Classic Audiobook Collection - (Volume 2) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 1 Nur adin Ali, and the damsel Anis Al Jalis. Quoth Shahrazad, It hath reached me, O auspicious king of intelligence penetrating, that there was, amongst the kings of Basora, a king who loved the poor and needy, and cherished his lieges, and gave of his wealth to all who believed in Muhammad, whom Allah bless and a sane. And he was even, as one of the poets described him, a king who, when hosts of the foe invade,

Starting point is 00:00:42 receives them with lance lunge and sabre sway, writes his name on bosoms in thin red lines, and scatters the horsemen in wild dismay. His name was King Muhammad bin Soleiman Azaini, and he had two wazirs, one called Al-Mu'in, son of Sawi, and the other Al-Fazl, son of Chakan. Now Al-Fazl was the most generous of the people of his age, upright of life, so that all hearts united in loving him,

Starting point is 00:01:17 and the wise flocked to him for counsel, whilst the subjects used to pray for his long life, because he was a compendium of the best qualities, encouraging the good and leaf, and preventing evil and mischief. But the wazir Mouin bin Sawi, on the contrary, hated folk, and loved not the good, and was a mere compound of ill, even as was said of him. Hold to nobles, sons of nobles, tis ever nature's test, that nobles born of nobles shall excel in noble deed, and shun the mean of soul, meanly bred,

Starting point is 00:01:56 for tis the law, mean deeds come of men who are mean of blood and breed. And as much as the people loved and fondly loved Alphaz bin Kharkhan, so they hated and thoroughly hated the mean and miserly Mu'in bin Sawi. It befell one day by the decree of the decree that King Muhammad bin Sulaman Azaini, being seated on his throne with his officers of state about him, summoned his wazir al-Fazl, and said to him, I wish to have a slave-girl of passing beauty, perfect in loveliness, exquisite in symmetry, and endowed with all praiseworthy gifts.

Starting point is 00:02:40 Said the courtiers, Such a girl is not to be bought for less than ten thousand gold pieces, whereupon the Sultan called out to his treasurer and said, carry ten thousand dinars to the house of Al-Faz bin Kharkhan. The treasurer did the king's bidding, and the minister went away, after receiving the royal charge to repair to the slave bazaar every day and entrust to brokers the matter aforesaid.

Starting point is 00:03:09 Moreover, the king issued orders that girls worth above a thousand gold pieces should not be bought or sold without being first displayed to the wazir. accordingly no broker purchased a slave-girl ere she had been paraded before the minister, but none pleased him, till one day a dealer came to the house and found him taking horse and intending for the palace. So he caught hold of his stirrup, saying, O thou who givest to royal state sweet saver, Thart a wazir shall never fail of favour. Dead bounty thou hast raised to life for men, near fail of al-a-law.

Starting point is 00:03:48 grace such high endeavour. Then quoth he, O my lord, that surpassing object for whom the gracious mandate was issued is at last found. And quoth the wazir, Here with her to me! So he went away, and returned after a little, bringing a damsel in richest raiment-robed, a maid spear-straight of stature, and five feet tall, budding of bosom, with eyes large and black as by coal traced, and dewy lips sweeter than syrup, or the sherbet one sips. A virginette, smooth-cheeked and shapely-faced,

Starting point is 00:04:26 whose slender waist with massive hips, was engraced. A form more pleasing than branch-lit, waving upon the topmost trees, and a voice softer and gentler than the morning breeze, even as saith one of those who have described her. Strange is the charm which dites her brows, like Luna's disc that shine O sweeter taste than sweetest rob

Starting point is 00:04:52 or raisins of the vine A throne the Imperian keeps for her In high and glorious state For wit and wisdom Wondlike form and graceful bending line She in the heaven of her face The sevenfold stars displays That guard her cheeks as satellites

Starting point is 00:05:12 Against the spy's design If man should cast a fertility glance or steel-far look at her, his heart is burnt by devil-bolts shot by those piercing eyne. When the wazir saw her, she made him marvel with excess of admiration, so he turned perfectly pleased to the broker and asked, What is the price of this girl? Where too he answered, her market value stands at ten thousand dinars, but her owner swears that this sum will not cover the cost of the chickens she hath eaten, the wine she hath drunken, and the dresses of honour bestowed upon her instructor, for she hath learnt calligraphy and syntax and etymology, the commentaries of the

Starting point is 00:05:58 Quran, the principles of law and religion, the canons of medicine, and the calendar, and the art of playing on musical instruments, said the wazir, bring me her master. So the broker brought him at once, and behold, he was a person. He was a person. He was a of whom there was left only what the days had left, for he was as a vulture bald and scald, and a wall trembling to its fall. Time had buffeted him with sore smart, yet was he not willing this world to depart, even as said the poet, "'Time hath shattered all my frame, Oh, how time hath shattered me! Time with lordly might contain, manly strength, and bigger free, time was in my youth

Starting point is 00:06:45 that nuns sped their way more fleet and fast time is and my strength is gone youth is sped and speed is past the wazir asked him art thou content to sell this slave-girl to the Sultan for ten thousand dinars

Starting point is 00:07:02 and the person answered by Allah if I offer her to the king for naught it were but my devour so the minister bad bring the monies and saw them weighed out to the Persian, who stood up before him and said, By the leave of our lord the wazir, I have somewhat to say, and the wazir replied, out with all thou hast.

Starting point is 00:07:25 It is my opinion, continued the slave-dealer, that thou shouldst not carry the maid to the king this day, for she is newly off a journey. The change of air hath affected her, and the toils of trouble have fretted her. But keep her quiet in thy palace some ten days, that she may recover her looks and become again as she was. Then send her to the Hamam, and clothe her in the richest of clothes,

Starting point is 00:07:51 and go up with her to the Sultan. This will be more to thy profit. The Wazir pondered the Persian's words, and approved of their wisdom, so he carried her to his palace, where he appointed her private rooms, and allowed her every day whatever she wanted of meat and drink, and so forth. and on this wise she abode a while. Now the wazir al-Fazd had a sun like the full moon when Xenius died, with face radiant in light, cheeks ruddy bright, and a mole like a dot of ambergris on a downy sight.

Starting point is 00:08:27 As said of him the poet, and said full right, A moon which blights you, if you dare behold, A branch which folds you in its waving fold, Locks of the zanj and golden glint of hair, Sweet gate and form a spear to have and hold. Ah, heart of heart with softest, slenderest waste! That evil to this wheel, why not remold? Were thy form's softness placed in thy heart,

Starting point is 00:08:55 Nor would thy lover find thee harsh and cold. O thou accuser, be my love's excuser, Nor chide if love pangs deal me woes untold. I bear no blame tis all my here and ein, so leave thy blaming, let me yearn and pine. Now the handsome youth knew not the affair of the damsel, and his father had enjoined her closely, saying, No, O my daughter, that I have bought thee as a bedfellow for our king, Muhammad bin Sulayman Azaini, and I have a son who is a satan for girls, and leaves no maid in the neighbourhood without taking her maidenhead. so be on thy guard against him, and beware of letting him see thy face or hear thy voice.

Starting point is 00:09:42 Harkening and obedience, said the girl, and he left her and fared forth. Some days after this it happened, by decree of destiny, that the damsel repaired to the baths in the house, where some of the slave-women bathed her, after which she arrayed herself in sumptuous raiment, and her beauty and loveliness were thereby redoubled. Then she went in to the slave-womened, the wazir's wife and kissed her hand, and the dame said to her, Naiman, may it benefit thee, O Anis al Jalise. Are not our baths, handsome? Oh, my mistress, she replied, I lack naught there, save thy gracious presence. Thereupon the lady said to her slave women,

Starting point is 00:10:25 Come with us to the Hamam, for it is some days since we went there. They answered, To here is to obey, and rose and all accompanied her. Now, she had set two little slave-girls to keep the door of the private chamber, wherein was Anise Al-Jalise, and had said to them, "'Suffer none to go into the damsel.' Presently, as the beautiful maiden sat resting in her rooms,

Starting point is 00:10:50 suddenly came in the wazir's son, whose name was Nur ad-Din Ali, and asked after his mother and her women, to which the two little slave-girls replied, "'They are in the hamam.' But the damsel Anis Sal Jalise had heard from within Nur adin Ali's voice, and had said to herself, Oh, would heaven I saw what like is this youth against whom the wazir warned me,

Starting point is 00:11:16 saying that he hath not left a virgin in the neighbourhood without taking her virginity. By Allah I do long to have sight of him. So she sprang to her feet with the freshness of the bath on her, and stepping to the door, looked at Nur ad-Din. Ali and saw a youth like the moon in its full, and the sight bequeathed her a thousand sighs. The young man also glanced at her, and the look made him air to a thousand thoughts of care, and each fell into love's ready snare. Then he stepped up to the two little slave-girls, and cried aloud at them, whereupon both fled before him, and stood afar off to see what he

Starting point is 00:11:59 would do. And behold, he walked to the door. of the damsel's chamber, and, opening it, went in, and asked her, art thou she my father bought for me? And she answered, yes. Thereupon the youth, who was warm with wine, came up to her and embraced her. Then he took her legs, and passed them round his waist, and she wound her arms about his neck, and met him with kisses and murmurs of pleasure and amorous toings. Next he sucked her tongue, and she sucked his, and lastly he loosed the strings of her petticoat trousers, and abated her maidenhead. When the two little slave-girls saw their young master get in unto the damsel, Anisaljalise,

Starting point is 00:12:45 they cried out and shrieked, so as soon as the youth had had his wicked will of her, he rose and fled forth, fearing the consequences of his ill-doing. When the Wazir's wife heard the slave-girls cries. She sprang up and came out of the baths, with the perspiration pouring from her face, saying, What is this unseemly clamour in the house? Then she came up to the two little slave-girls and asked them, saying, Fy upon you, what is the matter? And both answered, Verily, our lord Nur ad-Din came in and beat us, so we fled. Then he went up to Anise Ageles, and threw his arms round her, and we know not what he did after that. But when we cried out, to thee, he ran away. Upon this the lady went to our niece Al Jalise, and said to her,

Starting point is 00:13:34 What tidings? Oh, my lady, she answered, as I was sitting here, lo, a handsome young man came in, and said to me, art thou she my father bought for me? And I answered, yes, for, by Allah, or mistress mine, I believed that his words were true, and he instantly came in and embraced me. Did he nought else with thee but this, quoth the lady, and quoth she, indeed he did, but he did it only three times. He did not leave thee without dishonouring thee, cried the wazir's wife, and fell to weeping and buffeting her face. She and the girl and all the handmaidens fearing lest Nur ad-Din's father should kill him.

Starting point is 00:14:17 Whilst they were thus, in came the wazir, and asked what was the matter, and his wife said to him, "'Swear that whatso I tell thee thou wilt attend to it?' "'I will,' answered he. So she related to him what his son had done, whereat he was much concerned, and rent his raiment, and smote his face till his nose bled, and plucked out his beard by the handful. "'Do not kill thyself,' said his wife. "'I will give thee ten thousand dinars, her price of my own money.' But he raised his head and cried, "'Out upon thee! I have no need of her purchase money.

Starting point is 00:14:53 My fear is less life as well as money go.' O my lord, and how is that? Whatest thou not that yonder standeth our enemy, Al-Mu'in bin Sawi, who, as soon as he shall hear of this matter, will go up to the Sultan. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying, her permitted say.

