeing with the saffron-stain?"

Moreover in this garden were all manner of other fruits and sweet-scented herbs and plants and fragrant flowers, such as jessamine and henna and water-lilies [407] and spikenard [408] and roses of every kind and plantain [409] and myrtle and so forth; and indeed it was without compare, seeming as it were a piece of Paradise to whoever beheld it. If a sick man entered it, he came forth from it like a raging lion, and tongue availeth not to its description, by reason of that which was therein of wonders and rarities which are not found but in Heaven: and how should it be otherwise when its doorkeeper's name was Rizman? Though widely different were the stations of those twain! Now when the sons of the merchants had walked about gazing at the garden after taking their pleasure therein, they say down in one of its pavilions and seated Nur al-Din in their midst.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-sixth Night,

She resume, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the sons of the merchants sat down in the pavilion they seated Nur al-Din in their midst on a rug of gold-purfled leather of Al-Táif, [410] leaning on a pillow [411] of minever, stuffed with ostrich down. And they gave him a fan of ostrich feathers, whereon were written these two couplets,

"A fan whose breath is fraught with fragrant scent; * Minding of happy days and times forspent, Wafting at every time its perfumed air * O'er face of noble youth on honor bent."

Then they laid by their turbands and outer clothes and sat talking and chatting and inducing one another to discourse, while they all kept their eyes fixed on Nur al-Din and gazed on his beauteous form. After the sitting had lasted an hour or so, up came a slave with a tray on his head, in which were platters of china and crystal containing viands of all sorts (for one of the youths had so charged his people before coming to the garden); and the meats were of whatever walks earth or wings air or swims waters, such as Katá-grouse and fat quails and pigeon-poults and mutton and chickens and the delicatest fish. So, the tray being sat before them, they fell to and ate their fill; and when they had made an end of eating, they rose from meat and washed their hands with pure water and musk-scented soap, and dried them with napery embroidered in silk and bugles; but to Nur al-Din they brought a napkin laced with red gold whereon he wiped his hands. Then coffee [412] was served up and each drank what he would, after which they sat talking, till presently the garden-keeper who was young went away and returning with a basket full of roses, said to them, "What say ye, O my masters, to flowers?" Said one of them, "There is no harm in them, [413] especially roses, which are not to be resisted." Answered the gardener, "'Tis well, but it is of our wont not to give roses but in exchange for pleasant converse; so whoever would take anything thereof, let him recite some verses suitable to the situation." Now they were ten sons of merchants of whom one said, "Agreed: give me thereof and I will recite you somewhat of verse apt to the case." Accordingly the gardener gave him a bunch of roses [414] which he took and at once improvised these three couplets,

"The Rose in highest stead I rate * For that her charms ne'er satiate; All fragrant flow'rs be troops to her * Their general of high estate: Where she is not they boast and vaunt; * But, when she comes, they stint their prate."

Then the gardener gave a bunch to another and he recited these two couplets,

"Take, O my lord, to you the Rose * Recalling scent by mush be shed. Like virginette by lover eyed * Who with her sleeves [415] enveileth head."

Then he gave a bunch to a third who recited these two couplets,

"Choice Rose that gladdens heart to see her sight; * Of Nadd recalling fragrance exquisite. The branchlets clip her in her leaves for joy, * Like kiss of lips that never spoke in spite."

Then he gave a bunch to a fourth and he recited these two couplets,

"Seest not that rosery where Rose a-flowering displays * Mounted upon her steed of stalk those marvels manifold? As though the bud were ruby-stone and girded all around * With chrysolite and held within a little hoard of gold."

Then he gave a posy to a fifth and he recited these two couplets,

"Wands of green chrysolite bare issue, which * Were fruits like ingots of the growing gold. [416] And drops, a dropping from its leaves, were like * The tears my languorous eyelids railed and rolled."

Then he gave a sixth a bunch and he recited these two couplets,

"O Rose, you rare of charms that dost contain * All gifts and Allah's secrets singular, Thou'rt like the loved one's cheek where lover fond * And fain of Union sticks the gold dinar." [417]

Then he gave a bunch to a seventh and he recited these two couplets,

"To Rose said I, 'What gars your thorns to be put forth * For all who touch you cruellest injury?' Said she, 'These flowery troops are troops of me * Who be their lord with spines for armoury.'"

And he gave an eighth a bunch and he recited these two couplets,

"Allah save the Rose which yellows a-morn * Florid, vivid and likest the nugget-ore; And bless the fair sprays that displayed such fowers * And mimic suns gold-begilded bore."

Then he gave a bunch to a ninth and he recited these two couplets,

"The bushes of golden-hued Rose excite * In the love-sick lover joys manifold: 'Tis a marvel shrub watered every day * With silvern lymph and it fruiteth gold."

Then he gave a bunch of roses to the tenth and last and he recited these two couplets,

"Seest not how the hosts of the Rose display * Red hues and yellow in rosy field? I compare the Rose and her arming thorn * To emerald lance piercing golden shield."

And while each one hent bunch in hand, the gardener brought the wine-service and setting it before them, on a tray of porcelain arabesqued with red gold, recited these two couplets,

"Dawn heralds day-light: so wine pass round, * Old wine, fooling sage till his wits he tyne: Wot I not for its purest clarity * An 'tis wine in cup or 'tis cup in wine." [418]

Then the gardener filled and drank and the cup went round, till it came to Nur al-Din's turn, whereupon the man filled and handed it to him; but he said, "This thing I know it not nor have I ever drunken thereof, for therein is great offence and the Lord of All-might has forbidden it in His Book." Answered the gardener, "O my Lord Nur al-Din, if you forbear to drink only by reason of the sin, verily Allah (extolled and exalted be He!) is bountiful, of sufferance great, forgiving and compassionate and pardons the mortalest sins: His mercy embraces all things, Allah's pity be upon the poet who saith,

'Be as thou, wilt, for Allah is bountiful * And when you sinnest feel you nothing alarm: But 'ware of twofold sins nor ever dare * To give God partner or mankind to harm.'"

Then said one of the sons of the merchants, "My life on you, O my lord Nur al-Din, drink of this cup!" And another conjured him by the oath of divorce and yet another stood up persistently before him, till he was ashamed and taking the cup from the gardener, drank a draught, but spat it out again, crying, "'Tis bitter." Said the young gardener, "O my lord Nur al-Din, know you not that sweets taken by way of medicine are bitter? Were this not bitter, 'twould lack of the manifold virtues it possesseth; among which are that it digesteth food and disperseth cark and care and dispelleth flatulence and clarifieth the blood and cleareth the complexion and quickeneth the body and hearteneth the hen-hearted and fortifieth the sexual power in man; but to name all its virtues would be tedious. Said one of the poets,

'We'll drink and Allah pardon sinners all * And cure of ills by sucking cups I'll find: Nor anything the sin deceives me; yet said He * 'In it there be advantage [419] to mankind.'"

Then he sprang up without stay or delay and opened one of the cupboards in the pavilion and taking out a loaf of refined sugar, broke off a great slice which he put into Nur al-Din's cup, saying, "O my lord, if you fear to drink wine, because of its bitterness, drink now, for 'tis sweet." So he took the cup and emptied it: whereupon one of his comrades filled him another, saying, "O my lord Nur al-Din, I am your slave," and another did the like, saying, "I am one of your servants," and a third said, "For my sake!" and a fourth, "Allah upon you, O my lord Nur al-Din, heal my heart!" And so they ceased not plying him with wine, each and every of the ten sons of merchants till they had made him drink a total of ten cups. Now Nur al-Din's body was virgin of wine-bibbing, or never in all his life had he drunken vine-juice till that hour, wherefore its fumes wrought in his brain and drunkenness was stark upon him and he stood up (and indeed his tongue was thick and his speech stammering) and said, "O company, by Allah, you are fair and your speech is goodly and your place pleasant; but there needs hearing of sweet music; for drink without melody lacks the chief of its essentiality, even as says the poet,

'Pass round the cup to the old and the young man, too, And take the bowl from the hand of the shining moon, [420] But without music, I charge you, forbear to drink; I see even horses drink to a whistled tune.'" [421]

Therewith up sprang the gardener lad and mounting one of the young men's mules, was absent awhile, after which he returned with a Cairene girl, as she were a sheep's tail, fat and delicate, or an ingot of pure silvern ore or a dinar on a porcelain plate or a gazelle in the wold forlore. She had a face that put to shame the shining sun and eyes Babylonian [422] and brows like bows bended and cheeks rose-painted and teeth pearly-hued and lips sugared and glances languishing and breast ivory white and body slender and slight, full of folds and with dimples dight and hips like pillows stuffed and thighs like columns of Syrian stone, and between them what was something like a sachet of spices in wrapper swathed. Said the poet of her in these couplets,

"Had she shown her shape to idolaters' sight, * They would gaze on her face and their gods detest: And if in the East to a monk she'd show'd, * He'd quit Eastern posture and bow to West. [423] An she crached in the sea and the briniest sea * Her lips would give it the sweetest zest."

And said another in these couplets,

"Brighter than Moon at full with kohl'd eyes she came * Like Doe, on chasing whelps of Lioness intent: Her night of murky locks lets fall a tent on her * A tent of hair [424] that lacks no pegs to hold the tent; And roses lighting up her roseate cheeks are fed * By hearts and livers flowing fire for languishment: An 'spied her all the Age's Fair to her they'd rise * Humbly, [425] and cry 'The meed belongs to precedent!'"

And how well says a third bard, [426]

"Three things for ever hinder her to visit us, for fear Of the intriguing spy and eke the rancorous envier; Her forehead's lustre and the sound of all her ornaments And the sweet scent her creases hold of ambergris and myrth. Grant with the border of her sleeve she hide her brow and doff Her ornaments, how shall she do her scent away from her?"

She was like the moon when at fullest on its fourteenth night, and was clad in a garment of blue, with a veil of green, overbrown flower-white that all wits amazed and those of understanding amated.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying his permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-seventh Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the gardener brought a girl whom we have described, possessed of the utmost beauty and loveliness and fine stature and symmetrical grace as it were she the poet signified when he said, [427]

"She came apparelled in a vest of blue, That mocked the skies and shamed their azure hue; I thought thus clad she burst upon my sight, Like summer moonshine on a wintry night."

And how goodly is the saying of another and how excellent,

"She came thick veiled, and cried I, 'O display * That face like full moon bright with pure-white ray.' Said she, 'I fear disgrace,' said I, 'Cut short * This talk, no shift of days your thoughts affray.' Whereat she raised her veil from fairest face * And crystal spray on gems began to stray: And I forsooth was fain to kiss her cheek, * Lest she complain of me on Judgment-Day. And at such tide before the Lord on High * We first of lovers were redress to pray: So 'Lord, prolong this reckoning and review' * (Prayed I) 'that longer I may sight my may.'"

Then said the young gardener to her, "Know thou, O lady of the fair, brighter than any constellation which illumineth air we sought, in bringing you hither nothing but that you should entertain with converse this comely youth, my lord Nur al-Din, for he hath come to this place only this day." And the girl replied, "Would you had told me, that I might have brought what I have with me!" Rejoined the gardener, "O my lady, I will go and fetch it to you." "As you wilt," said she: and he, "Give me a token." So she gave him a kerchief and he fared forth in haste and returned after awhile, bearing a green satin bag with slings of gold. The girl took the bag from him and opening it shook it, whereupon there fell thereout two-and-thirty pieces of wood, which she fitted one into other, male into female and female into male [428] till they became a polished lute of Indian workmanship. Then she uncovered her wrists and laying the lute in her lap, bent over it with the bending of mother over babe, and swept the strings with her finger-tips; whereupon it moaned and resounded and after its olden home yearned; and it remembered the waters that gave it drink and the earth whence it sprang and in which it grew and it minded the carpenters who made it their merchandise and the ships that shipped it; and it cried and called aloud and moaned and groaned; and it was as if she asked it of all these things and it answered her with the tongue of the case, reciting these couplets, [429]

"A tree whilere was I the Bulbul's home * To whom for love I bowed my grass-green head: They moaned on me, and I their moaning learnt * And in that moan my secret all men read: The woodman fell me falling sans offence, * And slender lute of me (as view ye) made: But, when the fingers smite my strings, they tell * How man despite my patience did me dead; Hence boon-companions when they hear my moan * Distracted wax as though by wine misled: And the Lord softens every heart of me, * And I am hurried to the highmost stead: All who in charms excel fain clasp my waist; * Gazelles of languid eyne and Houri maid: Allah ne'er part fond lover from his joy * Nor live the loved one who unkindly fled."

Then the girl was silent awhile, but presently taking the lute in lap, again bent over it, as mother bends over child, and preluded in many different modes; then, returning to the first, she sang these couplets,

"Would they [430] the lover seek without ado, * He to his heavy grief had bid adieu: With him had vied the Nightingale [431] on bough * As one far parted from his lover's view: Rouse you! awake! The Moon lights Union-night * As tho' such Union woke the Morn anew. This day the blamers take of us no heed * And lute-strings bid us all our joys ensue. Seest not how four-fold things conjoin in one * Rose, myrtle, scents and blooms of golden hue. [432] Yea, here this day the four chief joys unite * Drink and dinars, beloved and lover true: So win your worldly joy, for joys go past * And nothing but storied tales and legends last."

When Nur al-Din heard the girl sing these lines he looked on her with eyes of love and could scarce contain himself for the violence of his inclination to her; and on like wise was it with her, because she glanced at the company who were present of the sons of the merchants and she saw that Nur al-Din was among the rest as moon among stars; for that he was sweet of speech and replete with amorous grace, perfect in stature and symmetry, brightness and loveliness, pure of all defect, than the breeze of morn softer, than Tasnim blander, as says of him the poet, [433]

"By his cheeks' unfading damask and his smiling teeth I swear, By the arros that he feathers with the witchery of his air, By his sides so soft and tender and his glances bright and keen, By the whiteness of his forehead and the blackness of his hair, By his arched imperious eyebrows, chasing slumber from my lids With their yeas and noes that hold me 'twixt rejoicing and despair, By the Scorpions that he launches from his ringlet-clustered brows, Seeking still to slay his lovers with his rigours unaware, By the myrtle of his whiskers and the roses of his cheek, By his lips' incarnate rubies and his teeth's fine pearls and rare, By the straight and tender sapling of his shape, which for its fruit Doth the twin pomegranates, shining in his snowy bosom, wear, By his heavy hips that tremble, both in motion and repose, And the slender waist above them, all too slight their weight to bear, By the silk of his apparel and his quick and sprightly wit, By all attributes of beauty that are fallen to his share; Lo, the musk exhales its fragrance from his breath, and eke the breeze From his scent the perfume borrows, that it scatters everywhere. Yea, the sun in all his splendour cannot with his brightness vie And the crescent moon's a fragment that he from his nails doth pare." —And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-eighth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Nur al-Din was delighted with the girl's verses and he swayed from side to side for drunkenness and fell a-praising her and saying,

"A lutanist to us inclined * And stole our wits bemused with wine: And said to us her lute, 'The Lord * Bade us discourse by voice divine.'"

