Classic Audiobook Collection - (Volume 13) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

Episode Date: September 4, 2023

(Volume 13) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous audiobook. Genre: folklore This is a collection of stories collected over thousands of years by various authors, translators, and scholars. They are an amalgam of mythology and folk tales from the Indian sub-continent, Persia, and Arabia. No original manuscript has ever been found for the collection, but several versions date the collection's genesis to somewhere between AD 800 and 900. The stories are wound together under the device of a long series of cliff-hangers told by Shahrazad to her husband to prevent him from executing her. In translating the Nights, R. F. Burton attempted to invent an English equivalent of medieval Arabic. In doing so, he drew upon Chaucerian English, Elizabethan English, and the 1653 English translation by Sir Thomas Urquhart of the first three books of Rabelais's Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532-1546). For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 01 (00:38:43) Chapter 02 (01:10:31) Chapter 03 (01:57:44) Chapter 04 (02:44:13) Chapter 05 (03:30:49) Chapter 06 (04:18:51) Chapter 07 (05:02:41) Chapter 08 (05:50:39) Chapter 09 (06:26:32) Chapter 10 (07:04:26) Chapter 11 (08:04:04) Chapter 12 (08:58:35) Chapter 13 (09:34:25) Chapter 14 (10:11:51) Chapter 15 (10:37:06) Chapter 16 (11:17:29) Chapter 17 (11:44:22) Chapter 18 (12:23:18) Chapter 19 (13:03:04) Chapter 20 (13:50:40) Chapter 21 (14:20:20) Chapter 22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 13. The Tale of Zain al-Aznan, Part 1. When it was the 497th night, Quoth Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith me may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And Jherazad replied,

With love and good will, I will relate to you the tale of Zane Al-Azna. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that in Bazaura city reigned a puissant sultan, who was opulent exceedingly, and who owned all the goods of life.

But he lacked a child, which might inherit his wealth and dominion. So, being sorely sorrowful on this account, he arose, and fell to doing abundant alms deeds to Fakhirs and the common poor, to the hallows and other holy men, and prayed their recourse to Allah. mighty, in order of the Lord, to whom belong might and majesty, might of his grace bless him with

issue. And the compassionate accepted his prayer for his alms to the religious, and Dane grant his petition. And one night of the nights after he lay with the queen, she went away from him with child. Now, as soon as the Sultan heard of the conception, he rejoiced with exceeding great joyance. and when the days of delivery drew near, he gathered together all the astrologers and sages who strike the sandboard, and said to them, "'Tis our desire that ye disclose and acquaint us anent the birth, which is to be born during the present month,

whether it shall be male or female, and what shall be fallen from the shifts of time, and what shall proceed from it.' Thereupon the Jamantists struck their sandboards, and the astrophils ascertained their ascendance, and they drew the horoscope of the babe unborn, and said to the sovereign, O king of the age and lord of the time at the tide,

verily the child to which the queen shall presently give birth will be a boy, and it will be right for thee to name him, Zain al-Asnam, Zane of the images. Then spake the jamanists, saying, Know then, hope of the king, that this little one shall approve him when grown to man's estate, valiant and intelligent. but his days shall happen upon sundry troubles and travails,

and yet, if he doubtily fight against all occurrence, he shall become the most opulent of the kings of the world. exclaimed the sultan, "'And the child reproved himself valorous, as he have announced, "'then the toil and moil which shall be his lot may be held for naught, "'inasmuch as calamities but train and strengthen the songs of the kings.' Shortly after this, the queen gave birth to a man-child, and glory be to him who fashioned the babe

with such peerless beauty and loveliness. The king named his son, Zain al-Asnav, and presently he became even as the poet sang of one of his fellows in semblance. He showed, and they cried, be all a blessed, and who made him and formed him his might test. This be surely the Lord of all loveliness, and all others his lieges and thralls be confessed.

Then Zain al-Asnam grew up and increased until his age attained its 15th year. When his sire, the sultan appointed for him an experienced governor, one versed in all the sciences and philosophies, who fell to instructing him till such times as he waxed familiar with every branch of knowledge, and in due season he became an adult. Thereupon the sultan bade summon his son and heir to the presence, together with the lords of his land and the notables of his lieges, and addressed him before them with excellent counsel,

saying, O my son, O Zain al-Aznam, seeing that I be shotten in years, and at the present time sick of a sickness which happily shall end my days in this world, and which anon shall seat thee in my stead, therefore I bequeath unto thee the following charge. Beware, O my son, lest thou wrong any man. and inclined not to cause the poor complain, but do justice to the injured after the measure of thy might.

Furthermore, have a care lest thou trust to every word spoken to thee by the great, but rather lend thou ever and ear under the voice of the general, for that their grandees will betray thee as they seek only what so suiteth them, not that which suiteth thy subjects. A few days after this time The old Sultan's distemper Increased and his life term was fulfilled And he died

Whereupon his son Zain al-asnam Rose and dawned morning dress for his father During six days And on the seventh he went forth to the divan And took seat upon the throne of his sultanate He also held a levy Wherein were assembled

All the defenders of the realm And the ministers and the lords of the the land came forward and condoled with him for the loss of his parent, and wished him all good fortune, and gave him joy of his kingship and dominion, and prayed for his endurance in honor and his permanence in prosperity. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the four hundred and ninety-eighth night, quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy, Tell us one of thy fair tales,

So therewith me may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quoth Scheherazad. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Zain al-Aznan, seeing himself in this high honour and opulence, and he young in years and boy to experience, straightway inclined unto lavish expenditure and commerce with the younglings, who were like him and felt a wasting immense wealth upon his pleasures, and neglected his government, nor paid ought of regard to his subjects.

Thereupon the Queen Mother began to counsel him, and forbid him from such ill courses, advising him to abandon his perverse inclinations, and apply his mind to rule and commandment, and to further the policy of his kingdom, lest the legions repudiate him, and rise up against him and depose him. But he would on no wise harkin, to a single of her words, and persisted in his ignorant folly, whereat the folk murmured, inasmuch as the lords of the land,

had put forth their hands to tyranny and oppression, when they saw the king lacking in regard for his riles. And presently the commons rose up against St. Elasnam, and would have dealt harshly with him, had not his mother been a woman of wits and wisdom and contrivance, dearly loved of the general. So she directed the malcontents a right, and promised them,

every good. Then she summoned her son, Zain al-Aznan, and said to him, Behold, o my child, that which I foretold for thee, to wit that thou wastest thy realm, and lavishest thy life to boot by persevering in what ignorance thou art. For that thou hast placed the governance of thy kingdom in the hands of inexperienced youth, and hast neglected the elders and hast dissipated thy monies, and the monies of the monarchy, and thou hast lavished all thy treasure upon wilfulness and carnal pleasuring zane alasnam awaking from the slumber of negligence forthright accepted his mother's counsel and faring forth at once to the duan he entrusted the management of the monarchy to certain old officers men of intelligence and experience but he acted on this wise only after besorah town was ruined inasmuch as he had not turned away from his ignorant father before he had wasted and spoiled all the wealth of the sultanate,

and he had become utterly impoverished. Thereupon the prince fell to repenting and regretting that which had been done by him, until the repose of sleep was destroyed for him, and he shunned meat and drink. Nor did this cease, until one night of the knights which had sped in such grief and thoughtfulness and vain regret,

until dawn drew nigh, and his eyelids closed for a little while. then an old and venerable sheikh appeared to him in a vision and said to him o zaynal azdam sorrow not for after sorrow however sore cometh naught but giants and wouldst thou win free of this woe up and high thee to egypt where thou shalt find hordes of wealth which shall replace what so thou hast wasted and will double it more than two-fold now when the prince was aroused from his sleep he recounted to his mother all he had seen in his dream but his parent began to laugh at him and he said to her mock me not there is no help but that i wend egyptwards rejoined she oh my son believe not in swavens which be mere embryos of sleep and lying fantasies and retorted saying in very sooth my vision is true and the man whom i saw therein is of the saints of allah and his words are veridical then on a knight of the knights mounting horse alone and privily he abandoned his kingdom and took the highway to egypt and he rode day and night until he reached cairo city he entered it and saw it to be a mighty fine capital then tethering his steed he found shelter in one of its cathedral mosques and he worn out by weariness however when he had rested a little he fared forth and bought himself somewhat of food

after eating his excessive fatigue caused him fall asleep in the mosque nor had he slept long ere the sheik appeared to him a second time in vision and said to him o zayn al azna And Jehazade was apprised by the dawn of day, And ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the four hundred and ninety-ninth night, Quoth Dunyazade, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, Tell us one of thy fair tales, So therewith me may cut short the waking hours of this ironite. And quoth, Scheherazade,

It hath reached me, O king of the age, That the Sheikh again appeared to the prince in a vision, and said to him o zay nalaznam thou hast obeyed me and whatsoever abad thee and i only made trial of thee to test and thou be valiant or a craven But now I want their worth, inasmuch as thou hast accepted my words, and thou hast acted upon my advice. So do thou return straightway to thy capital, and I will make thee a wealthy ruler such an one that neither before thee was any king like unto thee, nor shall any like unto thee come after thee. Hereat Zain al-Aznam awoke and cried, Pismillah! In the name of Allah, the compassionating, the compassionate, what be this shame.

who barely persecuted me until I traveled to Cairo, and I having faith in him in holding that he was either the apostle, whom allah save at a sane, or one of the righteous hallows of God. And there is no majesty, and there is no might save in all of the glorious, the great. By the Lord, but I did right well in not relating my dream to any save to my mother, and in warning none of my departure. I had full faith in this oldster, but now, Miss Emeth, the man is not, of those who know the truth, be he extolled and exalted.

So by Allah I will cast off all confidence in this sheikh and his doings. With this resolve, the prince slept that night in the mosque, and on the morrow took horse, and after a few days of strenuous travel, arrived at his capital Basora. Herein he entered by night, and forthright went into his mother, who asked him, "'Say me, hast thou one ought of what so the sheikh promised thee?' And he answered her by acquainting her with all his adventure.

Then she applied her to consoling and comforting him, saying, "'Greve not, oh, my son, if Almighty Allah have apportioned unto the ought, thou shalt obtain it without toil and travail. But I would see thee wax sensible and wise, abandoning all these courses which have landed thee in poverty o my son, and shunning songstresses, and commune with the inexperienced and the society of loose livers, male and female. All such pleasures as these are for the sons of the nerewell,

not for the science of the kings thy peers. Herewith Zain al-Asdam swear an oath, to bear in mind all she might say to him, never to gain say her commandments nor deviate from them a single hare's bread, to abandon all she should forbid him and to fix his thoughts upon rule and governance. Then he addressed himself to sleep. And as he slumbered, the Sheikh appeared to him a third time in Pishan, and said, O Zain alasnam, O thou valorous prince, this very day,

as soon as thou shalt have shaken off thy drowsiness, I will fulfill my covenant with thee. So take with thee a pickax, and hide to such a palace of thy sire, and turn up the ground, searching it well in such a place, where thou wilt find that which shall enrich thee. As soon as the prince awoke he hastened to his mother in huge joy, and told her his tale. But she fell again to laughing at him and saying, Oh, my child, indeed this old man maketh moth thee and not else. So get thyself clear of him.

But Zain al-asnum replied, O mother mine, verily the sheik is so fast and no liar, for the first time he would try me, and now he proposes to perform his promise. Where to his mother? At all events, the work is not wearisome. So do thou what so thou willest, even as he bad thee. make the trial and inshallah god willing return to me rejoicing yet sore i fear lest thou come back to me and say sooth hath thou spoken in thy speech o my mother however zayna al aznam took up a pickax and descending to that part of the palace where his sire lay entombed began to dig and to dell nor had he worked a long while ere lo and behold there appeared to him a ring bedded in a marble slab He removed the stone and saw a ladder-like flight of steps, whereby he descended until he found a huge sutureen, all pillared and propped with columns of marble and alabaster.

And when he entered the inner recesses, he saw within the cave-like Soutureen a pavilion, which bewildered his wits, and inside the same stood eight jars of green chasper. so he said in his mind what may be these jars and what may be stored therein and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the full five hundredth night quoth duny ah my and thou be other than sleepy tell us one of thy fair tales so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night and quoth shahrazad it hath reached me o king of the age that when zane al azan saw the jars he came forwards and unliding them found each and every full of antique golden pieces so he hent a few in hand seen and going to his mother gave of them to her saying hast thou seen o my mother She marvelled at the matter and made answer, Beware of my son of wasting this wealth, As though dissipatedst other aforetime, Whereupon her son swear to her an oath, saying,

Have no care o my mother, Nor be thy heart other than good before me, And I desire that thou also find satisfaction in mine actions. Presently she arose and went forth with him, And the twain descended into the cavern-light suitor-ren And entered the pavilion, where the queen saw that which wielder at the wits, and she made sure with her own eyes

that the jars were full of gold. But while they enjoyed the spectacle of the treasure, behold, they caught sight of a smaller jar, wondrously wrought in green jasper. So St. Al-Asnam opened it, and found therein a golden key, whereupon, quote the queen-mother, Oh, my son, needs must this key have some door

which it unlocketh? accordingly they sought all about the suturana the pavilion to find if there was a door or odd like there to and presently seeing a wooden lock pass barred they knew wherefore the key was intended presently the prince applied it and opened the lock whereupon the door of a palace gave admittance and when the twain entered they found it more spacious than the first pavilion and all illumined with the light which dazed the sight yet not a wax candle lit it up, nor indeed was there a recess for lamps. Hereat they marvelled and meditated, and presently they discovered eight images of precious stones, all seated upon as many golden thrones, and each and every was cut of one solid piece, and all the stones were pure and of the finest water and most precious of price. Zain alas now most confounded hereat, and said to his mother, "'Whenst could my sire have obtained all these rare things?'

And the twain took their pleasure in gazing at them and considering them, and both wondered to see a ninth throne, unoccupied, when the queen is bide a silken hanging whereon was inscribed, "'Oh, my son, marvel not at this mighty wealth which I have acquired by sore stress and striving travail, but learn also that there existeth a ninth statue, whose value is twentyfold greater than these thou seest. And if thou would win it, hide thee again to Cairo's city.

There thou shalt find a Hualam slave of mine, Mubarak height, and he will take thee and guide thee to the statue, and it will be easy to find him on entering Cairo, the first person thou should have cost, will point out the house to thee, for that Mubarak is known to the statue, throughout the place. When Zain al-Asnam had read this writ, he cried,

Oh, my mother, tis again my desire to wend my way Cairo words and seek out this image. So do thou say, how seest thou my vision, fact or fiction, after thou assuredst me saying this be an imbriolio of sleep? However, at all events of my mother, now there is no help for it but that I travel once more to Cairo. replied she, O my child, seeing that thou be under the protection of the apostle of Allah,

whom may he save and assain, so do thou fare in safety while I and thy vizier will order thy reign in thine absence till such time as thou shalt return. Accordingly the prince went forth and got him ready, and rode on till he reached Cairo

where he asked for Mubarak's house. The folk assured him, saying, oh my lord this be a man than whom none is wealthier or greater in boon deeds and bounties and his home is ever open to the stranger. Then they showed him the way and he followed it till he came to Mubarak's mansion, for he knocked at the door and a slave of the black slaves opened to him. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and first night,

Quote Dunazad, O sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy, Tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this hour night. And quote, Sahara Zad, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Zane al-Aznam knocked at the door when a slave of Mubarak's black slaves came out to him, and opening, asked him, Who art thou, and what is it thou wantest? The prince answered, am a foreigner from a far country and i have heard of mubarak thy lord that he is famed for liberality and generosity so that i come hither purposing to become his guest

thereupon the chattel went into his lord and after reporting the matter to him came out and said to zane alasnam o my lord a blessing hath descended upon us by thy footsteps do thou enter for my master mubarak awaiteth thee therewith the prince passed into a court spacious exceedingly and all beautified with trees and waters, and the slave led him to the pavilion, wherein Mubarak was sitting. As the guest came in, the host straightway rose up and met him with cordial greeting, and cried,

A benediction hath alighted upon us, and this knight is the most benedite of the knights by reason of thy coming to us. So who are thou, O youth, and whence is thine arrival, and whither is thine intent? He replied, I am Zain al-Asnam, and I seek one Mubarak, a slave of the Sultan of Vassara,

who deceased a year ago, and I am his son. Mubarak rejoined, what, sayest thou? Thou the son of the king of Bossaura? And the other retorted, Yea, verily, I am his son. Quoth Mubarak, In good sooth, my late lord the king of Bessora left no son known to me. But what may be thine name?

your youth, 20 years or so, quote the prince, presently adding, But thou, how long is it since thou leftest, my sire? I left him eighteen years ago, said the other. But, oh, my child, Zain al-Aznan, By what sign, hence thou assure me of thy being the son of my old master, the sovereign of Masorah? Said the prince,

Thou alone knowest that my father laid out beneath his palace Sassoutaran, and in this he placed forty jars of the finest green jasper, which he filled with pieces of antique gold. Also, that within a pavilion he builted a second palace, and set there in eight images of precious stones, each one of a single gem, and all seated upon royal seats of placer gold. He also wrote upon a silken hanging, a writ which I read and which bad may repair to thee, and thou wouldst inform me concerning the ninth statue, whereabouts it may be, assuring me that it is worth all the eight. Now when Mubarak heard these words, he fell at the feet of Zain al-Aznam and kissed them,

exclaiming, pardon me, O my lord, in very truth thou art the son of my old master, adding presently, I have spread, O my lord, a feast for all the grandees of Cairo, and I would that thy highness honor it by their presence. The prince replied, With love and the best will. Thereupon Mubarak arose and forewent Zain al-Asnam to the saloon which was full of the lords of the land there gathered together, and here he seated himself after establishing Zain al-Aznam in the place of honor.

Then he bade the tables be spread and the feast be served, and he waited upon the prince with arms, Christ. behind his back and at times falling upon his knees. So the grantees of Cairo marveled to see Mubarak one of the great men of the city serving the youth and wondered with extreme wonderment unknowing whence the stranger was. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and second night, quote Dunazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this

our night, and quoth to Harazad, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Mubarak fell to waiting upon Zain al-Aznam, the son of his old lord, and the grantees of Cairo there sitting, marveled to see Mubarak, one of the great men of the city, serving the youth, and wondered with extreme wonderment, and knowing whence the stranger was. After this they ate and drank and supped well, and were cheered till at last Mubarak turned towards them and said, O folk, admire not that I wait upon this young man with all worship and honor, for that he is the son of my old lord, the Sultan of Asora, who bought me with his money, and who died without an unemitting me. I am therefore bound to do service to his son, this my young

lord, and all that my hand possesseth of money and munition belongeth to him, nor own I art thereup at all at all. When the grandees of Cairo heard these words, they stood up before Zain al-Aznam and salamed to him with mighty great respect, and entreated him with high regard and blessed him. Then said the prince, O assembly, I am in the presence of your worships, and be ye my witnesses. For Mubarak, thou art now freed, and all thou hast of goods, gold and gear, erst belonging to us, becometh henceforth thine own, and thou art endowed with them for good, each and every. Ech do thou ask what so of importance thou wouldst have from me, for I will on no wise let or stay thee in thy requiring it. With this, Mubarak arose and kissed the hand of Zain al-Aznan, and thanked,

him for his booms, saying, O my lord, I wish for thee not save thy wheel, but the wealth that is with me is altogether overmuch for my wants. Then the prince abode with the freedmen four days, during which all the grandees

of Cairo made active presents day by day to offer their salams as soon as they heard men say, this is the master of Mubarak and the monarch of Basora. And whenas the guest had taken his rest, He said to his host, O Mubarak, my tarrying with thee hath been long. Whereto, said the other, thou wottest, O my lord,

that the matter wherein to thou comest to inquire is singular rare, but that it also involveeth risk of death, and I know not if thy valour can make the attainment thereto possible to thee. Rejoined Zain Ahaznam, know, O Mubarak, that opulence is gained only by blood, nor cometh aught upon mankind save by determination and predestination of the creator be he glorified and magnified so look to thine own stoutness of heart and take thou no thought of me thereupon mubarak forthright bed his slaves get them ready for wayfare so they obeyed his bidding in all things and mounted horse and travelled by light and dark over the wildest of wolves every day seeing matters and marbles which bewildered their wits sight they had never seen in all their years until they drew near unto a certain place.

There the party dismounted, and Mavarach bade the negro slaves and eunuchs bide on the spot, saying to them, do ye keep watch and ward over the beasts of Berthen and the horses, until what time we return to you? After this the twain set out together afoot, and quoth the freedmen to the prince, O my lord, here valiancy besitteth, or that Now thou art in the land of the image thou cameest to seek. And they ceased not walking till they reached a lake, a long water and a wide, where, quoth Mubarak to his companion, know, O my lord, that anon will come to us a little craft,

bearing a banner of azure tinct, and all its planks are of chonders and line aloes of comorin, the most precious of woods. And now I would charge thee with a charge the which must thou most diligent, observe. Ask the other, thou will see in that boat a boatman whose fashion is the reverse of man's, but beware, and again I say beware, lest thou utter a word, otherwise he will at once drown us. Learn also that this stead belongeth to the king of the gins, and that everything thou beholdersest is the work of the Jan. And Scheherazad was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her,

permitted say. When it was the five hundred and third night, Quote Dunazad, O sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy, tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quote, Scheherazade, It hath reached me, O king of the age,

that Bubarak and Zain al-Aznam came upon a lake, where behold, they found a little craft whose planks were chonders and line-allows of Comoran, and therein stood a fairy man with the head of an elephant, while the rest of his body wore the semblance of a lion. Presently he approached them, and, winding his trunk around them, lifted them both into the boat and seated them beside himself. Then he fell to paddling till he passed through the middle of the lake,

and he ceased not so doing until he had landed them on the further bank. here the twain took ground and began to pace forwards gazing around them the while and regarding the trees which bore for berthammergris and line-allows sandal cloves and jelsamine all with flowers and fruits be dressed whose odors broadened the breast and excited the sprite there also the birds warbled with various voices notes ravishing and rapturing the heart by the melodies of their music So Mubarak turned to the prince and asked him saying, How seest thou this place, O my lord? And the other answered, I deem O Mubarak, that in very truth this be the paradise promised to us by the prophet, whom Allah save and assain.

Thence they fared forwards, till they came upon a mighty fine palace, all builded of emeralds and rubies, with gates and doors of gold refined. It was fronted by a bridge one hundred, 150 cubits long to a breadth of 50, and the whole was one rib of a fish. At the further end thereof stood in numerous hosts of the Jan, all frightful of favor and fear-inspiring of figure, and each and every, hint in hand, javelins of steel which flashed to the sun like December 11.

Thereat, quote the prince to his companion, this be a spectacle which ravisheth the wits. and quoth Mubarak, it now behooveth that we abide in our places, nor advance further, lest there happen to us some mishap, and may Allah vouchsafe to us safety. Herewith he brought forth his pouch four strips of a yellow silken stuff, and zoning himself with one through the other over his shoulders, and he gave the two remaining pieces to the prince that he might do with them on likewise. Next, he disbred before either of them a waste shawl of white sandal, and then he pulled out of his poke sundry precious stones and scents and ambergris and eagle wood, and lastly, each took his seat upon the sars. And when both were ready, Mubarak repeated the following words to the prince

and taught him to pronounce them before the king of the John. Oh, my lord, sovereign of the spirits, we stand within thy precincts, and we throw ourselves on thy protection. Where to Sain alasna, added, and I adjure him earnestly that he accept of us. But Mubarak rejoined, O my Lord, by Allah I am in sore fear. Hear me, and he determined to accept us without hurt or harm, he will approach us in the semblance of a man, rare of beauty and comeliness. But if not, he will assume a form of frightful of,

terrifying. Now, and thou see him in his favorable shape, do thou arise forthright, and salam to him, and above all things, beware lest thou step beyond this thy cloth. The prince replied, To here is to obey, and the other continued, and let thy salam to him be thy saying, O king of the sprites and sovereign of the Jan and lord of earth, my sire the whileum sultan of lasora, whom the angel of death hath removed, as is not hidden from thy highness, was ever taken under thy protection, and I, like him, come to thee suing the same safeguard. And Sir Herazad was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and fourth night, quote Dunyazad, oh, sister mine, and thou be

other than sleepy, tell us one of thy fair tales, so that you. there we may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quoth, Scheherazade, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Mubarak felt a lessening Zain al-Aznan How he should salute the king of the gyms. And pursued, Likewise, O my lord, if he hail us with a gladsome face of welcome,

He will doubtless say thee, Ask what so thou wantest of me. And the moment he giveth thee his word, Do thou at once prefer thy petition, saying, oh my lord, I require of thy highness the ninth statue than which is not more precious in the world, and thou didst promise my father to vouchsafe me that saying. And after this, Mbar constructed his master how to address the king and crave of him the boon, and how to bespeak him with pleasant speech. Then he began his conjurations and fumigations and adjurations and recitations

of words, not understand it of any, and, but little time elapsed before cold rain down-railed, and lightning-fleshed, and thunder-rolled, and thick darkness veiled earth's face. Presently came forth a mighty rushing wind, and a voice like an earthquake, the quake of earth on judgment day. The prince, seeing these horrors, and citing that which he had never before seen or heard, trembled for terror in every limb. But, Barak fell to laughing at him and saying, Here not, O my lord, but that which thou dreadest is what we seek, for to us it is an earnest of glad tidings and success.

So be thou satisfied and hold thyself safe. After this the skies waxed clear and serene exceedingly, while perfumed winds and the purest sense breathed upon them. Nor did a long time elapse, ere the king of the Jan presented himself under the semblance of a beautiful man, who had no peering commonness save and accepting him who lack of likeness,

and to whom the honor and glory. He gazed at Zain al-Aznam with a gladsome aspect and a riot, whereat the prince arose forthright and recited the string of benedictions, taught to him by his companion, and the king said to him with a smiling favor, O Zain al-Aznam,

verily, I was wont to love thy sigh of his servant, sultan of a saw. And when he visited me ever, I used to give him an image of those thou sawst, each cut of a single gem. And thou also shall presently become to me honored as thy father, and yet more. There he died, I charged him to write upon the silken curtain the writ, thou readdest, and eke I gave promise and made covenant with him to take thee like thy parent under my safeguard, and to gift thee as I gifted him with an image, to witness. the ninth which is of greater worth than all those new by thee so now tis my desire to stand by my word and to afford thee my promised aid and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say End of Section 1.

Section 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This Libre Box recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. The Tale of Zane al-Aznan, Part 2. When it was the 505th night, quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, tell us what of thy fair tale? so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quoth Scheherazade,

It hath reached me, O king of the age, That the lord of the Jan said to the prince, I will take thee under my safeguard, And the sheikh thou sawest in thy swavens was myself, And I also twas who bade thee dig under thy palace down to the suturin, wherein thou sawest the crocs of gold and the figures of fine gems. I also well know wherefore thou art come hither, and I am he who caused thee to come, and I will give thee what thou seekest, for all that I would not give it to thy sire.

But tis on condition that thou return unto me, bringing a damsel whose ages fifteen, a maiden without rival or likeness in loveliness. Furthermore, she must be a pure virgin, and a clean maid, who hath never lustred for male, nor have ever been solicitous. of man and lastly thou must keep faith with me in safeguarding the girl when as thou returnest hither and beware lest thou play the traitor to her whilst thou bringest her to me to this purpose the prince swear a mighty strong oath adding o my lord thou hast indeed honoured me by requiring of me such service but truly t'lt be right hard for me to find a fair one like unto this and grant that i find one perfectly beautiful and young years after the requirement of thy highness, how shall I wait if she ever longed for mating with man, or that male ever lusted for her? replied the king, right thou art, O Zena al-Aznam, and verily this be a knowledge whereunto the sons of men may on no wise attain. However, I will

give thee a mirror of my own whose virtue is this. When thou shalt sight a young lady whose beauty and loveliness please thee, do thou open the glass, and if thou see therein her image clear and undimmed, do thou learn forthright that she is a clean maid without aught of defect or default, and endowed with every praiseworthy quality. But if contrary-wise the figure be found darkened or clothed in uncleanness, do thou straightway know that damsel is sullied by soil of sex? shouldst thou find her pure and gifted with all manner of good gifts, bring her to me, but beware not to offend with her into villainy, and if thou keep not faith and promise with me,

bear in mind that thou shalt loops thy life. Hereupon the prince made a stable and solemn pact with the king, a covenant of the sons of the sultans which may never be violated, and Jerazod was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permit. had say. When it was the five hundred and sixth night, Quote Dunyazad,

O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quoth Shaharazad, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the prince Saint Al-Alasnam made a stable and trustworthy compact to keep faith with the king of the Chan, and never to play traitor thereatoo,

but to bring the maid on to bien and aneur to that potentate who made over to her in the mirror, saying,

Oh, my son, take this looking-glass wherever I bespeak thee and depart straightway. Thereupon the prince and

Mubarak arose, and after blessing him, fared forth and journeyed back, until they made the lake-lit, where they sat

but a little, air appeared the boat which had brought them, bearing the genie with elevantine head and Leonine body,

and he was standing up ready for paddling. The Twain took passage with him, and this by command of the King of the John, until they reached Cairo, and returned to their quarters, where they abode whilst they rested from the travails of travel. Then the prince turned to his companion and said, Arise with us, and when we to Baghdad City, that we may look for some damsel such as the king describeth. And Mubarak replied, O my lord, we be in Cairo, a city of the cities, a wonder of the world, and here no doubt. doubt there is but that I shall find such a maiden, nor is there need that we fare therefore, to a far country.

St. al-Aznam rejoined, true for thee, O Mubarak, but what be the will and the way whereby to hit upon such a girl, and who shall go about to find her for us? Quoth the other, be not beaten and broken down, O my lord, by such difficulty. I have by me here an ancient dame, and cursive be the same, who maketh marriages. and she is past mistress in wiles and guiles, nor will she be hindered by the greatest of obstacles. So saying, he sent to summon the old trot and informed her that he wanted a damsel, perfect of beauty, and not past her fifteenth year, whom he would marry to the son of his lord. And he promised her sumptuous bachish and largesse, if she would do her very best endeavour.

Answered she, Oh, my lord, e'at rest, I will presently contrived to satisfy. thy requirement even beyond thy desire, for under my hand are damsels unsurpassible in beauty and loveliness, and all be the daughters of honorable men. But the old woman, a lord of the age, knew not anent the mirror. So she went forth to wander about the city and work on her well-known ways. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and seventh night, quote Dunyazade, O sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy,

Tell us one of thy fair tales, So therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night, And quoth Shahrazad, It hath reached me, O king of the age, That the old woman went forth to work on her well-known ways, And she wandered about town to find a maiden for the prince Zain Azna. Whatever notable beauty she saw, she would set before Mabarak. but each semblance as it was considered in the mirror showed exceedingly dark and dull,

and the inspector would dismiss the girl. This endured until the crone had brought to him all the damsels in Cairo, and not one was found whose reflection in the mirror showed clear, bright, and whose honour was pure and clean, in fact such as one as described by the king of the charm. Herewith, Mubarak, seeing that he had not found one in Cairo to please him, or who proved true and unsellied as the king of the janet required, determined to visit Baghdad. So they rose up and equipped them,

and set out, and in due time they made the city of peace, where they hired them a mighty fine mansion, a middlemost of the capital. Here they settled themselves in such comfort and luxury that the lords of the land would come daily to eat at their table, even the thirsting, and those who went forth the times, and what remained of the meat was distributed to the mascan and the miserable, also every poor stranger lodging in the mosques would come to the house and find a meal therefore the brute of them for generosity and liberality went abroad throughout the city and won for them notable name and the fairest of fame

nor did any ever speak of aught save the beneficence of zane al-asnam and his generosity and his opulence now the chanced to be in one of the cathedral mosques an imam abubakarheit a a ghostly man passing jealous and fulsome, who dwelt hard by the mansion wherein the prince and Mubarak abode. And he, when he heard of their lavish gifts and alms deeds, and honourable report, smitten by envy and malice and hatred, fell to devising how he might draw them into some calamity that might despoil the goods they enjoyed and destroy their lives, for it is the want of envy to fall, not save, upon the fortunate. So one day of the days, as he lingered in the mosque after mid-afternoon prayer, he came forwards amidst the folk and cried, O ye my brethren of the faith which is true and who bear testimony to the unity of the deity,

I would have you to weat that housed in this hour quarter are two men which be strangers, and happily ye have heard of them how they lavish and waste immense sums of money, in fact, money is beyond measure, and for my part, I have heard of them. I have heard of them. I have, I cannot but suspect that they are cut-perses and brigands, who commit robberies in their own country, and who came hither to expend their spoils. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and eighth night, quote Dunyazad, O, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy. Tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith me may cut short the waking hours of this our night.

and quoth sheherazad it hath reached me o king of the age that the imam in his jealousy of zayna alasnam and mubarak said to the congregation verily they be brigands and cut purses adding o believers of mohammed i counsel you in allah's name that ye guard yourselves against such a curses for happily the caliph shall in coming times hear of these twain and ye also shall fall with them into calamity i have hastened to caution you and having warned you i wash my hands of your business and after this do ye as ye judge fit all those present replied with one voice indeed we will do what so thou wishest us to do o abur bakr but when the imam heard this from them he arose and bringing forth ink-case and reed pen and a sheet of paper began indicting an address to the commander of the faith recounting all that was against the two strangers. However, by decree of destiny, Mubarak chanced to be in the mosque amongst the crowd when he heard the address of the blameworthy imam, and how he purposed applying by letter to the Caliph. So he delayed not at all, but returned home forthright, and taking an hundred dinars and packing up a parcel of costly clothes, silver-wrought-all, prepared in haste to the reverence quarters and knocked the door. The preacher came and opened to him, but citing Mubarak, he asked him in anger,

What is thou wantest, and who art thou? Where to the other answer? I am Mubarak and at thy service, O my master the Imam Abu Bakr. And I come to thee from my lord the emir Zain al-Aznan, who, hearing of and learning thy religious knowledge and ripe fair repute in the city, would fain make acquaintance with thy worship and do by thee what so behoove with him also he hath sent me to thee with these garments and this spending money hoping excuse of thee for that this be a minor matter compared with your honour's deserves but inshallah after this he will not fail in whatever to thee is due as soon as alabaka saw the coin and gold and the bundle of clothes he answered mabarak saying i crave pardon o my lord of thy master the emir for that i have been ashamed of waiting upon him and repentance is right hard upon me for that i have failed to do my devour by him wherefore i hope that thou wilt be my deputy in imploring him to pardon my

fault, and the creator willing, Tomorrow I will do what is incumbent upon me, and fare to offer my services, and proffer the honour which besiemeth me. Rejoined Mubarak, the end of my master's wishes is to see thy worship, O my Lord Abubacher, and be exalted by thy presence, and therethru to win a blessing.

So saying, he bust the reverence hand, and returned to his own place. On the next day, as Abu Bakr was leading the dawn prayer of Friday, he took his station amongst the folk, a middlemost the mosque, and cried, Oh, our brethren the moslems great and small, and folk of Muhammad one and all, know ye that envy falleth not save upon the wealthy and praiseworthy

and never descended upon the mean and miserable. I would have me what, as regards the two strangers whom yesterday I misspeaked, that one of them is an emir, high in honour, and son of most reputable parents, in view of being, as I was informed by one of his enviors, a cut-purse, and a brigand. Of this matter I have made certain,

that it is a lying report, so beware, lest any of you say aught against him, or speak evil in regard to the emir, even as I heard yesterday. otherwise you will cast me and cast yourselves into the sorrest of calamities with the prince of true believers for a man like this of exalted degree may not possibly take up his abode in our city of baghdad unbeknown to the valif and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and ninth night quoth dunazad o'sad o's sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy. Tell us one of thy fair tales.

So therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quote, Sheherazad, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Abu Bakr the Imam, uprooted on such wise from the minds of men, the evil which he had implanted by his own words, thrown out against the emir Zain al-Azna. But when he had ended congregational prayers and returned to his home, he dawned his long gaberdine,

and made weighty his skirts and lengthened his sleeves, after which he took the road to the mansion of the prince. And when he went in, he stood up before the stranger and did him honour with the highmost distinction. Now, Zain alasnam was by nature conscientious, albeit young in years, so he returned the Imam Abu Bakr's civilities with all courtesy, and seating himself beside him on his high-raised van,

bad bring for him ambergrist coffee. then the tables were spread for breakfast and the twain ate and drank their sufficiency, whereafter they fell to chatting like boon companions. Presently, the imam asked the prince, saying, Oh, my Lord Zain al-Aznam, does the highness design residing long in this our city of Baghdad? And the other answered, yes indeed, O'er Lord the Imam, tis my intention to tarry here for a while, until such time as my requirement shall be fulfilled. The Imam inquired,

And what may be the requirement of my lord the emir? Happily, when I hear it, I may devote my life thereto until I can fulfill it. Quote the prince, My object is to marry a maiden who must be comely exceedingly, aged fifteen years, pure chaste virginal, whom man hath never soiled, and who, during all her days, never lusted for male kind.

Moreover, she must be unique for being. beauty and loveliness. The Imam rejoined, Oh, my lord, this be a thing hard of finding indeed, hard exceedingly. But I know a damsel of that age who answereth to that description. Her father, a vizier who resigned succession and office of his own free will, now dwelleth in his mansion, jealously over watching his daughter and her education. And I opine that this maiden will suit the fancy of thy highness, whilst she will rejoice. and emir such as thyself, and eke her parents will be equally well pleased.

The prince replied, inshallah, this damsel, whereof thou speakest will suit me and supply my want, and the furtherance of my desire shall be at thy hands. But, O our lord, the Imam, tis my wish first of all things, to look upon her, and see if she be pure or otherwise, and as regarding her singular comeliness, my conviction is that thy word sufficeeth, and thine avauchement is veridical. Of her purity, however, even thou canst not bear sure in certain testimony in respect to that condition. Ask the imam, how is it possible for you, O my lord the emir, to learn from her face aught of her and her honour? Also, whether she be pure or not. Indeed, if this be known to your highness, you must be an adept in physiognomy. However, if your highness be willing to accompany me,

I will bear you to the mansion of her sire, and make you acquainted with him. So shall he set her before you. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and tenth night, quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, tell us one of thy fair tale. so therewith me may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quoth, Scheherazade, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Imam Abu Bakr took the prince

and passed with him into the mansion of the vizier. And when they entered, both salamed to the housemaster, and he rose and received them with greetings, especially when he learned that an emir had visited him, and he understood from the imman, that Zeynalaznam inclined to wed his daughter. so he summoned her to his presence and she came whereupon he bade her raise her face veil and when she did his bidding the prince considered her and was amazed and perplexed at her beauty and loveliness he never having seen aught that rivaled her in brightness and brilliancy so quoth he in his mind would to heaven i could win a damsel like this or yet this one be to me unlawful thinking thus he drew

forth the mirror from his pouch, and considered her image carefully, when, lo, and behold, the crystal was bright and clean as virgin silver, and when he eyed her semblance in the glass, he saw it pure as a white dove's. Then sent he forth right for the Cassie and witnesses, and they knotted the knot and wrote the writ, and the bride was duly thrown. Presently the prince took the vassier, his father-in-law, into his own mansion, and to the young lady, he sent a present of costly jewels, and it was a notable marriage festival. None like it was ever seen. No, never. Zain al-Asnam applied himself to inviting the folk right royally, and did honor due to Abu Bakr, Imam, giving him abundant gifts, and forwarded to the bride's

father offerings of notable rarities. As soon as the wedding ended, Mubarak said to the prince, O my lord, let us arise and wind our ways, lest we lose our time in leisure, for that we sought is now found. Said the prince, Right thou art, And arising with his companion, The twain fell to equipping them for travel

And get ready for the bride a covered litter To be carried by camels, And they set out. With all Mubarak well knew That the prince was deep in love to the young lady, So he took him aside and said to him, O my Lord Zain al-Aaznam, I would warn thee, and enjoin thee to keep watch and ward upon thy senses and passions, and to observe and preserve the pledge by thee plighted to the king of the John.

O Mubarak, replied the prince, and thou knew the love-longing and ecstasy which have befallen me of my love to this young lady. Thou would spue Ruth for me. Indeed I never think of all else Save of taking her to Basora And of going in unto her Mubarak rejoined O my Lord Keep thy faith and be not false to thy pact

Lest a sore harm betide thee And the loss of thy life As well as that of the young lady Remember the oath thou swearest Nor suffer lust to lay thy reason low And to spoil thee of all thy gains And thine honour and thy life do thou o muvara retorted the prince become warden over her nor allow me ever to look upon her anne cheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say

when it was the five hundred and eleventh night quoth dunyazad oh sister mine and thou be other than sleepy tell us one of thy fair tales so therewith me may cut short the waking hours of this our night and quoth shahrazad it hath reached meo king of the age that mubarak after warning zane alasnang to protect the virgin bride against himself fell also to defending her as his deputy also he prevented the prince from even looking upon her They then travelled along the road under the island of the Jahn, after they had passed by the line leading unto Miser. But when the bride saw that the wayfair had waxed longsome, nor had beheld her bridegroom for all that time since the wedding night, she turned to Mubarak and said, Allah upon thee, inform me, O Mubarak,

by the life of thy lord the emir, have we fared this far distance by commandment of my bridegroom, Prince Sain alazna? said he ah oh my lady sore indeed is thy case to me yet must i disclose to thee the secret thereof which be this thou imagineest that zain al aznam the king of hessor is thy bridegroom but alas tis not so he is no husband do thine nay the deed he drew up was a mere pretext in the presence of thy parents and thy people and now thou art going as a bride to the king of the john who required thee of the prince when the young lady heard these words she fell to shedding tears and zain alasn wept for her weeping bitter tears from the excess of his love and affection then quoth the young lady ye have no pity in you nor feeling for me neither fear ye ought of allah that seeing in me a stranger maiden ye cast me into a calamity like this what reply shall ye return to the lord on the day of reckoning for such treason ye work upon me however her words and her weeping availed her not for that they stinted not wayfaring with her until they reached the king of the john to whom they forthright on arrival made offer of her

when he considered the damsel she pleased him so he turned to zane alasnam and said to him verily the bride thou broughtest me is exceeding beautiful and passing of loveliness yet lovelier and more beautiful to me appear thy true faith and the mastery of the mastery of thine own passions, thy marvelous purity and valiance of heart. So, hide thee to thy home, and the ninth statue, wherefore thou askest me, by thee shall be found beside the other images, for I will send it by one of my slaves of the John. Hereupon Zain al-Asnam kissed his hand and marched back with Mubarak to Cairo, for he would not abide long with his companion, but as soon as he was rested, of his extreme long, and anxious yearning to see the ninth statue, he hastened his travel homewards. With all he ceased not to be thoughtful and sorrowful concerning his maiden wife,

and on account of her beauty and loveliness, and he would fall to groaning and crying. Oh, for my lost joys whose cause was thou, O singular in every charm and attraction, thou whom I bore away from thy parents, and carried to the king of the king of the king. john alas and woe worth the day and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say When it was the five hundred and twelfth night, quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night, and quoth Scheherazad, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Zain al-Asnam fell to chiding himself for the deceit and treason, which he had practiced upon the young lady's parents, and for bringing and offering her to the king of the John. then he set out nor ceased traveling till such time as he reached Vassara when he entered his palace,

and after saluting his mother he apprised her of all things that had befallen him. She replied, arise o my son, that we may look upon the ninth statue, for I rejoice with extreme joy at his being in our possession. So both descended into the pavilion, where stood the eight images of precious gems, and here they found a mighty marble. "'Twas this. In view of seeing the ninth statue upon the golden throne, "'they found, seated thereon, the young lady whose beauty suggested the sun. "'Zain al-Aznam knew her at first sight,

"'and presently she addressed him, saying, "'Marvel not, for that here thou findest me in place of that wherefore thou askest. "'And I deem that thou shalt not regret nor repent "'when thou acceptest me instead of that thou soughtest,' said he, No, by Allah, oh, life-blood of my heart, Verily thou art the end of every wish of me, nor would I exchange thee for all the gems of the universe? Would thou know what was the sorrow which surcharged me

On account of our separation, And of my reflecting that I took thee from my parents by fraud, And I bore thee as a present to the king of the John? Indeed, I had well-nigh determined to forfeit all my prophet of the ninth statue, and to bear thee away to Basara as my own bride, when my comrade and counsel had dissuaded me from so doing, lest I bring about my death, and thy death. Nor had Zain alasnam ended his words,

ere they heard the roar of thunderings that would rend a mount, and shake the earth, whereup the queen-mother was seized with mighty fear and affright. But presently appeared the king of the chins, who said to her, Oh, my lady, feared not, "'Tis I, the protector of thy son, "'whom I fondly affect for the affection born to me by his sire.

"'I also am he who manifested myself to him in his sleep, "'and my object therein was to make trial of his valiance, "'and to learn and he could do violence to his passions "'for the sake of his promise, "'or whether the beauty of this lady would so tempt and allure him "'that he could not keep his promise to me with due regard.' "'And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn, of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the five hundred and thirteenth night, quote Dunyassad, Oh, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy. Tell us one of thy fair tales, so therewith we may cut short the waking hours of this our night. And quoth Scheherazade, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the king of the John said to the queen mother, Indeed, Zain al-Aznam hath not kept faith and covenant with all not, as regards the young lady, in that he longed for her to become his wife. However, I am assured that this lapse befell him from man's natural and inherent frailty,

albeit I repeatedly enjoined him to defend and protect her until he concealed from her his face. Now I accept this man's valour, and bestow her upon him to wife, for she is the ninth statue by me promised to him, and she is fairer than all these jeweled images, the like of her not being found in the whole world of men, save by the rarest of chances. Then the king of the Jan turned to the prince and said to him, O emir Zain al-Aznan, this is thy bride. Take her and enjoy her. Upon the one condition that thou love her only, nor choose for thyself another one in addition to her. And I pledge myself that her faith bewards will be of the fairest. Hereupon the king of the John disappeared, and the prince, gladdened and rejoicing, went forth with

the maiden, and for his love and affection to her, he paid to her the first ceremonious visit that same night, and he made bride-feasts and banquets throughout his realm, and in due time he formerly wedded her and went in unto her. Then he established himself upon the throne of his kingship, and ruled it, bidding and forbidding, and his consort became queen of Basora. His mother left this life a short while afterwards, and they both mourned and lamented their loss. Lastly, he lived with his wife in all joints of life

till there came to them the destroyer of delights and the separator of societies. And Scheherazade ceased to say her pleasant say. Quote Dunaya said, Oh, sister mine, how rare is thy tale, and delectable. Where to, quote, Sahrazad, and what is this, compared with that I would relate to you

on the coming night concerning Aladdin and the enchanted lamb. And this, my lord, the king, leave me on life. The king said to himself, By Allah, I will not slay her until she tell me the whole tale. End of section two. section three of the book of the thousand nights and a night volume thirteen translated by richard francis burton this liver-box recording is in the public domain read by thomas copeland aladdin or the wonderful lamp part one

when it was the five hundred and fourteenth night quoth dunya said to shahrazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy plight pleasant tales, and Scheherazade began to relate the story of Aladdin, or the wonderful lamp. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that there dwelt in a city of the cities of China, a man which was a tailor, with all a pauper, and he had one son, Aladdinite. Now, this boy had been from his babyhood, a ne'er-do-well, escape grace, and when he reached his tenth year, his father inclined to teach him his own trade. And for that he was over-indigent to expend money upon his learning other work or craft or apprenticeship, he took the lad into his shop that he might be taught tailoring. But as Aladdin was a scapegrace and a ne'er-do-well, and went to play at all time

was at the gutter boys of the quarter, he would not sit in the shop for a single day. Nay, he would await his father's leaving it for some purpose, such as to meet a creditor, when he would run off at once and fare forth to the gardens with the other scapegraces and low companions, his fellows. Such was his case. Counsel and castigation were of no avail, nor would he obey either parent in ought, or learn any trade. And presently, for his sadness and sorrowing because of his son's vicious indolence, the tailor sickened and died. Aladdin continued in his former ill-cour and when his mother saw that her spouse had deceased and that her son was a scapegrace and good for nothing at all, she sold the shop and what so was to be found therein and fell to spinning cotton yarn.

By this toilsome industry she fed herself and found food for her son Aladdin, the scapegrace, who, seeing himself freed from bearing the severities of his sire, increased in idleness and low habits, nor would he ever stay at home, save at meal hours, while his miserable wretched mother lived only by what her hands could spin until the youth had reached his fifteenth year and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the five hundred and fifteenth night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good-will it hath reached me o king of the age that when aladdin had come to his fifteenth year it befell one day of the days that as he was sitting about the quarter at play with the vagabond boys behold a darwesh from the magrib the land of the setting sun came up and stood gazing for solace upon the lads and he looked hard at aladdin and carefully considered his semblance scarcely noticing his companions the while now this dowish was a moorman from inner morocco and he was a magician who could upheap by his magic hill upon hill and he was also an adept in astrology

so after narrowly considering aladdin he said in himself verily this is the lad i need and to find whom i have left my natal land presently he led one of the children apart and questioned him and the scape grace, saying, Who son is he? And he sought all information concerning his condition and what so related to him. After this, he walked up to Aladdin and drawing him aside, asked,

O my son, happily, thou art the child of Sutton One the tailor? And the lad answered, Yes, O my Lord, but tis long since he died. The Magrabi, the magician, hearing these words, threw himself upon Aladdin and wound his arms around his neck and fell to busing him, weeping the while with tears

trickling adown his cheeks. But when the lad saw the Mormon's case, he was seized with surprise thereat and questioned him, saying, What cause of thee weep o my lord? And how cameest thou to know my father? How canst thou, O my son, replied the Mormon in a soft voice, saddened by emotion, question me with such query, after informing me that thy father and my brother is deceased, for that he was my brother German, and now I come from my adopted country, and after long exile I rejoiced with exceeding joy in the hope of looking upon him once more, and condoling with him over the past, and now thou hast announced to me his demise. But blood hith not from blood, and it hath revealed to me,

that thou art my nephew, son of my brother, and I knew thee amongst all the lads, albeit thy father when I parted from him, was yet unmarried. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and sixteenth night, quote Dunyazade, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age,

that the Magrabi, the magician, said to the tailor's orphan, Oh, my son Aladdin, and I have now failed in the morning ceremonies and have lost the delight I expected for meeting thy father, my brother, whom after my long banishment I had hoped to see once more ere I die.

But far distance wrought me this trouble, nor hath the creature ought of asylum from the Creator, or artifice against the commandments of Allah Almighty. Then he again clasped Aladdin to his bosom, crying, Oh, my son, I have none to condole with now save thyself, and thou standest instead of thy sire, thou being his issue and representative, and whoso leaveth issue dieth not, o my child. So saying the magician put hand to purse, and pulling out ten gold pieces, gave them to the

asking, Oh, my son, where is your house, and where dwelleth she, thy mother, and my brother's widow? Presently Aladdin arose with him, and showed him the way to their home, and meanwhile, quote the wizard, O my son, take these monies and give them to thy mother, greeting her from me, and let her know that thine uncle, thy father's brother, hath reappeared from his exile, and that, insula, God willing, on the morrow, I will visit her. to salute her with the salaam, and see the house wherein my brother was homeed, and look upon the place where he lieth buried. Thereupon Aladdin kissed the Magrabi's hand,

and after running in his joy at fullest speed to his mother's dwelling, entered to her clean contrary wise to his custom, inasmuch as he never came near her, save at mealtimes only. And when he found her, the lad exclaimed in his delight, Oh, my mother, I give the glad tidings of mine uncle, who hath returned from his exile, and who now sendeth me to salute thee. O my son, she replied, may seemeth thou mockest me. Who is this uncle, and how canst thou have an uncle in the bonds of life?

He rejoined, How sayest thou, my mother, that I have no living uncles nor kinsman, when this man is my father's own brother? Indeed, he embraced me and bust me, shedding tears the while, and bade me acquaint thee herewith. She retorted, "'Oh, my son, well, I what thou hadst an uncle. But he is now dead, nor am I aware that thou hast other eam?' And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the five hundred and seventeenth night, quote Dunyazad, "'Oh, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheheresad replied, With love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Moroccan magician fared forth next morning, and fell to finding out Aladdin,

for his heart no longer permitted him to depart from the lad. And as he was towing and froing about the city highways, he came face to face with him, to sporting himself, as was as one, amongst the vagabonds and the scapegraces. So he drew near to him, and, taking his hand, embraced him and bust him, then pulled out of his poke two dinars, and said, "'Hie thee to thy mother, and give her these couple of dockets, and tell her that thine uncle would eat the evening meal with you. So do thou take these two gold pieces and prepare for us a succulent supper?

But before all things, show me once more the way to your home. on my head and mine eyes be it o my uncle replied the lad and forewent him pointing out the street leading to the house then the moorman left him and went his ways and aladdin ran home and giving the news and the two sequins to his parents said my uncle would sup with us so she arose straightway and going to the market street bought all she required then returning to her dwelling she borrowed from the neighbors whatever was needed of pans and platter and so forth. And when the meal was cooked and suppertime came, she said to Aladdin, O my child, the meat is ready, but peradventure thine uncle woteth not the way to our dwelling. So do thou fare forth, and meet him on the road. He replied, To hear is to obey. And before the twain ended talking, a knock was heard at the door. Aladdin went out and opened when, behold the Magrabi, the magician, together with the eunuch, carrying the wine,

and the dessert fruits. So the lad led them in, and the slave went about his business. The more man, on entering, saluted his sister-in-law with the salami, then began to shed tears and to question her, saying, "'Where are the place whereon my brother went to sit?' She showed it to him, whereat he went up to it and prostrated himself in prayer,

and kissed the floor, crying, "'Oh, how scant is my satisfaction, and how luckless is my lot?' for that I have lost thee, oh, my brother, O vain of my eye. And after such fashion, he continued weeping and wailing, till he spooned away for excessive sobbing and lamentation,

wherefore Aladdin's mother was certified of his suffastness. So, coming up to him, she raised him from the floor and said, What gain is there in slaying thyself? And Scheherazade was surprised for the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and eight, night, Quote Duna Zad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazad replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age,

that Aladdin's mother began consoling the Maghrabi, the magician, and placed him upon the divan, and as soon as he was seated at his ease, and before the food trays were served up, he fell to talking with her and saying, O wife of my brother, it must be a wonder to thee how in all thy days thou never sawest me, nor learnedst thou ought of me during the lifetime of my brother who hath found mercy.

Now, the reason is that forty years ago I left this town and exiled myself from my birthplace and wandered forth over all the lands of Al-Hind and Al-Sind, and entered Egypt, and settled for a long time in its magnificent city, which is one of the world wonders, till at last I fare to the regions of the setting sun, and abode for a space of thirty years in the Moroccan interior.

Now one day of the days, a wife of my brother, as I was sitting alone at home, I fell to thinking of mine own country, and of my birthplace, and of my brother who have found mercy, and my yearning to see him waxed excessive, and I bewept and bewailed my strangerhood, and distance from him. and at last my longings drave me homewards until I resolved upon travelling to the region which was the thalling place of my head and my homestead to the end that I might again see my brother

then quoth i to myself o man how long wilt thou wander like a wild arab from thy place of birth a native stead moreover thou hast one brother and no more so up with thee and travel and look upon him ere thou die for who wotteth the woes of the world in the changes of the days to be saddest regret and thou lie down to die without beholding thy brother and allah la la la la hath vouchsafe vouchsafe the age ample wealth, and be like, he may be straightened and in poor case, when thou wilt aid thy brother as well as see him. So I arose at once and equipped me for wayfair, and recited the fatia. Then, when as Friday prayers ended, I mounted and traveled to this town, after suffering manifold toils and travails which I patiently endured whilst the Lord, to whom the honor and glory, veiled me with the veil of his protection. So I entered, and whilst wandering about the streets the day before yesterday,

I beheld my brother's son Aladdin, disporting himself with the boys. And by God the great, a wife of my brother, the moment I saw him, this heart of mine went forth to him, for blood urneth unto blood. And my soul felt and informed me that he was my very nephew. So I forgot all my travels and troubles at once unsighting him, and I was like to fly for joy. But when he told me of the dear one's departure to the Ruth of Allah Almighty, I fainted for stress of distress and disappointment.

Perchance, however, my nephew hath informed thee of the pains which prevailed upon me. But after a fashion, I am consoled by the sight of Aladdin, the legacy bequeathed to us by him who had found mercy, for that whoso leave with issue is not wholly dead. and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and nineteenth night, quote Dunazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales,

whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O'King of the age, that the Magrabi, the magician, said to Aladdin's mother, who so leaveth issue is not wholly dead. And when he looked at his sister-in-law, she wept at these his words. So he turned to the lad that he might cause her forget the mention of her mate, as a means of comforting her and also of completing his deceit, and asked him, saying, O my son Aladdin, what hast thou learned in the way of work, and what is thy business?

Say me, hast thou mastered any craft whereby to earn a livelihood for thyself and for thy mother? The lad was abashed and put to shame, and he hung down his head and bowed his brow groundwards. But his parents spake out. How, forsook, by Allah, he knoweth nothing at all, a child so ungracious as this I never get soft. No, never. All the day along he idleth away his time with the sons of the quarter, vagabonds like himself. And his father, oh regret of me, died not save of Dola for him. and I also am now in piteous plight.

I's been cotton and toil at my distaff night and day, that I may earn a couple of scorns of bread which we eat together. This is his condition, oh, my brother-in-law, And by the life of thee he cometh not near me, save at meal-times, and none other. Indeed, I am thinking to lock the house-door, nor ever open to him again, But leave him to go and seek a livelihood whereby he can live, for that I am now grown a woman in years and have no longer strength to toil and go about for a maintenance after this fashion. Oh, Allah, I am compelled to provide him with daily bread when I require to be provided.

Hereat the Mormon turned to Aladdin and said, Why is this, old son of my brother, thou goest about in such ungraciousness? Tis a disgrace to thee, and unsuitable for men like thyself. Thou art a youth of sense, oh, my son, and the child of my son, and the child of my brother. honest folk, so tis for thee a shame that thy mother, a woman in years, should struggle to support thee. And now that thou hast grown to man's estate, it becometh thee to devise thee some device whereby thou canst live o my child. Look around thee, and Alam, donalah, praise me to Allah, in this our town are many teachers and all manner of crafts, and nowhere are there more numerous.

So choose thee some calling which may please thee, to the end that I establish thee. therein. And when thou growest up, o my son, thou shalt have some business whereby to live. Happily thy father's industry may not be to thy liking, and if so it be, choose thee some other handicraft which suiteth thy fancy. Then let me know, and I will aid thee with all I can, on my son. But when the Maghrabi saw that Aladdin kept silence, and made him no reply, he knew that the lad wanted none other occupation than escape Grace's life, so he said to him, oh son of my brother let not my words seem hard and harsh to thee for if despite all i say thou still dislike to learn a craft i will open thee a merchant store furnished with costliest stuffs and thou shalt become famous amongst the folk and take and give and buy and sell and be well known in the city now when aladdin heard the words of his uncle the moorman and the design of making him a quaja merchant and gentleman

he joyed exceedingly knowing that such folk dress handsomely and fair delicately so he looked at the maghravi smiling and gooping his head groundwards and saying with the tongue of the case that he was content and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and twentieth night quoth dunyazad oh says to mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Sir Herazad replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Magrabi, the magician, looked at Leladon and saw him smiling,

whereby he understood that the lad was satisfied to become a traitor. So he said to him, Since thou art content that I open the merchant store and make thee a gentleman, do thou, O son of my brother, prove thyself a man, and, inshalla, God willing,

tomorrow I will take thee to the bazaar in the first place, and will have a fine suit of clothes cut out for thee, such gear as merchants wear. And secondly, I will look after a store for thee and keep my word. Now, Aladdin's mother had somewhat doubted the Moroccan being her brother-in-law, but as soon as she heard his promise of opening a merchant store for his son and setting him up with stuffs and capital and so forth, the woman decided and determined in her mind that this Mugrabi,

was, in very soon, her husband's brother, seeing that no stranger man would do such goodly deed by her son. So she began directing the lad to the right road and teaching him to cast ignorance from out his head and to prove himself a man. Moreover, she bade him ever obey his excellent uncle, as though he were his son, and to make up for the time he had wasted in frowardness with his fellows.

After this, she arose and spread the table, then served up supper. So all sat down and fell to eating and drinking, while the Magrabi conversed with Aladdin upon matters of business and the like, rejoicing him to such a degree that he enjoyed no sleep that night. But when the moorman saw that the dark hours were passing by and the wine was drunken, he arose and sped to his own stead. But air-going, he agreed to return next morning and take Aladdin, and looked to his suit of merchant's clothes being cut out for him. And as soon as it was dawn, behold, the Mugrabi wrapped at the door, which was opened by Aladdin's mother. The more man, however, would not enter,

but asked to take the lad with him to the market street. Accordingly, Aladdin went forth to his uncle, and, wishing him good morning, kissed his hand. And the Moroccan took him by the hand and fared with him to the bazaar. there he entered a clothier's shop containing all kinds of clothes and called for a suit of the most sumptuous, whereat the merchant brought out his need, all holy-fashioned and ready sown, and the moorman said to the lad, choose, oh, my child, what so pleaseeth thee. Aladdin rejoiced exceedingly, seeing that his uncle had given him his choice,

so he picked out the suit most to his own liking, and the Moroccan paid to the merchant the price there of in ready money. presently he led the lad to the Hammam baths where they bathed. Then they came out and drank sherbetts, after which Aladdin arose, and dawning his new dress in huge joy and delight, went up to his uncle and kissed his hand and thanked him for his favors. And Shaharazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and twenty-first night, quote Dunyazade,

O sister mine, And thou be other than sleepy, Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, With love and goodwill. It has reached Meo, king of the age, That the Magrabi, the magician, After leaving the Hamam with the Latin,

took him and trudged with him to the merchant's bazaar, And having diverted him by showing the market and its sellings and buyings, said to him, O my son, it besiteth thee to become familiar with the folk, especially with the merchants, so thou mayest learn of them merchant craft, seeing that the same hath now become my calling. Then he led him forth and showed him the city and its cathedral mosques, together with all the pleasant sights therein,

and lastly made him enter a cook's shop. Here dinner was served to them on platters of silver, and they dined well and ate and drank their sufficientness. after which they went their ways. Presently the Moorman pointed out to Aladdin the pleasances and noble buildings, and went in with him to the Sultan's palace, and diverted him with displaying all the apartments which were mighty fine and grand, and led him finally to the calm of stranger merchants,

where he himself had his abode. Then the Moroccan invited sundry traders, which were in the caravansaray, and they came and sat down to supper. when he notified to them that the youth was his nephew, Aladdin, by name. And after they had eaten and drunken and night had fallen, he rose up and taking the lad with him, led him back to his mother, who no sooner saw her boy as he were one of the merchants, then her wits took flight and she waxed sad for very gladness.

Then she fell to thanking her false connection, the Moorman, for all his benefits, and said to him, O, my brother-in-law, I can never say enough, though I expressed my gratitude to thee during the rest of thy days, and praised thee for the good deeds thou hast done by this, my child. Thereupon, quote the Moroccan,

O wife of my brother, deem this not mere kindness of me, for that the lad is my known son, and is incumbent on me to stand in the stead of my brother, his sire. So be thou fully satisfied. and both she, I pray Allah by the honour of the halves, the ancients, and the moderns, that he preserve thee and cause thee to continue,

O my brother-in-law, and prolong for me thy life. So shall thou be a wing overshadowing this orphan lad, and he shall ever be obedient to thine orders, nor shall he do aught save what so thou biddest him thereunto. The Magrabi replied, O wife of my brother, Aladdin is now a man of sense and the son of goodly folk, and I hope to Allah that he will follow in the footsteps of his sire,

and cool thine eyes. But I regret that tomorrow, being Friday, I shall not be able to open his shop, as tis meeting day when all the merchants after congregational prayer go forth with the gardens and pleasances. On the Sabbath, however, in Shallah, and it please the Creator, we will do our business. Meanwhile, tomorrow I will come to thee betimes

And take Aladdin for a pleasant stroll to the gardens And pleasances without the city, Which haply he may hitherto not have beheld. There also he shall see the merchants and notables Who go forth to amuse themselves. So shall he become acquainted with them, and they with him. And Jehazade was surprised by the dawn of day, And ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the five hundred and twenty-second night, quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, And there'll be other than sleepy, Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Peripancherazad replied, With love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age,

that the Magrabi went away And lay that night in his quarters, And early next morning he came to the tailor's house And rapt at the door. Now Aladdin, for stress of his delight In the new dress he had donned, and for the past day's enjoyment in the hamam and in eating and drinking and gazing at the folk expecting furthermore his uncle to come at dawn and carry him off on pleasuring to the gardens had not slept a wink that night nor closed his eyelids and would hardly believe it when day broke but hearing the knock of the door he went out at once in hot haste like a spark of fire and opened and saw his uncle the magician who embraced him and kissed him then taking his hand the moorman said to him as they fared to him

forth together, O son of my brother, this day will I show thee a sight thou never sawest in all thy life. And he began to make the lad laugh and cheer him with pleasant talk. So doing, they left the city gate, and the Moroccan took to promenading with Aladdin amongst the gardens, and to pointing out for his pleasure the mighty fine pleasances and the marvellous high-builded pavilions. And whenever they stood to stare at a garth or a mansion or a palace, the Mugravi would say to his companion, doth this please thee o son of my brother aladdin was nigh to fly with delight at seeing sights he had never seen in all his born days and they ceased not to stroll about and solace themselves until they waxed a weary when they entered a mighty grand garden which was near hand a place that the heart delighted and the sight delighted for that its swift-running rills flowed amidst the flowers and the waters jetted from the jaws of lions moulded in yellow brass, blackened a gold. So they took seat over against a lakelet and rested a little while,

and Aladdin enjoyed himself with joy exceeding, and fell to jesting with his uncle and making merry with them, as though the magician were really his father's brother. Presently, the Magravia rose, and Lusinger's girdle drew forth from there under a bagful of vittle, dried fruits, and so forth, saying to Aladdin, oh, my nephew, happily thou art become unhungered, so come forward and eat what thou needest accordingly the lad fell upon the food and the more man ate with him and they were gladdened and cheered by rest and good cheer then quoth the magician arise o son of my brother and that we reposed and let us stroll onwards a little and reach the end of our walk thereupon aladdin arose and the moroccan paced with him from garden to garden until they left all behind them and reached the base of a high high and naked hill. When the lad, who during all his days, had never issued from the city gate, and never in his life had walked such a walk as this, said to the Mugrabi, oh, uncle mine,

whither are we wending? We have left the gardens behind us one and all, and have reached the barren hill country, and if the way be still long, I have no strength left for walking. Indeed, I am ready to fall with fatigue. There are no gardens before us, so, Let us hark back and return to town, said the magician. No, oh, my son, this is the right road, nor are the gardens ended, for we are going to look at one which hath ne'er its like amongst those of the kings, and all thou hast beheld are not in comparison therewith. Then gird thy courage to walk.

Thou are nor a man, al-hamdal-dala, praise be to Allah. Then the Magravi fell to soothing Aladdin with soft words, and telling him wondrous tales lies as well as truth until they reached the sight intended by the african magician who had travelled from the sunset land to the regions of china for the sake thereof and when they made the place the more man said to aladdin o son of my brother sit thee down and take thy rest for this is the spot we are now seeking and inshallah soon will i divert thee by displaying marvel matters whose like not one in the world ever saw nor hath any solaced himself with gazing upon that which thou art about to behold and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and twenty-third night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good will it hath reached me o king of the age that the magrabi wizard said to aladdin no one of created beings hath enjoyed the sights thou art about to see but when thou art rested arise and seek some wood-ships and fuel-sticks which be small and dry wherewith we may kindle a fire then will i show thee o son of my brother matters beyond the range of matter now when the lad heard these words he longed to look upon what his uncle was about to do

and forgetting his fatigue he rose forthright and fell to gathering small wood chips and dry sticks and continued until the moorman cried to him enough o son of my brother presently the magician brought out from his breast pocket a casket which he opened and drew from it all he needed of incense then he fumigated and conjured and adjured muttering words none might understand and the ground straightway clave asunder after thick loom and quake of earth and bellowings of thunder. Hereat Aladdin was startled and so affrighted that he tried to fly. But when the African magician saw his design, he waxed wroth with exceeding wrath, for that without the lad, his work would profit him not, the hidden hoard which he sought to open, being not to be open, saved by means of Aladdin. So, noting this attempt to run away, the magician arose, and, raising his hand, smote Aladdin on the head a buffet so sore that well-nigh his back teeth were knocked out, and he fell swooning to the ground. But after a time he

revived by the magic of the magician, and cried, weeping the while, Oh, my uncle, what have I done the deserveth from thee such a blow as this? Hereat the M'rbigh fell to soothing him, and said, Oh, my son, tis my intent to make thee a man. therefore do thou not gainsay me for that i am thine uncle and like unto thy father obey me therefore in all i bid thee and shortly thou shalt forget all this travail and toil when as thou shalt look upon the marvel matters i am about to show thee and soon after the ground had clove and asunder before the moroccan it displayed a marble slab wherein was fixed a copper ring the maghrabi striking a geomantic table turned to a latin and said to him, And thou do all I shall bid thee. Indeed, thou shalt become wealthier than any of the kings.

And for this reason, oh my son I struck thee, because here lieth a horde which is stored in thy name. And yet thou designest to leave it and to Levant. But now collect thy thoughts, and behold how I opened the earth by my spells and adjurations. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day. and ceased to say her permitted say. But it was the five hundred and twenty-fourth night,

Quote Dunyazade, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Magrabi, the magician, said to Aladdin, O my son, now collect thy thoughts. Under yon stone wherein the ring is set,

lieth the treasure wherewith I acquainted thee. So set thy hand upon the ring and raise the slab, for that none other amongst the folk, thy self-accepted, have power to open it, nor may any of mortal birth save thyself set foot within this enchanted treasury, which have been kept for thee. But tis needful that thou learn of me all wherewith I would charge thee, nor gain say in a single syllable of my words. All this, O my child, is for, thy good, the whore being of immense value, whose like the kings of the world never accumulated, and do thou remember that tis for thee and me? So poor Aladdin forgot his fatigue and buffet and tear-shedding, and he was dumbed and dazed at the Magravi's words, and rejoiced

that he was fated to become rich in such measure that not even the sultans would be richer than himself. Accordingly he cried, Oh, my uncle, bid me do all. all thou pleasest, for I will be obedient unto thy bidding. The McGrathie replied, O my nephew, thou art to me as my own child, and even dearer, for being my brother's son, and for my having none other kith and kin except thyself, and thou, O my child, art my heir and successor. So, saying, he went up to Aladdin and kissed him, and said, For whom do I intend these my labors? Indeed, each and every are for thy sake, on my son, to the end that I may leave thee a rich man, and one of the very greatest.

So gain say me not in all I shall say to thee, and now go up to yonder ring and uplift it as I bade thee. Aladdin answered, O uncle mine, this ring is over heavy for me. I cannot raise it single-handed, so do thou also come forward, and lend me strength and aides towards uplifting it, for indeed I am young in years. the moo-man replied o son of my brother we shall find it impossible to do aught if i assist thee and all our efforts would be in vain but do thou set thy hand upon the ring and pull it up and thou shalt raise the slab forthright and in very sooth i told thee that none can touch it save thyself but whilst hailing at it cease not to pronounce thy name and the names of thy father and mother so twill rise at once to thee nor shalt thou feel his weight thereupon the lad mustered up strength and girt the loins of resolution and did as the moroccan had bidden him and

and hove up the slab with all ease when he pronounced his name and the names of his parents even as the magician had bidden him and as soon as the stone was raised he threw it aside and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say When it was the five hundred and twenty-fifth night, quote Dunazad, Oh, sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Sir Harazade replied, with love and good will. It hath reached me okay of the age, that after Aladdin had raised the slab from over the entrance to the horde, there appeared before him a Sardab, a Southeren, whereunto led a case of some twelve, stairs, and the Magrabi said, O Aladdin, collect thy thoughts, and do whatso I bid thee to the minutest detail, nor fail in aught thereof. Go down with all care into yonder vault,

until thou reach the bottom, and there shalt thou find a space divided into four halls, and in each of these thou shalt see four golden jars and others of virgin ore and silver. Beware, however, lest thou take aught therefrom, or touch them, nor allow thy gown, or its skirts even to brush the jars or the walls. Leave them and fare forwards until thou reach the fourth hall without lingering for a single moment on the way. And if thou do aught contrary thereto, thou wilt be at once transformed and become a black stone. When reaching the fourth hall, thou wilt find their therein a door, which do thou open, and pronouncing the names thou spakest over the slab, enter there through, into a garden, adorned everywhere with fruit-bearing trees. This thou must traverse by a path thou wilt see in front of thee, measuring some fifty cubits long, beyond which thou wilt come upon an open saloon, and therein a ladder of some thirty rungs. and thou shalt also see hanging from its ceiling,

and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and twenty-sixth night, Quoth Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy. Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Scheherazade replied, With love and good will,

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Magrabi, the magician, fell to teaching Aladdin how he should descend into the hoard, and continued, On reaching the saloon, thou shalt there find a lamp hanging from its ceiling. So mount the ladder and take that lamp, and place it in thy breast pocket after pouring out its contents. Nor fear evil from it for thy clothes, because its contents are not common oil. And on return, thou are not common oil. And on return, thou allowed to pluck from the trees what so thou pleasest for all is thine so long as the lamp is in thy hand now when the more man entered his charge to aladdin he drew off a seal-ring and put it upon the lad's forefinger saying o my son verily the signet shall free thee from all hurt and fear which may threaten thee but only on condition that thou bear in mind all i have told thee so arise straightway and go down the stairs strengthening thy purpose and girding the loins of resolution. Moreover, fear not, for thou art now a man and no longer a child.

And in shortest time on my son, thou shalt win thee immense riches, and thou shalt become the wealthiest of the world. Accordingly, Aladdin arose and descended into the Sutter End, where he found the four halls, each containing four jars of gold, and these he passed by, as the Moroccan had bidden, him with the utmost care and caution. Thence he fared into the garden and walked along its length until he entered the saloon, where he mounted the ladder and took the lamp, which he extinguished, pouring out the

oil which was therein, and placed it in his breast pocket. Presently descending the ladder, he returned to the garden where he felt a gazing of the trees, whereupon sat birds, glorifying with loud voices their great creator. Now he had not observed them as he went in, but all these trees bear for fruitage costly gems. Moreover, each had its own kind of growth and jewels of its peculiar sort. And these were of every color, green and white, yellow, red, and other such brilliant hues, and the radiance flashing from these gems paled the rays of the sun in forenoon sheen. Furthermore, the size of each stone so far surpassed description that no king of the king

of the kings of the world owned a single gem equal to the larger sort, nor could boast of even one half the size of the smaller kind of them. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and twenty-seventh night, Quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales? whereupon Shahrazad replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached Mio-King of the age that Aladdin walked amongst the trees

and gazed upon them, and other things, which surprised the sight and bewildered the wits. And as he considered them, he saw that in lieu of common fruits, the produce was of mighty fine jewels and precious stones, such as emeralds and diamonds,

rubies, spinels and ballasses, pearls and similar gems astounding the mental vision of man. And for as much as the lad had never beheld things like these during his born days, nor had reached those years of discretion which would teach him the worth of such valuables, he being still but a little lad, he fancied that all these jewels were of glass or crystal. So he collected them until he had filled his breast pockets and began to certify himself if they were or were not common fruits, such as grapes, figs, and such-like edibles.

But seeing them of glassy substance, he, in his ignorance of precious stones and their prices, gathered into his breast pockets every kind of growth the trees afforded. And having failed of his purpose in finding them food, he said in his mind, I will collect a portion of these glass fruits for playthings at home. So he fell to plucking them in quantities and cramming them in his pokes and breast pockets

till these were stuffed full, after which he picked others which he placed in his waist-shall, and then, girding himself therewith, carried off all he availed to, purposing to place them in the house by way of ornaments, and, as hath been mentioned, never imagining that they were other than glass. Then he hurried his pace, in fear of his uncle of Magrabi, until he had passed through the four halls, and lastly on his return reached the suture-in,

where he cast not a look at the jars of gold, gold, albeit he was able and allowed to take of the contents on his way back. But when he came to the sutureen stairs and cloned the steps till not remain but the last, and finding this higher than all the others, he was unable alone and unassisted, burthened moreover as he was, to mount it. So he said to the Magrabi, O my uncle, lend me thy hand and aid me to climb. But the Moorman answered, O my son, give me the lamp, and lighten thy load. Belike tis that wayeth thee down.