Starting point is 00:15:18 End of, Section 1 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 2, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand-Night, This Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For further information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. The book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 2. When it was the 35th night, she continued,

Starting point is 00:16:04 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the wazir said to his wife, Whatest thou not that yonder standeth our enemy, Al-Mu'in bin Sawi, Who, as soon as he hears of this matter, Will go up to the Sultan, and say to him, Thy wazir, who thou wilt have it, loveth thee, took from thee ten thousand ducats,

Starting point is 00:16:27 And bought therewith a slave-girl, Whose like none ever beheld. But when he saw her, she pleased him, and he said to his son, Take her, thou art worthier of her than the sultan. So he took her and did away with her virginity, and she is now in his house. The king will say,

Starting point is 00:16:46 Thou liest! To which he will reply, With thy leave I will fall upon him unawares and bring her to thee. The king will give him warranty for this, and he will come down upon the house, and will take the girl and present her to the sultan, who will question her, and she will not be able to deny the past.

Starting point is 00:17:06 Then my enemy will say, O my lord, thou wottest, that I give thee the best of counsel, but I have not found favour in thine eyes. Thereupon the Sultan will make an example of me, and I shall be a gazing-stock to all the people, and my life will be lost. Quoth his wife,

Starting point is 00:17:26 let none know of this thing which hath happened privily, and commit thy case to Allah, and trust in him to save thee, from such strait, for he who knoweth the future shall provide for the future. With this she brought the wazir a cup of wine, and his heart was quieted, and he ceased to feel wrath and fear. Thus far concerning him, but as regards his son, Nur ad-Din Ali, fearing the consequence of his misdeed, he abode his day long in the flower-garden, and came back only at night to his mother's apartment where he slept, and rising before dawn, returned to the gardens.

Starting point is 00:18:06 He ceased not to do thus for two whole months, without showing his face to his parent, till at last his mother said to his father, O my lord, shall we lose our boy as well as the girl? If matters continue long in this way he will flee from us. And what to do? asked he, and she answered, do thou watch this night, and when he cometh, seize on him. and frighten him. I will rescue him from thee, and do thou make peace with him, and give him the damsel to wife, for she loveth him as he loveth her, and I will pay thee her price.

Starting point is 00:18:43 So the minister stayed up that night, and when his son came, he seized him, and throwing him down, knelt on his breast, and showed as though he would cut his throat. But his mother ran to the youth's succour, and asked her husband, What wouldst thou do with him? He answered her, I will split his weazened, said the son to the father. Is my death then so light a matter to thee? And his father's eyes welled with tears, for natural affection moved him,

Starting point is 00:19:13 and he rejoined, Oh, my son, how light was to thee the loss of my good and my life. Quoth Nur ad-Din, hear, O my father, what the poet hath said. Forgive me, thee would sin die, but the wise, ne'er to the sinner shall deny his grace. Thy foe may pardon sure, when lieth he in lowest, and thou holdest highest place.

Starting point is 00:19:39 Thereupon the wazir rose from off his son's breast, saying, I forgive thee, for his heart yearned to him, and the youth kissed the hand of his sire, who said, O my son, were I sure that thou wouldest deal justly by Anisar Jalise, I would give her to thee. Oh, my father, what justice I ameth,

Starting point is 00:19:58 am I to do to her? I enjoined Leo my son not to take another wife or concubine to share with her, nor sell her. Oh my father, I swear to thee that verily I will not do her injustice in either way. Having sworn to that effect, Nur ad-Din went into the damsel and abode with her a whole year, whilst Allah Almighty caused the king to forget the matter of the maiden, and Al-Mu-in, though the affair came to his ears, dared not divulge it by reason of the high favour in which his rival stood with the Sultan. At the end of the year Al-Faisl went one day to the public baths, and as he came out, whilst he was still sweating,

Starting point is 00:20:42 the air struck him, and he caught a cold which turned to a fever. Then he took to his bed. His malady gained ground, and restlessness was longsome upon him, and weakness bound him like a chain. So he called out, hither with my son And when Nur adin Ali came

Starting point is 00:21:00 He said to him Oh my son Know that man's lot and means Are distributed and decreed And the end of days by all must be dread And that every soul Drain the cup of death Is nature's need

Starting point is 00:21:14 Then he repeated these lines I die my death But he alone is great Who dieth not And well I wot Soon shall I die For death was made my lot a king there's not that dies and holds his kingdom in his hand,

Starting point is 00:21:31 for sovereignty the kingdom is of him who dieth not. Then he continued, O my son, I have no charge to leave thee, save that thou fear Allah, and look to the issues of thine acts, and bear in mind by injunctions anent anise adjalise. O my father, said Nur ad-Din, who is like unto thee,

Starting point is 00:21:54 indeed thou art famed for well-divou. doing and preachers offer prayers for thee in their pulpits. Quoth al-Fazl, oh my son, I hope that Allah Almighty may grant me acceptance. Then he pronounced the two testimonies or professions of the faith, and was recorded amongst the blessed. The palace was filled with crying and lamentation, and the news of his death reached the king, and the city people wept, even those at their prayers, and women at household cares,

Starting point is 00:22:24 and the schoolchildren shed tears for bin Khakhan. Then his son, Nur ad-Din Ali, arose and made ready his funeral, and the emirs and wazirs and high offices of state and city notables were present, amongst them the wazir al-Mu'in bin Sawi, and as the beer went forth from the house, someone in the crowd of mourners began to chant these lines. On the fifth day I quitted all my friends,

Starting point is 00:22:54 evermore, and they laid me out and washed me on a slab without my door. They stripped me of the clothes I was ever want to wear, and they clothed me in the clothes, which till then I never wore. On foremen's necks they bore me, and carried me from home to chapel, and some prayed for him or neck they bore. They prayed for me a prayer that no prostration knows. They prayed for me who praised me, and were my friends of yore. and they laid me in a house with a ceiling vaulted oar, and time shall be no more, ere it ope to me its door.

Starting point is 00:23:33 When they had shoveled in the dust over him, and the crowd had dispersed, Nur ad-Din returned home, and he lamented with sobs and tears, and the tongue of the case repeated these couplets. On the fifth day at Eventide they went away from me, farewelled them as faring they made farewell my lot but my spirit as they went with them went and so i cried ah return ye but replied they alas return is not to a framework leer and lawn that lacketh blood and life a frame whereof remaineth naught but bones that rattle and rot mine eyes are blind and cannot see quenched by the flowing tear mine eyes are dull and lost to sense. They have no power to hear. He abode a long time, sorrowing for his father, till one day, as he was sitting at home, there came a knocking at the door, so he rose in haste, and opening let in a man one of his father's intimates, and who had been the Wazir's boon companion. The visitor kissed Nouradine's

Starting point is 00:24:42 hand, and said to him, O my lord, he who hath left the like of thee is not dead, and this way went also the chief of the ancients and the moderns. O my lord Ali, be comforted and leave sorrowing. Thereupon Nur ad-Din rose, and going to the guest-soulon, transported thither all he needed. Then he assembled his companions, and took his handmaid again, and collecting round him ten of the sons of the merchants, began to eat and drink wine, giving entertainment after entertainment, and lavishing his presence and his favours. One day his steward came to him and said, O my lord, Nur ad-Din, hast thou not heard the saying,

Starting point is 00:25:25 Whoso spendeth and reckoneth not, To poverty wendeth and recketh not, And he repeated what the poet wrote. I looked to my money and keep it with care, For right well I wot, tis my buckler and brand, Did I lavish my dear hums on hostileist foes? I should track my good luck by mine ill-luck tripand. So I'll eat it and drink it, and joy in my wealth,

Starting point is 00:25:51 and no spending my pennies on others, I'll stand. I will keep my purse close against whoever he be, and a niggered ingrain, a true friend near I fanned, far better deny him than come to say lend, and fivefold the loan shall return to thy hand. And he turns face aside, and he sidles away, while I stand like a dog, disappointed, unmaned. Oh, the sorry lot his, who hath yellow boys,

Starting point is 00:26:18 none, though his genius and virtues shine bright as the sun. Oh, my master continued the steward, this lavish outlay and these magnificent gifts waste away wealth. When Nourad din Ali heard these words, he looked at his servant and cried, Of all thou hast spoken I will not heed one single word, for I have heard the saying of the poet who saith, And my palm be full of wealth, and my wealth I ne'er bestow, A, "'Palzy take my hand, and my foot near rise again. "'Show me niggard, who by niggard eyes ere rose to high degree, "'or the generous gifts generally hath slain.'

Starting point is 00:27:00 "'And he pursued, "'No, O steward, it is my desire that so long as thou hast money enough for my breakfast "'thou trouble me not with taking thought about my supper.' "'Thereupon the steward asked, "'Must it be so?' "'And he answered, it must. "'So the honest man went his way, way, Anur ad-Din Ali devoted himself to extravagance. And if any of his cup companions chance to say,

Starting point is 00:27:26 This is a pretty thing, he would reply, Tis a gift to thee. Or if another said, Oh my lord, such a house is handsome, he would answer, take it, it is thine. After this reckless fashion, he continued to live for a whole year, giving his friends a banquet in the morning, and a banquet in the evening, and a banquet at midnight. Till one day, as the company was sitting together, the damsel Anisar Jalise, repeated these lines. Thou deemest well of time when days went well, and fearest not what ills might deal thee fate.

Starting point is 00:28:02 Thy nights so fair and restful cousin thee, for peaceful nights bring woes of heavy weight. When she had ended her verse, "'Behold, somebody knocked at the door, "'so Nur ad-Din rose to open it, "'and one of his boon companions followed him, "'without being perceived. "'At the door he found his steward,

Starting point is 00:28:22 "'and asked him, "'What is the matter?' "'And he answered, "'Oh, my lord, what I dreaded for thee, "'hath come to pass! "'How so? "'Know that there remains not a dirham's worth, "'less or more, in my hands.

Starting point is 00:28:35 "'Here are my daftars and account-books "'showing both income and outlay, "'and the registers of thine original property. When Nur ad-Din heard these words he bowed his head and said, There is no majesty and there is no might, save in Allah. When the man who had followed him privily to spy on him heard the steward's words, he returned to his friends and warned them, saying, Look ye well to what ye do. Noradine is penniless. And as the young host came back to his guests, vexation showed itself in his face.