When she heard him thus improvise the girl gazed at him with loving eyes and redoubled in passion and desire for him increased upon her, and indeed she marvelled at his beauty and loveliness, symmetry and grace, so that she could not contain herself, but took the lute in lap again and sang these couplets,

"He blames me for casting on him my sight * And parts fro' me bearing my life and sprite: He repels me but kens what my heart endures * As though Allah himself had inspired the wight: I portrayed his portrait in palm of hand * And cried to mine eyes, 'Weep your doleful plight.' For neither shall eyes of me spy his like * Nor my heart have patience to bear its blight: Wherefore, will I tear you from breast, O Heart * As one who regards him with jealous spite. And when say I, 'O heart be consoled for pine,' * 'Tis that heart to none other shall e'er incline:"

Nur al-Din wondered at the charms of her verse and the elegance of her expression and the sweetness of her voice and the eloquence of her speech and his wit fled for stress of love and longing, and ecstasy and distraction, so that he could not refrain from her a single moment, but bent to her and strained her to his bosom: and she in like manner bowed her form over his and abandoned herself to his embrace and bussed him between the eyes. Then he kissed her on the mouth and played with her at kisses, after the manner of the billing of doves; and she met him with like warmth and did with him as she was done by till the others were distracted and rose to their feet; whereupon Nur al-Din was ashamed and held his hand from her. Then she took her lute and, preluding on it in manifold modes, lastly returned to the first and sang these couplets,

"A Moon, when he bends him those eyes lay bare * A brand that gars gazing gazelle despair: A King, rarest charms are the host of him * And his lance-like shape men with cane compare: Were his softness of sides to his heart transferred * His friend had not suffered such cark and care: Ah for hardest heart and for softest sides! * Why not that to these alter, make here go there? O you who accusest my love excuse: * Take eternal and leave me the transient share." [434]

When Nur al-Din heard the sweetness of her voice and the rareness of her verse, he inclined to her for delight and could not contain himself for excess of wonderment; so he recited these couplets.

"Methought she was the forenoon sun until she donned the veil * But lit she fire in vitals mine still flaring fierce and high, How had it hurt her an she deigned return my poor salám * With fingertips or e'en vouchsafed one little wink of eye? The cavalier who spied her face was wholly stupefied * By charms that glorify the place and every charm outvie. 'Be this the Fair who makes you pine and long for love liesse? * Indeed you art excused!' 'This is my fairest she;'(quoth I) Who shot me with the shaft of looks nor deigns to rue my woes * Of strangerhood and broken heart and love I must aby: I rose a-morn with vanquished heart, to longing love a prey * And weep I through the live long day and all the night I cry."

The girl marvelled at his eloquence and elegance and taking her lute, smote on it with the goodliest of performance, repeating all the melodies, and sang these couplets,

"By the life o' your face, O you life o' my sprite! * I'll ne'er leave your love for despair or delight: When art cruel your vision stands hard by my side * And the thought of you haunts me when far from sight: O who saddenest my glance albe weeting that I * No love but your love will for ever requite? Thy cheeks are of Rose and your lips-dews are wine; * Say, will grudge them to us in this charming site?"

Hereat Nur al-Din was gladdened with extreme gladness and wondered with the utmost wonder, so he answered her verse with these couplets,

"The sun yellowed not in the murk gloom li'en * But lay pearl enveiled 'neath horizon-chine; Nor showed its crest to the eyes of Morn * But took refuge from parting with Morning-shine. [435] Take my tear-drops that trickle as chain on chain * And they'll tell my case with the clearest sign. An my tears be likened to Nile-flood, like * Malak's [436] flooded flat be this love o'mine. Said she, 'Bring your riches!' Said I, 'Come, take!' * 'And your sleep?' 'Yes, take it from lids of eyne!'"

When the girl heard Nur al-Din's words and noted the beauty of his eloquence her senses fled and her wit was dazed and love of him gat hold upon her whole heart. So she pressed him to her bosom and fell to kissing him like the billing of doves, while he returned her caresses with successive kisses; but preeminence appertaineth to precedence. [437] When she had made an end of kissing, she took the lute and recited these couplets,

"Alas, alack and well-away for blamer's calumny! * Whether or not I make my moan or plead or show no plea: O spurner of my love I ne'er of you so hard would deem * That I of you should be despised, of you my property. I wont at lovers' love to rail and for their passion chide, * But now I fain debase myself to all who rail at you: Yea, only yesterday I wont all amourists to blame * But now I pardon hearts that pine for passion's ecstasy; And of my stress of parting-stowre on me so heavy weighs * At morning prayer to Him I'll cry, 'In your name, O Ali!'"

And also these two couplets,

"His lovers said, 'Unless he deign to give us all a drink * Of wine, of fine old wine his lips deal in their purity; We to the Lord of Threefold Worlds will pray to grant our prayer' * And all exclaim with single cry 'In your name, O Ali!'"

Nur al-Din, hearing these lines and their rhyme, marvelled at the fluency of her tongue and thanked her, praising her grace and passing seductiveness; and the damsel, delighted at his praise, arose without stay or delay and doffing that was upon her of outer dress and trinkets till she was free of all encumbrance sat down on his knees and kissed him between the eyes and on his cheek-mole. Then she gave him all she had put off.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Sixty-ninth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the girl gave to Nur al-Din all she had doffed, saying, "O beloved of my heart, in very sooth the gift is after the measure of the giver." So he accepted this from her and gave it back to her and kissed her on the mouth and cheeks and eyes. When this was ended and done, for nothing is durable save the Living, the Eternal, Provider of the peacock and the owl, [438] Nur al-Din rose from the séance and stood upon his feet, because the darkness was now fallen and the stars shone out; whereupon said the damsel to him, "Where away, O my lord?"; and said he, "To my father's home." Then the sons of the merchants conjured him to night with them, but he refused and mounting his shemule, rode, without stopping, till he reached his parent's house, where his mother met him and said to him, "O my son, what hath kept you away till this hour? By Allah, you have troubled myself and your sire by your absence from us, and our hearts have been occupied with you." Then she came up to him, to kiss him on his mouth, and smelling the fumes of the wine, said, "O my wine-bibber and a rebel against Him to whom belong creation and commandment?" But Nur al-Din threw himself down on the bed and lay there. Presently in came his sire and said, "What aileth Nur al-Din to lie thus?"; and his mother answered, "'Twould seem his head acheth for the air of the garden." So Taj al-Din went up to his son, to ask him of his ailment, and salute him, and smelt the reek of wine. [439] Now the merchant loved not wine-drinkers; so he said to Nur al-Din, "Woe to you, O my son! Is folly come to such a pass with you, that you drinkest wine?" When Nur al-Din heard his sire say this, he raised his hand, being yet in his drunkenness, and dealt him a buffet, when by decree of the Decreer the blow lit on his father's right eye which rolled down on his cheek; whereupon he fell a-swoon and lay therein awhile. They sprinkled rose-water on him till he recovered, when he would have beaten his son; but the mother withheld him, and he swore, by the oath of divorce from his wife that, as soon as morning morrowed, he would assuredly cut off his son's right hand. [440] When she heard her husband's words, her breast was straitened and she feared for he son and ceased not to soothe and appease his sire, till sleep overcame him. Then she waited till moon-rise, when she went in to her son, whose drunkenness had now departed from him, and said to him, "O Nur al-Din, what is this foul deed you did with your sire?" He asked, "And what did I with him?"; and answered she, "You dealt him a buffet on the right eye and struck it out so that it rolled down his cheek; and he has sworn by the divorce-oath that, as soon as morning shall morrow he will without fail cut off your right hand." Nur al-Din repented him of that he had done, when repentance profited him nothing, and his mother said to him, "O my son, this penitence will not profit you; nor will anything avail you but that you arise forthwith and seek safety in flight: go forth the house privily and take refuge with one of your friends and there what Allah shall do await, for he changes case after case and state upon state." Then she opened a chest and taking out a purse of a hundred dinars said, "O my son, take these dinars and provide your wants therewith, and when they are at an end, O my son, send and let me know thereof, that I may send you other than these, and at the same time covey to me news of yourself privily: perhaps Allah will decree you relief and you shall return to your home. And she farewelled him and wept passing sore, nought could be more. Thereupon Nur al-Din took the purse of gold and was about to go forth, when he espied a great purse containing a thousand dinars, which his mother had forgotten by the side of the chest. So he took this also and binding the two purses about his middle, [441] set out before dawn threading the streets in the direction of Búlák, where he arrived when day broke and all creatures arose, attesting the unity of Allah the Opener and went forth each of them upon his several business, to win that which Allah had unto him allotted. Reaching Bulak he walked on along the riverbank till he sighted a ship with her gangway out and her four anchors made fast to the land. The folk were going up into her and coming down from her, and Nur al-Din, seeing some sailors there standing, asked them where they were bound, and they answered, "To Rosetta-city." Said he, "Take me with you;" and said they, "Well come, and welcome to you, to you, O goodly one!" So he betook himself immediately to the market and buying what he needed of provisions and bedding and covering, returned to the port and went on board the ship, which was ready to sail and tarried with him but a little while before she weighed anchor and fared on, without stopping, till she reached Rosetta, [442] where Nur al-Din saw a small boat going to Alexandria. So he embarked in it and traversing the sea-arm of Rosetta fared on till he came to a bridge called Al-Jámí, where he landed and entered Alexandria by the gate called the Gate of the Lote-tree. Allah protected him, so that none of those who stood on guard at the gate saw him, and he walked on till he entered the city.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventieth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Nur al-Din entered Alexandria he found it a city goodly of pleasaunces, delightful to its inhabitants and inviting to inhabit therein. Winter had fared from it with his cold and Prime was come to it with his roses: its flowers were kindly ripe and welled forth its rills. Indeed, it was a city goodly of ordinance and disposition; its folk were of the best of men, and when the gates thereof were shut, its folk were safe. [443] And it was even as is said of it in these couplets,

"Said I to a comrade one day, * A man of good speech and rare, 'Describe Alexandria.' * Said he, 'Tis a march-town fair.' Said I, 'Is there living therein?' * And he, 'An the wind blow there.'"

Or as says one of the poets,

"Alexandria's a frontier; [444] Whose dews of lips are sweet and clear; How fair the coming to it is, * So one therein no raven speer!"

Nur al-Din walked about the city and ceased not walking till her came to the merchants' bazar, whence he passed on to the mart of the money-changers and so on in turn to the markets of the confectioners and fruiterers and druggists, marvelling, as he went, at the city, for that the nature of its qualities accorded with its name. [445] As he walked in the druggists' bazar, behold, an old man came down from his shop and saluting him, took him by the hand and carried him to his home. And Nur al-Din saw a fair bystreet, swept and sprinkled, whereon the zephyr blew and made pleasantness pervade it and the leaves of the trees overshaded it. Therein stood three houses and at the upper end a mansion, whose foundations were firm sunk in the water and its walls towered to the confines of the sky. They had swept the space before it and they had sprinkled it freshly; so it exhaled the fragrance of flowers, borne on the zephyr which breathed upon the place; and the scent met there who approached it on such wise as it were one of the gardens of Paradise. And, as they had cleaned and cooed the by-street's head, so was the end of it with marble spread. The Shaykh carried Nur al-Din into the house and setting somewhat of food before him ate with his guest. When they had made an end of eating, the druggist said to him, "When came you hither from Cairo?"; and Nur al-Din replied, "This very night, O my father." Said the old man, "What is your name?"; and said he, "Ali Nur al-Din." Said the druggist, "O my son, O Nur al-Din, be the triple divorce incumbent on me, if you leave me so long as you abide in this city; and I will set you apart a place in which you may dwell." Nur al-Din asked, "O my lord the Shaykh, let me know more of you"; and the other answered, "Know, O my son, that some years ago I went to Cairo with merchandise, which I sold there and bought other, and I had occasion for a thousand dinars. So your sire Taj al-Din weighed them out [446] for me, all unknowing me, and would take no written word of me, but had patience with me till I returned hither and sent him the amount by one of my servants, together with a gift. I saw you, while you were little; and, if it please Allah the Most High, I will repay you somewhat for the kindness your father did me." When Nur al-Din heard the old man's story, he showed joy and pulling out with a smile the purse of a thousand dinars, gave it to his host the Shaykh and said to him, "Take charge of this deposit for me, against I buy me somewhat of merchandise whereon to trade." Then he abode some time in Alexandria city taking his pleasure every day in its thoroughfares, eating and drinking and indulging himself with mirth and merriment till he had made an end of the hundred dinars he had kept by way of spending-money; whereupon he repaired to the old druggist, to take of him somewhat of the thousand dinars to spend, but found him not in his shop and took a seat therein to await his return. He sat there gazing right and left and amusing himself with watching the merchants and passers-by, and as he was thus engaged behold, there came into the bazar a Persian riding on a she-mule and carrying behind him a damsel; as she were argent of alloy free or a fish Balti [447] in mimic sea or a doe-gazelle on desert lea. Her face outshone the sun in shine and she had witching eyne and breasts of ivory white, teeth of marguerite, slender waist and sides dimpled deep and calves like tails of fat sheep; [448] and indeed she was perfect in beauty and loveliness, elegant stature and symmetrical grace, even as says one, describing her, [449]

"'Twas as by will of her she was create * Nor short nor long, but Beauty's mould and mate: Rose blushes reddest when she sees those cheeks * And fruits the bough those marvel charms amate: Moon is her favour, Musk the scent of her * Branch is her shape:? she passeth man's estate: 'Tis e'en as were she cast in freshest pearl * And every limblet shows a moon innate."

Presently the Persian lighted down from his she-mule and, making the damsel also dismount, loudly summoned the broker and said to him as soon as he came, "Take this damsel and cry her for sale in the market." So he took her and leading her to the middlemost of the bazar disappeared for a while and presently he returned with a stool of ebony, inlaid with ivory, and setting it upon the ground, seated her thereon. Then he raised her veil and discovered a face as it were a Median targe [450] or a cluster of pearls: [451] and indeed she was like the full moon, when it fills on its fourteenth night, accomplished in brilliant beauty. As says the poet,

"Vied the full moon for folly with her face, * But was eclipsed [452] and split for rage full sore; And if the spiring Bán with her contend * Perish her hands who load of fuel bore!" [453]

And how well says another,

"Say to the fair in the wroughten veil * How have made that monk-like worshipper ail? Light of veil and light of face under it * Made the hosts of darkness to fly from bale; And, when came my glance to steal look at cheek. * With a meteor-shaft the Guard made me quail." [454]

Then said the broker to the merchants, [455] "How much do you bid for the union-pearl of the diver and prize-quarry of the fowler?" Said one, "She is mine for a hundred dinars." And another said, "Two hundred," and a third, "Three hundred"; and they ceased not to bid, one against other, till they made her price nine hundred and fifty dinars, and there the biddings stopped awaiting acceptance and consent. [456]—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-first Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the merchants bid one against other till they made the price of the girl nine hundred and fifty dinars. Then the broker went up to her Persian master and said to him, "The biddings for this your slavegirl have reached nine hundred and fifty dinars: so say me, will you sell her at that price and take the money?" Asked the Persian, "Does she consent to this? I desire to fall in with her wishes, for I sickened on my journey hither and this handmaid tended me with all possible tenderness, wherefore I swore not to sell her but to him whom she should like and approve, and I have put her sale in her own hand. So do you consult her and if she say, 'I consent,' sell her to whom you will: but if she say, 'No,' sell her not." So the broker went up to her and asked her, "O Princess of fair ones, know that your master puts your sale in your own hands, and your price has reached nine hundred and fifty dinars; do you give me leave to sell you?" She answered, "Show me him who is minded to buy me before clinching the bargain." So he brought her up to one of the merchants a man stricken with years and decrepit; and she looked at him a long while, then turned to the broker and said to him, "O broker, are you Jinn-mad or afflicted in your wit?" Replied he, "Why do you ask me this, O Princess of fair ones?"; and said she, "Is it permitted you of Allah to sell the like of me to yonder decrepit old man, who says of his wife's case these couplets,

'Said she to me,—and sore enraged for wounded pride was she, * For she in sooth had bidden me to that which might not be,— 'An if you swive me not forthright, as one should swive his wife, * You be made a cuckold straight, reproach it not to me. Meseems your yard is made of wax, for very flaccidness; * For when I rub it with my hand, it softens instantly.' [457]

And said he likewise of his yard,

'I have a yard that sleeps in base and shameful way * When grants my lover boon for which I sue and pray: But when I wake o' mornings [458] all alone in bed, * 'Tis fain o' foin and fence and fierce for futter-play.'