The lad rejoined, O my uncle, tis not the lamp downweath me at all, but do thou lend me a hand, and as soon as I reach ground I will give it to thee. Hereat the Moroccan, the magician, whose only object was the lamp and none other, began to insist upon Aladdin giving it to him at once. But the lad, for as much as he had placed it

at the bottom of his breast pocket, and his other pouches being full of gems bulged outwards, could not reach it with his fingers to hand it over. So the wizard, after much vain persistency in requiring what his nephew was unable to give, fell to raging with furious rage and to demanding the lamp whilst Aladdin could not get at it. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say or permitted say. End of Aladdin, part one. of the book of the

Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This liver-box recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamp, Part 2. When it was the

528th night, Quote Dunyazade, O sister mine, and there be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill.

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin could not get at the lamp so as to hand it to his uncle and the grubby, that false felon. So the magician waxed foolish with fury, for that he could not win to his wish. Yet had the lad promised truthfully that he would give it up as soon as he might reach ground

without lying thought or ill intent. But when the moorman saw that he would not hand it over, he waxed wroth with raffixing seeding, and cut off all his hopes of winning it. So, he conjured and adjured and cast incense amidst the fire, when forthright the slab made a cover of itself, and by the might of magic ridded the entrance. The earth buried the stone as it was aforetime, and Aladdin, unable to issue forth, remained underground. Now the sorcerer was a stranger, and as we had mentioned, to know uncle of Aladdin's, and he had misrepresented himself and preferred a lying claim,

to the end that he might obtain the lamp by means of the lad for whom his hoard had been upstored. So the accursed heaped the earth over him and left him to die of hunger. For this Magradi was an African of Afrikaia proper, born in the inner sunset land, and from his earliest age upwards he had been addicted to witchcraft, and had studied and practiced every manner of occult science for which on holy law the city of africa is notorious and he ceased not to read and hear lectures until he had become a past master in all such knowledge and of the abounding skill in spells and conjurations which he had acquired by the perusing and the lessening of forty years one day of the days he discovered by devilish inspiration that there lay in an extreme city of the cities of china named alcalbas an immense hoard the like whereof none of the kings in this world had ever accumulated moreover that the most marvellous article in this enchanted treasure was a wonderful lamb which whoso possesses could not possibly be surpassed by any man upon earth, either in high degree or in wealth and opulence.

Nor could the mightiest monarch of the universe attain to the all-sufficiency of this lamp with its might of magical means. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and twenty-ninth night, quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon, Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when the Magrabi assured himself by his science

and saw that his horde could be opened only by the presence of a lad named Aladdin, of pauper family, and abiding in that very city, and learned how taking it would be easy and without hardships, he straightway and without stale delay, equipped himself for a voyage to China, as we have already told. And he did what he did with the laden, fancying that he would become Lord of the Lamb. But his attempt and his hopes were baffled,

and his work was clean-wasted. Whereupon, determining to do the lad die, he heaped up the earth over him by grammery, to the end that the unfortunate, might perish, reflecting that the live man hath no murderer. Secondly, he did so with the design that as Aladdin could not come forth from underground, he would also be impotent to bring out the lamb from the Soutrean. So presently he wended his ways and retired to his own land, Africa, a sadder man and disappointed

of all his expectations. Such was the case with the wizard. But as regards Aladdin, when the earth was heaped over him, he began shouting to the moorman whom he believed to be his uncle, and praying him to lend a hand that he might issue from the sutureen and return to earth's surface. But however loudly he cried, none was found to reply. At that moment he comprehended the slight which the Moroccan had played upon him, and that the man was no uncle but a liar and a wizard. then the unhappy despaired of life and learned to his sorrow that there was no escape for him

so he fell to be weeping with sore weeping the calamity had befallen him and after a little while he stood up and descended the stairs to see if Allah Almighty had lightened his grief load by leaving a door of issue

so he turned him to the right and to the left but he saw not save darkness and four walls closed upon him for that the magician had by his magic locked all the doors, and it shut up even the garden, where through the lead erst had passed, lest it offered him the means of issuing out upon earth's surface, and that he might surely die.

Then Aladdin's weeping waxed sorer, and is wailing louder, when as he found all the doors fast shut, for he had thought to solace himself a while in the garden. But when he felt that all were locked, he felt a shedding tears and lamenting like unto one who with post his every hope, and he returned to sit upon the stairs of the flight whereby he had entered the sutureen. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and thirtieth night, quote to Mazar, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of the pleasant tales, whereupon Cherazade replied, with love and good will.

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin sat down upon the stair of the vault, weeping and wailing and wanting all hopes. But it is a light matter for Allah, be he exalted and extolled, when as he designeth aught, to say, be, and it becometh, for that he createth joy in the midst of annoy,

and on this wise it was with Aladdin. Whilst the Magrabi, the magician, was sending him down into the Suturin, he set upon his finger by way of gift a seal ring and said, Verily this signet shall save thee from every strait, and they'll fall into calamity and ill shifts of time, and it shall remove from thee all hurt and harm,

and aid thee with a strong arm, where so thou mayst be set. Now this was by destiny of God the great, that it might be the means of Aladdin's escape. for whilst he sat wailing and weeping over his case and cast away all hope of life, and utter misery overwhelmed him, he rubbed his hands together for excess of sorrow, as is the want of the woeful. Then raising them in supplication to Allah, he cried, I testify that there is no God save thou alone, the most great, the omnipotent,

the all-conquering, quickener of the dead, creator of man's need, and grant her thereof, resolve her of his difficulties and duress, and bringer of joy, not of annoy. Thou art my sufficiency, and thou art the truest of trustees, and I bear witness that Muhammad is thy servant, and thine apostle, and I supplicate thee, O my God, by his favor with thee, to free me from this my foul plight. And whilst he implored the Lord and was chafing his hands in the soreness of his sorrow, for that had befallen him of calamity, his fingers chanced to rub the ring,

when lo and behold, forthright its familiar, rose upright before him, and cried, Adsov, thy slave between thy hands is come, ask what so thou wantest, for that I am the thrall of him on whose hand is the ring, the signet of my lord and master.

Hereat, the lad looked at him and saw standing before him a Mabrid, like unto an Ifrit of our Lord Solomon's gins. He trembled at the terrible sight, but hearing the slave of the ring say, Ask what so thou wantest, verily I am thy thrall, seeing that the signet of my lord be upon thy finger. He recovered his spirits, and remembered the more man saying when giving him the ring. So he rejoiced exceedingly and became brave, and cried, Ho thou, slave of the Lord of the ring, I desire thee to set me upon the face of earth.

And hardly had he spoken this speech When suddenly the ground clave asunder And he found himself at the door of the hoard And outside it in full view of the world. Now for three whole days He had been sitting in the darkness of the treasury underground. And when the sheen of day and the shine of sun smote his face he found himself unable to keep his eyes open.

So he began to unclose the lids a little, and to close them a little, until his eyeballs regained force and got used to the light and were purged of the noisome mirth. And Jehazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say a permitted say. When it was the five hundred and thirty-first night, Quoth Dunyazade,

Oh, sister mine, and there be other than sleepy, do. tell me some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazad replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin, issuing from the treasury, opened his eyes after a short space of time,

and saw himself upon earth's surface, the which rejoiced him exceedingly, and withal he was astounded at finding himself without the hordeur, whereby he had passed in when it was opened by the Maghrape, the magician, especially as the added had been lided and the ground had been smooth, showing no sign whatever of the entrance. Thereat, his surprise increased until he fancied himself in another place.

Nor was his mind convinced that the stead was the same until he saw the spot whereupon they had kindled the fire of woodchips and dried sticks, and where the African wizard had conjured over the incense. Then he turned him rightwards and leftwards, and sighted the gardens from afar, and his eyes recognized the road whereby he had come. So he returned thanks to Allah Almighty who had restored him to the face of earth, and had freed him from death after he had cut off all hopes of life.

Presently he arose and walked along the way to the town, which now he well knew, until he entered the streets and passed on to his own home. Then he went in to his mother, and on seeing her, of the overwhelming stress of joy at his escape and the memory of past affright and the hardships he had borne and the pangs of hunger, he fell to the ground before his parent in a fainting fit. Now his mother had been passing sad since the time of his leaving her, and he found her moaning and crying about him.

However, on sighting him entered the house, she joyed with exceeding joy, but soon was overwhelmed with woe when he sank upon the ground swooning before her eyes. Still, she did not neglect the matter or treated lightly, but at once hastened to sprinkle water upon his face. And after, she asked to the neighbor some sense, which she made him snuff up. And when he came round a little,

he prayed her to bring him somewhat of food, saying, Oh, my mother, tis now three days since I ate anything at all. Thereupon she arose and brought him what she had by her. Then setting it before him, said, Come forward, O my son, eat, and be cheered. And when thou shalt have been, Rested, tell me what hath betided and affected thee, O my child.

At this present I will not question thee, for thou art are to weary in very deed. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and thirty-second night, quote Dunyazad, Oh, sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy, do tell some of thy pleasant tales. whereupon Scheherazad replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, That Aladdin ate and drank and was cheered,

And after he had rested and had recovered spirits, He cried, Ah, oh, my mother, I have a soul grievance against thee For leaving me to that accursed white, Who strayed to compass my destruction, And designed to take my life. Know that I beheld death with mine own eyes at the hand of this damned wretch, whom thou didst certify to be my uncle, and had not

Almighty Allah rescued me from him, I and thou, my mother, had been cousined by the excess of this accursed its promises to work my welfare, and by the great show of affection which he manifested to us. Learn, O my mother, that this fellow is a sorcerer, a moorman, an accursed, a liar, a traitor, a hypocrite. Nor deem I that the devils under the earth are damnable as he? Allah abase him in his every book. Hear thou, my mother, what this abominable one did, and all I shall tell thee will be so fast and certain. See how the damned villain break every promise he made, certifying that he would soon work all good with me, and do thou consider the fondness which he displayed to me, and the deeds which he did by me? And all this only to win his

wish, for his design was to destroy me, and, alham to Lila, Lord to the Lord, for my deliverance. Listen, and learn, oh, my mother, how this accursed and treated me. Then Aladdin informed his mother of all that had befallen him, weeping the while for stress of gladness, how the Magrabi had led him to a hill wherein was hidden the horde, and how he had conjured and fumigated, adding, after which, oh my mother, mighty fear got hold of me when the hill split and the earth gaped before me by his wizardry, and I trembled with terror at the rolling of thunder in mine ears, and the murk which fell upon us when he fumigated and muttered spells. Seeing these horrors, I and mine affright designed to fly, but when he understood mine intent,

he reviled me and smoked me a buffet so sore that it caused me to swoon. However, inasmuch as the treasury was to be opened only by means of me, or my mother, he could not descend there himself at being in my name and not in his. And for that he is an ill-omened magician, he understood that I was necessary to him, and this was his need of me. And Jehara-Zad was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and thirty-third night, Quoth Dunyazade, oh, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell me some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Cheherazade replied, with love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin acquainted his

mother with all that had befallen him from the Magravi, the magician, and said, After he had buffeted me, he judged it advisable to soothe me in order that he might send me down into the enchanted treasury, and first he drew from his finger a ring which he placed upon mine. So I descended, and found four halls all full of gold and silver, which counted as not, and the person had charged me not to touch aught thereof. Then I entered a mighty fine flower garden, everywhere bedecked with tall trees whose foliage and fruitage bewildered the wits, for all among other were a varied-coloured glass. And lastly, I reached the hall wherein hung this lamp. So I took it straightway and put it out, and poured forth its contents. And so saying,

Aladdin drew the lamp from his breast-pocket and showed it to his mother, together with the gems and jewels which he had brought from the garden, and there were two large bagpockets full of precious stones, whereof not one was to be found amongst the kings of the world. But the lad knew not an at their worth, deeming them glass or crystal, and presently he resumed. After this, O mother mine, I reached the hoard-door carrying the lamp, and shouted to the accursed sorcerer, which called himself my uncle, to lend me a hand and hail me up. i being unable to mount of myself the last step for the overweight of my burthen but he would not and said only first hand me the lamb as however i had placed it at the bottom of my breast-pocket and the other pouches bulged out beyond it i was unable to get at it and said oh my uncle i cannot reach thee the lamb but i will give it to thee when outside the treasury

his only need was the lamb when he designed o my mother to snatch it from me and after that slay me as indeed he did his best to do by heaping the earth over my head such then is what befell me from this foul sorcer hereupon aladdin fell to abusing the magician in hot wrath and with a burning heart and crying well away i take refuge from this damned white the ill omen the wrongdoer the forswainer the forswearer the lost to all humanity, the arch-trader, the hypocrite, the annihilator of Ruth and mercy, and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say or permitted say. When it was the five hundred and thirty-fourth night, Cote Duna-Sad, who says to mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when Aladdin's mother heard his words,

and what had befallen him from the Magravi, the magician, she said, Yea, verily, o my son, he is a miscreant, a hypocrite, a hypocrite, who murdereth the folk by his magic. But was the grace of Allah Almighty, O my child, that saved thee from the tricks and the treachery of this accursed sorcerer, whom I deemed to be truly thine uncle. then, as the lad had not slept a wink for three days and found himself nodding, he sought his natural rest, his mother doing on likewise,

nor did he awake till about noon on the second day. As soon as he shook off slumber, he called for somewhat of food being sore and hungered, but said his mother, Oh, my son, I have no victual for thee, inasmuch as yesterday though ateest all that was in the house. But wait patiently a while. while, I have spun a trifle of yarn, which I will carry to the market street, and sell it and buy with what it may be worth some little for thee. Oh, my mother, said he, keep your yarn, and sell it not,

but fetch me the lamp I brought hither, that I may go vend it, and with its price purchase provident, for that I deem to bring more money than the spinnings. So Aladdin's mother arose, and fetched the lamp for her son. But while so doing, she saw that it was dirty, exceedingly. So she said, Oh, my son, here is the lamp, but tis very foul. After we shall have washed it and polished it, it will sell better. Then taking a handful of sand, she began to rub therewith,

but she had only begun, when appeared to her one of the gin, whose favour was frightful and whose bulk was horrible big, and he was gigantic as one of the Jabavira. And forthright, he cried to her, say what thou wantest of me here am i thy slave and slave to whoso holdeth the lamp and not i alone but all the slaves of the wonderful lamp which thou hindersest in hand she quaked and terror was sore upon her when she looked at that frightful form and her tongue being tied she could not return aught reply never having been accustomed to espy similar semblances and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 535th night, quote Dunyazad,

O sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Shehazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin's mother could not of her terror return a reply to them married. nay she fell to the ground oppressed by her affright. Now her son was standing afar off, and he had already seen the genie of the ring, which he had rubbed within the treasury. So when he heard the slave speaking to his parent,

he hastened forwards and snatching the lamp from her hand, said, O slave of the lamp, I am unhungered, and tis my desire that thou fetch me somewhat to eat, and let it be something toothsome beyond our means. the genie disappeared for an eye-twinkle and returned with a mighty fine tray and precious of price for that twas all in virginal silver and upon it stood twelve golden platters of meats manifold and dainties delicate with bread snowier than snow also two silver in cups and as many black jacks full of wine clear-stained and long stored and after setting all these before aladdin he vanished from vision thereupon the lad went and sprinkled rose-water upon his mother's face and caused her snuff up perfumes pure and pungent and said to her when she revived rise o mother mine and let us eat of these meats wherewith almighty allah have eased our poverty but when she saw that mighty fine silver tray she fell to marveling at the matter and quoth she o my son who be this generous this beneficent one who hath abated our hunger pains and our penury

we are indeed under obligation to him and misce mith tis the sultan who hearing of our mean condition and our misery hath sent us this food-tray quoth he o my mother this be no time for questioning arouse thee and let us eat for we are both afamished accordingly they sat down to the tray and fell to feeding when aladdin's mother tasted meats whose like in all her time she had never touched so they devoured them with sharpened appetites and all the capacity engendered by stress of hunger and secondly the food was such that marked the tables of the kings but neither of them knew whether the tray was or was not valuable for never in their born days had they looked upon oft like it as soon as they had finished the meal with all-eving little enough for supper and eat for the next day they arose and washed their hands and sat at chat when the mother turned to her son and said tell me o my child what befell thee from the slave the genie now that alam do la la la la la la la la la la we have eaten our full of the good things wherewith he have favoured us and thou hast no pretext for saying to me i am an hungered so aladdin related to her all that took place between him and the slave but while she had sunk upon the ground a swoon for sore terror and at this she being seized with mighty great surprise said, tis true, for the gyms do present themselves before the sons of Adam, but I, oh my son, never saw them in all my life, and may seemeth that this be the same who saved thee when thou

thou wast within the enchanted horde. This is not he, O my mother. This who appeared before thee is the slave of the lamp. Who may this be, O my son? This be a slave of sort and shape other than he that was the familiar of the ring and this his fellow thou sawest was the slave of the lamp thou hintest in hand and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say or permitted say when it was the five hundred and thirty-sixth night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and there be other than sleuthy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon charazad replied with love and good-will it hath reached me o king of the age that aladdin said verily o my mother the genie who appeared to thee was the slave of the lamp and when his parent heard these words she cried there there so this accursed who showed him to me, and went knighted, killing me with her fright, is attached to the lamp. Yes, he replied, and she rejoined, now I conjure thee, my son, by the milk wherewith I suckled thee, to throw away from thee this lamp and this ring, because they can cause us

only extreme terror, and I especially can never bear a second glance at them. Moreover, all intercourse with them is unlawful, for that the prophet, whom Allah savour, warned us against them with threats. He replied, Thy commands, O my mother, be upon my head and mine eyes, But as regards this saying thou saidest, Tis impossible that I part, oh, with lamp, or with ring. Thou thyself hast seen what good the slave wrought us, when as we were famishing, and know, O my mother, that the Magrabi, the liar, the magician, when sending me down into the hoard, sought nor the silver nor the gold, wherewith the four halls were fulfilled.

but charged me to bring him only the lamp not else because in very deed he had learned its priceless value and had he not been certified of it he had never endured such toil and trouble nor had he travelled from his own land to our land in search thereof neither had he shut me up in the treasury when he despaired of the lamp which i would not hand to him therefore it besiteth us o my mother to keep this lamb and take all care thereof nor disclose its mysteries to any for this is now our means of livelihood and this it is shall enrich us and likewise as regards the ring i will never withdraw it from my finger inasmuch as but for this thou hadst never more seen me on life nay i should have done within the horde underground. How then can I possibly remove it from my finger? And who woteth, that which may be tied me in the lapse of time? What drippings or calamities or injurious mishaps wherefrom this ring may deliver me? However, for regard to thy feelings, I will stow away the lamp, nor ever suffer it to be seen at the hereafter. Now when his mother heard his words and pondered them, she knew they were true, and said to him,

do o my son what so thy willest for my part i wish never to see them nor ever sight that frightful spectacle i erst saw and sir herazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and thirty-seventh night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be not sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good-will it hath reached neokin of the age that aladdin and his mother continued eating of the meats brought them by the genie for two full-told days until they were finished but when he learned that nothing of food remained for them he arose and took a platter of the platters which the slave had brought upon the tray now they were all of the finest gold but the lad knew not thereof so he bore it to the bazaar and there seeing a man which was a jew of violet and the satans offered it to him for sale when the jew espied it he took the lad aside that none might see him and he looked at the platter and considered it till he was certified that it was of gold refined but he knew not whether a latin was acquainted with its value or he was in such matters of raw laddie So he asked him, for how much, oh my lord, this platter? And the other answered, thou whatest what be its worth? The Jew debated with himself as to how much he should offer,

because Aladdin had returned him a craftsmanlike reply, and he thought of the smallest valuation. At the same time he feared lest the lad, happily knowing its worth, should expect a considerable song. So he said in his mind, be like this fellow isn't ignoramus in such matters, nor is aware of the price of the platter, whereupon he pulled out of his pocket a diner,

and Aladdin eyed the gold piece lying in his palm, and hastily taking it, went his way, whereby the Jew was certified of his customers' innocence of all such knowledge, and repented with entire repentance that he had given him a golden diner in view of a copper carrot, a bright polished grove, However, Aladdin made no delay, but went at once to the bakers, where he bought him bread, and changed the ducet. Then going to his mother, he gave her the scones and the remaining small coin, and said, Oh, my mother, hi thee, and buy thee all we require. So she arose and

walked to the bazaar, and laid in the necessary stock, after which they ate and were cheered. And whenever the price of the platter was expended, Aladdin would take another, and carry to the accursed Jew, who bought each and every at a pitiful price. And even this he would have minished, but seeing how he had paid a diner for the first, he feared to offer a lesser sum, lest the lad go and sell to some rival in trade, and thus lose his usurious gains. Now when all the golden platters were sold, there remained only the silver tray whereupon they stood.

And for that it was large and weighty, Aladdin brought the Jew to his house. and produced the article. When the buyer, seeing its size, gave him ten dinars, and these being accepted, went his ways. Aladdin and his mother lived upon the sequins until they were spent. Then he brought out the lamp and rubbed it,

and straightway appeared the slave, who had shown himself aforetime. And Scheherazard was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and thirty-eighth night, Quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy. Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Shahrazad replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the genie, the slave of the lamp, on appearing to Aladdin, said,

Ask, O my lord, what so thou wantest, for I am thy slave, and the thrall of whoso hath the lamp. And said the lad, I desire that thou wilt thou wilt thou wilt. thou bring me a tray of food, like unto that thou broughtest me our wiles, for indeed I am famished. Accordingly, in the glance of an eye, the slave produced a similar tray supporting twelve flatters of the most sumptuous, furnished with requisite cates, and thereon stood clean bread and sundry glass bottles of strained wine. Now, Aladdin's mother had gone out when she knew he was about to rub the lamp, that she might not again look upon the genie. but after a while she returned,

and when she sighted the tray covered with silver and platters and smelt the savor of the rich meats diffused over the house, she marvelled and rejoiced. Thereupon, quoth he, look, o my mother, thou baddest me throw away the lamp, see now its virtues.

And quoth she, O my son, Allah increase his wheel, but I would not look upon him. Then the lad sat down with his parent to the tray, and they ate and drank until they were satisfied, after which they removed what remained for use on the morrow. As soon as the meats had been consumed,

Aladdin arose and stowed away under his clothes, a platter of the platters, and went forth to find the Jew, purposing to sell it to him. But by fiat of fate, he passed by the shop of an ancient jeweller, an honest man and a pious, who feared Allah. When the Sheikh saw the lad, he asked him, saying, oh, my son, what dost thou want? For that times manifold, I have seen thee passing

hereby, and having dealings with the Jewish man, and I have espied thee handing over to him sundry articles. Now also I fancy thou hast somewhat for sale, and thou seekest him as a buyer thereof. But thou wastest not, oh, my child, that the Jews ever hold lawful to them the good of Muslims, the confessors of Allah Almighty's unity, and always defraught them. Especially this accursed Jew, with whom thou hast relations, and into whose hands thou hast fallen. If then, O my son, thou had ought thou wouldest sell? Show the same to me, and never fear, for I will give thee its full price by the truth of Almighty Allah.

Thereupon Aladdin brought out the platter, which when the ancient goldsmith saw, he took and waited in his scales, and asked the lad, saying, Was it the fellow of this thou soldest to the Jew? yes its fellow and his brother he answered and quoth the old man what price did he pay thee quoth the lad one dinar and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and thirty-ninth night quoth dunyazad oh sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon Cheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the ancient goldsmith, hearing from Aladdin, how the Jew used to give only one deniers the price of the platter, cried,

Ah, I take refuge from this accursed, who cousineth the servants of Allah Almighty. Then looking at the lad, he exclaimed, Oh, my son, verily yon trixie Jew hath cheated thee and laughed at thee, this platter being pure silver and virginal. I have weighed it and found it worth seventy diners, and if thou pleased to take its value, take it. Thereupon the sheik counted out to him seventy gold pieces, which he accepted, and presently thanked him for his kindness

in exposing the Jew's rascality. And after this, whenever the price of a platter was expended, he would bring another, and on such wise he and his mother were soon in better circumstances. yet they ceased not to live after their olden fashion as middle-class folk, without spending on diet over much or squandering money. But Aladdin had now thrown off the ungraciousness of his boiler. He shunned the Society of Scape Graces,

and he began the frequent good men and true, repairing daily to the market street or the merchants, and there accompanying with the great and the small of them, asking about matters of merchandise and learning the price of investments and so forth. He likewise frequented the bazaars of the goldsmiths and the jewelers, where he would sit and divert himself by inspecting their precious stones, and by noting how jewels were sold and bought therein. Accordingly, he presently became aware that the tree fruits wherewith he had filled his pockets what time he entered the enchanted treasury were neither glass nor crystal but gems rich and rare, and he understood that he had acquired immense wealth, such as the kings never can possess. he then considered all the precious stones which were in the jeweller's quarter but found that their biggest was not worth his smallest on this wise he ceased not every day repairing to the bazaar and making himself familiar with the folk and winning their loving will and inquiring an ensuing and buying giving and taking the deer and the chief until one day of the days when after rising at dawn and dawning his dress he went forth as was his one to the jeweller's bazaar

and as he passed along he heard the crier crying as follows by command of our magnificent master the king of the time and the lord of the age and the tide let all the folk lock up their shops and stores and retire within their houses for that the lady barra al-gudur daughter of the sultan designeth to visit the hammam and whoso gainsayeth the order shall be punished with death penalty and be his blood upon his own neck but when aladdin heard the proclamation he longed to look upon the king's daughter and said in his mind indeed all the lieges talk of her beauty and loveliness and the end of my desires is to see her and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and fortieth night quoth dunyazad oh sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of them pleasant tales whereupon Sheherazade replied with love and good will it hath reached me o king of the age that Aladdin fell to contriving some means whereby he might look upon the princess Badr al-Budu and at last judged best to take his station behind the Hammam door whence he might see her face as she entered accordingly without stay

or delay he repaired to the baths before she was expected and stood a rear of the entrance, a place where none of the folk happened to be looking. Now, when the Sultan's daughter had gone the rounds of the city in its main streets, and it solaced herself by sightseeing, she finally reached the Hammam, and whilst entering, she raised her veil. When her face rose before sight, as it were, a pearl of price or a sheenie sun, and she was as one of whom the describer sang, Magic coal enchanted the glances so bright of her. We plucked row, as in poses from cheeks,

rosy bright of her. Of night's gloomiest hue is the gloom of the hair of her, and her bright brow uplighteth the mirks of the night of her. Quote the reciter, when the princess raised from her face the veil and Aladdin saw her favour, he said, In very truth,

Her fashion magnifyeth her almighty fashioner, and glory be to him who created her, and adorned her with this beauty and loveliness. His strength was struck down from the moment he saw her, and his thoughts were distraught. His gaze was dazed. The love of her got hold of the whole of his heart, and when he returned home to his mother, he was as one in ecstasy. His parent addressed him, but he neither replied nor denied, and when she set before him

the morning meal, he continued in like case. So quoth she, Oh, my son, what hast may have befallen thee, say me, doth aught ail thee let me know what ill hath betided thee for unlike thy custom thou speakest not when i speak thee thereupon aladdin who used to think that all women resembled his mother and who albeit he had heard of the charms of badr al-budur daughter of the sultan yet knew not what beauty and loveliness might signify turned to his parent and exclaimed let me be however she persisted in praying him to come forwards and eat so he did her bidding but hardly touched food after which he lay at full length on his bed all the night through in cogitation deep until morning marrowed the same was his condition during the next day when his mother was perplexed for the case of her son and unable to learn what had happened to him so thinking that belike he might be ailing she drew near him and asked him saying oh my son, and thou sense ought of pain, or such like, let me know that I may fare forth and fetch thee

the physician. And to-day there be in this our city a leech from the land of the Arabs, whom the Sultan hath sent to summon, and the brew it abroad reported them to be skillful exceedingly. So, and thou be ill, let me go and bring him to thee. And Shaharizad was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and forty-first night, Quote Duna Zad, Oh, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales,

whereupon Cherazade replied, With love and good will. It hath reached meo-king of the age that Aladdin, hearing his parents offer to summon the mediciner, said, O my mother, I am well in body and unknow-wise ill, but I ever thought that all women resembled thee until yesterday, when I beheld the lady Badr al-Budur, daughter of the Sultan, as she was faring for the bans.

Then he related to her all and everything that had happened to him, adding, happily thou also hast heard the crier, crying, Let no man open shop or stand in street that the lady Bader al-Budur may repair to the hamam without I seeing her. But I have looked upon her even as she is. is, for she raised her veil at the door, and when I viewed her favor and beheld that noble work of the creator, a sore fit of ecstasy on my mother fell upon me, for love of her, and firm resolve to win her hath opened its way into every limb of me, nor is repose possible for me except our winner. Wherefore I purpose asking her to wife from the sultan

her sire in lawful wedlock. When Aladdin's mother heard her son's work, she belittled his wits, and cried, O my child, the name of Allah upon me, be seemeth thou hast lost thy senses. But be thou rightly guided, o my son, nor be thou as the men gin maddened. He replied, nay, O mother mine, I am not out of my mind,

nor am I of the maniacs. Nor shall this thy saying alter one jot of what is in my thoughts. For rest is impossible to me until I shall have won the deering of my heart's core, the beautiful lady by-law. and now i am resolved to ask her her sire the sultan she rejoined oh my son by my life upon thee speak not such speech lest any overhear thee and say thou be insane so cast away from thee such nonsense who shall undertake a matter like this or make such a request to the king indeed i know now how supposing this thy speech to be so fast thou shalt thou shalt thou shalt thou shalt thou shalt thou wilt

it, he retorted, Through whom shall I ask it, O my mother, when thou at present? And who is there fonder and more faithful to me than thyself? So my design is that thou thyself shall profit this my petition. Quoth she, O my son, Allah remove me far therefrom. What, have I lost my wits like thyself? Cast the thought away and a long way from thy heart.

Remember whose son thou are to my child? the orphan boy of a tailor the poorest and meanest of the tailors toiling in the city and i thy mother am also come of pauper-stock and indigent how then durst thou ask the wife the daughter of the salson whose sire would not deign marry her with the sons of the kings and the sovereigns except they were his peers in honour and grandeur and majesty and were they but one degree lower he would refuse his daughter to them And Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Aladdin, Part 2. Section 5 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This liverbox recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Aladdin, or The Wonderful Lamp, Part 3.

When it was the 542nd night, quote, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and good will, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin took patience until his parent that said her say, when, quoth he, O my mother, everything thou hast called to mind is known to me. Moreover, it is thoroughly well known to me that I am the child, of pauper parents. Withal, do not these words of thee divert me from my design at all, at all. Nor the less do I hope of thee, and I be thy son, and thou truly love me,

that thou grant me this favor, otherwise thou wilt destroy me, and present death hovereth over my head, except I win my will of my heart's dealing, and I, oh my mother, am in every case thy child. hearing these words his parent wept of her sorrow for him and said, Oh, my child, yes, in very deed, I am thy mother, nor have I any son or life's blood of my liver except thyself. And the end of my wishes is to give thee a wife and rejoice in me. But suppose that I would seek a bride of our likes and equals,

her people will at once ask and thou have any land or garden, merchandise or handicraft, wherewith thou canst support her. And what is the reply can return? Then if I cannot possibly answer the poor like ourselves, how shall I be bold enough of my son to ask for the daughter of the Sultan of Chinaland, who hath no peer or behind a bryphorium? Therefore do thou weigh this matter in thy mind? Also, who shall ask her to wife for the son of a Snip. Well, indeed, I want that my saying ought of this kind will but increase our misfortunes, for that it may be the cause of our incurring mortal danger from the Sultan. Peradventure even death for thee and me. And as concerneth myself, how shall I venture upon such

rash deed and perilous o my son? And in what way shall I ask the Sultan for his daughter to be thy wife? And indeed, however shall I even get access to him? And should I succeed therein? What is to be my answer, and they ask me touching thy means? Happily the king will hold me to be a madwoman. And lastly, suppose that I obtain audience of the Salta, what offering is there I can submit to the king's majesty? And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day

and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and forty-third night, Quoth Dunyazad, O sister mine, And thou be other than sleepy, Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Shehazad replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age,

That Aladdin's mother continued to her son. Tis true, o my child, that the sultan is mild and merciful, Never rejecting any who approach him to require justice or ruth of protection, nor any who pray him for a present, for he is liberal, and lavisheth favour upon near and far. But he dealeth his boons to those deserving them, to men who have done some daring to in battle under his eyes, or have rendered as civilians great service to his estate. But thou? Do thou tell me what feat thou hast performed in his presence,

or before the public, that thou merited from him such grace? And secondly, this boon thou ambitionist is not for one of our condition, nor is it possible that the king grant to thee the bone of thine aspiration. For, who so goeth to the sultan and craveth of him a favour, him it besitteth to take in hand somewhat that suiteth the royal majesty, as indeed I warn thee aforetime. How, then, shall thou risk thyself to stand before the sultan and ask his daughter in marriage, when thou hast with thee not to offer him of that which besiemeth his exalted station? Here too, Aladdin replied, O my mother, thou speakest to the point, and hast reminded me a right, and tis meet that I revolve in mind the whole of thy reminders. But, oh, my mother, the love of Princess Barre al-Budur,

I have entered into the core of my heart, nor can I rest, without I win her. However, thou hast also recalled to me a matter which I forgot, and tis this, emboldenedeth me to ask his daughter of the king. Obrieth thou, O my mother, declares that I have no gift which I can submit to the Sultan, as is the one to the world. Yet in very sooth I have an offering and a present, whose equal, O my mother, I hold none of the kings to possess, no, nor even ought like it. And Jehahrazad was surprised. by the dawn of day, and ceased to say a permitted say. When it was the five hundred and forty-fourth night, quote to Nizad,

O, says to mine, and thou be other than sleepy? Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Cherazad replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin said to his mother, Because verily that which I deemed glass or crystal was nothing but precious stone. and I hold that all the kings of the world have never possessed anything like one of the smallest thereof. For by frequenting the jeweller folk, I have learned that they are the costliest gems, and these are what I brought in my pockets from the hoard, whereupon, and thou please, compose thy mind.

We have in our house a bowl of china porcel. So arise thou in fetch it, that I may fill it with these jewels, which thou should carry as a gift to the king, and thou shalt stand in his presence and solicit him for my requirement. I am certified that by such means the matter will become easy to thee, and if thou be unwilling, on my mother, to strive for the winning of my wish as regards the lady Badrard Boodoo, know thou that surely I shall die. Nor do thou imagine that this gift is of aught say the costliest of stones, and be assured of my mother that in my many visits to the jewel is bizarre,

I have observed the merchants selling for sums man's judgment may not determine jewels whose beauty is not worth one quarter-carrant of what we possess. Seeing which, I was certified that ours are beyond all price. So arise, my mother, as I bade thee, and bring me the porcelain bowl of foresaid, that I may arrange therein some of these gems, and we will see what semblance they show. So she brought him the china bowl, saying, in herself, I shall know what to do when I find out if the words of my child concerning these jewels be soothfast or not. And she said it before her son,

who pulled the stones out of his pockets and disposed them in the bowl, and ceased not arranging there in gems of sorts till such time as he had filled it. And when it was brimful, she could not fix her eyes firmly upon it. On the contrary, she winked and blinked for the dazzle of the stones,

and their radiance and excessive lightning, like plans, and her wits were bewildered thereat, only she was not certified of their value, being really of the enormous extent she had been told. Withal, she reflected that, possibly her son might have spoken aright when he declared that their life was not to be found with the kings. Then Aladdin turned to her and said, "'Thou hast seen him, my mother, that this present intended for the Sultan is magnificent, and I am certified that it will procure for the high honour with him, and that he will receive thee with all respect.

And now, oh, my mother, thou hast no excuse. So compose thy thoughts and arise. Take thou this bowl, and away with it to the palace. His mother rejoined, O my son, tis true that the present is high-priced exceedingly, and the costliest of the costly, also that according to thy word, none owneth its like, but who would have the boldness to go and ask the sultan for his son?

daughter, the Lady Bar al-Boudur. I indeed dare not say to him, I want thy daughter, when he shall ask me what is thy want, for know thou my son that my tongue will be tied, and granting that Allah assist me, and I am bolden myself to say to him, my wish is to become a connection of thine through the marriage of thy daughter, the Lady Vardar al-Budur, to my son, Aladdin, they will surely decide at once that I am demented, and will thrust me forth into disgrace and despised. I will not tell thee that I shall thereby fall into danger of death, fore twill not only be I, but thou likewise. However, O my son, of my regard for thine inclination,

my needs must embolden myself and hide thither. Yet, oh, my child, if the king receive me and honour me on account of the gift, and inquire of me what thou desirest, and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and forty-fifth night, Quote Dunezad, O sister mine, and there be other than sleepy,

do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Shehazade replied, with love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin's mother said to her, son, and, in reply, I ask of him that which thou desirest in the matter of thy marriage with his daughter, how shall I answer him, and he asked me, as his man's want, what estates hast thou, and what income? And perchance, or my son, he will question me of this before questioning me of

thee. Aladdin replied, It is not possible that the sultan should make such demand what time considereth the jewels and their magnificence, nor is it meet to think of such things as these which may never occur. Now do thou but arise, and set before him this present of precious stones, and ask of him his daughter for me, and sit not yonder making much of the difficulty in thy fancy, ere this thou hast learned, O mother mine, that the lamb which we possess hath become to us a stable income, and that whatso I want of it the same is supplied to me, and my hope is, that by means thereof I shall learn how to answer the Sultan, should he ask me of that thou sayest?

Then Aladdin and his mother fell to talking over the subject all that night long, and when the morning morrowed, the dame arose and heartened her heart, especially as her son had expounded to her some little of the powers of the lamp and the virtues thereof, to wit that it would supply all they required of it. Aladdin, however, seeing his parent take courage when he explained to her the working of the lamp, feared lest she might tattle to the folk thereof. So he said to her, O my mother, beware how thou talk to any of the properties of the lamb and its prophet, as this is our one great good. Guard thy thoughts, lest thou speak over much concerning it

before others, who so they be. Happily, we shall lose it, and lose the boon fortune we possess and the benefits we expect, for that is of him. His mother replied, I'd fear not, therefore, my son, and she arose and took the bowl full of jewels, which she wrapped up in a fine kerchief, and went forth the times, that she might reach the divan ere it became crowded. When she passed into the palace, the Leveh not being fully attended, she saw the viziers and sundry of the lords of the land going into the presence room, and after a short time when the divan was made complete by the ministers and high officials and chieftains and emirs and grandees, the Sultan appeared,

and the Vazirs made their abasance, and likewise did the nobles and the notables. The king seated himself upon the throne of his kingship, and all present at the Leveille stood before him with crossed arms, awaiting his commandment to sit. And when they received it, each took his place, according to his degree. Then the claimants came before the sultan, who delivered sentence after his wanted way,

until the divan was ended when the king arose and withdrew into the palace and the others all went their ways and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her primitive say when it was the five hundred and forty-sixth night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good will it hath reached Meo King of the Age, that Aladdin's mother, having come the earliest of all, found means of entering without any addressing her or offering to lead her to the presence, and she ceased not standing there until the divan ended, when the Sultan arose and withdrew into the palace, and the others all went about their business. And when she saw the throne empty and the king passing into his harem, she also wended her ways and returned home. But as soon as her son espied her bowl in hand, he thought that,

something untoward had befallen her, but he would not ask about, until such time as she had set down the bowl, when she acquainted him with that which had occurred, and ended by adding, Alam doolal, Lord, to the Lord, O my child, that I found courage enough, and secured for myself standing-place in the levee this day, and, albeit I dreaded to bespeak the king, yet, inshallah, on the morrow I will address him. Even today were many who, like myself, could not get audience of the sultan, but be of good cheer on my son, and tomorrow needs must I bespeak him for thy sake. And what happened not may happen. When Aladdin heard his parents' words, he joyed with excessive joy, and although he expected the matter to be managed hour by hour for excess of his love

and longing to the Lady Badr al-Budur, yet he possessed his soul in patience. They slept well that night, and betimes next morning the mother of Aladdin arose, and went with her bowl to the king's court, which she found closed. So she asked the people, and they told her that the sultan did not hold her obey every day, but only thrice in the senate. Wherefore she determined to return home. And after this, whenever she saw the court open, she would stand before the king until the reception ended, and when it was shut, she would go to make sure thereof, and this was the case for the whole month. The sultan was one to remark her presence at every LeVay, but on the last day when she took her station, as was her one, before the council,

she allowed it to close and lack boldness to come forwards and speak even a syllable. Now, as the king, having risen, was making for his harem, accompanied by the Grand Vazir, he turned to him and said, O'Vazir, during the last six or seven LeVay days, I see yonder old woman present herself at every reception, and I also note that she always carryeth a something under her mantilla. Say me, hast thou, O Vazir, any knowledge of her and her intention? Oh, my lord, the Sultan, said the other, verily women be weakly of wits, and happily this good wife cometh hither to complain before thee against her good man, or some of her people. But this reply was far from satisfying the Sultan. Nay, he bade the Vazir,

in case she should come again, set her before him. And forthright the minister placed hand on head and exclaimed, To hear is to obey, O our lord the Sultan. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and forty-seventh night, Quote Duneazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy,

do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. whereupon Scheherazout replied, With love and good will, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the mother of Aladdin, as she made a practice of repairing to the divan every day and passing into the room and standing opposite the king, albeit she was sorrowful and sore a weary,

with all for her son's sake she endeavored to make easy all her difficulties. Now, one day of the days, when she did, according to her custom, the sultan cast his eyes upon her as she stood before, for him and said to his grand vizier, This be the very woman whereof I spake to thee yesterday, so do thou straightway bring her before me, that I may see what he hir's suit and fulfill her need. Accordingly, the minister at once introduced her,

and when in the presence, she saluted the king by kissing her fingertips and raising them to her brow, and praying for the sultan's glory and continuance and the permanence of his prosperity bust ground before him. thereupon, quoth he, O woman, for sundry days I have seen the attend the Levese sends a word said, so tell me, and thou

have any requirement I may grant. She kissed the ground a second time, and after blessing him, answered, Yea, verily, as thy head liveth, O king of the age, I have a want, but first of all, do thou deign grant me a promise of safety, that I may prefer my suit to the ears of our lord

the sultan, for happily thy high may find it a singular the king wishing to know her need and being a man of unusual mildness and clemency gave his word for her immunity and bad forthwith dismiss all about him remaining without of it but the grand vizier then he turned towards his suppliant and said inform me of thy suit thou hast the safeguard of allah almighty o king of the age replied she i also require thee pardon and quoth he "'Ala pardon thee even as I do.' "'Then,' said she, "'Oh, Lord the Sultan, I have a son, "'A Latinite, and he, "'one day of the days, having heard the crier,

"'commending all men to shut shop and shun the streets, "'for that the Lady Badr al-Budur, "'daughter of the Sultan, was going to the Hamam, "'felt an uncontrollable longing to look upon her "'and hid himself in a stead whence he could sight her right well, "'and that place was behind the door of the baths. when she entered he beheld her and considered her as he wished and but too well for since the time he looked upon her o king of the age unto this hour life hath not been pleasant to him and he hath required of me that I ask her to wife for him from thy highness,

nor could I drive this fancy from his mind, because love of her hath mastered his vitals, and to such a degree that he said to me, know thou, o mother mine, that an I win not my wish, surely I shall die. Accordingly, I hope that thy harness will deign be mild and merciful, and pardon this boldness on the part of me and my child, and refrain to punish us, therefore.

When the Sultan heard her tale He regarded her with kindness And laughing aloud Asked her What may be that thou carryest And what be in yonder Kirchew? And she, seeing the Sultan laugh And you were waxing wroth at her words

Both Wright opened the wrapper And set before him the bowl of jewels Whereby the audience hall was illumined As it were by lustres and candelabra And he was dazed and amazed at the radiance of the rare gems, and he fell to marveling at their size and beauty and excellence. Anne Shaharazade was surprised by the dawn of day,

and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and forty-eighth night, Kothunya said, O sister mine, if thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Shaharazad replied, With love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age

That when the king saw the gems He was seized by surprise And cried, Never at all, until this day Saw I anything like these jewels For size and beauty and excellence, Nor deem I that there be found in my treasury A single one like them.

Then he turned to his minister And asked, What sayest thou, O Vazir? Hast thou seen in thy time Such mighty fine jewels as these? The other answered, Never saw I such o'er Lord the Sultan, nor do I think that there be in the treasures of my Lord the Sultan, the fellow of the least thereof.

The king resumed. Now, indeed, whoso hath presented to me such jewels, meriteth to become bridegroom to my daughter, Badr Arboudou, because as far as I see, none is more deserving of her than he. When the Basir heard the Sultan's words, he was tongue-tied with concern, and he grieved with sore grief, for the king had promised to give the princess in marriage to his son. So, after a little while he said, O king of the age, thy highness deigned promise me that the lady Badr Abu Dura should be spoused to my son. So tis but right that thine exalted highness vouchsafe us a delay of three months, during which time, inshallah, my child may obtain and present an offering

yet costlier than this. Accordingly the king, albeit he knew that such a thing could not be done, or by the vizier, or by the greatest of his grantees, yet of his grace and kindness granted him the required delay. Then he turned to the old woman, the Latin's mother, and said, Go to thy son, and tell him I have pledged my word that my daughter shall be in his name, only it is needful that I make the requisite preparations of nuptial furniture for her use. and tis only meat that he take patience for the next three months. Receiving this reply, Aladdin's mother thanked the Sultan and blessed him. Then going forth in hottest haste as one flying for joy, she went home.

And when her son saw her entering with a smiling face, he was gladdened at the sign of good news, especially because she had returned without delay as on the fast days and had not brought back the bowl. presently he asked her saying inshallah thou bearest me o my mother glad tidings and peradventure the jewels and their value have wrought their work and belike thou hast been kindly received by the king and he hath shown thee grace and hath given ear to thy request so she told him the whole tale how the sultan had entreated her well and had marvelled at the extraordinary size of the gems and their surpassing water as did also the vizier adding and he promised that his daughter should be thine. Only, oh, my child, the vizier spake of a secret contract made with him by the Sultan before he pledged himself to me, and after speaking privily, the king put me off to the end of three months. Therefore, I have become fearful lest the vizier be evilly disposed to thee, and perchance he may attempt to change the Sultan's mind.

And Jahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and forty-ninth night, Quote Dundasad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Shahrazad replied, With love and good will.

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when Aladdin heard his mother's words and how the Sultan had promised him his daughter, deferring, however, the wedding until after the third month, His mind was gladdened, and he rejoiced exceedingly, and said, Inasmuch as the king hath given his word after three months, well, which is a long time, at all events, my gladness is mighty great. Then he thanked his parent, showing her how her good work had exceeded her toil and travail,

and said to her, by Allah o my mother, hitherto I was as twere in my grave, and therefrom thou hast withdrawn me, and I praise Allah Almighty, because I am at this moment certified that no man in the world is happier than I or more fortunate. Then he took patience until two of the three months had gone by. Now one day of those days his mother fared forth about some down to the bazaar that she might buy somewhat of oil, and she found all the market shops fast shut, and the whole city decorated, and the folk placing wax and tapers and flowers at their casements. and she beheld the soldiers and household troops and others riding in procession and flambos and lusterous flaming and flaring,

and she wondered at the marvellous sight and the glamour of the scene. So she went into an oilman's store which stood open still and bought her need of him and said, By thy life, O uncle, tell me what be the tidings in town this day that people have made all these decorations in every house and market street are adorned and the troops all stand on guard. The Oralman asked her, "'O woman, I suppose thou art a stranger, not one of the city?' And she answered, "'Nay, I am my town'swoman.' He rejoined, thou, a town'swoman,

and yet wottest not that this very night the son of the Grand Rizier goeth in to the Lady Badr al-Burdour, daughter of the sultan? He is now in the Hammam, and all this power of soldiery is on guard and standing under arms to await his coming forth, when they will bear him in bridal procession to the palace, where the princess expecteth him. As the mother of Aladdin heard these words, she grieved and was distraught in thought,

and perplexed how to inform her son of this sorrowful event, well knowing that the poor youth was looking hour by hour to the end of the three months. But she returned straightway home to him, and when she had entered she said, Oh, my son, I would give thee certain tidings, yet hard to me will be the sorrow they shall occasion thee. He cried,

Let me know what be thy news. And she replied, Verily the Sultan hath broken his promise to thee in the matter of the lady Badr al-Budur, and this very night the Grand Vizier's son goeth into her. And for some time of my son I have suspected that the minister would change the king's mind, even as I told thee how he had spoken privily to him before me.

Aladdin asked, How learnedst thou that the Vazir's son is this night to pay his first visit to the princess? So she told him the whole tale. How, when going to buy oil, she had found the city decorated, and the eunuch officials and lords of the land, with the troops under arms waiting the bridegroom from the bans, and that the first visit was appointed for that very night. Hearing this, Aladdin was seized with a fever of jealousy brought on by his grief.

However, after a short while he remembered the lamb, and recovering his spirit, said, By thy life, O my mother, do thou believe that the Vazir's son will not enjoy her as thou thinkest. But now leave we this discourse, and arise thou and serve up supper, and after eating let me retire to my own chamber, and all will be well and happy. And Jehazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and fiftieth night, quote Dunazard, Oh, says to mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales.

Whereupon Cherasad replied, with love and good will, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that Aladdin, after he had supped, retired to his chamber, and locking the door, brought out the lamp and rubbed it, when his forthright appeared to him as familiar, who said, ask what so thou wantest for i am the slave and slave to him who holdeth the lamp in hand i and all the slaves of the lamp he replied hear me i prayed the sultan for his daughter to wife and he plighted her to me after three months but he hath not kept his word nay he hath given her to the son of the vazir and this very night the bridegroom will go into her therefore i command thee and thou be a trusty servitor to the lamb when thou shalt see bride and bridegroom bedded together this night at once take them up and bear them hither abed and this be what i want of thee

the marriage replied hearing and obeying and if thou have other service but this do thou demand of me all thou desirest aladdin at the present time i require not save that i badly do hereupon the slave disappeared and aladdin returned to pass the rest of the evening with his mother but at the hour when he knew that the servitor would be coming he arose and retired to his chamber and after a little while behold the married came bringing to him the newlywitted couple upon their bridle bed aladdin rejoiced to see them with exceeding joy then he cried to the slave carry yonder gallows bird hence and lay him at full length in the privy his bidding was done straightway but before leaving him the slave blew upon the bridegroom a blast so cold that it shriveled him and the plight of the busier's son became piteous then the servitor returning to aladdin said to him and thou require aught else inform me thereof and said the other return a mourn that thou mayst restore them to their stead where to i hear and obey both the married and evanish presently aladdin arose hardly believing that the affair had been such a success for him but when as he looked upon the lady badur abduu lying under his own roof albeit he had long burned with her love, yet he preserved respect for her, and said,

O princess of fair ones, think not that I brought thee hither to minish thy honor. Heaven for fend, nay, it was only to prevent the wrong man enjoying thee, for that thy sire the sultan promised thee to me, so do thou rest in peace. Anne Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. when it was the five hundred and fifty-first night quote dunyazad oh sister wine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon chaerazade replied with love and good will it hath reached me o king of the age that when the lady badra al-budur daughter of the sultan saw herself in that mean and darksome lodging and heard aladdin's words she was seized with fear and trembles and waxed clean distraught, nor could she return aught of reply. Presently the youth arose, and, stripping off his outer dress, placed a scimitar between them and lay upon the bed beside the

princess. And he did no villain deed, for it sufficed him, to prevent the consummation of her nuptials with the vizier's son. On the other hand, the Lady Badr al-Budur passed to-night the evilest of all knights, nor in her born days had she seen a worse. And the same was the case with the minister's son, who lay in the chapel of ease, and who dared not stir for the fear of the genie, which overwhelmed it. As soon as it was mourning, the slave appeared before Aladdin, without the lamp being rubbed, and said to him, O my lord, and thou require aught, command me therefore that i may do it upon my head and mine eyes said the other go take off and carry the bride and bridegroom to their own apartment so the servitor did his bidding in an eye-glance and bore away the pair and placed them in the palace as while they were and without their seeing anyone but both died of a fright when they found themselves being transported from stead to stead and the married had barely time to set them down and wend his ways ere the sultan came on a visit of congratulation to his daughter

and when the wazir's son heard the doors thrown open he sprang straightway from his couch and donned his dress for he knew that none save the king could enter at that hour yet it was exceedingly hard for him to leave his bed wherein he wished to warm himself a trifle after his cold night in the water-closet which he had lately left and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say a permitted say when it was the five hundred and fifty-second night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of their pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the sultan went into his daughter, Badr al-Budur, and kissing her between the eyes, gave her good morning,

and asked her of her bridegroom, and whether she was pleased and satisfied with him. But she returned to no reply whatever, and looked at him with the eye of anger, and although he repeated his words again and again, she held her peace, nor bespake him with a single syllable. So the king quitted her, and going to the queen, informed her of what had taken place between him and his daughter.

And the mother, unwilling to leave the Sultan angered with their child, said to him, O king of the age, did this be the custom of most newly married couples, at least during their first days of marriage, for that they are bashful and somewhat coy. So Dane now excuse her, and after a little while she will again become herself and speak with the folk as before. whereas now her shame, O king of the age, keepeth her silent. However, tis my wish to fare forth and see her. Thereupon the queen arose and donned her dress, then going to her daughter, wished her good morning,

and kissed her between the eyes. Yet would the princess make no answer at all, whereat quote the queen to herself, butless some strange matter hath occurred to trouble her with such trouble as this. So she asked her, saying, Oh, my daughter, what hath caused this thy case? Let me know what hath betided thee

that when I come and give thee good morning, thou hast not a word to say to me. Thereat the lady, Badra al-Budur raised her head and said, Pardon me, oh, my mother, twas my duty to meet thee with all respect and worship, seeing that thou hast honoured me by this visit. However, I pray thee to hear the cause of this my condition, and see how the night I have just spent hath been to me the evilest of the nights.

Hardly had we lain down on my mother, than one whose form I what not uplifted our bed, and transported it to a darksome place, fulsome and mean. Then the princess related to the queen-mother all that had befallen her that night, how they had taken away her bridegroom, leaving her lone and lonesome, and how, after a while, came another youth who lay beside her, and knew of her bridegroom, after placing his scimitar between her and himself. And in the morning, she continued,

he who carried us off, returned and bore us straight back to our own stead. But at once, when he arrived hither, he left us, and suddenly my sire the sultan entered at the hour and moment of our coming, and I had nor heart nor tongue to speak him withal, for the stress of the terror and trembling which came upon me. haply such lack of duty may have proved sore to him so i hope o my mother thou wilt acquaint him with the cause of this my condition and that he will pardon me for not answering him and blame me not but rather accept my excuses and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say or permitted say when it was the five hundred and fifty-third night quoth dunyazad oh sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Shehazade replied, with love and goodwill.

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when the queen heard these words of Princess Badr al-Budur, she said to her, O my child, compose thy thoughts, and thou tell such a tale before any, happily shall he say, verily let the sultan's daughter have lost her wits. And thou hast done right well in not choosing to recount thine adventure to thy father, and beware and again i say beware o my daughter lest thou inform him thereof the princess replied o my mother i have spoken to thee like one's sound in senses nor have i lost my wits this be what befell me and if thou believ't not because coming from me ask my bright groom to which the queen replied rise up straightway o my daughter and banish from thy thoughts such fancies as these, and robe thyself, and come forth to glance at the bridal feasts and festivities they are making in the city for the sake of thee and thy nuptials, and listen to the drumming and the

singing, and look at the decorations all intended to honour thy marriage o my daughter. So saying the queen at once summoned the tirewomen, who dressed and prepared the lady Badurohudur, and presently she went into the sultan and assured him that their daughter had suffered during all her wedding night from swathens and nightmare, and said to him, Be not severe with her for not answering thee. Then the queen sent privily for the vizier's son, and asked the matter, saying, Tell me, are these words of the Lady Barra al-Budu sufast or not? But he, in his fear of losing his bride out of hand, answered,

Oh, my lady, I have no knowledge of that where of thou speakest. accordingly the mother made sure that her daughter had seen visions and dreams the marriage feasts lasted throughout that day with almas and singers and the smiting of all manner instruments of mirth and merriment while the queen and the vizier and his son strive right strenuously to enhance the festivities that the princess might enjoy herself and that day they left nothing of what excited to pleasure unrepresented in her presence to the end that she might enjoy herself and that day they left nothing of what excited to pleasure unrepresented in her presence to the end that she might might forget but was in her thoughts and derive increase of joyance. Yet did not of this take any effect upon her. Nay, she sat in silence, sad of thought, sore perplexed at what had been fallen her during the last night. It is true that the Vazir's son had suffered even more because he had passed his sleeping

hours lying in the water closet. He, however, had false the story and had cast out remembrance of the night in the first place, for his fear of losing his bride, and with her the honour of a connection which brought him such excessive consideration, and for which men envied him so much, and secondly, on account of the wondrous loveliness of the Lady Badra al-Budur and her marvellous beauty. Aladdin also went forth that day, and looked at the merry-makings which extended throughout the city as well as the palace, and he fell a laughing, especially when he heard the folk-fraiting of the high honor which had accrued to the son of the vizier,

and the prosperity of his fortunes in having become son-in-law to the sultan, and the high consideration shown by the wedding vets. And he said in his mind, Indeed, ye want not, oh, ye miserable's what befell him last night, that ye envy him. But after darkness fell, and it was time for sleep, Aladdin arose, and, retiring to his chamber rubbed the lamp, whereupon the slave incontinently appeared and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say

when it was the five hundred and fifty-fourth night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and there'll be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon chahrazad replied with love and good will it hath reached me o king of the age that when the slave appeared in presence of Aladdin, he was bidden to bring him the Sultan's daughter, together with her bridegroom, as on the past night, ere the vizier's son could evade her maidenhead. So, the married, without stay or delay, vanished for a little while, until the appointed time, when he returned, carrying the bed whereon lay the lady, Badr El Boudur, and the Vazir's son, and he did with the bridegroom, as he had done before, to which he took him up and lay him at full length in the jakes, and there left him dried up for excess of fear and trembling. Then Aladdin rose, and placing the scimitar between himself and the princess, lay down beside her, and when day broke, the slave restored the pair to

their own place, leaving Aladdin filled with delight at the state of the minister's son. Now, when the Sultan woke up a morn, he resolved to visit his daughter and see if she would treat him as on the past day, so shaking off his sleep, he sprang up and arrayed him. himself in his raiment, and going to the apartment of the princess fad open the door. Thereat the son of the vizier arose for fright and came down from his bed, and began dawning his dress whilst his ribs were wrung with cold, for when the king entered, the slave had but just brought him back. The sultan, raising the arras, drew near his daughter as she lay a bed, and gave her good morning. Then kissing her between the eyes, he asked her of her

case. But he saw her looking sour and sad, and she answered him not at all, only glowering at him as one in anger, and her plight was pitiable. Hereat the sultan waxed wroth with her, for that she would not reply, and he suspected that something evil had befallen her, whereupon he bared his blade and cried to her brand in hand, saying, What be this hath betided thee? Either acquaint me with what happened, for this very moment I will take thy life. Is such conduct the token of honour and respect I expect of thee, that I address thee and thou answerest me not a word? When the lady Barre Al-Wudur saw her sire in high dudgeon, and the naked glave in his grip, she was freed from her fear of the past. So she raised her head and said to him, O my beloved father, be not wroth

with me, nor be hasty in thy hot passion, for I am excusable in what thou shalt see of my case. So do thou lend an ear to what occurred to me, and well I want that after hearing my account of what befell to me during these two last nights, thou wilt pardon me, and thy highness will be softened to pitying me even as I claim of the affection for thy child. Then the princess informed her father of all that had betided her, adding, O my sire, and thou believe me not, ask my pride-groom, and he will recount to thy highness the whole adventure. Nor did I know either what they would do with him

when they bore him away from my side, or where they would place him. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Aladdin, part three. Section 6 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This liverbox recording is in the public domain,

read by Thomas Copeland. Aladdin, or the Wonderful Lamb, Part Four. When it was the 55th night, Quote Duneazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, With love and goodwill.

He hath reached me, O king of, of the age that when the Sultan heard his daughter's words, he was saddened, and his eyes brimmed with tears. Then he sheathed his sabre and kissed her, saying, Oh, my daughter, wherefore didst thou not tell me what happened on the past night, that I might have guarded thee from this torture and terror which visited thee a second time? But now tis no matter, rise, and cast out all such care, and to-night I will set a watch toward thee, nor shall any mishap again make me miserable. Then the sultan returned to his palace, and straightway bed summoned the grand vizier,

and asked him as he stood before him in his service, O vizier, how dost thou look upon this matter? Happily thy son have informed thee of what occurred to him and to my daughter. The minister replied, O king of the age, I have not seen my son, oh, yesterday or today. hereat the sultan told him all that it afflicted the princess, adding, "'Tis my desire that thou at once seek tidings of thy son concerning the facts of the case. Their adventure, of her fear, my daughter may not be fully aware of what really befell her, with all I hold all her words to be truthful.'

So the grand vizier arose, and going forth bade summon his son, and asked him and then all his lord had told him whether it be true, or untrue. The youth replied, Oh, my father, the Basir, heaven forbid that the Lady Badr al-Budur speak falsely. Indeed, all she said was soon, and these two knights proved to us the evilest of our knights instead of being knights of pleasure and marriage joys. But what befell me was the greater evil, because, instead of sleeping a bed with my bride, I lay in the wardrobe, a black hole, frightful, moy.

of stench, truly damnable, and my ribs were bursting with cold. In fine, the young man told his father the whole tale, adding, as he entered it, Oh, dear father mine, I implore thee to speak with the Sultan, that he may set me free from this marriage. Yes, indeed, tis a high honor for me to be the Sultan's son-in-law, and especially the love of the Princess, have gotten hold of my vitals. But I have no strength left to endure a single,

night like into these two last. And Scheherazade was surprised for the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 556th night, Quote Duna said, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales? Whereupon Shehazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the vizier, hearing the words of his son, was saturned and sorrowful exceedingly, for it was his design to advance and promote his child by making him son or not to the Sultan. So he became thoughtful and perplexed about the affair and the device whereby to manage it. And it was sore grievous for him to break off the marriage, it having been a rare enjoyment to him that he had fallen upon such high good fortune.

Accordingly, he said, take patience, oh, my son, until we see what may happen this night. when we will set watchmen toward you, nor do thou give up the exalted distinction which hath fallen to none save to thyself. Then the vazir left him, and returning to the sovereign, reported that all told to him by the Lady Badra al-Budur was a true tale, whereupon quoth the sultan,

since the affairs on this wise we require no delay, and he had once ordered all the rejoicings to cease and the marriage to be broken on. this caused the folk and the citizen to marvel at the matter especially when they saw the grand vizier and his son leaving the palace impitiable flightful grief and stress of passion and the people fell to asking what have happened and what is the cause of the wedding being made null and void nor did any know of the truth save aladdin the lover who claimed the princess's hand and he laughed at his sleeve but even after the marriage was dissolved the sultan forgot nor even recalled to mind his promise made to aladdin's mother and the same was the case with the grand vizier while neither had any inkling of whence befell them that which had the pollen so aladdin patiently awaited the lapse of the three months after which the sultan had pledged himself to give him to wife his daughter but as soon as ever the term came he sent his mother to the sultan for the purpose of requiring him to keep his cover So she went to the palace, and when the king appeared in the divan and saw the old woman standing before him, he remembered his promise to her concerning the marriage after a term of three months.

And he turned to the minister and said, O Thasir, this be the ancient dame who resented me with the jewels, and to whom we pledged our word that when the three months had elapsed, we would summon her to our presence before all others. So the minister went forth and fetched her. and when she went into the sultan's presence, she saluted him and prayed for his glory and permanence of prosperity. Hereat the king asked her if she needed aught, and she answered, O king of the age, the three months term thou assignest to me is finished, and this is thy time to marry my son Aladdin with thy daughter,

the lady Badaar Boudou. The sultan was distraught at this demand, especially when he saw the old woman's pauper condition, one of the meanest of her kind. And yet the offering she had brought to him was of the most magnificent, far beyond his power to pay the price. Accordingly, he turned to the Grand Ruseer and said,

What device is there with thee? In very soon I did pass my word, yet, me seemeth that they be powerful, they're not persons of high condition. And Genarazod was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say, her permitted say, when it was the five hundred and fifty-seventh night. Quote Dunezad,

O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, Who tell us, some of thy pleasant tales? Whereupon, Scheherazade replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the grand vizier, who was dying of envy, and who was especially saddened by what had befallen his son, said to himself,

How shall one like this wed the king's daughter? and my son lose this highmost honour. Accordingly, he answered his sovereign, speaking privily, O my lord, tis an easy matter to keep off a poor devil such as this, for he is not worthy that thy highness give his daughter to a fellow whom none knoweth what he may be. By what means? inquired the Sultan. Shall we put off the man when I pledged my promise,

and the word of the kings is their bond? replied the vazir, O my lord, My read is that thou demand of him Forty platters made of pure sand-gold And full of gem, such as the woman brought there for time, With forty white slave-girls to carry the platters, And forty black eunuch slaves.

The king rejoined, By Allah, O Vazir, thou hast spoken to the purpose, Seeing that such thing is not possible. And by this way we shall be able, freed. Then quoth ye to Aladdin's mother, Do thou go and tell thy son that I am a man of my word Even as I plaited it to him,

But on condition that he have power to pay the dower of my daughter, And that which I require of him is a settlement consisting of two score platters of virgin gold, All brimming with gems, the like of those thou broughtest to me, And as many white handmaids to carry them, and two score black eunuch slaves to serve and escort the bearers. And thy son avail here too, I will marry him with my daughter. Thereupon she returned home, wagging her head and saying in her mind,

"'Once can my poor boy procure these platters and such jewels? And granted that he returned to the enchanted treasury and plucked them from the trees, which, however I hold impossible, yet given that he bring them, when shall he come by the girls and the blacks? Nor did she leave communing with herself till she reached her home, where she found Aladdin awaiting her, and she lost no time in saying,

Oh, my son, did I not tell thee, never to fancy that thy power would extend to the Lady Barrel-Aldu, and as such a matter is not possible to folk like ourselves? Recount to me the news, quote he. So, quoth she, oh, my child, barely the Sultan received me with all honour, according to his custom, and, misceemeth his intentions towards us be friendly,

but thine enemy is that a cursed vazir, for after I addressed the king in my name, as thou baddest me say, in very sooth the promised term is past, adding, Foroella and thy highness would deign issue commandment for the espousals of thy daughter, the lady of Badur Abu Dhu to my son Al-Latin, he turned to me and addressed the minister,

who answered privily, after which the Sultan gave me his reply. Then she enumerated the king's demands and said, Oh, my son he indeed expecteth of the an instant reply, but I fancy that we have no answer for him. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her committed say. When it was the five hundred and fifty-eighth night,

Quote Dunezad, O sister mine and thou be other than suit me, do tell us some of thy pleasant things. tales. Whereupon, Cheherazade replied, with love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when Aladdin heard these words, he laughed and said, Oh, my mother, thou affirmeth that we have no answer, and thou deemest the case difficult exceedingly, but compose thy thoughts, and arise, and bring me somewhat we may eat, and after we have dined, and the compassionately willing, thou should see my reply. Also the sultan thinketh like thyself that he hath demanded a prodigious

dower in order to divert me from his daughter, whereas the fact is that he hath required of me a matter far less than I expected. But do thou fare forth at once and purchase the provision, and leave me to forgive the reply? So she went out to fetch her needful from the bazaar, and Aladdin retired to his chamber, and, taking the lamp, rubbed it. When Forthright appeared to him its slave, and said, Ask, oh my lord, what so thou wantest. The other replied, I have demanded of the sultan his daughter to wipe,

and he hath required of me forty bowls of purest gold each weighing ten pounds, and all to be filled with gems such as we find in the gardens of the horde. Furthermore, that they be borne on the heads of as many white handmaids, each attended by her black eunuch slave, also forty, and four, rate. So, I desire that thou bring all these into my presence. Harkening and obeying, oh, my lord, quote the slave, and disappearing for the space of an hour or so, presently returned bringing the platters and jewels, handmaids, and eunuchs. Then setting them before him, the married cried,

This be what thou demandedst of me. Declair now, and thou want any matter or service other than this. aladdin rejoined i have need of naught else but an i do i will summon me and let thee know the slave now disappeared and after a little while aladdin's mother returned home and on entering the house she saw the blacks and the handmaids hereat she wondered and exclaimed all this proceedeth from the land which allah perpetuate to my son but ere she doft her buntia aladdin said to her o my mother this be thy time before the sultan enter his Saragya palace, do thou carry to him what he required, and when thou with it at once, so may he know that I avail to supply all he wanteth, and yet more, also that he is beguiled by his grand vizier, and the twain imagined vainly that they would baffle me. Then he arose forthright and opened the house door,

when the handmaids and Blackamores paced forth in pairs, each girl with her eunuch beside her, until they crowded the quarter, Aladdin's mother foregoing them. And when the folk of that ward sighted such mighty fine sight and marvellous spectacle, all stood at gaze, and they considered the forms and figures of the handmaids, marvelling at their beauty and loveliness, for each and every wore robes in rock with gold and studded with jewels, no dress being worth less than a thousand in arms. They stared as intently at the bowls, and albeit these were covered with pieces of brocade, also afraid and dubbed with precious stones yet the sheen outshot from them dulled the shine of sun and chahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say

when it was the five hundred and fifty-ninth night quoth dunyazard o sister mine and thou be other than sleuth do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good-will it hath reached me o king of the age that the folk and especially the people of the quarter stood a marvelling at this singular scene then aladdin's mother walked forwards and all the handmaids and eunuchs paced behind her in the best of ordnance and disposition and the citizens gathered to gaze at the beauty of the damsels glorifying god the most great until the train reached the palace and entered it accompanied by the tailor's widow now when the aghaz and chamberlains and army officers beheld them all were seized with surprise notably by seeing the handmaids who each and every would ravish the reason of an anchorite and albeit the royal chamberlains and officials were men of family the sons of grandees and demiers yet they could not but especially wonder at the costly dresses of the girls and the platters borne upon their heads nor could they gaze at them open-eyed but they could they gaze at them open-eyed but they could not but especially wonder at the costly dresses of the girls and the clatters born upon their heads nor could they gaze at them open-eyed by reason of the exceeding brilliance and radiance then the nabobs went in and reported to the king who forthright bad admit them to the presence chamber and aladdin's mother went in with them when they stood before the sultan all saluted him with every sign of respect and worship and prayed for his glory and prosperity then they sat down from their heads the bowls at his feet and having removed the brocade covers rested with arms crossed behind them.

The Sultan wondered with exceeding wonder and was distraught by the beauty of the handmaids and their loveliness which passed praise, and his wits were wieldered when he considered the golden bowls brim full of gems which captured man's vision, and he was perplexed at the marvel until he became, like the dumb,

unable to utter a syllable for the excess of his wonder. Also, his sense was stupefied the more when he bethought him that with him that within an hour or so all these treasures had been collected. Presently, he commanded the slave-girls to enter with what loads they bore, the dower of the princess. And when they had done his bidding, Aladdin's mother came forward and said to the sultan, O my lord, this be not much wherewith to honour the lady Badr al-Budur,

for that she merit of these things multiplied times manifold. Hereat the sovereign turned to the minister and asked, what say'st thou, Vazir, Is not he who could produce such wealth in a time so brief? Is he not, I say, worthy to become the sultan's son-in-law, and take the king's daughter to wife? Then the minister, although he marvelled at these riches even more than did the sultan, whose envy was killing him and growing greater, hour by hour,

seeing his liege lord satisfied with the monies and the dower, and yet being unable to fight against fact, made answer, tis not worthy of her. With all, he fell to devising a device against the king that he might withhold the Lady Barabuduul from Aladdin, and accordingly he continued, "'Omalige, the treasures of the universe, all of them are not worth a nail-paring of thy daughter.

Indeed, thy highness hath prized these things overmuch in comparison with her.' Anne-Shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. when it was the five hundred and sixtieth night quote dunyazard o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of the pleasant tales whereupon chahrazad replied with love and good will it hath reached no king of the age that when the king heard the words of his grand vizier he knew that the speech was prompted by excessive envy so turning to the mother of aladdin he said o woman go to thy son, and tell him that I have accepted of him the dower, and stand to my bargain, and that my daughter be his bride, and he my son-in-law.

Furthermore, bid him at once make act of presents, that I may become familiar with him. He shall see naught from me save all honour and consideration, and this night shall be the beginning of the marriage festivities, only, as I said to thee, let him come to me and tarry not. thereupon Aladdin's mother returned home with the speed of the stormlings that she might hasten her utmost to congratulate her son, and she flew with joy at the thought that her boy was about to become son-in-law to the Sultan. After her departure, the king dismissed the divine, and entering the palace of the princess, fed them bring the bowls and the handmaids before him and before her, that she also might inspect them. But when the lady Badra al-Budur considered the jewels,

she waxed a straw and cried, May seem that in the treasuries of the world there be not found one jewel rivaling these jewels. Then she looked at the handmaids and marveled at their beauty and loveliness, and knew that all this came from her new bridegroom who had sent them in her service. So she was gladden, albeit she had been grieved and saddened

on the count of her former husband of Ozier's son, and she rejoiced with exceeding joy when she gazed upon the damsels and their charms. nor was her sire the Sultan less pleased and is spirited when he saw his daughter relieved of all her mourning and melancholy, and his own vanished at the sight of her adjourn. Then he asked her, O my daughter, do these things divert thee? Indeed, I deem that this suitor of thine be more suitable to thee than the son of the vizier, and right soon, inshallah, or my daughter, shalt thou have fuller joy with him. Such was the case with the king. But as regards Aladdin, as soon as he saw his mother entering the house with face laughing for stress of joy he rejoiced at the sign of glad tidings and cried to allah alone be lords perfected is all i desire rejoined his mother be gladdened at my good news o my son and harden thy heart and cool thine eyes for the winning of thy wish the sultan hath accepted thine offering i mean the monies and the dower of the lady butter of the duel who is now thine a fiest bride and this very night o my child is your marriage and thy first visit to her for the king that he might assure me of his word hath proclaimed to the world thou art his son-in-law and promised this night to be the night of going in

but he also said to me let thy son come hither forthright that i may become familiar with him and receive him with all honour and worship and now here i am o my son at the end of my labours happen what so may happen the rest is upon thy shoulders thereupon aladdin arose and kissed his mother's hand and thanked her enhancing her kindly service then he left her and entering his chamber took the lamp and rubbed it when lo and behold its slave appeared and cried adsob ask what so thou wantest the young man replied tis my desire that thou take me to a hamam whose life is not in the world then fetch me a dress so costly and kingly that no royalty ever owned its fellow the marriage replied i hear and i obey and carried him to baths such as were never seen by the kings of the coseros for the building was all of alabaster and carnivian and it contained marvellous limnings which captured the sight and the great hall was studded with precious stones not a soul was therein but when aladdin entered one of the jan in human shape washed him and bathed him to the best of his desire and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and sixty-first night quoth dunyazad oh sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon Don Shahrazad replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached Me, O King of the Age, that Aladdin, after having been washed and bathed,

left the baths, and went into the great hall, where he found that his old dress had been removed and replaced by a suit of the most precious and princely. Then he was served with sherbetts and ambergrist coffee, and after drinking he arose, and a party of black slaves came forwards and plant him in the costliest of clothing, then perfumed, and humiliated him. It is known that Aladdin was the son of a tailor, a pauper, yet now none would deem him to be such. Nay, all would say this be the greatest

that is of the progeny of the kings. Praise be to him who changeth, and who is not changed. Presently came the genie, and lifting him up, bore him to his home, and asked, O my lord, tell me, ask thou off of need. He answered, yes, tis my desire that thou bring me eight and forty

Mamelukes, of whom two dozen shall forego me and the rest follow me, the whole number, with their war-chargers and clothing and accoutrements, and all upon them, and their steeds must be of not save of highest worth and the costliest, such as may not be found in treasures of the kings.