Starting point is 00:29:10 Thereupon one of the intimates rose, and looking at the entertainer, said to him, Oh, my lord, may be thou wilt give me leave to retire. And why so early retirement this day? asked he, and the other answered him, My wife is in childbirth, and I may not be absent from her. Indeed, I must return and see how she does. So he gave him leave, whereupon another rose, and said, O my lord, Nur ad-Din, I wish now to go to my brothers, for he circumcisedeth his son to-day. In short, each and every asked permission to retire on some pretense or other, till all the ten were gone, leaving Nur ad-Din alone. Then he called his slave-girl and said to her, O Anise al-Jal-Is, hast thou seen what case is mine,

Starting point is 00:29:56 and he related to her what the steward had told him. Then quoth she, O my lord, for many nights I had it in my mind to speak, speak with thee of this matter, but I heard thee repeating, When the world heaps favours on thee, Pass on thy favours to friends, hear her hand she stay. La Gessess never let her, when feign she comes, nor niggad eyes kept her from turning away. When I heard these verses, I held my peace,

Starting point is 00:30:24 and cared not to exchange a word with thee. O Anis al Jalis, said Nur ad-Din, thou knowest that I have not wasted my wealth, save on my friends, especially these ten who have now left me a pauper, and I think they will not abandon and desert me without relief. By Allah, replied she, they will not profit thee with aught of aid, said he, I will rise at once, and go to them, and knock at their doors, and it may be I shall get from them somewhat, wherewith I may trade, and leave pastime and pleasuring. So he rose without stay or delay, and repaired to a street wherein all his ten

Starting point is 00:31:03 friends lived. He went up to the nearest door and knocked, whereupon a handmaid came out and asked him, Who art thou? And he answered, Tell thy master that Nur ad-Din Ali standeth at the door, and saith to him, Thy slave kisseth thy hand, and awaiteth thy bounty. The girl went in and told her master, who cried at her, Go back and say, My master is not at home. So she returned to Nur ad deen and said to him, Oh, my lord, my master is out. Thereupon he turned away and said to himself, If this one be a whoreson knave and deny himself,

Starting point is 00:31:41 Another may not prove himself such knave and whoreson. Then he went up to the next door, and sent in a light message to the housemaster, who denied himself as the first had done. Whereupon he began repeating, He is gone who, when to his gate thou ghost, fed thy famished more with his boiled and roast. When he had ended his verse he said,

Starting point is 00:32:06 By Allah, there is no help but that I make trial of them all, perchance there be one amongst them who will stand me in the stead of all the rest. So he went the round of the ten, but not one of them would open his door to him, or show himself, or even break a bit of bread before him. Whereupon he recited, like a tree is he who in wealth doth wone And while fruits he the folk

Starting point is 00:32:31 To his fruit shall run But when bared the tree of what fruit it bear They leave it to suffer from dust and sun Perdition to all of this age I find ten rogues for every righteous one Then he returned to his slave-girl And his grief had grown more grievous And she said to him

Starting point is 00:32:52 Oh my lord did I not tell thee none would profit thee with aught of aid. And he replied, By Allah, not one of them would show me his face, or know me. Oh, my lord, quoth she, sell some of the movables and household stuff, such as pots and pans, little by little, and expend the proceeds until Allah Almighty shall provide.

Starting point is 00:33:15 So he sold all of that was in the house till nothing remained. When he turned to Anisa of Jalise and asked her, What shall we do now? and she answered o my lord it is my advice that thou rise forthwith and take me down to the bazaar and sell me thou knowest that thy father bought me for ten thousand dinars haply allah may open thee away to get the same price and if it be his will to bring us once more together we shall meet again "'Oh, anisaljalice!' cried he. "'By Allah, it is no light matter for me to be parted from thee for a single hour.' "'By Allah, my lord,' she replied, "'nor is it easy to me either, but need hath its own law, as the poet said.

Starting point is 00:34:02 "'Need drives a man into devious roads, "'and pathways doubtful of trend and scope. "'No man to a rope will entrust his weight, "'save for cause that calleth for case of rope.' thereupon he rose to his feet and took her whilst the tears rolled down his cheek like rain and he recited with the tongue of the case these lines stay grant one parting look before we part nerving my heart this severance to sustain but and this parting deal thee pain and bane leave me to die of love and spare thee pain Then he went down with her to the bazaar, and delivered her to the broker, and said to him, O Haj-Hassan, I pray thee, note the value of her thou hast to cry for sale. O my lord, Nur ad-Din quoth the broker, the fundamentals are remembered, adding,

Starting point is 00:34:59 Is not this the Anis al-Jalis whom thy father bought of me for ten thousand dinars? Yes, said Nur ad-Din. Thereupon the broker went round to the merchants, but found that all, had not yet assembled. So he waited till the rest had arrived, and the market was crowded with slave-girls of all nations, Turks, Franks and Circassians, Abyssinians, Nubians and Tartars, Georgians and others. When he came forward and standing, cried aloud, Oh, merchants, oh men of money! Every round thing is not a walnut, and every long thing a banana is not. All reds are not meat, nor all whites fat, nor is every brown thing a date.

Starting point is 00:35:45 Oh, merchants, I have here this union pearl that hath no price. At what sum shall I cry her? Cry her at four thousand five hundred dinars, quoth one of the traders. The broker opened the door of sale at the sum named, and as he was yet calling, lo, the wazir and Mouin bin Sao passed through the bazaar, and seeing Nur ad-Din Ali, waiting at one side, said to himself, "'Why is Kharkhan's son standing about here, as this gallows-bird ought remaining wherewith to buy slave-girls?' Then he looked round, and seeing the broker calling out in the market, with all the merchants around him, said to himself, I am sure that he is penniless, and hath brought hither the damsel, Anisadjalice, for sale. Oh, how cooling and grateful is this to my heart.

Starting point is 00:36:39 Then he called the crier, who came up and kissed the ground before him, and he said to him, I want this slave-girl whom thou art calling for sale. The broker dared not cross him, so he answered, Oh, my lord, bismillah, in Allah's name, so be it, and led forward the damsel, and showed her to him. She pleased him much, whereat he asked. Oh, Hassan, what is bidden for this girl?

Starting point is 00:37:05 and he answered, 4,500 dinars to open the door of sale, quoth Al-Mu-Ine. 4,500 is my bid. When the merchants heard this, they held back and dared not bid another dirham, wotting what they did of the wazir's tyranny, violence and treachery. So Al-Mu-in looked at the broker and said to him,

Starting point is 00:37:28 Why stand still, go and offer four thousand dinars for me, and the five hundred shall be for thyself. Thereupon the broker went to Nuraddin and said, Oh, my lord, thy slave is going for nothing. And how so? asked he, the broker answered. We had opened the biddings for her at four thousand five hundred dinars when that tyrant, Al-Mu'in bin Sawi passed through the bazaar, and as he saw the damsel she pleased him,

Starting point is 00:37:56 so he cried to me, Call me the buyer at four thousand dinars, and thou shalt have five hundred for thyself. I doubt not, but that he knoweth that the damsel is thine, and if he would pay thee down her price at once, it will well, but I know his injustice and violence. He will give thee a written order upon some of his agents, and will send after thee to say to them, pay him nothing. So, as often as thou shalt go, in quest of the coin they will say, we'll pay thee presently, and they will put thee off day after day, and thou art proud of spirit, till at last, when they are wearied with thine impotunity they will say, Show us the cheque. Then, as soon as they have got hold of it, they will tear it up, and thou wilt lose the girl's price.

Starting point is 00:38:45 When Nur ad-Din heard this, he looked at the broker, and asked him, How shall this matter be managed? And he answered, I will give thee a counsel, which, if thou follow, it shall bring thee complete satisfaction. And what is that, quoth Nur ad-Din? Quoth the broker, come thou to me anon, when I am standing in the middle of the market, and, taking the girl from my hand, give her a sound cuffing, and say to her,

Starting point is 00:39:10 thou baggage, I've kept my vow and brought thee down to the slave-market, because I swore an oath that I would carry thee from home to the bazaar, and make brokers cry thee for sale. If thou do this, perhaps the device will impose upon the wazir and the people, and they will believe that thou broughtest her not to the bazaar, but for the quittance of thine oath. he replied, Such were the best way.

Starting point is 00:39:35 Then the broker left him, and returning into the midst of the market, took the damsel by the hand, and signed to the wazir, and said, Oh, my lord, here is her owner. With this, up came Nur ad-Din Ali, and snatching the girl from the broker's hand, cuffed her soundly,

Starting point is 00:39:52 and said to her, shame on thee thou baggage! I have brought thee to the bazaar for quittance of mine oath. Now get thee home, and thwart me no more, as is thy want. woe to thee, do I need thy price that I should sell thee,

Starting point is 00:40:06 the furniture of my house would fetch thy value many times over. When Al-Mu-in saw this, he said to Nur ad-Din, Out on thee, hast thou anything left for selling or buying? And he would have laid violent hands upon him, but the merchants interposed, for they all loved Nur ad-Din, and the young man said to them, Here am I in your hands, and ye all know his tyranny. "'By Allah!' cried the wazir,

Starting point is 00:40:32 "'but for you I had slain him.' "'Then all signed with significant eyes to Nur ad-Din "'as much as to say, "'Take thy reek of him, "'not one of us will come between thee and him.' "'Thereupon Nur ad-Din, who was stout of heart "'as he was stalwart of limb, "'went up to the wazir,

Starting point is 00:40:50 "'and dragging him over the pommel of his saddle "'through him to the ground. "'Now there was in that place "'a puddling pit for brick-clay "'into the midst of which he fell, and Nur ad-Din kept pummeling and fisty-cuffing him and one of the blows fell full on his teeth and his beard was dyed with his blood. Also there were with the minister ten armed slaves

Starting point is 00:41:12 who seeing their master entreated after this fashion laid hand on sword-hilt and would have bared blades and fallen on Nur ad-Din to cut him down but the merchants and bystanders said to them this is a wazir and that is the son of a wazir. happily they will make friends some time or other, in which case you will forfeit the favour of both, or perchance a blow may befall your lord,

Starting point is 00:41:36 and you will all die the vilest of deaths, so it were better for you not to interfere. Accordingly they held aloof, and when Nur ad-Din had made an end of thrashing the wazir, he took his handmaid and fared homewards. And Muin also went his ways at once, with his raiment dyed of three colours, black with mud, red with blood, and ash-coloured with brick-clay.

Starting point is 00:42:02 When he saw himself in this state he bound a bit of matting round his neck, and taking in hand two bundles of coarse half-grass, went up to the palace, and standing under the sultan's windows, cried aloud, "'Oh, King of the Age, I am a wronged man, I am fouly wronged!' So they brought him before the king, who looked at him, and behold it was the chief minister, whereupon he said, "'Oh, wazir, who did this deed by thee?' And Ene wept and sobbed and repeated these lines.

Starting point is 00:42:34 "'Shall the world oppress me when thou art in't, "'in the lion's presence shall wolves devour, "'shall the dry all drink of thy tanks, "'and I, under rain-cloud thirst for the cooling shower. "'Oh, my lord!' cried he, "'the like will befall everyone who loveth and serveth thee well. "'Be quick with thee, quoth the sultan, and tell me how this came to pass.

Starting point is 00:42:58 And who did this deed by one whose honour is part of my honour? Quoth the wazir. No, O my lord, that I went out this day to the slave market to buy me a cook-maid when I saw there a damsel. Never in my life long saw I a fairer, and I designed to buy her for our lord the Sultan. So I asked the broker of her and of her owner, and he answered,

Starting point is 00:43:23 she belongedeth to Ali, son of Al-Faz bin Kharkhan. Some time ago our lord the Sultan gave his father ten thousand dinars, wherewith to buy him a handsome slave-girl, and he bought this maiden who pleased him. So he grudged her to our lord the Sultan, and gave her to his own son. When the father died, the son sold all he had of houses and gardens and household gear, and squandered the price till he was penniless.