And again said he thereof of his yard,

'I have a froward yard of temper ill * Dishonoring him who shows it most regard: It stands when sleep I, when I stand it sleeps * Heaven pity not who pitieth that yard!'"

When the old merchant heard this ill flouting from the damsel, he was angry with wrath exceeding beyond which was no proceeding and said to the broker, "O most ill-omened of brokers, you have not brought into the market this ill-conditioned wench but to gibe me and make mock of me before the merchants." Then the broker took her aside and said to her, "O my lady, be not wanting in self-respect. The Shaykh at whom you did mock is the Syndic of the bazar and Inspector [459] thereof and a committee-man of the council of the merchants." But she laughed and improvised these two couplets,

"It behooves folk who rule in our time, * And 'tis one of the duties of magistrateship, To hand up the Wali above his door * And beat with a whip the Mohtasib!"

Adding, "By Allah, O my lord, I will not be sold to yonder old man; so sell me to other than him, for perhaps he will be abashed at me and vend me again and I shall become a mere servant [460] and it beseems not that I sully myself with menial service; and indeed you know that the matter of my sale is committed to myself." He replied, "I hear and I obey," and carried her to a man which was one of the chief merchants. And when standing hard by him the broker asked, "How say you, O my lady? Shall I sell you to my lord Sharíf al-Dín here for nine hundred and fifty gold pieces?" She looked at him and, seeing him to be an old man with a dyed beard, said to the broker, "Are you silly, that you would sell me to this worn out Father Antic? Am I cotton refuse or threadbare rags that you march me about from greybeard to greybeard, each like a wall ready to fall or an Ifrit smitten down of a fire-ball? As for the first, the poet had him in mind when he said, [461]

'I sought of a fair maid to kiss her lips of coral red, But, 'No, by Him who fashioned things from nothingness!' she said. Unto the white of hoary hairs I never had a mind, And shall my mouth be stuffed, forsooth, with cotton, before I'm dead?'

And how goodly is the saying of the poet,

'The wise have said that white of hair is light that shines and robes * The face of man with majesty and light that awes the sight; Yet until hoary seal shall stamp my parting-place of hair * I hope and pray that same may be black as the blackest night. Albe Time-whitened beard of man be like the book he bears [462] * When to his Lord he must return, I'd rather 'twere not white,'

And yet goodlier is the saying of another,

'A guest hath stolen on my head and honor may he lack! * The sword a milder deed hath done that dared these locks to hack. Avaunt, O Whiteness, [463] in which nothing of brightness gladdens sight * You 'rt blacker in the eyes of me than very blackest black!'

As for the other, he is a model of wantonness and scurrilousness and a blackener of the face of hoariness; his dye acteth the foulest of lies: and the tongue of his case reciteth these lines, [464]

'Said she to me, 'I see you dy'st your hoariness;' and I, 'I do but hide it from your sight, O you mine ear and eye!' She laughed out mockingly and said, 'A wonder 'tis indeed! You so aboundest in deceit that even your hair's a lie.'

And how excellent is the saying of the poet,

'O you who dyest hoariness with black, * That youth wi' you abide, at least in show; Look ye, my lot was dyèd black whilome * And (take my word!) none other hue 'twill grow.'"

When the old man with dyed beard heard such words from the slave-girl, he raged with exceeding rage in fury's last stage and said to the broker, "O most ill-omened of brokers, this day you have brought to our market nothing save this gibing baggage to flout at all who are therein, one after other, and fleer at them with flyting verse and idle jest?" And he came down from his shop and smote on the face the broker, who took her an angered and carried her away, saying to her, "By Allah, never in my life saw I a more shameless wench than yourself! [465] You have cut off my daily bread and your own this day and all the merchants will bear me a grudge on your account." Then they saw on the way a merchant called Shihab al-Din who bid ten dinars more for her, and the broker asked her leave to sell her to him. Said she, "Trot him out that I may see him and question him of a certain thing, which if he have in his house, I will be sold to him; and if not, then not." So the broker left her standing there and going up to Shihab al-Din, said to him, "O my lord, know that yonder damsel tells me she has a mind to ask you something, which if you have, she will be sold to you. Now you have heard what she said to your fellows, the merchants,"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-second Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the broker said to the merchant, "You have heard what this handmaid said to your fellows, the traders, and by Allah, I fear to bring her to you, lest she do with you like as she did with your neighbours and so I fall into disgrace with you: but, if you bid me bring her to you, I will bring her." Said the merchant, "Bring her to me." "Hearing and obeying," answered the broker and fetched for the purchaser the damsel, who looked at him and said, "O my lord, Shihab al-Din, have you in your house round cushions stuffed with ermine strips?" Replied Shihab al-Din, "Yes, O Princess of fair ones, I have at home half a score such cushions; but I conjure you by Allah, tell me, what will you do with them?" Said she, "I will bear with you till you be asleep, when I will lay them on your mouth and nose and press them down till you die." Then she turned to the broker and said to him, "O you refuse of brokers, I think you are mad, in that you show me this hour past, first to a pair of greybeards, in each of whom are two faults, and then you proferr me to my lord Shihab al-Din in which be three defects; and thirdly, he is dwarfish, secondly, he has a nose which is big, and thirdly, he has a beard which is long. Of him said one of the poets,

'We never heard of wight nor yet espied * Who amid men three gifts hath unified: To wit, a beard one cubit long, a snout * Span-long and figure tall a finger wide:'

And said another poet,

'From the plain of his face springs a minaret * Like a bezel of ring on his finger set: Did creation enter that vasty nose * No created thing would elsewhere be met.'"

When Shihab al-Din heard this, he came down from his shop and seized the broker by the collar, saying, "O scurviest of brokers, what ails you to bring us a damsel to flout and make mock of us, one after other, with her verses and talk that a curse is?" So the broker took her and carried her away from before him and fared, saying, "By Allah, all my life long, since I have plied this profession never set I eyes on the like of you for unmannerliness nor anything more curst to me than your star, for you have cut off my livelihood this day and I have gained no profit by you save cuffs on the neck-nape and catching by the collar!" Then he brought her to the shop of another merchant, owner of negro slaves and white servants, and stationing her before him, said to her, "Will you be sold to this my lord 'Alá al-Dín?" She looked at him and seeing him hump-backed, said, "This is a Gobbo, and said the poet of him,

'Drawn in your shoulders are and spine thrust out, * As seeking star which Satan gave the lout; [466] Or as he tasted had first smack of scourge * And looked in marvel for a second bout.'

And says another on the same theme,

'As one of you who mounted mule, * A sight for me to ridicule: Is 't not a farce? Who feels surprise * An start and bolt with him the mule?'

And another on a similar subject,

'Oft hunchback addeth to his bunchy back * Faults which gar folk upon his front look black: Like branch distort and dried by length of days * With citrons hanging from it loose and slack.'"

With this the broker hurried up to her and, carrying her to another merchant, said to her, "Wilt you be sold to this one?" She looked at him and said, "In very sooth this man is blue-eyed; [467] how will you sell me to him?" Said one of the poets,

'His eyelids sore and bleared * Weakness of frame denote: Arise, you folk and see * Within his eyes the mote!'"

Then the broker carried her to another and she looked at him and seeing that he had a long beard, said to the broker, "Fie upon you! This is a ram, whose tail has sprouted from his gullet. Will you sell me to him, O unluckiest of brokers? Have you not heard say: 'All long of beard are little of wits? Indeed, after the measure of the length of the beard is the lack of sense; and this is a well-known thing among men of understanding.' As says one of the poets,

'Ne'er was a man with beard grown overlong, * Tho' be he therefor reverenced and fear'd, But who the shortness noted in his wits * Added to longness noted in his beard.'

And said another, [468]

'I have a friend with a beard which God hath made to grow to a useless length, It is like unto one of the nights of winter long and dark and cold.'"

With this the broker took her and turned away with her, and she asked, "Where go you with me?" He answered, "Back to your master the Persian; it suffices me what has befallen me because of you this day; for you have been the means of spoiling both my trade and his by your ill manners." Then she looked about the market right and left, front and rear till, by the decree of the Decreer her eyes fell on Ali Nur al-Din the Cairene. So she gazed at him and saw him [469] to be a comely youth of straight slim form and smooth of face, fourteen years old, rare in beauty and loveliness and elegance and amorous grace like the full moon on the fourteenth night with forehead flower-white, and cheeks rosy red, neck like alabaster and teeth than jewels and dews of lips sweeter than sugar, even as says of him one of his describers,

"Came to match him in beauty and loveliness rare * Full moons and gazelles but said I, 'Soft fare! Fare softly, gazelles, nor yourselves compare * With him and, O Moons, all your pains forbear!'"

And how well says another bard,

"Slim-waisted loveling, from his hair and brow * Men wake a-morn in night and light renewed. Blame not the mole that dwelleth on his cheek * For Nu'uman's bloom aye shows spot negro-hued."

When the slave-girl beheld Nur al-Din he interposed between her and her wits; she fell in love to him with a great and sudden fall and her heart was taken with affection for him;—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-third Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the slave-girl beheld Nur al-Din, her heart was taken with affection for him; so she turned to the broker and said to him, "Will not yonder young merchant, who is sitting among the traders in the gown of striped broadcloth, bid somewhat more for me?" The broker replied, "O lady of fair ones, yonder young man is a stranger from Cairo, where his father is chief of the trader-guild and surpasses all the merchants and notables of the place. He is but lately come to this our city and lodges with one of his father's friends; but he has made no bid for you nor more nor less." When the girl heard the broker's words, she drew from her finger a costly signet-ring of ruby and said to the man, "Carry me to yonder youth, and if he buy me, this ring shall be thine, in requital of your travail with me this day." The broker rejoiced at this and brought her up to Nur al-Din, and she considered him straitly and found him like the full moon, perfect in loveliness and a model of fine stature and symmetric grace, even as says of him one of his describers.

"Waters of beauty o'er his cheeks flow bright, * And rain his glances shafts that sorely smite: Choked are his lovers if he deal disdain's * Bitterest draught denaying love-delight. His forehead and his stature and my love * Are perfect perfected perfection-dight; His raiment folds enfold a lovely neck * As crescent moon in collar buttoned tight: His eyne and twinnèd moles and tears of me * Are night that nighteth to the nightliest night. His eyebrows and his features and my frame [470] * Crescents on crescents are as crescents slight: His pupils pass the wine-cup to his friends * Which, albe sweet, tastes bitter to my sprite; And to my thirsty throat pure drink he dealt * From smiling lips what day we were unite: Then is my blood to him, my death to him * His right and rightful and most righteous right."

The girl gazed at Nur al-Din and said, "O my lord, Allah upon you, am I not beautiful?"; and he replied, "O Princess of fair ones, is there in the world a comelier than you?" She rejoined, "Then why see you all the other merchants bid high for me and are silent nor say a word neither add one dinar to my price? 'Twould seem I please you not, O my lord!" Said he, "O my lady, were I in my own land, I would have bought you with all that my hand possess of monies;" and said she, "O my lord, I said not, 'Buy me against your will,' yet, did you but add something to my price, it would hearten my heart, though you buy me not, so the merchants may say, 'Were not this girl handsome, yonder merchant of Cairo had not bidden for her, for the Cairenes are connoisseurs in slave-girls.'" These words abashed Nur al-Din and he blushed and said to the broker, "How high are the biddings for her?" He replied, "Her price has reached nine hundred and sixty dinars, [471] besides brokerage, as for the Sultan's dues, they fall on the seller." Said Nur al-Din, "Let me have her for a thousand dinars, brokerage and price." And the damsel hastening to the fore and leaving the broker, said "I sell myself to this handsome young man for a thousand dinars." But Nur al-Din held his peace. Said one, "We sell to him;" and another, "He deserves her;" and a third, "Accursed, son of accursed, is he who bids and does not buy!"; and a fourth, "By Allah, they befit each other!" Then, before Nur al-Din could think, the broker fetched Kazis and witnesses, who wrote out a contract of sale and purchase; and the broker handed the paper to Nur al-Din, saying, "Take your slave-girl and Allah bless you in her for she befits none but you and none but you befits her." And he recited these two couplets,

"Boom Fortune sought him in humblest way [472] * And came to him draggle-tailed, all a-stir: And none is fittest for him but she * And none is fittest but he for her."