Then, fetch me a stallion, fit for the riding of the Cosphros, and let his furniture, all thereof, be of gold-crusted with the financial, gems. Petch me also eight and forty thousand dinars, that each white slave may carry a thousand gold pieces. Tis now my intent to fare to the Sultan, so delay thou not, for that without all these requisites whereof I bespeak thee I may not visit him. Moreover, set before me a dozen slave-girls unique in beauty and dight with the most magnificent dresses, that they went with my mother to the royal palace,

and let every handmaid be robed in raiment that befitteth queens wearing. The slave replied, To here is to obey, and disappearing for an eye-twinkling, brought all he was bidden-bring, and led by hand a stallion whose rival was not amongst the Arabian Arabs, and its saddle-cloth was of splendid brocade, gold in rot. Thereupon, without stay or delay,

Aladdin sent for his mother, and gave her the garments she should wear, and committed to her charge the twelve slave-girls, forming her suite to the palace. Then he sent one of the mamelukes, whom the genie had brought, to see if the sultan had left the serralia or not. The white slave went forth,

lighter than the lightning, and returning in like haste, said, O my lord, the sultan awaiteth thee. Hereat, Alan arose and took horse, his mamelukes riding a van and a rear of him, and they were such, that all must cry, laud to the Lord who created them, and clothed them with such beauty and loveliness. And they scattered gold amongst the crowd in front of their master,

who surpassed them all in humbliness and seemly head, nor needst thou ask concerning the sons of the kings. Praise be to the bountable, the eternal. All this was of the virtues of the wonderful land, which, who so possessed him it gifted with fairest favor and finest figure, with wealth and with wisdom. The folk admired Aladdin's liberality and exceeding

generosity, and all were distraught seeing his charms and elegance, his gravity and his good manners. They glorified the Creator for this noble creation. They blessed him each and every. And albeit they knew him for the son of such an one, a tailor,

yet no man envied him, nay, all owned that he deserved his great good fortune. and Jehazade was surprised for the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and sixty-second night, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Jehazade replied, With love and good will.

It have reached me, O king of the age, that the people were bewildered at Aladdin and his liberality and generosity, and all blessed and prayed for him high and low, as he rode palacewards with the Mamalukes before and behind him, scattering gold upon the heads of the folk. Now the Sultan had assembled the lords of the land, and informing them of the promise he had passed to Aladdin, touching the marriage of his daughter, had bidden them await his approach,

and then go forth one and all to meet him and greet him. Hereupon the Amirs and Basirs, the Chamberlums, the Nabubs, and the army officers took their stations expecting him at the palace gate aladdin would fain have dismounted at the outer entrance but one of the nobles whom the king had deputed for such duty approached him and said o my lord tis the royal command that thou enter riding thy steed nor dismount except at the divan door then they all forewent him in a body and conducted him to the appointed place where they crowded about him these to hold his stirrup and those supporting him on either side whilst others took him by the hands and helped him dismount after which all the emirs and nobles preceded him into the divan and led him close up to the royal throne thereupon the sultan came down forthright from his seat of estate and forbidding him to bust the carpet embraced and kissed and kissed and seated him to the right of and beside himself. Aladdin did what so is suitable, in the case of kings, of salutation and offering of blessings,

and said, O our Lord the Sultan, indeed, the generosity of thy highness, demanded that thou deign pouch safe to me the hand of thy daughter, the Lady Arr al-Budur, albeit I, undeserved the greatness of such gift, I being but the humblest of thy slaves, I pray Allah grant thee prosperity and perpetuance, but in very sooth, O king, my tongue is helpless to thank thee for the fullness of the favour,

passing all measure which thou hast bestowed upon me, and I hope, of thy highness, that thou will give me a piece of ground fitted for a pavilion which shall besit thy daughter, the lady Badr al-Badu. The Satan was struck with admiration when he saw Aladdin in his princely suit, and looked upon him, and considered his beauty and loveliness, and doubted the mammaloo, standing to serve him in their comeliness, and seen him, head. And still his marble grew when the mother of Aladdin approached him in costly graemeant and sumptuous, clad as though she were a queen, and when he gazed upon the twelve

handmaids, standing before her, with crossed arms, and with all worship and reverence, doing her service, he also considered the eloquence of Aladdin and his delicacy of speech, and he was astounded thereat, he and all his who were present at the Leveille. Thereupon fire was kindled in the Grand Vazir's heart for envy of Aladdin until he was like to die. And it was worse when the sultan, after hearing the youth's succession of prayers and seeing his high dignity of demeanor, respectful with all, and his eloquence and elegance of language, clasped him to his bosom and kissed him, and cried, alas, oh, my son, that I have not enjoyed thy converse before this day. then Chahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the five hundred and sixty-third night, Guth Duna Zad, O, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of my pleasant tales, whereupon Chahrazad would lied, with love and good will. It had reached me, O king of the age, that when the Sultan beheld Aladdin after such fashion, he rejoiced in him with mighty great joy, and straightway bad the music and the bands strike up. Then he arose, and taking the youth, led him into the palace, where supper had been prepared, and the eunuchs had once laid the tables.

So the sovereign sat down and seated his son-in-law on his right side, and the viziers and high officials and lords of the land took places each according to his degree, whereupon the bands played and a mighty fine marriage feast was to spread in the palace. The king now applied himself to make him. making friendship with Aladdin, and conversed with the youth, who answered him with all courtesy and eloquence, as though he had been bred in the palaces of the kings, or he had lived with them a stately life. And the more the talk was prolonged between them, the more did the Sultan's pleasure and delight increase, hearing his son-in-law's readiness of reply and his sweet flow

of language. But after they had eaten and drunken, and the trays were removed, the king bade summon the cussies and witnesses, who presently attended and knitted the knot and wrote out the contract writ between Aladdin and the Lady Badra al-Budur. And presently the bridegroom arose, and would have fared forth when his father-in-law withheld him, and asked, Whither away, O my child? The bride-fetch have begun, and the marriage is made, and the tie is tied, and the writ is written. He replied, O my lord the king, tis my desire to edify for the Lady Badr al-Budur a pavilion, befitting her station and high degree. Nor can I visit her before so do ye.

Farin, shall all the building shall be finished within the shortest time, by the utmost endeavour of thy slave, and by the kindly regard of thy highness. And although I do, yes, indeed, long to enjoy the society of the Lady Badrard-Budur, yet tis incumbent only first to serve her, and it becometh me to set about the work forthright. Look around thee, O my son, replied the Sultan, for what ground thou deem is suitable to thy design, and do thou take all things into thy hands? But I deem the best for thee will be on a broad plain facing my palace, and, if it please thee, build thy pavilion thereupon. And this, answered Aladdin, is the sum of my wishes, that I may be near hand to His Highness.

So saying, he fareweld the king and took horse, with his Mamaluk's writing before him and behind him, and all the world blessed him and cried, by Allah he is deserving, until such time as he reached his home. Then he alighted from his stallion, and, repairing to his chamber, rubbed the lamb, and behold, the slave stood before him and said,

Ask, O my lord, what so thou wanteth. and Aladdin rejoin, I require thee of a service grave and important, which thou must do for me, and tis that thou build me with all urgency a pavilion fronting the palace of the sultan, and it must be a marvel, for it shall be provided with every requisite

such as royal furniture and so forth. The slave replied, To hear is to obey. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and sixty-fourth night, quote Muzad, Oh, says to mine, and I'll be other than sleepy,

do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazad replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the slave have vanished, and before the next dawn break, returned to Aladdin, and said, o my lord the pavilion is finished to the fullest of thy fancy and if thou wouldst inspect it arise forthright and fair with me accordingly he rose up and the slave carried him in the space of an eye-glance to the pavilion which when aladdin looked upon it struck him with surprise at such building all its stones being of jasper and alabaster sumaki marble and mosaic

then the slave led him into the treasury which was full of all manner of gold and silver from costly gems not to be counted or computed priced or estimated thence to another place where aladdin saw all requisites for the tables plates and dishes spoons and ladles basins and covers cups and tasses the whole of precious metal thence to the kitchen where they found the kitcheners provided with their needs and cooking batteries likewise golden and silver. Thence to a warehouse piled up with chests full-packed of royal raiment, stuffs that capture the reason, such as gold-rock vocades from India and China, and kim-cobs and o'-fraid claws. Thence, to many apartments, replete with appointments which beggar description. Thence to the stables, containing porcers whose life was not to be met with amongst the kings of the universe. And lastly, they went to the harness-room, all hung housings, costly saddles, and other furniture, everywhere studded with pearls and precious stones.

And all this was the work of one night. Aladdin was wonder-struck and astounded by that magnificent display of wealth, which not even the mightiest monarch on earth could produce, and more so to see his pavilion fully provided with eunuchs and handmaids, whose beauty would seduce a saint. yet the prime marvel of the pavilion was an upper kiosk or belvedere of four-and-twenty windows, all made of emeralds and rubies and other gems. And one window remained unfinished at the requirement of Aladdin, that the Sultan might prove him impotent to complete it. When the youth had inspected the whole edifice, he was pleased and gladdened exceedingly.

Then turning to the slave, he said, I require thee still one thing which is yet wanting, and whereof I have forgotten to tell thee. As, will my lord, thy want, both the servitor, and quote the other, I demand thee a carpet of the primus brocade all gold in rod, which when unrolled and outstretched, shall extend hence to the Sultan's palace,

in order that the Lady Badarovudu do may when coming hither, pace upon it and not tread common earth. The slave departed for a short while, and said on his return, O my lord, verily that which thou demandest, is here. Then he took him and showed him a carpet which wieldered the wits, and it extended from palace to provisphil. And after this the servitor bore Arthur Latin and set him down in his own home. Anne Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day,

and ceased to say her permitted sale. When it was the five hundred and sixty-fifth night, Quote Dunazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Cherazad replied, with love and good will, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the slave, after displaying the carpet to Aladdin, bore him home.

Now day was brightening, so the sultan rose from his sleep, and throwing open the casement, looked out, and despite opposite his palace, a palatial pavilion, ready edified. Thereupon he fell to rubbing his eyes and opening them their widest, and considering the scene, and he soon was certified that the new edifice was mighty fine and grand enough to bewilder the wits. Moreover, with amazement as great he saw the carpet to spread between palace and pavilion. Like their load also, the royal doorkeepers in the household one and all were dazed and amazed at the spectraud.

to them. Meanwhile, the Vazir came in, and as he entered, despite the newly-builted pavilion and the carpet, whereat he also wondered, and when he went into the Sultan, the twain fell to talking on this marvellous matter, with great surprise at a sight which distracted the gaza and attracted the heart. They said, finally, In very truth, of this pavilion we deem that none of the royalties could build its fellow, and the king, turning to the minister, asked him, hast thou seen now that aladdin is worthy to be the husband of the princess my daughter hast thou looked upon and considered this right royal building this magnificence of opulence which thought of man cannot contain but the vazir in his envy of aladdin replied o king of the age indeed this foundation of this building and this opulence may not be save by means of magic nor can any man in the world be he the richest in good or the great

greatest in governance, avail to found and finish in a single night such edifice as this. The solvenly adjoined, I am surprised to see in thee how thou dost continually harp on evil opinion of Aladdin, but I hold that tis caused by thine envy and jealousy. Thou wast present when I gave him the ground at his own prayer for a place whereon he might build a pavilion wherein to lodge my daughter, and I myself favoured him with a sight for the same, and that too before thy very face.

But however that be, shall one who could send me as dower for the princess such store of such stones, where the kings never obtained even a few, shall he, I say, be unable to edify an edifice like this? And Scheherazard was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and sixty-sixth the night,

Quote Duneazade, O sister mine, and thou thou, thou. be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Shehazov replied, With love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when the vizier heard the sultan's words, He knew that his lord loved Aladdin exceedingly, so his envy and malice increased. Only as he could do nothing against the youth, he sat silent and impotent to return a reply. But Aladdin, seeing that it was broad day, and the appointed time had come for his repairing to

the palace, where his wedding was being celebrated, and the emirs and viziers and grandees were gathered together about the Sultan to be present at the ceremony, arose and rubbed the lamp, and when its slave appeared and said, O my lord, ask what so thou wantest, for I stand before thee and at thy service, said he, I mean forthright to seek the palace, this day being my wedding festival, and I want thee to supply me with ten thousand in ours. The slave evanished for an eye-twinkling, and returned bringing the monies. When Aladdin took horse with his mamelukes a van and a rear, and passed on his way, scattering as he went gold-pieces upon the leeches, until all were fondly affected towards him,

and his dignity was enhanced. But when he drew near the palace, and the emirs and others and army officers who were standing to await him noted as approach, they hastened straightway to the king, and gave him the tidings thereof. Whereupon the sultan rose and met his son-in-law, and after embracing and kissing him, led him still holding his hand into his own apartment, where he sat down and seated him by his right side. The city was all decorated, and music rang through the palace, and the singers sang until the king bed bring the noon meal, when eunuchs and mameloupes hastened to spread the tables and trays, which are such as are served to the kings. Then the Sultan and Aladdin and the Lords of the Land and the Grandees of the

realm took their seats and ate and drank until they were satisfied. And it was a mighty fine wedding in city and palace, and the high nobles all rejoiced therein, and the commons of the kingdom were equally gladdened, while the governors of provinces and Nabobs of districts flocked from far regions to witness Aladdin's marriage and his processions and festivities. The Sultan also marvelled in his mind to look at Aladdin's mother, and recalled her mind how she was wont to visit him in pauper plight, while her son could command all this opulence and magnificence.

And when the spectators, who crowded the royal palace to enjoy the wedding feasts, looked upon Aladdin's pavilion and the beauties of the building, they were seized with an immense surprise that so vast an edifice as this could be reared on high during a single night, and they blessed the youth and cried, Allah gladden him. by Allah he deserveth all this Allah bless his days and Scheherazade was surprised at the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and sixty-seven night Coutinia said oh sister mine and thou be other and sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon Scheherazade replied with love and good will it hath reached me a king of the age that when dinner was done, Aladdin rose and farewelling the Sultan took horse with his

Mama Looz, and rode to his own pavilion that he might prepare to receive there in his bride the Lady Badr al-Bugu. And as he passed, all the folk shouted their good wishes with one voice, and their words were, Allah gladden thee. Allah increase thy glory. Allah grant the length of life. While immense crowds of people gathered to swell the marriage Cresession, and they conducted him to his new home, he showering cold upon them during the whole time. When he reached his pavilion, he dismounted, and walked in and sat him down on the divan, whilst his Mameluke stood before him with arms affolded. Also, after a short delay, they brought him sherbet's, and when these were drunk, he ordered

his white slaves and handmaids and eunuchs, and all who were in the pavilion to make ready for meeting the Lady Barra Boudur. Moreover, as soon as mid-afternoon came and the air had cooled, and the great heat of the sun was abated, the Sultan bade his army officers and emirs and vazirs, go down into the Medan plain, whether he likewise rode. And Aladdin also took horse with his mamelukes, he mounting a stallion, whose like was not among the steeds of the Arab al-Arab. And he showed his horsemanship in the Hibodrome, and so played with the Jadid that none could withstand him. while his bride sat gazing upon him from the lattice balcony of her bower, and seeing in him such beauty and Kavalarice, she fell headlong in love with him,

and was like to fly for joy. And after they had wringed their horses on the Maidan, and each had displayed what so he could of horsemanship, Aladdin, proving himself the best man of all, they rode in a body to the Sultan's palace, and the youth also returned to his own pavilion. But when it was evening, the Vazirs and the vassiers, and nobles took the bridegroom, and, falling in, escorted him to the royal hamam,

known as the Sultanate, when he was bathed and perfumed. As soon as he came out, he donned a dress more magnificent than the former, and took horse with the emirs and the soldier officers riding before him, and forming a grand protege, where in four of the viziers bore naked swords round about him. All the citizens and the strangers and the troops marched before him in ordered throng, carrying wax candles and kettle drums and pipes and other instruments of mirth and merriman until they conducted him to his pavilion. Here he alighted, and walking in, took his seat, and seated the vazirs and emirs, who had escorted him, and the mamelukes brought shervets and

sugared drinks, which they also passed to the people who had followed his train. It was a world of folk whose tale might not be told. With all, Aladdin bade his mamalooks stand without the pavilion doors and showered gold upon the prow. Bancherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Aladdin, Part 4. Section 7 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This liverbox recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Aladdin, or The Wonderful Lamp, Part 5.

the five hundred and sixty-eighth night, Quote Dunea said, Oh, says to mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Chahrazot replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when the sultan returned from the maiden plain

to his palace, he ordered the household, men as well as women, straightway to form a cavalcade for his daughter, with all ceremony, and bear her to her bridegroom's pavilion. So the nobles and soldier officers who had followed and escorted the bright groom at once mounted, and the handmaids and eunuchs went forth with wax candles, and made a mighty fine procession for the Lady Badr al-Budur, and they paced on preceding her till they entered the pavilion of Aladdin,

whose mother walked beside the bride. In front of the princess also fared the wives of the viziers and emirs, grandees and notables, and in attendance on her were the eight-and-forty sloth. slave girls presented to her for time by her bright groom. Each, ending in hand, a huge siege centered with camphor and ambergris, and set in a candlestick of gem-studded gold. And reaching Aladdin's pavilion, they led her to her power in the upper story, and changed her robes and enthroned her. Then as soon as the displaying was ended, they accompanied her to Aladdin's apartments, and presently he paid her the first visit.

Now his mother was with the bride, and when the bridegroom came up and did off her veil, the ancient dame fell to considering the beauty of the princess and her loveliness, and she looked around at the pavilion which was all litan up by gold and gems, besides the manifold candelabra of precious metals encrusted with emeralds and jacinths. So she said in her mind, Once upon a time I thought the sultan's palace mighty fine, but this pavilion is a thing apart. nor do i deem that any of the greatest kings of cosrose attained in his day to art like thereof also i am certified that all the world could not build anything evening it

nor less did the lady baradour al budur fall to gazing at the pavilion and marvelling for its magnificence then the tables were spread and they all ate and drank and were gladdened after which four score damsels came before them each holding in hand and an instrument of mirth and merriment. Then they deftly moved their fingertips and touched the strings, smiting them into song, most musical, most melancholy, till they rent the hearts of the heroes. Hereat the princess increased in marble, and quotes she to herself,

In all my life, ne'er heard I songs like these. Till she forsook food, the better to listen. And at last Leladden poured out for her wine, and passed it to her with his own hand. So great joy and Jubilee went round amongst them, and it was a notable night, such an one as Iskander, Lord of the Two Horns,

had never spent in his time. When they had finished eating and drinking, and the tables were removed from before them, Aladdin arose and went in to his bride. As soon as morning morrowed, he left his bed, and the treasurer brought him a costly suit and a mighty fine, of the most sumptuous rows worn by the kings.

Then after drinking coffee, devoured with ambergris, he ordered the horses besaddled, and, mounting with his mamelukes before and behind him, rode to the sultan's palace, and on his entering its court, the eunuchs went in and reported his coming to their lord. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say,

when it was the five hundred and sixty-ninth night, Quote Duneazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon, Scheherazad replied, with love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when the Sultan heard of Aladdin's approach, he rose up forthright to receive him, and embraced and kissed him as though he were his own son. Then, seating him on his right, he blessed and prayed for him, as did the Vazirs and Amirs, the lords of the land and the grandees of the realm. Presently, the king commanded bring the morning meal,

which the attendant served up, and all broke their fast together. And when they had eaten and drunken their sufficiency, and the tables were removed by the eunuchs, Aladdin turned to the sultan and said, Oh, my lord, would thy highness Dane honor me this day at dinner in the house of the lady, Badr al-Budur, thy beloved daughter,

and come accompanied by all thy ministers and grandkids. and ease of the rain. The king replied, and he was delighted with his son-in-law, thou art so passing in liberality, O my son. Then he gave orders to all invited, and rode forth with them, Aladdin also riding beside him, till they reached the pavilion, and as he entered it and considered its construction, its architecture and its stonery, all Jasper and Cornelian, his sight was dazed, and his wits were amazed at such grandeur and magnificence of opulence. Then, turning to the minister, he thus addressed him. What says thou? Tell me, hast thou seen in all thy time aught like this amongst the mightiest of earth's monarchs,

for the abundance of gold and gems we are now beholding? The grand vizier replied, O my lord the king, this be a feat which cannot be accomplished by might of monarch amongst Adam's sons, nor could the collected peoples of the universal world build a palace like under this, nay, even builders could not be found to make aught resembling it, save, as I said to thy highness, by force of sorcery. These words certified the king that his minister spake not, except in envy and jealousy of a Latin, and would establish in the royal mind that all this splendor was not made of man, but my means of magic, and with the aid of the black art. So, quoth he to him, suffice thee so much, Oazir.

Thou hast none other word to speak, and well I know what cause urges thee to say this say. Then Aladdin proceeded the sultan till he conducted him to the upper kiosk, where he saw it skylights, windows and latticed casements and jalousies, wholly made of emeralds and rubies and other costly gems, whereat his mind was perplexed and his wits were bewildered, and his thoughts were distraught. Presently he took to strolling round the kiosk

and solacing himself with these sights, which captured the vision, till he chanced to cast a glance at the window which Aladdin, by design, had left unwrought and not finished like the rest. And when he noted his lack of completion, he cried, Whoa, and well away for thee, O window,

because of thine imperfection. and turning to his minister he asked knowest thou the reason of leaving incomplete this window and its framework and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and seventieth night quoth dunya said o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good will. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the vizier said to the sultan, O my lord, I conceived that the want of finish in this window resulteth from thy highness, having pushed on Aladdin's marriage, and he lacked the leisure to complete it. Now, at that time Aladdin had gone into his bride, the lady Baralbudur, to informer of her her father's presence, and when he returned, the king asked him,

oh, my son, what is the reason why the window of this kiosk was not made perfect? O king of the age, seeing the suddenness of my wedding, answered he, I failed to find artists for finishing it, quote the sultan, I have a mind to complete it myself, and quoth Aladdin, Allah perpetuate thy glory, O thou the king, so shall thy memory endure in thy daughter's pavilion. The sultan forthright bad summoned jewelers, and goldsmiths, and ordered them be supplied from the treasury with all their needs of gold and gems

and noble oars. And when they were gathered together, he commanded them to complete the work still wanting in the kiosk window. Meanwhile, the princess came forth to meet her side of the sultan, who noticed as she drew near her smiling face. So he embraced her and kissed her, then led her to the pavilion, and all entered in a body. Now, this was the time of the noonday meal, and one table had been spread for the sovereign, his daughter, and his son-in-law, and a second for the vazirs, the lords of the land, the grantees of the realm, the chief officers of the host, the chamberlains, and the Nabovs. The king took seat between the princess and her husband,

and when he put forth his hand to the food and tasted it, he was struck with surprise by the flavor of the dishes, and their savory and sumptuous cooking. Moreover, there stood before him the four. fourscore damsels, each and every saying to the full moon, Rise, that I may seat myself in thy stead. All held instruments of mirth and merriment, and they tuned the same, and deftly moved their fingertips,

and smote the strings into song most musical, most melodious, which expanded the mourner's heart. Hereby the sultan was gladdened, and time was good to him, and for high enjoyment he exclaimed, in very suit the thing is beyond the compass of king and Kaysar. Then they fell to eating and drinking, and the cup went round until they had drunken enough, when sweetmeats and fruits of sorts and other such edibles were served,

the dessert being laid out in a different salon whether they removed and enjoyed of these pleasures their sufficiency. Presently the sultan arose that he might see if the produce of his jewelers and goldsmiths favored that of the pavilion, so he went upstairs to them and inspected their work and how they had robbed but he noted a mighty great difference and his men were far from being able to make anything like the rest of the latin's pavilion and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and seventy-first night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and there be other than sleepy do tell us some of their pleasant tales whereupon sheherazard replied with love and good will it hath reached me o king of the age that after the king had inspected the work of his jewelers and goldsmiths they informed him how all the gems stored in the lesser treasury have been brought to them and used by them but that the whole had proved insufficient wherefore he bade open the greater treasury and gave the workmen all they wanted of him moreover he allowed them and it sufficed not to take the jewels wherewith aladdin had gifted him

they carried off the hole and pushed on their labors but they found the gems failed them albeit they had not yet finished half the part wanting to the kiosk window herewith the king commanded them to seize all the precious stones owned by the viziers and grandees of the realm but although they did his bidding the supply still fell short of their requirements next morning aladdin arose to look at the jeweller's work and remarked that they had not finished a moiety of what was wanting to the kiosk window so he at once ordered them to undo all they had done and restore the jewels to their owners accordingly they pulled out the precious stones and sent the sultan's to the sultan and the vazirs to the viziers then the jewelers went to the king and told him of what aladdin had bidden so he asked them what said he to you and what was his reason and wherefore was he not content that the window be finished and why did he undo the work he wrought they answered o our lord we know not at all but he bade us to face what so we had done here upon the sultan at once called for his horse and mounting took the way pavilionwards when aladdin after dismissing the goldsmiths and jewelers had retired into his closet and had rubbed the lamp hereat straightway its servitor appeared to him and said ask whatso thou wantest thy slave is between thy hands and said aladdin tis my desire that thou finish the window which was left unfinished the married replied on my head be it and also upon mine eyes then he vanished and after a little while returned saying o my lord verily that thou commandedst me to do is completed so aladdin went upstairs to the kiosk and found the whole window in wholly finished state and whilst he was still considering it behold a castrato came in to him and said o my lord the sultan hath ridden forth to visit thee and is passing through the pavilion gate

so aladdin at once went down and received his father-in-law and jahrazad was surprised with the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say When it was the five hundred and seventy-second night, quote Dunazad, O, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon, Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, a king of the age, that the sultan, on sighting his son-in-law, cried to him, Wherefore, oh, my child hast thou wrought on this wise, and suffered's not the jewel as to complete the kiosk window, leaving in the pavilion an unfinished place. Aladdin replied, O king of the age,

I left it not imperfect save for a design of mine own, nor was I incapable of perfecting it, nor could a purpose that thy highness should honor me with visiting a pavilion wherein was ought of deficiency, and that thou mayst know I am not unable to make it perfect, let thy highness Dane walk upstairs with me and see if anything remained to be done therewith or not. So the sultan went up with him,

and entering the kiosk, fell to looking, right and left, but he saw no default at all in any of the windows. Nay, he noted that all were perfect. So he marveled at the sight and embraced Aladdin and kissed him, saying, Oh, my son, what be this singular feat? Thou canst work in a single night what in months the jewelers could not do. By Allah, I deem thou hast nor brother nor rival in this world. Quoth Aladdin, Allah prolong thy life And preserve thee to perpetuity Thy slave deserve it not

The synchomium And quoth the king By Allah O my child Thou meritest all praise For a feat where of all the artists Of the world were incapable Then the sultan came down And entered the apartments of his daughter

The Lady Badr al-Woodur To take rest beside her And he saw her joyous Exceedingly at the glory and grandeur Wherein she was then after reposing a while he returned to his palace. Now Aladdin was wont every day to thread the city streets with his Mamelukes writing a van at a rear of him, showering rightwards and leftwards gold upon the folk.

And all the world, stranger and neighbor, far and near, were fulfilled of his love with the excess of his liberality and generosity. Moreover, he increased the pensions of the poor religious and the paupers, and he would distribute alms to them with his own hand. by which good deed he won high renown throughout the realm and most of the lords of the land and emirs would eat at his table and men swore not at all save by his precious life nor did he leave faring to the chase in the maiden plain and the riding of horses and playing at javelin play in presence of the sultan and whenever the lady bador boudur beheld him to sporting himself on the backs of steeds she loved him much the more and thought to herself that allah had wrought her abhor her abhorraud her abundant good by causing to happen what so happened with the son of the vazir and by preserving her virginity intact for her true bridegroom aladdin and shahrazad was surprised for the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and seventy-third night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon cheherazade replied with love and good-will

it hath reached me o king of the age that aladdin won for himself day by day a fairer fame and a rarer report while affection for him increased in the hearts of all the lieges and he waxed greater in the eyes of men moreover it chanced that in those days certain enemies took horse and attacked the sultan who armed and accoutred an army to repel them and made aladdin commander thereof so he marched with his men nor ceased marching until he drew nearer the foe whose forces were exceeding many. And presently, when the action began, he bared his brand and charged home upon the enemy. Then battle and slaughter befell, and violent was the hurly-burly, but at last Aladdin broke the hostile host

and put all to flight, slaying the best part of them and pillaging their coin and cattle, property and possessions. And he despoiled them of spoils that could not be counted nor computed. Then he returned victorious after a noble victory and entered the fifth.

capital, which had decorated herself in his honor of her delight in him, and the sultan went forth to meet him, and giving him joy, embraced him and kissed him, and throughout the kingdom was held high festival with great joy and gladness. Presently, the sovereign and his son-in-law repaired to the pavilion, where they were met by the Princess Badar al-Woodoo, who rejoiced in her husband, and after kissing him between the eyes, led him to her apartments. After a time, the sultan also came, and they sat down while the slave girls brought them sherbetts and confections, which they ate and drank. Then the Sultan commanded that the whole kingdom be decorated for the triumph of his son-in-aw, and his victory over the invader, and the subjects and

soldiery and all the people knew only Allah in heaven and Aladdin on earth, for that their love, won by his liberality was increased by his noble horsemanship, and his successful battling for the country and putting to flight the foe. Such then was the high fortune of Aladdin. But, as regards the Magrabi, a magician, after returning to his native country, he passed all this space of time in bewailing what he had borne of toil and travail to win the lamp, and mostly that his trouble had gone vain, and that the morsel went almost touching his lips had flown from his grasp. He pondered all this and mourned and reviled Aladdin for the excess of his rage against him, and at times he would exclaim, for this bastard's death underground I am well satisfied, and hope only that some time or other

I may obtain the lamp, seeing how tis yet safe. Now one day of the days he struck a table of sand and dotted down the figures and carefully considered their consequence. Then he transferred them to paper that he might study them and make sure of Aladdin's destruction and the safety of the lamb preserved beneath the earth. Presently, he firmly established the sequence of the figures, mothers, as well as daughters, but still he saw not the lamb. Thereupon rage overrode him, and he made another trial to be assured of Aladdin's death, but he saw him not in the enchanted treasure. Hereat, his wrath still grew, and it waxed greater when he ascertained that the youth had issued

from underground and was now upon earth's surface alive and alert. Furthermore, that he had become owner of the Lamb, for which he himself endured such toil and travail and troubles as man may not bear save for so great an object. Accordingly, quote he to himself, I have suffered sore pains and penalties which none else could have endured for the lamp's sake, in order that other than I may carry,

it off and this accursed hath taken it without difficulty and who knoweth any what the virtues of the lamp than whose owner none in the world should be wealthier and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and seventy-fourth night quoth dunyazade o sister mine and there'll be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon Scheherazade replied, With love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age That the Magrabi, the magician, Having considered and ascertained That Aladdin had escaped from the Soutrean

And had gotten the boon of the lamp, Said to himself, There is no help but that I work for his destruction. He then struck another romantic table, And examining the figures, saw that the lad had won for himself Immeasurable riches, and had wedded the daughter of his king.

So of his envy and jealousy he was fired with a flame of wrath. And rising without let or stay, he equipped himself and set forth for Chinaland, where he arrived in new season. Now, when he had reached the king's capital, wherein was Aladdin, he alighted at one of the cons, and when he had rested from the weariness of wayfair, he donned his dress and went down to wander about the streets, where he never passed a group without hearing them prate about the pavilion and its grandeur and vaunt the beauty of Aladdin,

and his lonesomeness, his liberality and generosity, his fine manners, and his good morals. Presently he entered an establishment wherein men were drinking a certain warm beverage, and going up to one of those who were loud in their lords, he said to him, O fair youth, who may be the man you describe and commend? apparently thou art a foreigner, O man, answered the other, And thou comest from a far country. But even this granted how happeneth it, Thou hast not heard of the emir Aladdin,

Whose renown my fancy hath filled the yulperse, And whose pavilion, known by report to far and near Is one of the wonders of the world. How then never came to thine ears aught of this, O'n the name of Aladdin, Whose glory and adjoiment our lord increase, and his fame? The Moorman replied, The sum of my wishes is to look upon this pavilion,

and if thou wouldest do me a favor, for thee, guide me therein to, for I am a foreigner. The man rejoined, To here is to obey, and foregoing him, pointed out Aladdin's pavilion, whereupon the Moroccan fell to considering it, and at once understood that it was the work of the lamb. So he cried, Ah, ah, ah, needs must I dig a pit for this, accursed, this son of a snip, who could not earn for himself even an evening meal. And if the fates abet me, I will assuredly destroy his life, and send his mother back to spinning at her wheel, e'en as she was one ere wiles to do. So saying he returned to his caravanser siri in a sore state of grief and melancholy and regret, bred by his envy and hate of Aladdin.

and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the 575th night Quoth Dunyazad O sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of their pleasant tales whereupon Scheherazade replied with love and goodwill

it hath reached me a king of the age that when the Magrabi the magician reached his caravansarai he took his astrological gear and geomantic table to discover where might be the lamb, and he found that it was in the pavilion and not upon Aladdin's person. So he rejoiced thereat with joy exceeding and exclaimed, Now, indeed, it will be an easy task to take the life of this accursed, and I see my way to getting the lamp. Then he went to a coppersmith, and said to him,

Do thou make me a set of lamps, and take from me their full price, and more, only I would have the hasten to finish them, replied the Smith, hearing and obeying, and fell to a working to keep his word. And when they were ready, the more man paid him what price he required. Then, taking them, he carried them to the con, and set them in a basket. Presently, he began wandering about the highways and market streets of the capital, crying aloud, Ho! Who will exchange old lamps for new lamps? But when the folk, heard him cry on this wise, they derided him and said, "'Deltless, this man is gin mad,

"'for that he goeth about offering new for old. "'And a world followed him, "'and the children of the quarter caught him up from place to place, "'loughing at him the while, "'nor did he forbid them or care for their maltreatment. "'And he ceased not strolling about the streets "'till he came under Aladdin's pavilion, "'where he shouted with his loudest voice,

"'and the boys screamed at him, "'I'm madman, a madman! Now, Destiny had decreed that the Lady Badr al-Bugdoul be sitting in her kiosk when she heard one crying like a crier, and the children bawling at him, only she understood not what was going on. So she gave orders to one of her slave-girls, saying, Go thou, and see who tis that cryeth, and what is cry? The girl fared forth and looked on when she beheld a man crying, Ho! Who will exchange old lambs for new lamps? the little ones pursuing and laughing at him.

And as loudly laughed the princess when this strange case was told to her. Now, Aladdin had carelessly left the lamp in his pavilion without hiding it and locking it up in his strong box. And one of the slave girls who had seen it said, Oh, my lady, I think to have noticed in the apartment of my lord Aladdin an old lamp. So let us give it in change for a new lamp to this man and see of his cry be truth or lie. and shahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and seventy-sixth night quoth dunyazad oh sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good-will it hath reached me o king of the age that hereupon the princess said to the slave-girl bring the old lamp which thou saidst to have seen in my lord's apartment now the lady barralvodur knew not the lamp and of the specialties thereof which had raised aladdin her spouse to such high degree in grandeur

and her only end and aim was to understand by experiment the mind of a man who would give an exchange the new for the old so the handmaid fared forth and went up to aladdin's apartment and returned with the lamp to her lady who, like all the others, knew nothing of the Magrabi's cunning tricks and his crafty device. Then the princess bade the aga of the eunuchry go down and barter the old lamp for a new lamp. So he obeyed her bidding, and, after taking a new lamp from the man, he returned and laid it before his lady, who, looking at it and seeing that it was brand new, fell to laughing at the moorman's wits. but the Moroccan, when he held the article in hand and recognized it for the lamp of the enchanted treasury, at once placed it in his breast pocket and left all the other lamps to the folk who were bartering of him. Then he went forth running till he was clear of the city,

when he walked leisurely over the level grounds, and he took patience until night fell on him in desert ground, where was none other but himself. There he brought out the lamp, when suddenly appeared to him, the Marid, who said, Adsoom, thy slave between thy hands has come, ask of me what so thou wantest.

Tis my desire, the Moorman replied, that thou upraised from its present place Aladdin's pavilion with its inmates, and all that be therein, not forgetting myself, and set it down upon my own land, Africa. Thou knowest my town, and I want the building placed in the gardens hard by it.

the married slave replied hearkening and obedience close thine eyes and open thine eyes when as thou shalt find thyself together with the pavilion in thine own country this was done and in an eye twinkling the moroccan and the pavilion with all therein were transported to the african land such then was the work of the magrabid magician but now let us return to the sultan and the sultan and the and his son-in-law. It was the custom of the king, because of his attachment to and his affection for his daughter, every morning when he had shaken off sleep to open the latticed casement and look out therefrom that he might catch sight of her abode. So that day he arose and did as he was wont. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the 57th night, quoth dunyazade oh sister mine and i be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon charesad replied with love and good will it hath reached me a few of the age that when the sultan drew near the latticed casement of his palace and looked out at aladdin's pavilion he saw naught nay the sight was smooth as a well-trodden highway and like unto what it had been aforetime and he could find nor edifice nor offices so astonishment clothed him as with a garment and his wits were wildered and he began to rub his eyes lest they be dimmed or darkened and to gaze intently but at last he was certified that no trace of the pavilion remained nor sign of its being nor wist he the why and the wherefore of its disappearance so his surprise increased and he smote hand upon hand and the tears trickled down his cheeks over his beard for that he knew not what had become of his daughter then he sent out officials forthright and summoned the grand wazir who at once attended and seeing him in this piteous flight said pardon o king of the age may allah avert from the every ill wherefore art thou in such sorrow exclaimed the sovereign methinketh thou wottest not my case and quoth minister unknow wise o our lord by allah i know of it nothing at all then resumed the sultan tis manifest thou hast not looked this day in the direction of aladdin's pavilion true o my lord quoth the vizier it must still be locked and passed shut and quoth the king forasmuch as thou hast no inkling of aught arise and look out at the window and look out at the window and

and see Aladdin's pavilion whereof thou say'st is locked and fast shut. The minister obeyed his bidding, but could not see anything, or pavilion or other place, so with mind and thoughts sore perplexed, he returned to his leech lord, who asked him, hast now learned the reason of my distress and noted yon locked up palace and fast-shot, answered the vizier, oh, king of the age, erewhile I represented to thy highness that this pavilion and these matter be all magical. Hereat the sultan, fired with wrath, cried,

Where be Aladdin? And the minister replied, he hath gone a-hunting, and the king commanded, without stay or delay, sundry of his agas and army officers to go, and bring to him his son-in-law, chained and with pinioned elbows. So they fared forth until they found Aladdin, when they said to him, o'er lord aladdin excuse us nor be thou wroth with us for the king hath commanded that we carry thee before him pinioned and fettered and we hope pardon from thee because we are under the royal orders which we cannot gain save aladdin hearing these words was seized with surprise and not knowing the reason of this remained tongue-tied for a time after which he turned to them and asked o assembly have you not of knowledge concerning the motive of the royal mandate well i want my soul to be innocent and that i never sinned against king or against kingdom oh our lord answered they we have no inkling whatever so alabna alighted from his horse and said to them do ye whatso the sultan bad you do for that the king's command is upon the head and the eyes and shahrazad was surprised for the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and seventy-eighth night quoth dunezad oh sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon cheherazade replied

with love and good will it hath reached meo king of the age that the augurs having bound aladdin in bonds and pinioned his elbows behind his back hailed him in chains and carried him into the city but when the legions saw impinioned and ironed they understood that the sultan purposed to strike off his head and forasmuch as he was loved of them exceedingly all gathered together and seized their weapons then swarming out of their houses followed the soldiery to to see what was to do. And when the troops arrived with Aladdin at the palace, they went in and informed the Sultan of this, whereat he forthright commanded the sordor to cut off the head of his son-in-law. Now, as soon as the subjects were aware of this order,

they barricaded the gates and closed the doors of the palace and sent a message to the king, saying, At this very moment we will level thine abode over the heads of all it containeth and over thine own, if the least hurt or harm befall Aladdin. So the vizier went in and reported to the sultan, O king of the age, thy commandment is about to seal the role of our lives, and were more suitable that thou pardon thy son-in-law,

lest their chance to us a sore mischance, for that the lieges do love him far more than they love us. Now the sorder had already to spread the carpet of blood, and having seated Aladdin thereon had bandaged his eyes. Moreover, he had walked round him several times, awaiting the last orders of his lord, when the king looked out of the window and saw his subjects, who had suddenly attacked him,

swarming up the walls intending to tear them down. So forthright he bade this order stay his hand from Aladdin, and commanded the crier fare forth to the crowd, and cry aloud that he had pardoned his son-in-law, and received him back into favor. But when Aladdin found himself free and saw the sultan seated on his throne, he went up to him and said, O my lord, inasmuch as thy highness hath favoured me throughout my life,

so of thy grace now, Dane let me know the how and the wherein I have sinned against thee. Oh, traitor, cried the king, unto this present I knew not any sin of thine. Then turning to the vizier, he said, Take him and make him look out at the window. and after let him tell us where be his pavilion. And when the royal order was obeyed, Aladdin saw the place level as a well-trodden road, even as it had been ere the base of the building was laid, nor was there the faintest trace of edifice.

Hereat he was astonished and perplexed, knowing not what had occurred. But when he returned to the presence, the king asked him, What is it thou hast seen? where is thy pavilion, and where is my daughter, the core of my heart, my only child, than whom I have none other? Aladdin answered, O king of the age, I wot not thereof nor aught of what hath been fallen, and the sultan rejoined. Thou must know, O Aladdin, I have pardoned thee, only that thou go forth and look into this affair, and inquire for me concerning my daughter. nor do thou ever show thyself in my presence except she be with thee. And if thou bring her not, by the life of my head I will cut off the head of thee.

The other reply to hear is to obey. Only vouchsafe me a delay and respite of some forty days, after which, and I produce her not, strike off my head and do with me what so thou wishes. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day. and ceased to say her committed say. Well, it was the five hundred and seventy-ninth night, Coth Duneazade, O sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy,

do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Shehersad replied, with love and good will, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the sultan said to Aladdin, Verily I have granted thee thy request, a delay of forty days. But think not thou canst fly from my hand, for I would bring thee back even if thou wert above the clouds

instead of being only upon earth's surface. Replied Aladdin, O my lord, the sultan, As I said to thy highness, and I failed to bring her within the term appointed, I will present myself for my head to be stricken off. Now when the folk and the leges all saw Aladdin at liberty, they rejoiced with joy exceeding,

and were delighted for his release. But the shame of his treatise, and bashfulness before his friends and the envious exultation of his foes had bowed down aladdin's head so he went forth a wandering through the city ways and he was perplexed concerning his case and knew not what had befallen him he lingered about the capital for two days in saddest state wanting not what to do in order to find his wife and his pavilion and during this time sundry of the folk privily brought him meat and drink when the two days were done he left the city to stray about the waste and open lands outline the walls without a notion as to whither he should wend and he walked on aimlessly until the path led him beside a river where of the stress of sorrow that overwhelmed him, he abandoned himself to despair and thought of casting himself into the water. Being, however, a good moslem who professed the unity of the godhead, he feared Allah in his soul, and, standing upon the margin, he prepared to perform the Wu's ablution. But as he was

bailing up the water in his right hand and rubbing his fingers, it so chanced that he also rubbed the ring. Hereat, its married appeared and said to him, adzub thy thrall between thy hands is come ask of me what so thou wantest seeing the married aladdin rejoiced with exceeding joy and cried o slave i desire of thee that thou bring before me my pavilion and therein my wife the lady barra al-buldur together with all and everything it containeth oh my lord replied the marit tis right hard upon me that thou demandest a service whet too i may not avail this matter dependeth upon the slave of the lamb nor dare i even attempt it aladdin rejoined forasmuch as the matter is beyond thy competence i require it not of thee but at least do thou take me up and set me down beside my pavilion in what land soever that may be the slave exclaimed hearing and obeying o my lord and uplifting him high in air within the space of an eye-glance set him down beside his pavilion in the land of africa and upon a spot facing his wife's apartment now this was at fall of night yet one look enabled him to recognize his home whereby his carc and care were cleared away and he recovered trust in allah after cutting off all his hope

to look upon his wife once more. Then he fell to pondering the secret and mysterious favours of the Lord, glorified be his unrepidance, and how, after despair had mastered him, the ring had come to gladden him, and how, when all his hopes were cut off, Allah had deigned bless him with the services of its slave. So he rejoiced, and his melancholy left him.

Then, as he had passed four days without sleep, for the excess of his carp and care and sorrow and stress of thought, he drew near his pavilion and slept under a tree hard by the building, which, as we mentioned, had been set down amongst the gardens outlying the city of Africa. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Aladdin Part 5. Section 8 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton.

This Libre-box recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Aladdin, or The Wonderful Lamp, Part 6. When it was the 580th night, Quoth Dunyazad, Oh, sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. it hath reached meo king of the age that aladdin laid that night under a tree beside his pavilion in all restfulness but whoso wareth head hard by the headsman may not sleep a night save when a slumber prevail over him he slumbered till morning showed her face and when awakened by the warbling of the small birds he arose and went down to the bank of the river which flowed thereby to the city and here again washed hands and face and after finished his wooz ablution. Then he prayed the dawn prayer, and when he had ended his orisons,

he returned and sat down under the windows of the princess's bower. Now, the lady Badr al-Woodur of her exceeding sorrow for severance from her husband and her sire the sultan, and for the great mishap which had happened to her from the Magrabi, the magician, the accursed, was one to rise during the mirth preceding dawn, and to sit in tears inasmuch as she could not sleep the nights, and had forsworn meet and drink. Her favourite slave girl would enter her chamber at the hour of prayer salutation in order to dress her. And this time, by decree of destiny,

when she threw open the window to let her lady comfort and console herself by looking upon the trees and rills, and she herself peered out of the lattice, she caught sight of her master sitting below and informed the princess of this saying, Oh, my lady! Oh, my lady! Here's my lord Aladdin seated at the foot of the wall. So her mistress arose hurriedly, and gazing from the casement, saw him, and her husband, raising his head, saw her.

So she saluted him and he saluted her, both being like to fly for joy. Presently quoth she, Up and come in to me, by the private postern, for now the accursed is not here. And she gave orders to the slave girl who went down and opened for him. Then Aladdin passed through it and was met by his wife. when they embraced and exchanged kisses with all delight until they wept for over joy. After this they sat down, and Aladdin said to her, Oh, my lady, before all things, tis my desire to ask thee a question.

T'was my want to place an old copper lamp in such a part of my pavilion? What became of the same? When the princess heard these words, she sighed and cried, Oh, my dearling, twas that very lamp which guard us fall into this calamity, Amity? Aladdin asked her, how befell the affair? And she answered by recounting to him all that passed, first and last, especially how they had given in exchange an old lamp for a new lamp, adding, and the next day we hardly saw one another at dawn before we found ourselves in this land. And he who deceived us and took the lamp by way of barter informed me that he had done the

deed by might of his magic, and by means of the Lamb, that he is a Mormon from Africa, and that we are now in his native country. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 581st night, Coth Dunyazad, oh, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of that pleasant tales. Whereupon Cheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. it hath reached me, O king of the age, that when the Lady Barral Budur ceased speaking, Aladdin resumed, Tell me the intent of this accursed in thy respect.

Also what he saith to thee, and what be his will of thee. She replied, Every day he cometh to visit me once and no more. He would woo me to his love, and he seweth that I take him to spouse and knew of thee, and that I forget thee and be consoled for the loss of thee. and he telleth me that the sultan my sire hath cut off my husband's head, adding that thou the son of pauper parents was by him enriched. And he sooth me with talk, but he never seeth aught from me, save weeping and wailing, nor hath he heard from me one sugar-sweet word.

Quoth Aladdin, tell me where he hath placed the lamp, and thou know anything thereof, and quoth she, he beareth it about his body all way, nor is it possible that he leave it for a single hour. Moreover, once when he related what I have now recounted to thee, he brought it out of his breast-pocket and allowed me to look upon it. When Aladdin heard these words, he joyed with exceeding joy and said, O my lady, do thou lend ear to me. Tis my design to go from the forthright and to return only after doffing this my dress, so wonder not when thou see me changed,

but direct one of thy women to stand by the private postern, Alway, and whenever she espied me coming, at once to open. And now I will devise a device whereby to slay this damned loon. Herewith he arose, and, issuing from the pavilion door, walked till he met on the way a fellow, to whom he said, Oh man, take my attire, and give me thy garments. but the peasant refused. So Aladdin stripped him of his dress perforce, and dawned it,

leaving to the man his own rich gear by way of gift. Then he followed the highway, leading to the neighboring city, and entering it went to the perfumers bazaar, where he bought him one, some rarely potent bomb, the son of a minute, paying two dinars for two drams thereof, and he returned to disguise by the same road till he reached the pavilion. Here the slave girl opened to him the private postern where through he went in to the Lady Badra al-Budul

and Scheherazade was surprised with the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and eighty-second night quoth Duna Zad, Oh, sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy. Do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Cheherazade replied, with love and good will.

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when Aladdin went in disguised to his wife, he said, Hear me, I desire of thee that thou dress and dight thyself in thy best, and thou cast off all outer show and semblance of care. Also, when the accursed the Macrabi shall visit thee, do thou receive him with a welcome and fair welcome, and meet him with smiling face,

and invite him to come and sup with thee. Moreover, let him note that thou hast forgotten Aladdin, my beloved, Likewise thy father, and that thou hast learned to love him with exceeding love, displaying to him all manner of joy and pleasure. Then ask him for wine which must be read, and pledge him to his secret in a significant draught. And when thou hast given him two or three cups full, and hast made him wax careless, then drop these drops,

into his cup and fill it up with wine no sooner shall he drink of it than he will fall upon his back senseless as one dead hearing these words the princess exclaimed tis exceedingly sore to me that i do such deed with all i must do it that we escaped the defilement of this accursed who tortured me by severance from thee and from my sire lawful and right therefore is the slaughter of this accursed. Then Aladdin ate and drank with his wife what hindered his hunger. Then, rising without stay or delay, fared forth the pavilion. So the Lady Badr al-Budur summoned the tirewoman who robed and arrayed her in her finest raiment, and adorned her and perfumed her. And as she was thus, behold, the accursed Magrabi entered. He joyed much seeing her in such case, and yet more when she confronted him contrary to her custom with the laughing face, and his love-longing increased, and his desire to have her.

Then she took him, and seating him beside her, said, Oh, my dearling, do thou and thou be willing come to me this night, and let us sup together. Sufficient to me hath been my sorrow, for, were I to sit mourning through a thousand years, or even two thousand, Aladdin would not return to me from the tomb, and I depend upon thy say of yesterday To wit that my sire the sultan slew him In his stress of sorrow for severance from me

Nor wonder thou and I have changed this day From what I was yesterday And the reason thereof Is I have determined upon taking thee To friend and playfellow In new and succession to Aladdin For that now I have none other man but thyself So I hope

for thy presence this night, that we may sup together, and we may carouse and drink somewhat of wine each with other. And especially tis my desire that thou caused me taste the wine of thy natal soil, the African land, because belike tis better than ought to the wine of China we drink. I have with me some wine, but tis the growth of my country, and I vehemently wish to taste the wine produced by thine. and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and eighty-third night, quote Dunezad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and good will,

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that when the Magrabi saw the love lavished upon him by the Lady Barra of Bludu, and noted her change from the sorrowful melancholy woman she was wont to be, he thought that she had cut off her hope of Aladdin, and he joyed exceedingly and said to her, I hear and obey, O my lady, what so thou wishest, and all thou biddest. I have at home a jar of our country wine, which I have carefully kept and stored deep in earth for a space of eight years, and I will now fare and fill from it our need,

and will return to thee in all. haste. But the princess, that she might wheedle him the more and yet more, replied, O my darling, go not thou, leaving me alone, but send one of the eunuchs to fill for us thereof, and do thou remain sitting beside me, that I may find in thee my consolation. He rejoined, O, my lady, none wotteth where the jaw be buried, save myself, nor will I tarry from thee. So saying the more man went out, and after a short time he brought back as much wine as they wanted whereupon quoth the princess to him thou hast been at pains and trouble to serve me and i have suffered for thy sake o my beloved quoth he on no wise o eyes of me i hold myself an honoured by thy service then the lady butter of the du or sat with him at table and the twain fell to eating and presently the princess expressed a wish to drink when the handmaid filled her a cup forthright

and then crowned another for the Moroccan. So she drank to his long life and his secret wishes, and he also drank to her life. Then the princess, who was unique in eloquence and delicacy of speech, fell to making a cup companion of him and guiled him by addressing him in the sweetest terms full of hidden meaning. This was done only that he might become more madly enamored of her, but the Mugrabi thought that it resulted from her true including,

the nation for him, nor knew that it was a snare set up to slay him. So his longing for her increased, and he was dying of love for her when he saw her address him in such tenderness of words and thoughts, and his head began to swim, and all the world seemed as nothing in his eyes. But when they came to the last of the supper and the wine had mastered his brains, and the princess saw this in him, she said, with us, there be a custom-thum-thum-thew-y-a-custom-lawed. throughout our country, but I know not, and it be the usage of yours or not. The Moorman replied, and what may that be? So she said to him, at the end of supper, each lover in turn taketh the cup of the beloved and drinketh it off.

And at once she crowned one with wine and bade the handmaid carry to him her cup, wherein the drink was blended with the bomb. Now she had taught the slave girl what to do, and all the handmaids and eunuchs in the the pavilion longed for the sorceress slaughter, and in that matter were one with the princess. Accordingly, the damsel handed him the cup, and he, when he heard her words and saw her drinking from his cup, and passing hers to him, noted all that show of love, fancied himself Hiscander, Lord of the two horns. Then said she to him, the while swaying gracefully to either side and putting her hand within his hand, Oh, my life here is thy cup. with me and my cup with thee and on this wise do lovers drink from each other's cups then she bust the brim and drained it to the dregs and again she kissed its lip and offered it to him

thereat he hugh for joy and meaning to do the like raised her cup to his mouth and drank off the whole contents without considering whether there was there in aught harmful or not and forthright he rolled upon his back in death-like condition and the cup dropped from his grasp whereupon the lady barra al-gudur and the slave-girls ran hurriedly and opened the pavilion door to their lord aladdin who disguised as a phala entered therein and jehrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and eighty-fourth night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good will it hath reached meoking of the age that aladdin entering his pavilion went up to the apartment of his wife whom he found still sitting at table and facing her lay the magrabi as once slaughtered so he at once drew near to her and kissed her and thanked her for this then rejoicing with joy exceeding he turned to her and said do thou with thy handmaids betake thyself to the inner rooms, and leave me alone for the present that I may take counsel touching mine affair. The princess hesitated not but went away at once, she and her women. Then Aladdin arose, and, after locking the door upon them, walked up to the moorman,

and put forth his hand to his breast pocket, and thence drew the lamb, after which he unsheed his sword and slew the villain. Presently he rubbed the lamp, and the married slave appeared and said, ah'sum o my lord what is it thou wantest i desire of thee said aladdin that thou take up my pavilion from this country and transport it to the land of china and there set it down upon the site where it was whileon fronting the palace of the sultan the married replied hearing and obeying o my lord then aladdin went and sat down with his wife and throwing his arms round her neck kissed her, and she kissed him, and they sat in converse, but while the genie transported the pavilion and all there into the place appointed. Presently Aladdin bed the handmaid spread the table before him,

and he and the lady Badr al-Budur took seat thereat and fell to eating and drinking in all joy and gladness till they had their sufficiency. When removing to the chamber of wine and cup converse, they sat there and caroused in fair companionship, and each kissed other with all love, Lesa. The time had been long and longsome since they enjoyed utter pleasure, so they ceased not doing thus

until the wine-son arose in their heads and sleep got hold of them, at which time they went to their bed in all ease and comfort. Early on the next morning, Aladdin woke, and awoke his wife, and the slave-girls came in and donned her dress and prepared her and adorned her, her husband arrayed himself in his coste estraignment, and the twain were ready to fly for joy at reunion after parting. Moreover, the princess was especially joyous and gladsome, because on that day she

expected to see her beloved father. Such was the case of Aladdin and the lady Barrow-Woodour. But as regards the Sultan, after he drove away his son-in-law, he never ceased to sorrow for the loss of his daughter, and every hour of every day he would sit and weep for her as women weep, because she was his only child and he had none other to take to heart. And as he shook off sleep morning after morning, he would hasten to the window and throw it open and peer in the direction where formerly stood Aladdin's pavilion and pour forth tears until his eyes were dried up and their lids were ulcered. now on that day he arose at dawn and according to his custom looked out when lo and behold he saw before him an edifice so he rubbed his eyes and considered it curiously when he became certified that it was the pavilion of his son-in-law

so he called for a horse without letter delay and as soon as his beast was saddled he mounted and made for the place and aladdin when he saw his father-in-law approaching went down and met him half-way then taking his hand aided him to step upstairs to the apartment of his daughter and the princess being as earnestly desirous to sire descended and greeted him at the door of the staircase fronting the ground-floor hall hereupon the king folded her in his arms and kissed her shedding tears of joy and she did likewise till at last aladdin led them to the upper saloon where they took seats and the sands sultan fell to asking her case and what had betided her. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and eighty-fifth night, quote Dunyazad, O sister mine, and be thou other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales, whereupon Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill.

It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Lady Barrow-Budur, to inform the sultan of all which had befallen her, saying, O my father, I recovered not life save yesterday when I saw my husband, and he it was who freed me from the thraldom of that Magrabi, that magician, that accursed, than whom I believed there be none viler on the face of earth. And but for my beloved I had never escaped him, nor hadst thou seen me during the rest of my days. But mighty sadness and sorrow got about me, oh my father,

not only for losing thee, but also for the loss of a husband, under whose kindness I shall be all the length of my life, seeing that he freed me from that fulsome sorcerer. Then the princess began repeating to her sire everything that happened to her, and relating to him how the more man had tricked her in the guise of a lamp-cellar, who offered in exchange new for old, how she had given him the lamp, whose worth she knew not, and how she had bartered it away only to laugh at the lampman's fault, And next morning, oh, my father, she continued, we found ourselves, and what so the pavilion contained, in Africa land, till such time as my husband came to us and devised a device whereby we escaped. And had it not been for Aladdin's hastening to our aid, the accursed was determined to enjoy me perforce.

Then she told him of the bong-drops administered in wine to the African, and concluded, then my husband returned to me, and how I want not, but we were shifted from Africa land to this place. Aladdin, in his turn, recounted how, finding the wizard dead drunken, he had sent away his wife and a woman from the polluted place into the inner apartments, how he had taken the lamp from the sorcerer's breast pocket, whereto he was directed by his wife, how he had slaughtered the villain, and finally how, making use of the lamp, he had summoned its slave and ordered him to,

transport the pavilion back to its proper sight, ending his tale with, And if thy highness have any doubt and ent my words, arise with me, and look upon the accursed magician. The king did accordingly, and, having considered the moorman, bared the carcass be carried away forthright and burned, and his ashes scattered in air. Then he took to embracing Aladdin, and kissing him said, Pardon me, oh, my son, for that I was about to destroy that. thy life through the foul deeds of this damned enchanter, who cast thee into such a pit of peril.

And I may be excused on my child for what I did by thee, because I found myself forlorn of my daughter, my only one, who to me is dearer than my very kingdom. Thou knowest how the hearts of parents yearn under their offspring, especially when, like myself, they have but one and none other to love. and on this wise the sultan took to excusing himself and kissing his son-in-law and chahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and eighty-sixth night quoth dunyazad oh sister-line and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good will it hath reached me o king of the age that that Aladdin said to the Sultan, O King of the time, thou didst not to me contrary to Holy Law, and I also sinned not against thee, but all the trouble came from that Magravi, the impure,

the magician. Thereupon the Sultan bade the city be decorated, and they obeyed him, and held pie feast and festivities. He also commanded the crier to cry about the streets, saying, This day is a mighty great fat, where in public rejoicings must be held throughout the realm for a full month of thirty days in honor of the lady badar al budur and her husband aladdin's return to their home on this wise befell it with aladdin and the magrabi but with all the king's son-in-law escaped not wholly from the accursed albeit the body had been burnt and the ashes scattered in air for the villain had a brother yet more villainous than himself and a greater adept in necromancy, jaumancy, and astromancy. And even as the old saw saith a bean, and twas split, so each one dwelt in his own quarter of the globe that he might fill it with his sorcery, his fraud, and his treason. Now one day of the days it fortuned that the Moorman's brother

would learn how it fared with him. So he brought out his sand-board and dotted it and produced the figures which, when he had considered and carefully studied them, gave him to know that the man he sought was dead and housed in the tomb. So he grieved and was certified of his decease, but he dotted a second time, seeking to learn the manner of the death and where it had taken place. So he found that the sight was the Chinaland, and that the mode was the foulest of slaughter. Furthermore, that he who did him die was a young man, Aladdinite. Seeing this, he straightway arose and equipped himself for wayfair. then he set out and cut across the wilds and woods and heights for the space of many a month until he reached china and the capital of the sultan wherein was the slayer of his brother

he alighted at the so-called stranger's con and hiring himself a cell took rest therein for a while then he fared forth and wandered about the highways that he might discern some path which would aid him under the winning of his ill-timed wish to wit reeking upon Aladdin, blood revenge for his brother. Presently he entered a coffee-house, a fine building which stood in the marketplace, and which collected a throng of folk to play, some at the Mancala, others at the backgammon, and others at the chess and what not else. There he sat down and listened to those seated beside him, and they chanced to be conversing about an ancient dame and a holib by name Fatima, who dwelt all way at her devotions,

in a hermitage without the town. And this, she never entered, save only two days each month. They mentioned also that she had reformed many saintly miracles, which, when the Maghrabi, the necromancer heard, he said in himself, Now have I found that which I sought. Inshallah, God willing, by means of this crone, will I win to my wish? And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day, and ceased to, say her permitted say. When it was the 587th night, Quoth Dynzad, O sister mine,

and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon, Scheherazade replied, with love and goodwill. It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Magrabi, the necromancer, went up to the folk who were talking of the miracles performed by the devout old woman, and said to one of them, O my uncle, I heard you all chatting about the prodigies of a certain saintess named Fatima. Who is she, and where may be her abode? Marvelous! exclaimed the man. How canst thou be in our city, and yet never have heard about the miracles of the Lady Fatima?

Evidently, oh, thou poor fellow, thou art a foreigner, since the fastings of this devotee and her asceticism in worldly matters and the beauty of her piety never came to thine ears. the more man rejoined tis true o my lord yes i am a stranger and came to this your city only yesternight and i hope thou wilt inform me concerning the saintly miracles of this virtuous woman and where may be her one for that I have fallen into a calamity, and tis my wish to visit her and crave her prayers, so happily Allah, to whom be honor and glory, will, through her blessings, deliver me from my neville. Hereat, the man recounted to him the marvels of Fatima the devote, and her piety and the beauties of her worship. Then, taking him by the hand, went with him without the city, and

showed him the way to her abode, a cavern upon a hillock's head. The necromanes are acknowledged his kindness in many words, and, thanking him for his good offices, returned to his cell in the caravansaray. Now, by the fiat of fate on the very next day, Fatima came down to the city, and the Magrabi, the necromancer, happened to leave his hostelry a morn when he saw the folk swarming and crowding, wherefore he went up to discover what was to do, and found the devotee standing a middlemost betrong, and all who suffered from pain or sickness flocked to her,

soliciting a blessing and praying for her prayers, and each and every she touched became whole of his illness. The Moroccan, the necromancer, followed her about until she returned to her entry. Then, awaiting till the evening evened, he arose and repaired to a vintner store where he drank a cup of wine. After this he fared forth the city, and finding the devotee's cavern

entered it and saw her lying with her back upon a strip of matting. So he came forward and mounted upon her belly. Then he drew his dagger and shouted at her, and when she awoke and opened her eyes, she espied a moorish man with an unsheathed poniard, sitting upon her middle as though about to kill her. She was troubled and sore terrified,

but he said to her, Harken, and thou cry out or utter a word, I will slay thee at this very moment. Arise now and do all I bid thee. Then he swear to her an oath, that if she obeyed his orders, whatever they might be, he would not do her die.

So saying, He arose up from offer, and Fatima also arose when he said to her, Give me thy gear, and take thou my habit. Whereupon she gave him her clothing and head fillets, her face kerchief,

and her mantilla. Then, quote he, "'Tis also requisite that thou anoint me, "'with somewhat shum make the colour of my face like unto thine.' "'Accordingly she went into the inner cavern, "'and bringing out a gallipo of ointment, "'spread somewhat thereof upon her palm, "'and with it be smeared his face

"'until its hue favoured her own. "'Then she gave him her staff, "'and showing him how to walk "'and what to do when he entered the city, "'hung her rosary around his neck. "'Lastly, she handed to him a mirror, "'and said, now look thou differest from me in naught and he saw himself Fatima's counterpart as though she had never gone or come.

But after obtaining his every object, he falsed his oath and asked for a cord which she brought to him. Then he seized her and strangled her in the cavern, and presently when she was dead hailed the corpse outside and threw it into a pit hard by. and Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the five hundred and eighty-eighth night quoth dunyazad oh sister mine and there'll be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon shahrazad replied with love and good will it hath reached me o king of the age that the magrabi after murdering fatima threw her body into a pit and went back to sleep in her cavern and when broke the day he rose and repairing to the town took his stand under the walls of Aladdin's pavilion. Hereupon flocked the folk about him, all being certified that he was Fatima the devotee, and he fell to doing what so she was wont to do. He laid hands on these in pain and recited for those a chapter of the Koran and made orisons for a third. Presently the thronging of the folk and the clamouring of the crowd were heard by the lady Badra Abudur,

who said to her handmaidens, Look what is to do, and what be the cause of this turmoil? Thereupon the Agha of the eunuchry fared forth to see what might be the matter, and presently returning, said, Oh, my lady, this clamour is caused by the Lady Fatima, and if thou be pleased to command, I will bring her to thee. So shall thou gain through her a blessing.

The princess answered, Go, bring her, for since many a day I am always hearing of her miracles and her virtues, and I do long to see her and get a blessing by her intervention. For the folk recount her manifestations in many cases of difficulty. The Agha went forth and brought in the Moroccan, the necromancer, habited in Fatima's clothing, and when the wizard stood before the Lady Badr al-Budur, he began at first sight to bless her with a string of prayers. Nor did any one of those present doubt at all, but that she was the devotee herself. the princess arose and salaamed to him then seating him beside her said o my lady fatima tis my desire that thou abide with me all way so might i be blessed through thee and also learn of thee the paths of worship and piety and follow thine example making for salvation

now all this was a foul deceit of the cursed african and he designed furthermore to complete his guile so he continued oh my lady I am a poor woman and a religious that dwelleth in the desert, and the like of me deserveth not to abide in the palaces of the kings. But the princess replied, Have no care whatever, O my lady Fatima, I will set apart for thee an apartment of my pavilion

that thou mayst worship therein, and none shall ever come to trouble thee. Also thou shalt avail to worship Allah in my place better than in thy cavern. The Moroccan rejoined. hearkening and obedient, so, my lady, I will not oppose thine order, for that the commands of the children of the kings may not be gained said nor renounced. Only I hope of thee that my eating and drinking and sitting may be within my own chamber which shall be kept wholly private. Nor do I require or desire the delicacies of diet.

But do thou favor me by sending thy handmaid every day with a bit of bread and a sup of water? And when I feel faint of food, let me eat by myself in my own room. Now the accursed hereby purposed to avert the danger of happily raising his face kerchief at meal times, when his intent might be baffled by his beard and mustachios discovering him to be a man. The princess replied, O my lady Fatima, be of good heart, naught shall happen save what thou wishest. But now arise, and let me show thee the apartment in the palace. us which I would prepare for thy sojourn with us. And Scheherazade was surprised by the dawn of day,

and ceased to say or permitted say. When it was the five hundred and eighty-ninth night, Quoth Dunyazad, O sister mine, and thou be other than sleepy, do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Shehazade replied, with love and good will, It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the lady Badr al-Budur, arose, and, taking the necromancer, who had disguised himself as the devotee, ushered him into the place which she had kindly promised him for a home,

and said, O my Lady Fatima, here thou shalt dwell with every comfort about thee, and in all privacy and repose, and the place shall be named after thy name, whereupon the Maghrabi acknowledged her kindness and prayed for her. Then the princess showed him the jealousies and the jeweled kiosk, with its four and twenty windows, and said to him, what thinkest thou, O my Lady Fatima, of this marvellous pavilion? The more man replied, By Allah, oh, my daughter, tis indeed passing fine and wondrous exceedingly,

nor do I deem that his fellow is to be found in the whole universe. But, alas, for the lack of one thing which would enhance its beauty and decoration, the princess asked her, Oh, my lady Fatima, what lacketh it? And what be this thing would add to its adornment? Tell me thereof, inasmuch as I was one to believe it wholly perfect. The Moroccan answered, Oh, my lady, all it wanteth is that there be hanging from the middle of the dome,

the egg of a fowl called the rook. And were this done, the pavilion would lack its peer all the world over. The princess asked, What be this bird, and where can we find her egg? And the Moroccan answered, Oh, my lady, the rook is indeed a giant fowl which carryeth off camels and elephants in her pounces and flyeth away with them, such as her stature and strength.

Also this fowl is mostly found in Mount Kav, and the architect who built this pavilion is able to bring me one of her eggs? They then left such talk, as it was the hour for the noonday meal, and when the handmaid had spread the table, the Lady Bar al-Budur sent down to invite the cursed African to eat with her. But he accepted not, and for a reason he would on no wise consent. Nay, he rose and retired to the room which the princess had assigned to him, and whither the slave-girls carried his dinner.

Now, when evening evened, Aladdin returned from the chase and met his wife, who salamed to him, and he clasped her to his husband, bosom and kissed her. Presently, looking at her face, he saw thereon a shade of sadness, and he noted that, contrary to her accustomed, she did not laugh. So he asked her, what hath betided thee, oh, my dearling? Tell me, hath aught happened to trouble thy thoughts. Nothing, whatever, answered she, but, oh, my beloved, I fancied that our pavilion lacked not at all. However, O eyes of me, O Aladdin, were the dome of the dome of

the upper story hung with an egg of the fowl called rook that would be not like it in the universe. Her husband rejoined, And for this trifle thou art saddened, when tis the easiest of all matters to me. So cheer thyself, and whatever thou wantest, tis enough thou inform me thereof, and I will bring it from the abysses of the earth in the quickest time and at the earliest hour. and Scheherazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the five hundred and ninety-eth night, quote Juniazad, O sister mine, and there'll be other than sleepy,

do tell us some of thy pleasant tales. Whereupon Jehazade replied, with love and goodwill, It hath reached Meokin of the age, that Aladdin, after refreshing the spirits of his princess, by promising her all she would desire, repaired straightway to his chamber, and, taking the lamp, rubbed it. When the married appeared without let or delay, saying,

Ask what so thou wantest. Said the other, I desire thee to fetch me an egg of the bird called rooque, and do thou hang it to the dome crown of this my pavilion. But when the married heard these words, His face waxed fierce, and he shouted with a mighty, loud voice and a frightful, and cried, O denier of kindly deeds!

Sufficeth it not for thee that I and all the slaves of the Lamb are ever at thy service, but thou must also require me to bring thee our liege, lady, for thy pleasure, and hang her up at thy pavilion dome for the enjoyment of thee and thy wife. Now, by allah ye deserve, thou and she, that I reduce you to ashes this very moment, and scatter you upon the air. But inasmuch as ye twain be ignorant of this matter, unknowing its inner from its outer significance, I will pardon you, for indeed ye are but innocence. The offence cometh from that accursed necromancer brother to the Magravi, a magician who abideth here representing himself to be fatima the devotee after assuming her dress and belongings and murdering her in the cavern

indeed he came hither seeking to slay thee by way of blood revenge for his brother and tis he who taught thy wife to require this matter of me So saying the married evanished. But when Aladdin heard these words, his wits fled his head, and his joints trembled at the marriage's terrible shout. But he empowered his purpose, and, rising forthright, issued from his chamber and went into his wives. There he affected an ache of head, for that he knew how famous was Fatima for the art and mystery of healing all such pains.

And when the lady Barral Boudur saw him sitting, hand to head and complaining of unease, she asked him the cause, and he answered, I know of none other, save that my head acheth exceedingly. Hereupon she straightway bad summon Fatima that the devotee might impose her hand upon his head. And Aladdin asked her, Who may this Fatima be? So she informed him that it was Fatima, the devotee, to whom she had given a home in the pavilion. Meanwhile, the slave girls had fared forth. and summoned the Maghrabi, and when the accursed made active presence, Aladdin rose up to him, and, acting like one who knew not of his purpose, salamed it to him as though he had been the real Fatima,

and, kissing the hem of his sleeve, welcomed him and had treated him with honour, and said, O my lady Fatima, I hope thou would bless me with a boom, for well I want thy practice in the healing of pains. I have gotten a mighty ache in my head. and the moorman the accursed could hardly believe that he heard such words this being all that he desired and chahrazad was surprised by the dawn of day and ceased to say or permitted say when it was the five hundred and ninety-first night quoth dunyazad o sister mine and thou be other than sleepy do tell us some of thy pleasant tales whereupon chahrazad replied with love and good-will It hath reached me, O king of the age, that the Mugrabi, the necromancer, habited as Fatim of the Devotee, came up to Aladdin that he might place hand upon his head and heal his ache. So he imposed one hand, and, putting forth the other under his gown,

drew a dagger wherewith to slay him. But Aladdin watched him, and, taking patience till he had wholly unsheathed the weapon, seized him with a forceful grip, and, wrenching the dagger from his grasp, plunged it deep into his heart. When the Lady Barra al-Budur saw him do on this wise, she shrieked and cried out, What have this virtuous and holy woman done that thou hast charged thy neck with the heavy burthen of her blood, shed wrongfully? Hast thou no fear of Allah, that thou killest, Fatima, the saintly woman,

whose miracles are far-famed? No, replied Aladdin, I have not. killed Fatima. I have slain only Fatima's slayer, he that is the brother of the Magrabi, the accursed, the magician, who carried thee off by his black art, and transported my pavilion to the Africa land. And this, damnable brother of his, came to our city and wrought these wiles, murdering Fatima and assuming her habit, only that he might avenge upon me his brother's blood. And he also twas, who taught thee to require of me a rook's egg. that my death might result from such requirement.

But an thou doubt my speech, come forwards, and consider the person I have slain. Thereupon Aladdin drew aside the Moorman's face-kerchief, and the Lady Badr al-Budur saw the semblance of a man with a full beard that well-nigh covered his features. She at once knew the truth, then said to her husband, Oh, my beloved, twice have I cast thee into death-reacted, but he rejoined.

No harm in that, oh, my lady, by the blessing of your loving eyes. I accept with all joy all things thou bringest me. The princess, hearing these words, hastened to fold him in her arms and kissed him, saying, oh, my dearling, all this is for my love to thee, and I knew not thereof. But indeed I do not deem lightly of thine affection. So Aladdin kissed her and strained her to his breast. and the love between them waxed but greater. At that moment the sultan appeared,

and they told him all that had happened, showing him the corpse of the Magrabi, the necromancer. When the king commanded the body to be burned and the ashes scattered on air, even as had befallen the wizard's brother. And Aladdin abode with his wife the lady Badr al-Budur in all pleasure and joyance of life, and thence forward escaped every danger,

and after a while, when the Sultan deceased, his son-in-law was seated upon the throne of the kingdom, and he commanded and dealt justice to the legions so that all the folk loved him, and he lived with his wife in all solace and happiness until there came to him the destroyer of delights and the severer of societies. Quote Dunazade,

O sister mine, how rare is thy tale and delectable? and quoth Sheherazad, And what is this Compared with what I could relate to you After the coming night And this my lord the king Dane leave me on life So Shariar said to himself Indeed I will not slay her

Until she tell me the whole tale End of Aladdin Section 9 of the book of the Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 13 translated by Richard Francis Burton. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. When it was the 592nd night, Scheherazade began to relate the adventures of Kududad and his brothers. Said she, O auspicious king, this my tale related to the kingdom of Dierbacher,

in whose capital city of Haran dwelt a sultan of illustrious lineage, a protector of the people, a lover of his liegers, a friend of mankind, and renowned for being gifted with every good quality. Now Allah Almighty had bestowed upon him all that his heart could desire

save boon of child, for though he had lovely wives within his haremdoll and fair concubines galore, he had not been blessed with a son. Wherefore he offered up incessant work worship to the Creator. One night there appeared to him in a dream, a man of comely visage and holy of semblance, like unto a prophet, who addressed him, saying, O puissant king, thy vows are at length heard. Arise to-morrow at day dawn, pray at two-bow prayer, and offer up thy petitions.