Starting point is 00:43:53 Then he brought the girl to the market that he might sell her, and he handed her over to the broker to cry, and the merchants bid higher and higher on her, until the price reached four thousand dinars. Whereupon quoth I to myself, I will buy this damsel for our lord the Sultan, whose money was paid for her. So I said to Nur ad-Din, or my son, sell her to me for four thousand dinars. When he heard my words he looked at me and cried, Oh, ill-omened, oldster, I will sell her to a Jew or to a Nazarene, but I will not sell her to thee. I do not buy her for myself, said I. I buy her for our lord and benefactor the Sultan. Hearing my words, he was filled with rage, and dragging me off my horse, and I am a very old man, beat me unmercifully with his fists, buffeted me with his palms, till he left me as thou seest,

Starting point is 00:44:50 and all this hath befallen me only because I thought to buy this damsel for thee. Then the wazir threw himself on the ground and lay there weeping and shivering. When the sultan saw his condition and heard his story, the vein of rage started out between his eyes, and he turned to his bodyguard who stood before him, forty white slaves, smiters with the sword, and said to them, Go down forthright to the house built by the son of Kharkhan,

Starting point is 00:45:20 and sack it. and raise it, and bring to me his son, Nur ad-Din with the damsel, and drag them both on their faces with their arms pinioned behind them. They replied, To here is to obey, and arming themselves they set out for the house of Nur ad-Din Ali. Now about the sultan was a chamberlain, Al-A-Mad-Din-Sanjah height, who had a foretime bin Mameluk to Al-Fazl,

Starting point is 00:45:47 but he had risen in the world, and the sultan had advanced him to be one. of his chamberlains. When he heard the king's command and saw the enemies make them ready to slay his old master's son, it was grievous to him. So he went out from before the sultan

Starting point is 00:46:02 and, mounting his beast, rode to Nur ad-Din's house, and knocked at the door. Nur ad-Din came out, and knowing him, would have saluted him, but he said, Oh, my master, this is no time for greeting or treating, listen to what the poet said.

Starting point is 00:46:18 Fly, fly with thy life if by ill over taken, let thy house speak thy death by its builder forsaken. For a land else than this land thou may streatch, my brother, but thy life thou'lt ne'er find in this world another. O al-A-Lam ad-Din what cheer asked Nur ad-Din, and he answered, rise quickly and fly for thy life, thou and the damsel, for al-Mu-in hath set a snare for you both, and if you fall into his hands he will slay you. The sultan hath dispatched forty swords against you, and I counsel you to flee, ere harm can hurt you.

Starting point is 00:46:54 Then Sanyar put his hand to his purse, and finding there forty gold pieces, took them out, and gave them to Nur ad-Din, saying, Oh, my lord, receive these and journey with them. Had I more I would give them to thee, but this is not the time to take exception. Thereupon Nurad-Din went into the damsel, and told her what had happened,

Starting point is 00:47:14 at which she wrung her hands. Then they fared forth at once from the city, and alas spread over them his veil of protection so that they reached the riverbank where they found a vessel ready for sea. Her skipper was standing amid ships and crying, Whoso hath ought to do, whether in the way of provisioning

Starting point is 00:47:33 or taking leave of his people, or whoso hath forgotten any needful thing, let him do it at once and return, for we are about to sail. And all of them saying, There is naught left to be done by us, Captain. He cried to his crew, Hello there, cast off the cable and pull up the mooring pole,

Starting point is 00:47:51 Quoth Noor ad-Din, with a bound o captain, and quoth he, to the House of Peace, Baghdad. And Shachrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of, Section 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 3, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night. Translated by Richard Burton This is a Librivox recording

Starting point is 00:48:27 All Librivox recordings are in the public domain For further information or to volunteer Please visit Librivox.org The book of a thousand nights and a night, volume 2, section 3 When it was the 36th night, she said, it hath reached me, a auspicious king, that when the skipper answered, To the House of Peace, Baghdad,

Starting point is 00:48:58 Nur adin Ali, and the damsel went on board, And they launched the craft, and shook out the sails, And the ship sped forth as though she were a bird on wing, Even as said one of them, and said right well, Watch some tall ship, she'll joy the sight of thee, The breeze outstripping in her haste to flee, as when a bird with widely spreading wings leaveeth the sky to settle on the sea.

Starting point is 00:49:27 So the vessel sailed on her fastest, and the wind to her was fairest, thus far concerning them. But as regards to the Mamelukes, they went to Nur ad-Din's mansion, and breaking open the doors, entered and searched the whole place, but could find no trace of him and the damsel.

Starting point is 00:49:46 So they demolished the house, and returning to the Sultan. reported their proceedings, whereupon quoth he, make search for them both, wherever they may be, and they answered, Hearing is obeying.

Starting point is 00:49:59 The wazir al-Mu'in had also gone home after the sultan had bestowed upon him a robe of honour, and had set his heart at rest by saying, None shall take blood-reak

Starting point is 00:50:11 for thee save I, and he had blessed the king and prayed for his long life and prosperity. Then the sultan, bad proclaim about the city o ye liegees one and all it is the will of our lord the sultan that whoso happeneth on nur adin ali son of alfaz bin chakhan and bringeth him to the sultan shall receive a robe of honour and one thousand gold pieces and he who hideth him or knoweth his abiding place and informeth not deserveth whatsoever pains and penalties shall befall him so all began to search for Noura Dean Ali, but they could find neither trace nor tidings of him. Meanwhile he and his handmaid sailed on with the wind right aft, till they arrived in safety at Baghdad,

Starting point is 00:51:01 and the captain said to them, This is Baghdad, and tis the city where security is to be had. Winter with his frosts hath turned away, and Prime hath come his roses to display, and the flowers are glowing, and the trees are blowing, and the streams are flowing. so nur ad deen landed he and his handmaid and giving the captain five dinars walked on a little way till the decrees of destiny brought them among the gardens and they came to a place swept and sprinkled with benches along the walls and hanging jars filled with water overhead was a trellis of reed-work and canes shading the whole length of the avenue and at the upper end was a garden gate but this was locked by allah quoth nur ad deen to the damsel right pleasant is this place and she replied o my lord sit with me a while on this bench and let us take our ease so they mounted and sat them on the bench after which they washed their faces and hands and the breeze blew cool on them and they fell asleep and glory be to him who never sleepeth. Now this garden was named the Garden of Gladness,

Starting point is 00:52:16 and therein stood a belvedere, height the palace of pleasure, and the pavilion of pictures, the whole belonging to the Caliph Harunarashid, who was wont when his breast was straightened with care to frequent garden and palace, and there to sit. The palace had eighty latticed windows, and four score lamps hanging round a great candelarbrum of gold, furnished with wax candles.

Starting point is 00:52:44 And when the Caliph used to enter, he would order the handmaids to throw open the lattices and light up the rooms, and he would bid Ishach bin Ibrahim, the cup companion, and the slave-girls to sing till his breast was broadened, and his ailments were allayed. Now, the keeper of the garden, Sheikh Ibrahim, was a very old man, and he had found from time to time when he went out on any business

Starting point is 00:53:11 people pleasuring about the garden gate with their bono robbers, at which he was angered with exceeding anger. But he took patience till one day when the Caliph came to his garden, and he complained of this to Harul Narashid, who said, Whomsoever thou surprises about the door of the garden. Deal with him as thou wilt. Now on this day the gardener chanced to be abroad on some occasion, and returning found these two sleeping at the gate covered with a single mantilla, whereupon said he, By Allah, good! These twain know not that the Caliph hath given me leave to slay anyone I may catch at the door, but I will give this couple a shrewd whipping that none may come near the gate in future. So he cut a green palm-frond, and went up to them, and raising his arm, till the white of his armpit appeared, was about to strike them, when he bethought himself and said,

Starting point is 00:54:08 O Ibrahim, wilt thou beat them, unknowing their case? Happily, they are strangers are of the sons of the road, and the decrees of destiny have thrown them here. I will uncover their faces and look at them. So he lifted up the mantilla from their heads

Starting point is 00:54:25 and said, They are a handsome couple. It were not fitting that I should beat them. Then he covered their faces again, and going to Nur ad-Din's feet, began to rub and shampoo them, whereupon the youth opened his eyes, and seeing an old man of grave and reverent aspect rubbing his feet, he was ashamed, and drawing them in, sat up. Then he took Sheikh Ibrahim's hand and kissed it, quoth the old man,

Starting point is 00:54:54 O my son, went's art thou? And quoth he, O my lord, we two are strangers, and the tears started from his eyes. my son, said Sheikh Ibrahim, know that the prophet whom Allah bless and preserve hath enjoyed honour to the stranger, and added, wilt thou not arise, O my son, and pass into the garden, and solace thyself by looking at it, and gladden thy heart. O my lord, said Nur adin, to whom doth this garden belong? And the other replied, O my son, I have inherited it from my folk. Now his object in saying this was to set them at their east.

Starting point is 00:55:32 and induced them to enter the garden. So Nur ad-Din thanked him and rose he and the damsel and followed him into the garden, and lo! it was a garden, and what a garden! The gate was arched like a great hall, and over walls and roof ramped vines with grapes of many colours, the red like rubies and the black like ebonys, and beyond it lay a bower of trellised boughs,

Starting point is 00:56:00 growing fruit single and composite, and small birds on branches sang with melodious recite, and the thousand-noted nightingale shrilled with her varied shriek. The turtle with her cooing filled the sight, the blackbird whistled like human white, and the ring-dove moaned like a drinker in grievous plight. The trees grew in perfection, all edible growths, and fruited all-manner fruits,

Starting point is 00:56:29 which in pears were bipartite, with the camphor apricot, the almond apricot, and the apricot Horasani height. The plum, like the face of beauty, smooth and bright, the cherry that makes teeth shine clear by her slight, and the fig of three colours, green, purple and white. There also blossomed the violet, as it were sulphur on fire by night, the orange with buds like pink coral and marguerite, The rose whose redness

Starting point is 00:57:02 Makes the loveliest cheeks Blush with despite And myrtle and gillyflower And lavender With the blood-red anemone From Noomann height The leaves were all gemmed With tears the clouds had dight

Starting point is 00:57:16 The camamile smiles Showing teeth that bite And narcissus with his negro eyes Fixed on rose his sight The citrons shone with fruits In bold And the lemons like bulls balls of gold. Earth was carpeted with flowers, tinctured infinite, for spring was come,

Starting point is 00:57:36 brightening the place with joy and delight, and the streams ran ringing, to the birds gaze singing, while the rustling breeze up springing, tempered the air to temperance exquisite. Shah Ibrahim carried them into the pavilion, and they gazed on its beauty, and on the lamps aforementioned in the latticed windows, and Nur ad-Din, remembering his entertainment of time passed, cried, by Allah, this is a pleasant place. It hath quenched in me anguish which burnt as a fire of Gaza wood. Then they sat down and Sheikh Ibrahim set food before them, and they ate till they were satisfied and washed their hands.

Starting point is 00:58:21 After which Nur ad-Din went up to one of the latticed windows, and calling to his handmaid, fell to gaze. on the trees, laden with all manner fruits. Presently he turned to the gardener and said to him, O Sheikh Ibrahim hast thou no drink here, for folk I want to drink after eating. The sheikh brought him sweet water, cool and pleasant, but he said,

Starting point is 00:58:45 This is not the kind of drink I wanted. Pachance thou wishest for wine? Indeed I do, O Shaikh. I seek refuge from it with Allah. It is thirteen years since I have. I did this thing, for the prophet cursed its drinker, presser, seller, and carrier. Here two words of me. Say on. If yon cursed ass, which standeth there, be cursed, will aught of his curse a light upon thee, by no means. Then take this dinar,

Starting point is 00:59:18 and these two dirhams, and mount yonder ass, and halting afar from the wine-shop, call the first man thou seest buying liquor, and say to him, take these two, dirhams for thyself, and with this dinar, buy me some wine, and set it on the ass. So, shalt thou be neither the presser, nor the buyer, nor the carrier, and no part of the curse will fall upon thee. At this, Shaikh I laughed, and said, by allah, my son, I never saw one wiler of wit than thou art, nor heard aught sweeter than thy speech. So he did, as he was bidden by Nur ad-Din, who thanked him and said, we two are now dependent on thee, and it is only meet that thou comply with our wishes,

Starting point is 01:00:03 so bring us here what we require. Oh, my son, replied he, this is my battery before thee, and it was the storeroom provided for the commander of the faithful. So go in and take what so thou wilt, for there is over and above what thou wantest. Nur ad-Din then entered the pantry, and found therein vessels of gold and silver and crystal, set with all kinds of gems and was amazed and delighted with what he saw. Then he took out what he needed, and set it on and poured the wine into flagons and glass-ewers, whilst Sheikh Ibrahim brought them fruit and flowers and aromatic herbs.