At this Nur al-Din was abashed before the merchants; so he arose without stay or delay and weighed out the thousand dinars which he had left as a deposit with his father's friend the druggist, and taking the girl, carried her to the house in which the Shaykh had lodged him. When she entered and saw nothing but ragged patched carpets and worn out rugs, she said to him, "O my lord, have I no value to you and am I not worthy that you should bear me to your own house and home in which are your goods, that you bring me into your servant's lodging? Why do you not carry me to your father's dwelling?" He replied, "By Allah, O Princess of fair ones, this is my house in which I dwell; but it belongs to an old man, a druggist of this city, who has set it apart for me and lodged me therein. I told you that I was a stranger and that I am of the sons of Cairo city." She rejoined, "O my lord, the least of houses suffices till your return to your native place; but, Allah upon you, O my lord, go now and fetch us some roast meat and wine and dried fruit and dessert." Said Nur al-Din, "By Allah, O Princess of fair ones, I had no money with me but the thousand dinars I paid down to your price nor possess I any other good. The few dirhams I owned were spent by me yesterday." Said she, "Have you no friend in the town, of whom you may borrow fifty dirhams and bring them to me, that I may tell you what you shall do therewith?" And he said, "I have no intimate but the druggist." Then he betook himself immediately to the druggist and said to him, "Peace be with you, O uncle!" He returned his salam and said to him, "O my son, what have you bought for a thousand dinars this day?" Nur al-Din replied, "I have bought a slave-girl;" and the oldster rejoined, "O my son, are you mad that you givest a thousand dinars for one slave-girl? Would I knew what kind of slave-girl she is?" Said Nur al-Din, "She is a damsel of the children of the Franks;"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-fourth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Nur al-Din said to the ancient druggist, "The damsel is of the children of the Franks;" and the Shaykh said, "O my son, the best of the girls of the Franks are to be had in this our town for a hundred dinars, and by Allah, O my son, they have cheated you in the matter of this damsel! However, if you have taken a fancy to her, lie with her this night and do your will of her and to-morrow morning go down with her to the market and sell her, though you lose by her two hundred dinars, and reckon that you have lost them by shipwreck or have been robbed of them on the road." Nur al-Din replied, "Right is your reasoning, O uncle, but you know that I had but the thousand dinars wherewith I purchased the damsel, and now I have not a single dirham left to spend; so I desire of your favour and bounty that you lend me fifty dirhams, to provide me withal, till tomorrow, when I will sell her and repay you out of her price." Said the old man, "Willingly, O my son," and counted out to him the fifty dirhams. Then he said to him, "O my son, you are but young in years and the damsel is fair, so belike your heart will be taken with her and it will be grievous to you to vend her. Now you have nothing to live on and these fifty dirhams will readily be spent and you will come to me and I shall lend you once and twice and thrice, and so on up to ten times; but, if you come to me after this, I will not return your salam [473] and our friendship with your father will end ill." Nur al-Din took the fifty dirhams and returned with them to the damsel, who said to him, "O my lord, wend you at once to the market and fetch me twenty dirhams' worth of stained silk of five colors and with the other thirty buy meat and bread and fruit and wine and flowers." So he went to the market and purchasing for her all she sought, brought it to her, whereupon she rose and tucking up her sleeves, cooked food after the most skilful fashion, and set it before him. He ate and she ate with him, till they had enough, after which she set on the wine, and she drank and he drank, and she ceased not to ply him with drink and entertain him with discourse, till he became drunken and fell asleep. Thereupon she arose without stay or delay and taking out of her bundle a budget of Táifí leather, [474] opened it and drew forth a pair of knitting needles, wherewith she fell to work and stinted not till she had made a beautiful zone, which she folded up in a wrapper after cleaning it and ironing it, and laid it under her pillow. Then she doffed her dress till she was mother-naked and lying down beside Nur al-Din shampoo'd him till he awoke from his heavy sleep. He found by his side a maiden like virgin silver, softer than silk and delicater than a tail of fatted sheep, than standard more conspicuous and goodlier than the red camel, [475] in height five feet tall with breasts firm and full, brows like bended bows, eyes like gazelles' eyes and cheeks like blood-red anemones, a slender waist with dimples laced and a navel holding an ounce of the unguent benzoin, thighs like bolsters stuffed with ostrich-down, and between them what the tongue fails to set forth and at mention whereof the tears jet forth. Brief it was as it were she to whom the poet alluded in these two couplets,

"From her hair is Night, from her forehead Noon * From her side-face Rose; from her lip wine boon: From her Union Heaven, her Severance Hell: * Pearls from her teeth; from her front full Moon."

And how excellent is the saying of another bard, [476]

"A Moon she rises, Willow-wand she waves * Breathes ambergris and gazeth a gazelle. Meseems that sorrow wooes my heart and wins * And when she wends makes haste therein to dwell. Her face is fairer than the Stars of Wealth [477] * And sheeny brows the crescent Moon excel."

And said a third also,

"They shine fullest Moons, unveil Crescent-bright; * Sway tenderest Branches and turn wild kine; 'Mid which is a Dark-eyed for love of whose charms * The Sailors [478] would joy to be ground low-li'en."

So Nur al-Din turned to her at once and clasping her to his bosom, sucked first her upper lip and then her under lip and slid his tongue between the twain into her mouth. Then he rose to her and found her a pearl unthridden and a filly none but he had ridden. So he abated her maidenhead and had of her amorous delight and there was knitted between them a love-bond which might never know breach nor severance. [479] He rained upon her cheeks kisses like the falling of pebbles into water, and struck with stroke upon stroke, like the thrusting of spears in battle brunt; for that Nur al-Din still yearned after clipping of necks and sucking of lips and letting down of tress and pressing of waist and biting of cheek and cavalcading on breast with Cairene buckings and Yamani wrigglings and Abyssinian sobbings and Hindí pamoisons and Nubian lasciviousness and Rífí leg-liftings [480] and Damiettan moanings and Sa'ídí [481] hotness and Alexandrian languishment [482] and this damsel united in herself all these virtues, together with excess of beauty and loveliness, and indeed she was even as says of her the poet,

"This is she I will never forget till I die * Nor draw near but to those who to her draw nigh. A being for semblance like Moon at full * Praise her Maker, her Modeller glorify! Tho' be sore my sin seeking love-liesse * On esperance-day ne'er repent can I; A couplet reciting which none can know * Save the youth who in couplets and rhymes shall cry, 'None weeteth love but who bears its load * Nor passion, save pleasures and pains he aby.'"

So Nur al-Din lay with the damsel through the night in solace and delight,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-fifth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Nur al-Din lay with that damsel through the night in solace and delight, the twain garbed in the closely buttoned garments of embrace, safe and secure against the misways of nights and days, and they passed the dark hours after the goodliest fashion, fearing nothing, in their joys love-fraught, from excess of talk and prate. As says of them the right excellent poet, [483]

"Go, visit her you lovest, and regard not The words detractors utter; envious churls Can never favour love. Oh! sure the merciful Ne'er make a thing more fair to look upon, Than two fond lovers in each other's arms, Speaking their passion in a mute embrace. When heart has turned to heart, the fools would part them Strike idly on cold steel. So when thou'st found One purely, wholly thine, accept her true heart, And live for her alone. Oh! you that blamest The love-struck for their love, give o'er your talk How canst you minister to a mind diseased?"

When the morning morrowed in sheen and shone, Nur al-Din awoke from deep sleep and found that she had brought water: [484] so they made the Ghusl-ablution, he and she, and he performed that which behoved him of prayer to his Lord, after which she set before him meat and drink, and he ate and drank. Then the damsel put her hand under her pillow and pulling out the girdle which she had knitted during the night, gave it to Nur al-Din, who asked, "Whence comes this girdle?" [485] Answered she, "O my lord, 'tis the silk you bought yesterday for twenty dirhams. Rise now and go to the Persian bazar and give it to the broker, to cry for sale, and sell it not for less than twenty gold pieces in ready money." Said Nur al-Din, "O Princess of fair ones how can a thing, that cost twenty dirhams and will sell for as many dinars, be made in a single night?"; and said she, "O my lord, you know not the value of this thing; but go to the market with it and give it to the broker, and when he shall cry it, its worth will be made manifest to you." Herewith he carried the zone to the market and gave it to the broker, bidding him cry it, while he himself sat down on a masonry bench before a shop. The broker fared forth and returning after a while said to him, "O my lord, rise take the price of your zone, for it has fetched twenty dinars money down." When Nur al-Din heard this, he marvelled with exceeding marvel and shook with delight. Then he rose, between belief and misbelief, to take the money and when he had received it, he went immediately and spent it all on silk of various colors and returning home, gave his purchase to the damsel, saying, "Make this all into girdles and teach me likewise how to make them, that I may work with you; for never in the length of my life saw I a fairer craft than this craft nor a more abounding in gain and profit. By Allah, 'tis better than the trade of a merchant a thousand times!" She laughed at his language and said, "O my lord, go to your friend the druggist and borrow other thirty dirhams of him, and tomorrow repay him from the price of the girdle the thirty together with the fifty already loaned to you." So he rose and repaired to the druggist and said to him, "O Uncle, lend me other thirty dirhams, and to-morrow, Almighty Allah willing, I will repay you the whole fourscore." The old man weighed him out thirty dirhams, wherewith he went to the market and buying meat and bread, dried fruits, and flowers as before, carried them home to the damsel whose name was Miriam, [486] the Girdle-girl. She rose immediately and making ready rich meats, set them before her lord Nur al-Din; after which she brought the wine-service and they drank and plied each other with drink. When the wine began to play with their wits, his pleasant address and inner grace pleased her, and she recited these two couplets,

"Said I to Slim-waist who the wine engraced * Brought in musk-scented bowl and a superfine, 'Was it prest from your cheek?' He replied 'Nay, nay! * When did man from Roses e'er press the Wine?'"

And the damsel ceased not to carouse with her lord and ply him with cup and bowl and require him to fill for her and give her to drink of that which sweeteneth the spirits, and whenever he put forth hand to her, she drew back from him, out of coquetry. The wine added to her beauty and loveliness, and Nur al-Din recited these two couplets,

"Slim-waist craved wine from her companeer; * Cried (in meeting of friends when he feared for his fere,) 'An you pass not the wine you shall pass the night, * A-banisht my bed!' And he felt sore fear."

They ceased not drinking till drunkenness overpowered Nur al-Din and he slept; whereupon she rose immediately and fell to work upon a zone, as was her wont. When she had wrought it to end, she wrapped it in paper and doffing her clothes, lay down by his side and enjoyed dalliance and delight till morn appeared.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-sixth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Miriam the Girdle-girl, having finished her zone and wrapped it in paper doffed her dress and lay down by the side of her lord; and then happened to them what happened of dalliance and delight; and he did his devoir like a man. On the morrow, she gave him the girdle and said to him, "Carry this to the market and sell it for twenty dinars, even as you soldest its fellow yesterday." So he went to the bazar and sold the girdle for twenty dinars, after which he repaired to the druggist and paid him back the eighty dirhams, thanking him for the bounties and calling down blessings upon him. He asked, "O my son, have you sold the damsel?"; and Nur al-Din answered, "Would you have me sell the soul out of my body?" and he told him all that had passed, from commencement to conclusion, whereat the druggist joyed with joy galore, than which could be no more and said to him, "By Allah, O my son, you gladdenest me! Inshallah, may you ever be in prosperity! Indeed I wish you well by reason of my affection for your father and the continuance of my friendship with him." Then Nur al-Din left the Shaykh and straightway going to the market, bought meat and fruit and wine and all that he needed according to his custom and returned with it to Miriam. They abode thus a whole year in eating and drinking and mirth and merriment and love and good comradeship, and every night she made a zone and he sold it on the morrow for twenty dinars, wherewith he bought their needs and gave the rest to her, to keep against a time of necessity. After the twelvemonth she said to him one day, "O my lord, when you sell the girdle to-morrow, buy for me with its price silk of six colors, because I am minded to make you a kerchief to wear on your shoulders, such as never son of merchant, no, nor King's son, ever rejoiced in its like." So next day he fared forth to the bazar and after selling the zone brought her the dyed silks she sought and Miriam the Girdle-girl wrought at the kerchief a whole week, for, every night, when she had made an end of the zone, she would work awhile at the kerchief till it was finished. Then she gave it to Nur al-Din, who put it on his shoulders and went out to walk in the market-place, while all the merchants and folk and notables of the town crowded about him, to gaze on his beauty and that of the kerchief which was of the most beautiful. Now it chanced that one night, after this, he awoke from sleep and found Miriam weeping passing sore and reciting these couplets,

"Nears my parting fro' my love, nigher draws the Severance-day * Ah well-away for parting! and again ah well-away! And in tway is torn my heart and O pine I'm doomed to bear * For the nights that erst witnessed our pleasurable play! No help for it but Envier the twain of us espy * With evil eye and win to us his lamentable way. For nothing to us is sorer than the jealousy of men * And the backbiter's eyne that with calumny affray."

He said, "O my lady Miriam, [487] what ails you to weep?"; and she replied, "I weep for the anguish of parting for my heart presages me thereof." Said he, "O lady of fair ones, and who shall interpose between us, seeing that I love you above all creatures and tender you the most?"; and said she, "And I love you twice as well as you me; but fair opinion of fortune still lets folk fall into affliction, and right well says the poet, [488]

'Think'st you yourself all prosperous, in days which prosp'rous be, Nor fearest you impending ill, which comes by Heaven's decree? We see the orbs of heav'n above, how numberless they are, But sun and moon alone eclips'd, and ne'er a lesser star! And many a tree on earth we see, some bare, some leafy green, Of them, not one is hurt with stone save that has fruitful been! See'st not th' refluent ocean, bear carrion on its tide, While pearls beneath its wavy flow, fixed in the deep, abide?'"