Then haste thee to the chief gardener of thy palace, and require of him a pomegranate, whereal do thou eat as many seeds as seemeth best to thee. after which perform another two-bow prayer and allah will shower favors and graces upon thy head the king awaking a peep of day called to mind the vision of the night and returning thanks to the almighty made his orisons and kneeling in book to benedicti then he rose and repaired to the garth and receiving a pomegranate from the head gardener counted out an eight fifty grains thereof to wit one for each of his wives after this he lay the knight in turn with them all and by the omnipotence of the creator all gave in due time signs of pregnancy save one so the king conceived a grudge against her saying in his soul allah holdeth this woman vile and accursed and he willeth not that she become the mother of a prince and on this wise hath the curse of baroness become her lot he would have had it done to death but the grand vizier made a recession for her and suggested to the sultan that perchance phiruzah might prove with child and withal not show outward signal thereof as is the manner of certain women wherefore to slay her might be to destroy a prince with the mother both the king so be it slay her not but take heed that she abide no longer or at court or in the city for i cannot support the sight of her

replied the minister it shall be done even as thy highness biddeth let her be conveyed to the care of thy brother's son prince samir the king did according to the council of his vizier and despatched his loathed queen to samaria accompanied by a writ with the following purport to his nephew we forward this lady to thy care entreat her honourably and shouldst thou remark tokens of pregnancy in her see that thou acquaintest therewith without stay so phiruzah journeyed to samaria and when her time was fulfilled she gave birth to a boy babe and became the mother of a prince who in favour was resplendent as the sheenie day hereat the lord of samaria sent message by letter to the sultan of haran saying a prince hath been born by the womb of phiruzah allah almighty give thee permanence of prosperity by these tidings the king was filled with joy and presently he replied to his cousin prince samir each one of my forty and nine spouses hath been blessed with issue and delighteth me beyond bounds that pyrrza hath also given me a son let him be named kudad god's gift do thou have due care of him and whatsoever thou mayest need for his birth ceremonies shall be counted out to thee without regard to cost accordingly prince samir took in hand with all pleasure and delight the charge of prince putidad and as soon as the child reached the age for receiving instruction he caused him to be taught cabalareche and archery and all such arts and sciences which it behooved the sons of the kings to learn so that he became perfect in all manner knowledge at eighteen years of age he waxed seemly of semblance and such were his strength and valiance that none in the whole world could compare with

him. Presently, feeling himself gifted with unusual vigor and virile character, he addressed one day of the days, Firozah, his parent, saying, O mother mine, grant me thy leave to quit Samaria, and fair in quest of fortune, especially of some battlefield where I may prove the force and prowess of me. My sire, the Sultan of Haran, hath many foes, some of whom are lusting to wage war with him, and I marveled that at such time he doth not summon me, and make me his aid in this mightiest of matters. But, seeing that I possess such courage and all a given strength, it behooveth me not to remain thus idly at home. My father knoweth not of my lustyhood, nor pursueth he think of me at all.

Nevertheless, it is suitable that at such a time I present myself before him, and tender my services until my brothers be fit to fight and to front his foes. Here too is mother made answer. O, my dear son, thine absence pleases me not. But in truth, it be cometh thee to help thy father against the enemies who are attacking him on all sides, provided that he send for thine adams. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till...

The end of the 593rd night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Kudadad replied to his mother, Luzah. Indeed, I am unable to brook delay. Moreover, such longing have I in heart to look upon the sultan my sire that, and I go not and visit him and kiss his feet, I shall assuredly die. I will enter his employ as a stranger, and all unknown to him, nor will I inform him that I am his son. But I shall be to him as a foreigner, or as one of his hired knaves, and with such devotion

will I do him suit and service, that when he learneth that I am indeed his child, he may grant me his favor and affection. Prince Samir also would not suffer him to depart, and forbad him therefrom. But one day of the days the prince suddenly set out from Samaria under pretext that he was about to hunt and chase. He mounted a milk-white steed whose reins and stirrups were of gold, and the saddle and housings were of azure satin, dubbed with jewels and fringed with pendants of fresh pearls. His scimitar was hilted with a single diamond. The scabbard of Chonderswood was crested with rubies and emeralds, and it depended from a gemmed waist belt, while his bow and richly

wrought quiver hung by his side. Thus equipped and escorted by his friends and familiars, he presently arrived at Haran City after the fairest passion, and when occasion offered itself he made active presence before the king, and did his obeisance at Darbar. The sultan, remarking his beauty and comeliness, or happily by reason of an outburst of natural affection, was pleased to return his salaam, and graciously calling him to his side, asked of him his name and pedigree.

Where to, Cudad answered, O Malij, I am the son of an emir of Cairo. A longing for travel hath made me quit my native place and wander from climb to climb, till at length I have come hither. and hearing that thou hast matters of importance in hand i am desiring of approving to thee my valiancy the king joyed with exceeding joy to hear this stout and doughty speech and forthwith gave him a post of command in his army and coupedad by careful supervision of the troops soon won the esteem of his officers by his desire to satisfy them and the hearts of his soldiers by reason of his strength and courage his goodly nature and his kindly disposition he also brought the host and all its equipments and munitions of warfare into such excellent order and method that the king on inspecting them was delighted and created the stranger chief commandant of the forces and made him an especial favourite

by the vazirs and emirs also the nabob's and the notables perceiving that he was highly reputed and regarded showed him abundant good-will and affection presently the other princes who became of no account in the eyes of the king's and the legions waxed envious of his high degree and dignity. But Kudad ceased not to please the sultan his sire, at all times when they conversed together by his prudence and discretion, his wit and wisdom, and gained his regard ever more and more. And when the invaders, who had planned to raid on the realm, heard of the discipline of the army and of Kudadad's provisions for materials of war, they abstained from all hostile intent.

after a while the king committed to Kudadad the custody and education of the 49 princes wholly relying on his suggest and skill and thus albeit Kudad was of age like his brothers he became their master by reason of his sapience and good sense whereupon they hated him but the more and when taking counsel one day both one to the other what be this thing our sire have done that he should make a stranger white his up companion, and set him to lord it over us. We can do not save by leave of this our governor, and our condition is past bearing. So, contrived we to rid ourselves of this foreigner, and at least render him vile and contemptible in the eyes of our sire the sultan, said one, let us gather together and slay him in some lonely spot, and said another, not so. To kill him would benefit us not. For how could we keep the matter hidden from the king. He would become our enemy, and Allah only want of what evil might be of us. Nay, rather let us crave permission of him, and fare a hunting, and then tarry we in some far off town. And after a while

the king will marvel at our absence, then grief will be sore upon him, and at length, waxing displeased and suspicious, he will have this fellow expelled the palace, or happily done to death. This is the only sure and safe way of bringing about its destruction. and as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till the end of the five hundred and ninety-fourth night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king,

that the forty and nine brothers agreed to hold this plan wisest, and, presently going together to Kudad, asked leave of him to ride about the country a while or fare to the chase, promising they would return by set of sun. He fell into the same, and allowed them to go, whereupon they salered forth a hunting, but did not come back that day or the next. On the third morning the king, who missed them, asked Cudadad, wherefore it was that

none of his sons were to be seen, and he answered that three days before they had gotten leave from him to go a hunting and had not returned. Hereat the father was perplexed, with sore perplexity, and when sundry days more had passed by, and still the princes appeared not, the old Sultan was much troubled in mind, and hardly restraining his rage, summoned Kudad, and in hot wrath exclaimed, O thou neglectful stranger, What courage and over-daring is this of thine That thou didst suffer my sons fair to the chase,

And didst not ride with them? And now, tis but right that thou set out and searched for them, And bring them back. Otherwise, thou shalt surely die. Kudad, hearing these harsh words, was startled and alarmed. However, he got him ready, and mounted his horse forthwith, and left the city in quest of the princess's brethren,

wandering about from country to country, like unto a herd seeking a straying flock of goats. Presently, not finding any trace of them in homestead or on desert ground, he became sad and sorrowful exceedingly, saying in his soul, Oh, my brothers, what hath be fallen you? And where can you be dwelling? perchance some mighty foeman have made you prisoners so that ye cannot escape and i may never return unto huron till i find you for this will be a matter of bitter regret and repined to the king

so he repented more and more having suffered them to go without his escort and guidance at length whilst searching for them from plain to plain and forest to forest he chanced come upon a large and spacious prairie in the middle almost whereof rose a castle, a black marble. So he rode on at a footpace, and when close under the walls he espied a lady of passing beauty and loveliness, who was seated at a window in melancholy plight, and with no other ornament than her own charms. Her lovely hair hung down and disheveled locks, her raiment was tattered, and her favour was pale, and showed sadness and sorrow. With all, she was speaking under her breath, and Kooladad, giving attentive ear, heard her say these words, O youth, fly this fatal sight,

else thou wilt fall into the hands of the monster who dwelleth here. A man devouring Ethiopian is lord of this palace, and he seeth all who fate sendeth to this prairie, and locketh them up in darksome and narrow cells, that he may preserve them for food. Who did add exclaimed? Oh, my lady, tell me, I pray thee, who thou art, and whereabouts was thy home.

And she answered, I am the daughter of Cairo, and of the noblest thereof. But lately as I went in my way to Baghdad, I alighted upon this plain and met that Habashi, who slew all my servants, and carrying me off by force,

placed me in this palace. I no longer cared to live, and a thousand times better were it for me to die, for that this Abyssinian lusteth to enjoy me, and, albeit to the present time, I have escaped the caresses of the impure wretch, tomorrow, and I still refuse to gratify his desire, he will surely ravish me and do me dead.

So I have given up all hope of safety. But thou, why hast thou come hither to perish? Escape without stay or delay, for he hath gone forth in quest of wayfarers, and right soon will he return. Moreover, he can see far and wide, and can descry all who traverse this wall. Now hardly had the lady spoke in these words

When the Ebassinian drew in sight And he was as a ghoul of the wild Big of bulk and fearsome of favour and figure And he mounted a sturdy tartar steed Brandishing as he rode A weighty blade, which none save he could wield Prince Kudad, seeing this monstrous semblance Was sore amazed and prayed heaven

That he might be victorious over that devil Then unsheathing his sword he stood awaiting the Ebisonian's approach with courage and steadfastness. But the Blackamore, when he drew near, deemed the prince too slight and puny to fight, and was minded to seize him alive. Kudad, seeing how his foe had no intent to combat, struck him with his sword on the knee, a stroke so dear that the negro foamed with rage and yelled a yell so loud that the whole prairie resounded with the plaint.

Thereupon the brigand, fiery with fury, rose straight in his shovel stirrups and struck fiercely at Kudadad with his huge sword, and but for the prince's cunning of fence and the cleverness of his coarser, he would have been sliced in twain like into a cucumber. Though the scimitar whistled through the air, the blow was harmless, and in an eye-twinkling, Cootidette dealt him a second cut and struck off his right hand, which fell to the ground with the sword-hilt it gripped. when the Blackamore, losing his balance, rolled from the saddle, and made earth resound with the fall. Thereupon the prince sprang from his steed, and deftly severing the enemy's head from his body, threw it aside. Now the lady had been looking down at the lattice, rigid in prayer for the gallant youth, and seeing the Abyssinian slain and the Prince victorious,

she was overcome with exceeding joy, and cried out to her deliverer, praise be to almighty allah my lord who by thy hand hath defeated and destroyed this fiend come now to me within the castle whose keys are with the abyssinian so take them and open the door and deliver me kudadad found a large bunch of keys under the dead man's girdle wherewith he opened the portals of the fort and entered a large saloon in which was the lady and no sooner did she behold him than running to meet him she was about to cast herself at his feet and kissed them when kudad prevented her she praised him with highest praise and extolled him for valiancy above all the champions of the world and he returned the salab to her who when seen near hand and seemed indued with more grace and charms than had appeared from afar. So the prince joyed with extreme joy, and the twain sat down in pleasant converse. Presently Cudad had heard shrieks and cries and weeping and wailing,

with groans and moans and ever-loudening lamentations. So he asked the lady, saying, "'Whence are these clamors, and from whom come these pitiful complaints?' and she, pointing to a wicket in a hidden corner of the court below, answered, say, Oh, my lord, these sounds come therefrom. Many wretches driven by destiny have fallen into the clutches of the Abyssinian ghoul, and are securely locked up in cells, and each day he was one to roast and eat one of the captives.

To please me vastly, quoth Koudadudad to be the means of their deliverance. Come, oh, my lady, and show me where they are imprisoned. Thereupon the twain drew near to the place, and the prince forthright tried a key upon the lock of the dungeon, but it did not fit. Then he made a say of another, wherewith they opened the wicket. As they were so doing, the report of the captives moaning and groaning increased yet more and more until Kudadad touched and troubled at their impatience asked the cause of it. The lady replied, Oh, my lord, hearing our footsteps and the rattling of the key in the lock, they deem that the cannibal, according to his custom hath come to supply them with food and to secure one of them for his evening meal each feareth lest his turn for roasting become so all are affrighted with sore fright and redouble their shouts and cries

and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the five hundred and ninety-fifth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that the sounds from that secret place seemed to issue from underground or from the depths of a drawwell. But when the prince opened the dungeon door, he espied a steep staircase, and, descending thereby, found himself in a deep pit, narrow and darksome, wherein were penned more than an hundred persons, with elbows pinioned and members chained, nor saw he ought of light, save through one bull's-eye. So he cried to them, o ye unfortunates fear ye no more i have slain the abyssinian and render ye praise to allah almighty who hath rid you of your wrongdoer also i come to strike off your fetters and return you to freedom hearing these glad tidings the prisoners were enraptuous of delight and raised a general cry of joy and jubilee hereupon pudad and the lady began to loose their hands and feet and each as he was released from his durance helped to unchain his fellows.

Brief, after a moment of time, all were delivered from their bonds and bondage. Then each and every kissed Kudadad's feet and gave thanks and prayed for his welfare. And when those Weilham prisoners entered the courtyard whereupon the sun was shining sheen, Kudad recognized amongst them his brothers, in quest of whom he had so long wandered.

He was amazed with exceeding amazement and exclaimed, be to the Lord that I have found you, one and all, safe and sound. Your father is sorely sad and sorrowful at your absence, and heaven forfend that this devil hath devoured any from amongst you. He then counted their number, forty and nine, and set them apart from the rest, and all in excess of joy fell upon one another's necks

and ceased not to embrace their savior. After this, the prince spread a feast for the captives, each and every, whom he had delivered, and when they had eaten and drunken their full, he restored to them the gold and silver, the turkey carpets and pieces of Chinese silk and brocade, and other valuables innumerable, which the Abyssinian had plundered from the caravans, as also their own personal goods and chattels, directing each man to claim his own, and what remained he divided equally amongst them. But, quoth he, by what means can ye convey these bales to your own countries?

and where can you find beasts of burden in this wild wold who of they o our lord the abyssinian robbed us of our camels with their loads and doubtless they are in the stables of the castle hereupon koudad fared forth with them to their stables and there found tethered and tied not only the camels but also the forty-nine horses of his brothers the princes and accordingly he gave to each one his own animal there were moreover in the stables hundreds of abyssinian slave-boys who seeing the prisoners released were certified that their lord the cannibal was slain and fled in dismay to the forest and none thought of giving chase to them so the merchants loaded their merchandise upon the camel's backs and farewelling the prince set out for their own countries then quoth pudidad to the lady o thou raring beauty and chastity whence camest thou when the abyssinian seized thee and whither now wouldst thou wend inform me thereof that i may restore thee to thy home haply these princes my brethren sons of the sultan of haran know thine abode and doubtless they will escort they thither the lady turning to kudad presently made answer i live far from here and my country the land of egypt is over-distant for travel but thou o valerous prince hast delivered mine honour and my life from the hands of the evesenium and has shown me such favour that twould ill become me to conceal from me my history. I am the daughter of a mighty king, reigning over the Saeed or Upper Nile land,

and when the tyrant foeman seized him, and reving him of life, as well as of his realm, usurped his throne and seized his kingdom, I fled away to preserve my existence and my non-a. Thereupon Kudad and his brothers prayed the lady to recount all that had befallen her, and reassured her, saying, Henceforth thou shalt live in solace and luxury, Neither toil nor trouble shall be tied thee. When she saw that there was no help for her, But to tell all her tale,

She began in the following words to recount The history of the princess of Dariabar. In an island of the islands standeth a great city called Dariabar, wherein dwelt a king of exalted degree. But despite his virtue and his valor, he was ever sad and sorrowful, having not of offspring. And he offered up without surceased prayers on that behalf. After long years and longsome supplications,

a half-boom was granted to him, to wit a daughter, myself, was born. My father, who grieved sore at first, presently rejoiced with joy exceeding at the unfortunate ill-fated birth of me. And when I came of age to learn, he bade may be taught to read and write, and caused me to be instructed in court ceremonial, and royal duties, and the chronicles of the past, to the intent that I might succeed him as heiress

to his throne at his kingship. Now it happened one day that my sire rode out a hunting, and gave chase to a wild ass, with such hot pursuit that he found himself at even-tide separated from his suite. So, wearied with the chase, he dismounted from his steed, and seating himself by the side of forest path, he said to himself, The Onager will doubtless seek cover in this corpse. Suddenly, he espied a light shining bright amidst the trees, and, thinking that a hamlet might be hard by, he was minded to night there, and day dawn to determine his further course.

Hereupon he arose, and, walking towards the light, he found that it issued from a lonely hut in the forest. Then, peering into the inside, he espied an Abyssinian, burly of bulk, and in semblance like unto a Satan, seated upon a divan. Before him were ranged many capacious jars full of wine, and over a fire of charcoal, he was roasting a bullock, whole, and eating the flesh, and ever and anon, drinking deep draughts from one of the pictures. Furthermore, the king sighted in that hut, a lady of exquisite beauty and comeliness, sitting in a corner direly distressed. Her hands were

fast bound with cords, and at her feet a child of two or three years of age lay be weeping as mother's sorry plight. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till the end of the five hundred and ninety-sixth night. Then, said she, I have heard, Ouspicious king, that, seeing the doleful state of these twain, my sire was filled with Ruth, and longed to fall upon the ogre sword in hand. However, not being able to cope with him, he restrained his wrath and remained on stealthy watch. The giant, having drained all the pitchers of wine and devoured half of the barbecued bullock, presently addressed himself to the lady, and said, O loveliest of princesses, how long wilt thou prove thee coy and keep aloof for me?

Dost thou not see how desirous I am of winning thy heart, and how I am dying, for the love of thee. It is therefore only right that thou also should return my affection and know me as thine own when I will become to thee the kindest of mankind. O thou gul of the waste! cried the lady,

what be this whereof thou prattest? Never, no, never shalt thou win thy wish of me, however much thou mayest lust therefore. Torment me o'er, and thou wilt destroy me downright, but for my part I will on no wise yield me to thy lusts. At these words the infuriated savage roared aloud, "'Tis enough and more than enough.

Thy hate breedeth hatred in me, and now I desire less to have thee and hold thee than to do thee die.' Then he seized her with one hand, and drawing his savor with the other, would have struck off her head from her body. when my father shot at him a shaft so deftly that it pierced his heart and came out gleaming at his back, and he fell to the ground and found instant admission into Hahanam. Hereupon my sire entered the hut, and unbinding the lady's bonds,

inquired of her who she was, and by what means that ogre had brought her thither. Answered she, not far from this sight there liveth on the seashore a race of Saracens, like under the demons of the desert. Sorly against my will I was wedded to their prince, and the fulsome villain thou hast now slain was one of my husband's chief officers. He fell madly in love to me, and he longed with excessive longing

to get me into his power and to carry me off from my home. Accordingly, one day of the days when my husband was out of the way and I was in privacy, he carried me off with this my babe from the palace, to this wild wood, wherein is none save he, and where well he wot, that all search and labor would be baffled. Then, hour after hour, he designed guilty designs against me. But by the mercy of Almighty Allah, I have ever escaped all carnal soil of that foul monster.

This evening, and despair of my safety I was rejecting his brutal advances when he attempted to take my life, and in the attempt he was slain by thy valorous hand. This is then my story which I have told thee. My father reassured the princess, saying, O my lady, let thy heart be at ease. At daybreak I will take thee away from this wilderness, and escort thee to Dariaba, of which city I am the sultan. And shouldst thou become fain of that place,

then dwell therein until thy husband shall come in quest of thee? Quote the lady, O my lord, this plan doth not displease me. So with the earliest light next, morning my father took mother and child away from that forest and set forth homewards when suddenly he fell in with his seardos and officers who had been wandering hither and thither during the live-long night in search of him they rejoiced with great joy on seeing the king and marvelled with exceeding marvel at

the sight of a veiled one with him admiring much that so lovesome a lady should be found dwelling in a wold so wild thereupon the king related to them the tale of the ogre and the princess, and how he had slain the Blackamore. Presently they set forth on their homeward way, one of the emirs, seating the dame behind him on his horse's cropper, while another took charge of the child. They reached the royal city where the king ordered a large and splendid mansion to be built for his guest, the babe also received a suitable education, and thus the mother passed her days in perfect comfort and happiness. After the lapse of some months, when no tidings, however fondly

expected, came of her husband, she resigned herself to marrying my father, whom she had captivated by her beauty and loveliness and amorous liveliness. Whereupon he wedded her, and when the marriage contract was drawn up, as was customary in those days, they sojourned together in one's stead. As time went on, the lad grew up to be a lusty youth of a handsome mean. Moreover, he became perfect in courtly ceremonial, and in every art and science that befit princes. The king and all the ministers and emirs highly approved of him, and determined that I should be married to him, and that he should succeed the sovereign as heir to throne and kingship. The youth also was well pleased with such tokens of favor from my father,

but chiefly he rejoiced with exceeding joy to hear talk of his union with his protector's only daughter. One day my sire desired to place my hand in his To the intent that the marriage ceremony Should at once take place But first he would impose upon my suitor certain conditions Whereof one was that he should wed none other But his wife's daughter, that is myself. This pledge displeased the haughty youth

Who forthwith refused his consent thereto, Deeming himself by the demand of such condition A despised and contemptible suitor of villain birth. and as the morn began to dawn Scheherazade held her peace till the end of the 597th night Then said she I have heard O auspicious king

That the lady continued On this wise the wedding was deferred And this delay became a matter of sore displeasure To the young man Who thought in his heart that my father was his foe Therefore he ever strove to lure him into his power till one day in a frenzy of rage he slew him and proclaimed himself king of Dariabar. Moreover, the murderer would have entered my chamber to kill me also, had not the vizier,

a true and faithful servant of the crown, at the tidings of his liege lord's death, speedily taken me away, and hidden me in the house of a friend, where he bade me remain, concealed. Two days afterwards, having fitted out a ship, he embarked me therein with a Karamanah, an old Duena, and set sail for a country whose king was of my father's friends, to the intent that he might consign me to his charge, and obtained from him the aid of an army, wherewith he might avenge himself upon the ungrateful and ungracious youth who had proved himself a traitor to the salt. But a few days after our weighing anchor, a furious storm began to blow, making the captain and crew

who saw confounded, and presently the waves beat upon the vessel with such exceeding violence that she break up, and the vizier and the duena, and all who were therein save myself, were drowned in the billows. But I, albeit well nigh a swoon, clung to a plank, and was shortly after, washed ashore by the send of the sea, for Allah of his mighty power had preserved me safe and sound from death doom by the raging of the ocean, to the end that further troubles might befall me. When I returned to sense and consciousness, I found myself alive on the strand and offered up grateful thanks to Almighty Allah.

But, not seeing the Vazir or any one of the company, I knew that they had perished in the waters. And as the morn began to dawn, Gerizade held her peace till. End of Kududad at his brothers, Part 1. Section 10 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, Transdine. by Richard Francis Burton. This libra box recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Kudad and his brothers, part two.

The end of the 598th night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the princess of Dariabar continued. Presently, calling to remembrance the murder of my father, I cried aloud with an exceeding bitter cry, and was sore afraid at my lonesome plight, insomuch, that I would fain have cast myself again into the sea, when suddenly the voice of man and tramp of horsewools fell upon my ears.

Then, looking about, I descried a band of cavaliers, in the midst of whom was a handsome prince. He was mounted upon a steed of purest rabbiot blood, and was habited in a gold-embroidered circuit. A girdle studded with diamonds girt his loins, and, and, was mounted upon a steed with diamonds, girt his loins, and on his head was a crown of gold. In fine, it was evident from his garb, as from his aspect, that he was a born ruler of mankind. Thereupon, seeing me all alone on the seashore, the knights marvelled with exceeding marvel. Then the prince detached one of his captains to ascertain my history and acquaint him therewith. But, albeit the office applied me with questions, I answered him not a word,

and shed a flood of tears in the deepest silence. So, noting the waifidge on the sand, they thought to themselves, perchance some vessel hath been wrecked upon this shore, and its planks and timber have been cast upon their land, and doubtless this lady was in that ship, and hath been floated ashore on some plank, whereupon the cavaliers crowded around me, and implored me to relate unto them what had befallen me.

Nevertheless, I still answered them not a word. presently the prince himself drew near to me and much amazed sent away his sweet from about me and addressed me in these words o my lady fear not of ill from me no distress thyself by needless affright i would convey thee to my home and under my mother's care wherefore i am curious to know of thee who thou art the queen will assuredly befriend thee and keep thee in comfort and happiness and now understanding that his heart was drawn towards me i told him all that had betided me and he on hearing the story of my sad destiny became moved with the deepest emotion and his eyes brimmed with tears then he comforted me and carried me with him and committed me to the queen his mother who also lent kindly ear to my tale of the past first and last and hearing it she also was greatly grieved and wearied not day or night intending me and as far as in her lay striving to make me happy seeing moreover the rissan was deeply enamoured of me and love distraught she agreed to my becoming his wife while i also consented when i looked upon his handsome and noble face and figure and to his proved affection for me and his goodness of heart accordingly in due time the marriage was celebrated with royal pomp and circumstance But what escape is there from fate?

On that very night, the night of the wedding, a king of Zanzibar, who dwelt hard by that island, and had ere well practised against the kingdom, seizing his opportunity, attacked us with a mighty army, and having put many to death, he thought him to take me and my husband alive. But we escaped from his hands, and fleeing under the murks of night to the seashore,

found there a fisherman's boat, which we entered thanking our stars, and launched it and floated far away on the current, unknowing whither destiny was directing us. On the third day we espied a vessel making us, whereat we rejoiced with joy excessive, deeming her to be some merchantman coming to our agents. No sooner had it lain alongside, however, than up there sprang five or six pirates, each brandishing a naked brand in hand, and boarding us tied our arms, us and carried us to their crowd they then tear the veil from my face and forthwith desired to possess me each saying to other i will enjoy this wench on this wise wrangling and jangling ensued till right soon it turned to battle and bloodshed

when moment by moment and one by one the ravishes fell dead until all were slain save a single pirate the bravest of the band quoth he to me thou shalt fare with me to cairo where dwelleth a friend of mine and to him will i give thee for ere while i promised him that on this voyage i would secure for him o fair woman for handmaid Then, seeing my husband, whom the pirates had left in bonds, he exclaimed, "'Who may be this hound? Is he to thee a lover, or a friend?' And I made answer, he is my wedded husband. "'Tis well,' cried he, in very sooth it behoove it me to release him from the bitter pangs of jealousy, and the sight of thee enfolded in another's fond embrace, Whereat the ruffian raised aloft, the ill-fated prince,

Found foot and hand, and cast him into the sea, While I shrieked aloud and implored his mercy, but all in vain. Seeing the prince struggling and drowning in the waves, I cried out and screamed and buffeted my face and tear my hair, And would fain have cast myself into the waters, But I could not, for he held me fast, and lashed me to the mainmast. Then pursuing our course with favouring winds, we soon arrived at a small port village where he bought camels and boy slaves and journeyed on towards Cairo.

But when several stages of the road were left behind us, the Abyssinian who dwelt in this castle suddenly overtook us. From afar we deemed him to be a lofty tower, and when near us could hardly believe him to be a human being. And as the morn began to dawn, Cherazade held her peace till. the end of the five hundred and ninety-ninth night. Then, said she, I have heard, Ouspicious King, that the Princess of Dariabar continued. At once unsheathing his huge sword,

the Habashi made for the pirate, and ordered him to surrender himself prisoner, with me and all his slaves, and with pinioned elbows, to accompany him. Hereat the robber, with hot courage and heading his followers, rushed fiercely on the Avicinian, and for a long time the fight raged thick and fast, till he and his lay dead upon the field, whereupon the Abyssinian led off the camels,

and carried me and the pirate's corpse to this castle, and devoured the flesh of his foe at his evening meal. Then, turning to me as I wept with bitter weeping, he said, "'Banish from thy breast this woe and this angry mood, and abide in this castle at perfect ease and in comfort, and solaced thyself with my embraces. However, since thou appearest at this present to be in dire distress, I will excuse thee for to-night, but without fail I shall require thee of thyself on the morrow.

He then led me into a separate chamber, and locking fast the gates and doors, fell asleep alone in another place. Arising early on the next morning, he searched the castle roundabout, unlocked the wicket, which he closed again, and sallied forth, according to his custom,

in quest of wayfarers. But the caravan escaped him, and anon he returned empty-handed, when thou did set upon him and slay him. On this wise, the princess of Dariabar related her history to Prince Goudad, who was moved with Ruth for her.

Then, comforting her, he said, henceforth fear not nor beyond any wise dismayed these princes are the sons of the king of haran and if it please thee let them lead thee to his court and establish thee in comfort and luxury the king also will guard thee from all evil or shouldst thou be loath to fare with them wilt thou not consent to take for spouse him who hath rescued thee from so great calamity the princess of derivar consented to wed with him and forthwith the marriage was celebrated with grand display in the castle and here they found meats and drinks of sundry sorts and delicious fruits and fine wines wherewith the cannibal would regale himself when a weary of man's flesh so kudadad made ready dishes of every colour and feasted his brothers next day taking with them such provent as was at hand all set forth for haran and at the close of each stage they chose a suitable stead for nighting and when but one day's journey lay before them the princes supped that night off what was left to them of their viaticum and drained all the wine that remained but when the drink had mastered their wits kudad thus addressed his brothers saying hitherto i have withheld from you the secret of my birth which now i must disclose know ye then that i am your brother for i also am a son of the king of haran whom the lord of samaria land brought up and bad educate and lastly my mother is the princess

then to the princess of deriabar thou didst not recognize my rank and pedigree and had i discovered myself erewhile haply thou hadst been spared the mortification of being wooed by a man of vulgar blood but now ease thy mind for that thy husband is a prince quoth she albeit thou discoverst to me not until this time still my heart felt assured that thou wast of noble birth and the son of some potent sovereign the princes one and all appeared outwardly well pleased and offered each and every warm congratulations whilst the wedding was celebrating but inwardly they were filled with envy and sore annoy at such unwelcome issue of events so much so that when kudadad retired with the princess of deraiabar to his tent and slept those ingrates forgetful of the service rendered to them by their brother in that he had rescued them when prisoners in the hands of them the man-devouring Abyssinian, remained deep in thought, and seeking a safe place took counsel one with another to kill him. Quoth the foremost of them, Oh, my brother and our father showed him the liveliest affection when he was to us,

not save a vagrant and unknown, and indeed made him our ruler and our governor, and now, hearing of his victory won from the ogre, and learning that the stranger is his son, will not our sire for, with appoint this bastard his only heir, and give him dominion over us, so that we must all be forced to follow at his feet and bear his yoke? My read is that we make an end of him in this very spot. Accordingly, they stole softly into his tent, and dealt him from every side strokes with their swords, so that they slashed him in every limb and fondly thought that they had left him dead on the bed without their waking the princess.

Next morning they entered the city of Haram and made their salams to the king, who despaired of sighting them again. So he rejoiced with exceeding joy on seeing them restored to him, safe and sound and sane, and asked why they had tarried from him so long. In reply, they carefully concealed from him their being thrown into the dungeon by the rule of Abyssinia, and how Kudad had rescued them. on the contrary all declared that they had been delayed whilst a-hunting and visiting the adjacent cities and countries so the sultan gave full credence to their account and held his peace such was their case but as regards kudad when the princess of derayabar awoke in the morning she found her bridegroom lying drowned in blood gashed and pierced with a score of wounds and as the morn began to dawn jehara zad held her peace till the end of the full six hundredth night then said she

i have heard o auspicious king that the princess deeming her bridegroom dead wept at this sight right sore and calling to mind his youth and beauty his valour and his many virtues she washed his face with her tears and exclaimed well away and woe is me o my lover O Kudadad, do these eyes look upon the in sudden and violent death? Are these thy brothers, the devils, whom thy courage hath saved, the destroyers of thee? Nay, tis I am thy murderous. I who suffered thee to ally thy fate with my hapless destiny, a lot that doometh to destruction all who befriend me. Then, considering the body attentively, she perceived that breath was slowly coming and going through his nostrils,

and that his limbs were yet warm. So she made fast the tent door, and ran citywards to seek a surgeon. And anon, having found a skillful leech, she returned with him. But lo and behold, Cooder-Dad was missing. She wished not what had become of him, but thought in her mind that some wild beast had carried him off.

Then she wept bitterly and bemoaned her mishap, so that the surgeon was moved too rude. and with words of comfort and consolation offered her house and service and lastly he bore her to the town and assigned to her a separate dwelling he also appointed two slave-girls to wait upon her and albeit he knew not of her condition he was ever in attendance on her with the honor and homage due to the kings one day she being somewhat less sad of heart the surgeon who had now informed himself of her condition asked her say that saying, O my lady, be pleased to acquaint me with thine estate and thy misfortunes, and as far as in me lieth, I will strive to aid and succour thee, and she, observing the leech to be shrewd and trustworthy withal, made known to him her story. Quoth the surgeon, and it be thy wish, I would gladly escort thee to thy father-in-law,

the king of Heron, who is indeed a wise sovereign and a just, and he will rejoice to see thee, and will take vengeance on the unnatural princes, his sons, for the blood of thy husband unjust a shed. These words pleased well, the princess. So the surgeon hired two dromedaries, which they mounted, and the twain set forth for the city of Haran. Alighting that same evening at a caravan-sur-eye,

the leech asked what news had come from town. And the keeper answered, the king of Haran had a son passing valiant and accomplished, who abode with him for some years as a stranger. But lately he was lost, nor doth any know of him whether he be dead or alive. The princess Firusa, his mother, has sent all wares in search of him,

yet have she found nor trace nor tidings of him. His parents, and indeed all the folk, rich and poor, weep and wail for him, and albeit the Sultan hath other forty and nine sons, none of them can compare with him, for doughty deeds and skillful craft, nor from any one of them deriveth he ought of comfort or consolation. Full quest and search have been made, but hitherto all have been in vain. The surgeon, thereupon, made known these words to the princess of Dariabar, who was minded to go straightway and acquaint the mother of Kudadad with everything that had befallen her husband.

But the surgeon, after full reflection, said, O princess, shouldst thou fare with this intent, haply ere thou arrive thither the forty-nine princes may hear of thy coming, and they by some means or other will assuredly do thee die, and thy life will be spent to no purpose. Nay, rather let me go first to Prince Coutadet's mother. I will tell her all thy tale, and she doubtless will send for thee. until such time do thou remain secret in this sarai accordingly the leech rode on leisurely for the city and on the road he met a lady mounted upon a she-mule whose housings were of the richest and finest while behind her walked confidential servants

followed by a band of horsemen and foot-soldiers and havashi slaves and as she rode along the people formed espalier standing on either side to salute her while she passed The leech also joined the throng and made his obeisance, After which, quoth he to a bystander, which was a Darwiche, Methinks this lady must be a queen. Tis even so, quoth the other, she is the consort of our sultan, and all the folk honour and esteem her above her sister-wives, for that in truth she is the mother of Prince Coudidad, and of him thou surely hast heard.

Hereupon the surgeon accompanied the cavalcade. and when the lady dismounted at a cathedral mosque and gave alms of ashrafis and gold coins to all around, for the king had enjoined her, that until Cudadet's return she should deal charity to the pool with her own hand and pray for the youths being restored to his home in peace and safety. The mediciner also mingled with the throng, which joined in supplications for their favorite, and whispered to a slave, saying, Oh, my brother, it be whooth me that I make known without stay or delay to Queen Fierreza, a secret which is with me.

Replied he, And it be aught concerning Prince Cudadet, tis well. The king's wife will surely give ear to thee, But an it be other, thou wilt hardly win a hearing, for that she is distraught by the absence of her son, and careth not for aught beside. The surgeon, still speaking low, made reply, my secret concerneth that which is on her mind if this be so returned the slave do thou follow her train privily till it arrive at the palace gate

accordingly when the lady firzaa reached her royal apartments the man made petition to her saying a stranger would fain tell somewhat to thee in private and she deigned give permission and command exclaiming tis well let him be brought hither hereupon the slave presented to her the surgeon whom the queen with gracious mean bad approach and he kissing ground between her hands made his petition in these words i have a long tale to tell thy highness where thou shalt greatly marvel then he described to her goodadet's condition the villainy of his brother and his death at their hands and of his corpse having been carried off by wild beasts Queen Pyrruza, hearing of her son's murder, fell straightway a swooning to the ground, and the attendants ran up, and raising her, besprinkled her face with the rosewater, until she recovered sense and consciousness. Then she gave orders to the surgeon, saying, Hithee straightway to the princess of Doriaba,

and convey to her greetings and expressions of sympathy, both from myself and from his sire, and as the leech departed, she called to mind her son, and wept with sore weeping. By chance, the sultan, who was passing by that way, seeing Fyriza in tears and sobs, and breaking out into sore and bitter lamentation, asked of her the reason thereof. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till the end of the six hundred and first night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that when her husband inquired of Queen Fidriza, why,

and wherefore she wept and wailed, and moaned and groaned, she told him all she had heard from the leech, and her husband was filled with hot wrath against his sons. So he rose up and went straightway to the audience chamber, where the townsfolk had gathered together to petition him, and to pray for justice and redress, and they, seeing his features working with rage, were all sore afraid. Presently the sultan seated himself on the throne of his kingship

and gave an order to his grand vizier, saying, The vizier, Asan, take with thee a thousand men of the guard which keepeth watch and ward over the palace, and do thou bring hither the forty and nine princes my unworthy sons, and cast them into the prison appointed unto manslayers and murderers, and have a heed that none of them escape. The vizier did as he was bidden, and seizing the princes, one and all,

cast them into jail with the murderers and other criminals, then reported his action to his liege lord. Hereat the sultan dismissed sundry claimants and suppliants, saying, For the space of one full-told month henceforth, it besitteth me not to sit in the justice-hall. Depart hence, and when the thirty days shall have passed away, do ye return hither again after this rising from the throne he took with him the vizier hassan and entering the apartment of queen pyrrhusa gave command to the minister that he bring in all haste and with royal state and dignity from the caravansar

the princess of deraybar and the mediciner the vizier straightway took horse accompanied by the emirs and soldiers and leading a fine white shimu richly adorned with jewelled trappings from out of the royal stables he rode to the caravansaray wherein abode the princess of derayabar having told her all that the king had done he seated her upon the animal and mounting the surgeon upon a steed of turcom and blood all three proceeded with pomp and grandeur to the palace The shopkeepers and townsfolk ran out to greet the lady as the cavalcade wound its way through the streets. And when they heard say that she was the wife of Prince Kudadad, they rejoiced with exceeding joy, for that they should now receive tidings of his whereabouts. As soon as the procession reached the palace gates, the princess of Tariabar saw the sultan, who had come forth to greet her, and she alighted from the mule and kissed his feet. The king then raised her by the hand And conducted her to the chamber Wherein sat Queen Firozah

Awaiting her visit And all three fell on one another's necks And wept sore And could on no wise control their grief But when as their sorrow was somewhat assuaged The princess of Dariabar said to the king Oh my lord the sultan I would proffer humble petition

That full vengeance may fall upon those one and all by whom my husband hath been so foully and cruelly murdered replied the king oh my lady rest assured that i will assuredly put to death all those villains in requital for the blood of putterdad presently adding tis true that the dead body of my brave son hath not been found still it seemeth but right to me that a tomb be built a cenotaph whereby his greatness and goodness may be held in everlasting remembrance. Thereupon he summoned the Grand Vizier and bade that a great mausoleum of white marble be edified to middlemost the city,

and the minister straightway appointed workmen and made choice of a suitable spot in the very center of the capital. So there they built a gorgeous cenotaph, crowned with a noble dome under which was sculptured a figure of Kudadad,

and when the news of its completion reached the king, he appointed a day for ceremonious morning and collections of the Koran. At the appointed time and term, the townsfolk gathered together to see their funeral procession and the obsequies for the departed, and the Sultan went in state to the mausoleum together with all the viziers, the emirs, and lords of the land, and took seat upon carpets of black satin purfled with flowers of gold which were to spread over the marble floor. After a while a bevy of knights rode up, with downcast heads and half-closed eyes,

and twice circuiting the dome, they halted the third time in front of the door, and cried out aloud, O prince, O son of our sultan, could we by the sway of our good swords and the strength of our gallant arms, restore thee to life, nor heart nor force would fail us in the endeavor? But before the fiat of Almighty Allah, All must bow the neck. Then the horsemen rode away to the place whence they came,

followed by one hundred hermits, poor of Ed, and dwellers of the caves, who had passed their lives in solitude and abstinence, nor ever held converse with man or woman kind. Neither did they appear in Haran at any time, save for the obsequies of the reigning race. In front came one of these greybeards, steadying with one hand a huge and ponderous tome

which he bore upon his head. Presently all the holy men thrice compassed the mausoleum, then standing on the highway, the eldest cried with a loud voice, O prince, could we, by dint of horrorsons and emotions, bring thee back to life? These hearts and souls of ours would be devoted to quickening thee, and on seeing thee arise once again,

we would wipe thy feet with our own edge-white beards. and when they also retired came one hundred maidens of wondrous beauty and loveliness mounted on white barbs whose saddles were richly embroidered and set with jewels their faces were bare and on their heads they bore golden canisters filled with precious stones rubies and diamonds they also rode in circuit round the cenotaph and halting at the door the youngest and fairest of them speaking in the name of her sisterhood exclaimed o prince could our youth and our charms avail thee aught we would present ourselves to thee and become thy handmaids but alas thou knowest full well that our beauties are here all in vain nor can our love now warm thy clay then they also departed in the deepest grief as soon as they had disappeared the sultan and all with him rose up and walked thrice round the figure that had been set up under the dome then standing at his feet the father said o my beloved son enlighten these eyes which tears for the stress of separation have thus be dimmed he then wept bitterly, and all his ministers and courtiers and grandees joined in his mourning and lamentations. And when they had made an end of the obsequies, the sultan and his suite returned palacewards,

and the door of the dome was locked. And as the morn began to dawn, Sheherazade held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and second night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the sultan commanded congregation prayers in all the mosques for a full-told week, and he ceased not to mourn and weep and wail before the cenotaph of his son for eight days. And as soon as this term was passed, he commanded the Grand Vazir that vengeance be meted out for the murderer of Prince Kudad, and that the princes

be brought out from their dungeons and be done to death. The tidings were brooded about the city, and preparations were made for executing their assassins, and crowds of folk collected to gaze upon the scaffold, when suddenly came a report that an enemy, whom the king had routed in bygone times, was marching upon the city with a conquering army. Hereat the Sultan was sore troubled and perplexed, and the ministers of state said to one another, alas, had Prince Coudadet been on life, he would forthwith have put to flight the forces of the foe, however fierce and fell. Nevertheless, the sovereign set out from the city with his sweetened host, and eke he made ready for flight to some other land by way of the river, should the enemy's force prove victorious.

Then the two powers met in deadly combat, and the invader, surrounding the King of Haran's many on every side, would have cut him to pieces with all his warriors, when behold, an armed force hitherto unseen rode athwart the plain at a pace so swift and so sure that the two hostile kings gazed upon them in uttermost amazement, nor wist anyone whence that host came. But when it near the horsemen charged home on the enemies, and in the twinkling of an eye put them to flight. Then, hotly pursuing, felled them with the biting sword at the piercing spear. Seeing this onslaught, the king of Haran marvelled greatly and rendering thanks to heaven, said to those around him, learn ye the name of the captain of yonder host, who he may be, and whence came he?

But when all the foemen had fallen upon the field, save only a few who escaped hither and thither, and the hostile Sultan who had been taken prisoner, the captain of the friendly forces returned from pursuit well-pleased to greet the king. And lo and behold, as the twain drew near one to another, the Sultan was certified that the captain was none other than his beloved child, Cudadad. Wyom lost and now found. Accordingly, he rejoiced with joy unspeakable that his enemy had thus been vanquished and that he had again looked upon his son Kudadad,

who stood before him alive and safe and sound. Oh, my sire, presently exclaimed the prince, I am he whom thou deemest to have been slain, but Allah Almighty hath kept me on life, that I might this day stand thee in good stead and destroy these thine enemies. Oh, my beloved son, replied the king, surely I had despaired and never hoped again to see thee

with these mine eyes. So, father and son dismounted and fell upon each other's necks, and, both the Sultan, clasping me with sand, long since have I known of thy valiant deeds, and how thou didst save thine ill-omened brothers from the hands of the man devouring Abyssinian,

and of the evil wherewith they requited thee. Go now to thy mother, of whom not remaineth through bitter tears for thee, save skin and bone, be thou the first to gladden her heart, and give her the good tidings of this thy victory. As they rode along, the prince inquired of the sultan, his sire, how he had heard tell of the havashi and of the rescue of the princes from the cannibal's clutches.

Hath one of my brothers, added he, informed thee of this adventure? Not so, oh my son, replied the king, not they, but the princess of Dariabar told me the miserable tale thereof. She hath dwelt for many days with me, and twas she who first were. and foremost demanded vengeance for thy blood. When Kudadad heard that the princess's spouse was his father's guest, he rejoiced with exceeding joy and cried,

Suffer me first to see my mother, then I will go to the princess of Dariabar. The king of Haran, hereat, struck off the head of his chief enemy, and exposed it publicly throughout the streets of his capital. And all the people exulted mightily, not only at the victory, but also for the return of Kudadad, safe and sound, and dancing and feasting were in every household. Presently, Queen Firozah and the Princess of Dariabar presented themselves before the sultan,

and offered their congratulations to him. Then they went to see Kudad both hand in hand, and the three, falling on one another's necks, wept for very joy. And as the moon began to dawn, Jarrazade held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and third night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that after this the king and his queen and daughter-in-law sat long conversing and they marvelled much how goodadad albeit he was sorely gashed and pierced with the sword had escaped alive from that wildest of wolves whereupon the prince at the bidding of his sire told his tale in these words

a peasant mounted on a camel chanced to pass by my pavilion and seeing me sore wounded and weltering in my blood set me upon his beast and conveyed me to his house then choosing some roots of desert herbs he placed them on the hurts so that they kindly healed and i speedily recovered strength after returning thanks to my benefactor and giving him liberal largesse i set out for the city of haran and on the road i saw the force of the foe in countless numbers, marching upon my city. Wherefore I made the matter known to the folk of the townships and villages round about, and besought their aid. Then, collecting a large force, I placed myself at the head thereof, and, arriving in the nick of time, destroyed the invading hosts. Hereupon the sultan gave thanks to Allah Almighty,

and said, Let all the princes who conspired against thy life be put to death, and sent forthright for the sword. of his vengeance. But Kudadad made request to his sire and said, In good sooth, O my lord the king, they all deserve the doom thou hast ordained, yet be not these, my brethren, and eke thine own flesh and blood? I have freely forgiven them their offence against me, and I humbly pray thy pardon also, that thou grant them their lives, for that blood ever calleth unto blood. The sultan, at length,

consented and forgave their offense. Then summoning all the ministers, he declared Cudad, his heir and successor, in presence of the princes, whom he bade bring from a prison house. Cudad caused their chains and fetters to be stricken off and embraced them one by one, showing them the same fondness and affection

as he had shown to them in the castle of the cannibal Habashi. All the folk on hearing of this noble conduct of Prince Cudad raised shouts of applause and loved him yet more than before. The surgeon, who had done such good service to the Princess of Dariabar, received a robe of honour and much wealth, and on this wise, that which began with mishap, had issue in all happiness. When Queen Sir Harazade ended this story, she said to Sharia, O my lord, thou art doubtless astonished to find that the Caliph Haran Arashid changed his wrath against Ghanim and his mother

and sister to feelings of favour and affection. But I am assured that thou will be the more surprised on hearing the story of the curious adventures of that same Caliph with the blind man Abba Abdullah. Both Dunezad, as was her way, to her sister Shehara Zad, oh, sister mine, what a rare and delectable tale hast thou told,

and now, Prithee, favour us with another. she replied it is well-nigh dawn but if my life be spared i will tell thee as the morrow-morrows a strange and wonderful history of the caliph harun al-rashid and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till end of the tale of kudad and his brothers section eleven of the book of the thousand knights and a night volume thirteen translated by richard franzad Richard Francis Burton. This Libre of our recording is in the public domain, great by Thomas Copeland. The Caliph's Night Adventure, Part 1. The End of the 604th Night,

when she began to relate the history of the Caliph's Night Adventure. I have heard, O auspicious King, that the Caliph, Hurun Arashid, was one night wakeful exceedingly, and when he rose in the morning, restlessness got hold of him. wherefore all about him were troubled for that folk a follow princes fashion they rejoice exceedingly with his joy and are sorrowful with his sorrows albeit they know not the cause why they are so affected presently the commander of the faithful sent for masur the eunuch and when he came to him cried fetch me my vizier ja'afar by maki without stay or delay accordingly he went out and returned with the minister

who, finding him alone, which was indeed rare, and seeing as he drew near that he was in a melancholy humor, never even raising his eyes, stopped till his lord were vouched safe to look upon him. At last the prince of true believers cast his glance upon Jafar, but forthright turned away his head and sat motionless as before. The vizier, this crying naught in the college aspect that concerned him personally, strengthened his purpose and bespeak him on this wise.

O Commander of the faithful, Will Thine highness deign suffer me to ask Whence cometh this sadness? Verily, O Razir, these moods have of late become troublesome to me, Nor are they to be moved, save by hearing strange tales and verses, And if thou come not hither on a pressing affair, thou would gladden me by relating somewhat to dispel my sadness. Replied the Vazir,

O commander of the faithful, my office, telleth me to stand on thy service, and I would fain remind thee that this is the day appointed for informing thyself of the good governance of thy capital and its environs, and this matter shall, inshallah, divert thy mind and dispel its gloom. The caliph answered, thou dost well to remind me, for that I had wholly forgotten it, so fareforth and change thy vestments while I do the same with mine. presently the twain dawned habits of stranger merchants and issued out by a private postern of the palace garden which led them into the fields after they had skirted the city they reached the euphrates bank at some distance from the gate opening on that side without having observed aught of disorder then they crossed the river in the first ferry-boat they found and making a second round on the further side they passed over the bridge that joined the two halves of baghdad town At the bridgefoot they met with a blind old man, who asked alms of them.

And the caliph turned about, and crossed his palm with a dinar, whereupon the beggar caught hold of his hand and held him fast, saying, O beneficent man, Whoso thou ever may be, whom Allah hath inspired to bestow in arms upon me? Refuse not the favour I crave of thee,

which is to strike me a buffet upon the ear, for that I deserve such punishment, and a greater still. After these words, he quitted his hold of the Caliph's hand that it might smite him. Yet, for fear lest the stranger pass on without so doing, he grasped him fast by his long road. And as the morn began to dawn, Shahrazad held a peace till— The end of the six hundred and fifth night. Then, said she, I have heard, Orespicious King, that the Caliph, surprised by the Blancheard,

man's words and deeds said, I may not grant thy request, nor will I diminish the merit of my charity by treating thee as thou wouldst have me and treat thee. Saying these words, he strove to get away from the blind man. But he, who, after his long experience, expected this refusal of his benefactor, did his utmost to keep hold of him,

and cried, O my lord, forgive my audacity, and my persistency, and I implore thee, either give me a cuff on the ear, or take back thine arms, for I may not receive it save on that condition, without falsing a solemn oath I have sworn before the face of Allah, and if thou knew the reason,

thou wouldst accord with me that the penalty is light indeed. Then the caliph, not caring to be delayed any longer, yielded to the blind man's importunity, and gave him a slight cough. Whereupon he loosed him forthright, and thanked him and blessed him. when the caliph and his vizier had walked some way from the blind man the former exclaimed this blind beggar must assuredly have some right good cause for behaving himself in such manner to all who give him alms and i would fain know it do thou return to him and tell him who i am and bid him fail not to appear at my palace about mid-afternoon prayer-time that i may converse with him and hear whatso he hath to say

hereupon janephar went back and bestowed alms on the blind man giving him another cuff on the ear and apprised him of the catof's command and returned forthright to his lord presently when the twain reached the town they found in a square a vast crowd of folk, gazing at a handsome youth and a well-shaped, who was mounted on a mare, which he rode at fullest speed round the open space, spurring and whipping the beast so cruelly that she was covered with sweat and blood. Seeing this, the Caliph, amazed at the youth's brutality, stopped to ask the bystanders, and then knew why he tortured and tormented the mare on such wives. But he could learn naught save that for some while past, every day at the same time, time he had entreated her after the same fashion. Hereat as they walked along, the caliph bid his vizier especially noticed the place and order the young man to come without failing on the next day,

at the hour appointed for the blind man. But ere the caliph reached his palace, he saw in a street which he had not passed through for many months, a newly built mansion, which seemed to him the palace of some great lord of the land. He asked the vazir, and he knew its own. and Jafar answered he did not but would make inquiry. So he consulted a neighbor who told him that the houseowner was one Quaja Hassan, surnamed Al-Havov, from his handicraft rope-making, that he himself had seen the man at work in the days of his poverty, that he knew not how fate and fortune had befriended him,

yet that the same Quaja had gotten such exceeding wealth that he had been enabled to pay honorably and sumptuously all the expenses he had incurred while building his palace. Then the Vazir returned to the Caliph, and gave him a full account of what so he had heard, whereat cried the prince of true believers, I must see this, Kwaja Hassan al-Habal. Do thou, therefore, O Vazir, go and tell him to come to my palace, at the same hour thou hast appointed for the other twain. The minister did his lord's bidding, and the next day, after mid-afternoon prayers, the Caliph retired to his own apartment, and ja'afar introduced the three persons where we have been speaking and presented them to the caitiff all prostrated themselves at his feet and when they rose up the commander of the faithful asked his name of the blind man who answered he was hight baba abduda

O servant of Allah, cried the Caliph, "'The manner of asking alas yesterday seemed so strange to me "'that had it not been for certain considerations, "'I should not have granted thy petition. "'Nay, I would have prevented thy giving further offence to the folk. "'And now I have bidden thee hither "'that I may know from thyself "'what impelled thee to swear that rash oath,

"'whereof thou toldest me, "'then I may better judge whether thou have done well or ill. "'And if I should suffer thee to proceed, in a practice which may seemeth must set so pernicious an example tell me openly how such mad thought entered into thy head and conceal not aught for i will know the truth and the full truth and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and sixth night then said she i have heard o'erspicious king that baba abdulah terrified by these words cast himself a second time at the Caleb's feet, with his face prone to the ground, and when he rose again, said, O, commander of the faithful, I crave pardon of thy highness, for my audacity, in that I dared require, and well-nigh compelled thee to do a thing which verily seemeth contrary to sound sense.

I acknowledge mine offence, but as I knew not thy highness at that time, I implore thy clemency, and I pray thou wilt consider my ignorance of thine exalted degree. and now as to the extravagance of my action i readily admit that it must seem strange to the sons of adam but in the eye of allah it is but a slight penance wherewith i have charged myself for an enormous crime of which i am guilty and wherefore, and all the people in the world, were each and every to give me a cuff on the ear, to it not be sufficient atonement. Thy highness shall judge of it thyself, when I, in telling my tale according to thy commandment, will inform thee of what was my offence. And here he began to relate the story of the blind man, Baba Abdullah.

O my lord the caliph, I, the humblest of thy slaves, was born in Baghdad, where my father and mother, presently dying within a few days of each other, left me a fortune large enough to last me throughout my lifetime. But I knew not its value, and soon I had squandered it in luxury and loose living, and I cared not for thrift or for increasing my store. But when little was left to me of my substance, I repented of my evil courses, and toiled and labored hard by day and night to increase my remaining stock of money. it is truly said after waste cometh knowledge of worth thus little by little i got together four score camels which i let on hire to merchants and thus i made goodly gain each time i found occasion moreover i was one to engage myself together with my beasts and on this wise i journeyed all over the dominions and domains of thy highness brief i hoped ere long to reap an abundant crop of gold by the hiring out of my baggage animal and as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till

the end of the six hundred and seventh night. Then said she, I have heard, O'Ospicious king, that Baba Abdullah continued his tale in these words. Once I had carried merchant-stuffs to the Sora, for shipping India words, and I was returning to Baghdad with my beasts unladent. Now, as I fared homewards,

I chanced to pass across a plain of excellent pasturage lying fallow, and far from any village, and there unsaddled the camels which I hobbled and tethered together, that they might crop the luxuriant herbs and thorns, and yet not fair astray. Presently appeared a Darwais, who was travelling afoot for Vesora, and he took seat beside me to enjoy ease after unease, whereat I asked him whence he wayfared, and whither he was wending. He also asked me the same question. and when we had told each to other our own tales we produced our provisions and break our fast together talking of various matters as we ate quote the darwash i know a spot hard by which inholdeth a horde and its wealth is so wonder great that shoots thou load upon thy fourscore camels the heaviest burthens of golden coins and costly gems from that treasure there will appear no minishing thereof

hearing these words i rejoiced with exceeding joy and gathering from his mean and demeanour that he did not deceive me i arose forthright and falling upon his neck exclaimed o hallo who carest not for this world's goods and hast renounced all mundane lusts and luxuries assuredly thou hast full knowledge of this treasure for not remaineth hidden from holy men as thou are i pray thee tell me where it may be found that i may load my fourscore beasts with bales of ashrafes and jewels i wotful well that thou hast no greed for the wealth of this world but take i pray thee one of these fourscore camels as recompense and reward for the favor thus spake i with my tongue but in my heart i sorely grieved to think that i must part with a single camel-load of coins and gems with all I reflected that the other three score and nineteen camel-loads would contain riches to my heart's content. Accordingly, as I wavered in mind, at one moment consenting, at the next instant repenting, the Darwys noting my greed and coveties, and avarice, replied, Not so, oh, my brother, one camel doth not suffice me that I should show thee all this hold.

on a single condition only will I tell thee of the place To wit that we twain lead the animals thither And laid them with the treasure Then shalt thou give me one half thereof And take the other half to thyself With forty camels loads of costly oars and minerals For sure thou canst buy thousands more of camels Then seeing that refusal was impossible

I cried So be it I agree to thy proposal, and I will do as thou desire's. For in my heart I had conned the matter over, and well I wished that forty camel-loads of gold and gems would suffice me, and many generations of my descendants, and I feared, lest and I gain say him I should repent for ever and ever, having let so great a treasure slip out of hand. Accordingly, giving full consent to all he said, I got together every one of my beasts, and set me

a wayfaring along with the Fakhir. After travelling over some short distance, we came upon a gorge between two craggy mountain walls, towering high in crescent form, and the pass was exceeding narrow, so that the animals were forced to pace in single file. But further on, it flared out, and we could thread it without difficulty,

into the broad wadi below. No human being was anywhere to be seen or heard in this wildland, so we were undisturbed and easy in our minds, nor feared aught. Then, quoth the Darwage, leave here the camels and come with me. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and eighth night.

Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the blind man Vava Abdullah pursued his tale on this wise. I did as the Dawesh had bidden me, and, knocking all the camels, I followed in wake of him. After walking a short way from the halting-place, he produced a flint and steel, and struck fire therewith and lit some sticks he had gotten together. Then, throwing a handful of strong-smelling incense upon the flames, he muttered words of incantation, which I could by no means understand.

At once a cloud of smoke arose, and spiring upwards, veiled. the mountains, and presently the vapour clearing away, we saw a huge rock with pathway leading to its perpendicular face. Here the precipice showed an open door, where through appeared, in the bowels of the mountain a splendid palace, the workmanship of the gins, for no man had power to build ought like it. In due time, after sore toil, we entered therein, and found an endless treasure ranged in mounds with the utmost ordnance and regularity. Seeing a heap of Ashrafis, I pounced upon it as a vulture swooplet upon Aquari the carrion, and fell to filling the sacks with golden coin to my heart's content.

The bags were big, but I was constrained to stuff them only in proportion to the strength of my beasts. The Darwish too visited himself in like manner, but he charged his sacks with gems and jewels only. counselling me the vile to do as he did. So I cast aside the ducats, and filled my bags with naught save the most precious of the stonery. When we had wrought our best, we set the well-stuffed sacks upon the camel's backs,

and we made ready to depart. But before we left the treasure-house wherein stood ranged thousands of golden vessels, exquisite in shape and workmanship, the Darwesh went into a hidden chamber, and brought from out a silvern casket a little golden box full of some unquant which he showed to me, and then he placed it in his pocket. Presently he again threw incense upon the fire, and recited his incantations and conjurations,

whereat the door closed, and the rock became as before. We then divided the camels, he taking one half and I the other, and passing through the straightened, gloomy gorge in single file, we came out upon the open plain. Here our way parted, he wending in the direction of Basora, and I Baghdadwards, and when about to leave him, I showered thanks upon the Darwesh, who had obtained me all this wealth and riches worth a thousand, thousand of gold coins, and farewelled him with deep emotions of gratitude, after which we embraced and wended our several ways.

But hardly had I bidden and due to the fakir, and had gone some little distance from him with my file of camels, then the Shaitan tempted me with greed of gain So that I said to myself The Darwish is alone in the world Without friends or kinsmen And his holy estranged from matters mundane What will these camel loads of filthy lucre advantage in

Moreover, engrossed by the care of the camels Not to speak of the deceitfulness of riches He may neglect his prayer and worship therefore it behovered me to take back from him some few of my beasts. With this resolve I made the camel's halt, and, tying up their forelegs, ran back after the holy man and called out his name. He heard my loud shouts, and awaited me forthright. And as soon as I approached him, I said,

When I had quitted thee, a thought came into my mind, to wit that thou art a recluse who keepest thyself aloof from earthly things, pure in heart, and busied only with orison of devotion. Now care of all these camels will cause thee only toil and moil and trouble, and waste a precious time, for better then, to give them back, and not run the risk of these discomforts and dangers. The Darwish replied, Oh, my son, thou speakest sooth.

The tending of all these animals will bring me not save ache of head, so do thou take of them as many as thou listest. I thought not of the burthen and pallor, till thou drewest my attention ther, but now I am foreworn thereof, so may Almighty Allah keep thee in his holy keeping. Accordingly I took ten camels of him, and was about to gang my gate,

when suddenly it struck me, this fakir was unconcerned at giving up ten camels. So, twere better I ask more of him. thereupon i drew nearer to him and said thou canst hardly manage thirty camels do give me i pray thee other ten said he o my son do what so thou wishest take thee other ten camels twenty will suffice me i did his bidding and driving off the twenty added them to my forty then the spirit of concupiscence possessed me and i bethought me more and more to get yet other ten camels from his share so i retraced my steps for the third time and asked him for another ten and of these as also the remaining ten i wheedled him the darwesh gladly gave up the last of his camels and shaking out his skirts made ready to depart but still my accursed greed stuck to me albeit i had got the fourscore beasts laden with ashrafis and jewels and i might have gone home happy and content with wealth for fourscore generations satan tempted me still more and urged me also to take the box appointment

which i supposed to contain something more precious than rubies and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and ninth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that baba abdula continued his tale in these words so when i had again farewelled and embraced him i paused awhile and said What wilt thou do with the little box of salve thou hast taken to thy portion? I pray thee, give me that also. The Pakir would by no means part with it, whereupon I lusted the more to possess it, and resolved in my mind that, should the holy man give it up of his free will, then well and good.

But if not, I would force it from him. Seeing my intent, he drew the box from his breast-pocket, and handed it to me, saying, O my son, and thou wouldst have this box of ointment, then freely do I give it thee, but first it behoveth thee to learn the virtue of the unwinted container. Hearing these words, I said, For as much as thou hast shown me all this favour,

I beseech thee tell me of this ointment, and what of properties it possesseth. Both he, the wonders of this ointment are passing strange and rare, and thou close thy left eye, and rub upon the lid the smallest bit of the salve, then all the treasures of the world now concealed from thy gaze who come to sight but and thou rub ath thereof upon thy right eye thou shalt straightway become stone-blind of both thereat have he thought me of putting this wondrous ungram to the test and placing in his hand the box i said i see thou understandest this matter right well so now i pray thee apply somewhat of the ointment with thine own hand to my left eyelid the darwish says that thou understandest this matter right well so now i pray thee apply somewhat of the ointment with thine own hand to my left eyelid the darwis thereupon closed my left eye, and with his finger rubbed a little of the unwind over the lid.

And when I opened it, and looked around, I saw the hidden hordes of the earth in countless quantities, even as the fakir had told me I should see him. Then, closing my right eyelid, I bade him apply some of the sab to that eye also, said he, Oh, my son, I have forewarned thee, that if I rub it upon thy right eyelid, thou should become stone-blind of both. Put far from thee this foolish thought, why shouldst thou bring this evil to no purpose on thyself? He spake sooth, indeed,

but by reason of my accursed ill fate, I would not heed his words, and considered in my mind, if replying the salve to the left eyelid, hath produced such effect, assuredly far more wondrous, still shall be the result than rubbed on the right eye. This fellow doth play me false,

and keepeth back from me the truth of the matter. When I had thus determined in my mind, I laughed and said to the Holy Man, thou are deceiving me to the intent that I should not advantage myself by the secret, for that rubbing the unguet upon the right eyelid hath some greater virtue than applying it to the left eye, and thou wouldst withhold the matter from me.

It can never be that the same ointment hath qualities so contrary and virtue so diverse, replied the other. Allah Almighty is my witness, that the marvels of the ointment be none other save thee wherever I bespeat thee. Oh dear, my friend, have faith in me, for naught hath been told thee save what is sober sooth.

Still would I not believe his words, thinking that he dissembled with me, and kept secret from me the main virtue of the unwind. Wherefore, filled with this foolish thought, I pressed him sore, and begged that he rubbed the ointment, on my right eyelid. But still he refused and said, Thou seest how much of favor I have shown to thee. Wherefore should I now do thee so dire and evil? No, for a surety, that it would bring thee lifelong grief and misery. And I beseech thee by

Allah, the almighty, abandon this thy purpose, and believe my words. But the more he refused, so much the more did I persist. And in fine, I made oath and swear by Allah, saying, O Darwesh, what thing soever I have asked of thee, thou gavest freely unto me, and now remaineth only this request for me to make. Allah upon thee, gainsay me not, and grant me this last of thy booms, and whatever shall be tied me, I will not hold thee responsible, therefore. Let destiny decide for good or for evil. When the holy man saw that his denial was of no avail,

and that I irked him with exceeding persistence, he put the smallest bit of ointment on my right lid. And as I opened wide my eyes, lo, and behold, both were stone blind. Not could I see for the black darkness before them, and ever since that day have I been sightless and helpless as thou foundest me. When I knew that I was blinded, I exclaimed, Oh, Darway shall hill omen,

what thou didst foretell hath come to pass, and I fell to cursing him and saying, Oh, wood to heaven thou hadst never brought me to the hoard, or hadst given me such wealth. What now availed me all this golden jewels? Take back thy forty camels, and make me whole again, replied he, What evil have I done to thee? I showed thee favours more than any man hath ever dealt to another.

Thou wouldst not heed my reed, but didst harden thy heart and lustre to obtain this wealth, and to pride to the hidden treasures of the earth. Thou wouldst not be content with what thou hadst, and thou didst misdoubt my words, thinking that I would play thee false. Thy case is beyond all hope, for never more wilt thou regain thy sight.

No, never. Then, said I, with tears and lamentations, O Fakir, take back thy fourscore camels laden with gold and precious stones, and went thy way, I absolve thee from all blame, "'Nonelethel, I beseech thee by Allah Almighty "'to restore my sight, and thou art able.' "'He answered not a word, "'but leaving me in miserable plight,

"'presently took the load to the Saurah, "'driving before him the four-score camels laden with wealth. "'I cried aloud and besought him to lead me with him "'away from the life-destroying wilderness, "'or to put me on the path of some caravan, "'but he regarded not my cries, and abandoned me there.' and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and tenth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that baba abdula the blind man resumed his story saying so when the dowesh departed from me i had well-nigh died of grief and wrath at the loss of my sight and of my riches and from the pangs of thirst and hunger next day by good fortune

a caravan from Basorah passed that way, and seeing me in such a grievous condition, the merchants had compassion on me, and made me travel with them to Baghdad. Not could I do save beg my bread in order to keep myself alive. So I became a mendicant, and made this vow to Allah Almighty, that as a punishment for this my unlucky greed and cursed coveties, I would require a cuff upon my ear from everyone who might take pity on my case and give me an arm. on this wise it was that yesterday i pursued thee with such pertinacity when the blind man made an end of his story the caliph said o baba abdula thine offence was grievous may allah have mercy on thee therefore it now remaineth to thee to tell thy case to devotees and anchorites that they may offer up their potent prayers in thy behalf take no thought for thy daily wants i have determined that for thy living thou shalt have a

dole of four dirhams a day from my royal treasury according to thy need as long as thou mayst live. But see that thou'll go no more to ask for alms about my city. So Baba Abdullah returned thanks to the prince of true believers, saying, I will do according to thy bidding. Now when the caliph Harun Arashid had heard the story of Baba Abdullah and the Darwesh, he turned to and addressed the young man whom he had seen writing at fullest speed upon the mare, and savagely lashing and ill-treating her. What is thy name, quote thee, and quoth the youth, bowing his brow, groundwards,

my name, O commander of the faithful, is Cidinouman. Then said the Caliph, harken now, O Cedinouman. Oftentimes have I watched the horsemen exercise their horses, and I myself have often done likewise, but never saw I any, who rode so mercilessly thou didst ride thy mare, for thou didst ply both whip and shovel-iron in cruelest fashion. The folk all stood to gaze with wonderment, but chiefly I, who was constrained against my wish, to stop and ask the cause of the bystanders. None, however, could make clear the matter, and all men said that thou art one each day to ride the mare in this most brutal fashion,

whereat my mind marveled all the more. I now would ask thou thee, the cause, of this thy ruthless savagery, and see that thou tell me every whit, and leave not aught, and said. C. D. Numan, hearing the order of the commander of the faithful, became aware he was fully bent upon hearing the whole matter, and would on no wise suffer him to depart until all was explained. So the color of his countenance changed, and he stood speechless like a statue, through fear and trepidation. Paret, said the prince of true believers, O Sidinu-Wan, fear not, but tell me all thy tale. Regard me in the light of one of thy friends, and speak without reserve, and explain to me the matter

fully, as thou wouldst do hadst thou been speaking to thy familiars. Moreover, and thou art afraid of any matter which thou shalt confide to me, and if thou dread my indignation, I grant thee immunity and a free pardon. At these comforting words of the Caliph, C. D. Numan took courage, and with clasped hands, replied, I trust I have not in this matter done, contrary to His Highness's law and custom, and therefore will I willingly obey thy bidding, and relate to thee all my tale. If I have offended in anything, then I am worthy of thy punishment.

Tis true that I have daily exercised the mare, and ridden her at speed, around the hippodrome as thou sawst me do, and I lashed and gourd her with all my might, thou had compassion on the mare and didst deem me cruel heart to entreat her thus but when thou shalt have heard all my adventure thou wilt admit inshallah god willing that this be only a trifling penalty for her offence and that not she but i deserve thy pity and pardon with thy permission i will now begin my story and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and eleventh night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that the caliph harun arachid according to the youth permission to speak and that the writer of the mayor again in these words the history of cidni o lord of beneficence and benevolence my parents were possessed of wealth and riches sufficient to provide their son when they died with ample means for a lifelong livelihood so that he might pass his days like like a grandee of the land, in ease and joyance and delight. I, their only child, had nor care nor trouble about any matter,

until one day of the days when, in the prime of manhood, I was amminded to take unto me a wife, a woman winsome and comely to look upon, that we might live together in mutual love and double blessedness. But Allah Almighty willed not that a model helpmate become mine, nay, destiny wedded me to grief and the direst misery, I married a maid who, in Albert Formant features, was a model of beauty and loveliness, without, however, one single gracious gift of mind or soul. And on the very second day after the wedding, her evil nature began to manifest itself.

Though art well aware, old prince of true believers, that by Muslim custom, none may look upon the face of his betrothed before the marriage contract, nor after wedlock can he complain, should his bride, I'd prove a shrew or a fright. He must needs dwell with her in such content as he may, and be thankful for his fate, be it fair or unfair. When I saw first the face of my bride, and learnt that it was passing comely, I joyed with exceeding joy and gave thanks to Almighty Allah that he had bestowed on me so charming a mate.

That night I slept with her in joy and love delight. But next day, when the noon meal was spread for me and her, I found her not a table and sent to summon her. And after some delay she came and sat her down. I dissembled my annoyance, and forbore for this late coming to find fault with her, which I soon had ample reason to do. It so happened that amongst the many dishes which were served up to us was a fine pilaf, of which I, according to the custom in our city, began to eat with a spoon.

But she, in lieu of it, pulled out an ear. ear-pick from her pocket, and therewith fell to picking up the rice and ate it grain by grain. Seeing this strange conduct, I was sore amazed, and fuming inwardly said, in sweet tones, O my amina, what be this way of eating? Hast thou learned it of thy people, or art thou counting grains of rice, purposing to make a hearty meal hereafter? Thou hast eaten but ten or twenty during all this time. or happily thou art practising thrift.

If so I would have thee know that Allah Almighty hath given me abundant store, and fear not on that account. But do thou, oh, my deering, as all do, and eat as thou seest thy husband eat? I fondly thought that she would assuredly vouchsafe some words of thanks, but never a syllable spake she, and ceased not picking up grain after grain. Nay more, in order to provoke me to greater disple,

pleasure, she paused for a long time between each. Now, when the next course of cakes came on, she idly break some bread and tossed a crumb or two into her mouth. In fact, she ate less than would satisfy the stomach of a sparrow. I marvelled much to see her so obstinate and self-willed, but I said to myself and my innocence, maybe she hath not been accustomed to eat with men, and especially she may be too shame-faced to eat heartily and, presence of her husband, she will in time do what so do other folk. I thought also that perchance she hath already broken her fast, and lost appetite, or happily it hath been her habit to eat alone. So I said nothing, and after dinner went out to smell the air,

and to play the jutted, and thought no more of the matter. When, however, we two sat again at meat, my bride ate after the same fashion as before. Nay, she would ever persist in her adversity, whereat I was sore troubled in mind, and marvelled how, without food, she kept herself alive. One night, a chance that, deeming me fast asleep, she rose up in stealth from my side, I being wide away, when I saw her step cautiously from a bed, as one fearing lest she might disturb me. I wondered with exceeding wonder why she should have from sleep to leave me thus, and methought I would look into the matter. Wherefore I still feigned sleep and snored, but watched her as I lay, and presently saw her dress

herself and leave the room. I then sprang off the bed, and throwing on my robe and stinging my sword across my shoulder, looked out of the window to spy whither she went. Presently she crossed the courtyard, and opening the street door, fared forth, and I also ran out through the entrance which she had left unlocked then followed her by the light of the moon until she entered a cemetery part by our home and as the morn began to dawn jehrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and twelfth night then said she i have heard a auspicious king that sidin wuman continued his story saying but when i beheld amina and my bride enter the cemetery i stood without and close to the wall over which I peered so that I could espy her well that she could not discover me. Then, what did I behold but Amina, sitting with a ghoul? Thy highness wotth well the ghouls be of the race of devils, to wit their unclean spirits which inhabit ruins,

and which terrify solitary wayfarers, and at times, seizing them, feed upon their flesh. And if, by day, they find not any traveller to eat, think of my night-beckers. to the graveyards and dig out and devour dead bodies. So I was sore amazed and terrified to see my wife, thus seated with a ghoul. Then the twain dug up from the grave of corpse, which had been newly buried, and the ghoul and my wife, Amina, tore off pieces of the flesh which she ate, making Mary the while, and chatting with her companion. But inasmuch as I stood at some distance, I could not hear what it was they said. At this sight I tremble with exceeding fear. and when they had made an end of eating they cast the bones into the pit,

and thereover heaped up the earth in as it was before. Leaving them thus engaged in their foul and fulsome work, I hastened home, and allowing the street-door to remain half-open as my bride had done, I reached my room, and throwing myself upon our bed feigned sleep. Presently Amina came, and, doffing her dress, calmly lay beside me, and I knew by her manner that she had not seen me, at all, nor guessed that I had followed her to the cemetery. This gave me great relief of mine. With all, I loat to bed beside a cannibal and a corpse-eater.

Albeit, I lay still, despite extreme misliking, till the mawasons call for dawn prayers. When getting up, I busied myself with the Vuzavutian, and set forth mosquers. Then, having said my prayers and fulfilled my ceremonial duties, I strolled about the gardens, and during this walk, having turned over the matter in my mind, determined that it behoved me to remove my bride from such ill companionship, and wean her from the habit of devouring dead bodies. With these thoughts I came back home at dinner-time, when Amina on seeing me return bade the servants serve up the noondide meal,

and we twain sat at table. But as before, she felt it picking up the rice grain by grain. Thereat said I to her, "'Oh, my wife, it irketh me much to see thee picking up each grain of rice like a hen. If this dish suit not thy taste, see, there are, by all as grace in the Almighty's favour, all kinds of meats before us, do thou eat of that which pleaseth thee most? Each day the table is bespred with dishes of different kinds, and of these please thee not, thou hast only to order whatsoever food thy sole desireth.