Starting point is 01:00:44 Then the old man withdrew and sat down at a distance from them, whilst they drank and made merry, till the wine got the better of them, so that their cheeks reddened and their eyes wantoned like the gazelle, and their locks became dishevelled, and their brightness became yet more beautiful. Then, said Sheikh Ibrahim to himself, What aileth me to sit apart from them! Why should I not sit with them? When shall I ever find myself in company with the like of these two that favour two moons? So he stepped forward, and sat down on the edge of the dice, and Nur ad-Din said to him,

Starting point is 01:01:21 Oh, my lord, my life on thee, come nearer to us. He came and sat by them, when Nur ad-Din filled a cup and looked towards the Shaikh, and said to him, drink that thou mayest dry the taste of it. I take refuge from it with Allah, replied he, for thirteen years I have not done a thing of the kind. Nur ad-Din feigned to forget he was there, and drinking off the cup, threw himself on the ground, as if the drink had overcome him, whereupon Anis Sajalis glanced at him and said, O Sheikh Ibrahim, see how this husband of mine treateth me, and he answered, Oh, my lady, what aileth him?

Starting point is 01:02:02 This is how he always serveth me, cried she. He drinketh a while, then falleth asleep, and leaveth me alone with none to bear me company over my cup, nor any to whom I may sing when the bowl goeth round. Quoth the sheikh, and his mean unstiffened, for that his soul inclined towards her. By Allah, this is not wet, Then she crowned a cup, and looking towards him, said,

Starting point is 01:02:28 By my life, thou must take and drink it, and not refuse to heal my sick heart. So he put forth his hand, and took it, and drank it off, and she filled a second, and set it on the chandelier, and said, Oh, master mine, there is still this one left for thee. By Allah, I cannot drink it, cried he. What I've already drunk is enough for me. But she rejoined, by Allah, there is no help for it. So he took the cup and drank, and she filled him a third, which he took and was about to drink,

Starting point is 01:02:59 when, behold, Nur ad-Din rolled round, and sat upright. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. And of Section 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 4, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. translated by Richard Burton This is a Librivox recording All Librivox recordings are in the public domain For further information or to volunteer

Starting point is 01:03:41 Please visit Librivox.org The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 2, Section 4 When it was the 37th night, she said It hath reached me, a auspicious king, that Nur ad-Din sat upright and said, Ho, Sheikh Ibrahim, what is this? Did I not abjure thee a while ago, and thou refusest, saying, What I? Tis thirteen years ago since I have done such a thing. By Allah! quoth the sheikh, and indeed he was abashed. No sin of mine this. She forced me to do it.

Starting point is 01:04:24 Nur adin laughed, and they sat down again to wine and wassail, but the damsel turned to her master and said in a whisper, Oh, my lord, drink, and do not press him, that I may show thee some sport with him. Then she began to fill her master's cup, and he hers, and so they did time after time, till at last Sheikh Ibrahim looked at them and said, What fashion of good fellowship is this? Allah cursed the glutton who keepeth the cup to himself. Why dost thou not give me to drink, oh, my brother?

Starting point is 01:04:57 What manners are these, O blessed one? At this the two laughed until they fell on their backs. Then they drank and gave him to drink, and ceased not their carousal till a third part of the night was passed. Then said the damsel, O Sheikh Ibrahim, with thy leave I will get up and light one of these candles. Do so, he replied, but light no more than one. So she sprang to her feet, and, beginning with one candle, lighted all the eighty, and sat down again.

Starting point is 01:05:30 Presently, Nur ad-Din said, O, Shaikh Ibrahim, in what favour am I with thee? May I not light one of these lamps? Light one, replied he, and bother me no more in thy turn. So he rose and lighted one lamp after another, till he had lighted the whole eight, and the palace seemed to dance with brilliancy. Quothed the sheikh, and indeed intoxication had overcome him. Ye too are bolder than I am. Then he rose to his feet and opened all the lattices and sat down again, and they fell to carousing and reciting verses till the place rang with their noisy mirth.

Starting point is 01:06:12 Now Allah, the decrearer who decreeth all things, and who for every effect appointeth the cause, had so disposed that the Caliph was at that moment sitting in the light of the moon at one of the windows of his palace overlooking the Tigris. He saw the blaze of the lamps and wax candles reflected in the river, and lifting his eyes perceived that it came from the Garden Palace, which was all ablaze with brilliancy. So he cried,

Starting point is 01:06:40 Here to me with Ja'afar the barmakhi, and the last word was hardly spoken, ere the wazir was present before the commander of the faithful, who cried at him, O dog of a minister, hast thou taken from me this city of Baghdad without saying ought to me? What words are these words? asked Jafar, and the Caliph answered,

Starting point is 01:07:03 If Baghdad's city were not taken from me, the palace of pictures would not be illuminated with lamps and candles, nor would its windows be thrown open. Woe to thee! Who durst do a deed like this, except the, caliphate had been taken from me, quoth Jadhafar, and indeed his side muscles trembled as he spoke, who told thee that the palace of pictures was illuminated and the windows thrown open. Come hither and see, replied the caliph. Then Jadahfar came close to the caliph, and, looking towards

Starting point is 01:07:34 the garden, saw the palace blazing with illumination that raid through the gloom of the night. I'm thinking that this might have been permitted by the keeper for some reason of his own, he wished to make an excuse for him. So quoth he, O commander of the faithful, Sheikh Ibrahim said to me last week, O my lord, Ja'afar, I much wish to circumcise my sons

Starting point is 01:07:57 during the life of the commander of the faithful and thy life. I asked, what dost thou want? And he answered, Get me leave from the caliph to hold the festival in the garden palace. So said I to him, Go, circumcise them, and I will see the caliph and tell him. Thereupon he went away, and I forgot to let thee know.

Starting point is 01:08:18 Oh, Jadafar, said the Caliph, thou hast committed two offences against me. First, in that thou didst no report to me, secondly, thou didst not give him what he sought, for he came and told thee this, only as excuse to ask for some small matter of money, to help him with the outlay, and thou gavest him nothing, nor toldest me. Oh, commander of the faithful, said Jataphah, I forgot. Now, by the rights of my forefathers, and the tombs of my forebears, Quoth the Caliph, I will not pass the rest of this night, save in company with him, for truly he is a pious man, who frequenteth the elders of the faith and the Fakhirs,

Starting point is 01:09:00 and other religious mendicants, and entertaineth them. Doubtless they are not assembled together, and it may be that the prayer of one of them will work us wheel, both in this world and in the next. Besides, my presence may profit, and at any rate be pleasing to Shaikh Ibrahim. O commander of the faithful, quoth Ja'afar, the greater part of the night is past, and at this time they will be breaking up, quoth the Caliph. It matters not, I needs must go to them. So Ja'afar held his peace, being bewildered and knowing not what to do.

Starting point is 01:09:36 Then the Caliph rose to his feet, and taking with him Ja'afar and Masurur, eunuch's order, the three disguised themselves in merchants' gear, and leaving the city palace, kept threading the streets till they reached the garden. The Caliph went up to the gate, and finding it wide open, was surprised, and said, See, O Jaffar, how Sheikh Ibrahim hath left the gate open at this hour, contrary to his custom. They went in and walked on till they came under the pavilion, when the caliph said, O Jaffar, I wish to look in upon them unawares Before I show myself

Starting point is 01:10:12 That I may see what they are about And get sight of the elders For hitherto I have heard no sound from them Not even a fakir calling upon the name of Allah Then he looked about and seeing a tall walnut tree Said to Jaffar I will climb this tree for its branches are near the lattices And so look in upon them

Starting point is 01:10:32 Thereupon he mounted the tree And ceased not climbing from branch to branch, till he reached a bow which was right opposite one of the windows and here he took a seat and looked inside the palace he saw a damsel and a youth as they were two moons glory be to him who created and fashioned them and by them sheikh ibrahim seated cup in hand and saying oh princess of fair ones drinking without music is nothing worth indeed i have heard a poet say round with bit and little the bowl and cup. Take either that moon in his sheen hath crowned, nor drink without music, for oft I've seen, the horse drink best to the whistles sound. When the caliph saw this, the vein of wrath started up between his eyes, and he came down and said to the wazir, O Jhaafar, never beheld I yet men of piety in such case, so do thou mount this tree and look upon them, lest the blessings of the blessed be

Starting point is 01:11:35 lost to thee. Ja'afar, hearing the words of the commander of the faithful and being confounded by them, climbed to the treetop, and looking in, saw Nur ad-Din and the damsel, and Sheikh Ibrahim, holding in his hand a brimming bowl. At this sight he made sure of death, and descending stood before the commander of the faithful, who said to him, O Ja'afar, praise be to Allah, who hath made of us those that observe external ordinances of holy law, and hath averted from us the sin of disguising ourselves after the manner of hypocrites. But Jafar could not speak a word for excess of confusion, so the Caliph looked at him and said, I wonder how they came hither, and who admitted them into my pavilion, but aught like the beauty of this youth and this damsel my eyes, never yet

Starting point is 01:12:26 sore. Thou sayest sooth, O our lord the sultan, replied Jaffar. and he hoped to propitiate the Caliph Harunar Rashid. Then quoth the Caliph, O Ja'afar, let us both mount the branch opposite the window, that we may amuse ourselves with looking at them. So the two climbed the tree, and peering in, heard Sheikh Ibrahim say, Oh, my lady, I have cast away all gravity mine by the drinking of wine, but tis not sweet, save with the soft sounds of the lute-strings it combine. By Allah, replied Anis al-Jalis, or Sheikh Ibrahim, and we had but some instrument of music, our joints were complete.

Starting point is 01:13:11 Hearing this, he rose to his feet, and the Caliph said to Ja'afar, I wonder what he is about to do. And Ja'afar answered, I know not. The Shaikh disappeared, and presently reappeared, bringing a loot. And the Caliph took note of it, and knew it for that of Abu Ishaq, the cut companion. By Allah, said the Caliph, If this damsel sing ill, I will crucify all of you, But if she sing well, I will forgive them, and only gibbit thee. Oh Allah cause her to sing vilely, quoth Jafar, asked the Caliph. Why so?