Presently she added, "O my lord Nur al-Din, if you desire to nonsuit separation, be on your guard against a swart-visaged oldster, blind of the right eye and lame of the left leg; for he it is who will be the cause of our severance. I saw him enter the city and I opine that he is come here in quest of me." Replied Nur al-Din, "O lady of fair ones, if my eyes light on him, I will slay him and make an example of him." Rejoined she, "O my lord, slay him not; but talk not nor trade with him, neither buy nor sell with him nor sit nor walk with him nor speak one word to him, no, not even the answer prescribed by law, [489] and I pray Allah to preserve us from his craft and his mischief." Next morning, Nur al-Din took the zone and carried it to the market, where he sat down on a shop-bench and talked with the sons of the merchants, till the drowsiness preceding slumber overcame him and he lay down on the bench and fell asleep. Presently, behold, up came the Frank whom the damsel had described to him, in company with seven others, and seeing Nur al-Din lying asleep on the bench, with his head wrapped in the kerchief which Miriam had made for him and the edge thereof in his grasp, sat down by him and hent the end of the kerchief in hand and examined it, turning it over for some time. Nur al-Din sensed that there was something and awoke; then, seeing the very man of whom Miriam had warned him sitting by his side, cried out at him with a great cry which startled him. Said the Frank, "What ails you to cry out thus at us? Have we taken anything from you?"; and said Nur al-Din, "By Allah, O accursed, had you taken anything from me, I would carry you before the Chief of Police!" Then said the Frank, "O Moslem, I conjure you by your faith and by that in which you believe, inform me whence you had this kerchief;" and Nur al-Din replied, "Tis the handiwork of my lady mother,"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-seventh Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Frank asked Nur al-Din about the maker of the kerchief, he answered, saying, "In very sooth this kerchief is the handiwork of my mother, who made it for me with her own hand." Said the Frank "Will you sell it to me and take ready money for it?," and said Nur al-Din, "By Allah, I will not sell it to you or to any else, for she made none other than it." "Sell it to me and I will give you to its price this very moment five hundred dinars, money down; and let her who made it make you another and a finer." "I will not sell it at all, for there is not the like of it in this city." "O my lord, will you sell it for six hundred ducats of fine gold?" And the Frank went on to add to his offer hundred by hundred, till he bid nine hundred dinars; but Nur al-Din said, "Allah will open to me otherwise than by my vending it. I will never sell it, not for two thousand dinars nor more than that; no, never." The Frank ceased not to tempt him with money, till he bid him a thousand dinars, and the merchants present said, "We sell you the kerchief at that price: [490] pay down the money." Said Nur al-Din, "I will not sell it, I swear by Allah!" [491] But one of the merchants said to him, "Know thou, O my son, that the value of this kerchief is a hundred dinars at most and that to an eager purchaser, and if this Frank pay you down a thousand for it, your profit will be nine hundred dinars, and what gain can you desire greater than this gain? Wherefore 'tis my decision that you sell him this kerchief at that price and bid her who wrought it make you other finer than it: so shall you profit nine hundred dinars by this accursed Frank, the enemy of Allah and of The Faith." Nur al-Din was abashed at the merchants and sold the kerchief to the Frank, who, in their presence, paid him down the thousand dinars, with which he would have returned to his handmaid to congratulate her on what had passed; but the stranger said, "Harkye, O company of merchants, stop my lord Nur al-Din, for you and he are my guests this night. I have a jar of old Greek wine and a fat lamb, fresh fruit, flowers and confections; wherefore do you all cheer me with your company tonight and not one of you tarry behind." So the merchants said, "O my lord Nur al-Din, we desire that you be with us on the like of this night, so we may talk together, we and thou, and we pray you, of your favour and bounty, to bear us company, so we and you, may be the guests of this Frank, for he is a liberal man." And they conjured him by the oath of divorce [492] and hindered him by main force from going home. Then they rose immediately and shutting up their shops, took Nur al-Din and fared with the Frank, who brought them to a goodly and spacious saloon, in which were two daïses. Here he made them sit and set before them a scarlet tray-cloth of goodly workmanship and unique handiwork, wroughten in gold with figures of breaker and broken, lover and beloved, asker and asked, whereon he ranged precious vessels of porcelain and crystal, full of the costliest confections, fruits and flowers, and brought them a flagon of old Greek wine. Then he bade slaughter a fat lamb and kindling fire, proceeded to roast of its flesh and feed the merchants with it and give them draughts of that wine, winking at them the while to ply Nur al-Din with drink. Accordingly they ceased not plying him with wine till he became drunken and took leave of his wits; so when the Frank saw that he was drowned in liquor, he said to him, "O my lord Nur al-Din, you gladden us with your company tonight: welcome, and again welcome to you." Then he engaged him awhile in talk, till he could draw near to him, when he said, with dissembling speech, "O my lord, Nur al-Din, will you sell me your slave-girl, whom you boughtest in presence of these merchants a year ago for a thousand dinars? I will give you at this moment five thousand gold pieces for her and you will thus make four thousand ducats profit." Nur al-Din refused, but the Frank ceased not to ply him with meat and drink and lure him with lucre, still adding to his offers, till he bid him ten thousand dinars for her; whereupon Nur al-Din, in his drunkenness, said before the merchants, "I sell her to you for ten thousand dinars: hand over the money." At this the Frank rejoiced with joy exceeding and took the merchants to witness the sale. They passed the night in eating and drinking, mirth and merriment, till the morning, when the Frank cried out to his pages, saying, "Bring me the money." So they brought it to him and he counted out ten thousand dinars to Nur al-Din, saying, "O my lord, take the price of your slave-girl, whom you sold to me last night, in the presence of these Moslem merchants." Replied Nur al-Din, "O accursed, I sold you nothing and you lie about me, for I have no slave-girls." Said the Frank, "In very sooth you did sell her to me and these merchants were witnesses to the bargain." Thereupon all said, "Yes, indeed! you sold him your slave-girl before us for ten thousand dinars, O Nur al-Din and we will all bear witness against you of the sale. Come, take the money and deliver him the girl, and Allah will give you a better than she in her stead. Does it irk you, O Nur al-Din, that you bought the girl for a thousand dinars and have enjoyed for a year and a half her beauty and loveliness and taken your fill of her converse and her favours? Furthermore you have gained some ten thousand golden dinars by the sale of the zones which she made you every day and you sold for twenty sequins, and after all this you have sold her again at a profit of nine thousand dinars over and above her original price. And withal you deny the sale and belittle and make difficulties about the profit! What gain is greater than this gain and what profit would you have more profitable than this profit? If you love her you have had your fill of her all this time: so take the money and buy you another more handsome than she; at a dowry of less than half this price, and the rest of the money will remain in your hand as capital." And the merchants ceased not to ply him with persuasion and special arguments till he took the ten thousand dinars, the price of the damsel, and the Frank straightway fetched Kazis and witnesses, who drew up the contract of sale by Nur al-Din of the handmaid called Miriam the Girdle-girl. Such was his case; but as regards the damsel's, she sat awaiting her lord from morning till sundown and from sundown till the noon of night; and when he returned not, she was troubled and wept with sore weeping. The old druggist heard her sobbing and sent his wife, who went in to her and finding her in tears, said to her, "O my lady, what ails you to weep?" Said she, "O my mother, I have sat waiting the return of my lord, Nur al-Din all day; but he comes not, and I fear lest some one have played a trick on him, to make him sell me, and he has fallen into the snare and sold me."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-eighth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Miriam the Girdle-girl said to the druggist's wife, "I am fearful lest some one has been playing a trick on my lord to make him sell me, and he has fallen into the snare and sold me." Said the other, "O my lady Miriam, were they to give your lord this hall full of gold as your price, yet would he not sell you, for what I know of his love to you. But, O my lady, perhaps there is a company come from his parents at Cairo and he has made them an entertainment in the lodging where they alighted, being ashamed to bring them here, for that the place is not spacious enough for them or because their condition is less than that he should bring them to his own house; or perhaps he preferred to conceal your affair from them, so passed the night with them; and Inshallah! tomorrow he will come to you safe and sound. So burden not your soul with cark and care, O my lady, for of a certainty this is the cause of his absence from you last night and I will abide with you this coming night and comfort you, until your lord return to you." So the druggist's wife abode with her and cheered her with talk throughout the dark hours and, when it was morning, Miriam saw her lord enter the street followed by the Frank and in the midst of a company of merchants, at which sight her side-muscles quivered and her color changed and she fell a-shaking, as ship shakes in mid-ocean for the violence of the gale. When the druggist's wife saw this, she said to her, "O my lady Miriam what ails you that I see your case changed and your face grown pale and show disfeatured?" Replied she, "By Allah, O my lady, my heart forebodes me of parting and severance of union!" And she bemoaned herself with the saddest sighs, reciting these couplets, [493]

"Incline not to parting, I pray; * For bitter its savour is aye. E'en the sun at his setting turns pale * To think he must part from the day; And so, at his rising, for joy * Of reunion, he's radiant and gay."

Then Miriam wept passing sore wherethan nothing could be more, making sure of separation, and cried to the druggist's wife, "O my mother, said I not to you that my lord Nur al-Din had been tricked into selling me? I doubt not but he has sold me this night to yonder Frank, albeit I bade him beware of him; but deliberation availes not against destiny. So the truth of my words is made manifest to you." While they were talking, behold, in came Nur al-Din, and the damsel looked at him and saw that his color was changed and that he trembled and there appeared on his face signs of grief and repentance: so she said to him, "O my lord Nur al-Din, I think that you have sold me." Whereupon he wept with sore weeping and groaned and lamented and recited these couplets, [494]

"When e'er the Lord 'gainst any man, Would fulminate some harsh decree, And he is wise, and skilled to hear, And used to see; He stops his ears, and blinds his heart, And from his brain ill judgment tears, And makes it bald as 'twere a scalp, Reft of its hairs; [495] Until the time when the whole man Be pierced by this divine command; Then He restores him intellect To understand."

Then Nur al-Din began to excuse himself to his handmaid, saying, "By Allah, O my lady Miriam, verily runs the Reed with whatever Allah has decreed. The folk put a cheat on me to make me sell you, and I fell into the snare and sold you. Indeed, I have sorely failed of my duty to you; but perhaps He who decreed our disunion will permit us reunion." Said she, "I warned you against this, for this it was I dreaded." Then she strained him to her bosom and kissed him between the eyes, reciting these couplets,

"Now, by your love! your love I'll ne'er forget, * Though lost my life for stress of pine and fret: I weep and wail through livelong day and night * As moans the dove on sandhill-tree beset. O fairest friends, your absence spoils my life; * Nor find I meeting-place as erst we met."

At this juncture, behold, the Frank came in to them and went up to Miriam, to kiss her hands; but she dealt him a buffet with her palm on the cheek, saying, "Avaunt, O accursed! You have followed after me endlessly, till you have tricked my lord into selling me! But O accursed, all shall yet be well, Inshallah!" The Frank laughed at her speech and wondered at her deed and excused himself to her, saying, "O my lady Mirian, what is my offence? Your lord Nur al-Din here sold you of his full consent and of his own free will. Had he loved you, by the right of the Messiah, he had not transgressed against you! And had he not fulfilled his desire of you, he had not sold you." Said one of the poets,

'Whom I irk let him fly fro' me fast and faster * If I name his name I am no directer. Nor the wide wide world is to me so narrow * That I act expecter to this rejecter.'" [496]

Now this handmaid was the daughter of the King of France, from a wide and spacious city, [497] abounding in manufactures and rarities and trees and flowers and other growths, and resembles the city of Constantinople; and for her going forth of her father's city there was a wondrous cause and thereby hangs a marvellous tale which we will set out in due order, to divert and delight the hearer. [498]—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Seventy-ninth Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the cause of Miriam the Girdle-girl leaving her father and mother was a wondrous and thereby hangs a marvellous tale. She was reared with her father and mother in honor and indulgence and learnt rhetoric and penmanship and arithmetic and cavalarice and all manner crafts, such as broidery and sewing and weaving and girdle-making and silk-cord making and damascening gold on silver and silver on gold, brief all the arts both of men and women, till she became the union-pearl of her time and the unique gem of her age and day. Moreover, Allah (to whom belong Might and Majesty!) had endowed her with such beauty and loveliness and elegance and perfection of grace that she excelled therein all the folk of her time, and the Kings of the isles sought her in marriage of her sire, but he refused to give her to wife to any of her suitors, for he loved her with passing love and could not bear to be parted from her for a single hour. Moreover, he had no other daughter than herself, albeit he had many sons, but she was dearer to him than all of them. It happened one year that she fell sick of an exceeding sickness and came nigh upon death, werefore she made a vow that, if she recovered from her malady, she would make the pilgrimage to a certain monastery, situated on such an island, which was high in repute among the Franks, who used to make vows to it and look for a blessing therefrom. When Miriam recovered from her sickness, she wished to accomplish her vow about the monastery and her sire despatched her to the convent in a little ship, with sundry daughters of the city-notables to wait upon her and patrician Knights to protect them all. As they drew near the island, there came out upon them a ship of the ships of the Moslems, champions of The Faith, warring in Allah's way, who boarded the vessel and making prize of all therein, knights and maidens, gifts and monies, sold their booty in the city of Kayrawán. [499] Miriam herself fell into the hands of a Persian merchant, who was born impotent [500] and for whom no woman had ever discovered her nakedness; so he set her to serve him. Presently, he fell ill and sickened well nigh unto death, and the sickness abode with him two months, during which she tended him after the goodliest fashion, till Allah made him whole of his malady, when he recalled her tenderness and loving-kindness to him and the persistent zeal with which she had nursed him and being minded to requite her the good offices she had done him, said to her, "Ask a boon of me?" She said, "O my lord, I ask of you that you sell me not but to the man of my choice." He answered, "So be it. I guarantee you. By Allah, O Miriam, I will not sell you but to him of whom you shall approve, and I put your sale in your own hand." And she rejoiced herein with joy exceeding. Now the Persian had expounded to her Al-Islam and she became a Moslemah and learnt of him the rules of worship. Furthermore during that period the Perisan had taught her the tenets of The Faith and the observances incumbent upon her: he had made her learn the Koran by heart and master some of the theological sciences and the traditions of the Prophet; after which, he brought her to Alexandria-city and sold her to Nur al-Din, as we have before set out. Meanwhile, when her father, the King of France, heard what had befallen his daughter and her company, he saw Doomsday break and sent after her ships full of knights and champions, horsemen and footsmen; but they fell not in any trace of her whom they sought in the Islands [501] of the Moslems; so all returned to him, crying out and saying, "Well-away!" and "Ruin!" and "Well worth the day!" The King grieved for her with exceeding grief and sent after her that one-eyed lameter, blind of the left, [502] for that he was his chief Wazir, a stubborn tyrant and a stubborn devil, [503] full of craft and guile, bidding him make search for her in all the lands of the Moslems and buy her, though with a ship-load of gold. So the accursed sought her, in all the islands of the Arabs and all the cities of the Moslems, but found no sign of her till he came to Alexandria-city where he made quest for her and presently discovered that she was with Nur al-Din Ali the Cairene, being directed to the trace of her by the kerchief aforesaid, for that none could have wrought it in such goodly guise but she. Then he bribed the merchants to help him in getting her from Nur al-Din and beguiled her lord into selling her, as has been already related. When he had her in his possession, she ceased not to weep and wail: so he said to her, "O my lady Miriam, put away from you this mourning and grieving and return with me to the city of your sire, the seat of your kingship and the place of your power and your home, so you may be among your servants and attendants and be quit of this abasement and this strangerhood. Enough has betided me of travail, of travel and of disbursing monies on your account, for your father bade me buy you back, though with a shipload of gold; and now I have spent nigh a year and a half in seeking you." And he fell to kissing her hands and feet and humbling himself to her; but the more he kissed and grovelled she only redoubled in wrath against him, and said to him, "O accursed, may Almighty Allah not allow you to win your wish!" Presently his pages brought her a she mule with gold-embroidered housings and mounting her thereon, raised over her head a silken canopy, with staves of gold and silver, and the Franks walked round about her, till they brought her forth the city by the sea-gate, [504] where they took boat with her and rowing out to a great ship in harbor embarked therein. Then the monocular Wazir cried out to the sailors, saying, "Up with the mast!" So they set it up immediately and spreading the newly bent sails and the colors manned the sweeps and put out to sea. Meanwhile Miriam continued to gaze upon Alexandria, till it disappeared from her eyes, when she fell a-weeping in her privacy with sore weeping.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eightieth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Wazir of the Frankish King put out to sea in the ship bearing Miriam the Girdle-girl, she gazed Alexandria-wards till the city was hidden from her sight when she wailed and wept copious tears and recited these couplets,

"O dwelling of my friends say is there no return * Uswards? But what ken I of matters Allah made? Still fare the ships of Severance, sailing hastily * And in my wounded eyelids tear have ta'en their stead, For parting from a friend who was my wish and will * Healed every ill and every pain and pang allay'd. Be thou, O Allah, substitute of me for him * Such charge some day the care of Thee shall not evade."

Then she could not refrain from weeping and wailing. So the patrician [505] knights came up to her and would have comforted her, but she heeded not their consoling words, being distracted by the claims of passion and love-longing. And she shed tears and moaned and complained and recited these couplets,

"The tongue of Love within my vitals speaketh * Saying, 'This lover boon of Love aye seeketh!' And burn my liver hottest coals of passion * And parting on my heart sore suffering wreaketh. How shall I face this fiery love concealing * When fro' my wounded lids the tear aye leaketh?