Yet I would ask of the one question. Is there no meat upon the table as rich and toothsome as man's flesh, that thou refuseth every dish they set before thee? Ere had finished speaking, my wife became assured that I was aware of her night adventure. She suddenly waxed wroth with exceeding wrath. Her face flushed red as fire. Her eyeballs started out from their sockets, and she foamed at the mouth with ungovernable fury.

Seeing her in this mood, I was terrified, and my sense and reason fled by reason of my fright. But, presently, in the madness of her passion, she took up a tass of water which stood beside her, and, dipping her fingers in the contents, muttered some words which I could not understand. Then, sprinkling some drops over me, cried, Accursed that thou art!

For this thine insolence and betrayal, do thou be straightway turned into a dog. At once I became transmute, and she, picking of a staff, began to really, broost me right mercilessly, and well-night killed me. I ran about from room to room, but she pursued me with a stick, and tunded and belaboured me with might and main, till she was clean, exhausted. She then threw the street door half open, and as I made for it to save my life, attempted violently to close it so as to squeeze my soul out of my body. But I saw her design and baffled it,

leaving behind me, however, the tip of my tail, and piteously yelping here at, I escaped further-basting and thought myself lucky to get away from her without broken bones. When I stood in the street still whining and ailing, the dogs of the quarter seeing a stranger at once came rushing at me, barking and biting, and I, with tail between my legs, tore along the marketplace, and ran into the shop of one who sold sheep's and goats' heads and trotters, and there, crouching low, hid me in a dark corner. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade Helens.

to peace till the end of the 613th night Then said she I have heard o auspicious king That Sidinu-Mun Continued his story as follows The shopkeeper

Despite his scruples of conscience Which caused him to hold all dogs impure Hath Ruth upon my sorry plight and drove away the yelling and Pinnin' Curse that would have followed me into his shop And I, escaping this danger of doom, past all the night hid in my corner.

Early next morning the butcher sell it forth to buy his usual wares, sheep's heads and hooves, and, coming back with a large supply, he began to lay them out for sale within the shop. When I, seeing that a whole pack of dogs had gathered about the place, attracted by the smell of flesh, also joined them. The owner noticed me among the ragged tykes, and said to himself,

This dog hath tasted naught since yesterday, when it ran yelping hungrily and hid within my shop. He then threw me a fair-sized piece of meat, but I refused it, and went up to him and wagged my tail, to the end that he might know my wish to stay with him and be protected by his stall. He, however, thought that I had eaten my sufficiency, and picking up a staff, frightened me away.

So, when I saw how the butcher he did not my case, I caught it off, and, wandering to and fro presently came to a bakery, and stood before the door wherthew i espite the baker at breakfast. Albeit I made no sign as though I wanted ought of food, he threw me a bit of bread, and I, in lieu of snapping it up and greedily swallowing it, as is the fashion with all dogs, the gentle and simple of them, approached him with it, and gazed in his face,

and wagged my tail by way of thanks. He was pleased by this, my well-bred behaviour, and smiled at me. whereat I, albeit not one wit and hungered, but merely to humor him, fell to eating the bread little by little and leisurely to testify my respect. He was yet more satisfied with my manners, and wished to keep me in his shop, and I, noting his intent, sat by the door and looked wistfully at him, whereby he knew that I desired not of him save his protection. He then caressed me and took charge of me and kept me to guard his store,

but I would not enter his house till after he had led the way. He also showed me where to lie on nights, and fed me well at every meal, and entreated me right hospitably. I likewise would watch his every movement, and always lay down or rose up even as he bad me. And when as he left his lodging or walked any whither, he took me with him. If ever when I lay asleep he went outside and found me not, he would stand still in the street and call to me by saying, "'Bacht!

"'An auspicious name he had given to me. "'And straightway, on hearing him, "'I would rush about and frisk before the door. "'And when he set out to taste the air, "'I paced beside him, "'now running on ahead, now following at his heels, "'and ever in and on looking up in his face. "'Thus some time passed,

"'during which I lived with him in all comfort. "'Till one day of the days, so chanced that a woman came to the bakery to buy her bread and gave the owner several dirhams to its price, whereof one was bad coin whilst the others were good. My master tested all the silvers, and finding out the false bit, returned it, demanding a true dirham in exchange. But the woman wrangled and would not take it back and swore that it was sound. Both the baker, the dirham is beyond all doubt a worthless. See yonder dog of mine. he is but a beast yet mark me he will tell thee whether it be true or false silver so he called me by my name bach bach whereat i sprang up and ran towards him and he throwing all the monies upon the ground before me cried

here look these dirhams over and if there be a false coin among them separated from all the others i inspected the silvers each by each and found the counterfeit then putting it on one side and all the others on another, I placed my paw upon the false silver, and wagging what remained of my tail, looked up at my master's face. The baker was delighted with my sagacity, and the woman also, marvelling with excessive marvel of what had happened, took back her bad deerum, and paid another in exchange. But when the buyer fared forth, my master called together his neighbors and gossips, and related to them this matter. So they threw down on the ground before me, both good and bad, in order that they might test me and see with their own eyes, and they were as clever as my master had said I was. Many times in succession I picked out the false coins from amongst the true, and placed my paw upon them without once failing.

So, all went away, astounded, and related the case to each and every one they saw, and thus the bruit of me spread abroad throughout the city. that live-long day I spent in testing Durham's fair and foul. And as the warren began to dawn, Shahrazad held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and fourteenth night. Then said she, I have heard, Orespicious King, that C.D. Numan continued his story, saying, From that day forwards, the baker honoured me yet more highly,

and all his friends and familiars laughed and said, "'Pus sooth thou hast in this dog a mighty good shroth!' "'Note, money-changer,' returned a text. "'And some envied my master his luck in having me within his shop, "'and tried oft times to entice me away. "'But the baker kept me with him, "'nor would he ever allow me to leave his side. "'For the fame of me brought him a host of customers

"'from every quarter of the town, even the farthest. "'Not many days after, there came another woman to buy loaves at our shop, and paid the baker six dirhams, whereof one was worthless. My master passed them over to me for test and trial, and straightway I picked out the false one, and placing Paul thereon, booked up in the woman's face. Hereat she waxed, confused, and confessed that it was miscoined, and praised me for that I had found it out. Then, going forth, the same woman made signs to me that I should follow her, unbeknown to the baker, Now, I had not ceased praying Allah that somehow he would restore me to my human form,

and hoped that some good follower of the Almighty would take note of this my sorry condition, and vouchsafe me succour. So as the woman turned several times and looked at me, I was persuaded in my mind that she had knowledge of my case. I therefore kept my eyes upon her, which, seeing, she came back, ere she had stepped many paces, and beckoned me to accomplish. I understood her signal, and sneaking out of the presence of the baker, who was busy heating his oven, followed in her wake. Pleased, beyond all measure, to see me obey her, she went straightway home with me,

and, entering, she locked the door, and led me into a room where sat a fair maid in embroidered dress, whom I judged by her favor to be the good woman's daughter. The damsel was well skilled in arts magical, so the mother said to her, O my daughter, here is a dog which telleth bad dirhams from good dirhams. When first I heard the marvel, I bethought me that the beast he must be a man, whom some base-wretch and cruel-hearted had turned into a dog. We thought that today I would see this animal and test it, when buying loaves at the booth of yonder baker.

And behold, it hath acquitted itself after the fairest of fashions, and has stood the test and trial. look well, my daughter, at this dog, and see whether it be indeed an animal or a man transformed into a beast by grammery. The young lady who had veiled her face, hereupon considered me attentively, and presently cried, Oh, my mother tis even as thou sayest, and this I will prove to thee forthright. Then, rising from her seat, she took a basin of water, and, dipping hand therein, sprinkled some drops upon me, saying, and thou wert born a dog then do thou abide a dog but and thou wert born a man then by virtue of this water resume thine human favour and figure immediately i was transformed from the shape of a dog to human semblance and i fell at the maiden's feet and kissed the ground before her giving her thanks then busing the hem of her garment i cried

oh my lady thou hast been exceeding gracious unto one unbeknown to thee and a stranger how can i find words wherewith to thank thee and bless thee as thou deserves tell me now i pray thee how and whereby i may show my gratitude to thee from this day forth I am beholden to thy kindness, and to become thy slave. Then I related all my case, and told her of Amina's wickedness, and what of wrong she had wrought me, and I made due acknowledgment to her mother, for that she had brought me to her home. Herewith, quoth the damsel to me, O Sidinu-uman, I pray thee bestow not such exceeding thanks upon me, for rather am I glad and grateful in conferring this service upon one so well-deserving as thou art. I have been familiar with thy wife, Amina, for a long time before thou didst marry her. I also knew that she had skill in witchcraft, and she likewise knoweth of my art, who we twain

learnt together of one and the same mistress in science. We met oft-times at the Hammam as friends, but, inasmuch as she was ill-mannered and ill-tempered, I declined further intimacy with her. think not that it suffices me to have made thee recover thy form as it was aforetime nay verily needs must i take due vengeance of her for the wrong she have done thee and this will i do at thy hand so shalt thou have mastery over her and find thyself lord of thine own house and home tarry here a while until i come again so saying the damsel passed into another room and i remained sitting and talking with her mother and raised her excellence and kindness towards me. The ancient dame, also related strange and rare deeds of wonder done by her with pure purpose and lawful means, till the girl returned with the newer inner hand. O. C.D. Numan, my magical art d.

D. Amina is at this present, away from home, but she will return thither presently. Meanwhile, she dissembleth with the domestics, and feigneth grief at severance from thee, and she hath pretended that, As thou satest at meet with her, thou did suddenly arise, and fare forth on some weighty matter. When presently, a dog rushed through the open door into the room, and she drove it away with a staff. Then, giving me a gouglet full of the water, the maiden resumed,

O Sidinuman, go now to thy own house, and keeping this gouglet by thee, await patiently amina's coming. Anon she will return, and seeing thee, will be sore perplexed, and will hasten to escape from thee. But before she go forth, sprinkle some drops from this gugglet upon her, and recite these spells which I shall teach thee. I need not tell thee more. Thou wilt aspire with thine own eyes what shall happen. Having said these words, the young lady taught me some magical phrases, which I fixed in my memory full firmly, and after this I took my leave and fair-wrault them both. When I reached home, it happened even as the young magician

had told me, and I had tarried but a short time in the house when Amina came in. I held the gugglet in hand, and she, seeing me, trembled with sore trembling, and would fain have run away. But I hastily sprinkled some drops upon her, and repeated the magical words, whereat she was turned into a mare, the animal thy highness deigned remark with yesterday. I marveled greatly to cite this transformation, and, seizing the mare's mane, led her to the stable and secured her with the halter. And as the mourn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and fifteenth night.

Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious King, that Sidin Wuman continued his story, saying, When I had secured the mayor, I loaded her with reproaches for her wickedness and her base behavior, and lashed her with a whip till my forearm was tired. Then I resolved within myself that I would ride her at full speed round the square each day, and thus inflict upon her the justice penalty. Herewith Sidin Wu Man held his peace, having made an end of telling his tale.

But presently he resumed, O commander of the faithful, I trove thou art not displeased at this my conduct, nay rather thou wouldst punish such a woman with a punishment still greater than this. He then kissed the hem of the Caleb's robe and kept. kept silence. And Harun of Rashid, perceiving that he had said all his say, exclaimed, In very sooth, thy story is exceeding strange and rare. The wrongdoing of thy wife hath no excuse, and thy requital is, methinks, in due measure and just degree. But I would ask thee one thing, how long wilt thou chastise her thus, and how long will she remain in bestial guise?

"'Tore better now for thee to seek the young lady "'by whose magical skill "'thai wife was transformed, "'and beg that she bring her back to human shape. "'And yet I fear me greatly, "'less perchance, when this sorceress, "'this gula, shall find herself restored to woman's form, "'and resumeth her conjurations and incantations,

"'she may, who knoweth, "'requite thee with far greater wrong "'than she hath done thee here to-fore, "'and from this thou wilt not be able to escape, End of the Caliph's Night Adventure, Part 1. Section 12 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This Libre-Vox recording is in the public domain,

great by Thomas Copeland. The Caliph's Night Adventure, Part 2. After this, the Prince of True Believers forebore to urge the matter, albeit he was mild and merciful by nature, and addressing the third man whom the Pizier had brought, brought before him, said, As I was walking in such a quarter, I was astonished to see thy mansion,

so great and so grand as it. And when I made inquiry of the folk, they answered each and every that the palace belongeth to one thyself whom they called Guaja Hassan. They added that thou wert erewhile exceeding poor and in straightened case, but that Allah Almighty had widened thy means

and had now sent thee wealth in such store that thou hast builded the finest of buildings. Moreover, that albeit thou hast so princely a domicile in such abundance of riches, thou art not unmindful of thy former estate, and thou dost not waste thy substance in riotous living, but thou addest thereto by lawful trade. The neighbourhood all speaketh well of thee,

and not a white of them hath ought to say against thee. So I now would know of thee the certainty of these things, and hear from thine own lips, how thou didst gain this abundant wealth. I have summoned thee before me that I might be assured of all such matters by actual hearsay. So fear not to tell me all thy tale,

I desire not of thee, save knowledge of this thy case. Enjoy thou, to thy heart's content, the opulence that Almighty Allah deigned to bestow upon thee, and let thy soul have pleasure therein. Thus spake the caliph, and the gracious words, reassured the man. Then, Kwa Jhaasang threw himself before the commander of the faithful, and kissing the carpet at the foot of the throne, exclaimed,

O prince of true believers, I will relate to thee a faithful relation of my adventure, and Almighty Allah be my witness that I have not done odd contrary to thy laws and just commandments, and that all this my wealth is by the favor and goodness of Allah alone. Harun al-Rashid hereupon again bad him speak out boldly, and forthwith he began to recount in the following words, the history of Quaja Hassan al-Habal. O Lord of Beneficence, obedient to thy royal behest, I will now inform thy highness of the means and the measures whereby destiny covered me with such wealth. But first, I would thou hear somewhat of two amongst my friends who abode in the

House of Peace, Baghdad. They twain are yet alive, and both well know the history which their slave shall now relate. One of them called Saad, the other Sadie. Now, Sadi opined that without riches, no one in this world could be happy and independent. Moreover, that without hard toil and trouble, and wariness and wisdom with all, it were impossible to become wealthy. But Sade, differing therefrom, would affirm that affluence cometh not to any, say, by decree of destiny and fiat of fate and fortune.

Sard was a poor man, while Sadi had great store of good. Yet there sprang up a firm friendship between them. and fond affection each for other, nor were they ever one to differ upon any matter, save only upon this, to wit that Sadi relied solely upon deliberation and forethought, and Sade upon doom and man's lot. It chanced one day that, as they sat talking together on this matter,

quoth Sadi, a poor man is he who either is born a pauper and passeth all his days in want and penury, or he who, having been born to wealth and comfort, doth in the time of man squander all he hath and falleth into grievous need then lacketh he the power to regain his riches and to live at ease by wit and industry said said nor wit nor industry availeth aught to anyone but fate alone enablet him to acquire and to preserve riches misery and want are but accidents and deliberation is not full many a poor man hath waxed affluent by favour of fate and richards must manifold have, despite their skill in store, been reduced to misery and beggary.

Quoth, Sadi, thou speakest foolishly. Howbeit, put we the matter to pay a test, and find out for ourselves some handicraftsman, scanty of means, and living upon his daily wage. Him let us provide with money. Then will he, without a doubt, increase his stock, and abide in ease and comfort, and so shall they be persuaded that my words be true. Now, as they twain were walking on, they passed through the lane wherein stood my lodging, and saw me a twisting ropes, which craft my father and grandfather, and many generations before me,

had followed. By the condition of my home and dress, they judged that I was a needy man, whereupon, Saad, pointing me out to Sadie, said, And now wouldst make trial of this are a matter of dispute, see yonder white. He hath dwelt here for many years, and by his trade of rope-making, doth gain a bare subsistence for himself and his. I know his case right well of old. He is a worthy subject for the trial. So do thou give him some gold pieces and test the matter? Right willingly, replied Sadi. But first, let us take full cognizance of him. So the two friends came up to me, whereat I left my work and saluted them. They returned my sala, after which, called Sadi, pretty thee.

what be thy name with i my name is hassan but by reason of my trade of rope-making all men call me hassan al-habal and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and sixteenth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that hassan al-habal the rope-maker continued his story saying thereupon sadi asked me how fairest thou by this industry, who thinks thou art blithe and quite content therewith. Thou hast worked long and well, and doubtless, thou hast laid by large store of hemp and other stock. Thy forebears carried on this craft for many years, and must have left thee much of capital and property, which thou hast turned to good account, and on this wise thou hast largely increased thy wealth. Go thy, O my lord, no money have I in pouch whereby I may live happy, or even by me enough to eat. This is my case that every day from dawn till Eve I spend in making robes,

nor have I one single moment wherein to take rest. And still I am sore-straightened to provide even dry bread for myself and family. A wife have I and five small children, who are yet too young to help me ply this business, and tis no easy matter to supply their daily wants. How then canst thou suppose that I am enabled to put by a large store of hemp and start? What ropes I twist each day, I sell straightway, and of the money earned thereby I spend part upon our needs, and with the rest I buy hemp, wherewith I twist ropes on the next day. However, praise me to Almighty Allah that, despite this my state of penury, he provided us with bread, sufficing our necessity.

When I had made known all my condition, Sadie replied, O Hassan, now I am certified of thy case, and indeed tis other than I had supposed. And given that I gave thee a purse of two hundred Ashrafis, assuredly thou shalt, therewith, greatly add to thy gains, and be enabled to live in ease and affluence. What sayest thou there to? Said I, and thou favour me with such bounty, I should hope to grow richer than all and every of my fellow craftsmen,

albeit Baghdad town is prosperous as it is populous. Then, Sadi, deeming me true and trustworthy, pulled out of his pocket a purse of two hundred gold pieces, and handing them to me said, Take these coins and trade therewith. May Allah advance thee. But see to it that thou use this money with all heed, and wasted not in folly and ungraciousness,

I and my friend Saad will rejoice with all joy to hear of thy well-being, and if hereafter we come again and find thee in flourishing condition, it will be matter of much satisfaction to us both. accordingly o commander of the faithful i took the purse of gold with much gladness and a grateful heart and placing it in my pocket thanked sadie kissing his garment hem whereupon the two friends fared forth and i o prince of true believers seeing the twain depart went on working but was sore puzzled and perplexed as to where i might bestow the purse for my house contained neither covered nor locket howbeit i took it home and kept the matter hidden from my wife and children and when alone and unbserved i drew out ten gold coins by way of spending money then binding the purse mouth with a bit of string i tied it tightly in the folds of my turban and wound the cloth around my head presently i went off to the market street and bought me a stock of hemp and coming homewards i laid in some meat for supper it being now a long while since we had tasted flesh but as i trudged along the road meat in hand a kite came suddenly swooping down and would have snatched the morsel from out my hand had i not driven off the bird at the other hand

then it had fain pounced upon the flesh on the left side but again i scared it away and thus whilst exerting myself with frantic efforts to ward by ill luck my termine fell to the ground at once that a cursed kite swooped down and flew off with it in its talons and i ran pursuing it and shouted aloud hearing my cries the bizarre folk men and women and a rout of children did what they could to scare it away and make the beastly bird drop its prey but they shouted and cast stones in vain the kite would not let drop the turban and presently flew clean out of sight i was sore distressed and heavy-hearted to lose the ashrafis as i tried me home bearing the hemp and what a food i bought but chiefly was i vexed and grieved in mind and ready to die of shame at the thought of what sadi would say especially when i reflected how he would misdoubt my words nor deem the tale true when i should tell him that a kite had carried off my turban with the gold pieces, but rather would he think that I had practised some deceit, and had devised some amusing fable by way of excuse. Howbeit I hugely enjoyed what had remained of the ten Ashrafis, and with my wife and children fared sumptuously for some days. Presently, when all the gold was spent and not remained

thereof, I became as poor and needy as before. With all, I was content and thankful to Almighty Allah, no blamed my lot. He had sent in his mercy, dispersed of gold to me unawares, and now he had taken it away, wherefore I was grateful and satisfied for what he doeth is ever well done. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till, The end of the six hundred and seventeenth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Master Hassan,

the rote-maker continued his story in these words. My wife, who knew not of the matter of the Ashrafis, presently perceived that I was ill at ease, and I was compelled for a quiet life to let her know my secret. Moreover, the neighbours came round to ask me of my case, but I was right-loat to tell them all that had betided. They could not bring back what was gone, and they would assuredly rejoice at my calamity. However, when they pressed me close I told them every which, and some thought that i had spoken falsely and derided me and others that i was daft and hair-brain and my words were the wild pratings of an idiot or the drivel of dreams the youngsters made abundant fun of me and laughed to think that i who never in my born days had sighted a golden coin should tell how i had gotten so many ashrafis and how a kite had flown away with them my wife however gave full credence to my tale and wept and beat her breast for some sorrow thus six months passed over us when it chanced one day that the two friends to which sadi and sad came to my quarter of the town when quoth sad to sadi

lo yonder is the street where dwelleth hassan al-habal come let us go and see how he hath added to his stock and how far he hath prospered by means of the two hundred ashrafis thou gavest him sadi rejoined tis well said indeed we have not seen him for many days i would fain visit him and i should rejoice to hear that he have prospered so the twain walked along towards my house sadd saying to sadi psalth i perceived that he had prospered so the twain walked along towards my house sadd saying to sadi forsooth i perceive that he appeareth the same in semblance poor and ill-conditioned as before he weareth old and tattered garments save that his turban seemeth somewhat newer and cleaner look well and judge thyself and tis even as i said thereupon sadi came up closer to me and he also understood that my condition was unaltered and presently the two friends addressed me after the usual salutations sade asked me o hassan how fareth it with thee, and how goeth it with thy business, and how the two hundred Ashrafis stood thee in good stead and amended thy trade? To this I answered, oh, my lords, how can I tell you of the sad mishap that hath they fallen me?

I dare not speak for very shame, yet cannot I keep the adventure concealed. Verily a marvellous matter, and a wondrous, hath happened to me, the tale whereof will fill you with wonderment and suspicion, for I wotful, well that he will not believe it, and that I shall be to you as one that dealeth in lies. With all needs must I tell you, Thahoe, however unwillingly. Here I have recounted to them every whit that had betided me first and last, especially that which had befallen me from the kite, but sadly misdoubted me and mistrusted me, and cried, O Hassan, thou speakest but in jest, and just dissemble with us,

it is hard to believe the tale thou tellest. kites are not wont to fly off with turbans but only with such things as they can eat thou wouldst but out with us and thou art of those who when some good fortune cometh to them unforeseen who straightways abandon their work or their business and wasting all in pleasuring become once more poor and thereafter must willy-nilly eke out a living as best they may this methinks be especially the case with thee thou hast squandered out yet with all speed and art now neediest before. Oh, good my lord, not so, cried I, disblaim in these hard words, ill-fifit my deserts, for I am wholly innocent of all thou imputest to me. The strange mishap whereof I told thee is the truest of truths, and to prove that it is no lie all the townfolk have knowledge thereof, and in goodsooth I do not play thee false. It is certain that kites do not fly away with turbines, but such mishap, wondrous, and marvelous may betide mankind, especially the

miserable of lot. Sard also espoused my cause and said, oh, Sadi, oftentimes have we seen and heard how kites carry off many things besides comestibles, and his tale may not be wholly contrary to reason. Then Sadi pulled out of his pocket a purseful of gold pieces, and counted out and gave me another or two hundred, saying, O'Hasan, take these Ashrafis, but see that thou keep them with all heed and diligence, and beware, and again I say, beware lest thou lose them like the others. Expend them in such fashion that thou mayst reap full benefit therefrom, and prosper, even as thou seest thy neighbours prosper. I took the money from him, and poured out thanks and blessings

upon his head, and when they went their ways, I returned to my rope-walk, and then seen due time straight home. My wife and children were abroad, so again I took ten gold coins of the two hundred and securely tied up the remainder in a piece of cloth. Then I looked around to find a spot wherein to hide my hoard so that my wife and youngsters might not come to know of it and lay hands thereon. Presently I espied a large earthen jar full of bran standing in a corner of the room. So, Heron I hid the rag with the gold coins, and I had the rag, and I had the gold coins, and I misdeemed that it was safely concealed from wife and wheeze and as the morning began to dawn shahrazad held a piece till the end of the six hundred and eighteenth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that hassan al-habal thus continued his story when i had put the ashwafis of bottom the jar of bran my wife came in and i said not to her of the two friends or of otter

had happened, but I set out for the bazaar to buy him. Now, as soon as I had left the house, there came, my evil fate impelled, a man who sold Tafel, or Puller's Earth, wherewith the poorer sort of women or went to wash their hair. My wife would vain have bought some, but not a single calorie or almond had she. Then she took thought and said to herself, this jar of bran is here to no purpose, I will exchange it for the play. And he also, the Toffel-Seller, agreed to this proposal, and went off taking the jar of bran as the price of the washing-earth. Anon I came back with a load of hemp upon my head,

and other five on the heads of as many porters who accompanied me, and I helped them off with their bourbons, and after storing the stuff in a room I paid and dismissed them. Then I stretched me out upon the floor, to take rest a while, and looking towards the corner where one stood the jar of bran, I found it gone. Words fail me, O Prince of true believers, to describe the tumult of feelings which filled my heart at the sight. I sprang up with all speed, and calling to my wife, inquired of her, whither the jar had been carried, and she replied, that she had exchanged its

contents for a trifle of washing-clay. Then cried I aloud, oh wretched, oh miserable, what hast thou done. Thou hast ruined me and thy children. Thou hast given away great wealth to that clay-selling fellow. Then I told her all that had betided me, of the coming of the two friends, and how I had hidden the hundred and ninety ashrafis within the brand-jar, and she, on hearing this, wept sore and beat her breasts, and tore her hair, crying, where now shall I find that clay-seller? The white is a stranger. Never before did I see him about this quarter or this street.

Then, turning to me, she continued, "'Herein thou hast dealt right foolishly, "'for that thou didst not tell me of the matter, "'nor didst place any trust in me. "'Otherwise this mishap would never have happened to us. "'No, never!' "'And she'll have mentored with loud lamentation and bitter, "'whereat I said,

"'make not such a hub-up, no display such trouble, "'lest our neighbours overhear the in-learning of our mishap, "'pairadventure laugh at us and call us fools. it behooved us to rest content with the will of Almighty Allah. However, the ten Ashrafis which I had taken from the two hundred sufficed me to carry on my trade and to live with more of ease for some short while. But I ever grieved, and I marvelled much anent what could be said to Sadie, when he should come again.

For as much as he believed me not the first time, I was assured in my mind that now he would denounce me aloud, as a cheat and a liar. One day of the days the twain to which Sade and Sadi came strolling towards my house conversing, and, as usual, arguing about me and my case, and I, seeing them from afar, left off working that I might hide myself, as I could not, for very shame, come forth and accost them. Seeing this, and not guessing the reason, they entered my dwelling,

and saluting me with the salaam, asked me how I had fared. I durst not raise my eyes, so abashed and mortified was I. and with bended brow returned the greeting when they noting my sorry plight marvelled and said is all well with thee why art thou in this state hast thou not made good use of the gold or hast thou wasted thy wealth in lewd living Both I, O my lords, the story of the Ashrafis is none other than this. When ye departed from me, I went home with the purse of money, and finding no one was in the house, for all had gone out somewhere, I took out there from ten gold pieces. Then I put the rest together with the purse within a large earthen jar,

filled full of bran, which had long stood in one corner of the room. So might the matter be kept privy for my wife and children. but whilst I was in the market buying me some hemp, my wife returned home, and at that moment there came into her a man which sold Fuller's earth for washing hair. She had need thereof, with all not to pay with. So she went out to him and said, I am clean without coin, but I have a quantity of bran. Say me, wilt thou have that in change for thy clay? The man agreed, and accordingly my wife took the earth of him, and gave him in exchange the jarful of bran, which he carried away with him, and ganged his gait. And ye asked, wherefore didst thou not confide the matter to thy spouse,

and tell her that thou hadst put the money in the jar? I, on my side answer, that ye gave me strict injunctions to keep the money this time with the utmost heed in caution. We thought that stead was the safest wherein to store the gold, and I was loath to trust my wife, lest hapless you take some coin therefrom, and expend it upon her household. Oh, my lords, I am certified of your goodness and graciousness, but poverty and penury are writ in my book of fate. How then can I aspire to possessions and prosperity? Withal never, while I breathe the breath of life,

shall I be forgetful of this your generous favour. Oud Sagi, may seemeth I have dispersed four hundred Ashrafis to no purpose in giving them to thee, yet the intent wherewith they were given was that thou shouldst benefit thereby, not that I claim that thy praise and thanksgiving. So they twain compassionate and condoled with me in my misfortune,

and presently Saad, an upright man and one who had acquaintance with me since many a year, produced a leaden coin which he had picked up for the path and was still carrying in his pocket, and after showing it to Sadie said to me, "'Seast thou this bit of lead? "'Take it, and by favour of fate, thou shalt find out

"'what blessings it will bring to thee?' "'Sadie, on espying it, laughed aloud, and made jest of the matter, "'and flouting said, "'What advantage will there be to Hassan from this might of lead? "'And in what way shall he use it?' "'Sad, handing me the leaden coin, retorted in reply, "'Give no heed to what so Sadie may say, "'but keep this by thee.

"'Let him laugh, and, "'he'll say. please, one day happily shall come to pass, inshallah, and it be the will of Almighty Allah, that thou shalt by means thereof become a wealthy man and a magnifical. I took the bit of lead and put it in my pocket, and the twain bade me farewell and went their way. And as the morn began to dawn,

Sheherazade held her peace till. The end of the six hundred and nineteenth night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king that Hassan al-Habal thus continued his story. As soon as Sade and Sadi had departed, I went on rope-twisting until night came,

and when doffing my dress to go to bed, the bit of lead which Sade had given me fell out of my pocket. So I picked it up and set it carelessly in a small niche in the wall. Now that very night, so it happened that a fisherman, one of my neighbours, stood in need of a small coin wherewith to buy some twine for mending his dragnet. as he was one to do during the dark hours, in order that he might catch the fish ere dawn of day

and selling his quarry buy vittles for himself in his household. So, as he was accustomed to rise while yet somewhat of night remained, he bade his wife go roundabout to all the neighbours and borrow a copper that he might buy the twine required. And the woman went everywhere from house to house, but nowhere could she get loan of a farthing, and at last she came home weary and disappointed. quoth the fisherman to her. Has thou been to Hassan Alabao? And quoth she,

Nay, I have not tried at his place. It is the furthest of all the neighbour's houses. And fanciest thou, even if I got there, I could thence have brought back aught. Off with thee, oh, laziest of hussies, and good for nothing of baggagees, cried the fisherman, away with thee this instant, perchance he hath a copper to lend us. accordingly the woman, grumbling and muttering, fared forth and coming to my dwelling knocked at the door, saying, O Hassan al-Habal, my husband is in sore need of a pice wherewith to buy some twine fermenting his nets. Minding me of the coin which sod had given me and where it had been put away, I shouted out to her, Have patience, my spouse will go forth to thee and give thee what thou needest.

My wife, hearing all this hub-ub, woke from sleep, and I told her, where to find the bit of money. Whereupon she fetched it and gave it to the woman who joyed with exceeding joy and said, Thou and thy husband have shown great kindness to my man, wherefore I promise thee that whatsoever fish he may chance to catch

at the first throw of the net shall be thine. And I am assured that my good man, when he shall hear of this my promise, will consent thereto. Accordingly, when the woman took the money to her husband and told him of what pledge she had given, he was right-willing and said to her, Thou hast done well and wisely

in that thou madeest this covenant. Then, having bought some twine and mended all the nets, he rose before dawn, and hastened river-woods to catch fish according to his custom. But when he cast the net into the stream for the first throw, and hailed it in, he found that it contained but one fish, and that a full span or so in thickness,

which he placed apart as my portion. then he threw the net again and again, and at each cast he caught many fishes, both small and great, but none reached in size that he first had netted. As soon as he returned home, the fisherman came at once to me and brought the fish he had netted in my name, and said, Oh, our neighbor, my wife promised overnight

that thou shouldst have whatever fishes should come to ground at the first net-throw, and this fish is the only one I caught. Here it is. Prithee, take it, as a thanks-off. for the kindness of last night and as fulfilment of the promise if all almighty had vouchsafed to me a fish a saneful all had been thine but tis thy fate that only this one was landed at the first cast said i the might i gave thee yesterday night was not of such value that i should look for somewhat in return and refused to accept it but after much say and said he would not take back the fish and he insisted that it was mine wherefore i agreed to keep it and gave it to my wife saying o woman this fish is of return for the might i gave last night to the fisherman our neighbour sad hath declared that by means of that coin i shall attain to much riches and abundant opulence

then i recounted to my wife how my two friends had visited me and what they said and did and all concerning the leaden coin which sod had given to me she wondered at seeing but a single fish and said how shall it cook it may seem that were best to cut it up and broil it for the children especially as we have naught of spices and ponderments wherewith to dress it otherwise then as she sliced and cleansed the fish she found within its belly a large diamond which she supposed to to be a bit of glass or crystal, who she often heard tell of diamonds, but never with her own eyes had she beheld one. So she gave it to the youngest of the children for a plaything, and when the others saw it,

by reason of its brightness and brilliancy, all desired to have it, and each kept it in turn a while. Moreover, when night came and the lamp was lighted, they crowded round the stone and gazed upon its beauty, and screamed and shouted with delight. When my wife had spread the table, we sat down to supper, and the eldest boy set the diamond upon the tray, and as soon as we all

had finished eating, the children fought and scrambled as before for it. At first I paid no heed to their noise and hubbub, but when it waxed exceeding loud and irksome, I asked my eldest lad the cause why they quarreled and made such turmoil, both he, the trouble and dispute are about a piece of glass, which giveth forth a light as bright as the lamb, whereat I told him to produce it, and marvelled greatly to see its sparkling water, and inquired of my wife when she had gotten the piece of crystal. Both she, This I found within the belly of the fish as I was gutting it.

Still, I did not suppose it to be odd but glass. Presently I bade my wife hide the lamp behind the hour. And as the morn began to dawn, Sheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the six hundred and twentyth night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Hassan al-Habal thus continued his story. And when my wife had hidden a lamp from view, such was the brightness of the diamond, that we could see right well without other light,

wherefore I placed it upon the heart, that we might work by it, and said within myself, the coin that Sade left me had produced this benefit, that we no longer stand in need of a lamp, at least is save with us oil. when the youngsters saw me put out the lamp and used the glass in its stead they jumped and danced for joy and screamed and shouted with glee so that all the neighbors roundabout could hear them when i chid them and sent them to bed we also went to rest and right soon fell asleep next day i woke betimes and went on with my work and thought not of a piece of glass now there dwelt our bias a wealthy jew a jeweller who bought and sold all all kinds of precious stones and as he and his wife assayed to sleep that night by reason of the noise and clamour of the children they were disturbed for many hours and slumber visited not their eyes and when morn appeared the jeweller's wife came to our house to make complaint both for herself and her husband and then the hubb of and shout her ere she could say a word of blame my wife guessing the intent wherewith she came addressed her saying oh riley i fear me that my children pest did the last night with their laughing and crying i crave thine indulgence in this matter well thou must wot our children now cry now laugh at trifles come in and see the cause of all their excitement wherefore thou wast justly calm into account

she did accordingly and saw the bit of glass about which the youngsters had made such din and uproar and when she who had long experience of all men or precious stones beheld the diamond she was filled with wonderment my wife then told her how she had found it in the fish's belly whereupon quoth the jewess this bit of glass is more excellent than all other sorts of glass i too have such an one as this and am wont to wear it sometimes and wouldst thou sell it i will buy this thing of thee hearing her words the children began to cry and said o mother dear and thou wilt not sell it we promise henceforth to make no noise understanding that they would by no means park with it the women held their peace and presently the jewess fared forth but as she took her leave she whispered to my wife see that thou tell the matter to none and if thou have a mind to sell it at once send me word now the jew was sitting in his shop when his wife went to him and told him of the bit of glass quoth he go straightway back and offer a price for it saying that tis for me begin with some small bidding then raise the sum until thou get it. The Jewess thereupon returned to my house and offered twenty Ashrafis, which my wife deemed a large sum to give for such a trifle. However, she would not close the bargain. At that moment I happened to leave my work, and coming home to our new meal, saw the two women

talking on the threshold, and my wife stopped me, saying, This neighbor bideth twenty Ashrafis to price for a piece of glass, but I have as yet given and no reply, what sayest thou? Then I bethought me of what Sade had told me, to wit, that much wealth would come to me by virtue of his lead in coin. The Jewess, seeing how I hesitated, he thought her that I would not consent to the price. So, quoth she, O neighbour, and thou wilt not agree to part with a bit of glass for twenty pieces of gold, I will in give thee fifty. Hereat I reflected, that, whereas the Jewish raised her offer so readily from twenty golden pieces to fifty, this glass must surely be of great value. So I kept silence and

answered her not a word. Then, noting that I still held my peace, she cried, Take then one hundred. This be its full value. Nay, I know not in very deed of my husband-book consent, so high a price, said I in reply, oh, my good woman, why talk so foolishly, I will not sell it for aught less than an hundred thousand gold coins, and thou must take it at that price only because thou art neighbor to us the jewess raised her offer coined by coin to fifty thousand athrappis and said i pray thee wait till morning and sell it not till then so that my man may come round and see it right willingly quoth i by all manner of means let thy husband drop in and inspect it and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and twenty-first night. Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that Hassan al-Habal thus continued his story. Next day the Jew came to my house, and I drew forth and showed to him the diamond which shone and glittered in my palm with light as bright as any lamps. Presently assured that all which his wife had told him of its water and luster was strictly true,

he took it in hand, and examining it and turning it about, marvelled with mighty marvel at its beauty, saying, My wife made offer fifty thousand gold pieces. See now I will give thee yet another twenty thousand. Said I, thy wife hath surely named to thee what sum I fixed, to it one hundred thousand Ashrafis and not less. I shall not abate one jot or tittle of this price. the jew did all he could to buy it for a lesser sum but i answered only it mattereth not and thou desire not to come to my terms i must need sell it to some other jeweller At length he consented, and weighed me out two thousand gold pieces by way of earnest money, saying, to-morrow I will bring the amount of my offer and carry off my diamond. To this I gave a cent, and so on the day following he came to me

and weighed out the full sum of one hundred thousand Ashrafis, which he had raised amongst his friends and partners in business. Then I gave him the diamond, which had brought me such exceeding wealth, and offered thanks to him and praises unto Almighty Allah for this great good fortune gotten unawares. And much I hoped soon to see my two friends, Sade and Sadi, and to thank them likewise. So first I set my house in order, and gave spending money to my wife for home necessaries and for clothing herself and children. Moreover, I also bought me a fine mansion, and furnished it with the best. then said I to my wife, who thought of nothing save rich clothes and high diet, and a life of ease and

enjoyment, it behoove with us not to give up this our craft, we must needs put by some coin, and carry on the business. Accordingly I went to all the rope-makers of the city, and buying with much money several manufactories, put them to work, and over each establishment I set an overseer, an intelligent man at a trustworthy, so that there is not a not now throughout Baghdad City a single ward or quarter that hath not walks and workshops of mine for rope-making. Nay, further, I have in each town and every district of Alivrak warehouses, all under charge of honest supervisors, and thus it is that I have amassed such a muckle of wealth. Lastly, for my own especial place of business, I bought another house, a ruined place with a

sufficiency of land adjoining, and pulling down the old shell I edified in new thereof the new and spacious edifice which thy highness hath tamed yesterday to look upon. Here all my workmen are lodged, and here also are kept my office-books and accounts, and besides my warehouse, it containeth apartments fitted with furniture in simple style, all sufficient for myself and my family. After some time I quitted my old home, wherein Sard-in-Syrein-Syrein-Syrein-Sy. had seen me working, and went and lived in the new mansion, and not long after this removal, my two friends and benefactors bethought them that they would come and visit me.

They marvelled much, when entering my old workshop they found me not, and they asked the neighbors, where dwelleth such and such a rope-maker, is he alive or dead? Quoth the folk, he is now a rich merchant, and men no longer call him simply Hassan, but entitle him, Master Hassan the rope-maker, he hath built him a splendid building, and he dwelleth in such and such a quarter. Whereupon the two familiar set forth in search of me, and they rejoiced at the good report,

albeit Saudi would by no means be convinced that all my wealth had sprung, Assad contended, from its root, that small leaden coin. Presently, conning the matter over in his mind, he said to his comrade, It delighteth me much to hear of all this good fortune, hath betided Hassan, despite that he twice deceived me and took from me four hundred gold pieces, whereby he hath gotten to himself these riches, for it is absurd to think that it hath come

from the leaden coin thou gavest him. Withal, I do forgive him, and owe no grudge. Replied the other, thou art mistaken, I know Hassan of old to be a good man and true. He would not delude thee, and what he told us, as simple sooth. I am persuaded in my mind that he has, hath won all his wealth and opulence by the leaden coin. However, we shall hear anon what he may have to say. Conversing thus they came into the street wherein I now dwell, and seeing a large and magnificent mansion and a new maid, they guessed it was mine. So they knocked, and on the porter opening, Sadie marveled to see such grandeur and so many folk sitting within, and feared, less happily they had unwittingly entered the house of some emir. Then, plucking courage,

he inquired of the porter, Is this the dwelling place of Kwaja Hassan al-Habao? And as the morn began to dawn, Shehazade held her peace, to the end of the 622nd night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Hassan al-Habal continued thus his story.

The porter made reply, This is verily the house of Kwa-Jahasan al-Habal. He is within, and he sitteth in his office. I pray the enter, and one of the slaves will make known thy coming to him. Hereupon the two friends walked in, and as soon as I saw them, I recognized them, and rising up to them I ran and kissed the hems of their garments.

They would fain have fallen on my neck and embraced me, but with meekness of mind I would not suffer them to do so. And presently I led them into a large and spacious saloon and bade them sit upon the highmost seats of honour. They would have constrained me to take the best place, but I exclaimed, O my lords, I am on no wise better than the poor rope-maker Hassan, who, not unmindful of your worth and goodness, ever prayeth for your welfare,

and who deserveth not to sit in higher stead than you. Then they took seat, and I opposite them, when quoth Sadi, My heart rejoiceth with exceeding joy to see thee in this condition, for that Allah hath given thee all even as thou wishest. I doubt not thou hast gotten all this abundance and opulence by means of the four hundred gold pieces which I gave to thee. But say me truly, wherefore didst thou twice deceive me and bespeak me falsely? Sad listened to these words with silent indignation, and ere I could make reply, he broke out saying, O sotty, how often have I assured thee, that all which Hassan said aforetime

and in the losing of the Ashrafis is very sooth and no leasing. Then they began to dispute each with other. When I, recovering from my surprise, exclaimed, O my lords of what, What avail us this contention? Be not at variance, I beseech you on my account. All that had befallen me I made known to you, and whether ye believe my words or ye believe them not, it mattereth but little. Now hearken to the whole truth of my tale. Then I made known to them the story of the piece of lead which I had given to the fisherman,

and of the diamond found in the fish's belly. Brief, I told them every wit, even as I have now related to thy highness. On hearing all my adventure, Sadi said, O Quaja Hassan, it seemeth to me passing strange that so great a diamond should be found in the belly of a fish, and I deem it a thing impossible that a kite should fly off with thy turban, or that thy wife should give away the jar of bran in exchange for Fuller's earth. Now sayest the tale is true, and still I cannot give credit to thy words, for I know full well that the four hundred gold pieces have gotten the all this well.

But when they twain rose up to take their leave, I also arose and said, "'Oh, my lords, you have shown favour to me "'in that you thus deign visit me in my poor home, "'I beseech you now to taste of my food "'and to tarry here this night under your servant's roof. "'As to-morrow I would fain take you, by the way of the river, "'to a country house which I have lately bought.

"'Here, too, they consented with some objections, "'and I, after giving orders for the evening meal, "'showed them about the house, "'and displayed the furniture, "'and entertained them with pleasing wood, words in pleasant converse till a slave came and announced that supper was served so i led them to the saloon wherein were arranged the trays loaded with many kinds of meats on all sides stood camphrated wax candles and before the table were gathered musicians singing and playing on various instruments of mirth and merriment whilst in the upper part of the saloon men and women were dancing and making much diversion when we had supped we went to bed and rising early we prayed the dawn prayer, and presently embarked on a large and well-appointed boat, and the rowers, rowing with the flowing tide, soon landed us at my country's seat. Then we strolled in a body about the grounds

and entered the house, when I showed them our new buildings, and displayed to them all that appertained thereto. And hereat they marbled with great marble, thence we repaired to the garden, and saw, planted in rows along the walks, fruit trees of all kinds, with ripe fruit bowed down, and watered with water from the river by means of brickwork channels. All round were flowering shrubs whose perfume gladdened the zephyr. Here and there, fountains and jets of water shot high in air, and sweet-voiced birds made melody amid the leafy branches, hymning the one, the eternal.

In short, the sights and scents on every side filled the soul with joy and gladness. My two friends walked about in joyance and delight, and thanked me again and again for bringing them to so lovely a sight, and said, Almighty Allah prosper thee in-house and hearth. At last I led them to the foot of a tall tree, near to one of the garden walls, and showed them a little summer-house wherein I was one to take rest and refreshment, and the room was furnished with cushions and divans and pillows purfled with virgin gold, and as the morn began to dawn, Shehazade held her peace, till.

the end of the six hundred and twenty-third night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that hassan al-habal thus pursued his tale now it so happened that as we sat at rest within that summer-house two sons of mine whom i had sent together with their governor to my country place for a change of water and air were roaming about the gardens seeking birds nests presently they came across a big one upon the topmost boughs and tried to swarm up the trunk and carry it off but by reason of their lack of strength and little practice they durst not venture so high whereupon they bet a slave-boy who ever attended on them climbed the tree he did their bidding but when looking into the nest he was amazed with exceeding amazement to see it mainly made of an old turban so he brought down the stuff and handed it to the lads my eldest son took it from his hands and carried it to the arbour for me to see and set it at my feet saying in high glee oh my father look here this nest is made of cloth sod and soddy wondered with all wonderment at the sight and the marvel grew the greater when i after considering it closely recognized it for the very turbaned whereon the kite had swooped, and which had been borne off by the bird. Then, quoth I to my two friends,

examine well this turban, and certify yourselves that it is the self-same one worn upon my head when first he honoured me with your presence. Quoth sad, I know it not, and quoth sadi, and thou find within it the hundred and ninety gold pieces, then shalt thou be assured that is thy turbaned in very soon. i said oh my lord this is well i want that very turbaned and as i held it in my hand i found it heavy of weight and opening out the folds felt somewhat tied up in one of the corners of the cloth

so i unrolled the swathes when lo and behold i came upon the purse of gold pieces hereat showing it to sadie i cried canst thou not recognize this purse and he replied tis in truth the very purse of a shraffes which I gave thee when first we met. Then I opened the mouth, and pouring out the gold in one heap upon the carpet, bade him count his money, and he turned it over, coin by coin, and made the sum there of one hundred and ninety shraffes. Hereat, waxing sore, ashamed and confounded, he exclaimed, Now do I believe thy words. Nevertheless, must thou admit that thou hast earned one half of this thy prodigious wealth, with the two hundred gold pieces I gave thee after our second visit, and the other half by means of the might thou goddest rossad. To this I made no answer, but my friends ceased not to dispute upon the matter.

We then sat down to meet and drink, and when we had eaten our sufficiency, I and my two friends went to sleep in the cool arbor, after which when the sun was well nigh set, we mounted and rode off to Baghdad, leaving the servants to follow. However, arrived at the city, we found all the shops shut, and nowhere could we get grain and forage for the horses, and I sent off two slave boys, who had run alongside of us, to search for Provinder. One of them found a jar of bran in the shop of a corn-dealer, and paying for the provision, brought it, together with the jar, under promise that on the morrow he would carry back the vessel. then he began to take out the bran by handfuls in the dark and to set it before the horses and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till

the end of the six hundred and twenty-fourth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that hassan alabal thus continued his story so as the slave-boy took out the bran by handfuls and set it before the horses suddenly his hand came upon a piece of cloth wherein was something heavy he brought it to me even as he founded and said see is not this cloth the very one of whose lost the house hast oft-time spoken to us? I took it, and, wondering with great wonder, knew it was the self-same piece of stuff wherein I had tied up the hundred and four-score and ten Ashrafis before hiding them in the jar of bran. Then said I to my friends,

O my lords, it hath pleased Almighty Allah, ere we parted, I and you, to bear me witness of my words, and to establish that I told you, not save whatsoever was very sooth. and i resumed addressing sadi see here the other sum of money that is the hundred and ninety ashrafis which thou gavest me and which i tied up in this very piece of cloth i now recognised then i sent for the earthen jar that they might see it and also bade carry it to my wife that she also might bear witness and it be or be not the very bran jar which she gave in exchange for fuller's earth anon she sent us word and said yea verily i know it well tis the same jar which i had filled with bran accordingly sadi owned that he was wrong and said to sad

now i know that thou speakest truth and am convinced that wealth cometh not by wealth but only by the grace of almighty allah doth a poor man become a rich man and he begged pardon for his mistrust and unbelief we accepted his excuses whereupon we retired to rest and early on the morrow my two friends bade me adieu and journeyed homewards with full persuasion that i had done no wrong and had not squandered the monies they had given me now when the caliph harun of asheed had heard the story of quajahasan to the end he said i have known thee of old by fair report of thee from the folk who one and all declare that thou art a good man and true moreover the selfsame diamond whereby thou hast attained to so great riches is now in my treasury so i would fain send for saddi forthright that he may see it with his own eyes and weep for certain that not by means of money do men become or rich or poor. The prince of true believers said, moreover, to Kwaja Hassan al-Habal, Go now, and tell thy tale to my treasurer

that he may take it down in writing for an everlasting memorial, and place the writ in the treasury, together with the diamond. Then the caliph, with a nod, dismissed Kwa Jha-Hassan, and Sidi Numan and Baba Abdullah also kissed the foot of the throne and departed.

So, when Queen Jehazade had made an end relating this history, she was about to begin the story of Adibaba and the Forty Thieves, but King Shariar prevented her, saying, O Scheherazade, I am well pleased with this thy tale, but now the dawn appeareth, and the chanticleer of morn doth sound his shrill clarion. This day also I spare thy life, to the intent that I may listen, at my ease, to this new history of thine at the end of the coming night. Hereupon the three took their rest until the fittest time due near

And as the morning marred Shahrazad held her peace till The end of the Caliph's Night Adventure Part 2 Section 13 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 13 Translated by Richard Francis Burton This Libre of Ock's recording is in the public domain

Read by Thomas Copeland Alibaba and the Forteithes Part 1 the end of the six hundred and twenty-fifth night. With the dawn, Dunyazade awoke Queen Scheherazade from slumber-sweet, and said, Arise, O my sister, That alas, tis a bitter thing to stand in all of coming doom? Replied Scheherazade,

O dear, my sister, be not thou down-hearted. If lifespan be spent, not convert the sharp-edged sword, yet place thy trust in Allah Almighty, and put far from thee, all such anxious thoughts. My tales are tokens of life prolonged. Whereupon Queen Jehazar began to tell, in these words, the story of Alibaba and the Forty Thieves. In days of yore, and in times and tides long gone before, there dwelt in a certain town of

Persia, two brothers, one named Cassium and the other Alibaba, who, at their father's demise, had divided the little wealth he had left to them with equitable division, and had to had lost no time in wasting and spending at all. The elder, however, presently took to himself a wife, the daughter of an opulent merchant, so that when his father-in-law fared to the mercy of Almighty Allah, he became owner of a large shop filled with rare goods and costly wares, and of a storehouse stocked with precious stuffs, likewise of much gold that was buried in the ground. Thus was he known throughout the city as a substantial man, but the woman whom Alibaba had married was poor and needy. They lived, therefore, in a mean hovel, and Alibaba

eeked out a scanty livelihood by the sale of fuel which he daily collected in the jungle, and carried about the town to the bazaar upon his three asses. Now I chanced one day that Alibaba had cut dead branches and dry fuel sufficient for his need, and had placed the load upon his beasts, when suddenly he espied a dust-cloud, spiring high in air to his right, and moving rapidly towards him. And when he closely considered it, he descried a troop of horsemen, riding on a mane and about to reach him. At this sight he was so alarmed, and fearing lest perchance they were a band of bandits, who would slay him and drive off his donkeys, in his affright he began to run. But for as much as they were near hand, and he could not escape from out the forest, he drove

of his animals laden with the fuel into a byway of the bushes, and swarmed up a thick trunk of a huge tree to hide himself therein. And he sat upon a branch whence he could descry everything beneath him, whilst none below could catch a glimpse of him above. And that tree grew close beside a rock which towered high above head. The horsemen, young, active and doughty riders, came close up to the rock face and all dismounted, whereat, Alibaba, took good note of them. and soon he was fully persuaded by their mean and demeanor that they were a troop of hyrerman, who having fallen upon a caravan, had despoiled it and carried off the spoil, and brought their booty to this place with intent of concealing it safely in some cash.

Moreover, he observed that they were forty in number. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the six hundred and twenty-sixth night. then said she, I have heard, oh, auspicious king, that Alibaba saw the robbers as soon as they came under the tree, each unbridled his horse and hobble it.

Then all took off their saddlebags, which proved to be full of gold and silver. The man who seemed to be the captain presently pushed forwards, load on shoulder, through thorns and thickets, till he came up to a certain spot where he uttered these strange words.

"'Open, O Sim-Sim-Sim!' And forthwith appeared a wide doorway in the face of the rock. The robbers went in, and last of all, their chief, and then the portal shot of itself. Long while they stayed within the cave, whilst Alibaba was constrained to abide perched upon the tree, reflecting that if he came down, their adventure the band might issue forth that very moment,

and seize him and slay him. At last he had determined to mount one of the horses, and driving on his asses to return townwards, when suddenly the portal flew open. The robber chief was first to issue four. Then, standing at the entrance, he saw and counted his men as they came out, and lastly he spake the magical words,

shot for Sim-sim, whereat the door closed of itself. When all had passed muster in review, each slung on his saddle-bags and bridled his own horse, and as soon as ready they rode off, led by the leader in the direction whence they came. Alibaba remained still perched on the tree and watched the departure, nor would he descend until what time they were clean gone out of sight, lest perchance one of them return and look around to descry him.

Then he thought within himself, I too will try the virtue of those magical words, and see if at my bidding the door will open and close. So he called out aloud, open, no simsim. And no sooner had he spoken, then straightway the portal flew open, and he entered within. He saw a large cavern and abalted, in height equaling the statue of a full-grown man, and it was hewn in the live stone and lighted up with light that came through air-holes and bullseyes in the upper surface of the rock which formed the roof. He had expected to find not save outer gloom

in this robber's den, and he was surprised to see the whole room filled with bales of all-manners stuffs, and heaped up from sole to ceiling with camel-loads of silks and brocades, and embroidered cloths and mounds on mounds of very-coloured carpetings. Besides which, he espied coins, golden and silver, without measure or account. Some piled upon the ground, and others bound in leathern bags and sacks. Seeing these goods and monies in such abundance, Alibaba determined in his mind that not during a few years only, but for many generations, thieves must have stored their gains and spoils in this place.

When he stood within the cave, its door had closed upon him, yet he was not dismayed since he had kept in memory the magical words, and he took no heed of the precious stuffs around him, but applied himself only and wholly to the sacks of Ashrafis. Of these he carried out as many as he judged sufficient burden for the beasts. Then he loaded them upon his animals, and covered this blunder with sticks and fuel, so none might discern the bags, but might think that he was carrying home his usual wear. Lastly, he called out, shot, oh sim-zim, and forthwith the door closed,

for the spell so wrought that whencewever any entered the cave, its portal shot of itself behind him, and as he issued therefrom, the same would neither open nor close again till he had pronounced the words shot O Simpsi. Presently having laden his asses, Ali Baba urged them before him with all speed to the city, and reaching home he drove them into the yard, and shutting close the outer door, took down first the sticks, and after the bags of gold which he carried in to his wife.

She felt them, and finding them full of coin, suspected that Ali Baba, Baba had been robbing and fell to be rating and blaming him for that he should do so ill a thing. And as the morn began to dawn, Jehrazad held her peace, till. The end of the six hundred and twenty-seventh night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious King, that quoth Ali Baba to his wife, Indeed, I have no robber, and rather do thou rejoice with me at our good fortune. Hereupon he told her of his adventure, and began to be able to be able to, pour the gold from the bags in heaps before her, and her sight was dazzled by the sheen,

and her heart delighted at his recital and adventures. Then she began counting the gold. Whereat, quoth al-Ibaba, O silly woman, how long wilt thou continue turning over the coin? Now let me dig a hole wherein to hide this treasure, that none may know its secret, quoth she, Right as thy reed, still would I weigh the monies, and have some inkling of their amount, and he replied, As thou pleasest, but see thou tell no man. So she went off in haste to Cossim's home, to borrow weights and scales, wherewith she might balance the Ashrafis, and make some reckoning of their value.

And when she could not find Cassim, she said to his wife, Lend me, I pray thee thy scales for a moment. Replied her sister-in-law, hast thou need of the bigger balance or the smaller? And the other rejoined, I need not the large scales, give me the little. And her sister-in-law cried, Stay here a moment whilst I look about and find thy want. With this pretext, Kassim's wife went aside

and secretly smeared wax and suet over the pan of the balance, that she might know what thing it was, Adababa's wife would weigh, for she made sure that what so it be, some bit thereof would stick to the wax and bat. So the woman took this opportunity to satisfy her curiosity. And Alibaba's wife, suspecting not thereof, carried home the scales and began to weigh the gold, whilst Alibaba ceased not digging. And when the money was weighed, they twained stowed it into the hole which they carefully filled up with earth.

Then the good wife took back the scales to her kinswoman, all unknowing that an Ashrafi had adhered to the cup of the scales. But when Kasim's wife espied the gold coin, she fumed with envy and rat. saying to herself, So ho, they borrowed my balance to weigh out her shraffies? And she marveled greatly when so poor a man as Alibaba had gotten such store of wealth that he should be obliged to weigh it with a pair of scales. Now, after long pondering the matter,

when her husband returned home at Eventide, she said to him, O man, thou deemest thyself a whiter wealth and substance, but lo thy brother Ali Baba is named me. by the side of thee, and richer far than thou art, he hath such heaps of gold that he must needs weigh his monies with scales, whilst thou forsooth are satisfied to count thy coin. Whence knowest thou this? asked Cassin, and in answer his wife related all an end the pair of scales,

and how she found an ashwaffe stuck to them, and showed him the gold coin which bore the mark and took to some ancient king. no sleep had cassim all that night by reason of his envy and jealousy and coveties and next morning he rose betimes and going to alibaba said oh my brother to all appearance thou art poor and needy but in effect thou hast a store of wealth so abundant that perforce thou must weigh thy gold with scales both alibaba what is this thou sayest i understand thee not make clear thy purport and quoth Qasim with ready rage, Fain not that thou art ignorant of what I say, and think not to deceive me. Then, showing him the Ashrafi,

he cried thousands of gold coins such as these thou hast put by, and meanwhile my wife found this one stuck to the cup of the scales. Then Alibaba understood how both Kasim and his wife knew that he had store of Ashrafis, and said in his mind that it would not avail him to keep them. matter hidden, but would rather cause ill will and mischief. And thus he was induced to tell his brother every whit concerning the bandits, and also of the treasure-trove in the cave.

When he had heard the story, Kassim exclaimed, I would fain learn of thee the certainty of the place, where thou foundest the monies, also the magical words whereby the door opened and closed. And I forewarn thee, and thou tell me not the whole truth, I will give notice of these Ashrafis to the Wally, Then shall thou forfeit all thy wealth and be disgraced and thrown into jail."

Thereupon Ali Baba told him his tale, not forgetting the magical words, and Qasim, who kept careful heed of all these matters, next day set out, driving ten mules he had hired, and readily found the place which Alibaba had described to him. And when he came to the aforesaid rock and to the tree where on Alibaba had hidden himself, and he had made sure of the door, he cried in great joy, Open, oh simsim!

The portal yawned wide at once, and Qasim went within and saw the piles of jewels and treasures lying raided all around. And as soon as he stood amongst them, the door shut after him as want to do. He walked about in ecstasy, marvelling at the treasures,

and when weary of admiration, he gathered together bags of Ashrafis, a sufficient load for his ten mules, and placed them by the end. in readiness to be carried outside and set upon the beasts. But by the will of Allah Almighty, he had clean forgotten the cavalistic words, and cried out,

"'Open, oh, barley!' Whereat the door refused to move. Astonished and confused, beyond measure, he named the names of all manner of grains, save sesame, which had slipped from his memory as though he had never heard the word. Whereat, in his dire distress, He heeded not the Ashrafis that lay heaped at the entrance,

and paced to and fro backwards and forwards within the cave, sorely puzzled and perplexed. The wealth who's sighted Erhwau filled his heart with joy and gladness was now the cause of bitter grief and sadness. And as the morn began to dawn, Jarazade held her peace till. The end of the six hundred and twenty-eighth night. Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that Qasim gave up all hope of the life which he, by his greed and envy, had so sore and periled. It came to pass that at noontide, the robbers, returning by that way, saw from afar some mules standing beside the entrance, and much they marvelled at what had brought the beasts to that place.

Boring as much as Qasim, by mischance, had failed to tether or hobbled them, they had straight about the jungle, and were browsing hither and thither. However the thieves paid scant regard to the astrays, nor cared they to secure them, but only wondered by what means they had wandered so far from the town. Then, reaching the cave, the captain and his troop dismounted,

and going up to the door repeated the formula, and at once it flew open. Now, Qasim had heard from within the cave the horse-hoves, drawing nigh and yet nigher, and he fell down to the ground in a fit of fear, never doubting that it was the clatter of the banditti who would slaughter him without fail. Albeit he presently took heart of grace, and at the moment when the door flew open,

he rushed out, hoping to make good his escape. But the unhappy man ran full tilt against the captain, who stood in front of the band, and felled him to the ground. Whereupon a robber, standing near his chief, at once bared his brand, and with one cut, claved Kasim clean and twain. Thereupon the robbers rushed into the cavern and put back as they were before the bags of Ashrafis which Kasim had heaped up at the doorway ready for taking away. Nor wrecked they aught of those which Alibaba had removed, so dazed and amazed were they to discover by what means the strange man had effected an entrance.

All knew that it was not possible for any to drop through the skylights, so tall and steep was the rock's face, with all slippery of assent, and also, that none could enter by the portal unless he knew the magical words whereby to open it. However, they presently quartered the dead body of Kasim and hung it to the door within the cavern, two parts to the right jam and as many to the left, that the sight might be a warning of approaching doom for all who dared enter the cave.

Then, coming out, they closed the whole door and rode away upon their wanted work. Now, when night fell and Kasim came not home, his wife waxed uneasy in my eyes, mind, and running round to Alibaba said, Oh, my brother, Kasim hath not returned. Thou knowest whither he went, and sore, I fear me, some misfortune hath betided him. Alibaba also divined that a mishap had happened to prevent his return.

Not the less, however, he strove to comfort his sister-in-law with words of cheer, and said, O wife of my brother, Kasim happily exercises discretion, and avoiding the city cometh by a roundabout road, and will be here anon. This, I do believe, was the reason why E tarrier. Thereupon, comforted in spirit, Qasim's wife fared homewards, and sat awaiting her husband's return. But when half the night was spent, and still he came not,

she was as one distraught. She feared to cry aloud for her grief, lest half of the neighbours, hearing her, should come and learn the secret. So she wept in silence, and upbraiding herself, fell to thinking, Why, or poor, did I disclose this secret to him, and beget envy and jealousy of Alibaba.

This be the fruit thereof, and hence the disaster that hath come down upon me. She spent the rest of the night in bitter tears, and early on the morrow tried in hottest hurry to Alibaba, and prayed that he would go forth in quest of his brother. So he strove to console her, and straightway set out with his asses for the forest. Presently, reaching the rock,

he wondered to see stains of blood freshly shed, and not finding his brother or the ten mules he forfeelt a calamity from so evil as I. He then went to the door and saying, Open, O Sim, Sim. He pushed in and saw the dead body of Kasim, two parts hanging to the right and the rest to the left of the entrance. Albeit he was affrighted beyond measure of affright, he wrapped the quarters in two claws,

and laid them upon one of his asses, hiding them carefully with sticks and fuel that none might see them. Then he placed the bags of gold upon the other two animals, and likewise covered them most carefully. And when all was made ready, he closed the cave door with the magical words, and set him forth wending homewards with all ward and watchfulness. The asses with the load of Ashrafis he made over to his wife, and bade her bury the bags with diligence, but he told her not the condition in which he had come upon his brother Kassian. Then he went with the other ass to wit the beast whereon was laid the corpse, to the widow's house, and knocked gently at the door.

Now, Kasim had a slave girl, shrewd and sharp-witted, Morgiana height. She, as softly undid the bolt, and admitted Alibaba and the ass into the courtyard of the house, when he let down the body from the beast's back and said, O Morgiana, haste thee and make thee ready to perform the rights for the burial of thy lord. I now go to tell the tidings to thy mistress, and I will quickly return to help thee in this matter. At that instant, Qasim's widow, seeing her brother-in-law, exclaimed, Oh, Alibaba, what news bringest thou of my spouse? Alas, I see grief tokens written upon thy countenance. Say quickly, what hath happened. Then he recounted to her how it had fared with her husband,

and how he had been slain by the robbers, and in what wise he had brought home the dead body. And as the morn began to dawn, Shahrazad held her peace, till, the end of the six hundred and twenty-ninth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that ali baba pursued oh my lady what was to happen hath happened but it behooveth us to keep this matter secret for that our lives depend upon privacy she wept with sore weeping and made answer it hath fared with my husband according to the fiat of fate and now for thy safety's sake i give thee my word to keep the affair concealed he replied naught can avail when allah hath decreed rest thee in patience until the days of thy widowhood be accomplished after which time i will take thee to wife and thou shalt live in comfort and happiness and fear not lest my first spouse vex thee or show aught of jealousy, for that she is kindly and tender of heart. The widow, lamenting her loss noisily, cried, Be itine, thus thou please.

Then Alibaba farewelled her, weeping and wailing for her husband, and joining Morgiana, took counsel with her how to manage the burial of his brother. So after much consultation and many warnings, he left the slave-girl and departed home, driving his ass before him. As soon as Alibaba had fared forth, Morgiana went quickly to a druggist's shop, and that she might the better dissemble with him and not make know of the matter, she asked of him a drug often administered to men when diseased with dangerous distemper. He gave it, saying,

Who is there in thy house that lieth so ill as to require this medicine? And she said, My master Cossim is sick well nigh unto death. For many days he hath nor spoken nor tasted aught of food, so that almost we despair of his life. Next day, Mogiana went again and asked the druggist for more of medicine and essences such as are inhibited to the sick

when at door of death, that the Morband may happily rally before the last breath. The man gave the potion, and she, taking it, sighed aloud and wept, saying, I fear me he may not have strength to drink this draught, methinks all will be over with him ere I return to the house.

Meanwhile, Ali Baba was anxiously awaiting to hear sounds of wailing and lamentation in Qasim's home that he might at such signal, hasten thither, and take part in the ceremonies of the funeral. Early on the second day, Moghianna went with veiled face to one Baba Mustafa, a tailor well-shotten in years, whose craft was to make shrouds and sear-cloths. And as soon as she saw him open his shop,

she gave him a gold piece and said, Do thou bound to bandage over thine eyes, and come along with me. Gustafa made as though he would not go, whereat Mokiana placed a second gold coin in his palm and entreated him to accompany her. The tailor presently consented for greed of gain, so, tying a kerchief tightly over his eyes,

she led him by the hand to the house wherein lay the dead body of her master. Then, taking off the bandage in the darkened room, she bade him sew together the quarters of the corpse, limb to its limb, and, casting a cloth upon the body, body, said to the tailor, make haste and sew a shroud according to the size of this dead man, and I will give thee, therefore, yet another ducat.

Baba Mustafa quickly made the sir cloth, a fitting length and bread, and Morgiana paid him the promise to Shraffi. Then once more bandaging his eyes, led him back to the place when she had brought him. After this she returned hurriedly home, and with the help of Alibaba, washed the body in warm water, and, donning the shroud, lay the corpse upon a woman. a clean place ready for burial. This done, Morgiana went to the mosque and gave notice to an Imam that a funeral was awaiting the mourners in a certain household and prayed that he would come to read the prayers for the dead, and the Imam went back with her. Then four neighbors

took up the beer, and bore it on their shoulders and fared forth with the Imam and others who were want to give assistance at such obsequies. After the funeral, prayers were ended, four other men carried off the coffin. Morgiana walked before it bare of head, striking her breast and weeping and wailing with exceeding loud lament, whilst Alibaba and the neighbors came behind. In such order they entered the cemetery and buried him. Then leaving him to Munkar and Nakhia the questioners of the dead all wended their ways. Presently the women of the quarter, according to the custom of the city, gathered together

in the house of mourning and sat an hour with Kasim's widow, comforting and condoling. presently leaving her somewhat resigned and cheered. Alibaba stayed forty days at home in ceremonial lamentation for the loss of his brother, so none within the town safe himself and his wife, Kasim's widow, and Moghanna, knew aught about the secret. And when the forty days of mourning were ended, Ali Baba removed to his own quarters all the property belonging to the deceased, and openly married the widow.

Then he appointed his nephew, his brother's eldest son, who had lived along time with a wealthy merchant and was perfect of knowledge in all matters of trade such as selling and buying to take charge of the defunct's shop and to carry on the business and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held a piece till the end of the six hundred and thirtieth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king it so chanced one day when the robbers as was there one came to the treasure-cave that they marvelled exceedingly to find nor sign nor trace of Cassim's body, thus they observed that much of gold have been carried off. Quoth the captain, Now it behooveeth us, to make inquiry into this manner, else shall we suffer much of loss, and this our treasure which we and our forefathers have amassed

during the course of many years will little by little be wasted and spoiled. Here too all assented, and with single mind, agreed that he whom they had slain had knowledge of the magical words whereby the door was made to open. Moreover, that someone beside him had cognizance the spell, and had carried off the body, and also much of gold. Wherefore, their needs must make diligent research and find out who the man ever might be. They then took counsel, and determined that one amongst them,

who should be sagacious and deft of wit, must don the dress of some merchant from foreign parts. Then, repairing to the city, he must, go about from quarter to quarter and from street to street and learn if any townsman had lately died, and if so, where he went to dwell, that with this clue they might be enabled to find the white they sought. Hereat, said one of the robbers, grant me leave, that I fare, and find out such tidings in the town, and bring thee word, and if I fail of my purpose, I hold my life in forfeit. accordingly that bandit after disguising himself by dress pushed at night into the town and next morning early he repaired to the market square and saw that none of the shops had yet been open save only that of babemstapa the tailor

who thread and needle in hand sat upon his working-stool the thief bade him good day and said tis yet dark how canst thou see to sow said the tailor i perceive thou art of strange "'Despite my years, my eyesight is so keen that only yesterday I sewed together a dead body, "'while sitting in a room quite darkened.' "'Coth the bandit thereupon to himself. I shall get somewhat of my want from this snip.' "'And to secure a further clue,' he asked, "'ne seemeth thou wouldst just with me, and thou meanest that a seer-cloth for a corpse was "'wist by thee, and that thy business is to sow shrouds,' answered the tailor, "'It mattereth not to thee. Question me no more questions.'

Thereupon the robber placed an ashrafi in his hand and continued, "'I desire not to discover aught thou hideous, albeit my breast like every honest man's, is the grave of secrets, and this only would I learn of thee. In what house didst thou do that job? Canst thou direct me thither, or thyself conduct me thereto?' The tailor took the gold with greed, and cried, I have not seen, with my own eyes, the way to that house. A certain bondswoman led me to a place which I know right well, and there she bandaged my eyes and guided me to some tenement,

and lastly carried me into a darkened room where lay a dead body dismembered. Then she unbound the kerchief and bade me so together first, the corpse, and then the shroud. Which, having done, she again blindfolded me and led me back to the stead when she had brought me. and left me there. Thou seest then I am not able to tell thee where thou shalt find the house. Quoth the robber,

albeit thou knowest not the dwelling whereof thou speakest, still canst thou take me to the place where thou wast blindfolded, then I will bind a kerchief over their eyes and lead thee as thou wast led. On this wise, perchance thou mayest hit upon the sight. And thou wilt do this favour by me? See here another golden ducat. is thine. Thereupon the bandit slipped a second Ashrafi into the tailor's palm, and Baba Mustafa thrust it with the first into his pocket. Then leaving the shop as it was, he walked to the place

where Mugianna had tied that kerchief around his eyes, and with him went the robber, who after binding on the bandage led him by the hand. Baba Mustafa, who was clever and keen-witted, presently striking the street whereby he had fared with the handmaid, walked on, counting step by step. Then halting suddenly, he said, Thus far, I came with her, and the twain stopped in front of Kasim's house, wherein now dwelt his brother Ali Baba. And as the morn began to dawn, Jehrazad held her peace till. The end of the six hundred and thirty-first night. Then, said she, I have heard of auspicious king that the robber then made marks with white chalk upon the door, to the end that he might readily find it at some future time, and removing the bandage from the tailor's eyes, said,

O Baba Mustafa, I thank thee for this favour, and Almighty Allah girden thee for thy goodness. Tell me, now I pray thee, who dwelleth in yonder house? Quoth he, in very soon thou what not, for I have little knowledge concerning this quarter of the city, and the bandit, understanding that he could find no further clue from the tailor, dismissed him to his shop with abundant thanks, and hastened back to the trist place in the jungle where the band awaited his coming.

Not long after, it's so fortunate that Moghanna, going out upon some errand, marvelled exceedingly at seeing the chalk mark showing white in the door. She stood a while deep in thought and presently divined that some enemy had made the signs,

that he might recognize the house and place some slight upon her lord. She therefore chalked the doors of all her neighbors in like manner, and kept the matter secret, never entrusting it, or to master or to mistress. Meanwhile, the robber told his comrades his tale of adventure and how he had found the clue. So the captain, and with him all the band, went one after other by different ways till they entered the city, and he who had placed the mark on Alibaba's door accompanied the chief to point out the place. He conducted him straightway to the house, and showing the sign, exclaimed,

"'Iredwellethy of whom we are in search. But when the captain looked around him, he saw that all the dwellings bore chalk marks after like fashion, and he wondered, saying, "'By what manner of means, knowest thou which house of all these houses that bear similar signs, is that whereof thou's beggest?' Hereat the robber guide was confounded, beautiful. don't measure of confusion, and could make no answer. Then, with an oath, he cried, I did assuredly set a sign upon a door, but I know not whence came all the mugs upon the other

entrances, nor can I say for a surety which it was, I choked. Thereupon the captain returned to the marketplace and said to his men, we have toiled and labored in vain, nor have we found the house we went forth to seek. Return we now to the forest our rendez-ro. I also will fare thither. Then all trooped off and assembled together within the treasure-cave, and when the robbers had all met, the captain judged him worthy of punishment who had spoken falsely,

and had led them through the city to no purpose. So he imprisoned him in presence of them all. And then said he, To him amongst you, will I show special favour? who shall go to town and bring me intelligence whereby we may lay hands upon the plunderer of our property hereat another of the company came forward and said i am ready to go and inquire into the case and tis i who will bring thee to thy wish the captain after giving him presents and promises dispatched him upon his errand and by the decree of destiny which none may gain say the second robber went first to the house of baba mustafa the tailor as had done the thief who had foregone him. In like manner he also persuaded the snip with gifts of golden coin,

that he be led hoodwinked, and thus too he was guided to Alibapestore. Here, noting the work of his predecessor, he affixed to the jam a mark with red chalk, the better to distinguish it from the others wherein still showed the white. Then tried he back in stealth to his company. But Moriana, on her part, also described the red sign on the entrance, and with subtle forethought marked all the others after the same fashion, nor told she any what she had done. Meanwhile, the bandit rejoined his band, and

vauntingly said, Oh, our captain, I have found the house, and thereon put a mark whereby I shall distinguish it clearly from all its neighbors. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazadegh held her peace till The End of Adababa Part 1. Section 14 of the Book of the Thousand knights in a night, volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This Libra of Ux recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Alibaba and the 40 Thieves. Part 2. The end of the 632nd night.

Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious King, that the captain dispatched another of his men to the city, and he found the place, but, as aforetime, when the troop prepared thither, they saw each and every house marked the signs of red chunk. So they returned disappointed, and the captain, waxing displeased, exceedingly, and distraught, clapped also the spy into jail. Then said the chief to himself, "'Two men have failed in their endeavor, and have met their rightful need of punishment, and I trow that none other of my band will essay to follow up their research. So I myself will go and find the house of this white. Accordingly, he fared along, and aided by the tailor of Baba

Mustafa, who had gained much gain of golden pieces in this matter, he hit upon the house of Aribaba, and here he made no outward show or sign, but marked it on the tablet of his heart, and impressed the picture upon the page of his memory. Then, returning to the jungle, he said to his men, I have full cognizance of the place and have limned it clearly in my mind. So now there will be no difficulty in finding it. Go forth straightways, and buy me and bring hither nineteen mules together with one large leathern jar of mustard oil, and seven and thirty vessels of the same kind, clean empty. Without me and the two locked up in jail, ye number thirty-seven souls, so I will stow you away, armed and accoutred, each within his jar,

and will load two upon each mule, and upon the nineteenth mule there shall be a man in an empty jar on one side, and on the other the jar full of oil. I, for my part, in guise of an oil merchant, will drive the mules into the town, arriving at the house by night, and will ask permission of its master to tarry there until morning. After this we shall seek occasion during the dark hours to rise up and fall upon him and slay him. Furthermore, the captain spake, saying, When we have made an end of him, we shall recover the gold and treasure whereof he robbed us, and bring it back upon the mules. This council pleased the robbers, who went forthwith and purchased mules and huge leathern jars and did as the captain had bidding them.

And after a delay of three days, shortly before nightfall, they arose, and over-smearing all the jars with oil of mustard, each hid him inside an empty vessel. The chief then disguised himself in traders' gear and placed the jars upon the nineteen mules, to wit the 37 vessels, in each of which lay a robber armed and accoutred, and the one that was full of oil. This done, he drove the beasts before him, and presently he reached Alibaba's place at nightfall, when it chanced that the housemaster was strolling after supper to and fro in front of his home. The captain saluted him, with the salam, and said, I come from such and such a village with oil, and oft times I have been here a selling oil, but now to my grief I have

arrived too late, and I am sore troubled and perplexed as to where I shall spend the night. And thou have pity on me, I pray thee grant that I tarry here in thy courtyard, and ease the mules by taking down the jars and giving the beasts somewhat a fodder. Albeit Alibaba had heard the captain's voice, when perched upon the tree, and had seen him enter the cave, yet by reason of the disguise he knew him not, for the leader of the thieves, and granted his request with hearty welcome, and gave him full license to halt there for the night. He then pointed out an empty shed, wherein to tether the mules,

and bade one of the slave-boys go fetch grain and water. He also gave orders to the slave-girl Morgiana, saying, A guest hath come hither, and tarrieth here to-night. Do thou busy thyself with all speed about his supper, and make ready the guest-bed for him. Presently, when the captain had let down all the jars, and had fed and watered his mules, Halibaba received him with all courtesy and kindness,

and summoning Ogyana, said in his presence, See thou fail not in service of this our stranger, no suffer him to lack for aught. Tomorrow early I would fare to the hammam and bathe. So do thou give my slave-boy Abdullah a suit of clean white clothes, which I may put on after watch it? Moreover, make thee ready somewhat a broth overnight that I may drink it after my return home. replied she i will have all in readiness as thou hast bidden so ali baba retired to his rest and the captain having supped repaired to the shed and saw that all the mules had their food and drink for the night and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and thirty-third night then said she

i have heard o auspicious king that the captain after seeing to the mules and the jars which ali baba and his household held to be full of oil finding utter privacy whispered to his men who were in ambush this night at midnight when you hear my voice do you quickly open with your sharp knives the leathern jars from top to bottom and if you fall without delay then passing through the kitchen he reached the chamber wherein a bed had been to spread for him morgiana showing the way with a lamp quoth she and thou need aught beside i pray thee command this thy slave who is ever ready to obey thy say he made answer not else need i then putting out the light he lay him down on the bed to sleep awhile ere the time came to rouse his men and finish off the work meanwhile morgiana did as her master had bidden her she first took out a suit of clean white clothes and made it over to abdulah who had not yet gone to rest then she placed the pifkin upon the hearth to boil the broth and blew the fire till it burnt briskly after a short delay she needs must see in the broth be boiling but by that time all the lamps had gone out and she found that the oil was spent and that nowhere could she get a light the slave boy abdula observed that she was troubled perplexed hereat and quoth he to her why make he so much ado in yonder shed are many jars of oil go now and take as much so ever as thou listest morgiana gave thanks to him for his suggestion and abdula who was lying at his ease in the hall went off to sleep so that he might wake betimes and serve ali baba in the bath so the handmaid and with oil-canid hand walked to the shed where stood the leathern jars all ranged in rows

now as she drew nigh unto one of the vessels the thief who was hidden therein hearing the tread of footsteps bethought him that it was of his captain who summons he awaited so he whispered, is it now time for us to sally forth? Morgiana started back, affrighted at the sound of human accents, but inasmuch as she was bold and ready of which, he replied, The time has not yet come, and said to herself, these jars are not full of oil, and herein I perceive a manner of mystery. Happily, the oil merchant hatcheth some treacherous plot against my lord. So Allah, the compassionating, the compassionation. protect us from his snares wherefore she answered in a voice made like to the captains not ere the time is not come then she went to the next jar and returned the same reply to him or as in him and so on to all the vessels one by one then said she in herself loud to the lord my master took this fellow in believing him to be an oil merchant but lo he hath admitted a band of robbers who only await the signal to fall upon him and plunder the place and do him die

then passed she on to the furthest jar and finding it brimming with oil filled her can and returning to the kitchen trimmed the lamp and lit the wicks then bringing forth a large cauldron she set it upon the fire, and filling it with oil from out the jar, heaped wood upon the hearth and fanned it to a fierce flame, the ready to boil its contents. When this was done, she bailed it out in potpulls, and poured it seething hot into the leathern vessels one by one, while the thieves, unable to escape, were scalded to death, and every jar contained a corpse. Thus did this slave-girl, by her subtle wit, make a clean end of all, noiselessly, and unknown even to the dwellers in the house. Now when she had satisfied herself that each and every of the man had been slain, she went back to the kitchen, and shutting the door, sat brewing on a Baba's brawl.

Scarce at an hour passed before the captain woke from sleep, and opening wide his window saw that all was dark and silent. So he clapped his hands as a signal for his men to come forth, but not a sound was heard in return. turn. After a while he clapped again, and called aloud, but got no answer. And when he cried out a third time without reply, he was perplexed and went out to the shed where he stood the jars. He thought to himself, perchance all are fallen asleep, when as the time of her action is now at hand. So I must in awaken them without stale delay. Then, approaching the nearest jar,

he was startled by a smell of oil and seething flesh, and, touching it outside, he felt it wreaking hot. Then, going to the others, one by one, he found all in like condition. Hereat he knew for a surety the fate which had retired at his band, and, peering for his own safety, he clom onto the wall, and then, strolling into a garden, made his escape in high dudgeon and sore disappointment. Mugiana waited a while to see the captain, Richard, turned from the shed, but he came not, whereat she knew that he had scaled the wall and taken to flight, for that the street door was double-locked, and the thieves being all disposed of in

this wise Mugiana laid her down to sleep in perfect solace and ease of mind. When two hours of darkness yet remained, Alibaba awoke and went to the Hamam, knowing not of the night adventure, for the gallant slave-girl had not aroused him, nor indeed had she deemed such action expedient, because had she sought an opportunity of reporting to him a plan, she might happily have lost a chance and spoiled the project. The sun was high over the horizon when Alibaba walked back from the baths, and he marvelled exceedingly to see the jars still standing under the shed, and said, how cometh it that he, the oil merchant, my guest,

hath not carried to the market his mules and jars of oil? And as the bourne began to dawn, Cherazade held a piece, till? The end of the six hundred and thirty-fourth night. Then, said she, I have heard, Ouspicious King, that Alibaba presently asked Morgiana what had befallen the oil merchant as guest, whom he had placed under her charge,

and she answered, Allah Almighty vouchsafed to these six score years and ten of safety. I will tell thee, in privacy, of this merchant. So, Alibaba went apart with his slave-girl, who, taking him without the house, first locked the court. door. Then, showing him a jar, she said, Pray they look into this and see if within there be oil or aught else.

Thereupon, peering and sighted, he perceived a man, at which sight he cried aloud, and fain would have fled in his fright. Quoth Morgiana, fear him not, this man hath no longer the force to work thee harm. He lieth dead and stone dead. Hearing such words of comfort and reassurance, Alibaba asked, O Morgiana, what evils have we? escaped, and by what means have this wretch become the quarry of fate? She answered,

Alhamdala, praise be to Almighty Allah, I will inform thee fully of the case, but hush thee, speak not aloud, lest happily the neighbours learn the secret, and it end in our confusion. Look now into all the jars, one by one, from first to last. So, Alibaba examined them severally and found in each, a man fully armed and accouted, and all lay scalded to death.

Hereat, speechless for sheer amazement, he stared at the jars, but presently recovering himself, he asked, And where is he, the oil merchant? Answered she, of him also I will inform thee. The villain was no traitor, but a traitorous assassin, whose honeyed words would have ensnared thee to thy doom, and now I will tell thee what he was and what have happened. But meanwhile, thou art fresh from the hammam, and thou shouldst first drink somewhat of this broth for thy stomachs and thy health's sake.

So, Ali Baba went within, and Morgiana served up the mess, after which, both a master, I fain would hear this wonder's story. Pithee, tell it to me, and set my heart at ease. Hereat the handmaid fell to relating what so had betided in these words. O my master, when thou baddest me boil the broth and retirest to rest, Thy slave in obedience to thy command took out a suit of clean white clothes And gave it to the boy Abdullah, then kindled the fire and set on the broth. As soon as it was ready, I had need to light a lamp so that I might see to skim it. But all the oil was spent, and learning this I told my want to the slave boy Abdullah,

who advised me to draw somewhat from the jars which stood under the shed. Accordingly I took a can and went to the first vessel, when suddenly I heard a voice within, whisper with all caution, Is it now time for us to sally forth? I was amazed thereat, and judged that the pretended merchant had laid some plot to slay thee, so I replied, The time is not yet. Then I went to the second jar and heard another voice,

to which I made the like answer, and so on with all of them. I now was certified that these men awaited only some signal from their chief, whom thou didst take to guest within thy walls, supposing him to be a merchant in oil, and that after thou receivest him hospitably, the miscreant had brought these men to murder thee, and to plunder thy good and spoil thy house. But I gave him no opportunity to win his wish, the last jar I found full of oil, and, taking somewhat there, from I lit the lamp. Then putting a large cauldron upon the fire, I filled it up with oil,

which I brought from the jar, and made a fierce blaze under it, and when the contents were seething hot, I took out sundry cans full with intent to scald them all to death, and going to each jar in due order, I poured within them one by one boiling oil. On this wise, having destroyed them utterly, I returned to the kitchen, and, having extinguished the lamps, stood by the window watching what might happen, and how that false merchant would act next. Not long after I had taken my station, the robber captain awoke, and off-time signalled to his thieves. Then, getting no reply, he came downstairs, and went out to the jars. And finding that all his men were slain, he fled through the darkness, I know not whither. So when he had clean disappeared, I was

assured that the door being double-locked he had scaled the wall, and dropped into the garden and made his escape. Then, with my heart at rest, I slept. And Porgiana, after telling her story to her master, presently added, this is the whole truth I have related to thee. For some days, indeed, have I had inkling of such matter, but withheld it from thee, deeming it inexpedient to risk the chance of its meeting the neighbour's ears. Now, however, there is no help but to tell thee thereof. one day as i came to the house door i espied thereon a white chalk mark and on the next day a red sign beside the white i knew not the intent wherewith the marks were made nevertheless i set others upon the entrances of sundry neighbours judging that some enemy had done this deed whereby to encompass my master's destruction therefore i made the marks on all the other doors in such perfect conformity with those i found that it would be hard to distinguish amongst them and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and thirty-fifth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that morgiana continued to alibaba

judge now and see if these signs and all this villainy be not the work of the bandits of the forest who marked a house that on such wise they might know it again of these forty thieves there yet remain two others concerning whose case i know not so beware of this them but chiefly of the third remaining robber, their captain, who fled hence alive. Take good heed, and be thou cautious of him, for shouldst thou fall into his hands, he will in no wise spare thee, but will surely murder thee. I will do all that lieth in me to save from hurt and harm thy life and property, nor shall thy slave be found wanting in any service to my lord. Hearing these words, Alibaba rejoiced with exceeding joyance, and said to her, i am well pleased with thee for this thy conduct and say me what wouldst thou have me do in thy behalf i shall not fail to remember thy brave deed so long as breath in me remaineth

quoth she it behooveth us before all things forthright to bury these bodies in the ground so that the secret be not known to any one hereupon alibaba took with him his slave-boy abdula into the garden and there under a tree they dug for the corpses of the thieves a deep pit, in size proportionate to its contents, and they dragged the bodies, having carried off their weapons, to the Foss, and threw them in. Then covering up the remains of the seven-and-thirty robbers, they made the ground appear level and clean as it want to be. They also hid the leathern jars and the gear and arms, and presently Alibaba sent the mules by ones and twos to the bazaar and sold them all, with the able aid of his slave-boy Abdullah. Thus the matter was hushed up, nor did it reach the ears of any. Alibaba ceased not to be ill at ease, lest happily the captain or the surviving two robbers

should wreak their vengeance on his head. He kept himself private with all caution, and took heed that none learn a word of what happened, and of the wealth which he had carried off from the bandit's cave. Meanwhile, the captain of the thieves, having escaped with his life, fled to the forest in hot wrath and sore irk of mind and his senses were scattered and the color of his visage vanished like ascending smoke then he thought the matter over again and again and at last he firmly resolved that he needs must take the life of alibaba else he would lose all the treasure which his enemy by knowledge of the magical words would take away and turn to his own use furthermore he determined that he would undertake the business single handed, and that after getting rid of Alibaba, he would gather together another band of banditti, and would pursue his career of brigandage, as indeed his forebears had done for many generations. So he lay down to rest that night, and rising early in the morning, dawned a dress of suitable

appearance. Then, going to the city, alighted at a caravansaray, thinking to himself, Doubtless the murder of so many men hath reached the Wally's ears. and Alibaba have been seized and brought to justice, and his house is levelled, and his good is confiscated. The townfolk must surely have heard tidings of these matters. So he straightway asked of the keeper of the Khan, What strange things have happened in the city during the last few days? And the other told him all that he had seen and heard,

but the captain could not learn a whit of that which most concerned him. hereby he understood that alibaba was ware and wise and that he had not only carried away such store of treasure but he had also destroyed so many lives and withal had come off scathless furthermore that he himself must needs have all his wits alert not to fall into the hands of his foe and perish with this resolve the captain hired a shop in the bazaar whither he bore whole bales of the finest stuffs and goodly murder merchandise from his forest treasure house, and presently he took his seat within the store and fell to doing merchants' business. By chance, his place fronted the booth of the defunct Cassium, where his son, Ali Baba's nephew, now traded, and the captain, who called himself Kwa Jha Hassan, soon formed acquaintance and friendship with the shopkeepers around about him, and treated all with profuse civilities. But he was especially gracious and cordial to the son of

cousin, a handsome youth and a well-dressed, and oftentimes he would sit and chat with him for a long while. A few days after, it chanced that Alibaba, as he was sometimes one to do, came to see his nephew, whom he found sitting in his shop. The captain saw and recognized him at sight, and one morning he asked the young man, saying, "'Brithee tell me, who is he that ever and anon cometh to thee at thy place of sale? Where to the youth made answer, He is my uncle, the brother of my father, whereupon the captain showed him yet greater favor and affection, the better to deceive him for his own devices, and gave him presents and made him sit at meat with him, and fed him with the daintiest of dishes. Presently Alibaba's nephew

bethought him, it was only right and proper that he also should invite the merchant to supper. but whereas his own house was small, and he was straightened for room and could not make a show of splendor, as did Quaja Hassan, he took counsel with his uncle on the matter. And as the morn began to dawn, Jehrazad held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and thirty-sixth night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Alibaba replied to his nephew, thou sayest well, it behooeth thee to thee to, to behooeth thee to, entreat thy friend in fairest fashion, even as he hath entreated thee. On the morrow, which is Friday, shut thy shop as do all merchants of repute. Then after the early meal, take Quaja Hassan to smell the air, and as thou walkest, lead him hither unawares. Meanwhile, I will give orders that Moghiana shall make ready for his coming the best of Vions and all necessaries for a feast. trouble not thyself on any wise, but leave the matter in my hands. Accordingly, on the next day, to wit Friday, the nephew of Alibaba took Quacha Hassan to walk about the garden,

and as they were returning, he led him by the street wherein his uncle dwelt. When they came to the house, the youth stopped at the door, and knocking, said, Oh, my lord, this is my second home. My uncle hath heard much of the, and of thy goodness me words, and desireth with succeeding desire to see thee. So shouldst thou consent to enter and visit him, I shall be truly glad and thankful to thee. Albeit Guantajahasan rejoiced in heart that he had thus found means

whereby he might have access to his enemy's house and household, and although he hoped soon to attain his end by treachery, yet he hesitated to enter in and stood to make his excuses and walk away. but when the door was opened by the slave porter, Ali Baba's nephew seized his companion's hand and after abundant persuasion led him in, whereat he entered with great show of cheerfulness, as though much pleased and honoured.

The housemaster received him with all favour and worship, and asked him of his welfare, and said to him, O my lord, I am obliged and thankful to thee, for that thou hast shown favour to the son of my brother, and I perceived that thou hast shown favour to the son of my brother, and I perceived that thou regardest him with an affection even fonder than my own. Quaja Hassan replied with pleasant words and said,

"'Thy nephew vastly taketh my fancy, and in him I am well pleased, for that, although young in years, yet he hath been undued by Allah with much of wisdom.' Thus they twain conversed with friendly conversation, and presently the guest rose to depart, and said, "'O my lord, thy slave must not. now farewell thee, but on some future day, Inchallah, he will again wait upon thee. Alibaba, however, would not let him leave, and ask, Whither when dost thou, O my friend? I would invite thee to my table, and I pray thee, sit at meet with us, and after hide thee home in peace. Perchance the dishes are not as delicate as those whereof thou art want to eat,

still Dane grant me this request, I pray thee, and refresh thyself with my vitil. Quoth Quaja Hassan, O my lord, I am beholden to thee for thy gracious invitation, and with pleasure would I sit at meet with thee, but for a special reason must I needs excuse myself. Suffer me therefore to depart, for I may not tarry longer nor accept thy gracious author. Here, too, the host made reply, I pray thee, oh my lord, tell me what may be the reason so urgent and waiting. And Quaja Hassan answered, The cause is this.

I must not, by order of the physician, who cured me lately of my complaint, eat ought of food prepared with salt. Quote Ali Baba, and this be all, deprive me not, I pray thee of the honour thy company will confer upon me, as the meats are not yet cooked, I will forbid the kitchener to make use of any salt. Terry here a while, and I will be turning on to thee. So saying, Alibaba went into Moghiana and bade her not put salt into any one of the dishes, and she, while busy with her cooking, fell to marveling greatly at such order,

and asked her master, Who is he that eateth meat where in is no salt? He answered, What to thee matter of it, who he may be? only do thou my bidding. She rejoined, Tis well, all shall be as thou wishest, but in mind she wondered at the man

who made such strange request, and desired much to look upon him. Wherefore, when all the meats were ready for serving up, she helped the slave-boy Abdullah to spread the table and set on the meal, and no sooner did she seek Guajahasan than she knew who he was, albeit he had disguised himself

in the dress of a stranger murder, Furthermore, when she eyed him attentively, she espied a dagger hidden under his robe. So ho, quoth she to herself, this is the cause why the villain eateth not of salt, for that he seeketh an opportunity to slay my master, whose mortal enemy he is. Howbeit I will be beforehand with him and dispatch him, ere he find a chance to harm my lord. And as the morn began to dawn, Shehrazad held her peace till. The end of the 637th night.

Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Mugiana, having spread a white cloth upon the table and served up the meal, went back to the kitchen and thought out her plot against the robber captain. Now, when Alibaba and Kwaja Hassan had eaten their sufficiency, the slave-boy Abdullah brought Morgiana word to serve the

dessert, and she cleared the table and set on fresh fruit and dried in salvers. Then she placed by the side of Alibaba a small tripod for three cups, with a flagon of wine, and lastly she went off with the slave-boy Abdullah into another room, as though she would herself each supper. Then Kwaja Hassan, that is the captain of the robbers, perceiving that the coast was clear, exulted mightily, saying to himself, the time hath come for me to take full vengeance. With one thrust of my dagger, I will dispatch this fellow.

Then escape across the garden and when my ways. His nephew will not adventure to stay my hand, for Annie do but move a finger or toe with that intent. Another stab will settle his earthly account. Still must I wait a while until the slave boy and the cookmaid shall have eaten and lain down to rest them in the kitchen. Morgiana, however, watched him wistfully,

and, divining his purpose, said in her mind, I must not allow this villain advantage over my lord, but by some means I must make void his project, and at once put an end to the life of him. Accordingly, the trusty slave girl changed her dress with all haste and donned such clothes as dancers wear. She veiled her face with a costly kerchief. Around her head she bound a fine turbaned, and about her middle she tied a waistcloth

worked with gold and silver, wherein she stuck, a dagger, whose hilt was rich in filigree and jewelry. Thus disguised, she said to the slave-boy Abdullah, Take now thy tambourine, that we may play and sing and dance in honour of our master's guest. So he did her bidding, and the twain went into the room, the lad playing, and the last following. Then making a low kanji, they asked leave to perform and to sport and play, and Ali Baba gave permission, saying, Dance now, and do your best that this our guest may be mirthful and merry. Both Kwaja Hassan, oh my lord, thou dost indeed provide much pleasant entertainment.

Then the slave boy Abdullah, standing by, began to strike the tambourine, whilst Morgiana rose up and showed her perfect art and pleased them vastly with graceful steps and sportive motion. And suddenly drawing the poniard from her belt, she brandished it and paced from side to side, a spectacle which pleased them most of all. At times also she stood before them, now clapping the sharp-edged dagger under her armpit and then setting it against her breast. Lastly, she took the tambourine from the slave boy Abdullah, and still holding the poniard in her right hand, she went round for La Jess, as is the custom amongst merry-makers. First she stood before Alibaba, who threw a gold coin into the tambourine,

and his nephew likewise put in a shraffi. Then Kwa Jha-Hasan, seeing her about to approach him, fell to pulling out his purse. When she heartened her heart and, quick as the blinding levy, she plunged the dagger into his vitals, and forthwith the miscreant fell back stone-dead. Alibaba was dismayed and cried in his wrath, Oh, unhappy, what is this deed thou hast done to bring about my ruin?

But she replied, nay, O my lord, rather to save thee and not to cause the harm, have I slain this man? Loosen his garments and see what thou wilt discover thereunder. So, Ali Baba searched the dead man's dress, and found concealed therein a dagger. Then, said Morgiana, this wretch was thy deadly enemy, consider him well. He is none other than the oil merchant, the captain of the band of robbers. When as he came hither with intent to take thy life, he would not eat thy salt. And when thou toldest me that he wished not any in the meat, I suspected him,

and at first sight I was assured that he would surely do thee die. Almighty Allah be praised his even as I thought. Then Alibabao lavished upon her thanks and expressions of gratitude, saying, lo, these two times hast thou saved me from his hand. And falling upon her neck, he cried, See, thou art free. And as reward for this thy fealty, I have wedded thee to my nephew.

Then, turning to the youth, he said, Do as I bid thee and thou shalt prosper. I would that thou marry Morgiana, who is a model of duty and loyalty. Thou seest now, Jan Kwaja Hassan sought thy friendship only that he might find opportunity to take my life. But this maiden with her good sense and her wisdom hath slain him and saved us.

And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the 638th night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Alibaba's nephew straightway consented to marry Morgiana, after which the three, raising the dead body, bore it forth with all heed and vigilance and privily buried it in the garden. And for many years no one

knew ought thereof. In due time, Ali Baba married his brother's son to Moghiana with great pomp, and spread a bride-feast in most sumptuous fashion for his friends and neighbors, and made merry with them and enjoyed singing and all manner of dancing and amusements. He prospered in every undertaking, and time smiled upon him, and a new source of wealth was open. to him. For fear of the thieves, he had not once visited the jungle cave wherein lay the treasure, since the day he had carried forth the corpse of his brother Kassim. But sometime after, he mounted his hackney one morning, and journeyed thither, with all care and caution, till, finding no signs of man or horse, and reassured in his mind, he ventured to draw near the door. Then, alighting from his

beast, he tied it up to a tree, and going to the entrance pronounced the words which, he had not forgotten. Open, O Sim-Sim. Hereat, as was its want, the door flew open, and entering thereby he saw the goods and hoard of gold and silver, untouched and lying as he had left them. So he felt assured that not one of all the thieves remained alive, and that save himself there was not a soul who knew the secret of the place. At once he bound in his saddle-cloth a load of a shraffy such as his horse could bear, and brought it home. And in after-days he showed the the hoard to his sons and sons' sons and taught them how the door could be caused to open and shut. Thus, Ali Baba and his household lived all their lives in wealth and joyance in that city

where erst he had been a pauper, and by the blessing of that secret treasure, he rose to high degree and dignities. And as the morn began to dawn, Jehrazad held her peace till End of the Tale of Alibaba and the Forty Thieves, Part 2. Section 15 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Ali Kwaja and the Merchant of Baghdad The End of the 639th Night.

Then, by the command of King Shariar, Queen Shahazad began to tell in these words the story of Ali Kwaja and the merchant of Baghdad. Under the reign of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, there dwelt in the city of Baghdad a certain merchant, Ali Kwajahite, who had a small stock of goods, wherewith he bought and sold and made a bare livelihood, abiding alone and without a family, in the house of his forebears. Now, so it came to pass that each night, for three nights together, he saw in a vision of venerable sheikh who bespake him thus now art beholden to make a pilgrimage to mecca why abidest thou sunk in heedless slumber and farest not forth as it behooth thee hearing these words he became sore startled and affrighted so that he sold shop and goods and all that he had and with firm intent to visit the holy house of almighty allah he let his home on hire and joined a caravan that was journeyed

to Mecca the magnified. But ere he left his natal city, he placed a thousand gold pieces, which were over and above his need for the journey, within an earthen jar, filled up with the safari, or sparrow olives, and, having made fast the mouth thereof, he carried the jar to a merchant friend of many years standing, and said, "'Beliko, my brother, thou hast heard tell that I purpose going with the caravan on pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city, so I have brought a jar of olives, the which I pray thee preserve for me and trust against my return. The merchant at once arose, and handing the key of his warehouse to Aliquacha, said, here, take the key, and open the store, and therein place the jar anywhere

thou choosest, and when thou shalt come back thou wilt find it even as thou leftest it. Hereupon, Aliquaja did his friend's bidding, and locking up the door, returned the key to its master. Then, loading his traveling goods upon a dromedary, and mounting a second beast, he fared forth with the caravan. They came at length to Mecca the magnified,

and it was the month of Zoo Al-Hira, wherein myriads of moslems, high thither on pilgrimage and pray and prostrate before the Kaaba temple. And when he had circuited the Holy House and fulfilled all the rights and ceremonies required of Palmer's, he set up a shop for sale of merchandise. By chance, two merchants passing along that street espied the fine stuffs and goods in Aliquaj's booth, and approved much of them and praised their beauty and

excellence. Presently, quoth one to other, this man bringeth here most rare and costly goods. Now, in Cairo the capital of Egypt land, would he get full value for them, and far more. than in the markets of this city. Hearing mention of Cairo, Ali Quaja conceived a sore longing to visit that famous capital, so he gave up his intent of return Baghdadwards

and purposed wayfaring to Egypt. Accordingly, he joined a caravan, and arriving thither was well pleased with the place, both country and city, and selling his merchandise, he made great gain therefrom. Then, buying other goods and stuffs, he purposed to make Damascus.

But for one full month they tarried at Cairo and visited her sanctuaries in saintly places, and after leaving her walls, he solaced himself with seeing many famous cities distant several days' journey from the capital along the banks of the River Nylos. Presently, bidding adieu to Egypt,

he arrived at the sanctified house, Jerusalem, and prayed in the temple of Banu Israel, which the Muslims had reedified, In due time he reached Damascus, and observed that the city was well-built and much-peopled, and that the fields and meads were well-waters with springs and channels, and that the gardens and verdures were laden with flowers and fruits. Amid such delights, Al-Iqaja hardly thought of Baghdad. With all, he ceased not to pursue his journey through Aleppo, Mosul, and Shiraz,

tarrying some time at all of these towns, especially at Shiraz, till at length, after seven years of wayfaring, he came back to Baghdad. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till. The end of the six hundred and fortieth night. Then, said she, It behooveth thee now, oh, auspicious king, To hear of the Baghdad merchant and his lack of probity. For seven long years he never once thought of Aliquaja,

Or of the trust committed to his charge, till one day, as his wife sat at meat with him at the evening meal, their talk by chance was of olives, quoth she to him, I would now fain have some that I may eat of them, and quoth he, as thou speakest thereof, I bethink me of that aliquaja, who seven years ago fared on pilgrimage to Mecca, and ere he went left in trust with me a jar of sparrow olives, which still cumbereth the storehouse,

who knoweth where he is, or what hath betheth, him. A man who lately returned with the Hajkaravan brought me word that Aliquaja had quitted Mecca the magnified with intent to journey on to Egypt. Al-A Almighty alone knoweth, and he be still alive, or he be now dead. However, if his olives be in good condition, I will bring some hither, that we may taste them. So give me a platter and a lamp that I may fetch thee somewhat of them. His wife, an honest woman and an upright made answer. Allah forbid that thou shouldst do a deed so base and break thy word and covenant. Who can tell?

Thou art not assured by any of his death? Perchance he may come back from Egypt safe and sound tomorrow, or the day after. Then wilt thou, and thou cannot deliver unharmed to him what he hath left in pledge, be ashamed of this thy broken trough, and we shall be disgraced before man and dishonoured in the presence of thy friend. I will not for my part have any hand in such meanness, nor will I taste the olives. Furthermore, it standeth not to reason that after seven years keeping they should be fit to eat.

I do implore thee to forswear this ill purpose. On such wise, the merchant's wife protested and prayed her husband that he meddle not with Aliquaj's olives, and shamed him of his intent, so that, for the nonce, he cast the matter from his mind. However, although the trader refrained that evening from taking underquodges olives, yet he kept the design in memory until one day when, of his obstinacy and unfaith,

he resolved to carry out his project, and rising up, walked towards the storeroom, dish in hand. By chance he met his wife, who said, I am no partner with thee in this ill action. In very truth some evil shall befall thee, and thou do such deed. He heard her, but, but he did her not. And going to the storeroom opened the jar and found the olives spoiled and white with mold. But presently he tilted up the jar and pouring some of its contents into the dish, suddenly saw an ashrafi fall from the vessel, together with the fruit. Then, filled with greed, he turned out all that was within into another jar, and wondered with exceeding wonder to find

the lower half full of golden coins. Presently put him. up the monies and the olives, he closed the vessel, and going back, said to his wife, "'Thou spakest sooth, for I have examined the jar and have found the fruit mouldy and foul of smell, wherefore I returned it to its place and left it as it was aforetime. That night the merchant could not sleep a wink for thinking of the gold and how he might lay hands thereon, and when morning morrowed he took out all the ashrafis, and buying some fresh olives in the bizarre, filled up the jar with them, and closed the mouth and set it in its usual place. Now, it came to pass by Allah's mercy that at the end of the month, Aliquaja returned safe and

sound to Baghdad, and he first went to his old friend to wit the merchant, who, greeting him with feigned joy, fell on his neck, but withal was sore troubled and perplexed at what might happen. After salutations and much rejoicing on either part, Aliquaja bespeaked the merchant on business and begged that he might take back his jar of Ashrafi olives, which he had placed in charge of his familiar. Quoth the merchant to Aliquaja,

Oh, my friend, I wot not where that it's, leave thy jar of olives, but here is the key, go down to the storehouse, and take all that is thine own. So, Aliquadja did as he was bidden, and carrying the jar from the magazine took his leave and hastened home. But when he opened the vessel and found not the gold coins, he was distracted and overwhelmed with grief and made bitter lamentation. Then he returned to the merchant and said,

Oh, my friend, Allah the all present and the all-seeing be my witness, that when I went on my pilgrimage to Mecca the Magnified, I left a thousand or shroffes in that jar, and now I find them not. "'Canst thou tell me aught concerning them? "'And thou in thy sore need have made use of them? "'It mattereth not, so thou wilt give them back "'as soon as thou art able.'

"'The merchant, apparently pitying him, said, "'Oh, good friend, thou didst thyself with thine own hand "'set the jar inside the storeroom. "'I wist not that thou hadst aught in it save olives. "'Yet, as thou didst leave it, "'so in like manner didst thou find it and carry it away, and now thou chargeest me with theft of Ashrafis. It seemeth strange and passing strange that thou shouldst make such accusation.

When thou wintest thou madeest no mention of any money in the jar, but saidst that it was full of olives, even as thou hast found it. Hadst thou left gold coins therein, then surely thou wouldst have recovered them. Hereupon Aliquadja begged hard, with much entreaties, saying, "'Those thousands of shraffis were all I owned, "'the money earned by years of toil. "'I do beseech thee have pity on my case, "'and give them back to me,' replied the merchant,

"'waxing wrath, with great wrath, "'oh, my friend, a fine fellow thou art, "'to talk of honesty, "'and with all make such false and lying charge, "'begone, high thee hence, "'and come not to my house again, "'for now I know thee as thou art, "'a swindler and imposter.'

hearing this dispute between aliquaja and the merchant all the people of the quarter came crowding to the shop and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and forty-first night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that the multitude which thronged about the merchant's shop warmly took up the matter and thus it became well known to all rich and poor within the city of baghdad how that one ali quaja had hidden a thousand of shraffes within a jar of olives and had placed it on trust with a certain merchant moreover how after pilgrimageing to mecca and seven years of travel the poor man had returned and that the rich man had gained said his words, anent the gold, and was ready to make oath that he had not received any trust of the kind. At length, when not else availed, Aliquaja was constrained to bring the matter before the Qazi, and to claim one thousand or shrapes of his false friend. The judge asked, What witnesses hast thou who may speak for thee? And the plaintiff answered, Oh, my lord the Qazi, I feared to tell the matter to any man, lest all come to know of my secret.

"'Alla Almighty is my sole testimony. "'This merchant was my friend, "'and I reck not that he would prove dishonest and unfaithful. "'Foth the judge, "'then must I need send for the merchant "'and hear what he saith on oath. "'And when the defendant came, "'they made him swear by all he deemed holy,

"'facing the hubba words, with hands uplifted, "'and he cried, "'I swear that I know not of any Ashrafis belonging to Aliquaja.' "'Hereat the cup of the cup of, as he pronounced him innocent and dismissed him from court. And Aliquaja went home, sat at heart, and said to himself, Alas, what justice is this which hath been meted out to me, that I should lose my money, and my just cause be deemed unjust.

It hath been truly said, he looseth the lave who sueth before a knave. On the next day he drew out a statement of his case, and as the Caliph Harun Arashid was on his way to Friday prayer, he fell down on the ground before him and presented to him the paper. The commander of the faithful read the petition, and having understood the case, Dain'd give order, saying, Tomorrow, bring the accuser and the accused to the audience hall

and place the petition before my presence, for I myself will inquire into this matter. That night, the Prince of True Believers, as was his wont, dawned disguised to walk about the squares of Baghdad and its streets and lanes, and accompanied by Jaafar the Barmakhi, and Masur, the sorter of his vengeance, proceeded to espy what happened in the city.

Immediately on issuing forth he came upon an open place in the bazaar when he heard the hubbub of children a-playing and saw at scanty distance some ten or dozen boys making sport amongst themselves in the moonlight, and he stopped a while to watch their diversion. Then one amongst the lads, a goodly and a fair complexion, said to the others, come now and let us play the game of kazi i will be the judge let one of you be aliquaja and another the merchant with whom he placed thousand ashrafis in pledge before faring on his pilgrimage so come ye before me and let each one plead his plea

when the caliph heard the name of aliquaja he minded him of the petition which had been presented to him for justice against the merchant and we thought him that he would wait and see how the boy would perform the part of kazi in their game, and upon what decision he would decide. So the prince watched the mock trial with keen interest, saying to himself, This case hath verily made such stir within the city that even the children know thereof and reenacted in their sports. Presently, he amongst the lads who took the part of Aliquaja, the plaintiff, and his playmate who represented the merchant of Baghdad accused of theft, advanced and stood before the boy who, as the kazi, sat in pomp, dignity, quote the judge, O aliquaja, what is thy claim against this merchant?

And the complainant preferred his charge in a plea of full detail. Then said the kazi to the boy who acted merchant, What answerest thou to this complaint, and why didst thou not return the gold pieces? The accused made reply even as the real defendant had done, and denied the charge before the judge professing himself ready to take oath there to. Then, said the boy, Kazi, ere thou swear on oath that thou hast not taken the money, I would fain see for myself the jar of

olives which the plaintiff deposited with thee on trust. Then, turning to the boy who represented Aliquaja, he cried, Go thou and instantly produce the jar that I may inspect it. And when the vessel was brought, the Kazi said to the two contentious, See now, and say me, be this the very jar which thou the plaintiff left, with the defendant, and both answered that it was, and the same. Then said the self-constituted judge, Open now the jar, and bring hither some of the contents that I may see the state in which the al-Shrafi olives actually are.

Then tasting of the fruit, how is this? I find their flavor is fresh and their state excellent. Surely during the lapse of seven, twelve months, the olives would have become moldy and rotten. "'Bring now before me two oil merchants of the town "'that they may pass opinion upon them.' "'Then two other of the boys assumed the parts commanded, "'and coming into court stood before the Kasi, "'who asked, are ye olive merchants by trade?'

"'They answered, we are, "'and this hath been our calling for many generations, "'and in buying and selling olives we earn our daily bread.' "'Then,' said the Kazi, "'Tell me now, how long do olives keep fresh?' and well-flavored. And said they, Oh, my lord, however carefully we keep them, after the third year they change flavor and color,

and become no longer fit for food. In fact, they are good only to be cast away. Thereupon, quoth the boy, Kazi, examine me now these olives that are in this jar, and say me, how old are they, and what is their condition and savour? And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till,

the end of the six hundred and forty-second night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that the two boys who played the parts of oil merchants pretended to take some berries from the jar and taste them and presently they said o'er-lord the kazi these olives are in fair condition and full-flavored quoth the kazi he speak falsely for tis seven years since aliquotia put them in the jar as he was about to go a pillory "'And quoth they, say what so thou wilt, "'those olives are of this year's growth, "'and there is not an oil-merchant in all Baghdad "'but who will agree with us?' "'Moreover, the accused was made to taste and smell the fruits, "'and he could not but admit "'that it was even so as they had avowed.

"'Then,' said the boy, Kazi, to the boy defendant, "'tis clear thou art a rogue and a rascal, "'and thou hast done a deed, wherefore thou richly deserveest the gibbet.' "'Hearing this, the children frisked about and clapped their hands with glee and gladness. Then, seizing hold of him who acted as the merchant of Baghdad, they led him off as to execution. The commander of the faithful, Harun of Rashid, was greatly pleased at this acuteness of the boy who had assumed the part of judge in the play, and commanded his vizier Jafar, saying,

Mark well the lad who enacted the kazi in this mock trial, and see that thou produce him on the morrow. he shall try the case in my presence substantially and in real earnest, even as we have heard him deal with it in play. Someone also the kazi of this city that he may learn the administration of justice from this child. Moreover, send word to Aliquaja, bidding him bring with him the jar of olives, and also having readiness to oil merchants of the town. Thus, as they walked along, the caliph gave orders to the vizier, and then returned to his palace.

So on the morrow, Jafar the Bamaki, went to that quarter of the town where the children had enacted the mock trial and asked the schoolmaster where his scholars might be, and he answered, they have all gone away,

each to his home. So the minister visited the houses, pointed out to him, and ordered the little ones to appear in his presence. Accordingly they were brought before him, when he said to them, "'Who amongst you is he that yesterday night acted the part of Kazi in play, "'and passed sentence in the case of Aliquacha?'

"'The eldest of them replied, "'Twas I, O my lord, the vizier.' And then he waxed pale, not knowing why the question was put, "'cried the minister, come along with me, "'the commander of the faithful hath need of thee. "'At this, the mother of the lad was sore afraid and wept, "'but Jafar comforted her and said, "'Oh, my lady, have no fear.'

fear and trouble not thyself, thy son will soon return to thee in safety, inshallah, God willing, and methinks the sultan will show much favor unto him. The woman's heartened on hearing these words of the vizier, and she joyfully dressed her boy in his best attire, and sent him off with the vizier, who led him by the hand to the Caliph's audience hall, and executed all the other commandments which had been issued by his liege lord. Then the commander of the faithful, having taken seat upon the throne of justice, set the boy upon a seat beside him, and as soon as the contending parties appeared before him, that is, Alikwaja and the Merchant of Baghdad,

he commanded them to state each man his case in presence of the child who should adjudge the suit. So the two, plaintiff and defendant recounted their contention before the boy in full detail, and when the accused stoutly denied the charge and was about to swear an oath that what he said was true, with hands uplifted and facing Cahaba words, the child-cazi prevented him, saying, Enough, swear not an oath, till thou are bidden, and first let the jar of olives be produced in court. Forthwith, the jar was brought forward and placed before him, and the lad bad open it. then, tasting one, he gave also to two oil merchants who had been summoned, that they might do likewise, and declare how old was the fruit, and whether its savor was good or bad. They did his bidding, and said, The flavor of these olives hath not changed, and they are of this year's growth.

Then, said the boy, methinks ye have mistaken. For seven years ago, Aliquaja put the olives into the jar. How, then, could fruit of this year find their way therein? But they replied, "'Tis even as we say, and thou believe not our words, send straightway for other oil merchants, and make enquiry of them. So shalt thou know if we speak sooth or lies.' But when the merchant of Baghdad saw that he could no longer avail to prove his innocence, he confessed everything, to wit how he had taken out the Ashrafis and filled the jar with fresh olives. Hearing this, the boy said to the prince of true believers, O gracious sovereign, last night in play we tried this cause,

but thou alone has power to apply the penalty. I have adjudged the matter in thy presence, and I humbly pray that thou punish this merchant according to the law of the Koran and the custom of the apostle, and thou decree the restoring of his thousand gold pieces to Aliquaja, for that he hath been proved entitled to them. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till?

The end of the six hundred and forty-third night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the Caliph ordered the merchant of Baghdad to be taken away and be hanged, after he should have made known where he had put the thousand of Shrafis, and that these should have been restored their rightful owner, Aliquotja. He also turned to the Qazi, who had hastily adjudged the case,

and bade him learn from that lad to do his duty more seduced, and conscientiously. Moreover, the Prince of true believers embraced the boy, and ordered that the Bazir give him a thousand pieces of gold from the royal treasury and conduct him safely to his home and parents. And after, when the lad grew to man's estate, the commander of the faithful made him one of his cup companions, and furthered his fortunes, and ever entreated him with the highmost honor.

But when Queen Cheherazade had ended the story of Aliquot, and the merchant of Baghdad, she said, Now, O auspicious king, I would relate a more excellent history than any, shouldst thou be pleased to hear, that I have to say. And King Shariar replied, By Allah, what an admirable tale is this thou hast told. My ears do long to hear another as rare and commendable.

End of the tale of Aliquaja and the merchant of Baghdad. Section 16 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This Libri-Rox recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland, Prince Ahmad and the Fairy Peribanu, Part 1. So Shehazade began forthright to recount the adventures of Prince Ahmad and the fairy Peribanu. In days of yore and times long gone before, there was a sultan. of India, who begat three sons, the eldest height Prince Hussein, the second Prince Ali,

and the youngest Prince Ahmad. Moreover, he had a niece named Princess Nur al-Nihar, the daughter of his cadet brother, who dying early left his only child under her uncle's charge. The king busied himself with abundant diligence about her instruction, and took all care that she should be taught to read and write, sew and embroider, sing, and deftly touch all instruments of mirth and merriment. This princess, also in beauty and loveliness and in wit and wisdom,

far excelled all the maidens of her own age in every land. She was brought up with the princes, her cousins, in all joyance, and they ate together and played together and slept together. And the king had determined, in his mind, that when she reached marriageable age, he would give her in wedlock to someone of the neighboring royalties. But when she came to years of discretion, her uncle perceived that the three princes his sons were all three deep in love of her, and each desired in his heart to woo and to win and to

wedder. Wherefore was the king sore troubled in mind, and said to himself, "'And I give the lady nor on the ha, in wedlock, to any one of her cousins, the other twain will be dissatisfied and murmur against my decision. With all my soul cannot endure to see, them grieved and disappointed? And should I marry her to some stranger, the three princes my sons will be sore distressed and saddened in soul? Nay, who knoweth that they may not slay themselves, or go forth and betake them to some far and foreign land?

The matter is a troublous and a perilous. So it behoove with me their sire to take action on such wise that if one of them espouse her, the other two be not displeased there at it. long time the sultan revolved the matter in his mind and at length he devised a device and sending for the three princes addressed them saying o my sons ye are in my opinion of equal merit one with other nor can i give preference to any of you and marry him to the princess nor on the har nor yet am i empowered to wed her with all three but i have thought of one plan whereby she shall be wife to one of you and yet shall not cause ought of irk or envy to his brethren. So may your mutual love and affection remain unabated, and one shall never be jealous of the other's happiness. Brief, my device is this.

Go ye and travel to distant countries, each one separating himself from the others, and do you bring me back the thing most wondrous and marvellous of all sights ye may see upon your wayfaring's? and he who shall return with the rarest of curiosities shall be husband to the princess norah miha consent ye now to this proposal and whatsoever money ye require for travel and for the purchase of objects seldom seen and singular take ye from the royal treasury as much as you desire the three princes who were ever submissive to their sire consented with one voice to this proposal and each was satisfied and confident that he would bring the king the most extraordinary of gifts, and thereby win the princess to wife. So the Sultan bad give to each what monies he wanted without stint or account, and counsel them to make ready for the journey without stay or delay, and depart their home in the peace of Allah.

And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till... The end of the 644th night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the three princely brothers forthright made them ready for journey and voyage. So they donned disguise, preferring the dress of wandering merchants,

and buying such things as they needed, and taking with them each is sweet, they mounted steeds of purest blood, and rode forth in a body from the palace. For several stages they travelled the same road, until reaching a place where it branched off in three different ways, they alighted at a con, and ate the evening meal.

Then they made compact and covenant, that, whereas they had thus far traveled together, they should at break of day take separate roads in each wendish own way, and all seek different and distant regions, agreeing to travel for the space of one year only, after which, should they be in the land of the living, all three would rendezvous at that same caravanserai,

and return in company to the king their sire. Furthermore, they determined that the first who came back to the con should await the arrival of the next, and that two of them should tarry their inexpectancy of the third. Then all this matter duly settled, they retired to rest, and when the morning morrowed, they fell on one another's necks and bad farewell. And lastly, mounting their horses, they rode forth each in his own direction. Now Prince Hussein the eldest had oft heard recount the one, wonders of the land of Bishangar, and for a long while had wished to visit it. So he took the road

which led thither, and joining himself to a caravan journeying that way, accompanied it by land and by water, and traversed many regions, desert wilds and stony wolves, dense jungles and fertile tracts, with fields and hamlets and gardens and townships. After three months spent in wayfair, at length he made Bishengar, a region overreigned by mannerful rulers, so great was its extent and so far-reaching was its power. He put up at a con built specially for merchants who came from the farthest lands, and from the folk who dwelt therein he heard tell that the city contained a large central market wherein men bought and sold all manner of rarities and wondrous things. Accordingly, next day Prince Hussein repaired to the bazaar, and on citing it he stood

amazed at the prospect of its length and width. It was divided into many streets, all bolted over, but lit up by skylights, and the shops on either side were substantially builded, all after one pattern, and nearly of the same size, while each was fronted by an awning which kept off the glare and made a grateful shade. Within these shops were ranged and ordered various kinds of wares. There were bales of woven air, and linens of finest tissue, plain white or dyed or adorned with lifelike patterns, wherefrom beasts and trees and blooms stood out so distinctly that one might believe them to be very ferales, osque, and gardens.

There were, moreover, silken goods, brocaded stuffs, and finest satins from Persia and Egypt of endless profusion. In the China warehouses stood glass vessels of all kinds, and here and there were stores wherein tapestries and thousands of footcarpets lay for sale. So Prince Hussein walked on from shop to shop and marvelled much to see such wondrous things whereof he had never even dreamt.

And he came at length to the goldsmiths lane and espied gems and jewels and golden and silver vessels studded with diamonds and rubies, emeralds, pearls and other precious stones, all so lustrous and dazzling bright that the stores were lit up with their singular brilliancy. hereat he said to himself if in one street only there be such wealth and jewels so rare all almighty and none save he know if what may be the riches in all the city

he was not less astonished to behold the brahans how the womankind for excess of opulence bedecked themselves with the finest gems and were ornamented with the richest gear from front to foot their very slave-boys and handmaids wore golden necklace and bracelets and bangles studded with precious stones. Along the length of one market street were ranged hosts of flower-sellers. For all the folk, both high and low, wore wreaths and gardens. Some carried nosegays in hand. Other some bound fillets round their heads, while not a few had ropes and festoons surrounding and hanging from their necks. The whole place seemed one huge parterre of blumery.

even traders said bouquets in every shop and stall, and the scented air was heavy with perfume. Strolling to and fro, Prince Hussein was presently tired, and would fain have sat him down somewhere to rest a while, when one of the merchants, noting his look of weariness, with kindly courtesy, prayed him be seated in his stall. After saluting him with the salam, the stranger sat down, and anon he saw a broker come that way, offering for sale a carpet, some four-yard square, and crying, "'This be for sale? Who giveth me its worth to it thirty thousand gold pieces?' And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and forty-fifth night.

Then, said she, "'I have heard, O auspicious king, that the prince marvelled with excessive marvel at the price, and beckoning the dealer examined his wares right well. Then said he, A carpet such as this is selleth for a few silverings. What special virtue hath it that thou demand, therefore, the sum of thirty thousand gold coins. The broker, believing Hussein to be a merchant man,

lately arrived at Visangar, answered him, saying, O my lord, thinkest thou I priced this carpet at too high a value? My master hath bidden me not to sell it for less than forty thousand, thousand ashrafes. Quoth the prince, It surely doth possess some wondrous virtue, otherwise wouldst thou not demand so prodigious a sum? And quote the broker,

"'Tis true, O my lord, its properties are singular and marvellous. Whoever sitteth on this carpet and willeth in thought To be taken up and set down upon some other sight, Will in the twinkling of an eye be borne thither, Be that place near hand or distant many a day's journey and difficult to reach. the prince hearing these words said to himself not so wonder rare as this rug can i carry back to the sultan my sire to my gift or any that afford him higher satisfaction and delight almighty allah be praised the aim of my wayfar is attained and hereby inshallah i shall win to my wish this if anything will be to him a joy for ever wherefore the prince with intent to buy the flying carpet turned to the broker and said if indeed it have properties such as thou describest verily the price thou askest therefore is not over much and i am ready to pay thee the sum required

the other rejoined and thou doubt my words i pray thee put them to the test and by such proof remove thy suspicions sit now upon this square of tapestry and at thy mere wish and will it shall transport us to the caravanser i wherein thou abidest on this wise shalt thou be certified of my words being sooth and when assured of their truth thou mayest count out to me there and then but not before the value of my wares accordingly the man spread out the carpet upon the ground behind his shop and seated the prince thereupon he sitting by his side then at the mere will and wish of prince hussein the twain were at once transported as though born by the throne of solomon to the con so the eldest of the brothers joyed with exceeding joy to think that he had won so rare a thing whose like could nowhere be found in the lands nor amongst the kings, and his heart and soul were gladdened for that he had come to Vishangar, and hit upon such a prodigy. Accordingly he counted out the forty thousand of shraffes' payment for the carpet, and gave moreover another twenty thousand by way of sweetmeat to the broker.

Furthermore, he ceased not saying to himself that the king on seeing it would forthright wed him to the princess Nur al-Nihar, for it were clear and possible that either of his brothers, even though they searched the whole world over and over could find a rarity to compare with this. He longed to take seat upon the carpet that very instant and ply to his own country, or at least to await his brothers at the caravansarive

where they had parted under promise and covenant, pledged and concluded, to meet again at the year's end, but presently he bethought him that the delay would be long and longsome, and much he feared lest he be tempted to take some rash step. Wherefore he resolved upon sojourning in the country whose king and subjects he had ardently desired to behold for many a day, and to determine that he would pass the time in sight-seeing and in pleasuring over the lands adjoining. So Prince Hussein tarried in Bishungar some months. Now, the king of that country was wont to hold a high court once every week,

for hearing disputes and adjudging causes which concerned foreign merchants. And thus the prince oft-time saw the king, but to none would he tell a word of his adventure. However, inasmuch as he was comely of countenance, graceful of gait, and courteous of a cost, stout-hearted and strong, wise, and whey, he was held by the folk in higher honour than the sultan, not to speak of the traders his fellows,

and in due time he became a favoured at court, and learned of the ruler himself, all matters concerning his kingdom and his grandeur and greatness. The prince also visited the most famous pagodas of that country. The first he saw was wrought in brass and oracock, of most exquisite workmanship. Its inner cell measured three yards square and contained a middlemost, a golden image in size and stature like unto a man of wondrous beauty, and so cunning was the workmanship that the face seemed to fix its eyes, the two immense rubies of enormous value, upon all beholders no matter

where they stood. He also saw another idle temple, not less strange and rare than this, built it in a village on a plain surface of some half-acre long and broad, wherein bloomed lovely rose-trees and jasmine and herb basil, and many other sweet-scented plants, whose perfume made the air rich with fragrance. Around its court ran a wall three feet high, so that no animal might stray therein, and in the center was a terrace well-nigh the height of a man, all made of white marble and wavy alabaster, each and every slab being dressed so deftly and joined with such nice joinery that the whole pavement, albeit covering so great a space, seemed to the sight but one single stone. In the center of the terrace stood the domed fain, towering some fifty cubits high,

and conspicuous for many miles around. Its length was thirty cubits, and its breadth twenty, and the red marbles of the revetment were clean polished as a mirror, so that every image was reflected in it to the life. The dome was exquisitely carved and sumptuously ornamented without, and within were ranged in new rank and sequence rows and rows of idols. To this, the Holy of Holies, from morn till Eve, thousands of Brahmans, men and women, came flocking for daily worship. They had sports and diversions as well as rites and ceremonies,

some feasted and others danced some sang others played on instruments of mirth and merriment while here and there were plays and revels and innocent merry-makings and hither at every season flocked from distant lands hosts of pilgrims seeking to fulfil their vows and to perform their orisons all bringing gifts of gold and silver coin and presents rare and costly which they offer to the gods in presence of the royal officers and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and forty-sixth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that prince hussein also saw a fete once a year within the city of bishangar and the riots all both great and small gathered together and circumambulated the pagodas chiefly circuiting one which in size and grandeur surpassed all others Great and learned pandits versed in the chastras, made journeys of four or five months, and greeted one another at that festival. thither, too, the folk from all parts of India pilgrimageed in such crowds, the Prince Hussein was astounded at the sight, and by reason of the multitudes that thronged around the temples,

he could not see the mode in which the gods were worshipped. On one side of the adjacent plain, which stretched far and wide, stood a new-made scaffolding of ample size and great magnificence, nine stories high, and the lower part supported by forty pillars. And here one day and every week, the king assembled his viziers for the purpose of meeting out justice to all strangers in the land. The palace within was richly adorned and furnished with costly furniture. Without, upon the wall faces, were limned homely landscapes and scenes of foreign parts,

and notably all manner beasts and birds and insects, even gnats and flies, portrayed with such skill of brain and cunning of hand that they seemed real and alive, and the country folk and villagers seeing from afar paintings of lions and tigers and similar ravenous beasts were filled with awe and dismay. On the other three sides of the scaffolding were pavilions, also of wood, built for use of the commons, illuminated and decorated inside and outside like the first, and rotten so cunningly that men could turn them round with all the people in them,

and moving them about, transfer them to whatsoever quarter they willed. On such wise they shifted these huge buildings by aid of machinery, and the folk inside could look upon a succession of sports and games. Moreover, on each side of the square, elephants were ranged in ranks, the number amounting to well nigh one thousand, their trunks and ears and hindered parts being painted with cinnabar and adorned with various lively figures. Their housings were of gold brocade, and their howdas perfold with silver,

carrying minstrels who performed on various instruments, whilst buffoons delighted the crowd with their jokes, and mimes played their most diverting parts. Of all the sports, however, which the prince beheld, the elephants' show amused him most, and wild him with the greatest admiration. One huge beast, which could be wheeled about where the keepers ever listed, for that his feet rested upon a post which traveled on casters, held in his trunk a flagellay, whereon he played so sweetly well

that all the people were feigned to cry, Bravo! There was another, but a smaller animal, which stood upon one end of a beam, laid crosswise upon, and attached with hinges to, a wooden block eight cubits high, and on the further end was placed an iron weight as heavy as the elephant, who would press down for some time upon the beam

until the end touched the ground, and then the weight would raise him up again. Thus, the beam swung like a seesaw, a loft and a down, and as it moved, the elephant swayed to and fro, and kept time with the bands of music, loudly trumpeting the while. The people, moreover, could wheel about this elephant from place to place as he stood balanced on the beam, and such exhibitions of learned elephants were mostly made in presence of the king. Prince Hussein spent well nigh a year in sight-seeing amongst the fairs and festivals in Vichangar, and when the period of the fraternal compact drew near, he spread his carpet upon the court-ground behind the Conwerin he lodged, and sitting thereon, together with his suite and the

steeds and all he had brought with him, mentally wished that he might be transported to the caravanserai where the three brothers had agreed to meet. No sooner had he formed. the thought, then straightway, in the twinkling of an eye, the carpet rose high in air and sped through space, and carried them to the appointed stead. Where still garbed as a merchant, he remained in expectation of his brother's coming. Harken now, O auspicious king, to what befell Prince Ali, the second brother of Prince Hussein. On the third day after he had parted from the two others, he also joined a caravan and journeyed towards Persia.

After a march of four months arriving at Shiraz, the capital of Iran land, he alighted at a con, he and his fellow-travelers with whom he had made a manner of friendship. And passing as a jeweller there took up his abode with them. Next day the traders fared forth to buy wares and to sell their goods, but Prince Ali, who had brought with him not a vendible, and only the things he needed, presently doffed his travelling dress, and in company with the comrade of the caravan, entered the chief bazaar, known as the Basistam, or cloth market. Ali strolled about the place which was built of brick,

and where all the shops had arched roofs, resting on handsome columns, and he admired greatly to behold the splendid storehouses, exposing for sale all manner goods of countless value. He wondered much what wealth was in the town of a single market street contained riches such as these, and as the brokers went about crying their goods for sale, he saw one of them pending in hand an ivory cube in length about a cubit which he was offering for sale at the price of thirty thousand ashrafis hearing such demand prince ali thought to himself assuredly this fellow was a fool who asked such a price for so paltry a thing and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace still

the end of the six hundred and forty-seventh night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that prince ali presently asked one of the shopkeepers with whom he had made acquaintance saying o my friend is this man a maniac that he asked for the sum of thirty thousand ashrappies for this little pipe of ivory surely none save an idiot would give him such a price and waste upon it such a mint of money said the shopman o my lord this broker is wiser and warier than all the others of his calling, and by means of him I have sold goods worth thousands of sequins. Until yesterday he was in his sound senses, but I cannot say what stage is his today, and whether or no he have lost his wits, but this what I well, that if he asked thirty thousand for yon ivory tube, twill be worth that same or even more. Howbeit we shall see with our own eyes, sit thee here and rest within the shop until he passed this way. So Prince Ali abode where he was bidden,

and presently the broker was seen coming up the street. Then the shopman calling to him said, "'O man, rare merit hath yon little pipe, "'for all the folk are astounded to hear thee ask so high a price therefore. "'Nay more, this friend of mine thinketh that thou art crazy!' The broker, a man of sense, was on no wise chafed at these words, words, but answered with gentle speech. Oh, my lord, I doubt not, but that thou must deem me a madman to ask so high a price,

and set so great a value upon an article so mean, but when I shall have made known to thee its properties and virtues, thou wilt most readily consent to take it at that valuation. Not thou alone, but all men who have heard me cry my cry, laugh and name me ninny. So saying the broker showed the spying-tube to Prince Ali, and handing it to him said, Examine well this ivory, the properties of which I will explain to thee.

Thou seest that it is furnished with a piece of glass at either end, and, shouldst thou apply one extremity thereof to thine eye, thou should see what thing so ere thou listest, and it shall appear close by thy side, though parted from thee by many and hundred of miles, replied the prince, this passeth all conception, nor can I believe it to be veridical,

until I shall have tested it, and I become satisfied that tis even as thou sayest. Hereupon the broker placed the little tube in Prince Ali's hand, and showing him the way to handle it, said, What so thou mayst wish to describe will be shown to thee by looking through this ivory? Prince Ali silently wished to sight his sire, and when he placed the pipe close to his eye, forthwith he saw him hail and hearty, seated on his throne, and dispensing justice to the people of his dominion. Then the youth longed with great longing to look upon his lady love, the princess Nur al-Nihar.

And straightway he saw her also, sitting upon her bed, sound and sane, talking and laughing, whilst a host of handmaids stood around awaiting her commands. The prince was astonished exceedingly to behold the strange and wondrous spectacle

and said to himself, And I should wonder the whole world over for ten years or more, and search in its every corner and cranny. I shall never find odds so rare and precious as this tube of ivory. Then quoth he to the broker, The virtues of thy pipe I find are indeed those thou hast described, And right willingly I give to thee its price, the thirty thousand of shrapies.

Replied the salesman, O my lord, my master hath sworn an oath that he will not part with it for less than forty thousand gold pieces. Hereupon the prince, understanding that the broker was a just man and a true, weighed out to him the forty thousand sequins, and became master of the spying-tube, and raptured with the thought that assuredly it would satisfy his sire, and obtained for him the hand of Princess Nor Al-Nah. So with mind at ease, Ali journeyed through Shiraz and over sundry parts of Persia. And in fine, when the year was well nigh spent, he joined a caravan,

and, traveling back to India, arrived safe and sound at the appointed caravan-sur-ire where the Prince Hussein had forgone him. There the twain tarried awaiting the third-brothers' safe return. Such, O King Shariar, is the story of the two brothers.

And now, I beseeched the incline-eer, and hearken to what befell the youngest, to wit Prince Ahmad, for indeed his adventure is yet more peregrine and seldom-seen of all. when he had parted from his brothers he took the road leading to samarkand and arriving there after long travel he also like his brothers alighted at a car next day he fared forth to see the market square which folk called the and he found it fairly laid out the shops rotten with cunning workmanship and filled with rare stuffs and precious goods and costly merchandise now as he wandered to and fro he came across a broker who was hawking a magical apple, and crying aloud, Who will buy this fruit?

The price for our feet thirty-five thousand gold pieces. Quote Prince Ahmed to the man, For thee, let me see the fruit thou holdest in hand, and explain to me what hidden virtue it possesseth that thou art asking for it so high a value. Quote the other, smiling and handing to him the apple, marvel not at this, oh good, my lord. In sooth I am certified that when I shall have explained its properties, and thou shalt see how it advantages all mankind, thou wilt not deem my demand

exorbitant. Nay, rather thou wilt gladly give a treasure-house of gold, so thou may possess it. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till. The end of the six hundred and forty-eighth night. then said she, I have heard, oh, auspicious king, that the broker said, moreover, to Prince Ahmad, now hearken to me, O my lord, and I will tell thee what a virtue lieeth in this artificial apple.

If anyone be sick of a sickness, however sore, nay more, if he be ill nigh unto death, and perchance he smell this poem, he will forthwith recover and become well and whole of whatsoever disease he had, plague, pleurisy, fever, or other malignant distemper, as though he had never been attacked, and his strength will return to him forthright,

and after smelling this fruit he will be free from all ailment and malady so long as life shall remain to him. Quote Prince Akhmad, How shall I be assured that what thou speakest is truth? If the matter be even as thou say'st, then verily I will give thee right gladly the son thou demandest. Quoth the broker, O my lord, all men who dwell in the parts about Samarkand, know for well how there once lived in the city a sage of wondrous skill,

who, after many years of toil and travail, wrought this apple by mixing medicines from herbs and minerals countless in number. All his good, which was great, he expended upon it, and when he had perfected it, he made whole thousands of sick folk, whom he directed only to smell the fruit. But alas, his life presently came to an end, and death overtook him suddenly, ere he could, save himself by the barbarous scent. And as he had won no wealth and left only a bereaved wife and a large

family of young children in dependence manifold, his widow had no help but provide for them a maintenance by parting with this prodigy. While the salesman was telling his tale to the prince, a crowd of citizens gather around them, and one amongst the folk, who was well known to the broker, came forward and said, A friend of mine lieth at home sick to death. The doctor, the doctor, and surgeons all despair of his life. So I beseech thee. Let him smell this fruit that he may live. Hearing these words, Prince Ahmed turned to the salesman and said,

Oh, my friend, if this sick man of whom thou hearest can recover strength by smelling the apple, then will I straightway buy it of thee at a valuation of forty thousand shrapies. The man had permission to sell it for a sum of thirty-five thousand, so he was satisfied to receive five thousand. by way of brokerage, and he rejoined, "'Tis well, and my lord, Now mayst thou test the virtues of this apple, And be persuaded in thy mind.

Hundreds of ailing folk have I made whole by means of it. Accordingly, the prince accompanied the people to the sick man's house And found him lying on his bed with the breath in his nostrils. But as soon as the dying man smelt the fruit, At once recovering strength, he rose in perfect health, sane and sound. Hereupon Achma bought the magical apple of the dealer, and counted out to him the forty thousand Ashrafis. Presently, having gained the object of his travels, he resolved to join some caravan, marching Indiawards, and returned to his father's home.

But meanwhile, he resolved to solace himself with the sights and marvels of Samarkand. His especial joy was to gaze upon the glorious plain highs of salt, one of the wonders of the world, The land on all sides was a delight to the sight, emerald green and bright, with crystal rills like the plains of paradise. The gardens bore all manner flowers and fruits, and the cities and palaces gladdened the stranger's gaze. After some days, Prince Achma joined a caravan of merchants, wending Indiawards, and when his long and longsome travel was ended, he at last reached the caravansaray where his two brothers, Hussein and Ali, patiently awaited his arrival. The three rejoiced with exceeding joy to meet once more, and fell on one another's necks, thanking Allah who had brought them back safe and sound, pale and hearty, after such prolonged and longsome absence. Then Prince Hussein, being the eldest, turned to them and said,

Now it be who with us each, to recount what hath betided him, and announce what rare thing he hath brought back, and what be the virtues thereof. And I, being the firstborn, will be the firstborn, will be the foremost to tell my adventures. I bring with me from Bishangar a carpet, mean to look at, but such are its properties that should any sit thereon and wish, in mind, to visit country or city, he will at once be carried thither in ease and safety, although it be distant months, nay, years of journey. I have paid forty thousand gold pieces to its price, and after seeing all the wonders of Bishanga land, I took seat upon my purchase and willed myself at this spot. Straightway I found myself here, as I wished,

and have tarried in this caravans arrived three months, awaiting your arrival. The flying carpet is with me. So let him who listeth make trial of it. When the senior prince had made an end of telling his tale, Prince Ali spoke next, and said, Oh, my brother, this carpet which thou hast brought is marvel rare, and hath most wondrous gifts, nor, according to thy statement, hath any in all

the world seen ought to compare with it. Then, bringing forth the spying-tube, he pursued, Look ye here, I too have bought for forty thousand Ashrafis, somewhat whose merits I will now show forth to you. And as the morn began to dawn, Sharazade held her peace, till— The end of the six hundred and forty-ninth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Prince Ali enlarged upon the virtues of his purchase, and said, You see this ivory pipe? By means of it, man may descry objects hidden from his sight, and distant from him many a mile. Tis truly a most wondrous matter, and right-worthy your inspection, and you two may try it, and you will. Place but an eye close to the smaller glass,

and form a wish in mind to see what things aware your soul desire, and whether it be near hand or distant many hundreds of miles, this ivory will make the object look clear and close to. At these words, Prince Hussein took the pipe from Prince Ali, and applying his eye to one end, as he had been directed, then wished in his heart to behold the princess Nur al-Nihar, and the two brothers watched him to learn what he would say. Suddenly they saw his face change color, and wither as a wilted flower. While in this agitation and distress, a flood of tears gushed. from his eyes. And ere his brothers recovered from their amazement, and could inquire the cause of such

strangeness, he cried aloud, Alas, and well away, we have endured toil and travail, and we have travelled so far and wide, hoping to wed the princess Nur al-Nihar, but tis all in vain. I saw her lying on her bed, death-sick, and liked to breathe her lass, and around her stood her women, all weeping and wailing in the sorest of sorrow. Oh, my brothers, and you would see her once again for the last time. Take ye one final look through the glass. There should be no more. Hereat Prince Ali seized the spying tube,

and peered through it, and found the condition of the princess, even as his brother Hussein had described. So he presently passed it over to Prince Ahmed, who also looked and was certified that the lady Nur'anli, was about to give up the ghost. So he said to his elder brothers, We three are alike, love distraught for the princess, And the dearest wish of each one is to win her.

Her life is on the ebb. Still I can save her and make her whole If we hasten to her without stay or delay. So saying, he pulled from his pocket the magical apple, and showed it to them, crying this thing is not less in value than either the flying carpet or the spying tube. in Samarkand I bought it for 40,000 gold pieces,

and here is the best opportunity to try its virtues. The folk told me that if a sick man hold it to his nose, although in the point of death he will wax it once well and hail again. I have myself tested it, and now ye shall see for yourselves this marvel cure, when I shall apply it to the case of Nur al-Nihar, only let us seek her presence ere she die. Quoth Prince Hussein,

this were in easy matter. my carpet shall carry us in the twinkling of an eye straight to the bedside of our beloved do ye without hesitation sit down with me thereupon for there is room sufficient to accommodate us three we shall instantly be carried thither and our servants can follow us accordingly the three princes disposed themselves upon the flying carpet and each willed in his mind to reach the bedside of noral niha when instantly they found themselves within her apartment the handmaids and eunuchs in waiting were terrified at the sight and marvelled how these stranger men could have entered the chamber. And as the castratas were fain fall upon them brand in hand, they recognized the princes and drew back still, in wonderment at their intrusion. Then the brothers rose forthright from the flying carpet, and Prince Ahmed came forwards and put the magical apple to the nostrils of the lady,

who lay stretched on the couch in unconscious state. and as the scent reached her brain, the sickness left her, and the cure was complete. She opened wide her eyes, and sitting erect upon her bed, looked all around, and chiefly at the princes as they stood before her. For she felt that she had waxed hail and hearty, as though she awoke after the sweetest of slumber. Presently she arose from her couch, and bade her tire-women dress her, though they related to her the sudden coming of the three princes, her uncle's sons, and how Prince Ahmad had made her smell something whereby she had recovered of her illness.

And after she had made the ablution of health, she joyed with exceeding joy to see the princes and returned thanks to them, but chiefly to Prince Ahmed, in that he had restored her to health and life. And as the morning began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till. The end of Prince Ahmed and the fairy Peribanu, Part 1. section seventeen of the book of the thousand knights and a knight volume thirteen translated by richard francis burton this librivox recording is in the public domain read by thomas copland prince ahma and the fairy perivenu part two the end of the six hundred and fiftieth night then she said i have heard o auspicious king that the brothers also were gladdened with exceeding gladness to see the prince says, Noral Nihar recover so suddenly, from mortal malady. And, presently taking leave of her, they fared to greet their father.

Meanwhile, the eunuchs had reported the whole matter to the sultan, and when the princes came before him, he rose and embraced them tenderly and kissed them on their foreheads, filled with satisfaction to see them again, and to hear from them the welfare of the princess, who was dear to him as she had been his daughter. then the three brothers produced each one the wondrous thing he had brought from his wayfare, when Prince Hussein first showed the flying carpet, which, in the twinkling of an eye, had transported them home from far distant exile, and said,

"'Poor outward show this carpet hath no merit, but inasmuch as it possess such wondrous virtue, he thinks it is impossible to find in all the world all that can compare to it for rarity.' Next, Prince Ollie, presented to the king his spire. tube, and said, The mirror of Yamshid is as vain and not beside this pipe, by means whereof all things from east to west, and from north to south are made clearly visible to the ken of man.

Last of all, Prince Ahmed produced the magical apple, which wondrously saved the dear life of Nur al-Nihar, and said, by means of this fruit, all maladies and grievous distempers are at once made whole. Thus each presented his rarity to the same, sultan, saying, O our lord, Dain examine well these gifts we have brought, and do thou pronounce which of them all is most excellent and admirable. So according to thy promise, he amongst us on whom thy choice may fall shall marry the princess Nuralmiha. When the king had patiently listened to their

several claims, and had understood how each gift took part in restoring hell to his niece, for a while he'd go deep in the sea of thought, and then answered, Should I award the palm of merit to Prince Ahmad, whose magical apple cure the princess, Then should I deal unfairly by the other two, albeit his rarity restored her to life and health, the mortal illness,

yet say me how he had known of her condition, saved by the virtue of Prince Ali's spying tube. In like manner, but for the flying carpet of Prince Hussein, which brought you three hither in a moment's space, the magical apple would have been of no avail. Wherefore tis my reed, all three had like part, and can claim equal merit in healing her, for it were impossible to have made her whole, if any one thing of the three were wanting. Furthermore, all three objects are wondrous and marvellous without one surpassing other, nor can I, with aught of reason, assign preference or

precedence to any. My promise was to marry the Lady Noral Nihar to him who should produce the rarest of rarities, but although strange, it is not less true that all are alike in the one essential condition. The difficulty still remainer, and the question is yet unsolved, whilst I would fain have the matter settled at the close of day, and without prejudice to any. So needs must I fix upon some plan whereby I may be. be able to adjudge one of you to be the winner, and bestow upon him the hand of Princess Nara'r, according to my plaited word, and thus absolve myself from all responsibility. Now have resolved upon this course of action, to wit that ye should mount each one his own

steed, and all of you be provided with bow and arrows. Then do ye ride forth to the Medan, the hymnodrome, whither I and my ministers of state and grandies of the king, kingdom and lords of the land will follow you. There, in my presence, you shall each, turn by turn, shoot a shaft with all your might and mane, and he amongst you, whose arrow shall fly the farthest will be adjudged by me, worthiest, to win the princess Nouralini Har to wife. Accordingly the three princes, who could not gain say the decision of their sire, nor question as wisdom and justice, fact their coursers, and each taking his bow and arrows, straight for the place appointed. The king also, when he had stored the presents in the royal

treasury, arrived there with his viziers and the dignitaries of his realm. And as soon as all was ready, the eldest son and heir, Prince Hussein, besayed his strength and skill, and shot a shaft far along the level plain. After him, Prince Ali had his bow in hand, and, discharging an arrow in like direction, overshot the first. And lastly came Prince Ahmed's turn. he too aimed at the same end but such was the decree of destiny that although the knights and courtiers urged on their horses to note where his shaft might strike ground with all they saw no trace thereof and none of them knew if it had sunk into the bowels of earth or had flown up to the confines of the sky some indeed there were who with evil mind held that prince ahmed had not shot any bolt and that his arrow had never left his bow so at last the king bade no more search to be made for it and declared himself in favour of prince ali and a judge that he should wed the princess naranihar for as much as his arrow had outsped that of prince accordingly in due course the marriage rights and ceremonies were performed after the law and ritual of the land with exceeding pomp and grandeur but prince hussein would not be present at the bride-feast by reason of his disappointment and jealousy

for he had loved the lady norahnihar with a love far exceeding that of either of his brothers and he doffed his princely dress and dawning the garb of a fakir fared forth to live a hermit's life prince ahmah also burned with envy and refused to join the wedding-feast he did not however like prince hussein retire to a hermitage but he spent all his days in searching for his shaft to find where it had fallen now it's so fortunate that one morning he went again alone as was his wont in quest thereof and starting from the stead whence they had shot their shafts reached the place where the arrows of princess hussein and ali had been found then going straight forwards he cast his glances on every side over hill and dale to his right and to his left and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and fifty-first night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that prince ahmed went searching for his shaft over hill and dale when after covering some three parsains suddenly he espied it lying flat upon a rock hereat he marvelled greatly wondering how the arrow had flown so far but even more so when he went up to it and saw that it had not stuck in the ground that appeared to have rebounded and to have fallen flat upon a slab of stone quoth he to himself there must assuredly be some mystery in this matter else how could any one shoot a shaft to such a distance and find it fallen after so strange a fashion then threading his way amongst the pointed crags and huge boulders he presently came to a hollow in the ground which ended in a subterraneous passage,

and after pacing a few paces he espied an iron door. He pushed this open with all ease, for that it had no bolt, and entering arrow in hand he came upon an easy slope, by which he descended. But where is he feared to find all pitch dark, he discovered at some distance a spacious square, a widening of the cave, which was lighted on every, side with lamps and cantalabra. Then advancing some fifty cubits or more, his glance fell upon a vast and handsome palace, and presently they're issued from within, to the portico, a lovely maiden,

lovesome and lovable, a fairy form, robed in princely robes and adorned from front to foot with the costliest of jewels. She walked with slow and stately gait, with all graceful and blandishing, whilst around her ranged her attendance like the stars about a moon of the fourteenth night. Seeing this vision of beauty, Prince Ahmed hastened to salute her with his salaam, and she returned it. Then coming forward, greeted him graciously and said in sweetest accents, Welcome, and welcome, O Prince Ahmed, I am pleased to have sight of thee. How faireth it with thy highness, and why hast thou tell,

so long away from me the king's son marvelled greatly to hear her name him by his name for that he knew not who she was as they had never seen each other aforetime how then came she to have learnt his title and condition then kissing the ground before her he said o my lady i owe thee much of thanks and gratitude for that thou are pleased to welcome me with words of cheer in this strange place where i alone and a stranger durstead enter with exceeding hesitation and trepidation. But it perplexeth me, sore to think how thou camest to learn the name of thy slave. Quoth she with a smile, O my lord, come hither, and let us sit at ease within yon belvedere, and there I will give an answer to thine asking.