Starting point is 01:13:48 And he answered, If thou crucify us altogether, We shall keep one another company. The Caliph laughed at his speech. Presently the damsel took the loot, and after looking at it and tuning it, she played a measure which made all hearts yearn to her. Then she sang these lines. O ye that can aid me, a wretched lover,

Starting point is 01:14:10 whom longing burns, nor can rest, restore me, though all you have done I have well deserved, I take refuge with you, so exult not oar me. True, I am weak and low and vile, but I'll bear your will, and what so you bore me. My death at your hands What brings it of glory I fear but your sin

Starting point is 01:14:32 Which of life forlore me Quoth the Caliph By Allah, good O Jaffar Never in my life have I heard a voice So enchanting as this Then happily the Caliph's wrath Hath passed away, said Jaffar

Starting point is 01:14:49 And he replied Yes, tis gone Thereupon they descended from the tree And the caliph said to Jaffar I wish to go in and sit with them, and hear the dams all sing before me. O commander of the faithful, replied Ja'afar. If thou go into them, they will be terribly troubled, and Shaikh Ibrahim will assuredly die of fright. But the Caliph answered, O, Ja'afar, thou must teach me some device wherewith to delude them, and whereby I can foregather

Starting point is 01:15:20 with them without their knowing me. So they walked towards the tigris, pondering the matter, and presently came upon a fisherman who stood fishing under the pavilion windows. Now, sometime before this, the Caliph, being in the pavilion, had called to Sheikh Ibrahim and asked him, What noise is this I hear under the windows? And he had answered, It is voices of fisherfolk catching fish. So, quoth the Caliph, go down and forbid them this place,

Starting point is 01:15:49 and he forbade them accordingly. However, that night a fisherman named Karim, happening to pass by and seeing the garden gate open, said to himself, This is a time of negligence, and I will take advantage of it to do a bit of fishing. So he took his net and cast it, but he had hardly done so, when, behold, the caliph came up single-handed, and standing hard by, knew him, and called aloud to him. Oh, Karim! The fisherman, hearing himself named, turned round, and seeing the caliph, trembled, and his side-muscles,

Starting point is 01:16:24 quivered, as he cried, By Allah, O commander of the faithful, I did it not in mockery of the mandate, but poverty and a large family drove me to what thou seest, quoth the Caliph, make a cast in my name. At this the fisherman was glad, and going to the bank through his net, then, waiting till it had spread out at full stretch and settled down, hauled it up, and found in it various kinds of fish. The Caliph was pleased and said, O'Carim, doff thy habit. So he put off a gabardine of coarse woolenstuff, patched in an hundred places, whereon the lice were rampant, and a turban which had never been untwisted for three years, but to which he had sown every rag he came upon. The Caliph also pulled off his person, two vests of Alexandrian and Buttlebeck silk, a loose in a robe, and a long-sleeved

Starting point is 01:17:19 out a coat, and said to the fisherman, Take them, and put them on. While he assumed the foul gabardine and filthy turbaned, and drew a corner of the headcloth as a mouth-vail before his face. Then, said he to the fisherman, Get thee about thy business, and the man kissed the Caliph's feet, and thanked him, and improvised the following couplets.

Starting point is 01:17:43 Thou hast granted more favours than ever I craved, thou hast satisfied needs which my heart in I will thank thee and thank while as life shall last, and my bones will praise thee engrave engraved. Hardly had the fisherman ended his verse, when the lice began to crawl over the caliph's skin, and he fell to catching them on his neck with his right and left, and throwing them from him, while he cried, O fisherman, woe to thee! What be this abundance of lice on thy gabardine? "'Oh, my lord,' replied he, "'they may annoy thee just at first,

Starting point is 01:18:22 "'but before a week is past, "'thou wilt not feel them, nor think of them.' "'The Caliph laughed and said to him, "'Out on thee! Shall I leave this gabardine of thine "'so long on my body?' "'Quoth the fisherman, "'I would say a word to thee, "'but I am ashamed in the presence of the Caliph,

Starting point is 01:18:40 "'and quoth he, say what thou hast to say. "'It passed through my thought, "'O commander of the faithful, said the fisherman, that since thou wishest to learn fishing, so thou mayest have in hand an honest trade, whereby to gain thy livelihood, this, my gabardine, besitteth thee right well. The commander of the faithful laughed at this speech, and the fisherman went his way. Then the caliph took up the basket of fish, and, strewing a little green grass over it, carried it to Ja'afar, and stood before him.

Starting point is 01:19:13 Ja'afar, thinking him to be Karim, the fisherman, feared for him. and said, O Karim, what brought thee hither? Flee for thy life, for the Caliph is in the garden tonight, and if he see thee, thy neck is gone. At this the Caliph laughed, and Ja'afar recognized him and asked, Can it be thou, our lord, the Sultan? And he answered, Yes, O Ja'afar, and thou art my wazir, and I and thou came hither together.

Starting point is 01:19:41 Yet thou knowest me not. So how should Shaikh Ibrahim know me, and he drunk? "'Stay here till I come back to thee.' "'To here is to obey,' said Ja'afar. Then the Caliph went up to the door of the pavilion, and knocked a gentle knock. Whereupon, said Nur ad-Din, "'O Sheikh Ibrahim, someone taps at the door.' "'Who goes there?' cried the sheikh, and the Caliph replied.

Starting point is 01:20:07 "'It is I, O Sheikh Ibrahim. "'Who art thou?' quoth he, and quoth the other, "'I am Karim, the fisherman. I hear thou hast to feed.' So I have brought thee some fish, and of a truth tis good fish. When Nur adin heard the mention of fish, he was glad, he and the damsel, and they both said to the sheikh, O our lord, open the door, and let him bring us his fish. So Sheikh Ibrahim opened, and the caliph came in, and he in fishermen guys,

Starting point is 01:20:39 and began by saluting them. Said Sheikh Ibrahim, welcome to the blagard, the robber, the dicer, Let us see thy fish. So the Caliph showed them his catch, and behold, the fishes were still alive and jumping, whereupon the damsel exclaimed, By Allah, O my lord, these are indeed fine fish, would they were fried?

Starting point is 01:21:02 And Shaikh Ibrahim rejoined, By Allah, O my lady, thou art right. Then said he to the Caliph, O fisherman, why didst thou not bring us the fish ready fried? Up now and cook them, and bring them back to us. On my head be thy commands, said the Caliph. I will fry the dish and bring it, said they. Look, shut up.

Starting point is 01:21:24 Thereupon he went and ran till he came up to Ja'afar, when he called to him, Hello, Ja'afar. And he replied, Here I am, O commander of the faithful, is all well. They want the fish fried, said the Caliph. And Ja'afar answered, O commander of the faithful, give it to me, and I'll fry it for them.

Starting point is 01:21:44 By the tombs of my forebears, quoth the Caliph, none shall fry it but i with mine own hand so he went to the gardener's hut where he searched and found all that he required even to salt and saffron and wild marjoram and else besides then he turned to the brazier and setting on the frying-pan fried a right good fry when it was done he laid it on a banana leaf and gathering from the garden windfall and fruits limes and lemons carried the fish to the pavilion and set the dish before them So the youth and the damsel, and Shaikh Ibrahim, came forward and et, after which they washed their hands, and Nur ad-Din said to the Caliph, By Allah, O Fisherman, thou hast done us a right good deed this night. Then he put hand in pouch, and taking out three of the dinars which Sanjar had given him, said, O fisherman, excuse me! By Allah, had I known thee before that which hath lately befallen me,

Starting point is 01:22:43 I had done away with the bitterness of poverty from thy heart, but take thou this as the best I can do for thee. Then he threw the gold pieces to the Caliph, who took them and kissed them, and put them in pouch. Now his sole object in doing all this was to hear the damsel sing. So he said to Nur ad-Din, Thou hast rewarded me most liberally, but I beg of thy boundless bounty,

Starting point is 01:23:09 that thou let this damsel sing an air, that I may hear her. So Nur ad-Din said, Oh, Anis Sal Jalis, and she answered, Yes, and he continued, By my life, sing us something for the sake of this fisherman, Who wisheth so much to hear thee. Thereupon she took the loot and struck the strings,

Starting point is 01:23:30 After she had screwed them tight and tuned them, And sang these improvised verses. The fawn of a maid hent her loot in hand, And her music made us right metal, for her song gave hearing to ears stone death while brava brava exclaimed the dumb then she played again and played so ravishingly that she charmed their wits and burst out improvising and singing these couplets you have honoured us visiting this hour land and your splendour illumine the glooms that blent so tis due that for you i perfume my place with rose-water musk and the camphor scent Hereupon the Caliph was agitated, and emotion so overpowered him that he could not command himself for excess of pleasure, and he exclaimed, By Allah, good, by Allah good, by Allah, good.

Starting point is 01:24:29 Asked Nur ad-Din, O fisherman, doth this damsel please thee, and the Caliph answered, Aye, by Allah! Whereupon said Nur ad-Din, she is a gift to thee, a gift of the generous who, repenteth him not of his givings, and who will never revoke his gift. Then he sprang to his feet, and taking a loose robe, threw it over the fisherman, and bad him receive the damsel, and begone. But she looked at him and said, Oh, my lord, art thou faring forth without farewell, if it must be so, at least stay till I bid thee good-bye, and make known my case.

Starting point is 01:25:07 And she began versifying in these verses. When love and longing and regret our mind Must not this body show of ills a sign? My love, say not, thou soon shall be consoled, When state speaks state, none shall allay my pine. If living man could swim upon his tears, I first should float on waters of these ine. O thou, who in my heart infuseth thy love,

Starting point is 01:25:36 As water mingles in the cup with wine, This was the fear I feared This parting blow O thou whose love my heart-core ne'er shall tine O bin chakhan, my thought, my hope, my will O thou whose love this breast make holy thine Against thy lord the king thou sinst for me And winst exile in lands perigrine

Starting point is 01:26:01 Allah now make my lord repent my loss To cream a man thou gavest me one right dine. When she had ended her verses, Nur ad-Din answered her with these lines. She bade me farewell on our parting day, and she wept in the fire of our bane and pains. What wilt thou do when for thee I am gone?

Starting point is 01:26:25 Quoth I, say this, to whom life remains. When the Caliph heard her saying in her verse, To Karim the cream of men thou gavest me, his inclination for her redoubled, and it seemed a hard matter and a grievous to part them. So quoth he to the youth. O my lord, truly the damsel said in her verses that thou didst transgress against her master,

Starting point is 01:26:49 and him who owned her. So tell me, against whom didst thou transgress, and who is it hath a claim on thee? By Allah, O fisherman, replied Nur ad-Din, there befell me and this damsel, a wondrous tale and a marvellous matter, and were graven with needle gravers on the eye corners, it would be a warner to whoso would be warned,

Starting point is 01:27:13 cried the Caliph, wilt thou not tell me thy story, and acquaint me with thy case. Happily it may bring thee relief, for Allah's aid is ever near hand. O fisherman, said Nur ad-Din, wilt thou hear our history in verse or in prose? Prose is a wordy thing,

Starting point is 01:27:31 but verses, rejoined the Caliph, are pearls on a string. Then Nur ad-Din bowed his head and made these couplets. Oh, my friend, reft of rest, no repose I command, And my grief is redoubled in this far land. Eust I had a father, A kinder ne'er was, But he died, and to death paid the day o'dand. When he went from me, every matter went wrong,

Starting point is 01:27:57 Till my heart was nigh broken, My nature unmanned, He bought me a handmaid, A-a-sweeting who shamed, A wand of the willow by Zephyr, Zephyr befanned. I lavished upon her mine heritage, and spent like a nobleman, puissant and grand. Then to sell her compelled, my sorrow increased. The parting was sore, but I moat not gain stand. Now as soon as the crier had called her their bid, a wicked old fellow a fiery brand, so I raged with a rage that I could not restrain, and snatched her from out of his hireling's hand. When the angry Commudgeon made ready for blows

Starting point is 01:28:37 And the fire of a fight Kiddled he and his band I smote him in fury with right and with left And his hide till well satisfied, curried and tanned Then in fear I fled forth And lay hid in my house To escape from the snares which my foeman had spanned So the king of the country proclaimed my arrest When access to me a good chamberlain fanned

Starting point is 01:29:01 And warned me to flee from the city afar disappear disappoint what my enemies planned then we fled from our home neath the wing of the night and sought us a refuge by bagdad strand of my riches i have nothing on thee to bestow o fisher except the fair gift thou hast scanned the loved of my soul and when i from her part know for sure that i give thee the blood of my heart when he had ended his verse the Caliph said to him O my lord Nur ad deen explained to me thy case more fully

Starting point is 01:29:37 so he told him the whole story from beginning to end and the Caliph said to him Whither dost thou now intend Allah's world is wide replied he Quoth the Caliph I will write thee a letter

Starting point is 01:29:51 to carry to the Sultan Muhammad bin Suliman as Zaini which when he readeth he will not hurt nor harm thee in aught and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day and ceased saying her permitted say And of Section 4 Of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night

Starting point is 01:30:13 Volume 2 Section 5 Volume 2 Of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Translated by Richard Burton This is a Librivox recording All Librivox recordings are in the public domain For further information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton.