In this plight Miriam abode during all the voyage; no peace was left her at all nor would patience come at her call. Such was her case in company with the Wazir, the monocular, the lameter; but as regards Nur al-Din the Cairene, when the ship had sailed with Miriam, the world was straitened upon him and he had neither peace nor patience. He returned to the lodging where they two had dwelt, and its aspect was black and gloomy in his sight. Then he saw the métier wherewith she had been wont to make the zones and her dress that had been upon her beauteous body; so he pressed them to his breast, while the tears gushed from his eyes and he recited these couplets,

"Say me, will Union after parting e'er return to be * After long-lasting torments, after hopeless misery? Alas! Alas! what wont to be shall never more return * But grant me still return of dearest her these eyne may see. I wonder me will Allah deign our parted lives unite * And will my dear one's plighted troth preserve with constancy! Naught am I save the prey of death since parting parted us; * And will my friends consent that I am a wierd so deadly dree? Alas my sorrow! Sorrowing the lover scant avails; * Indeed I melt away in grief and passion's ecstasy: Past is the time of my delight when were we two conjoined: * Would Heaven I wot if Destiny mine esperance will degree! Redouble then, O Heart, your pains and, O mine eyes, o'erflow * With tears till not a tear remain within these eyne of me? Again alas for loved ones lost and loss of patience eke! * For helpers fail me and my griefs are grown beyond decree. The Lord of Threefold Worlds I pray He deign to me return * My lover and we meet as wont in joy and jubilee."

Then Nur al-Din wept with weeping galore than which nothing could be more; and peering into ever corner of the room, recited these two couplets,

"I view their traces and with pain I pine * And by their sometime home I weep and yearn; And Him I pray who parting deigned decree * Some day He deign vouchsafe me their return!"

Then Nur al-Din sprang to his feet and locking the door of the house, fared forth running at speed, to the sea shore whence he fixed his eyes on the place of the ship which had carried off his Miriam while sighs burst from his breast and tears from his lids as he recited these couplets,

"Peace be with you, sans you nothing compensateth me * The near, the far, two cases only here I see: I yearn for you at every hour and tide as yearns * For water-place wayfarer plodding wearily. With you abide my hearing, heart and eyen-sight * And (sweeter than the honeycomb) your memory. Then, O my Grief when fared afar your retinue * And bore that ship away my sole expectancy."

And Nur al-Din wept and wailed, bemoaned himself and complained, crying out and saying, "O Miriam! O Miriam! Was it but a vision of you I saw in sleep or in the allusions of dreams?" And by reason of that which grew on him of regrets, he recited these couplets, [506]

"Mazed with your love no more I can feign patience, This heart of mine has held none dear but you! And if mine eye hath gazed on other's beauty, Ne'er be it joyed again with sight of you! I've sworn an oath I'll ne'er forget to love you, And sad's this breast that pines to meet with you! Thou'st made me drink a love-cup full of passion, Blest time! When I may give the draught to you! Take with you this my form where'er you goest, And when you 'rt dead let me be laid near you! Call on me in my tomb, my bones shall answer And sigh responses to a call from you! If it were asked, 'What would you Heaven should order?' 'His will,' I answer, 'First, and then what pleases you.'"

As Nur al-Din was in this case, weeping and crying out, "O Miriam! O Miriam!" behold, an old man landed from a vessel and coming up to him, saw him shedding tears and heard him reciting these verses,

"O Maryam of beauty [507] return, for these eyne * Are as densest clouds railing drops in line: Ask amid mankind and my railers shall say * That mine eyelids are drowning these eyeballs of mine."

Said the old man, "O my son, I think you weep for the damsel who sailed yesterday with the Frank?" When Nur al-Din heard these words of the Shaykh he fell down in a swoon and lay for a long while without life; then, coming to himself, he wept with sore weeping and improvised these couplets,

"Shall we e'er be unite after severance-tide * And return in the perfectest cheer to bide? In my heart indeed is a lowe of love * And I'm pained by the spies who my pain deride: My days I pass in amaze distraught, * And her image a-nights I would see by side: By Allah, no hour brings me solace of love * And how can it when makebates vex me and chide? A soft-sided damsel of slenderest waist * Her arrows of eyne on my heart hath plied? Her form is like Bán [508]-tree branch in garth * Shame her charms the sun who his face most hide: Did I not fear God (be He glorified!) * 'My Fair be glorified!' Had I cried."

The old man looked at him and noting his beauty and grace and symmetry and the fluency of his tongue and the seductiveness of his charms, had pity on him and his heart mourned for his case. Now that Shaykh was the captain of a ship, bound to the damsel's city, and in this ship were a hundred Moslem merchants, men of the Saving Faith; so he said to Nur al-Din, "Have patience and all will yet be well; I will bring you to her if it be the will of Allah, extolled and exalted be He!"—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-first Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old skipper said to Nur al-Din, "I will bring you to her, Inshallah!" the youth asked, "When shall we set out?" and the other said, "Come but three days more and we will depart in peace and prosperity." Nur al-Din rejoiced at the captain's words with joy exceeding and thanked him for his bounty and benevolence. Then he recalled the days of love-liesse dear and union with his slave-girl without peer, and he shed bitter tears and recited these couplets,

"Say, will to me and you the Ruthful union show * My lords! Shall e'er I win the wish of me or no? A visit-boon by you will shifty Time vouchsafe? * And seize your image eye-lids which so hungry grow? With you were Union to be sold, I fain would buy; * But ah, I see such grace doth all my means outgo!"

Then Nur al-Din went immediately to the market and bought what he needed of provisions and other necessaries for the voyage and returned to the Rais, who said to him, "O my son, what is that you have with you?" said he, "My provisions and all whereof I have need for the voyage." Thereupon said the old man, laughing, "O my son, are you going a-pleasuring to Pompey's Pillar? [509] Verily, between you and that you seek is two months' journey and the wind be fair and the weather favourable." Then he took of him some money and going to the bazar, bought him a sufficiency of all that he needed for the voyage and filled him a large earthen jar [510] with fresh water. Nur al-Din abode in the ship three days until the merchants had made an end of their precautions and preparations and embarked, when they set sail and putting out to sea, fared on one-and-fifty days. After this, there came out upon them corsairs, [511] pirates who sacked the ship and taking Nur al-Din and all therein prisoners, carried them to the city of France and paraded them before the King, who bade cast them into jail, Nur al-Din among the number. As they were being led to prison the galleon [512] arrived with the Princess Miriam and the one-eyed Wazir, and when it made the harbour, the lameter landed and going up to the King gave him the glad news of his daughter's safe return: whereupon they beat the kettledrums for good tidings and decorated the city after the goodliest fashion. Then the King took horse, with all his guards and lords and notables and rode down to the sea to meet her. The moment the ship cast anchor she came ashore, and the King saluted her and embraced her and mounting her on a bloodsteed, bore her to the palace, where her mother received her with open arms, and asked her of her case and whether she was a maid as before or whether she had become a woman carnally known by man. [513] She replied, "O my mother, how should a girl, who has been sold from merchant to merchant in the land of Moslems, a slave commanded, abide a virgin? The merchant who bought me threatened me with the bastinado and violenced me and took my maidenhead, after which he sold me to another and he again to a third." When the Queen heard these her words, the light in her eyes became night and she repeated her confession to the King who was chagrined thereat and his affair was grievous to him. So he expounded her case to his Grandees and Patricians [514] who said to him, "O King, she has been defiled by the Moslems and nothing will purify her save the striking off of a hundred Mohammedan heads." Whereupon the King sent for the True Believers he had imprisoned; and they decapitated them, one after another, beginning with the captain, till none was left save Nur al-Din. They tore off a strip of his skirt and binding his eyes therewith, led him to the rug of blood and were about to smite his neck, when behold, an ancient dame came up to the King at that very moment and said, "O my lord, you did vow to bestow upon each and every church five Moslem captives, to held us in the service thereof, so Allah would restore you your daughter the Princess Miriam; and now she is restored to you, so do you fulfil your vow." The King replied, "O my mother, by the virtue of the Messiah and the Veritable Faith, there remains to me of the prisoners but this one captive, whom they are about to put to death: so take him with you to help in the service of the church, till there come to me more prisoners of the Moslems, when I will send you other four. Had you come earlier, before they hewed off the heads of these, I would have given you as many as you would have." The old woman thanked the King for his boon and wished him continuance of life, glory and prosperity. Then without loss of time she went up to Nur al-Din, whom she raised from the rug of blood; and, looking narrowly at him saw a comely youth and a dainty, with a delicate skin and a face like the moon at her full; whereupon she carried him to the church and said to him, "O my son, doff these clothes which are upon you, for they are fit only for the service of the Sultan." [515] So saying the ancient dame brought him a gown and hood of black wool and a broad girdle, [516] in which she clad and cowled him; and, after binding on his belt, bade him do the service of the church. Accordingly, he served the church seven days, at the end of which time behold, the old woman came up to him and said, "O Moslem, don your silken dress and take these ten dirhams and go out immediately and divert yourself abroad this day, and tarry not here a single moment, lest you lose your life." Said he, "What is to do, O my mother?"; and said she, "Know, O my son, that the King's daughter, the Princess Miriam the Girdle-girl, hath a mind to visit the church this day, to seek a blessing by pilgrimage and to make oblation thereto, a douceur [517] of thank-offering for her deliverance from the land of the Moslems and in fulfilment of the vows she vowed to the Messiah, so he would save her. With her are four hundred damsels, not one of whom but is perfect in beauty and loveliness and all of them are daughters of Wazirs and Emirs and Grandees: they will be here during this very hour and if their eyes fall on you in this church, they will hew you in pieces with swords." Thereupon Nur al-Din took the ten dirhams from the ancient dame, and donning his own dress, went out to the bazar and walked about the city and took his pleasure therein, till he knew its highways and gates,—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-second Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Nur al-Din, after donning his own dress and taking the ten dirhams from the ancient dame, fared forth to the market streets and wandered about a while till he knew every quarter of the city, after which he returned to the church [518] and saw the Princess Miriam the Girdle-girl, daughter of the King of France come up to the fane, attended by four hundred damsels, high-bosomed maids like moons, among whom was the daughter of the one-eyed Wazir and those of the Emirs and Lords of the realm; and she walked in their midst as she were moon among stars. When his eyes fell upon her Nur al-Din could not contain himself, but cried out from the core of his heart, "O Miriam! O Miriam!" When the damsels heard his outcry they ran at him with swords shining bright like flashes of leven-light and would have slain him forthright. But the Princess turned and looking on him, knew him with fullest knowledge, and said to her maidens, "Leave this youth; doubtless he is mad, for the signs of madness be manifest on his face." When Nur al-Din heard this, he uncovered his head and rolled his eyes and made signs with his hands and twisted his legs, foaming the while at the mouth. Said the Princess, "Said I not that the poor youth was mad? Bring him to me and stand off from him, that I may hear what he says; for I know the speech of the Arabs and will look into his case and see if his madness admit of cure or not." So they laid hold of him and brought him to her; after which they withdrew to a distance and she said to him, "Have you come hither on my account and risked your life for my sake and feigned yourself mad?" He replied, "O my lady, have you not heard the saying of the poet?, [519]

'Said they, 'Thou'rt surely raving mad for her you lov'st;' and I, 'There is no pleasantness in life but for the mad,' reply. Compare my madness with herself for whom I rave; if she Accord therewith, then blame me not for that which I aby.'"

Miriam replied, "By Allah, O Nur al-Din, indeed you have sinned against yourself, for I warned you of this before it befell you: yet would you not hearken to me, but followed your own lust: albeit that whereof I gave you to know I learnt not by means of inspiration nor physiognomy [520] nor dreams, but by eye-witness and very sight; for I saw the one-eyed Wazir and knew that he was not come to Alexandria but in quest of me." Said he, "O my lady Miriam, we seek refuge with Allah from the error of the intelligent!" [521] Then his affliction redoubled on him and he recited this saying, [522]

"Pass o'er my fault, for 'tis the wise man's wont Of other's sins to take no harsh account; And as all crimes have made my breast their site, So your all shapes of mercy should unite. Who from above would mercy seek to know, Should first be merciful to those below."

Then Nur al-Din and Princess Miriam ceased not from lovers' chiding which to trace would be tedious, relating each to other that which had befallen them and reciting verses and making moan, one to other, of the violence of passion and the pangs of pine and desire, while the tears ran down their cheeks like rivers, till there was left them no strength to say a word and so they continued till day deprated and night darkened. Now the Princess was clad in a green dress, purfled with red gold and broidered with pearls and gems which enhanced her beauty and loveliness and inner grace; and right well said the poet of her, [523]

"Like the full moon she shineth in garments all of green, With loosened vest and collars and flowing hair beseen. 'What is your name?' I asked her, and she replied, 'I'm she Who roasts the hearts of lovers on coals of love and teen. I am the pure white silver, ay, and the gold wherewith The bondsmen from strait prison and dour releasèd been.' Said I, 'I'm all with rigours consumed;' but 'On a rock,' Said she, 'such as my heart is, your plaints are wasted clean.' 'Even if your heart,' I answered, 'be rock in very deed, Yet hath God caused fair water well from the rock, I ween.'"

And when night darkened on them the Lady Miriam went up to her women and asked them, "Have you locked the door?"; and they answered, "Indeed we have locked it." So she took them and went with them to a place called the chapel of the Lady Mary the Virgin, Mother of Light, because the Nazarenes hold that there are her heart and soul. The girls betook themselves to prayer for blessings from above and circuited all the church; and when they had made an end of their visitation, the Princess turned to them and said, "I desire to pass the night alone in the Virgin's chapel and seek a blessing thereof, for that yearning after it has betided me, by reason of my long absence in the land of the Moslems; and as for you, when you have made an end of your visitation, do you sleep wherever you will." Replied they, "With love and goodly gree: be it as you will!"; and leaving her alone in the chapel, dispersed about the church and slept. The Lady Miriam waited till they were out of sight and hearing, then went in search of Nur al-Din, whom she found sitting in a corner on live coals, awaiting her. He rose and kissed her hands and feet and she sat down and seated him by her side. Then she pulled off all that was upon her of raiment and ornaments and fine linen and taking Nur al-Din in her arms strained him to her bosom. And they ceased not, she and he, from kissing and clipping and strumming to the tune of "hocus-pocus," [524] saying the while, "How short are the nights of Union and the nights of Disunion how long are they!" and reciting these verses,

"O Night of Union, Time's virginal prized, * White star of the Nights with auroral dyes, You garrest Dawn after Noon to rise * Say art you Kohl in Morning's Eyes, Or wast you Slumber to bleared eye lief? O Night of Parting, how long your stay * Whose latest hours aye the first portray, This endless circle that noways may * Show breach till the coming of Judgment-day, Day when dies the lover of parting-grief." [525]

As they were in this mighty delight and joy engrossing they heard one of the servants of the Saint [526] smite the gong [527] upon the roof, to call the folk to the rites of their worship, and he was even as says the poet,

"I saw him strike the gong and asked of him straightway, * Who made the Fawn [528] at striking going so knowing, eh?' And to my soul, 'What smiting irketh you the more— * Striking the gong or striking note of going, [529] say?'"

—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-third Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that Nur al-Din and Miriam the Girdle-girl rose forthwith and donned her clothes and ornaments; but this was grievous to Nur al-Din, and his gladness was troubled; the tears streamed from his eyes and he recited these couplets,

"I ceasèd not to kiss that cheek with budding roses dight * And eyes down cast and bit the same with most emphatic bite; Until we were in gloria [530] and lay him down the spy * And sank his eyes within his brain declining further sight: And struck the gongs as they that had the charge of them were like * Muezzin crying duty-prayers in Allah's book indite. Then rose she up right hastily and donned the dress she'd doffed * Sore fearing lest a shooting-star [531] upon our heads alight. And cried, 'O wish and will of me, O end of all my hopes! * Behold the morning comes to us in brightest whitest light.' I swear if but one day of rule were given to my life * And I were made an Emperor of majesty and might, Adown I'd break the buttresses of churches one and all * And by their slaughter rid the earth of every shaveling wight."