So they went thither, Prince Ahmed, following her footsteps, and on reaching it he was filled with wonder to see its vaulted roof of exquisite workmanship, and adorned with gold and lapis lazuli and paintings and ornaments, whose light was nowhere to be found in the world. The lady, seeing his astonishment, said to the prince, This mansion is nothing beside all my others, which now of my free will I have made thine own. And when thou seest them, thou shalt have just cause for wonderment.

Then that sylphlike being took seat upon a raised dais, and with abundant show of affection, seated Prince Ahmed by her side. Presently, quoth she, albeit thou know me not, I know thee well, as thou shalt see with surprise when I shall tell thee all my tale.

But first it behoo with me to disclose to be who I am. In holy writ, belike thou hast read that this world is the dwelling place not only of men, but also of a race-height-the-jan, in form likeest, to mortals. I am the only daughter of a Jin chief, of noblest strain, and my name is Peri Banu. So marvel not to hear me tell thee who thou art, and who is the king thy sire, and who is Nur al-Nihar,

the daughter of thine uncle. I have full knowledge of all concerning thyself and thy kith and kin. How thou art one of three brothers, who all and each were daft for love of Princess Nur al-Nihar, and straved to win her from one another to wife. Furthermore, thy sire deemed it best to send you all far and wide over foreign lands, and thou perished to far Samarkand and brought us back a magical apple, made with rare art and mystery, which thou boughtest for forty thousand of shrapies. Then by means whereof thou madeest the princess thy lady love whole of a grievous malady, whilst Prince Hussein, thine elder brother, thought for the same sum of money,

a flying carpet at Bishangar, and Prince Ali also brought home a spying tube from Shiraz city. Let this suffice to show thee that naught is hidden from me of all thy case. And now, do thou tell me in very truth, whom dost thou admire them more for beauty and loveliness? Me? Or the Lady Nural Neha, their brother's wife? My heart longeth for thee with excessive longing, and desireth that we may be married and enjoy the pleasures of life and the joyance of love. So, say me, are thou also willing to wed me?

Or pinnest thou in preference for the daughter of thine uncle? In the fullness of my affection for thee, I stood by thy side unseen during the archery meeting upon the plain of trial, and when thou shottest thy shaft, I knew that it would fall far short of Prince Ali's. so I hinted in hand ere it touched ground and carried it away from sight, and striking it upon the iron door, caused it rebound, and lie flat upon the rock that thou didst find it. And ever since that day I have been sitting in expectancy,

wotting well that thou wouldst search for it until thou find it, and by such means I was certified of bringing thee hither to me. Thus spake the beautiful maiden Peribanu, who, with eyes full of love-longing, looked up at Prince Ahmed, and then with modest shame bent low her brow and averted her glance. And as the morn began to dawn, Shehrazad held her peace, till? The end of the 652nd night. Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that when Prince Ahmed heard these words of Peribanu, he rejoiced with joy exceeding, and said to himself, The princess Nur al-Nihar is not within my power to win, and Peribanu doth outfly her in comeliness of favour and in loveliness of form and in gracefulness of gait. In short, so charmed was he and captivated that he clean forgot his love for his cousin.

And noting that the heart of his new enchantress inclined towards him, he replied, Oh, my lady, O fairest of the fair, nor else do I desire save that I may serve thee and do thy bidding all my lifelong. But I am of human and thou of non-human birth. Thy friends and family, kith and kin, will happily be displeased with thee, and thou unite with me in such union. But she made answer,

I have full sanction of my parents to marry as I list, and whomsoever I may prefer her. Thou sayest that thou will be my servant, nay rather be thou my Lord and master, for I myself and my life, and all my good are very thine, and I shall ever be thy bondswoman. Consent now, I beseech thee to accept me for thy wife. My heart doth tell me, thou wilt not refuse my request.

Then Peribanu added, I have told thee already that in this matter I act with fullest authority. besides all this there is a custom and immemorial usage with us very folk that when we maidens come to marriageable age and years of understanding each one may wed according to the dictates of her heart the person that pleaseth her most and whom she judgeth likely to make her days happy thus wife and husband live with each other all their lives in harmony and happiness but if a girl be given away in marriage by the parents according to their choice and not her and she be mated to her helpmate unmeat for her because ill-shape them or ill-conditioned or unfit to win her affection then are they twain likely to be at variance each with other for the rest of their days and endless troubles result to them from such ill-sorted union nor are we bound by another law which bindeth modest virgins of the race of adam but we freely announce our preference to those we love nor must we wait and pine to be wooed and won. When Prince Ahmed heard these words of answer, he rejoiced with exceeding joy, and stooping down, assayed to kiss the skirt of her garment, but she prevented him, and in lieu of her hem, gave him her hand. The prince clasped it with rapture, and according to the custom of

that place, he kissed it, and placed it to his breast and upon his eyes. Hereat, quote the fairy, smiling a charming smile. With my hand, locked in thine, plight me thy troth, even as I pledge my faith to thee, that I will always true and loyal be, nor ever prove faithless or fail of constancy. And quote the prince, O loveliest of beings, O dearling of my soul, thinkest thou that I can ever become a traitor to my own heart, I who love thee to distraction and dedicate to my body and my sprite? To thee who art my queen, the very empress of me? Freely I give myself to thee. Do thou with me what so thou wilt. Hereupon Peribanu said to Prince Ahmad,

Thou art my husband, and I am thy wife. This solemn promise made between thee and me standeth instead of marriage contract. No need have we of Khazi, for with us, all other forms and ceremonies are superfluous and of no avail. Anon, I will show thee the chamber where we shall pass the bride-night. And methinks thou wilt admire it, and confess that there is none like thereto in the whole world of men. Presently her handmaiden spread the table, and served up dishes of various kinds, and the finest wines in flagons and goblets of gold, dubbed of jewels.

So they twain sat at meat and ate and drew. drank their sufficiency. Then Peribanu took Prince Ahmed by the hand and led him to her private chamber wherein she slept, and he stood upon the threshold amazed to see its magnificence and the heaps of gems and precious stones which dazed his sight, till recovering himself, he cried, he thinks there is not in the universe a room so splendid and decked with costly furniture and gemmed articles such as this, quoth Peribanu, and thou so. And thou so, so admire and praise this palace, what wilt thou say when sighting the mansions and castles of my sire the John King?

Happily too, when thou shalt behold my garden, thou will be filled with wonder and delight. But now tis over late to lead thee thither and night, approach her. Then she ushered Prince Ahmed into another room, where the supper had been spread, and the splendor of this saloon yielded in naught to any of the others. nay, rather, it was the more gorgeous and dazzling. Hundreds of wax candles set in conalabra of the finest amber and the purest crystal, ranged on all sides, rained floods of light, whilst golden flower-pots and vessels of finest workmanship and priceless work,

of lovely shapes and wondrous art adorned the niches and the walls. And as the morn began to dawn, Gerizade held her peace, till. The end of the six years. hundred and fifty-third night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that tongue of man can never describe the magnificence of that room

in which bands of virgin parries, loveliest of forms and fairest of features, garbed in choicest garments, played on sweet-toned instruments of mirth and merriment, or sang blaze of amorous significance to strains of heart-bewitching music. Then they twain, to wit the bride and bright-room,

sat down at meat ever and anon delaying to indulge in toyings and bashful love-play and chaste caresses peribanu with her own hands passed the choicest mouthfuls to prince ahmed and made him taste of each dish and dainty telling him their names and whereof they were composed but how shall i o auspicious king shariah avail to give thee any notion of those gene-made dishes or to describe with due meat of praise the delicious flavor of meats such as no mortal ever tasted or ever beheld then when both it supped they drank the choicest wines and ate with relish sweet conserves and dry fruit and a dessert of various delicacies at length when they had their requirement of eating and drinking they retired into another room which contained a raised dais of the grandest bedecked with gold-purple cushions and pillows wrought with seed-pearl and achmenian tapestries whereupon they took seats side by side for converse and solace then came in a troop of jinns and fairies who danced and sang before them with wondrous grace and art and this pretty show pleased Peribanu and Prince Ahmad who watched the sports and displays with ever renewed delight.

At last the newly wedded couple rose and retired weary of revelry to another chamber wherein they found that the slaves had to spread the genial bed, whose frame was gold studded with jewels and whose furniture was of satin and cendril, flowered with the rarest embroidery. Here, the guests who attended at the marriage festival and the handmaids of the palace, ranged in two lines,

hailed the bride and bridegroom as they went within, and then, craving dismissal, they all departed, leaving them to take their joints in bed. On such wise, the marriage festival and nuptial merry-makings were kept up day after day, with new dishes and novel sports, novel dances and new music, and had Prince Ahmed lived a thousand years with mortal kind,

never could he have seen such revels or heard such strains or enjoyed such lovelies. Thus six months soon passed in the fairy land beside Peribanu, whom he loved with a love so fond that he would not lose her from his sight for a moment's space, but would feel restless and ill at ease when as he ceased to look upon her, In like manner, Peribanu was fulfilled with affection for him, and strove to please her bridegroom more and more every moment by new arts of dalliance, and fresh appliances of pleasure, until so absorbing waxed his passion for her

that the thought of home and kindred, kith, and kin, faded from his thoughts and fled his mind. But after a time his memory awoke from slumber, and at times he found himself longing to look upon his father, albeit well did he walk that it were impossible to find out how the far one fared unless he went himself to visit him so one day quoth he to peribanu and it be thy pleasure i pray thee give me thy command that i may leave thee for a few days to see my sire who doubtless grieveth at my long absence and suffereth all the sorrows of separation from his son peripanoo hearing these words was dismayed with sore dismay for that she thought within herself that this was only an excuse whereby he might escape and leave her after enjoyment and possession had made her love paul upon the pallet of his mind so quoth she in reply hast thou forgotten thy vows and thy plaited troth that thou wishest to leave me now have love and longing ceased to stir thee whilst my heart always throbbeth in raptures as it hath ever done at the very thought of thee replied the prince oh dearling of my soul my queen my empress what be these doubts that haunt thy mind and why such sad misgivings and sorrowful words i know full well that the love

of thee and thine affection me words are even as thou sayest. And did I not acknowledge this truth, or did I prove unthankful or fail to regard thee with a passion as warm and deep, as tender, and as true as thine own, and were indeed an ingrate and a traitor of the darkest die? Far be it from me to desire severance from thee, nor have any thought of leaving thee it never to return at any time crossed my mind. But my father is, is now an old man well-shotten in years, and he is so grieved in mind at this long separation from his youngest son, if thou wilt deign command, I would fain go visit him, and with all haste return to thine arms, yet I would not do aught in this matter against thy will, and such is my fond

affection for thee, that I would fain be at all hours of the day, and watchers of the night by thy side, nor leave thee for a moment of time. pari banu was somewhat comforted by this speech and from his looks words and acts she was certified that prince ahmaid really loved her with fondest love and that his heart was true as steel to her as was his tongue whereupon she granted him leave and liberty to set forth and see his sire whilst at the same time she gave him strict commandment not to tarry long with his kith and kinarken now o auspicious king shagar to what befell the sultan of hindustan and how it fared with him after the marriage of Prince Ali to Princess Nouralh. And, as the morm began to dawn, Shehrazad held her peace till... End of Part 2 of Prince Ahmed and the Ferry Peribanu. Section 18 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton.

This liver-box recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Prince Ahmed and the fairy Peribanou Part 3 The end of the 654th night Then said she I have heard O auspicious king That not seeing Prince Hussein and Prince Ahmed For the space of many days

The Sultan waxed exceeding sad and heavy-hearted And one morning after Darbar Asked his wazirs and ministers What had betided them and where they were Here too the councillors made answer saying, O our Lord, the shadow of Allah upon earth, thine eldest son and fruit of thy vitals, and heir apparent to thine the Prince Hussein, in his disappointment and jealousy and bitter grief,

hath daubed his royal robes and become a hermit, a devotee, renouncing all worldly lusts and gusts. Prince Ahmed, thy third son, also in high dudgeon, hath left the city, and of him none knoweth aught, whether he hath fled or what hath befallen him. the king was sore distressed and bade them right without stay or delay and forthright despatch firmans and commands to all the nabobbs and governors of the provinces with strict injunctions to make straight search for prince ahmaad and to send him to his sire the moment he was found But, albeit the commandments were carried out to the letter, and all the seekers used the greatest diligence, none came upon any trace of him. Then with increased sadness of heart, the sultan ordered his grand vizier to go in quest of the fugitive, and the minister replied,

"'Upon my head be it, and mine eyes, thy servant hath already caused most careful research to be made in every quarter, but not the smallest clue have yet come to hand. And this matter troubled me the more for that he was dear to me as a son. The ministers and grandees now understood that the king was overwhelmed with woe, tearful-eyed and heavy-hearted by reason of the loss of Prince Ahmad, whereupon they thought the Grand Vizier of a certain witch, famed for the black art, who could conjure down the stars from heaven, and who was a noted dweller in the capital.

So going to the Sultan, he spake highly of her skill in knowledge of the abstruse, saying, Let the king, I pray thee, send for this sorceress and inquire of her concerning his last son. And the king replied, Tis well said, Let her be brought hither, and happily she shall give me tidings of the prince and how he fareth. So they fetched the sorceress, and set her before the sultan, who said, Oh, my good woman, I would have thee know that ever since the marriage of Prince Ali with the lady Nur al-Nihar, my youngest son, Prince Ahmed, who was disappointed in her love, hath disappeared from our sight, and no man knoweth all of him.

Do thou forthright apply thy magical craft, and tell me only this. Is he yet alive, or is he dead? And he live, I would learn where he is, and how faireth he. Moreover, I would ask, is it written in my book of destiny that I shall see him yet again?

To this the witch-maid reply, O lord of the age and ruler of the times and tide, "'Tis not possible for me at once to answer all these questions, "'which belong to the knowledge of hidden things. "'But if thy highness Dane grant me one day of grace, "'I will consult my books of grammar, "'and on the morrow will give thee a sufficient reply and a satisfactory.' "'The sultan to this assented, saying,

"'And thou can give me detailed and adequate answer, "'and set my mind at ease after this sorrow, "'thou shalt have an exceeding great reward, and I will honor thee with highmost honor. Next day, the sorceress, accompanied by the Grand Vizier, craved permission to appear before the presence, and when it was granted, came forward and said, I have made ample investigation by my art and mystery,

and I have assured myself that Prince Ahmad is yet in the land of the living. Be not, therefore, uneasy in thy mind on his account, but at present save this only, not else can I discover regarding him, nor can I say for sure where he be, or how he is to be found. At these words the Sultan took comfort, and hope sprang up within his breast

that he should see his son again ere he died. Now return we to the story of Prince Ahmad. When his Peribanu understood that he was bent upon visiting his sire, and he was convinced that his love Hurwards remained firm and steadfast as before, she took thought and determined that it would ill become her to refuse him leave and liberty for such purpose so she again pondered the matter in her mind and debated with herself for many an hour till at length one day of the days she turned to her husband and said albeit my heart consenteth not to part from thee for a moment or to lose sight of thee for a single instant still inasmuch as thou hast oft times made entreaty of me and hast shown thyself so solicitous to see thy sire, I will no longer baffle thy wish. But this my favor will depend upon one

condition. Otherwise, I will never grant thy petition and give thee such permission. Swear to me the most binding of oaths that thou wilt hasty back hither with all possible speed, and thou wilt not by long absence cause me yearning grief and anxious waiting for thy safe returned to me. Prince Ahmad, well pleased to win his wish, thanked her saying, Oh, my beloved, fear not for me after any fashion, and rest assured I will come back to thee with all haste, as soon as I shall have seen my sire, and life hath no charms for me away from thy presence. Although I must needs be severed from thee for a few days, yet will my heart ever turn to thee, and to thee only. These words of Prince,

Ahmad gladdened the heart of Peribhanu, and drove away the darksome doubts and mysterious misgivings, which ever haunted her nightly dreams and her daily musings. And as the morn began to dawn, Sheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the 655th night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Peribanu, gladdened by these premises, addressed her husband, Prince So now, as soon as thy heart desireth, go thou and pay thy respects to thy sire. But ere thou set out, I would charge thee with one charge, and look that on no wise thou forget my read and my counsel, speak not to any, a single word of this thy marriage, nor of the strange sights thou hast seen, and the wonders thou hast witnessed. But keep them carefully concealed from

thy father and thy brethren, and from thy kith and kin one and all. This only shall thou tell thy sire, so his mind may be set at ease that thou art unksome and happy, also that thou hast returned home for a while only with the object of seeing him, and becoming assured of his welfare. Then she gave orders to her people bidding them make ready for the journey without delay, and when all things were prepared she appointed twenty horsemen, armed Capapi and fully accouted to accompany her husband, and gave him a horse of perfect form and proportions, swift as the blinding leaven, or the rushing wind, and his housings and furniture were bedecked

with precious oars and studded with jewels. Then she fell on his neck, and they embraced with warmest love. And as the twain bad adieu, Prince Ahmad to set her mind at rest, renewed his protestations, and swear to her again his solemn oath. Then, Mount mounting his horse and followed by his suite, all gin-born cavaliers, he set forth with mighty pomp and circumstance, and riding diligently he soon reached his father's capital. Here he was received with loud acclamations, the like of which had never been known in the land.

The ministers and officers of state, the citizens, and the riots, all rejoiced with exceeding joy to see him once more, and the folk left their work, and with blessings and low obeisances, joined the cavalcade, and crowding around him on every side escorted him to the palace gates. When the prince reached the threshold, he dismounted, and, entering the audience hall, fell at his father's feet and kissed them in a transport of filial affection. The sultan, well-nigh distraught for delight at the unexpected sight of Prince Ahmad, rose from his throne and threw himself upon his son's neck, weeping for very joy,

and kissed his forehead, saying, O dear, my child, in despair at the loss of the Lady Nur al-Nihar, thou didst suddenly fly from thy home, and despite all research, nor trace nor sign of thee, was to be found, however sedulously resought thee. And I distracted of thy disappearance

and reduced to this condition in which thou seest me. Where hast thou been this long while, and how hast thou lived all this time? replied prince ahmaid tis true o my lord the king that i was down-hearted and distressed to see prince ali gain the hand of my cousin but that is not the whole cause of my absence thou mayst remember how when we three brothers rode at thy command to yonder plain for a trial of archery my shaft albeit the place was large and flat disappeared from sight and none could find where it had fallen now so it fortunate that one day in sore heaviness of mind I fared forth alone, and unaccompanied, to examine the ground thereabout and try of happily I could find my arrow.

But when I reached the spot where the shafts of my brothers, Princess Hussein and Ali, had been picked up, I made search in all directions, right and left, before and behind, thinking that thereabouts mine also might come to hand, but all my trouble was in vain. I found neither shaft nor aught else. So, walking onwards in obstinate research, I went a long way, and at last, despairing, I would have given up the quest, for full well I knew that my boat could not have carried so far, and indeed that it were impossible for any marksmen to have driven bolt or pile to such distance, when suddenly I espied it, lying flat upon a rock, some four parsangs distant for this place.

The Sultan marveled with much marvel at his words, and the prince presently resumed, so when I picked up the arrow, oh my lord, and considered it closely, I knew it for the very one I had shot, but admired in my mind how it had come to fly so far, and I doubted not but that there was a somewhat mysterious about the matter. While I thus reflected, I came upon the place where I have sojourned ever since that day in perfect solace and happiness. I may not tell thee more of my tale than this, for I came only to ease thy mind, on my account, and now I pray thee, Dane grant me thy supreme permission that I return forthright to my home of delights. From time to time I will not cease to wait upon thee and to inquire of their welfare

with all the affection of a son. replied the king, "'Oh, my child, the sight of thee hath gladdened mine eyes, and I am now satisfied, and not unwillingly I give thee leave to go, since thou art happy in some place so near hand. But shouldst thou at any time delay thy coming hither, say me, how shall I be able to get tidings of thy good health and welfare? And quoth Prince Ahmed, O my lord the king, that which thou requirest of me is part of my secret, and this must remain deep hidden in my breast. As I said before, I may not discover it to thee, nor say aught that might lead to its discovery.

However, be not uneasy in thy soul, for I will appear before thee full many a time, and happily I may irk thee with continual coming. Oh, my son rejoined the Sultan, I would not learn thy secret, and thou would keep it from me. But there is one only thing I desire of thee, which is that ever and anon I may be assured of thine enduring health and happiness.

Thou hast my full permission to hide thee home. but forget not at least once a month to come and see me, even as now thou dost, lest such forgetfulness caused me anxiety and trouble, carp and care. So Prince Ahmed tarried with his father three days, full told, but never for a moment did the memory of his lady Peribanu fade from his mind. And on the fourth day he mounted horse and returned with the same pomp and pageantry wherewith he came.

And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held to dawn. her peace till? The end of the 656th night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Peribanu joyed with exceeding joy at the sight of Prince Ahmed as he returned to his home, and it seemed to her

as though they had been parted for three hundred years, such as love, that moments of separation are long-summed weariest twelve months. The prince offered much of excuses for his short absence, and his words delighted Peribanu yet the more. So these twain, lover and beloved, passed the time in perfect happiness, taking their pleasure one with other. Thus a month went by, and Prince Ahmed never once mentioned the name of his sire,

nor expressed a wish to go visit him, according to his promise. Noting this change, the Lady Peribanu said to him one day, thou toldest me aforetime that once in the beginning of each month thou wouldst bear forth and travel to thy father's court and learn news of his welfare. Why then neglectest thou so to do, seeing that he will be distressed and anxiously expecting thee?

replied Prince Ahmad, "'Tis even as thou sayest, but awaiting thy command and thy permission, I have forborne to have proposed the journey to thee.' And she made answer. let thy faring and thy returning rest not on my giving thee liberty of leave at the beginning of each month as it cometh round do thou ride forth and from this time forwards thou hast no need to ask permission of me Stay with thy sire three days, full toad, and on the fourth, come back to me without fail. Accordingly, on the next day, betimes, in the morning, Prince Ahmed took his departure,

and, as aforetime, rode forth with abundant pomp and parade, and repaired to the palace of the Sultan his sire, to whom he made his obeisance. On like manner continually to do, each month with the suite of horsemen, larger and more brilliant than before, whilst he himself, was more splendidly mounted than equipped. And whenever the crescent appeared in the western sky, he fondly farewelled his wife and paid his visit to the king, with whom he tarried three whole days,

and on the fourth returned to dwell with Peribanu. But as each and every time he went, his equipage was greater and grander than the last, at length one of the viziers, a favorite and cup companion of the king, was filled with wonderment, and jealousy to see Prince Ahmed appear at Palace, with such opulence and magnificence. So, he said in himself,

None can tell whence cometh this prince, and by what means he hath obtained so splendid a sweet. Then of his envy and malice that was he felt applying the king with deceitful words and said, Oh, my liege lord and mighty sovereign, it he'll becomeeth thee to be thus heedless of Prince Ahmed's proceedings. Seest thou not how day after day has retinue increaseeth in numbers and puissance? What an he should plot against thee and cast thee into prison, and take from thee the reins of the realm?

Right well thou wottest that inasmuch as thou didst with Prince Ali to the Lady Nur al-Nihar, thou provokest the wrath of Prince Hussein and Prince Ahmad. so that one of them in the bitterness of his soul renounced the poms and vanities of this world, and hath become a fakir, whilst the other, to which Prince Ahmad, appearth before thy presence in such inordinate power and majesty. Doubtless they both seek their revenge, and having gotten thee into their power, the twain will deal treacherously with thee. So I would have thee beware, and again I say beware,

and seized the forelock of opportunity, ere it be too late, for the wise have said, thou canst bar a spring with a sword of clay, but when grown, twill bear a big host away. Thus spake that malicious vizier, and presently he resumed,

thou knowest also, that when Prince Ahmed would end his three days' visits, he never asketh thy leave, nor farewell at thee, nor bideth adieu to any one of his family. such conduct is the beginning of rebellion and proveeth him to be rancorous of heart but tis for thee in thy wisdom to decide these words sank deep in the heart

of the simple-minded sultan and grew a crop of the direst suspicions he presently thought within himself who knoweth the mind and designs of Prince Ahmad whether they be dutiful or undutiful towards me Happily he may be plotting vengeance. So it besitteth me to make inquiries concerning him, To discover where he dwelleth,

And by what means he hath attained to such puissance and opulence. Filled with these jealous thoughts he said in private one day, And be known to the Grand Vazir, Who would at all times be friend, Prince Ahmad, To summon the witch, And admitting her by a secret posture into his private chamber, asked to her, saying, Thou didst aforetime learn by their magical art

that Prince Ahmad was alive, and didst bring me tidings of him. I am beholden to thee for this good office, and now I would desire of thee to make further quest into his case and ease my mind, which is sore disturbed. Obate my son still liveth, and cometh to visit me every month,

yet am I clean ignorant of the place wherein he dwelleth, and whence he setteth out to see me, for that he keepeth the matter close hidden from his sire, Go thou forthright and privily, without the knowledge of any, My viziers and nabbs, my courtiers, and my household, And make thou diligent research, And with all haste, bring me word whereabouts he liveth. He now sojourneth here upon his wanted visit,

And on the fourth day, without leave-taking or mention of departure to me, Or to any of the ministers and officers, He will summon his suite and mount his steed. Then will he ride to some little distance hence and suddenly disappear? Do thou without stay or delay forego him on the path, and lie Purdue in some convenient hollow, hard by the road, whence thou mayest learn where he homeeth? Then quickly bring me tidings thereof. Accordingly the sorceress departed the presence of a king,

and after walking over the four passangs, she hid herself within a hollow of the rocks hard by the place where Prince Ahmed had found his arrow, and there awaited his arrival. Early on the morrow, the prince, as was his wont, set out upon his journey without taking leave of his sire or farewelling any of the ministers. So when they drew nigh, the sorceress caught sight of the prince and of the retinue that rode before and beside him, and she saw them enter a hollow way which forked into a many of byways, and so steep and dangerous were the cliffs and boulders about the track, that hardly could a footman safely paced that path. Seeing this, the sorceress bethought her that it must surely lead to some cavern,

or happily to a subterraneous passage, or to a suitoran, the abode of gins and fairies. When suddenly the prince and all his sweet vanished from her view, so she crept out of the hiding-place wherein she had ensconced herself, and wandered far and wide, seeking as diligently as she was able, but never finding the subterraneous passage, nor yet could she discern the iron door which Prince Archameter despide, for none of human flesh and blood

had power to see this, save he alone for whom it was made visible by the fairy Ferry-Banoo. Furthermore, it was ever concealed from the prying eyes of womankind. Then, said the sorceress to herself, "'This toil and moil have I undertaken to no purpose. "'Ye, verily, I have failed,

to find out that wherefore I came. So she went forthright back to the sultan, and reported to him all that had betided her, how she had lain in wait amid the cliffs and boulders, and had seen the prince and suite ride up the most perilous of paths, and, having entered a hollow way, disappear in an eye-twinkling from her sight. And she ended by saying, "'Abeit I strove my utmost to find out the spot wherein the prince harvided,

yet could I on no wise succeed, and I pray thy highness may grant me time to search further into the matter, and to find out this mystery which by skill and caution on my part shall not long abide concealed. Answered the sultan, be it as thou wilt. I grant thee leisure to make enquiry, and after a time I shall await thy return hither. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held a peace, till. the end of the six hundred and fifty-seventh night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king,

that moreover the king largest the witch, with a diamond of large size and of great price, saying, take this stone to Gerton for thy trouble and travail, and in earnest of future favours. So when thou shalt return and bring me word that thou hast searched and found out the secret, thou shalt have a bachish of far greater worth, and I will make thy heart rejoice with choicest joy, and honour thee with highmost honour.

So the sorceress looked forwards to the coming of the prince, for well she knew that at the sight of each crescent he rode home to visit his sire, and was bound to abide with him three days, even as the lady Peribanu had permitted and had adjoined him. Now, when the moon had waxed and waned, on the day before the prince would leave home upon his monthly visit, the witch betook her to the rocks, and sat beside the place when she imagined he would issue forth, and next morning, early, he and his suite composed of many-amounted knight, with his esquire foot, who now always accompanied him in increasing numbers, rode forth gallantly through the iron doorway, and passed hard by the place where she lay in wait for him.

The sorceress crouched low upon the ground in her tattered rags, and, seeing a heap by his way, the prince at first, supposed that a slice of stone had fallen from the rocks across his path. But as he drew nigh, she fell to weeping and wailing, with might and mane, as though in sore duller and distress, and she ceased not to crave his countenance and assistance with increase of tears and lamentations. The prince, seeing her sore sorrow, had pity on her, and, reigning in his horse, asked her what she had to require of him, and what was the cause of her cries and lamentations? at this the cunning crone but cried the more,

and the prince was affected with compassion still livelier at seeing her tears and hearing her broken, feeble words. So, when the sorcerers perceived that Prince Ahmed had Ruth on her, and would fain show favour to her, she heaved a heavy sigh, and in woeful tones, mingled with moans and groans, addressed him in these false words, with all holding the hem of his garment, and at times stopping as if confulsed with pain.

Oh, my lord, and lord of all loveliness, as I was journeying from my home in yonder city upon an errand to such a place, behold, when I came thus far upon my way, suddenly a hot fit of fever seized me, and a shivering and a trembling, so that I lost all strength and fell down helpless, as thou seest me. And still no power have I in hand or foot to rise from the ground,

and to return to my place replied the prince alas o good woman there is no house at hand where thou mayst go and be fitly tendered and tendered howbeit i knowest stead whither and thou wilt i can convey thee and where by care and kindness thou shalt inshallah soon recover of thy complaint come then with me as best thou canst with loud moans and groans the witch made answer so weak am i in every limb and helpless that i can by no means rise off the ground or move save with the help of some friendly hand The prince then bade one of his horsemen, lift up the feeble and ailing old woman, and set her upon his steed. And the cavalier did his lord's bidding forthright and mounted her a straddle upon the proper of his courser. Then Prince Ahmed rode back with her, and, entering by the iron door, carried her to his apartment and sent for Peribanu. His wife hurriedly coming forth to the prince asked him in her flurry, is all well, and wherefore hast thou come back, and what wouldst thou that thou hast sent for me?'

Prince Ahmed then told her of the old woman, who was healthless and helpless, adding, "'S scarce had I set out on my journey when I espied this ancient dame lying hard by the roadside, suffering, and in sore distress. My heart felt pity for her to see her in such case, and constrained me to bring her hither as I could not leave her to die among the rocks. and I pray thee of thy bounty, Take her in, and give her medicines

That she may soon be made whole of this her malady. And thou wilt show her this favour, I shall not cease to thank thee, and be beholden to thee. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, too. The end of the six hundred and fifty-eighth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king,

That Peripanou looked at the old woman, And charged a twain of her hand, maidens that they carry her into a room apart, and tender with the tenderest care and the uttermost of diligence. The attendants did it she bade them, and transported the sorceress to the place she had designed. Then Peribunu addressed Prince Ahmed, saying, Oh, my lord, I am pleased to see thy pitiful kindness towards this ancient dame, and I surely will look to her case, even as thou hast enjoined me, but my heart misgiveth me, and much I fear some evil will result from thy goodness, this woman is not so ill as she doth make believe, but practiseth deceit upon thee,

and I ween that some enemy or envious have plotted a plot against me and thee. I'll be it go now in peace upon thy journey. The prince, who are no wise, took to heart the words of his wife, presently replied to her, Oh, my lady, Almighty Allah, forfend thee from all offence. With thee to help and guard me, I fear not of ill. i know of no foemen who would compass my destruction for i bear no grudge against any living being and i foresee no evil at the hands of man or jan thereupon the prince again took leave of peribanu and repaired with his attendants to the palace of his sire who by reason of the malice of his crafty minister was inwardly afraid to see a son but not the less he welcomed him with great outward show of love and affection

meanwhile the two fairy handmaidens to whom peri benel had given charge of the witch bore her away to a spacious room splendidly furnished and laid her on a bed having a mattress of satin and a brocaded coverlet Then one of them sat by her side, whilst the other, with all speed, fetched in a cup of porcelain, an essence which was a sovereign draught for ague and fever. Presently they raised her up and seated her on the couch, saying, Drain thou this drink. It is the water of the lions found, and whoso tasteth of the same as forthwith made whole of what disease soever he hath. The sorceress took the cup with great difficulty,

and after swallowing the contents lay back on the bed. and the handmaiden spread the quilt over her, saying, Now rest a while, and thou shalt soon feel the virtues of this medicine. Then they left her to sleep for an hour or so. But presently the witch, who had feigned sickness to the intent only that she might learn where Prince Ahmad abode and might inform the Sultan thereof, being assured that she had discovered all that she desired, rose up, and summoning the damsels, said to them, the drinking of that draught hath restored to me all my health and strength.

I now feel hail and hearty once more, and my limbs are filled with new life and vigor. So at once, acquaint your lady herewith, that I may kiss the hem of her robe, and return my thanks for her goodness mewards, then depart and hie me home again. Accordingly, the two handmaidens took the sorceress with them, and showed her, as they went along, the several apartments, each more men magnificent and kingly than the other, and at length they reached the belvedere, which was the noblest saloon of all, and fitted and filled with furniture exceeding costly and furious. There sat Peribanu upon a throne which was adorned with diamonds and rubies, emeralds,

pearls, and other gems of unwanted size and water. Whilst round about her stood fairies of lovely form and features, robed in the richest raiments, and awaiting with folded hands her commandments, The sorceress marvelled with extreme marvel to see the splendour of the chambers and their furniture, but chiefly when she beheld the Lady Peribonu seated upon the jeweled throne, nor could she speak a word for confusion and awe, but she bent down low and placed her head upon Peribonu's feet. Both the princess, in soft speech and reassuring tones, Oh, good woman, it pleaseth me greatly to see thee a guest in this my palace, and I joy even more

to learn that thou be wholly quit of thy sickness. So now solace thy spirits, with walking all round about the place, and my servants will accompany thee and show thee what there is worthy of thine inspection. Hereat the witch again lauded low, and kissed the carpet under Peribeneu's feet, and took leave of her hostess in goodly phrase,

and with great show of gratitude for her favours. The handmaids then led her round the palace, and displayed to her all the room, which dazed and dazzled her sight so that she could not find words to praise them sufficiently. Then she went her ways, and the fairies escorted her past the iron doorway, whereby Prince Ahmed had brought her in, and left her, bidding her Godspeed and blessing her. And the foul crone, with many thanks, took the road to her own home. But when she had walked to some distance, she was minded to see the iron door, so might she

with ease know it again. So she went back. But lo and behold, the entrance had vanished and was invisible to her, as to all other women. Accordingly, after searching on all sides and pacing to and fro and finding no sign nor trace of palace or portal, she repaired in despair to the city, and creeping along a deserted pathway, entered the palace, according to her custom, by the private postern. when safely within she straightway sent word by an eunuch to the sultan, who ordered that she be brought before him. She approached him with troubled countenance, whereat, perceiving that she had failed to carry out her purpose, he asked, What news? Hast thou accomplished thy design, or hast thou been baffled therein?

And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till? The end of the six hundred and fifty-ninth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the sorceress, who was a mere creature of the malicious vizier, replied, O king of kings, this matter have I searched out even as thou gavest command, and I am about to tell thee all that hath betided me. The signs of sorrow and marks of melancholy thou noticed upon my countenance

are for other cause which narrowly concerneth thy welfare. Then she began to recount her adventure in these terms. Now, when I had reached the rocks, I sat me down feigning sickness, and as Prince Ahmed passed that way and heard my complaining and saw my grievous condition, he had compassion on me. After some said and say he took me with him by a subterranean passage, and through an iron door to a magnificent palace, and gave me in charge of a fairy, peribanu height,

of passing beauty and loveliness, such as human eye hath never yet seen. Prince Ahmad bade her make me her guest for some few days, and bring me a medicine which would complete my cure, and she to please him at once appointed handmaidens to attend upon me. So I was certified that the twain were one flesh, husband's wife. I feigned to be exceeding, frail and feeble, and made as though I had not strength to walk or even to stand, whereat the two damsels supported me one on either side, and I was carried into a room where they gave me somewhat to drink, and put me upon a bed to rest and sleep. Then thought I to myself,

Verily I have gained the object wherefore I had feigned sickness, and I was assured that it availed no more to practice deceit. Accordingly, after a short while, I arose, and said to the attendants that the draught which they had given me to drink had cut short the fever, and had restored strength to my limbs, and life to my frame. Then they led me to the presence of the Lady Perth. peribanu, who was exceeding pleased to see me once more hail and hearty, and bade her handmaidens conduct me around the palace, and show each room in its beauty and splendor, after which I

prayed leave to wend my ways, and here I am again to work thy will. When thus she had made known to the king all that had betided her, she resumed, perchance, on hearing of the might and majesty, opulence, and magnificence of the lady Peribanou, thou would be gladdened and say within thyself, "'Tis well that Prince Ahmed is wedded to this fairy "'and hath gotten for himself such wealth and power. "'But to the thinking of this thy slave, "'the matter is quite other.

"'It is not well, I dare avouch, "'that thy son should possess such pretense and treasures, "'for, who knoweth, but that he may, by good aid of Peribanu, "'bring about division and disturbance in the realm. "'Beware of the wiles and malice of women.' the prince is bewitched with love of her and peradventure at her incitement he may act towards thee otherwise than write and lay hands on thy hordes and seduce thy subjects and become master of thy kingdom and albeit he would not of his own free will do aught to his father and his forebears save what was pious and dutiful yet the charms of his princess may work upon him little by little and end by making him a rebel and what more i may not say now mayest thou see that the matter is a weighty so be not heedless but give it full consideration then the sorceress made ready to gang her gate when spake the king saying

i am beholden to thee in two things the first that thou tookest upon thyself much toil and travail and on my behalf riskedst thy life to learn the truth and end my son prince ahmaid secondly i am thankful for that thou hast given thee a reed so sound and such wholesome counsel. So saying he dismissed her with the highmost honor, but no sooner had she left the palace than he, saw distraught, summoned his second vizier, the malicious minister who had incited him against Prince Ahmad, and when he and his friends appeared in the presence, he laid before them the whole matter, and asked of them saying, what is your counsel, and what must I do to protect myself and my kingdom against the wiles of this fairy? replied one of his counsellors. It is but a trifling matter, and the remedy is simple and near hand.

Command that Prince Ahmed, who is now within the city, if not in the palace, be detained as one taken prisoner. Let him not be put to death, lest happily the deed may engender rebellion, but, at any rate, place him under arrest, and, if he prove violent, clap him in irons. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held him, piece till end of part three of prince ahmaud and the fairy peribanu section nineteen of the book of the thousand knights of the night's and a night volume thirteen translated by richard francis burton this

libravox recording is in the public domain read by thomas copland prince ahmaud and the fairy peribanu part four the end of the six hundred and sixtieth night then said she i have heard "'heard, O auspicious King, that this felon council "'pleased the malicious minister and all his fatterson flutterers "'highly approved his reed. "'The Sultan kept silence and made no reply, "'but on the morrow he sent and summoned the sorceress "'and debated with her whether he should

"'or should not cast Prince Ahmad into prison. "'Kulchee, "'O King of Kings, this council is clean contrary "'to sound sense and right reason. "'And thou throw Prince Ahmed into jail, so must thou also do with all his knights and their esquires and inasmuch as they are jinns and mobberids who can tell their power of reprisals nor prison cells nor gates of adamant can give them in they will forthwith escape and report such violence to the fairy who wroth with extreme wrath to find her husband doomed to durance vile like a common malefactor and that too for no default or crime but by a treacherous arrest will assuredly deal the direst of vengeance on thy head and do us a damage we shall not be able to offend and thou wilt confide in me i will advise thee how to act whereby thou mayst win thy wish and no evil will come nigh thee or thy kingship

thou knowest well that to jinns and fairies is power given of doing in one short moment deeds marvellous and wondrous which mortals fail to effect after long years of toil and trouble. Now, when as thou goest a hunting or on other expedition, thou requires pavilions for thyself and many tents for thy retinue and attendance and soldiery, and in making ready and transporting such store, much time and wealth are wastefully expended. I would advise, though, king of kings, that thou try, Prince Ahmad, by the following test. Do thou bid him bring to thee a shamiana so long and so broad that it will cover and lodge the whole of thy court, and men at arms, and cam followers, likewise the beasts of verdun, and yet it must be so light that a man may hold it in the hollow of his hand,

and carry it whithersoever he listed. Then, after holding her peace for a while, she added, still addressing the Sultan, and as soon as Prince Ahmed shall acquit himself of this commission, do thou demand of him a somewhat still greater and more wondrous, wherewith I will make thee aware, and which he will find grievous of execution. On this wise, shalt thou fill thy treasury with rare inventions and strange, the handicraft of gin?

Nor will this cease, till such time and fine, when thy son shall be at his wit's end to carry out thy requirements. Then humbled and abashed, he will never dare to enter, thy capital or even thy presence and thus shalt thou be saved from fear of harm at his hands and thou shalt not have need to put him in jail or worse still to do him dead hearing these words of wisdom the sultan made known the witch's device to his advisers and asked them what they deemed thereof they held their peace and answered not a word or good or ill while he himself highly approved it and said no more next day prince ahmed came to visit the king who welcomed him with overflowing affection and clasping him to his bosom kissed him on eyes and for it long time they sat conversing on various subjects till at length the sultan finding an occasion spake thus oh dear my son o ahmad for many a day i have been sad at heart and sorrowful of soul because of separation from thee and when thou camest back i was gladdened with great gladness at sight of thee, and albeit thou didst, and dost still, withhold from me the

knowledge of thy whereabouts, I refrain from asking thee, or seeking to find out thy secret, since it was not according to thy mind to tell me of thine abode. Now, however, I have heard say that thou art wedded to a mighty genia of passing beauty, and the tidings please me with the highmost possible pleasure. I desire not to learn aught from thee concerning thy fairy wife, save whatso thou wouldst entrust to me of thine own free will. But, say me, should I at any time require somewhat of thee, canst thou obtain it from her?

Doth she regard thee with such favour that she will not deny thee anything thou askest of her? Quote the prince, O my lord, what dost thou demand of me? My wife is devoted to her husband in heart and soul, So Prithee let me learn what it is thou wouldst half of me and her. Replied the Sultan, Thou knowest that oft-times I fare a hunting on some foray and fray

When I have great need of tents and pavilions and shamayanas, With herds of troops and camels and mules and other beasts of verdant Carry the camp from place to place. I would, therefore, that thou bring me a tent so light That a man may carry it in the hollow of his hand, and yet so large that it may contain my court and all my host and camp and sutlers and bath animals. And thou wast asked the lady for this gift, I know full well that she can give it, and hereby shalt thou save me much of trouble in providing carriage for the tentage,

and spare me much waste and loss of beasts and men. The prince replied, O my sire the sultan, trouble not thy thought, I will at once make known thy wish to my wife, the lady Perry Banu, and, albeit little I want, and fairies have the faculty of making a pavilion such as thou descrivest, or indeed, supposing that they have such power, and she will grant me or not grant me her aidan's, and, moreover, although I cannot promise thee such present, ye have whatsoever lieth in my ability to do, that will I gladly do for thy service. And as the morn began to dawn, Shehrazad held a peace, till? The end of the six hundred and sixty-first

night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that quoth the king to Prince Ahmad, shouldst thou perchance fail in this matter, and bring me not the gift required, O my son, I will never see thy face again, a sorry husband thou in good sooth of thy wife refuse so mean a thing, and hasten not to do all thou biddest her do, giving thee to see that thou art of small value and consequence in her eyes, and that her love for thee is a quantity well nigh to naught. But do thou, O my child, go forth and straightway ask her for the tent? And she giveth thee, know thou she desireth thee,

and thou art the dearest of all things to her, and I have been informed that she loveth thee with all her heart and soul, and will by no means refuse the Othelah Aquarius, were it even the balls of her eyes. Now, Prince Ahmad was ever one to tarry three days each month with the Sultanessire, and returned to his spouse on the fourth, but this time he stayed two days only, and farewelled his father on the third. As he passed into the palace, Peribanu could not but note that he was sad at heart and downcaste face. So she asked of him, Is all well with thee? Why hast thou come

today and not to-morrow from the presence of the king thy father? And why carryest thou so trest a countenance? Whereupon, after kissing her brow and fondly embracing her, he told her the whole matter first to last. And she made answer, I will speedily set thy mind at rest, for I would not see thee so saddened for a moment longer. Howbeit, oh, my love,

From this petition of the Sultan thy sire, I am certified that his end draweth nigh, and he will soon depart this world, to the mercy of Allah of the Almighty. Some enemy hath done this deed, and much of mischief hath made for thee. And the result is that thy father, all unmindful of his coming doom, doth seek diligently his own destruction. The prince, anxious and alarmed, thus answered his wife. Almighty Allah be praised, the King my liege lord is in the best of health, and showeth no sign of disorder or decrepitude. Tis but this morning I left him hail and hearty, and in very sooth I never saw him in better case.

Strange, indeed, that thou shouldst ken what shall betide him before I have told thee aught concerning him, and especially how he hath come to learn of our marriage and of our home. Quoth Peribanu, Oh, my prince, thou knowest what I said to thee, when as I saw the old dame whom thou broughtest hither, as one afflicted with the ague and fever, that woman who is a witch of Satan's breed hath disclosed to thy father all he sought to learn,

concerning this our dwelling-place. And, notwithstanding that I saw full clearly she was no sick nor sorry, but only feigning or fever, I gave her medicine or drink which cured complaints of all kinds, and she falsely made believe that by its virtues she had recovered health and strength. So when she came to take leave of me, I sent her with two of my damsels and bid them display to her every apartment in the palace, together with his furniture and decorations, that she might better know the condition of me and thee. Now all this did I on thy account only, for thou baddest me show compassion to the ancient woman,

and I was rejoiced to see her departing safe and sound in the best of spirit. save her alone no human being had ever power to know aught of this place much less to come hither prince ahmaid hearing these words thanked and praised her and said o sun-faced beauty i would beg of thee to grant me a boon whereof my father at major quest of me to wit a shamiana of such dimensions that it may shelter him and his many his camp and bad cattle and withal may be carried in the hollow the hand. And such marvel exist I wot not, yet would I do my utmost to procure it, and carry it to him right loyally? Quoth she, why trouble thyself, for so small a matter? I will forthright send for it, and give it thee.

Then she summoned one of her handmaids who was treasurer to her, and said, O'nur Jahan, Go thou at once and bring me a pavilion of such and such a fashion. So she fared forth without delay, and as quickly came back with the pavilion, which, at her lady's bidding, she placed in the palm of Prince Ahmed's hand. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the six hundred and sixty-second night. Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that Prince Ahmed hent the pavilion in hand, and thought to himself, What is this, Periban who giveth me? Surely she doth make a mock of me. his wife however reading his mind in his face fell to laughing aloud and asked what is it oh my dearling prince dost thou think that i am jesting and jiving at thee then she continued addressing the treasurer in take now yon tent from prince ahmad and set it on the plain that he may see its vast size and know if it be such and wonders required by the sultan his sire the handmaid took the pavilion and pitched it a far from the palace, and yet one end thereof reached there too from the outer limit of the plain, and so immense was its size that, as Prince Achma perceived, there was room therein for all the king's court, and were two armies ranged under it with their camp-followers and bat animals,

and would on no wise crowd or inconvenience the other? He then begged pardon of Peribanu, saying, I want not that the Shammayana was so prodigious of extent and so marvellous a nature, wherefore i misdoubted when first i saw it the treasurer presently struck the tent and returned it to the palm of his hand then without stay or delay he took horse and followed by his retinue rode back to the royal presence where after obeisance and suit and service he presented the tent the sultan also at first sight of the gift thought it a small matter but marvelled with extreme marble to see its size when pitched for it would have shaded his capital and its suburbs he was not however wholly satisfied for the size of the pavilion now appeared to him superfluous but his son assured him that it would always fit itself to its contents he thanked the prince for bringing him so rare present saying o my son acquaint thy consort with my obligation to her and offer my grateful thanks for this her bounteous gift now indeed know i of a truth that she doth love thee with the whole of her heart and soul and all my doubts and fears are well nigh set at rest then the king commanded they should pack up the tent and store it with all care in the royal treasury now strange it is but true that when the sultan received this rare present from the prince the fear and doubt the envy and jealousy of his son which the witch and the malicious vizier and his other ill advisers had bred in his breast waxed greater and livelier than before

because he was now certified that in very truth the genia was gracious beyond measure to her mate and that notwithstanding the great wealth and power of the sovereign she could outvigh him in mighty deeds for the aidance of her husband accordingly he feared with excessive fear lest happily she seek opportunity to slay him in favour of the prince whom she might enthrone in his stead so he bade bring the witch who had counselled him of war-time and upon whose slight and malice he now mainly relied. When he related to her the result of her reed, she took thought for a while. Then raising her brow said, O king of kings, thou troublest thyself or not, thou needest only command Prince Ahmed to bring thee of the water of the lion's spring. He must perforce, for his honour's sake, fulfil thy wish, and if he fail he will, for very shame not dare to show his face again at court. No better plan than this, canst thou adopt.

So look to it, nor alighter on thy way. Next day at even tide, as the sultan was seated in full Darbar, surrounded by his viziers and ministers, Prince Ahmed came forwards, and making due obeisance took seat by his side and below him. Hereat, the king addressed him, as was his wont, with great show of favour, saying, it delighteth me mightily that thou hast brought me the tent I required of thee,

for surely, in my treasury there be not so rare and strange. Yet one other thing lack I, and couldst thou bring at me, I shall rejoice with joy exceeding. I have heard tell that the genia thy consort makeeth constant use of a water which floweth from the lion's spring, the drinking whereof doeth away with fevers, and all other deadly diseases. I know thou art anxious that I live in hell,

and thou wilt bladden me, by bringing somewhat of that water, so I may drink thereof when occasion shall require, and well I want, that as thou valueest my love and affection theewards, thou wilt not refuse to grant me my request. Prince Ahmed, on hearing this demand, was struck with surprise that his sire should so soon make a second demand.

So he kept silence a while, thinking within himself, I have managed by some means to obtain the tent from the lady Peribanu, but Allah only knoweth how she will now act, and whether this fresh request will or will not rouse her wrath. How be it I know that she will unknowwise deny me any boon I may ask of her? So, after much hesitation, Prince Ahmed made reply, O my lord the king, I have no power to do otinous matter which rest of only with my spouse the princess. Yet will I petition her to give the water, and if she vouchsied consent, I will bring it straight to thee.

Indeed, I cannot promise thee such boon with all certainty. I would gladly do my endeavour in all and everything that can benefit thee, but to ask her for this water is a work more weighty than asking for the tent. Next day the prince took his departure, and returned to Peribanu. And after loving embraces and greetings, quote he, Oh, my lady, and light of my eyes, The sultan my sire sendeth thee his grateful thanks for the granting of his wish, To wit the pavilion, and now he adventureth himself once more,

And certified of thy bounty and beneficence, He would pray from thy hand the boon of a little water from the lion's spring. with all i would assure thee that and the giving of this water please thee not let the matter be clean forgotten for to do all thou willest is my one and only wish peribon who made reply methinks the sultan thy sire would put both me and thee to the test by requiring such boons as those suggested to him by the sorceress and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her to peace till the end of the six hundred and sixty-third night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Peribanu said further to Prince Ahmad,

nevertheless I will grant this largesse also, as the Sultan hath set his mind upon it, and no harm shall come therefrom to me or to thee, albeit is a matter of great risk and danger, and it is prompted by not a little of malice and ungraciousness, but give careful heed to my words, nor neglect thou ought of them, or thy destruction is certain sure. I now will tell thee what to do.

In the hall of yonder castle which riseth on that mountain, is a fountain sentinled by four lions, fierce and ravening, and they watch and ward the path that leadeth their two, a pair standing on guard whilst the other two take their turn to rest, and thus no living thing hath power to pass by them. Yet will I make known to thee, the means whereby thou mayst win my wish, without any hurt or harm befalling thee from the furious beasts.

Thus saying she drew from an ivory box a clue of thread, and by means of a needle, one of those wherewith she had been plying her work, made thereof a ball. This she placed in the hands of her husband and said, First, be thou careful that thou keep about thee with all diligence this ball, whose use I shall presently explain to thee. Secondly, choose for thyself two horses of great speed, one for thine own riding whilst on the other thou shalt load the carcass of a freshly slaughtered sheep cut into four quarters.

In the third place, take with thee of vile wherewith I will provide thee, and this is for carrying the water, which thou, inshallah, God willing, shall bring back. As soon as the morn shall morrow do thou arise with the light, and go forth riding my chosen steed, and leading the other alongside of thee by the reins. When thou shalt reach the iron portals Which open upon the castle court At no great distance from the gate Do thou cast the ball of thread

Upon the ground before thee? Forthwith it will begin rolling onwards Of its own will towards the castle door And do thou follow it Through the open entrance Until such times it stop its course? At this moment thou shalt see the four lions And the two that wake and watch

Will rouse the twain that sleep and rest All four will turn their jaws to the ground and growl and roar with hideous howlings, and make as though about to fall upon thee and tear thee limb from limb. However, fear not, thou be dismayed, but ride boldly on and throw to the ground from off the lead horse, the sheep's quarters one to each lion. See that thou are like not from thy steed,

but gore his ribs with thy shovel stirrup, and ride with all thy might and main up to the basin which gathereth the water. Here dismount, and fill the file whilst the lions will be busied, eating. Lastly, return with all speed, and the beasts will not prevent by them. Next day, at people mourn, Prince Ahmed did, according to all that Peribanu had bidden him, and rode forth to the castle. Then, having passed through the iron portals and crossed the court and opened the door, he entered the hall, where he threw the quarters of the sheep before the lions, one to each, and speedily reached the spring. He filled his file with water

from the basin and hurried back with all haste. But when he had ridden some little distance he turned about and saw two of the guardian lions following upon his track. However, he was on no wise daunted, but drew his sabre from the sheath to prepare him for self-protection. Hereat, one of the twain seeing him bear his brand for defense, retired a little away from the road, and, standing at gaze, nodded his head and wagged his tail,

as though to pray the prince to put up his scimitar, and to assure him that he might write in peace and fear no peril. The other lion then sprang forwards ahead of him and kept close him, and the two never ceased to escort him until they reached the city, nay, even the gate of the palace. The second twain also brought up the rear, till Prince Ahmed had entered the palace door, and when they were certified of this, all four went back by the way they came. Seeing such wonder spectacle, the townsfolk all fled in dire dismay,

albeit the enchanted beast molested no man, and presently some mounted horsemen, espying their lord riding alone and out attended, came up to him and helped him alight. The sultan was sitting in his audience hall, conversing with his vazirs and ministers, when his son appeared before him. And Prince Ahmad, having greeted him and blessed him,

and in dutiful fashion, prayed for his permanence of existence and prosperity and opulence, placed before his feet the file, full of the water from the lion's spring, saying, Lo, I have brought thee the boon thou desirest of me. This water is most rare and hard to obtain, nor is there in all thy treasure-house ought so notable

and of such value as this. If ever thou fall ill of any malady, Almighty Allah for offend this should be in thy destiny, then drink a draught thereof, and forthwith thou shalt be made whole of what so distemper thou hast. When Prince Ahmed had made, made an end of speaking, the sultan, with all love and affection, grace and honor, embraced him and kissed his head. Then, seating him on his right, said,

Oh, my son, I am beholden to thee, beyond count and measure, for that thou hast adventured thy life, and brought this water with great irk and risk from so perilous a place. Now, the witch had Erhaw informed the king concerning the lion's spring, and of the mortal dangers which reset the sight, so that he knew right well how Galahel was his son's daring due, and presently he said, Say me, O my child, how couldst thou venture thither, and escape from the lions, and broughtest back the water, thyself remaining safe and sound?

And as the morn began to dawn, Shahrazad held her peace, till? The end of the six hundred and sixty-fourth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the prince replied, by thy favor, oh my lord the sultan, have I returned in safety from that stead, mainly because I did according to the bidding of my spouse, the lady Peribanu, and I had brought the water from the lion's spring only by carrying out her commands. Then he made known to his father all that had befallen him

in going and returning, and when the sultan noted the preeminent valiance and prowess of his son, he only feared the more, and the malice and the rancor, envy and jealousy which filled his heart, waxed tenfold greater than before. However, dissembling his true sentiments, he dismissed Prince Ahmad, and betaking him to his private chamber, at once sent word to bid the witch appear in the presence. And when she came, he told her of the prince's visit, and all about the bringing of the water from the lion's spring. She had already heard somewhat thereof, by reason of the hubbub in the city at the coming of the lions, but as soon as she had given ear to the whole account, she marvelled with

mighty marble, and after whispering in the sultan's ear her new device, said to him in triumph, O king of kings, this time thou shalt lay a charge on the prince, and such commandment methinks will trouble him, and it shall go hard with him to execute aught thereof. Thou sayest well, replied the sovereign, now indeed will I try this plan now is projected for me. wherefore next day when as Prince Ahmet came to the presence of his sire the king said to him O dear my child it delighteth me exceedingly to see thy virtue and valor and the filial love wherewith thou art fulfilled good gifts chiefly shown by obtaining for me the two rarities I asked of thee and now one other and final requirement I have of thee

and shouldst thou avail to satisfy my desire I shall be well pleased in my beloved son and render thanks to him for the rest of my days. Prince Offmer had answered, What is the boon thou requirest? I will, for my part, do thy bidding as far as in thee lia. Then quoth the king in reply to the prince, I would fain have thee bring me a man of size and stature no more than three feet high, with beard full twenty ells in length,

who beareth on his shoulder a quarter-staff of steel, 13 score pounds in weight, which he wieldeth with ease, and swingeth around his head without wrinkle on brow, even as men wield cudgels of wood. On this wise the sultan led astray by the doom of destiny, and heedless alike of good and evil, asked that which should bring surest destruction upon himself. Prince Ahmed also, with blind obedience out of pure affection to his parent, was ready to supply him with all he required, unknowing what was prepared for him in the secret purpose. Accordingly, he said,

Oh, my son of the Sultan, I told me, twill be hard to find all the world over, a man such as thou desirest. Still, I will work my best to do thy bidding. Thereupon the prince retired from the presence and returned as usual to his palace, where he greeted Peribanu with love and gladness. but his face was troubled, and his heart was heavy at the thought of the king's last behest.

Receiving his preoccupation, the princess asked of him, Oh, dear my lord, what tidings bringest thou for me to-day? Here too, replied he, The Sultan at each visit requireth of me some new thing, and burtheneth me with his requests, and to-day he purposeth to try me, and in the hopes of putting me to shame, he asketh somewhat which twere vain to hope I can find in all the world.

Thereupon Prince Ahmed told her all the king had said to him, and as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till, the end of the six hundred and sixty-fifth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Peribanu, hearing these words, said to the prince, Trouble not thyself at all in this matter. Thou dost venture at great risk to carry off for thy father, from the lion's spring, and thou succeededst in winning thy wish. Now this task is unknow-wise more

difficult or dangerous than was that, nay, tis the easier, for that he thou descrivest as none other than Shabar, my brother German. Although we both have the same parents, yet it pleased Almighty Allah to inform us in different figures, and to make him unlike his sister as being in mortal mold can be. Moreover, he is valiant and adventurous, always seeking some jest and exploit, whereby to further my interest, and right-willingly doth he carry out whatso he undertaketh. He is shaped and formed, as the Sultan thy sire hath described, nor useeth he any weapons save the Nabut or quarter-staff of steel. And see now I will sin for him, but be not thou dismayed at sighting him, replied Prince Ahmad. If he be the truth

Thine own brother, what matter how he looketh? I shall be pleased to see him as when one welcomeseth a valued friend or a beloved kinsman. Wherefore should I fear to look upon him? Hearing these words, Peribanu dispatched one of her attendants, who brought to her from her private treasury a chafing dish of gold. Then she bade a fire belit therein, and sending for her casket of noble metals studded with gems, the gift of a kinsman, she took therefrom some incense and cast her upon the flames. Herewith issued a dense smoke, spiring high in air and spreading all about the palace.

And a few moments after, Peribanu, who had ceased her conjurations, cried, Look ye, my brother Shabar cometh. Hence thou distinguish his form? The prince looked up and saw a mannequin in stature, dwarfish, and no more than three-feet-heat, with a boss on breast and a hump on back, with all he carried himself with stately mean and majestic air. On his right shoulder was borne his quarterstaff of steel, thirteen score pounds in weight.

His beard was thick and twenty cubits in length, but arranged so skillfully that it stood clear off from the ground. He wore also a twisted pair of long mustachos curling up to his ears, and all his face was covered with long pile. His eyes were not unlike unto pig's eyes, and his head, on which was placed a crown-like porfuel, was enormous a bulk, contrasting with the meanness of his stature. Prince Ahmad sat calmly beside his wife, the fairy, and felt no fear as the figure approached.

And presently Shabar walked up, and glancing at him, asked Peribarneu, saying, Who be this mortal, who sitteth hard by thee? Here too, she replied, Oh, my brother, this is my beloved husband, Prince Ahmad, son of the Sultan of Hindustan. i sent thee not an invitation to the wedding as thou wast then engaged on some great expedition now however by the grace of almighty allah thou hast returned triumphant and victorious over thy foes wherefore i have summoned thee upon a matter which nearly concerneth me hearing these words shabar looked graciously at prince ahmaad saying o my beloved sister is there any service i can render to him and she replied the sultan his side desireth ardent to see thee, and I pray thee go forthright to him, and take the prince with thee by way of guide, said he, this instant I am ready to set forth, but said she, not yet, oh, my brother, thou art

fatigued with journeying, so defer until the morrow thy visit to the king, and this evening I will make known to thee all the concern of Prince Ahmad. Presently the time came. So Peribanu informed her brother Shabar concerning the king and his ill-counselors, but she dwelt mainly upon the misdeeds of the old woman, the witch, and how she had schemed to injure Prince Ahmad, and despitefully prevent his going to city or court, and she had gained such influence over the Sultan that he had given up his will to hers, and ceased not doing what so she bad him. Next day at dawn, Shabar, the Jin, and Prince Ahmad set out together upon a visit to the Sultan, and when they had reached the city gates,

all the folk, nobles and commons, were struck with consternation at the dwarf's hideous form, and flying on every side in a fright and running into shops and houses, barred the doors and closed the casements and hid themselves therein. So panic-stricken indeed was their flight that many feet lost shoes and sandals and running, while from the heads of others their loosened turbines fell to earth. And when they twain approached the palace,

through streets and squares and marketplaces, desolate as the desert of Samoa, all the keepers of the gates took to their heels in sight of Shabar and fled, so there was none to hinder their entering. They walked straight on to the audience chamber where the Sultan was holding Darbar, and they found in attendance on him a host of ministers and counsellors, great and small, each standing in his proper rank and station. They too, unseeing Shabar, speedily took flight in dire dismay and hid themselves. Also the guards had deserted their posts,

nor cared in any way to let or stay the twain. The sovereign still sat motionless on his throne, where Chabar went up to him with lordly mean and royal dignity, and cried, O king, thou hast expressed a wish to see me, and lo, I am here. Say now, what wouldst thou have me do? And as the morn began to dawn,

Scheherazade held her peace, till... The end of the six hundred and sixty-sixth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the king made no reply to Shabar, but held up his hands before his eyes, that he might not behold that frightful figure, and, turning his head, would fain have fled in terror.

Shabar was filled with fury at this rudeness on the part of the sultan, and was wroth with exceeding wrath, to think that he had troubled himself to come at the bidding of such a craven, who now, on seeing him, would fain run away. So the Jin, without an instant's delay, raised his quarter-staff of steel, and swinging it twice in air, before Prince Ahmad could reach the throne or on any wise interfere, struck the sultan so fiercely upon the pole that his skull was smashed and his brains were scattered over the floor. And when Shabar had made an end of this offender, he savagely turned upon the Grand Vizier,

who stood on the sultan's right, and incontinently would have slain him also, but the prince craved pardon for his life and said, Kill him not, he is my friend, and hath at no time said one evil word against me, but such is not the case with the others, his fellows. Hearing these words, the infuriated shavar fell upon the ministers and ill-counselers on either side, to it all who had devised evil devices against Prince Ahmad,

and slew them each and every, and suffered not one to escape, save only those who had taken flight and hidden themselves. Then, going from the Hall of Justice to the courtyard, the dwarf said to the vizier whose life the prince had saved, Hark ye, there is a witch who beareth enmity against my brother, the husband of my sister, see that thou produce her forthright. Likewise the villain who filled his father's mind with hate and malice, envy, and jealousy against him, so may acquit them in full measure for their misdeeds.

The Grand Vazir produced them all. First the sorceress, and then the malicious minister, with his routed falters, and flatterers, and Shabar felled them one after the other with his quarter-staff of steel, and killed them piteously, crying to the sorceress, This is the end of all thy machinations with the king, and this is the fruit of thy deceit and treachery, so learn not to feign thyself's sake. And in the blindness of his passion he would have slain all the inhabitants of the city, but Prince Ahmed prevented him, and pacified him with soft and flattering words. Hereupon Shabar habited his brother in the royal habit, and seated him on the throne,

and proclaimed him Sultan of Hindustan. The people all, both high and low, rejoiced with exceeding joy to hear these tidings, for Prince Ahmed was beloved by everyone. So they crowded to swear fealty and bring presents and Nazarana's, and raised shouts of acclamation, crying out, Long live, King Ahmed! When all this was done, Shabar shabarer. Shabar shabar, shabar. sent for his sister, Perry Banu, and made her queen under the title Shah Banu, and in due time taking leave of her and King Ahmed, the genie returned to his own home. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the six hundred and sixty-seventh night.

Then said she, I heard, O auspicious king, that after these things, King Ahmed summoned Prince Ali, his brother and Nuralnihar, and made him governor of a large city hard by the capital, and dismissed him thither in high state and splendor. Also, he commissioned an official to wait upon Prince Hussein, and tell him all the tidings, and sent word, saying, I will appoint thee ruler over any capital or country thy sole desireth, and if thou consent, I will forward thee letters of appointment. But inasmuch as the prince was wholly content and entirely happy in Darwishhood, he cared not for rule or government or ought of worldly

of anities. So he sent back the official with his duty and grateful thanks requesting that he might be left to live his life in solitude and renunciation of matters mundane. Now when Queen Shahrazad had made an end of telling her story, and yet the night was not wholly spent, King Shariar spake, saying,

This thy story, admirable and most wonderful, hath given me extreme delight. And I pray thee, do thou tell us another tale till such time as the last hours of this our night be passed she replied be it as thou wilt o auspicious king i am thy slave to do as thou shalt bid the end of prince ahmaid and the fairy beribhanu section twenty of the book of the thousand knights and a knight volume thirteen translated by richard francis burton this librivox recording is in the public domain read by thomas The Two Sisters Who Envied their Cadet, Part One. Then she began to relate the tale of the two sisters who envied their cadet. In days of yore and in times long gone before, there lived a king of Persia, Kusra Shah

Height, renowned for justice and righteousness. His father, dying at a good old age, had left him sole heir to all the realm, and under his rule, the tiger and the kid drank side by side at the same ghat, and his treasury was ever full, and his troops and guards were numberless. Now it was his want to dawn disguise, and attended by a trusty Razir, to wander about the street at night-time, whereby things seldom seen and hap's peregrine became known to him, the which, should I tell thee all their other auspicious king, would weary thee beyond measure. So he took seat upon the throne of his forebears, and when the appointed days of morning were ended, according to the custom of that country,

he caused his exalted name, that is, Kusra Shah, he struck upon all the coins of the kingdom, and entered into the formula of public prayer. And when established in his sovereignty, he went forth as a foretime, on one evening, accompanied by his grand vizier, both in merchant's habit, walking the streets and squares, the markets and lanes, the better to note what might take place both of good and a bad. By chance they passed, as the night darkened, through a quarter where dwelt people of the poorer class, and as they walked on the shaw heard inside a house women talking with loud voices. Then going near, he peeped in by the door-chink, and saw three fair sisters, who having supped together, were seated on a divan talking one to other.

The king thereupon applied his ear to the crack, and listened eagerly to what they said, and heard each and every declaring what was the thing she most desired. Quote the eldest, I would I were married to the Shaw's head baker, but then should I ever have bread to eat, the whitest and choicest in the city, and your hearts would be fulfilled with envy and jealousy and malice at my good love.

Quote the second, I would rather wive with the Shaw's chief kitchener and eat of dainty dishes that are placed before His Highness, wherewith the royal bread, which is common throughout the palace cannot compare for gust and flavor, and both the third and youngest of the three, and by far the most beautiful and lively of them all, a maiden of charming nature, full of wit and humor,

sharp-witted, wary, and wise, when her turn came to tell her wish, O sisters, my ambition is not as ordinary as yours, I care not for fine bread, nor glutton-like do I long for dainty dishes, I look to somewhat nobler and higher. Indeed, I would desire nothing less than to be married by the king and become the mother of a beautiful prince, a model of form and in mind as masterful as valorous.

His hair should be golden on one side and silver on the other. When weeping, he should drop pearls in place of tears, and when laughing his rosy lips should be fresh as the blossom new-blown. The Shah was amazed with exceeding amazement To hear the wishes of the three sisters But chiefly of the youngest And determined in himself that he would gratify them all Wherefore quoth he to the Grand Vizier

Mark well this house And on the morrow bring before me these maidens Whom we heard discoursing And quote the vizier O asylum of the universe I hear but to obey Thereupon the Twain walked back to the palace and laid them down to rest. When morning morrowed,

the minister went for the sisters and brought them to the king, who, after greeting them and heartening their hearts, said to them in kindly tone, O ye maidens of weal, last night, what was it, that in merry word and jest you spake one to other?

Take heed you tell the Shah every whit in full detail, for all must become known to us. Something we have heard, but now the king would have ye recount your discourse to his royal ears. And as the morn began to dawn, Sheherazad held her peace, till The end of the six hundred and sixty-eighth night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that at these words of the Shah, the sisters, confused and

filled with shame, durst not reply, but stood before him silent, and with heads bent low. And despite all questioning and encouragement, they could, not pluck up courage. However, the youngest was of passing comeliness in form and feature, and forthwith the Shah became desperately enamored of her, and of his life began reassuring them, and saying, O ye princesses of fair ones, be not afraid, nor troubled in thought, nor let bashfulness or shyness prevent you from telling the Shah what three wishes you wished, for vain would he fulfil them all. Thereat they threw themselves at his feet, and craving his pardon for their boldness and freedom of speech told him the whole talk each one repeating the wish she had wished and on that very day busra shah married the eldest sister to his chief baker and the second sister to his head cook

and bad make all things ready for his own wedding with the youngest sister so when the preparations for the royal nuptials had been made after costliest fashion the king's marriage was celebrated with royal pomp and pageantry and the bride received the titles of Light of the Harem and Banu of Iranland. The other two maidens were likewise married, one to the king's baker, the other to his cook, after a manner according to their several degrees in life, and with little show of grandeur and circumstance. Now, it had been only right and reasonable that these twain, having one each her own wish, should have passed their time in solace and happiness. But the decree of destiny doomed otherwise. And as soon as they saw the grand estate where to their youngest sister had risen, and the magnificence of her marriage festival, their hearts were fired with envy and jealousy,

and so despite, and they resolved upon giving the reign to their hatred and malignancy and to work her some foul mischief. On this wise they remained for many months consumed with rancor, day and night, and they burned with grief and anger whenever they cited aught of her superior style and state. One morning, as the two met at the Hammam and found privacy and opportunity, both the eldest sister to the second, a grievous thing it is indeed that she our youngest sister, no lovelier than ourselves, should thus be raised to the dignity and majesty of queendom, and indeed the thought is over hard to bear. Quote the other,

O sister mine, I also am perplexed and displeased at this thing, and I know not what of merit the Shah could have seen in her that he was tempted to choose her for his consort. She ill be fit at that high estate with that face like a monkey's favour, and save her you, I know nothing that could commend her to His Highness that he should so exalt her above her fellows. To my mind, thou and not she, art fit to share the royal bed, and I nurse a grudge against the king for that he have made this jade his queen, and the eldest sister rejoined, I likewise marvel beyond all measure, and I swear that thy youth and beauty, thy well-shaped figure, and lovely favor, and goodliness of gifts past challenge or compare, might well suffice to win the king

and attempted him to wed and bed with thee, and make thee as crowned queen and sovereign lady, in lieu of taking to his arms this, paltry, stop it. Indeed, he hath shown no sense of what is right and just in leaving thee disappointed, and on this account only the matter troubled me were exceeding trouble. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, still.

The end of the six hundred and sixty-ninth night. then said she, I have heard, O auspicious King, that the two sisters took counsel each with other, how they might abase their youngest sister in the Shaw's sight, and cause her downfall and utter ruin. Day and

night they conned over the matter in their minds, and spoke at great length about it when they ever met together, and pondered endless plans to injure the queen their sister, and, if possible, bring about her death. But they could fix upon none. And while

Thus they bore this despite and hatred towards her, and diligently and deliberately sought the means of gratifying their bitter envy, hatred, and malice, she, on the other hand, regarded them with the same favour and affection as she had done before marriage, and thought only how to advantage their low estate. Now, when some months of her wedded life had passed, the fair queen was found to be with child, whereof the glad tidings filled the Shah with joy, and straightway he commanded all the people of the capital and thrott, the whole empire keep holiday with feasts and dancing and every manner jollity, as became so rare and important an occasion. But as soon as the news came to the ears of the two envious sisters,

they were constrained perforce to offer their congratulations to the queen. And after a long visit, as the twain were about to crave dismissal, they said, Thanks be to Almighty Allah, oh, our sister, who hath shown us this happy day. one boon we have to ask of thee to wit that when the time shall come for thee to be delivered of a child we may assist as midwives of thy confinement and be with thee and nurse thee for the space of forty days the queen in her gladness made reply o sisters mine i fain would have it so for at a time of such need i know of none on whom to rely with such dependence as upon you during my coming trial your presence with me will be most welcome at opportune, but I can do only what thing the Shah biddeth,

nor can I do aught save by his leave. My advice is this, make known this matter to your mates, who have always access to the royal presence, and let them personally apply for your attendance as midwives. I doubt not, but that the Shah will give you leave to assist me, and remain by my side, considering the fond relationship between us three. Then the two sisters, returned home full of evil thoughts and malice, and told their wishes to their husbands, who in turn bespeak Mr. Shah, and offered their petition with all humility, little knowing what was hidden from them in the secret purpose. The king replied, When I shall have thought the matter over in my mind, I will give you suitable orders.