Starting point is 01:30:45 Volume 2, Section 5 When it was the 38th night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Caliph said to Noura Dean Ali, I will write the letter to carry to the Sultan Muhammad bin Suliman as Zaini, which when he readeth he will not hurt nor harm thee in aught, Nur adin asked, What?

Starting point is 01:31:11 Is there in the world a fisherman who writeth to kings, Such a thing can never be? And the Caliph answered, Thou sayest sooth, but I will tell thee the reason. Know that I and he learnt in the same school under one schoolmaster, and that I was his monarchy. Since that time fortune befriended him, and he has become a sultan, while Allah hath abased me, and made me a fisherman. Yet I never sent to him to ask aught, but he doeth my desire. Nay, though I should ask of him a thousand favours every day, he would comply. When Nur ad-Din heard this, he said, Good, write that I may see. So the Caliph took ink-case and read pen, and wrote as follows. In the name of Allah the compassionating the compassionate.

Starting point is 01:32:02 But after, this letter is written by Harunah Rashid, son of Al-Mhdi, to his highness Mohammed bin Soleiman Azaini, whom I have encompassed about with my favour, and made my viceroy in certain of my dominions. The bearer of these presents is Nur adin Ali, son of Fazl bin Chakan the wazir. As soon as they come to thy hand, divest thyself forthright of the kingly dignity, and invest him therewith.

Starting point is 01:32:33 So oppose not my commandment, and peace be with thee. He gave the letter to Nur ad-Din, who took it and kissed it, then put it in his turbaned, and set out at once on his journey. So far concerning him. But as regards the Caliph, Sheikh Ibrahim stared to him, and he still in fisher garb, and said, O vilest of fishermen, thou hast brought us a couple of fish worth a score of half dirhams, and hast gotten three dinars for them, and thinkest thou to take the damsel to boot?

Starting point is 01:33:07 When the Caliph heard this, he cried out at him, and signed to Mazurur, who discovered himself, and rushed in upon him. Now Jafar had sent one of the gardener lads to the doorkeeper of the palace to fetch a suit of royal raiment for the prince of the faithful. So the man went, and returning with the suit, kissed the ground before the Caliph, and gave it him. Then he threw off the clothes he had on, and donned kingly apparel. Sheikh Ibrahim was still sitting upon his chair, and the Caliph tarried to behold what would come next. But seeing the fishermen become the Caliph, Sheikh Ibrahim was utterly confounded, and he could do nothing but bite his finger-ends and say,

Starting point is 01:33:51 would I knew whether am I asleep or am I awake? At last the Caliph looked at him and cried, O Shaikh Ibrahim, what state is this in which I see thee? Thereupon he recovered from his drunkenness, and throwing himself upon the ground, repeated these verses. Pardon the sinful ways I did pursue, Ruth from his lord to every slave is due, confession pays the fine that sin demands,

Starting point is 01:34:19 where then is that which grace and mercy sue. The Caliph forgave him and Bad carry the damsel to the city palace, where he set apart for her an apartment and appointed slaves to serve her, saying to her, know that we have sent thy lord to be Sultan in Basura, and Almighty Allah willing, we will dispatch him the dress of investiture and thee with it. Meanwhile Nur adin Ali ceased not travelling,

Starting point is 01:34:49 till he reached Basura, where he repaired to the Sultan's palace, and he shouted a long shout. The Sultan heard him and sent for him, and when he came into his presence, he kissed the ground between his hands, and producing the letter, presented it to him. Seeing the superscription in the writing of the commander of the faithful, the Sultan rose to his feet and kissed it three times, and after reading it said, I hear and I obey Allah Almighty, and the commander of the faithful. Then he summoned the four Khazis and the emirs and was about to divest himself of the rule royal when behold, in came Al-Mu'in bin Sawi. The Sultan gave him the Caliph's letter and he read it, then tore it to pieces, and putting it into his mouth,

Starting point is 01:35:40 chewed it and spat it out. Woe to thee, quoth the Sultan, and indeed he was so angered, What induced thee to do this deed? Now by thy life, O our lord the sultan, replied Mouin, This man hath never foregathered with the caliph, Nor with his wazir, But he is a gallows bird, A limb of Satan,

Starting point is 01:36:03 A knave who, having come upon a written paper in the caliph's hand, Some idle scroll, hath made it serve his own end. The caliph would surely not send him To take the sultanate from thee without the imperial autograph and the diploma of investiture, and he certainly would have dispatched with him a chamberlain or a minister. But he hath come alone, and he never came from the caliph.

Starting point is 01:36:27 No, never, never, never. What is to be done? asked the sultan, and the minister answered, Leave him to me, and I will take him and keep him away from thee, and send him in charge of a chamberlain to Baghdad city. then, if what he says be sooth, they will bring us back autograph and investiture, and if not I will take my due out of this debtor. When the Sultan heard the minister's words he said,

Starting point is 01:36:56 Hence with thee and him too! Al-Mu'in took trust of him from the king, and carrying him to his own house, cried out to his pages, who laid him flat and beat him till he fainted. Then he leapt, put upon his feet heavy shackles, and carried him to the jail where he called the jailer, one Qutait, who came and kissed the ground before him. Quoth the wazir, O Qutait, I wish thee to take this fellow,

Starting point is 01:37:23 and throw him into one of the underground cells in the prison, and torture him night and day. To hear is to obey, replied the jailer, and taking Nur ad-Din into the prison, locked the door upon him. Then he gave orders to sweep a bench behind the door, and spreading on it a sitting rug and a leather cloth, seated Nur ad-Din thereon, and loosed his shackles, and entreated him kindly.

Starting point is 01:37:50 The wazir sent every day in joining the jailer to beat him, but he abstained from this, and so continued to do for forty days. On the forty-first day there came a present from the Caliph, which, when the Sultan saw, it pleased him, and he consulted his ministers on the matter, when one of them said, "'perchance this present was for the new Sultan,' cried Al-Mu-in. "'We should have done well had we put him to death at his first coming.'

Starting point is 01:38:18 And the Sultan cried, "'By Allah, thou hast reminded me of him. Go down to the prison and fetch him, and I will strike off his head.' "'To hear is to obey,' replied Al-Mu-in. Then he stood up and said, "'I will make proclamation in the city. whoso would solace himself with seeing the beheading of Nur adin bin al-Fazl bin Khakhan, let him repair to the palace.

Starting point is 01:38:44 So, follower and followed, great and small will flock to the spectacle, and I shall heal my heart and harm my foe. Do as thou wilt, said the sultan. The wazir went off, and he was glad and gay, and ordered the chief of police to make the aforementioned proclamation. When the people heard the cryer, they all sorrowed and wept, even the little ones at school and the traders in their shops, and some strove to get places for seeing the sight,

Starting point is 01:39:14 whilst others went to the prison with the object of escorting him thence. Presently the wazir came with the ten Mameloks to the jail, and quothite the jailer asked him, Whom seekest thou, O our lord the wazir? Where too he answered, Bring me out that gallows bird. But the jailer said, He is in the sorriest of plights

Starting point is 01:39:36 For the much beating I have given him. Then he went into the prison And found Nur ad-Din repeating these verses. Who shall support me in calamities When fail all cures and greater cares arise? Exile hath worn my heart, My vitals torn,

Starting point is 01:39:55 The world to foes hath turned my firm allies. O folk will not one friend Amidst you all, while o'er my woes and cry to hear my cries. Death and its agonies seem light to me, since life has lost all joys and jollities. O Lord of Mustafa that science see, Soul intercessor, guide all wear, all wise,

Starting point is 01:40:21 I pray thee free me and my fault forego, and from me drive mine evil and my woe. The jailer stripped off his clean clothes, and dressing him in two filthy vests, carried him to the wazir. Nur ad-Din looked at him and saw it was his foe that sought to compass his death,

Starting point is 01:40:41 so he wept and said, "'Art thou then so secure against the world? Hast thou not heard the saying of the poet? Kisras and Caesars in a bygone day, stored wealth, where is it? And ah, where are they?' "'Oh, wazir,' he continued, know that Allah, be he extolled and exalted, will do what so he will.

Starting point is 01:41:05 O Ali, replied he, thinkest thou to frighten me with such talk. I mean this very day to smite thy neck despite the noses of the Basora folk, and I care not. Let the days do as they please, nor will I turn me to thy counsel, but rather to what the poet sayeth. Leave thou the days to breed their ban and bait, and make thee strong Tup bare the weight of fate And also how excellently Sayeth another

Starting point is 01:41:36 Who so shall see the death-day of his foe One day surviving Wins his bestest wish Then he ordered his attendance To Mount Nur adine upon the bare back of a mule And they said to the youth Well truly it was irksome to them Let us stone him and cut him down

Starting point is 01:41:55 Though our lives go for it But Nur ad deen said to them, Do not so. Have you not heard the saying of the poet? Needs must I bear the term by fate decreed, And when that day be dead, needs must I die. If lions dragged me to their forest lair, Safe should I live till draw my death-day nigh.

Starting point is 01:42:18 Then they proceeded to proclaim before Nur ad-Din. This is the least of the retribution for him who imposes upon king, with forgeries. And they ceased not parading him around about Basura, till they made him stand beneath the palace windows, and set him upon the leather of blood. And the Sorder came up to him and said, O my lord, I am but a slave commanded in this matter, and thou have any desire, tell it me that I may fulfil it, for now there remaineth of thy life only so much as may be, till the sultan shall put his face out of the lattice. Thereupon Nur ad-Din

Starting point is 01:42:59 looked to the right and to the left and before him and behind him and began improvising. The sword, the sorda and the blood-skin waiting me I sight. And cry, alack, mine evil fate, Ah, my calamity! How is't I see no loving friend

Starting point is 01:43:17 With eye of sense or soul. What, no one here? I cry to all. Will none reply to me? The time is past that formed my life, My death term draweth nigh, Will no man win the grace of God, Showing me clemency?