Then the Lady Miriam pressed him to her bosom and kissed his cheek and asked him, "O Nur al-Din, how long have you been in this town?" "Seven days." "Have you walked about in it, and do you know its ways and issues and its sea-gates and land gates?" "Yes!" "Know you the way to the offertory-chest [532] of the church?" "Yes!" "Since you know all this, as soon as the first third [533] of the coming night is over, go to the offertory-chest and take thence what you wish and will. Then open the door that gives upon the tunnel [534] leading to the sea, and go down to the harbour, where you will find a little ship and ten men therein, and when the Rais shall see you, he will put out his hand to you. Give him your hand and he will take you up into the ship, and do you wait there till I come to you. But beware and have a care lest sleep overtake you this night, or you will repent when repentance shall avail you nothing." Then the Princess farewelled him and going forth from Nur al-Din, aroused from sleep her women and the rest of the damsels, with whom she betook herself to the church door and knocked; whereupon the ancient dame opened to her and she went forth and found the knights and varlets standing without. They brought her a dapple she-mule and she mounted: whereupon they raised over her head a canopy [535] with curtains of silk, and the knights took hold of the mule's halter. Then the guards [536] encompassed her about, drawn brand in hand, and fared on with her, followed by her, till they brought her to the palace of the King her father. Meanwhile, Nur al-Din abode concealed behind the curtain, under cover of which Miriam and he had passed the night, till it was broad day, when the main door was opened and the church became full of people. Then he mingled with the folk and accosted the old Prioress, the guardian [537] of the shrine, who said to him, "Where did you lie last night?" Said he, "In the town as you bade me." Said she, "O my son, you have done the right thing; for, had you nighted in the Church, she had slain you on the foulest wise." And said he, "Praised be Allah who has delivered me from the evil of this night!" Then he busied himself with the service of the church and ceased not busying till day departed and night with darkness starkened when he arose and opened the offertory-chest and took thence of jewels whatever was light of weight and weighty of worth. Then he tarried till the first watch of the night was past, when he made his way to the postern of the tunnel and opening it, went forth, calling on Allah for protection, and ceased not faring on until, after finding and opening the door, he came to the sea. Here he discovered the vessel moored to the shore near the gate; and her skipper, a tall old man of comely aspect with a long beard, standing in the waist, his ten men being ranged before him. Nur al-Din gave him his hand, as Miriam had bidden him, and the captain took it and pulling him on board of the ship cried out to his crew, saying, "Cast off the moorings and put out to sea with us, before day break." Said one of the ten, "O my lord the Captain, how shall we put out now, when the King has notified us that tomorrow he will embark in this ship and go round about the sea, being fearful for his daughter Miriam from the Moslem thieves?" But the Rais cried out at them saying, "Woe to you, O accursed; Dare you contradict me and bandy words with me?" So saying the old captain bared his blade and with it dealt the sailor who had spoken a thrust in the throat, that the steel came out gleaming from his nape; and said another of the sailors, "What has our comrade done of crime, that you should cut his throat?" Thereupon the captain clapped hand to sword and smote the speaker's head, nor did he leave smiting the rest of the sailors till he had slain them all, one after other, and cast the ten bodies ashore. Then he turned to Nur al-Din and cried out at him with a terrible great cry, that made him tremble, saying, "Go down and pull up the mooring-stake." Nur al-Din feared lest he should strike him also with the sword; so he sprang up and leapt ashore and pulling up the stake jumped aboard again, swifter than the dazzling leven. The captain ceased not to bid him do this and do that and tack and wear hither and there and look at the stars, and Nur al-Din did all that he bade him, with heart a-quaking for affright; while he himself spread the sails, and the ship fared with the two into the dashing sea, swollen with clashing billows.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-fourth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the old skipper had made sail he drove the ship, aided by Nur al-Din, into the dashing sea before a favouring gale. Meanwhile, Nur al-Din held on to the tackle immersed in deep thought, and drowned in the sea of solicitude, knowing not what was hidden for him in the future; and whenever he looked at the captain, his heart quaked and he knew not where the Rais went with him. He abode thus, preoccupied with care and doubt, till it was high day, when he looked at the skipper and saw him take hold of his long beard and pull at it, whereupon it came off in his hand and Nur al-Din, examining it, saw that it was but a false beard glued on. So he straitly considered that same Rais, and behold, it was the Princess Miriam, his mistress and the dearling of his heart, who had contrived to waylay the captain and slay him and skinned off his beard, which she had stuck on to her own face. At this Nur al-Din was transported for joy, and his breast broadened and he marvelled at her prowess and the stoutness of her heart and said to her, "Welcome, O my hope and my desire and the end of my every wish!" Then love and gladness agitated him and he made sure of winning to his hopes and his expectancy; wherefore he broke out into song and chanted these couplets,

"To all who unknown my love for the May * From whom Fate disjoins me O say, I pray, 'Ask my kith and kin of my love that aye * Ensweetens my verses to lovely lay: For the loss of the tribesmen my life o'er sway!'

Their names when named heal all malady; * Cure and chase from heart every pain I dree: And my longings for love reach so high degree * That my Sprite is maddened each morn I see, And am grown of the crowd to be saw and say.

No blame in them will I e'er espy: * No! nor anything of solace sans them descry: Your love hath shot me with pine, and I * Bear in heart a flame that shall never die, But fire my liver with fiery ray.

All folk my sickness for marvel score * That in darkest night I wake evermore What ails them to torture this heart forlore * And deem right for loving my blood t' outpour: And yet—how justly unjust are they!

Would I wot who 'twas could obtain of you * To wrong a youth who's so fain of you: By my life and by Him who made men of you * And the spy tell anything I complain of you He lies, by Allah, in foulest way!

May the Lord my sickness never dispel, * Nor ever my heart of its pains be well, What day I regret that in love I fell * Or laud any land but in which you dwell: Wring my heart and you will or make glad and gay!

I have vitals shall ever be true to you * Though racked by the rigours not new to you Ere this wrong and this right I but sue to you: * Do what you will to thrall who to you Shall ne'er grudge his life at your feet to lay."

When Nur al-Din ceased to sing, the Princess Miriam marvelled at his song and thanked him therefor, saying, "Whoso's case is thus it behooves him to walk the ways of men and never do the deed of curs and cowards." Now she was stout of heart and cunning in the sailing of ships over the salt sea, and she knew all the winds and their shiftings and every course of the main. So Nur al-Din said, "O my lady, had you prolonged this case on me, [538] I had surely died for stress of affright and chagrin, more by token of the fire of passion and love-longing and the cruel pangs of separation." She laughed at his speech and rising without stay or delay brought out some food and liquor; and they ate and drank and enjoyed themselves and made merry. Then she drew forth rubies and other gems and precious stones and costly trinkets of gold and silver and all manner things of price, light of weight and weighty of worth, which she had taken from the palace of her sire and his treasuries, and displayed them to Nur al-Din, who rejoiced therein with joy exceeding. All this while the wind blew fair for them and merrily sailed the ship nor ceased sailing till they drew near the city of Alexandria and sighted its landmarks, old and new, and Pompey's Pillar. When they made the port, Nur al-Din landed immediately and securing the ship to one of the Fulling-Stones, [539] took some of the treasures that Miriam had brought with her, and said to her, "O my lady, tarry in the ship, against I return and carry you up into the city in such way as I should wish and will." Said she, "It behooves that this be done quickly, for tardiness in affairs engenders repentance." Said he, "There is no tardiness in me;" and, leaving her in the ship, went up into the city to the house of the druggist his father's old fried, to borrow of his wife for Miriam veil and mantilla, and walking boots and petticoat-trousers after the usage of the women of Alexandria, unknowing that there was appointed to betide him of the shifts of Time, the Father of Wonders, that which was far beyond his reckoning. Thus it befell Nur al-Din and Miriam the Girdle-girl; but as regards her sire the King of France, when he arose in the morning, he missed his daughter and questioned her women and her eunuchs of her. Answered they, "O our lord, she went out last night, to go to Church and after that we have no tidings of her." But, as the King talked with them, behold, there arose so great a clamour of cries below the palace, that the place rang thereto, and he said, "What may be the news?" The folk replied, "O King, we have found ten men slain on the sea-shore, and the royal yacht is missing. Moreover we saw the postern of the Church, which gives upon the tunnel leading to the sea, wide open; and the Moslem prisoner, who served in the Church, is missing." Said the King, "If my ship is lost, without doubt or dispute..."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-fifth Night,

She pursued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the King of France missed his daughter they brought him tidings of her, saying, "Your yacht is lost"; and he replied, "If the craft is lost, without dispute or doubt my daughter is in it." So he summoned without stay or delay the Captain of the Port and cried out at him, saying, "By the virtue [540] of the Messiah and the Faith which is no liar, unless you and your fighting men overtake my ship immediately and bring it back to me, with those who are therein, I will make you die the foulest of deaths and make a terrible example of you!" Thereupon the captain went out from before him, trembling, and betook himself to the ancient dame of the Church, to whom said he, 'Heard you anything from the captive, that was with you, about his native land and what countryman he was?" And she answered, "He used to say, I come from the town of Alexandria." When the captain heard the old woman's words he returned immediately to the port and cried out to the sailors, "Make ready and set sail." So they did his bidding and straightway putting out to sea, fared night and day till they sighted the city of Alexandria at the very time when Nur al-Din landed, leaving the Princess in the ship. They soon espied the royal yacht and knew her; so they moored their own vessel at a distance therefrom and putting off in a little frigate they had with them, which drew but two cubits of water and in which were a hundred fighting-men, among them the one-eyed Wazir (for that he was a stubborn tyrant and devil and a wily thief, none could avail against his craft, as he were Abu Mohammed al-Battál [541]), they ceased not rowing till they reached the bark and boarding her, all at once, found none therein save the Princess Miriam. So they took her and the ship, and returning to their own vessel, after they had landed and waited a long while, [542] set sail immediately for the land of the Franks, having accomplished their errand, without a fight or even drawing sword. The wind blew fair for them and they sailed on, without ceasing and with all diligence, till they reached the city of France and landing with the Princess Miriam carried her to her father, who received her, seated on the throne of his Kingship. As soon as he saw her, he said to her, "Woe to you, O traitress! What ailed you to leave the faith of your fathers and forefathers and the safeguard of the Messiah, on whom is our reliance, and follow after the faith of the Vagrants, [543] to wit, the faith of Al-Islam, the which arose with the sword against the Cross and the Images?" Replied Miriam, "I am not at fault, I went out by night to the church, to visit the Lady Mary and seek a blessing of her, when there fell upon me unawares a band of Moslem robbers, who gagged me and bound me fast and carrying me on board the barque, set sail with me for their own country. However, I beguiled them and talked with them of their religion, till they loosed my bonds; and before I knew it your men overtook me and delivered me. And by the virtue of the Messiah and the Faith which is no liar and the Cross and the Crucified thereon, I rejoiced with joy exceeding in my release from them and my bosom broadened and I was glad for my deliverance from the bondage of the Moslems!" Rejoined the King, "You lie, O whore! O adultress! By the virtue of that which is revealed of prohibition and permission in the manifest Evangel, [544] I will assuredly do you die by the foulest of deaths and make you the vilest of examples! Did it not suffice you to do as you did the first time and put off your lies upon us, but you must return upon us with your deceitful inventions?" Thereupon the King bade kill her and crucify her over the palace gate; but, at that moment the one-eyed Wazir, who had long been enamored of the Princess, came in to him and said, "Ho King! slay her not, but give her to me to wife, and I will watch over her with the utmost warding, nor will I go in unto her, till I have built her a palace of solid stone, exceeding high of foundation, so no thieves may avail to climb up to its terrace-roof; and when I have made an end of building it, I will sacrifice thirty Moslems before the gate thereof, as an expiatory offering to the Messiah for myself and for her." The King granted his request and bade the priests and monks and patriarchs marry the Princess to him; so they did his bidding, whereupon he bade set about building a strong and lofty palace, befitting her rank and the workmen fell to work upon it. On this wise it betided the Princess Miriam and her sire and the one-eyed Wazir; but as regards Nur al-Din, when he came back with the petticoat-trousers and mantilla and walking boots and all the attire of Alexandrian women which he had borrowed of the druggist's wife, he "found the air void and the fane afar [545]";—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-sixth Night,

She resumed, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when Nur al-Din, "found the aire void [546] and the fane afar," his heart sank within him and he wept floods of tears and recited these verses, [547]

"The phantom of Soada came by nigh to wake me towards morning while my companions were sleeping in the desert: But when we awoke to behold the nightly phantom, I saw the air vacant, and the place of visitation distant."