So saying, he privately visited the queen, and to her said, O my lady, and it leaves thee, "'I think'st would be well to summon thy sisters "'and secure their aidants, "'when thou shalt be laboring of child, "'in lieu of any stranger. "'And if thou be of the same mind as myself, "'let me at once learn and take steps "'to obtain their consent and concert,

"'e'er thy time arriveth. "'They will wait on thee with more loving care "'than any hired nurse, "'and thou will find thyself the safer in their hands.' "'Reply, the queen, "'O my lord the Shah, I also venture to think "'that it would be well to have my sisters by my sister's by my side, and not mere aliens at such an hour.

Accordingly, he sent word to them, and from that day they dwelt within the palace to make all ready for the expected confinement. And on this wise they found means to carry out their despiteful plot, which during so many days they had devised to scanty purpose. When our full tale of months had been told, the Banu was brought to bed of a man-child, marvellous in beauty, where at the fire of envy and hatred was kindled with redoubled fury in the sister's breasts. So they again took counsel, nor suffered Ruth, nor natural affection, to move their cruel hearts. And presently, with great care and secrecy, they wrapped the newborn

in a bit of blanket, and putting him into a basket, cast him into a canal which flowed hard by the queen's apartment. They then placed a dead puppy in the place of the prince, and showed it to the other midwives and nurses, averring that the queen had given birth to such an abortion. When these untoward tidings reached the king's ear, he was sore discomfited and waxed wroth with exceeding wrath, and as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till. The end of the six hundred and seventy-of-night. Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that the king, inflamed with sudden fierceness, drew his sword, and would have slain his queen, had not the Grand Vizier, who happened to be in his presence at the time, restrained his rage and diverted him from his unjust design and barbarous purpose. Cof he, O shadow of Allah upon earth, this mishap is ordained by the Almighty Lord, whose will no man have power to gain say. The queen is guiltless of offence against thee, for what is born of her is born without her choice, and she indeed hath no hand therein? with this and other sage counsels he dissuaded his lord from carrying out his fell purpose and saved the guiltless queen from a sudden and cruel death meanwhile the basket wherein lay the newly-born prince was carried by the current into a rivulet which flowed through the royal gardens and as the intendant of the pleasure grounds and pleasances chanced to walk along the bank by the decree of destiny he caught sight of the basket floating by and he called a gardener bidding him lay hold of it and bring it to him that he might see what was therein

the man ran along the review of its side and with a long stick drawing the basket to land showed it to the intendant who opened it and beheld within a new-born babe a boy of wondrous beauty wrapped in a bit of blanket at which sight he was astounded beyond measure of surprise now it chanced that the intendant who was one of the emirs and who stood high in favour with the sovereign had no children withal he never ceased offering prayers and vows to almighty allah that he might have a son to keep alive his memory and continue his name delighted at the sight he took home the basket with the babe and giving it to his wife said see how allah hath sent to us this man-child which I just now found floating upon the waters. And do thou apply thee forthright and fetch a wet nurse to give him milk and nourish him, and bring him up with care and tenderness as though he were thine own? So the intendant's wife took charge of the child with great gladness,

and reared him with her whole heart, diligently, as though horn of her own womb. Nor did the intendant say aught to any, or seek to find out whose might be the child, lest happily someone claim and take it from him. It was certified in his mind that the boy came from the queen's quarter of the palace, but deemed inexpedient to make too strict inquiry concerning the matter, and he and his spouse kept the secret with all secrecy. A year after this, the queen gave birth to a second son,

when her sisters, the Satanesses full of spite, did with this babe even as they had done by the first. They wrapped it in a cloth, and set it in a basket which they threw into the stream, then gave out that the queen had brought forth a kitten. But once more, by the mercy of Allah Almighty, this boy came to the hands of that same intendant of the gardens, who carried him to his wife and placed him under her charge with strict injunctions

to take care of the second founding sensuously, as she had done with the first. The Shah, enraged to hear the evil tidings, again rose up to slay the queen, but as before, the grand vizier prevented him and calmed his wrath with words of wholesome reed, and a second time saved the unhappy mother's life. And after another year had gone by, the Vanu was brought to bed, and this time bore a daughter, by whom the sisters did as they had done by her brothers. They set the innocent inside a basket and threw her into the stream. And the intendant found her also, and took her to his wife and bade her rear the infant together with the other two castaways. Hereupon the envious sisters,

wild with malice, reported that the queen had given birth to a musk rattling. Whereat, King Kossrau could no longer stay his wrath and indignation, so he cried in furious rage to the Grand Vazir, What, shall the Shah suffer this woman who beareth not but vermin and abortions, to share the joys of his bed? Nay, more the king can no longer allow her to live, else she will fill the palace with monstrous births. In very sooth she is herself a monster, and it behooth us to rid this place of such unclean creature and accursed. So saying, the Shah commanded them to do her to death, but the ministers and high officers of estate who stood before the presence fell at the royal feet, and besought pardon and mercy for the queen. The grand vizier also,

so said with folded hands, O shy-shah, O king of the kings, thy slave would fain represent that tis not in accordance with the course of justice or the laws of the land to take the life of a woman

for no fault of her own. She cannot interfere with destiny, nor can she prevent unnatural birth such as have thrice betided her. And such mishaps have oftentimes befallen other women whose cases call for compassion and not punishment,

and the king be displeased with her, then let him cease to live with her, and the loss of his gracious favour will be a penalty dire enough. And if the Shah cannot suffer the sight of her, then let her be confined in some room apart, and let her expiate her offence by alms deed and charity, until Israel, the angel of death, separate her soul from her flesh. Hearing these words of counsel from his aged counsellor, Kusrausha recognized that it had been wrong to slay the queen, for that she could unknow-wise do away

with aught that was determined by fate and destiny, and presently he said to the Grand Vazir, her life is spared at thine intercession, a wise man and where, yet will the king doom her to a weird which haply is hardly less hard to bear than death? And now do thou forthright make ready by the side of the cathedral mosque, a wooden cage with iron bars, and locked the queen therein as one would confine a perotious wild beast. Then every Muslim who wendeth his way to public prayers shall spit in her face ere he set foot within the fain. And if any fail to carry out this command, he shall be punished in like manner. So place guards and inspectors to enforce obedience, and let me hear if there be ought of gainsaying.

The Basir durst not make reply, but carried out the Shah's commandments, and this punishment inflicted upon the blameless queen had far better befitted her envious sisters. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till. The end of the six hundred and seventy-first night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the cage was made ready with all speed, and, when the forty days after purification of child-bed had come to an end, the Banu was locked therein,

and according to the king's commandment, all who came to prayer in the great mosque would first spit in her face. The hapless woman, well-knowing that she was not worthy of this ignominy, bore her sufferings with all patience and fortitude, nor were they few who deemed her blameless and undeserving to endure these torments and tortures, inflicted upon her by the Shah. and they pitied her and offered prayers and made vows for her release. Meanwhile, the intendant of the gardens and his wife brought up the two princes and the princess with all love and tenderness, and as the children grew in years, their love for these adopted ones increased in like proportion.

They gave the eldest prince the name Bachman, and to his brother Parvez, and as the maiden was of rare beauty in passing of loveliness and graciousness, they called her Perizada. When the princes became of years to receive instruction, the intended of the garden appointed tutors and masters to teach them reading and writing and all the arts and sciences. The princess also, showing like eagerness to acquire knowledge, was taught letters by the same instructors, and soon could read and write with as perfect fluency as could her brothers. Then they were placed under the most learned of the philosophers and the olima, who taught them the interpretation of the Quran and the sayings of the apostle,

the science of geometry as well as poetry and history, and even the abstruse sciences and the mystic doctrines of the enlightened, and their teachers were astonished to find how soon and how far all three made progress in their studies, and bid fair to outstrip even the sages, however, learned. Moreover, they all three were reared to horsemanship and skill in the chase, to shooting with shafts and lunging with, with lance and sway with saber and jerking the jared with other manly and warlike sports.

Besides all this, the Princess Parisada was taught to sing and play on various instruments of mirth and merriment, wherein she became peerless pearl of her age and time. The intendant was exceeding glad of heart to find his adopted children prove themselves such proficience in every branch of knowledge, and presently, for as much as his lodging was small and unfit for the rowing family, he bought at a little distance from the city a piece of land sufficiently large to contain fields and meadows and copses. Here he fell to building a mansion of great magnificence and busy himself day and night with supervising the architects and masons and other artificers. He adorned the walls inside and out with sculptural work of the finest

and paintings of the choicest, and he fitted every apartment with richest furniture. In the front of his mansion he bade lay out a garden, and stalked it with scented flowers and fragrant shrubs and fruit trees whose produce was as that of paradise. There was, moreover, a large park girt on all sides by a high wall, wherein he reared game, both fur and feather, as bought for the two princes and their sister. And when the mansion was finished and fit for habitation, the intendant who had faithfully served the Shah for many generations of men, craved leave of his lord that he had. he might bid adieu to the city and take up his abode in his new country seat.

And the king, who had always looked upon him with the eye of favour, granted to him the required boonright heartily. Furthermore, to prove his high opinion of his old servant and his services, he inquired of him if he had ought to request that it might be granted to him. Replied the other, O my liege lord, thy slave desireth not save that he may spend the remnant of his days under the shadow of the Shah's protection, with body and soul devoted to his service,

even as I served the sire before the sun. The Shah dismissed him with words of thanks and comfort when he left the city, and, taking with him the two princes and their sister, he carried them to his newly built mansion. Some years before this time his wife had departed to the mercy of Allah, and he had passed only five or six months in his second home when he too suddenly felt sick and was admitted. into the number of those who have found Ruth.

With all, he had neglected every occasion of telling his three foundlings the strange tale of their birth, and how he had carried them to his home as castaways, and had reared them as rearlings, and had cherished them as his own children. But he had time to charge them, ere he died, that they three should never cease to live together in love and honour and affection and respect one towards other. The loss of their protector caused them to grieve with bitter grief, for they all thought he was their real father. So they bewailed him and buried him as befitted, after which the two brothers and their sister dwelt together in peace and plenty. But one day of the days, the princes, who were

full of daring and of the highest metal, rode forth a hunting, and Princess Perisada was left alone at home, when an ancient woman, and as the morn began to dawn, Sheherazade held her peace, till—the end of the six hundred and seventy-second night. then said she i have heard o auspicious king that perchance an ancient woman of the moslems a recluse and a devotee came to the door and begged leave to enter within and repeat her prayers as it was then the canonical hour and she had but time to make the wuzoo ablushu paris ad bid bring her and saluted her with the salaam and kindly welcomed her then when the holy woman had made it end her orisons the handmaids of the princess at her command conducted her all through the house and grounds, and displayed to her the rooms with their furniture and fittings, and lastly the garden and orchard and game park. She was well pleased with all she saw, and said within herself, the man who built this mansion and laid out these partairs and virgins,

was verily an accomplished artist, and a white of marvellous skill. At last the slaves led her back to the princess, who, awaiting her return, was sitting in the belvedere, and, quoth she to the devotee, come, O good my mother, do thou sit beside me, and make me happy by the company of a pious recluse, whom I am fortunate enough to have entertained unawares, and suffer, I listen to thy words of grace, and thereby gain no small advantage in this world and the next. Thou hast chosen the right path and straight for on to walk, and that which all men strive for and pine for. The holy woman would fain have seated herself at the feet of the princess, but she courteously arose and took her by the hand and constrained her to sit beside her.

Both she, oh, my lady, mine eyes never yet beheld one so well-mannered as thou art. Indeed, I am unworthy to sit with thee. Nowherless, as thou biddest I will even do thy bidding. As they sat conversing each with other, the slave-girls set before them a table, whereon were placed some platters of bread and cakes, with saucers full of fruits, both fresh and dried, and various kinds of cates and sweetmeats. The princess took one of the cakes, and giving it to the good woman, said, Oh, my mother, refresh thyself herewith, and eat of the fruits such as thou likest.

Tis not long since thou didst leave thy home, and I tro thou hast not tasted ought of food upon the road, replied the holy woman, O lady of gentle bird, I am not one to taste of dainty dishes such as these, but I can ill refuse thy provision, since Allah the Almighty deigneth send me food and support by so liberal and generous a hand as thine. And when they twain had eaten somewhat and cheered their hearts, the princess asked the devotee concerning the manner of her worship and of her austere life, whereto she made due answer and explained according to her knowledge. The princess then exclaimed, Tell me, I pray thee, what thou thinkest of this mansion and the fashion, and the fashion of its building and the furniture and the appurtenances, and say, me, is all perfect and appropriate,

or is aught still lacking in mention or garden? And she replied, since thou deignest asked my opinion, I confess to thee that both the buildings and the partairs are finished and furnished to perfection, and the belongings are in the best of taste and in the highest of ordinance. still to my thinking there be three things here wanting which if thou hadst the place would be most complete the princess perisada adjured her saying oh my aunt i beseech thee tell me what three articles yet are lacking that i may lose no pains nor toil to obtain them and as the maiden pressed her with much entreaty the devotee was constrained to tell her quoth she o gentle lady the first thing is the speaking bird called Gubli Hazar Dostan. He is very rare and hard to find, but, whenever he poureth out his melodious notes, thousands of birds fly to him from every side, and join him in his harmony. The next thing is the singing tree, who smooth and glossy leaves,

when shaken by the wind and rubbed against one another, send forth tuneful tones which strike the ear like the notes of sweet-voiced minstrels, ravishing the heart of all who listen. The third thing is the golden water of transparent purity, whereon should but one drop be dripped into a basin and this be placed inside the garden, it presently will fill the vessel brimful and will spout upwards in jerves playing like a fountain at jets. Moreover, it never ceaseth playing, and all the water as it shooteth up falleth back again inside the basin, not one gout thereof being lost. Replied the princess,

I doubt not but thou knowest for a certainty the very spot where these wondrous things are to be found, and I pray thee, tell me now the place, and means whereby I may take action to obtain them. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held a peace,

till. The end of the six hundred and seventy-third night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the Holy Woman thus answered the princess. These three rarities are not to be found save on the boundary line that lieth between the land of Hind and the confining countries,

a score of martyrs along the road that leadeth eastward from this mansion. Let him who goeth forth in quest of them ask the first man he meeteth on the twentieth stage concerning the spot where he may find the speaking bird, the singing tree, and the golden water, and he will direct the seeker where to come upon all three. When she had made an end of speaking, the devotee, with many blessings and prayers

and vows for her well-being, farewelled the Lady Peresada, and fared forth homewards. The princess, however, ceased not to ponder her words, and ever to dwell in memory upon the relation of the Holy Woman, who never thinking that her hostess had asked for information, saved by way of curiosity, nor really purposed in mind to set forth with intent of finding the rarities, had heedlessly told all she knew, and had given a clue to the discovery. But Perizada kept these matters deeply graven on the tablets of her heart, with firm resolution to follow the directions, and by all means in her power to gain possession of these three wonders.

With all, the more she reflected, the harder appeared the enterprise, and her fear of failing only added to her unease. Now, whilst she sat perplexed with anxious thought, and anon terrified with sore fright, her brothers rode back from the hunting-ground, and they marvelled much to see her sad of semblance and low-spirited, wondering the while what it was that troubled her. Presently quoth Prince Bachman, O, sister mine, why art thou so heavy of heart this day? Almighty Allah forbid thou ill in health, and that ought have betided thee to cause thy displeasure

or to make thee melancholy. Tell us, I beseech thee what it is, that we may be sharers in thy sorrow, and be alert to aid thee. The princess answered not a word, but after long silence raised her head and looked up at her brothers. Then casting down her eyes,

she said in curt phrase that naught was amiss with her. Poor Prince Bachman, full well, I wot that there is a somewhat on thy mind which thou hesiteth to tell us, and now hear me swear a strong oath that I will never leave thy side till thou shalt have told us what cause it is that tremblet thee.

Happily thou art a weary of our affection, and thou wouldst undo the fraternal tie which hath united us from our infancy. When she saw her brother so distressed and distraught, she was compelled to speak, and said, albeit, oh, my dealings, to tell you wherefore I am sad and sorrowful

may cause you grief. Still, there is no help but I explain the matter to you, Twain. This mansion, which our dear father who hath found Ruth, builded for us, is perfect in every attribute, nor lacketh it in any condition of comfort or completion. Howbeit, I have found out by chance this day, that there are yet three things which, where they set within these walls of the house and grounds, would make our place beyond compare, and in the wide world there would be not with it to pair. These three things are the speaking bird, and the singing tree, and the golden water. And ever since I have a little bit of

I heard of them, my heart is filled with extreme desire to place them within our domain, and excessive longing to obtain them by any means within my power. Pick now behoove with you to help me with your best endeavor, and to consider what person will aid me in getting possession of these rarities. Replied Prince Bachman, My life and that of my brother are at thy service to carry out their purpose with heart and soul, and couldst thou give me but a clue to the place where these strange things are found, I would sally forth in quest of them a daybreak

as soon as the morning shall morrow. When Prince Parves understood that his brother was about to make this journey, he spake, saying, Oh, my brother, thou art the eldest of us, so do thou stay at home while I go forth to seek for these three things and bring them to our sister? And indeed it were more fitting for me to undertake a task which may occupy me for years,

replied Prince Bachman, I have full confidence in thy strength and prowess, and whatso I am able to perform, thou canst do as well as I can. Still, it is my firm resolve to fare forth upon this adventure alone and unaided, and thou must stay and take care of our sister and our house. So, next day, Prince Bachman, learned from the princess the road whereon he was to travel and the marks and signs whereby to find the place. Presently he donned armour and arms, and bidding the twain adieu,

he took horse and was about to ride forth with the stoutest of hearts, whereat Princess Perida's eyes brimmed with tears, and in faltering accents she addressed him, saying, Oh dear my brother, this bitter separation is heartbreaking, and sore sorrowful am I to see thee part from us? This disunion and thine in thy absence in a distant land caused me grief and woe far exceeding that wherewith thy mourned and pine for the rarities, wherefore thou quitest us. If only we might have some news of thee from day to day, then would I feel somewhat comforted, and consoled, but now tis clear otherwise, and regret is of none avail. And as the morn began to dawn, Sheherazade held a peace, till?

The end of the six hundred and seventy-fourth night. Then she said, I have heard, O auspicious king, that Prince Bachman made answer in these words. O sister mine, I am fully determined in mind to attempt this daring-due. Be thou not, however, anxious or alarm, poor, inshallah, God willing, I shall return successful and triumphant. After my departure, shouldst thou at any time feel in fear for my safety, then by this token which I leave thee, thou shalt know of my fate and lot good or evil.

Then, drawing from his waist-shall a little hunting-knife like a whittle, he gave it to Princess Peresada, saying, Take now this blade, and keep it ever by thee, and shouldst thou at any day or hour be solicitous concerning my condition, draw it from its sheath, and if the steel be clean and bright as tis now, then know that I am alive and safe and sound. But, and thou find stains of blood thereon,

then shalt thou know that I am slain, and not remaineth for thee to do, but to pray for me as for one dead. With these words of solace, the prince departed on his journey, and travelled straight along the road to India, turning nor to right hand nor to left, but ever keeping the same object in view.

Thus a score of days was spent in journeying from the land of Iran, and upon the 20th he reached the end of his travel. Here he suddenly cited an ancient man of frightful aspect, sitting beneath a tree hard by his thatched hut, wherein he was one to shelter himself from the rains of spring and the heats of summer, and the autumnal miasmas, and the wintry frosts. So shortened in years was the shake that hair and beard, mustachios, and whiskers were white, as snow, and the growth of his upper lip was so long and so thick that it covered and concealed his mouth, while his beard swept the ground, and the nails of his hands and feet had grown to resemble the claws of a wild beast. Upon his head he wore a broad-brimmed hat of woven palm leaves,

like that of a Malabar fisherman, and all his remaining habit was a strip of matting girded around his waist. Now this shake was a Darwesh, who for many years had fled the world and all worldly pleasures, who lived a holy life of poverty and chastity and otherworldliness, whereby his semblance had become such as I, O auspicious king, have described to thee. From early dawn that day, Prince Bachman had been watchful and vigilant, ever looking on all sides to describe someone who could supply him with information touching the whereabouts of the rarities he sought, and this was the first human being he had cited on that stage, the 20th and last of his journey. So he rode up to him, being assured that the Sheikh must be the white of whom the

holy woman had spoken. Then Prince Bachman, dismounting and making low obeisance to the Darwesh, said, O my father, Allah Almighty, prolong thy years, and grant thee all thy wishes. Where to the Fakir made answer, but in accents so indistinct that the prince could not distinguish a single word he said, and presently Bachman understood that his moustache was on such wise closed and concealed his mouth that his utterance became indistinct and he only muttered when he would have spoken. He therefore halted his horse to a tree and pulling out a pair of scissors said, O holy man, thy lips are wholly hidden by this overlong hair. Suffer me, I pray thee, clip the bristling growth which overspreadeth thy face

and which is so long and thick that thou art fearsome to behold. nay more like to a bear than to a human being. The Darwesh with a nod consented, and when the prince had clipped it and trimmed the growth, his face once more looked young and fresh as that of a man in the prime of youth. Presently, quoth Bachan to him, Would heaven that I had a mirror wherein to show thee thy face,

so thou would see how youthful thou seest, and how thy favour have become far more like that of folk than while it was? These flattering words pleased the Darwesh, who, smiling, said, I thank thee much for this thy goodly service and kindly offices, and if in return I can do aught of favour for thee, I pray thee let me know, and I will attempt to satisfy thee, in all things with my very heart and soul.

Then said the prince, O holy man, I have come hither from far distant lands along a toilsome road, in quest of three things, to wit, a certain speaking bird a singing tree and a golden water and this know i for certain that they are all to be found hard by this sight and as the morn began to dawn sheherazade held a piece till the end of the six hundred and seventy-fifth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that the prince turning to the doorway continued o devotee albeit well i want that the three things i see are in this land and near hand, yet I know not the exact spot wherein to find them. And thou have true information concerning the place and will inform me thereof. I, and my part will never forget thy kindness, and I shall have the satisfaction of feeling

that this long and toilsome wayfar hath not been wholly vain. Hearing these words of the prince, the Darwai's changed countenance, and his face waxed troubled, and his color wan. Then he bent his glance downwards and sat in deep, deepest silence, whereat the other said, O Holy Father, dost thou not understand the words, wherewith I have bespoken thee? And thou art ignorant of the matter, pray thee let me know, straightway, that I may again fare onwards until such time as I find a man who can inform me thereof. After a long pause, the Darwesh made reply,

"'Oh, stranger, it is true I can full well the sight whereof thou are in search. but I hold thee dear In that thou has been of service to me And I am loath for thine own sake To tell thee where to find that stead And the prince rejoined Say me, O Fakir, Why dost thou withhold this knowledge from me

And wherefore art thou not leave To let me learn it? Replied the other It is a hard road to travel And full of perils and dangers Besides thyself Many have come hither And have asked the path of me

and I refused to tell them, but they heeded not my warning, and pressed me sore, and compelled me to disclose the secret which I would have buried in my breast. Know, O my son, that all those braves have perished in their pride, and not one of them hath returned to me safe and sound.

Now, and thy life be dear to thee, follow my counsel, and fare no further, but rather turn thee back without stay or delay, and make for house and home and family. Here, too, Prince Bachman, stern in resolution, made reply, Thou hast, after kindly guise and friendly fashion, advised me with the best of advice, and I, having heard all thou hast to say,

do thank thee gratefully, but I reck not one jot or tittle of what dangers affront me, nor shall thy threats, however fatal, deter me from my purpose. Moreover, if thieves or foamy, and happily fall upon me, I am armed at point and can and will protect myself, for I am certified that none can out by me in strength and stour. To this the Fakim made reply, the beings who will cut thy path and bar thy progress to that place are unseen of man, nor will they appear to thee on any wise. How then canst thou defend thyself against them?

And he replied, So be it, still I fear not, and I pray thee only sure, show me the road thither. When the Darwish was assured that the prince had fully determined in mind to attempt the exploit, and would by no means turn or be turned back from carrying out his purpose, he thrust his hand into a bag which lay hard by, and took there from a ball, and said, "'Alas, or my son, thou wilt not accept my counsel, and in needs must let thee follow thy willful way. Take this ball, and mounting thy horse, throw it in front of thee, and as long as it shall roll onwards do thou ride after it. But when it shall stop at the hill-foot,

dismount from thy horse and throw the reins upon his neck, and leave him alone, for he will stay there without moving until such time hast thou return. Then manfully breast the ascent, and on either side of the path right and left, thou shalt see a scatter of huge black boulders. Here the sound of many voices in confused clamour and fright, will suddenly strike thine ears, to raise thy wrath and to fill thee with fear, and hinder the higher

course uphill. Have a heed that thou be not dismayed. Also beware, and again I say, beware, lest thou turn thy head at any time and cast a look backwards. And thy courage fail thee, or thou allow thyself one glance behind thee, thou shalt be transformed that very moment into a black rock. for know thou, O Prince, that all those stones which thou shalt seest strewn upon thy way were men, whileome, and braves

like thyself, who went forth with intent to gain the three things thou seekest, but frightened at those sounds, lost human shape, and became black bowlers. However, shouldst thou reach the hill-top, safe and sound, thou shalt find on the very summit a cage, and perch therein the speaking bird ready to answer all thy queries.

So ask of him where thou mayst find the singing tree in the golden water, and he will tell thee all thou requirest. When thou shalt safely have seized all three, thou wilt be free from further danger. Yet inasmuch as thou hast not yet set out upon this journey, give ear to my counsel. I beg of thee to desist from this thy purpose, and return home in peace,

whilst thou hast yet the power. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, still. End of Part 1 of the Two Sisters Who Envied their Cadet. Section 21 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton.

This liver-of-ox recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Part 2 of the two sisters who envied their cadet. The end of the six of the six of the six years, six hundred and seventy-sixth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the prince made answer to the Darwesh.

Until, although the holy man such time as I win to my purpose, I will not go back. No, never. Therefore, adieu. So he mounted his horse and threw the ball in front of him. And it rolled forward at racing speed, and he, with gaze intent thereupon, rode after it and did not suffer it to gain upon him.

When it had reached the hill whereof the Darwesh spake, it ceased to make further way, whereupon the prince dismounted, and, throwing the reins on his horse's neck, left him and fared a foot to the slope. As far as he could see, the line of his path from the hill-foot to the head was strewn with a scatter of huge black boulders, with all his heart felt not a fear. He had not taken more than some four or five paces before a hideous din in a terrible hubbub of many voices arose even as the doorway should forewarned him prince bahman however walked on valiantly with front erect and fearless tread but he saw no living thing and heard only the voices sounding all around him some said who is yon fool man and whence hath they come stop in let him not pass others shouted out fall on him seize this zan slay him

then the report waxed louder and louder still like as to the roar of thunder and many voices yelled out thief assassin murderer another muttered in taunting undertones let him be fine fellow that he is suffer him to pass on for he and he only shall get the cage and the speaking bird the prince feared not but advanced hotfoot with his wanted verve and spirit presently however when the voices kept approaching nearer and nearer to him and increased in number on every side he was sore perplexed his legs began to tremble he staggered and in fine overcome by fear he clean forgot the warning of the darwesh and looked back whereat he was incontinently turned to stone like the scores of knights and adventurers who had foregone him meantime the princess perisada ever carried the hunting-knife which bachman and brother had given her sheathed as it was in her maiden zone she had kept it there ever since he set out upon his perilous expedition and whenever she felt disposed she would bear the blade and judge by its sheen how fared her brother now until that day when he was transmute to stone she found it as often as she looked at it clean and bright but on the very evening when that evil fate betided him perchance prince pavre said to perisada oh sister mine give me i pray thee the hunting-knife that i may see how goeth it with it with our brother she took it from her waist-belt and handed it to him and as soon as he unsheathed the knife lo and behold he saw gouts of gore begin to drop from it noting this he dashed the hunting-knife down and burst out into loud lamentations whilst the princess who divined what had happened shed a flood of bitter tears and cried with sighs and sobs

alas oh my brother thou hast given thy life for me ah woe is me and well away why did i tell thee of the speaking bird and the singing tree in the golden water wherefore did i ask that holy woman how she liked our home and hear of those three things in answer to my question would to heaven she had never crossed our threshold and darkened our doors ungrateful hypocrite just thou requite me on such wise for the favour and the honour i was fain to show thee and what made me ask of thee the means whereby to win these things if now i obtain possession of them what will they advantage me seeing that my brother bachman is no more what should i ever do with them thus did perezada indulge her grief bewailing her sad fate while parves in like manner moaned for his brother bachman with exceeding bitter mourning at last the prince who despite his sorrow was assured that his sister still ardently did desired to possess the three marbles, turned to Perazada and said, It behooth me, O my sister, to set out forthright, and to discover whether Bachman, our brother, met his death by doom of destiny, or whether some enemy have slain him. And if he had been killed, then must I take full vengeance on his murderer. Perizada besought him with much weeping and wailing not to leave her,

and said, O joy of my heart, Allah upon me, follow not in the footsteps of the footsteps of our dear departed brother, or quit me in order to attempt a journey so right in risks. I care not for those things in my fear lest I lose thee also while attempting such enterprise. But Prince Pavres would in no wise listen to her lament, and next day took leave of her. But ere he fared, she said to him, The hunting-knife which Bachman left with me was the means of informing us concerning the mishap which happened to him. But, say me, how shall I know? know what happeneth to thee. Then he produced a string of pearls, which numbered one hundred,

and said, As long as thou shalt see these pearls all parted one from other, and each running loose upon the string, then do thou know that I am alive. But, and thou shalt find them fixed and adhering together, then be thou aware that I am dead. The princess taking the string of pearls hung it around her neck, determined to observe it hour after hour, and find out how it fared with her second brother. After this, Prince Pab is set out upon his travels, and at the 20th stage came to the same spot where Bachman had found the Darwesh, and saw him there in like condition. Then after saluting him with the salam, the prince asked, Canst thou tell me where to find the speaking bird and the singing tree and the golden water, and by what manner of means I may get possession of them?

and thou can i pray thee inform me of this matter and as the morn began to dawn shahrazad held her peace till the end of the six hundred and seventy-seventh night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that the darwesh straved to stay prince parvez from his design and showed him all the dangers on the way both he not many days ago one like unto the in years and in features and in features came hither, and inquired of me concerning the matter you now seekest. I warned him of the perils of the place, and would have weaned him from his willful ways, but he paid no wise heed to my warnings, and refused to accept my counsel. He went off with full instructions from me on how to find those things he sought, but as yet he hath not returned, and doubtless he also hath perished, like the many who preceded him upon that perilous enterprise.

Then said Prince Parvez, O Holy Father, I know the man of whom thou speakest, for that he was my brother, and I learned that he was dead, but have no inkling of the cause whereby he died. Replied the Darwesh, O my lord, I can inform thee on this matter. He hath been transmute into a black stone,

like the others of whom I just now spake to thee. if thou wilt not accept my advice and act accordingly to my counsel, thou also shall perish by the same means as did thy brother, and I solemnly forewarn thee to desist from this endeavour. Prince Parvus, having pondered these words, presently made reply, O Darwish, I thank thee again and again, and am much beholden to thee that thou art fain of my welfare, and thou hast given me the kindest of counsel and the friendliest of advice.

nor am I worthy of such favours bestowed upon a stranger, but now remaineth not but for me to beseech that thou would point out the path, for I am fully purposed to fare forwards, and in no wise to desist from my endeavour. I pray thee, favour me with full instructions for the road, even as thou favourst my brother. Then said the Darwesh, and thou wilt not lend ear to my warnings,

and do as I desire thee. It mattereth for me neither mickle nor little, choose for thyself and i by doom of destiny must perforce forward thy attempt and albeit by reason of my great age and infirmities i may not conduct thee to the place i will not grudge thee a guide then prince parves mounted his horse and the darwish taking one of many balls from out his scrip placed it in the youth's hands directing him the while what to do as he had counselled his brother bahman and after giving him much advice and many wards he ended with saying, Oh, my lord, have a heed not to be perplexed and terrified by the threatening voices and sounds from unseen things which shall strike thine ear, but advance dauntless to the hilltop where thou shalt find the cage

with the speaking bird and the singing tree and the golden water. The Valkia then bid him adieu with words of good omen, and the prince set forth. He threw the ball upon the ground before him, and as it rolled up the path he urged his horse to keep pace with it. But when he reached the hill-foot and saw that the ball had stopped and lay still, he dismounted forthright and paused a while ere he should begin to climb, and conned well in his mind the directions one at all given to him by the Darwesh. Then with firm courage and fast resolve, he set out afoot to reach the hill-top,

but hardly had he begun to climb before he heard a voice beside him, threatening him in churlish tongue, and crying, O youth of ill omen, stand still that I may trounce thee for this thine insolence. Hearing these insulting words of the invisible speaker, Prince Parvez felt his blood boil over. He could not refrain his rage, and in his passion, he clean forgot the words of wisdom, wherewith the Fakhir had warned him.

He seized his sword, and drawing it from the scabbard, turned about to slay the man who durst insult him, such wise, but he saw no one, and in the act of looking back, both he and his horse became black stones. Meanwhile, the princess ceased not at all hours of the day and watches of the night to consult the string of pearls which Parviz had left her. She counted them overnight when she retired to rest, she slept with them around her neck during the hours of darkness, and when she awoke at the dawn of day, she first of all consulted them and noted their condition. Now, at the very hour when her second brother was turned to stone, she found the pearls

sticking one to other so close together that she might not move a single bead apart from its fellows, and she knew thereby that Prince Parfiz also was lost to her forever. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the six hundred and seventy-eighth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious King, that the Princess Perisada was so grieved at so sudden a blow, and said to herself,

Ah, woe is me and well away. How bitter we'll be living without the love of such brothers, whose youth-tide was sacrificed for me? Tis but right that I share their fate woulde'er be my lot. else what shall i have to say on the day of doom and the resurrection of the dead and the judgment of mankind wherefore next morning without further let or stay she donned disguise of man's attire and warning her women and slaves that she would be absent on an errand for a term of days during which they would be in charge of the house and goods she mounted her hackney and set out alone and unattended now inasmuch as she was skilled in horsemanship and had been wont to accompany her brothers when hunting and hawking she was better fitted than other women to bear the toils and travails of travel so on the twentieth day she arrived safe and sound at the hermitage hut where seeing the same sheake she took seat beside him and after salamming to him and greeting him she asked him o holy father suffer me to rest and refresh myself awhile in this sight of good omen

then dain point out to me i pray thee the direction of the place at no far distance herefrom wherein are found a certain speaking bird and a singh singing tree and a golden water. And thou wilt tell me, I shall deem this the greatest of favour. Reply the Darbache, Thy voice reveal it to me that thou art a woman, and no man, albeit attired, in males apparel. Well, I wot the stead whereof thou speakest,

and which containeth the marvellous things thou hast named, but say me, What is thy purpose in asking me? The princess made reply, I have been told many a tale An ent these rare and wondrous things And I would fain get possession of them And bear them to my home

And make them its choicest adornments And said the Fakir O my daughter, in very truth These matters are exceeding rare and admirable Right fit are they for fair ones like thyself to win And take back with thee But thou hast little inkling Of the dangers manifold and dire

That encompassed them better farward for thee to cast away this vain thought and go back by the road thou camest replied the princess o holy father and far-famed anchorite i come from a distant land whereto i will never more return except after winning my wish no never i pray thee tell me the nature of those dangers and what they be that hearing thereof my heart may judge if i have or have not the strength and the spirit to meet them then the sheikh described to the princess all the risks of the road as erst he had informed princess bachman and farthest and he ended with saying the dangers will display themselves as soon as thou shalt begin to climb the hill-head where is the home of the speaking bird then if thou be fortunate enough to seize him he will direct thee where to find the singing tree and the golden water all the time now climbest the hill voices from throats unsuice seen and accents fierce and fell shall resound in thine ears. Furthermore, thou shalt see

black rocks and boulders strewn upon the path. And these thou must know are the transformed bodies of men, who with exceeding courage, attempted the same enterprise, but filled with sudden fear and tempted to turn and look backwards

were changed into stones. Now, do thou steadily bear in mind what was their case? At the first they listened to those fearful sounds and cursings with firm souls, but anon their hearts and minds misgave them, or happily they fumed with fury to hear the villain words addressed to them, and they turned about and gazed behind them. Whereat, both men and horses became black boulders.

But when the Darbysh had told her every whit, the princess made reply, from what thou sayest it seemeth clear to me that these voices can do nothing but threaten and frighten by their terrible din furthermore that there is not to prevent a man climbing up the hill nor is there any fear of anyone attacking him all he hath to do is on no account to look behind him and after a short pause she presently added o fakir albeit a woman yet i have both nerve and fused to carry me through this adventure I shall not heed the voices, nor be enraged thereat. Neither will they have any power to dismay me. Moreover, I have devised a device whereby my success on this point is assured. And what wilt thou do? asked he. And she answered, I will stop my nears with cotton, so may not my mind be disturbed and reason perturbed by hearing those awesome sounds. The fakir marveled with greatness.

marvel and presently exclaimed, O my lady, methinks thou are destined to get possession of the things thou seest. This plan hath not occurred to any hitherto, and hence it is, aptly, that one at all have failed miserably

and have perished in the attempt. Take good heed to thyself, however, not run any risk other than the enterprise require her. She replied, I have no cause for fear, since this one and only danger is before me to prevent happy issue, my heart doth bear me witness that I shall surely gain the gurdon, wherefore I have undertaken such toil and trouble.

But now, do thou tell me what I must do, and whither to win my wish I must wend? The Dharvesh once more besought her to return home, but Perisada refused to listen, and remained as firm and resolute as before. So, when he saw that she was fully bent upon carrying out her purpose, he exclaimed, Departre, my daughter, in the peace of Almighty Allah and his blessing, and may he defend thy youth and beauty from all danger. Then, taking from his bag a ball,

he gave it her, and said, When thou art seated in saddle, throw this before thee, and follow it whither so it lead thee. And when it shall stop at the hill-foot, then dismount and climb the slope. What will happen after, I have already told thee, and as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace till The end of the six hundred and seventy-ninth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king,

that the princess, after farewelling the fakir, straightway bestrode her steed, and threw the ball in front of his hooves, as she had been bidden to. It rolled along before her in the direction of the hill, and she urged her hackney to keep up with it, until reaching the hill it suddenly stopped. hereat the princess dismounted forthwith, and having carefully plugged both her ears with cotton,

began to breast the slope with fearless heart and dauntless soul. And as soon as she had advanced a few steps, a hubbub of voices broke out all round her, but she heard not a sound by reason of her hearing being blunted by the cotton wool. Then hideous cries arose with horrid din, still she heard them not. And at last they grew to a storm of shouts, and shrieks and groans and moans flavoured with foul language such as shameless women used when railing

one at another. She caught now and then an echo of the sounds, but wrecked not thereof, and only laughed and said to herself, What care I for their scoffs and jeers and fulsome towns? Let them hoot on and bark and bay as they may. This at least shall not turn me from my purpose. As she approached the goal, the path became perilous in the extreme,

and the air was so filled with an infernal din and such awful sounds that even Rustum would have quailed thereat, and the bold spirit of Asphandiar have quaked with terror. The princess, however, pressed on with uttermost speed and dauntless heart, till she neared the hilltop, and espied above her the cage in which the speaking-bird was singing with melodious tones. But seeing the princess drawn eye, he broke out, despite his puny form in thundering tones, and cried, Return, O fool! Hide thee back,

not dare come nearer. Princess Perisada, he did not, his clamour or wit, but bravely reached the hilltop, and running over the level piece of ground, made for the cage, and seized it, saying, At last I have thee,

and thou shalt not escape me. Then she pulled out the cotton-wool, wherewith she had stopped her ears, and heard the speaking-bird reply, in gentle accents, O valiant lady and noble, Be of good cheer, For no harm or evil

Shall betide thee, As hath happened to those who assayed to make me their prize. Albeit I am encaged, I have much secret knowledge of what happeneth in the world of men, And I am content to become thy slave, And for thee to be my liege lady. Moreover, I am more familiar with all that concerneth thee, even than thou art thyself, and one day of the days I will do thee a service which shall deserve thy gratitude.

What is now thy command? Speak that I may fulfill thy wish? Princess Perezada was gladdened by these words, but in the midst of her joy she grieved at the thought of how she had lost her brothers, whom she loved with a love so dear. And anon she said to the speaking bird, full many a thing I want, but first tell me if the golden water, of which I have heard so much, be nigh unto this place, and, if so, do thou show me where to find it? The bird directed her accordingly, and the princess took a silver flag and she had brought with her,

and filled it brimful from the magical fount. Then quoth she to the bird, The third and last prize I have come to seek is the singing tree. Discover to me where that also can be found. the bird replied o princess of fair ones behind thy back in yonder clump that lieeth close at hand groweth the tree so she went forthright to the copse and found the tree she sought singing with sweetest-toned voice but inasmuch as it was huge in girth she returned to her slave the bird and said the tree indeed i found but tis lofty and bulky how then shall i pull it up and he made answer plucked by a branchlet of the tree and plant it in thy garden, to at once take root, and in shortest time,

be as gross and fair a growth as that in yonder copse. So the princess broke off a twig, and now that she had secured the three things, whereup the holy woman spake to her, she was exceeding joyful, and turning to the bird, said, I have in very deed won my wish, but one thing is yet wanting to my full satisfaction,

my brothers, who ventured forth with this same purpose, a lying hereabouts turned into black stones, and I fain would have them brought to life again, and the twain return with me in all satisfaction and assurance of success. Tell me now some plan, whereby mine every desire may be fulfilled. And as the morn began to dawn, Jehazade held her peace, till. The end of the six hundred and eightieth night. Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that the speaking bird replied, O princess, trouble not thyself, the thing is easy. Sprinkle some of the golden water from the flagon upon the black stones lying round about, and by virtue thereof, each and every shall come to life again,

thy two brothers as well as the others. So Princess Peresada's heart was set at rest, and, taking the three prizes with her, She fared forth and scattered a few drops From the silver flagon upon each black stone As she passed it, when lo and behold, they came to life As men and horses. Amongst them were her brothers,

Who she at once knew, and falling on their necks, she embraced them, And asked in tones of surprise, Oh, my brothers, what do ye hear? To this, they answered, We lay fast asleep. Quoth she, strange indeed, That ye take delight in slumber away from them. me, and you forget the purpose, wherefore ye left me, to wit the winning of the speaking-bird

and the singing-tree and the golden water. Did you not see this place all be stoned with dark-hued rocks? Look now, and say if there be aught left of them. These men and horses now standing around us were all black stones, as ye yourselves also were. But by the boon of Almighty Allah, all have come to life again, and await the signal to depart. And if now ye were, you will, wish to learn by what strange miracle both ye and they have recovered human shape, know ye that it hath been wrought by virtue of a water contained in this flagon, which I sprinkled in the rocks with leave of the Lord of all living. When I had gained possession of this cage and its speaking bird,

and also of the singing tree, a wand wherever you see in my hand, and lastly of the golden water, I would not take them home with me unless ye twain could also bear me company. so i asked of this bird the means whereby ye could be brought to life again he made me drop some drops of the golden water on the boulders and when i had done this ye too like all the others returned to life and your proper forms hearing these her words the princes bachman and parvas thanked and praised their sister perisada and all the other she had saved showered thanks and blessings on her head saying with one accord o our lady we are now thy slaves, nor can a lifelong service repay the debt of gratitude we owe thee for this favor thou hast shown us. Command, and we are ready to obey thee with our hearts and our souls. Quoth Perizada, the bringing back to life of these my brothers were my aim and purpose,

and in so doing ye too have profited thereby, and I accept your acknowledgments as another pleasure. But now do ye mount each and every man his horse, and ride back by the way you came to your homes in Allah's peace. On this wise the princess dismissed them and made herself ready to depart. But as she was about to bestride her steed, Prince Bachman asked permission of her that he might hold in hand the cage and ride in front of her. She answered, Not so, O brother mine, this bird is now my slave, and I will carry him myself. And thou wilt, take thou this twig with thee, but hold the cage only, till I am seated in saddle.

She then mounted her acne, and, placing the cage before her on the pommel, bade her brother Parvez, take charge of the golden water in the silver flagon, and carry it with all ease, and the prince did her bidding without gainsaying. And when they were all ready to ride forth, including the knights and the squires whom Peresada had brought to life by sprinkling the water, the princess turned to them and said, Why delay we our departure? and how is it that none offereth to lead us?

But as all hesitated, she gave command, Now let him amongst your number Whose nobles and high degree Entitled him to such distinction Fair before us and show us the way. Then all with one accord replied, O princess of fair ones, There be none amongst us worthy of such honour,

Nor may any white dare to ride before thee. So, when she saw that none amongst them claimed preeminence or right of guidance, and none desired to take precedence of the rest, she made excuse and said, "'O my lords, tis not for me by right to lead the way, "'but since ye order I must needs obey.' Accordingly she pushed on to the front,

and after came her brothers, and behind them the rest. And as they journeyed on, all desired to see the holy man, and thank him for his favours and friendly reed. But when they reached the spot where he dwelt, they found him dead, and they knew not if old age had taken him away, or if he perished in his prize, because the princess Perizada had found and carried off the three things,

wherever he had been appointed by destiny, guard and guide. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till. End of Part 2 of the Two of the Two Sisters who envied their cadet. Section 22 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 13, translated by Richard Francis Burton. This Liberbox recording is in the public domain, read by Thomas Copeland. Part 3 of the two sisters who envied their cadet.

The end of the 681st night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that all the company rode on, and as each one arrived at the road which led him to his natal land, he took leave of the Lady Peresada and went his way, until all were gone, and the princess and her brothers were the only left.

At last they reached their journey's end safe and sound, and on entering their mansion, Perisada hung the cage inside the garden, hard by the velvadier, and no sooner did the speaking word begin to sing, than flights of ring-doughs and bull-boles and nightingales and skylarks and parrots and other songsters came flocking around him from a far and an ear. Likewise she set the twig, which she had taken from the singing tree, in a choice parterre also hard by the belladier, and forth right it took root, and put forth vows and buds, and grew goodly in growth, till it became a trunk as large as that from which she had plucked the twig, whilst from its leafage went forth bewitching sounds, rivaling the music of the parent tree. She lastly bid them carve her a basin of pure white marble, and set it in the center of the pleasure grounds.

Then she poured therein the golden water, and forthright it filled the bowl, and shot upwards like a spouting fountain some twenty feet in height. Moreover, the jerbs and jets fell back whence they came, and not one drop was lost, whereby the working of the waters was unbroken and ever similar. Now but a few days past Ether report of these three wonders was brooded broad and flocked the folk daily from the city

to solace themselves with a sight and the gates stood always open wide and all who came had entrance to the house and gardens and free leave to walk about at will and see these rarities which affected them with admiration and delight. Then also, as soon as both the princes have recovered from the toils of travel,

they began to go a hunting as heretofore. And it chanced one day they rode forth several miles from home, and were both busied in the chase when the Shah of Iran Land came by decree of destiny to the same place for the same purpose. The princes, seeing a band of knights and huntsmen drawing near, were fain to ride home and to avoid such meeting. So they left the hunting grounds and turned them homewards. But as fate and lot would have it,

they hit upon the very road whereby King Husrao Shah was coming, and so narrow was the path that they could not avoid the horsemen by wheeling round and wending another way. So they drew rein perforce, and dismounting they salam, and did obeisance to the Shah, and stood between his hands with heads held low. The sovereign, seeing the horse's fine trappings and the prince's costly garments, thought that the two youths were in the suite of his viziers

and his ministers of state, and much wish to look upon their faces. He therefore bade them raise their heads and stand upright in the presence, and they obeyed his bidding with modest mean and downcast eyes. He was charmed to behold their comeliness of favor, and their graceful forms, and the noble heir, and their court demean. And after gazing at them for some time, in not a little wonder and admiration, he asked them who they were, and what might be their names, and where they abode.

Here too, Prince Bachman made reply, O asylum of the universe, We are the sons of one whose life was spent in serving the Shah, the intendant of the royal gardens and pleasances. As his days drew to a close, he built at him a home without the town for us to dwell in, till we should grow to man's estate, and become fit to do thy highness suit and service,

and carry out thy royal commands. The Shah furthermore asked them, How is it that you go hunting? This is a special sport of kings, and is not meant for the general of his subjects and dependence. Prince Bachman rejoined, O refuge of the world, we are yet young in years,

and being brought up at home, we know little of courtly customs, but as we look to bear arms in the armies of the Shah, we fain would train our bodies to toil and moil. This answer was honored by the royal of proof, and the king rejoined, The Shah would see how ye deal with noble game, so choose ye whatever quarry ye will,

and bring it down in the presence. The princes hereat remounted their horses and joined the sovereign. And when they reached the thickmost of the forest, Prince Bachman started a tiger, and Prince Parvez rode after a bear, and the twain used their spears with such skill and good will, that each killed his quarry and laid it at the Shah's feet. Then, entering the wood again, Prince Bachman slew a bear and Prince Parvars a tiger, and did as before.

But when they would have written off the third time the king forbad them, saying, What, would ye strip the royal preserve of all the game? This be enough and more than enough that Shah wished only to put your valor to the proof, and having seen it with his own eyes, he is fully satisfied. Come now with us and stand before us as we sit at meat. Vachman made reply, We are not worthy of the high honor and dignity Wherewith thou favorest us, thy humble servants.

We dutifully and humbly petitioned thy highness To hold us excused for this day. But if the asylum of the universe Dane appoint some other time, Thy slaves will right gladly execute thy auspicious orders. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till? The end of the 682nd, Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that Kusra Shah, astonished at their refusal, asked the cause thereof, when Prince Bachman answered, may I be thy sacrifice O King of Kings, we have at home an only sister, and all three are bound together with bonds of the fondest affection.

So we brothers go not anywhere without consulting her, nor doth she ought, save according to our counsel. The king was pleased to see such fraternal love and union, and present by the head of the Shah, he freely giveth you leave to go today, consult your sister, and meet the shadow of Allah tomorrow at this hunting-ground,

and tell him what she saith, and if she be content to let you twain wait upon the Shah at meet. So the princes farewelled and prayed for him, then rode back home. But they both forgot to tell their sister how they had fallen in with the king, and of all that passed between them they remembered not one. word. Next day, again they went hunting, and on returning from the chase, the shaw inquired of them, have you consulted with your sister, if you may serve the king, and what saith she thereto? Have you obtained permission from her? On hearing these words, the princes waxed aghast with fear,

the color of their faces changed, and each began to look into the other's eyes. Then Bachman said, Pardon, O refuge of the world, this are transgression. We both forgot the command. We both forgot the command, and remembered not to tell our sister, replied the king, It mattereth not, ask her today, and bring me word tomorrow. But it so happened that on that day also they forgot the message, yet the king was not annoyed at their shortness of memory, but taking from his pocket three little balls of gold and tying them in a kerchief of silk, he handed them to Prince Bachman, saying,

Put these balls in thy waist shawl. so shall thou not forget to ask thy sister, and if perchance the matter escape thy memory, when thou shalt go to bed and take off thy girdle, happily the sound of them fall into the ground will remind thee of thy promise. Despite this strict injunction of the shadow of Allah, the princes on that day also clean forgot the order

and the promise they had made to the king. When, however, night came on, and Prince Bachman went to his bedchamber for sleep, he loosed his girdle, and down fell the room. golden balls, and at the sound the message of the Shah flashed across his thought. So he and his brother Parvez at once hastened to Perizada's bower, where she was about retiring to rest, and with many excuses for troubling her at so unseasonable an hour, reported to her

all that happened. She lamented their thoughtlessness, which for three successive days had caused them to forget the royal behest, and ended with saying, fortune hath favoured you, O my brothers, and brought you suddenly to the notice of the asylum of the universe, a chance which often hath led to the height of good. It grieveth me sore that on your over-regard for our fraternal love and union ye did not take service with the king when he deigned command you. Moreover, ye have far greater cause for regret and repentance than I,

in that ye failed to plead a sufficient excuse, and that which he offered must have sounded rude, "'a right dangerous thing it is to thwart Kingly wishes. "'In his extreme condescension the Shah commanded you to take service with him, "'and ye, in rebelling against his exalted orders, have done foolishly, "'and ye have caused me much trouble of mind. "'Howbeit I will sue for counsel from my slave the speaking-bird, "'and see what he may say, for when I have ever any hard and weighty question to decide,

"'I fail not to ask his advice. Hereupon the princess set the cage by her side, and after telling her slave all that her brothers have made known to her, asked admonition of him regarding what they should do. The speaking-bird made answer, It behooveth the princes to gratify the shaw in all things he requireth of them. Moreover, let them make ready a feast for the king, and humbly pray them to visit this house, and thereby testify to him loyalty and devotion. to his royal person. Then said the princess,

O bird, my brothers are most dear to me, nor would I suffer them leave my sight for one moment if it were possible, and all of offend that this daring on their part do injury to our love and affection. Said the speaking bird, I have counseled thee for the best, and have offered thee the right reed.

Nor do thou fear aught in following it, for not save good shall come therefrom. But, for the princesses, and the shadow of Allah honor us by crossing the threshold of this house, needs must I present myself before him with face unveiled? By all means, quote the speaking bird, this will not harm thee. Nay, rather, it wilt be to thine advantage.

And as the morn began to dawn, Shahrazad held her peace, till. The end of the six hundred and eighty-third night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that early next day, the two princes, Bachman, and Parvez, rode as aforetime to the hunting-ground, and met Kuzra Shah, who asked them, saying, What answer bring ye from your sister? Hereupon the elder brother advancing, said, O shadow of Allah, Verily we are thy slaves, and whatever thou deign bid that we are ready to obey.

These, less than the least, have referred the matter to their sister, and have obtained her consent. nay more she blamed and chided them for that they did not hurry to carry out the commands of the refuge of the world the moment they were delivered therefore being sore displeased at us she desireth us on her behalf to plead forgiveness with the shah and shah for this offence by us offered replied the king no crime have ye committed to call forth the royal displeasure nay more it delighteth the shadow of allah exceedingly to see the love ye twain bare toward your sister hearing such words of condescension and kindliness from the shah the princes held their peace and hung their heads for shamed brownwards and the king who that day was not keen according to his custom after the chase whenever he saw the brothers hold aloof called them to his presence and heartened their hearts with words of favour and presently when a weary of sport he turned the head of his steed palaceward and deigned order the princes to ride by his side the bansirs and councillors and courtiers one and all fumed with envy and jealousy to see two unknowns entreated with such a special favour and as they rode at the head of the suite down the market street all eyes were turned upon the youths and men asked one another who be the two who ride beside the shaw belong they to this city or come they from some foreign land and the folk praised and blessed them saying allah send our king of kings two princes as godly and gallant as are these twain who ride beside him if our hapless queen who languish of endurance had brought forth sons by all his favour they would now be of the same age as these young lords but as soon as the cavalcade reached the palace the king alighted from his horse and led the princes to his private chamber

a splendid retreat magnificently furnished wherein a table had been spread with sumptuous meats and rarest cates and having seated himself thereat he motioned them to do likewise hereupon the brothers making low obeisance also took their seats and ate in well-bred silence with respect to me then the shah desiring to warm them into talk and thereby to test their wit and wisdom addressed them on themes galore and asked of them many questions and inasmuch as they had been taught well and trained in every art and science they answered with propriety and perfect ease the shah struck with admiration bitterly regretted that almighty allah had phti allah had not vouchsafed to him sons so handsome in semblance and so apt and so learned as these twain and for the pleasure of listening to them he lingered it meet longer than he was wont to do and when he rose from table and retired with him to his private apartment he still sat long while talking with them and at last in his admiration he exclaimed never until this day have i set eyes on news so well brought up and so comely and so capable as are these and methinks were hard to find their equals anywhere. In fine, quoth he, The time waxes late,

So now let us cheer our hearts with music. And forthright, the royal band of minstrels and musicians began to sing and perform upon instruments of mirth and merriment, whilst the dancing girls and boys displayed their skill, And mimes and mummers played their parts. The princes enjoyed the spectacle with extreme joy, and the last hours of the afternoon passed in royal revelry in regale. But when the sun had set and evening came on,

the youths created dismissal from the Shah with many expressions of gratitude for the exalted favours he had deigned bestow on them. And ere they fared forth the King of Kings bespaked them, saying, Come ye again on the morrow to our hunting-ground is here to fall, and thence returned to the palace. By the beard of the Shah, he fain would have you always with him, and solace him with your companionship and converse. Prince Bachman,

frustrating himself before the presence, answered, "'Tis the very end and aim of all our wishes, O shadow Allah upon earth, that on the morrow, when thou shalt come from the chase and pass by our poor house, thou graciously deign enter, and rest in it a while, thereby conferring the highmost of honours upon ourselves and upon our sister.

Albeit the place is not worthy of the Shah and Shah's exalted presence, yet at times do mighty kings condescend to visit the huts of their slaves? The king, ever more and more enchanted with their comeliness and pleasant speech, vouchsafed a most gracious answer, saying, The dwelling place of youths in your estate and degree will certainly be goodly and right-worthy of you, and the Shah willingly consenteth for the morrow to become the guest of you, Twain, and of your sister, whom, albeit he have not yet seen, he is assured, find perfect in all gifts of body and mine. Do ye twain, therefore, about early dawn-tide,

expect the Shah at the usual tristing place? The princes then craved leave to wend their ways, and going home, said to their sister, O Perizada, the Shah hath decreed that tomorrow he will come to our house, and rest here a while after the hunt, said she, and so it be. Needs must we see to it that all be made ready for a royal banquet, and we may not be put to shame when the shadow of Allah shall deign shade us. There is no help but that in this matter I ask of my slave the speaking bird

what counsel he would give, and that I prepare, according thereto, such meats as are meat for him, and are pleasing to the royal palate. And as the morn began to dawn, Sheherazade held her peace, till... The end of the 684th night. Then said she,

I have heard, O auspicious king, that the princes both approved of her plan and went to seek repose. Whereupon Peresada sent for the cage, and setting it before her, said, O bird, the shaw have made a promise, and has decreed that he will deign honour this our house on the morrow, wherefore we must needs make ready for our liege-lord the best of banquets,

and I bid thee say me what dishes should the kitcheners cook for him. The speaking bird replied, O my lady, thou hast the most skillful of cooks and confectioners. Do thou bid them dress for thee the choicest dainties, but above all others see thou, with thine own eyes, that they set before the shawl a dish of new green cucumbers stuffed with pearls. Quote the princess, in utter wonderment, Never until this time heard I of such a dainty.

How? Cucumbers with a filling of pearls? and what will the king who cometh to eat bread and not to gaze on stones say to such meat furthermore i have not in my possession pearls enough to serve for even a single cucumber replied the speaking bird this were an easy matter do thou dread not but only act as i shall advise thee i seek not aught save thy welfare and would on no wise counsel thee to thy disadvantage as for the pearls thou shalt collect them on this wise go thou to-morrow betimes to the pleasure-garden's and bid a hole be dug at the foot of the first tree in the avenue by thy right hand and there shalt thou find a pearls as large a store as thou shalt require so after dawn on the next day princess perisada bad a gardener lad accompany her and fared to the sight within the pleasure-garden's whereof the speaking bird had told her here the boy dug a hole both deep and wide when suddenly his spade struck upon somewhat hard and he removed with his hands the earth and discovered to view a golden casket well-nigh one foot square hereupon the young gardener showed it to the princess who explained i'm brought thee with me for this very reason.

Take heed, and see that no harm come to it, but dig it out, and bring it to me with all care. When the lad did her bidding, she opened it forthright, and found it filled with pearls and unions fresh from the sea, round as rings, and all of one and the same size, perfectly fitted for the purpose

which the speaking-bird had proposed. Perizadea rejoiced with extreme joy at the sight, and taking up the box walked back with it to the house. And the princes, who had seen their sister faring forth the times with the gardener lad, and had wondered why she went to the park thus early, unaccording to her wanted custom, catching sight of her from the caseman, quickly donned their walking-dresses, and came to meet her.

And as the two brothers walked forwards, they saw the princess approaching them with somewhat unusual under her arm, which, when they met, proved to be a golden casket. whereof they knew not for they o our sister at early light we espied thee going to the pleasure grounds with a gardener lad empty-handed but now thou bring us back this golden casket so disclosed to us where and how thou haste it and haply there may be some hoard close hidden in the parterre parisotov replied sooth ye say o my brothers i took this lad with me and made him dig under a certain tree where we came upon this box of pearls, at the sight whereof me thinks your hearts will be delighted. The princess straightway opened the box, and her brothers, citing the pearls and unions, were amazed with extreme amazement, and rejoiced greatly to see them.

Quoth the princess, come now, ye twain with me, for that I have in hand a weighty matter. And, quote, Prince Bachman, what is there to do? I pray thee tell us without delay, for never yet hast thou kept aught of thy life from us she made reply oh my brothers i have not to hide from you nor think he any ill of me for i am now about to tell you all the tale then she made known to them what advice the speaking bird had given to her and they conning the matter over in their minds marvelled much why her slave had bidden them set a dish of green cucumbers stuffed with pearls before the shaw nor could they devise any reason for it. Presently the princess resumed, The speaking bird indeed is wise and where, So may thinks this council must be for our advantage,

and at any rate it cannot be without some object and purpose. It therefore behoove us to do even as he hath commanded. Hereupon the princess went to her own chamber, and summoning the head-cook, said to him, This day the shaw, the shadow of Allah upon earth, who will condescend here to eat the noon meal. So do thou take heed that the meats be of choicest flavor and fittest to set before the asylum of the world.

But of all the dishes there is one thou alone must bake, and let not another have a hand therein. This shall be of the precious green cucumbers with a stuffing of unions and pearls. And as the morn began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till, the end of the six hundred and eighty-fifth night then said she i have heard o auspicious king that the head cook listened to this order of the princess with wonderment and said in himself who ever heard of such a dish or dreamed of ordering such a one the lady seeing his astonishment betrayed in his semblance without the science of thought-reading said to him it seemeth from thy countenance that thou deemest me daft of

wit to give thee such order. I know that no one ever tasted a dish of the kind, but what is that to thee? Do thou in as thou are bidden? Thou seest this box brimful on pearls, so take of them as many as thou needest for the dish, and what remaineth over leave in the box. The kitchener, who could answer nothing in his confusion and amazement, chose as many precious stones as he required, and presently fared away to superintend the meats being cooked, and made ready for the feast. Meanwhile, the princess went over the house and grounds, and gave directions to the slaves about the ordinance thereof, lending a special attention to the carpets and to vans, the lamps, and all other furniture. Next day, at break of dawn, Princess Bachman and Pavis rode forth in rich

attire to the appointed place where they first met the Shah, who was also punctual to his promise, and vouchsafed to join them in the hunt. Now when the sun had risen high and its rays waxed hot, the king gave up the chase and set forth with the princes to their house. And as they drew nigh thereto, the cadet pushed forwards and sent word to the princess that the asylum of the world was coming in all good omen. Accordingly, she hastened to receive him and stood waiting his arrival at the inner entrance. And after, when the king rode up to the gate,

and dismounting within the court, stepped over the threshold, of the house door, she fell down at his feet and did worship. Hereat her brothers said, O asylum of the world, this is our sister of whom we spake. And the Shah, with gracious kindness and condescension, raised her by the hand. And when he saw her face, he marvelled much at its wondrous comeliness and loveliness. He thought in himself,

How like she is to her brothers in favour and form. And I told there be none of all my legions in city or country, who can compare with them for beauty and noble bearing. This country house also exceedeth all that I have ever seen in splendor and grandeur. The princess then led the Shah through the house and showed him all the magnificence thereof, while he rejoiced with extreme joy at everything that met his sight. So when King Kusrao had considered what so was in the mansion, he said to the princess,

This home of thine is far grander than any palace owned by the Shah. who would now stroll about the pleasure-garten, never doubting, but that it will be delightsome as the house. Hereat the princess threw wide open the door whence the grounds could be seen, and at once the king beheld before, and above all other things, the fountain, which cast up incessantly in jerves and jets, water clear as crystal, with all golden of hue. Seeing such prodigy, he cried, this is indeed a glorious gusher never before saw i had one so admirable but say me where is it source and by what means doth it shoot up in spurts so high whence cometh this constant supply and in what fashion was it formed the shah would fain see it near hand o king of kings and lord of the lands for the princess be pleased to do what so thou desirest thereupon they went up to the fountain and the shah would fain see it near hand and the shah would fain

stood gazing upon it with delight. When behold, he heard a concert of sugar-sweet voices quiring with the harmony and melody of wit-ravishing music. So he turned him around, and gazed about him to discover the singers. But no one was in sight, and albeit he looketh, both hard and near, all was in vain. He heard the voices, but he could describe no songster. At length, completely baffled, he exclaimed, "'Wince come these most mused, musical of sounds, and rise they from the bowels of earth, or are they floating in the depths of air? They fill the heart with rapture, but strangely surprised the senses to see that no one singer is in sight. Replied the princess with a smile, O lord of lords, there are no minstrels here, and the strains which

strike the Shah's ear come from yonder tree. Dane walk on, I pray thee, and examine it well. So he advanced thereto, ever more and more enchanted with the mrs. music, and he gazed now at the golden water, and now at the singing tree, till lost in wonderment and amazement. Then, O Allah, said he to himself, is this nature-made or magical? Or in very deed the place is full of mystery. Presently, turning to the princess, Quoth he, O my lady, Prithee, whence came ye by this wondrous tree which have been planted in the middlemost of

this garden? Did anyone bring it from some far distant land as a rare thing? gift, and by what name is it known? Quoth Perisada in reply, O King of Kings, this marble, Pite-singing-tree, groweth not in our country. To for long to recount whence, and by what means I obtained it, and suffice it for the present, to say that the tree, together with the golden water and the speaking bird, were all found by me at one and the same time. Dain now accompany thy slave, and look upon this third rarity. And when the shaw shall have rested and recovered from the toils and prevails of hunting, the tale of these three strange

things shall be told to the asylum of the world in fullest detail. Here, too, the king replied, All the Shah's fatigue hath gone, for gazing upon these wonders, and now, to visit the speaking bird. And as the morning began to dawn, Scheherazade held her peace, till. The end of the six hundred and eighty-sixth night. Then said she, I have heard a auspicious king that the princess took the king, and when she had shown to him the speaking-bird, they returned to the garden, where he never ceased considering the fountain with extreme surprise, and presently exclaims, How is this? No spring whence cometh all this water meeteth the Shah's eye, and no channel. Nor is there any reservoir large enough to contain it. She replied,

thou speakest soup, O king of kings, this jetting font hath no source, and it springeth from a small marble basin, which I filled from a single flagon of the golden water,

and by the might of Allah Almighty, it increased and waxed copias until it shot up in this huge germ, which the shaw seeth. Furthermore, it ever playeth day and night, and marvellous to relate, the water falling back

from that height into the basin, minisheth not in quantity, nor is ought of its built or wasted. Hereat the king, filled with wonder and astonishment, Bad go back to the speaking bird, whereupon the princess led him to the belvedere, whence he looked out upon thousands of all manner fowls, caroling in the trees, and filling air with their hymns and praises of the creator.

So he asked his guide, Oh, my lady, where's come these countless songsters which haunt yonder tree, can make the welcome resound with their melodious notes, yet they affect none other of the trees. Quote Perizada, O King of Kings, they are all attracted by the speaking bird, and flock hither to accompany his song,

and for that his cage hangeth to the window of this belvedere, they prefer only the nearest of the trees, and here he may be heard singing sweeter notes than any of the others, nay, in plain more musical than that of any Nightingale, and as the shod drew nigh the cage and gave ear to the bird singing the princess called to a captive saying o my slave the bird dost thou not perceive the asylum of the universe is here that thou payest him not due homage and worship hearing these words the speaking-bird forthright ceased his shrilling and at the same moment all the other songsters sat in deepest silence for they were loyal to their lead's lord nor durst any one utter a note when he held his peace the speaking-bird then spake in human voice saying o great king may almighty allah by his might and majesty accord thee health and happiness so the shawl returned the salutation and the slave of prince as Perizada ceased not to shower blessings upon his head. Meanwhile, the tables were spread after

sumptuous fashion, and the choicest meats were set before the company, which was seated in due order and degree, the shaw, facing himself hard by the speaking bird, and close to the casement where the cage was hung. Then the dish of green cucumbers, having been set before him, he put forth his hand to help himself, but drew it back in wonderment, when he saw that the cucumbers ranged in order upon the plate, were stuffed with pearls, which appeared at either end. He asked the princess and the brothers, "'Oh, what is this dish? It cannot be meant for food. Then wherefore is it placed before the shawl?

Explain to me, I command you, what this thing meaner. They could not give an answer, unknowing what the reply to make. And as all held their peace, the speaking bird answered for them, saying, "'Oh, king of the age and the time, dost thou deem it strange to see a dish, of cucumbers stuffed with pearls? How much stranger then it is that thou wast not astonished to hear that the queen thy consort

had contrary to the loss of Allah's ordinance given birth to such animals as dog and cat and muskrat? This should have caused thee far more wonder for who hath ever heard of woman bearing such as these? Hear out the shaw-made answer to the speaking bird. All that thou sayest is right indeed, and I know that such things are not after the law of Almighty Allah.

But I believe the reports of the midwives, the wise women who were with the queen such time she was brought to bed. For they were not strangers but her own sisters, born of the same parents as herself. How then could I do otherwise than trust their words? Quote the speaking bird, Oh, king of kings, indeed the truth of the matter is. not hidden from me. Obbeit they be the sisters of thy queen, yet seeing the royal favors and affection towards their cadet, they were consumed with anger and hatred and despite by reason of their

envy and jealousy. So they devised evil devices against her, and their deceits at last succeeded in diverting thy thoughts from her, and in hiding her virtues from thy sight. Now are their malice and reason made manifest to thee. And if thou require further proof, do thou summon them and question them of the case. They cannot hide it from thee, and will be reduced to confess and crave thy pardon. And as the moan began to dawn, Scheherazade held a peace, till. The end of the 687th night. Then, said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the speaking bird also said to Pusra Shah. These two royal brothers, so comely and stalwart, and this lovely princess, their sister,

are thine own lawful children, to whom the queen thy consort gave birth. The midwives, thy sisters-in-law, by reason of the blackness of their hearts and faces, bore them away as soon as they were born. Indeed, every time a child was given to thee, they wrapped it in a bit of blanket, and putting it in a basket, committed it to the stream, which floweth by the palace, to the intent that it might die an obscure death. But it's so fortunate that the intendant of thy royal gardens espied these baskets one at all, as they floated past his grounds, and took charge of the infancy found therein. He then caused them to be nursed and reared with all care,

and whilst they were growing up to man's estate, he looked to their being taught every art and science. And whilst his life endured, he dealt with them and brought them up in love and tenderness, as though they had been his very own. And now, O Kutrasha, wake from thy sleep of ignorance and heedlessness, and know that these two princes, Bachman and Parvez, and the Princess Perizada, their sister, are thine own issue and thy rightful heirs. When the king heard the king heard of the king, these words, and was assured of the purport being true, and understood the evil doing of those satans, his sisters-in-law, he said, O bird, I am indeed persuaded of thy suprassness, for when I first saw these youths at the hunting-ground, my bowels yearned with affection

towards them, and my heart felt constrained to love them, as though they had been my own seed. Both they and their sister have drawn my affections to them as a magnet-draint, draweth iron, and the voice of blood cryeth to me, and compeleth me to confess the tie, and to acknowledge that they are my true children, born in the womb of my queen, whose direful destiny I have been the means of carrying out. Then turning to the princes and their sister, he said with tearful eyes and broken voice, Ye are my children, and henceforth do ye regard me as your father. At this they ran to him with rare delight,

and falling on his neck embraced him. Then they all sat down to meet. And when they had finished eating, Kusra Shah said to them, O my children, I must now leave you, but, inshallah, Allah willing, I will come again tomorrow, and bring with me the queen, your mother.

So saying he farewelled them fondly, and mounting his horse, departed to his palace. And no sooner had he seated himself upon his throne, then he summoned the Grand Vizier, and commanded him saying, Do thou send this instant and bind in heaviest bonds those vile women, the sisters of my queen? For their ill deeds have at last come to light, and they deserve to die the death of murderers. That this order forthright make sharp his sword, for the ground thirsteth for their blood. Go see thyself atheweth for their blood.

Go see thyself that they are beheaded without stay or delay, O wait not other order, but instantly obey my commandment. The Grand Vazir went forth at once, and in his presence the envious sisters were decapitated, and thus underwent fit punishment for their malice and their evil-doing. After this, Khrashah, with his retinue, walked a foot to the cathedral mosque, whereby the queen had been imprisoned for so many years,

in bitter grief and tenderly embraced her. Then, seeing her sad plight and her careworn countenance and wretched attire, He wept and cried, Allah Almighty forgive this mine unjust and wrongful dealing towards thee. I have put to death thy sisters, who deceitfully and despitefully raised my wrath and anger against thee, the innocent, the guiltless. and they have received due retribution for their misdeeds. And as the morn began to dawn,

Cheherazade held her peace, till, the end of the six hundred and eighty-eighth night. Then said she, I have heard, O auspicious king, that the king spake kindly and fondly to his consort, and told her all that had betided him, and what the speaking bird had made known to him, ending with these words.

Come now with me to the palace, for thou shalt see thy two sons and daughter grown up to become the loveliest of things. High with me and embrace them, and take them to thy bosom, for they are our children the light of our eyes. But first do thou repair to the hammam, and don thy royal robes and jewels.

Meanwhile, tidings of these events were noised about the city, how the king had at length shown due favour to the queen, and had released her from bondage with his own hands and prayed forgiveness for the wrongs he had done to her. And how the princes and the princess have been proved to be her true-born children, and also how Kusra Shah had punished her sisters who conspired against her. So joy and gladness prevailed both in city and kingdom, and all the folk blessed the Shah's banu, and cursed the Satanus as her sisters.

And next day when the queen had bathed in the mamam and a donned royal dress and regal jewels, she went to meet her children, together with the king, who led up to her the princess Bahman and Parvess and the princess Parisada, and said, See, here are thy children, fruit of thy womb and core of thy heart, thy own very sons and thy daughter, embrace them with all the mother's love, and extend thy favour and affection to them, even as I have done. When thou didst give them birth, thy ill-omened sisters bore them away from me cast them into yonder stream, and said that thou had's been delivered first of a puppy,

then of a kitten, and lastly of a musk rattling. I cannot console myself for having credited their calumnies, and the only recompense I can make is to place in thine embrace these three thou brought us forth, and whom Allah Almighty hath restored to us, and hath made right worthy to be called our children. Then the princes and princess fell upon their mother's neck, and fondly embraced her, weeping tear-floods of joy. After this, the Shah and the Banu sat down to me, together with their children. And when they had made an end of eating, King Kusrausha repaired to the garden with his consort that he might show her the singing tree and the fountain of golden water, whereat the queen was filled with wonder into light. Next they turned to the

Belvedere and visited the speaking bird, of whom, as they sat at meet, the king had spoken to her in highest praise. And the queen rejoiced in his sweet voice and melodious singing. And when they had seen all these things, the king mounted horse, Prince Bachman, riding on his right hand and on his left Prince Parvez, while the queen took Princess Perezada with her inside her litter, and thus they set forth for the palace. As the royal cavalcade passed the city walls and entered the capital with royal pomp and circumstance, the subjects who had heard the glad tidings thronged in multitude. to see their progress, and volleyed shouts of acclamation.

And as the legions had grieved aforetime to see the Queen Ponsort in prison, so now they rejoiced with exceeding joy to find her free once more. But chiefly, they marvelled to look upon the speaking bird, for the princess carried the cage with her, and, as they rode along, thousands of sweet-tone songsters came swarming round them from every quarter, and flew as an escort to the cage, filling the evening. air with marvelous music.

While flocks of others, perching upon the trees and the housetops, caroled and warbled as it were to greet their lord's cage accompanying the royal cavalcade. And when the palace was reached, the Shah and his queen and his children sat down to a sumptuous banquet, and the city was illuminated, and everywhere dancings and merry-makings testified for the joy of the leeches. And for many days these revels and rejoicings prevailed throughout the capital and the kingdom, where every man was blithe and happy and had feastings and festivities in his house.

After these festivals, King Kusra Shah made his elder son Bachman heir to his throne and kingdom, and committed to his hands the affairs of state in their entirety, and the prince administered affairs with such wisdom and success that the greatness and glory of the realm were increased twofold. The Shah also entrusted to his youngest son Pavez, the charge of his army, both of horsemen,

and foot-soldiers, and Princess Perazada was given by her siren marriage to a quesent king who reigned over a mighty country. And lastly, the Queen Mother forgot, in perfect joy and happiness, the pangs of her captivity. Destiny ever afterwards endowed them one at all with days the most delectable, and they led the leafest of lives, until, at last, there came to them the destroyer of delights and the sunderer of societies and the depopulator of palaces and the garner of graveyards and the reaper for resurrection day and they became as though they had never been so laud be to the lord who dieth not and who knoweth no shadow of change end of volume nine end of the two sisters who envied their cadet