Then Nur al-Din walked on along the sea-shore and turned right and left, till he saw folk gathered together on the beach and heard them say, "O Moslems, there remaineth no honor to Alexandria-city, since the Franks enter it and snatch away those who are therein and return to their own land, at their leisure [548] nor pursued of any of the Moslems or fighters for the Faith!" Said Nur al-Din to them, "What is to do?"; and said they, "O my son, one of the ships of the Franks, full of armed men, came down but now upon the port and carried off a ship which was moored here, with her that was therein, and made unmolested for their own land." Nur al-Din fell down a-swoon, on hearing these words; and when he recovered they questioned him of his case and he told them all that had befallen him first and last; whereupon they all took to reviling him and railing at him, saying, "Why could you not bring her up into the town without mantilla and muffler?" And all and each of the folk gave him some grievous word, berating him with sharp speech, and shooting at him some shaft or reproach, albeit one said, "Let him be; that which has befallen him suffices him," till he again fell down in a fainting-fit. And behold, at this moment, up came the old druggist, who, seeing the folk gathered together, drew near to learn what was the matter and found Nur al-Din lying a-swoon in their midst. So he sat down at his head and arousing him, said to him as soon as he recovered, "O my son, what is this case in which I see you?" Nur al-Din said, "O uncle, I had brought back in a barque my lost slave-girl from her father's city, suffering patiently all I suffered of perils and hardships; and when I came with her to this port, I made the vessel fast to the shore and leaving her therein, repaired to your dwelling and took of your consort what was needful for her, that I might bring her up into the town; but the Franks came and capturing barque and damsel made off unhindered, and returned to their own land." Now when the Shaykh, the druggist, heard this, the light in his eyes became night and he grieved with sore grieving for Nur al-Din and said to him, "O my son, why did you not bring her out of the ship into the city without mantilla? But speech avails not at this season; so rise, O my son, and come up with me to the city; perhaps Allah will grant you a girl fairer than she, who shall console you for her. Alhamdolillah-praised be Allah-who has not made you lose anything by her! Nay, you have gained by her. And consider, O my son, that Union and Disunion are in the hands of the Most High King.." Replied Nur al-Din, "By Allah, O uncle, I can never be consoled for her loss nor will I ever leave seeking her, though on her account I drink the cup of death!" Rejoined the druggist, "O my son, and what are you minded to do?" Said Nur al-Din, "I am minded to return to the land of the Franks [549] and enter the city of France and emperil myself there; come what may, loss of life or gain of life." Said the druggist, "O my son, there is an old saw, 'Not always does the crock escape the shock'; and if they did you no hurt the first time, most likely they will slay you this time, more by token that they know you now with full knowledge." Said Nur al-Din, "O my uncle, let me set out and be slain for the love of her straightway and not die of despair for her loss by slow torments." Now as Fate determined there was then a ship in port ready to sail, for its passengers had made an end of their affairs [550] and the sailors had pulled up the mooring-stakes, when Nur al-Din embarked in her. So they shook out their canvas and relying on the Compassionate, put out to sea and sailed many days, with fair wind and weather, till behold, they fell in with certain of the Frank cruisers, which were scouring those waters and seizing upon all ships they saw, in their fear for the King's daughter from the Moslem corsairs: and as often as they made prize of a Moslem ship, they carried all her people to the King of France, who put them to death in fulfilment of the vow he had vowed on account of his daughter Miriam. So, seeing the ship in which was Nur al-Din they boarded her and taking him and the rest of the company prisoners, to the number of a hundred Moslems, carried them to the King and set them between his hands. He bade cut their throats. Accordingly they slaughtered them all forthwith, one after another, till there was none left but Nur al-Din, whom the headsman had left to the last, in pity of his tender age and slender shape. When the King saw him, he knew him right well and said to him, "Art you not Nur al-Din, who was with us before?" Said he, "I was never with you: and my name is not Nur al-Din, but Ibrahim." Rejoined the King; "You liest, you art Nur al-Din, he whom I gave to the ancient dame the Prioress, to help her in the service of the church." But Nur al-Din replied, "O my lord, my name is Ibrahim." Said the King, "Wait a while," and bade his knights fetch the old woman forthright, saying, "When she comes and seeth you, she will know if you be Nur al-Din or not." At this juncture, behold, in came the one-eyed Wazir who had married the Princess and kissing the earth before the King said to him, "Know, O King, that the palace is finished; and you know how I vowed to the Messiah that, when I had made an end of building it, I would cut thirty Moslems' throats before its doors; wherefore I am come to take them of you, that I may sacrifice them and so fulfil my vow to the Messiah. They shall be at my charge, by way of loan, and when there come prisoners to my hands, I will give you other thirty in lieu of them." Replied the King, 'By the virtue of the Messiah and the Faith which is no liar, I have but this one captive left!" And he pointed to Nur al-Din, saying, "Take him and slaughter him at this very moment and the rest I will send you when there come to my hands other prisoners of the Moslems." Thereupon the one-eyed Wazir arose and took Nur al-Din and carried him to his palace, thinking to slaughter him on the threshold of the gate; but the painters said to him, "O my lord, we have two days' painting yet to do: so bear with us and delay to cut the throat of this captive, till we have made an end of our work; perhaps by that time the rest of the thirty will come, so you may despatch them all at one bout and accomplish your vow in a single day." Thereupon the Wazir bade imprison Nur al-Din.—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-seventh Night,

She said, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that when the Wazir bade imprison Nur al-Din, they carried him to the stables and left him there in chains, hungering and thirsting and making moan for himself; for indeed he saw death face to face. Now it fortuned, by the ordinance of Destiny and foreordained Fate, that the King had two stallions, brothers, [551] such as the Chosroe Kings might sigh in vain to possess themselves of one of them; they were called Sábik and Láhik [552] and one of them was pure silver white while the other was black as the darksome night. And all the Kings of the isles had said, "Whoever steals one of these stallions, we will give him all he seeks of red gold and pearls and gems;" but none could avail to steal them. Now one of them fell sick of a jaundice and there came a whiteness over his eyes; [553] whereupon the King gathered together all the farriers in the city to treat him; but they all failed of his cure. Presently the Wazir came into the King; and finding him troubled because of the horse, thought to do away his concern and said to him, "O King, give me the stallion and I will cure him," The King consented and caused carry the horse to the stable in which Nur al-Din lay chained; but, when he missed his brother, he cried out with an exceeding great cry and neighed, so that he affrighted all the folk. The Wazir, seeing that he did thus but because he was parted from his brother, went to tell the King, who said, "If this, which is but a beast, cannot brook to be parted from his brother, how should it be with those that have reason?" And he bade his grooms take the other horse and put him with his brother in the Wazir's stables, saying, "Tell the Minister that the two stallions are a gift from me to him, for the sake of my daughter Miriam." Nur al-Din was lying in the stable, chained and shackled, when they brought in the two stallions and he saw that one of them had a film over his eyes. Now he had some knowledge of horses and of the doctoring of their diseases; so he said to himself, "This by Allah is my opportunity! I will go to the Wazir and lie to him, saying, 'I will heal you this horse': then will I do with him somewhat that shall destroy his eyes, and he will slay me and I shall be at rest from this woe-full life." So he waited till the Wazir entered the stable, to look upon the steed, and said to him, "O my lord, what will be my due, if I heal this horse, and make his eyes whole again?" Replied the Wazir, "As my head lives, if you cure him, I will spare your life and give you leave to crave a boon of me!" And Nur al-Din said, "O my lord, bid my hands be unbound!" So the Wazir bade unbind him and he rose and taking virgin glass, [554] brayed it and mixed it with unslaked lime and a menstruum of onion-juice. Then he applied the whole to the horse's eyes and bound them up, saying in himself, "Now will his eyes be put out and they will slay me and I shall be at rest from this woe-full life." Then he passed the night with a heart free from the uncertainty [555] of cark and care, humbling himself to Allah the Most High and saying, "O Lord, in Thy knowledge is that which dispenses with asking and craving!" Now when the morning morrowed and the sun shone, the Wazir came to the stable and, loosing the bandage from the horse's eyes considered them and found them finer than before, by the ordinance of the King who opens evermore. So he said to Nur al-Din, "O Moslem, never in the world saw I the like of you for the excellence of your knowledge. By the virtue of the Messiah and the Faith which is no liar, you make me with wonder to admire, for all the farriers of our land have failed to heal this horse!" Then he went up to Nur al-Din and, doing off his shackles with his own hand, clad him in a costly dress and made him his master of the Horse; and he appointed him stipends and allowances and lodged him in a story over the stables. So Nur al-Din abode awhile, eating and drinking and making merry and bidding and forbidding those who tended the horses; and whoever neglected or failed to fodder those tied up in the stable in which was his service, he would thrown down and beat with grievous beating and lay him by the legs in bilboes of iron. Furthermore, he used every day to descend and visit the stallions and rub them down with his own hand, by reason of that which he knew of their value in the Wazir's eyes and his love for them; wherefore the Minister rejoiced in him with joy exceeding and his breast broadened and he was right glad, unknowing what was to be the issue of his case. Now in the new palace, which the one-eyed Wazir had bought for Princess Miriam, was a lattice-window overlooking his old house and the flat in which Nur al-Din lodged. The Wazir had a daughter, a virgin of extreme loveliness, as she were a fleeing gazelle or a bending branchlet, and it chanced that she sat one day at the lattice aforesaid and behold, she heard Nur al-Din, singing and solacing himself under his sorrows by improvising these verses,

"O my Censor who wakest a-morn to see * The joys of life and its jubilee! Had the fangs of Destiny bitten you * In such bitter case you had pled this plea, 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' But from Fate's despight you art safe this day;-* From her falsest fay and her crying 'Nay!' Yet blame him not whom his woes waylay * Who distraught shall say in his agony, 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' Excuse such lovers in flight abhorr'd * Nor to Love's distreses your aid afford: Lest your self be bound by same binding cord * And drink of Love's bitterest injury. 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' In His service I wont as the days went by * With freest heart through the nights to lie; Nor tasted wake, nor of Love anything reckt * Ere my heart to subjection summoned he: 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' None weet of Love and his humbling wrong * Save those he sickened so sore, so long, Who have lost their wits 'mid the lover-throng * Draining bitterest cup by his hard decree: 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' How oft in Night's gloom he cause wake to rue * Lovers' eyne, and from eyelids their sleep withdrew; Till tears to the railing of torrents grew, * Overflowing cheeks , unconfined and free: 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' How many a man he has joyed to steep * In pain, and for pine hath he plundered sleep,— Made don garb of mourning the deepest deep * And even his dreaming forced to flee: 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' How oft sufferance fails me! How bones are wasted * And down my cheeks torrent tear-drops hasted: And embittered She all the food I tasted * However sweet it was wont to be: 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' Most hapless of men who like me must love, * And must watch when Night droops her wing from above, Who, swimming the main where affection drove * Must sign and sink in that gloomy sea: 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' Who is he to whom Love e'er stinted spite * And who scaped his springes and easy sleight; Who free from Love lived in life's delight? * Where is he can boast of such liberty? 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!' Deign Lord such suffering wight maintain * Then best Protector, protect him deign! Establish him and his life assain * And defend him from all calamity: 'Ah me, for Love and his case, ah me: My heart is burnt by the fires I dree!'"

And when Nur al-Din ended his say and ceased to sing his rhyming lay, the Wazir's daughter said to herself, "By the virtue of the Messiah and the Faith which is no liar, verily this Moslem is a handsome youth! But doubtless he is a lover separated from his mistress. Would Heaven I knew if the beloved of this fair one is fair like unto him and if she pines for him as he for her! If she be seemly as he is, it behooves him to pour forth tears and make moan of passion; but, if she be other than fair, his days are wasted in vain regrets and he is denied the taste of delights."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the Eight Hundred and Eighty-eighth Night,

She continued, It has reached me, O auspicious King, that the Wazir's daughter said to herself, "If his beloved be fair as he, it behooves him to pour forth tears; and, if other than fair, his heart is wasted in vain regrets!" Now Miriam the Girdle-girl, the Minister's consort, had removed to the new palace the day before and the Wazir's daughter knew that she was straitened of breast; so she was minded to seek her and talk with her and tell her the tidings of the young man and the rhymes and verses she had heard him recite; but, before she could carry out her design the Princess sent for her to cheer her with her converse. So she went to her and found her heavy at heart and her tears hurrying down her cheeks; and while she was weeping with sore weeping she recited these couplets,

"My life is gone but love-longings remain * And my breast is straitened with pine and pain: And my heart for parting to melt is fain * Yet hoping that union will come again, And join us in one who now are twain. Stint your blame to him who in heart's your thrall * With the wasted frame which his sorrows gall, Nor with aim of arrow his heart appal * For parted lover is saddest of all, And Love's cup of bitters is sweet to drain!"

Said the Wazir's daughter to her, "What ails you, O Princess, to be thus straitened in breast and sorrowful of thought?" Whereupon Miriam recalled the greatness of the delights that were past and recited these two couplets,

"I will bear in patience estrangement of friend * And on cheeks rail tears that like torrents wend: Haply Allah will solace my sorrow, for He * Neath the ribs of unease makes ease at end."

Said the Wazir's daughter, "O Princess, let not your breast be straitened, but come with me straightway to the lattice; for there is with us in the stable [556] a comely young man, slender of shape and sweet of speech, and I think that he is a parted lover." Miriam asked, "And by what sign know you that he is a parted lover?"; and she answered, "O Queen, I know it by his improvising odes and verses all watches of the night and tides of the day." Said the Princess in herself, "If what the Wazir's daughter says be true, these are assuredly the traits of the baffled, the wretched Ali Nur al-Din. Would I knew if indeed he is the youth of whom she speaks." At this thought, love-longing and distraction of passion redoubled on her and she rose at once and walking with the maiden to the lattice, looked down upon the stables, where she saw her love and lord Nur al-Din and fixing her eyes steadfastly upon him, knew him with the best knowledge of love, albeit he was sick, of the greatness of his affection for her and of the fire of passion, and the anguish of separation and yearning and distraction. Sore upon him was emaciation and he was improvising and saying,

"My heart is a thrall; my tears ne'er abate * And their rains the railing of clouds amate; 'Twixt my weeping and watching and wanting love; * And whining and pining for dearest mate. Ah my burning heat, my desire, my lowe! * For the plagues that torture my heart are eight; And five upon five are in suite of them; * So stand and listen to all I state: Mem'ry, madding thoughts, moaning languishment, * Stress of longing love, plight disconsolate; In travail, affliction and strangerhood, * And annoy and joy when on her I wait. Fail me patience and stay for engrossing care * And sorrows my suffering soul regrate. On my heart the possession of passion grows * O who ask of what fire in my heart's create, Why my tears in vitals should kindle flame, * Burning heart with ardours insatiate, Know, I'm drowned in Deluge [557] of tears and my soul * From Lazá-lowe fares to Háwiyah-goal." [558]

When the Princess Miriam beheld Nur al-Din and heard his eloquence and verse and speech, she made certain that it was indeed her lord Nur al-Din; but she concealed her case from the Wazir's daughter and said to her, "By the virtue of the Messiah and the Faith which is no liar, I thought not that you knew of my sadness!" Then she arose immediately and withdrawing from the window, returned to her own place, while the Wazir's daughter went to her own occupations. The Princess awaited patiently awhile, then returned to the window and sat there, gazing upon her beloved Nur al-Din and delighting her eyes with his beauty and inner and outer grace. And indeed, she saw that he was like unto moon at full on fourteenth night; but he was ever sighing with tears never drying, for that he recalled whatever he had been abying. So he recited these couplets,

"I hope for Union with my love which I may ne'er obtain * At all, but bitterness of life is all the gain I gain: My tears are likest to the main for ebb and flow of tide; * But when I meet the blamer-wight to staunch my tears I'm fain. Woe to the wretch who garred us part by spelling of his spells; [559] * Could I but hend his tongue in hand I'd cut his tongue in twain: Yet will I never blame the days for whatever deed they did * Mingling with merest, purest gall the cup they made me drain! To whom shall I address myself; and whom but you shall seek * A heart left hostage in your Court, by you a captive ta'en? Who shall avenge my wrongs on you, [560] tyrant despotical * Whose tyranny but grows the more, the more I dare complain? I made him regnant of my soul that he the reign assain * But me he wasted wasting too the soul I gave to reign. Ho thou, the Fawn, whom I so lief erst gathered to my breast * Enow of severance tasted I to own its might and main, Thou'rt he whose favours joined in one all beauties known to man, * Yet I on it have wasted all my Patience' fair domain. I entertained him in my heart whereto he brought unrest * But I am satisfied that I such guest could entertain. My tears for ever flow and flood, likest the surging sea * And would I wot the track to take that I thereto attain. Yet sore I fear that I shall die in depths of my chagrin * And must despair for evermore to win the wish I'd win."

When Miriam heard the verses of Nur al-Din the loving-hearted, the parted, they kindled in her vitals a fire of desire, and while her eyes ran over with tears, she recited these two couplets,

"I longed for him I love; but, when we met, * I was amazed nor tongue nor eyes I found. I had got ready volumes of reproach; * But when we met, could syllable no sound."

When Nur al-Din heard the voice of Princess Miriam, he knew it and wept bitter tears, saying, "By Allah, this is the chanting of the Lady Miriam."—And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

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