Starting point is 01:43:33 And look with pity on my state, And clear my dark despair, Ene with a draught of water, Dealt to cool death's agony. The people fell to weeping over him, And the headsman rose, And brought him a draught of water. But the wazir sprang up from his place

Starting point is 01:43:51 And smote the gouglet with his hand, and broke it. Then he cried out at the executioner and bat him strike off Nur ad deen's head. So he bound the eyes of the doomed man, and folk clamoured at the wazir, and loud wailings were heard, and much questioning of man and man. At this moment, behold, rose a dense dust-cloud, filling sky and wold, and when the sultan, who was sitting in the palace, descried this, he said to his suite, go and see what yon cloud bringeth replied al-mouin not till we have smitten this fellow's neck but the sultan said wait ye till we see what this meaneth now the dust-cloud was the dust of ja'afar the barmecide wazir to the caliph and his host and the cause of his coming was as follows the caliph passed thirty days without calling to mind the matter of nur adin ali and none reminded him of it till one night, as he passed by the chamber of Anis Saljaliis, he heard her weeping and singing with a soft, sweet voice,

Starting point is 01:45:01 these lines of the poet. In thought I see thy form when farthest far or nearest near, and on my tongue there dwells a name which man shall ne'er unhear. Then her weeping redoubled, when lo the caliph opened the door, and entering the chamber, found Anis al Jaljalis in tears. When she saw him she fell to the ground, and kissing his feet three times, repeated these lines. O fertile root and noble growth of trunk, ripe, fruitful branch of never sullid race! I mind thee of what packed thy bounty made, far beat from thee, thou shouldst forget my case.

Starting point is 01:45:44 Quoth the Caliph, Who art thou? And she replied, I am she whom Ali bin Khan gave thee in gift, and I wish the fourth. fulfilment of thy promise to send me to him with a robe of honour, for I have now been thirty days without tasting the food of sleep. Thereupon the Caliph sent for Ja'afar, and said to him, O Ja'afar, tis thirty days since we have had news of Nur adin bin Khakhan, and I cannot suppose that the Sultan hath slain him, but by the life of my head and by the sepulchres of my forefathers, if aught of foul play hath befallen him, I will surely make an end of him who was the cause of it,

Starting point is 01:46:26 though he be the dearest of all men to myself. So I desire that thou set out for Basora within this hour, and bring me tidings of my cousin, King Mohammed bin Sulaman as Zaini, and how he had dealt with Nur adin Ali bin Khakhan, adding, If thou tarry longer on the road than shall suffice for the journey, I will strike off thy head.

Starting point is 01:46:50 Furthermore, do thou tell the son of my uncle the whole story of Nur ad-Din, and how I sent him with my written orders, and if thou find, O my cousin, that the king hath done otherwise than as I commanded, bring him and the wazir al-Mu'in bin Sawi to us in whatsoever guise thou shalt find them. Hearing and obedience, replied Jafar,

Starting point is 01:47:14 and making ready on the instant, he set out for Basura, where the news of his coming had foregone him, and had reached to the ears of King Muhammad. When Ja'afar arrived and saw the crushing and crowding of the lieges, he asked, What means all this gathering? So they told him what was doing in the matter of Nur ad-Din, whereupon he hastened to go to the Sultan, and saluting him, acquainted him with the cause why he came, and the Caliph's resolve. In case of any foul play, having before, the youth, to put to death who so should have brought it about. Then he took into custody the king and the wazir, and laid them in ward,

Starting point is 01:47:55 and giving order for the release of Nur adin Ali, enthroned him as Sultan in the stead of Mohammed bin Soleiman. After this, Jafar abode three days in Basura, the usual guest time, and on the morning of the fourth day, Nur adin Ali, turned to him and said, I long for the sight of the commander of the faithful. Then said Jafar to Muhammad bin Sulaman, make ready to travel, for we will say the dawn prayer and Mount Baghdadwards. And he replied,

Starting point is 01:48:29 To here is to obey. Then they prayed and they took horse and set out all of them, carrying with them the wazir al-Mu'in bin Sawi, who began to repent of what he had done. Nur ad-Din rode by Jafar's side And they stinted not fairing on Till they arrived at Baghdad The House of Peace

Starting point is 01:48:51 And going into the Caliph told him How they had found Nur ad-Din Nigh upon death Thereupon the Caliph said to the youth Take this sword and smite with it The neck of thine enemy So he took the sword from his hand And stepped up to Al-Mu'in

Starting point is 01:49:08 Who looked at him and said I did according to my own my mother's milk, do thou according to thine. Upon this Nur ad-Din cast the sword from his hand, and said to the Caliph, O commander of the faithful, he hath begarled me with his words, and he repeated this couplet. By craft and slight I snared him when he came. A few fair words, I trap the noble game. Leave him then, cried the Caliph, and turning to Masurur said, rise thou and smite his neck. So Masrur drew his sword and struck off his head.

Starting point is 01:49:47 Then quoth the Caliph to Nur adin Ali, Ask a boon of me. Oh my lord, answered he, I have no need of the kingship of Basura. My sole desire is to be honoured by serving thee and by seeing thy countenance. With love and gladness, said the Caliph. Then he sent for the damsel, Anis al Jalis,

Starting point is 01:50:09 and bestowed plentiful favours upon them both, and gave them one of his palaces in Baghdad, and assigned stipends and allowances, and made Nur ad-Din Ali bin Fasl bin Kharkhan, one of his cup companions, and he abode with the commander of the faithful, enjoying the pleasantest of lives till death overtook him. Yet, continued Shachrazad,

Starting point is 01:50:36 is not his story in any wise more wondrous than the head. history of the merchant and his children. The king asked, And what was that? And Shahrazad began to relate the Tale of Ghanim bin Ayyub, The distraught, the thrall a love. It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

Starting point is 01:50:57 That in times of yore, And in years and ages long gone before, They lived in Damascus, A merchant among the merchants, A wealthy man who had a son Like the moon on the night of his wife, and with all sweet of speech, who was named Ghanim bin Ayyul, surnamed the distraught, the thrall of love. He had also a daughter, owned sister to Ghanim, who was called Fitna, a damsel unique in beauty and loveliness.

Starting point is 01:51:27 Their father died and left them with abundant wealth. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 5 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 6, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org.

Starting point is 01:52:13 Reading by Lars Roland. them the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two section six when it was the thirty ninth night she said it hath reached me auspicious king that the merchant left his two children abundant wealth and amongst other things an hundred loads of silks and brocades musk-pods and mother-o-pearl and there was written on every bale this is of the packages intended for balking it having been his purpose to make the journey thither when almighty allah took him to himself which was in the time of the caliph harun al-rashid after a while his son took the loads and bidding farewell to his mother and kindred and townsfolk went forth with a company of merchants putting his trust in allah almighty who decreed him safety so that he ride without let or stay at baghdad there he hired for himself a fair dwelling-house which he furnished with carpets and cushions curtains and hangings and therein stored his bales and stable his mules and camels after which he abode a while resting presently the merchants and notables of baghdad came and saluted him after which he took a bundle containing ten pieces of costly stuffs with the prices written on them and carried him-and-auched he took a bundle containing ten pieces of costly stuffs with the prices written on them and carried it to the merchant's bazaar, where they welcomed and saluted him, and showed him all honor, and making him dismount from his beast, seated him in the shop of the syndic of the market, to whom he delivered the package. He opened it, and, drawing out the pieces of stuff,

Starting point is 01:54:03 sold them for him at a profit of two dinners on every dinner of prime cost. At this Ganim rejoiced, and kept selling his silks and stuffs one after another, and ceased not to do on this wise for a full year. On the first day of the following year he went, as was his wont to the exchange, which was in the bazaar, but found the gate shut, and inquiring the reason was told. One of the merchants is dead, and all the others have gone to follow his spear, and why shouldst thou not win the mead of good deeds? by walking with them. He replied yes, and asked for the quarter where the funeral was taking place, and one directed him there too. So he purified himself by the Wuso ablution, and repaired with the other merchants to the oratory, where they prayed over the dead, then walked before the beer to the burial place, and Ghanim, who was a bashful man, followed them being ashamed to leave them.

Starting point is 01:55:09 They presently issued from the city, and passed through the tombs until they reached the grave, where they found that the deceased, kith and kin, had pitched a tent over the tomb, and had brought thither lamps and wax candles. So they buried the body, and sat down while the readers read out and recited the Koran over the grave, and Ganim sat with them, being overcome with bashfulness, and saying to himself, I cannot well go away till they do. They tarried listening to the Quranic perfection till nightfall, when the servants set supper and sweetmeats before them,

Starting point is 01:55:50 and they ate till they were satisfied. Then they washed their hands and again took their places. But Ghanim's mind was preoccupied with his house and goods, being in fear of robbers, and he said to himself, I am a stranger here and supposed to have money. If I pass the night abroad, the thieves will steal my money-bags and my bales to boot. So when he could no longer control his fear, he arose and left the assembly, having first asked leave to go about some urgent business, and following the signs of the road, he soon came to the city gate. But it was midnight, and he found the door to go to the door. locked and saw none going or coming, nor heard aught but the hounds baying, and the wolves howling. At this he exclaimed, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah. I was in fear for my property and came back on this account, but now I find the gate shut, and I am in mortal fear for

Starting point is 01:57:01 my life. Then he turned back, and looking out for a place where he could sleep till morning, presently found a Santon's tomb, a square of four walls with a date tree in the center of court and a granite gateway. The door was wide open, so he entered and would fain have slept, but sleep came not to him, and terror and the sense of desolation oppressed him, for that he was alone amidst the tombs. so he rose to his feet and opening the door looked out and lo he was aware of a light afar off in the direction of the city gate then walking a little way towards it he saw that it was on the road whereby he had reached the tomb this made him fear for his life so he hastily shut the door and climbed to the top of the dale tree where he hid himself in the heart of the france the light came nearer and nearer till it was close to the tomb then it stopped and he saw three slaves two bearing a chest and one with a lanthon an adze and a basket containing some mortar

Starting point is 01:58:14 when they reached the tomb one of those who were carrying the case said what aileth thee o sabab and said the other what is the matter o kaffir quothi were we not here at supper-tide and did we not leave the door open yes replied the other that is true see said kaffir now it's rut and barred how weak are you wits cried the third who bore the adze and his name was bookiat know we not that the owners of the gardens used to come out from baghdad and tend them and when evening closes upon them they enter this place and shut the door for fear least the wicked black men like ourselves should catch them and roast them and eat them thou say'st sooth said the two hours but by allah however that may be none amongst us is weaker of which than thou if ye do not believe me said bucgiat let us enter the tomb and i will rose the rat for you for i doubt not but that when he saw the light and us making for the place he ran up the day-tree and hid there for fear of us when ganim heard this he said in himself o courteest of slaves may allah not have thee in his holy keeping for this thy craft and keenest of wit there is no majesty and there is no might save in allah the glorious the great how shall i win free of these blackamores then said the two who bore the box to him of the adze

Starting point is 02:00:00 swarm up the wall and open the gate for us oh bacchiat for we are tired of carrying the chest on our necks and when thou hast opened the gate thou shalt have one of those we catch inside a fine fat rat which we will fry for thee after such excellent fashion that not a speck of his fat shall be lost but bacchiat answered i'm afraid of some wot which may weak wits have suggested to me we should do better to throw the chest over the gateway for it is our treasure if we throw it it will break replied they and he said i fear lest there be robbers within who murder fought and plunder their goods for evenings in their time of entering such place and dividing their spoil oh thou weak of wits said both the bearers of the box how could they ever get in here then they sat down the chest and climbing over the wall dropped inside and opened the gate whilst the third slave he that was called bacchiat stood by them holding the adze the lanthon and the hand basket containing the mortar. After this they locked the gate and sat down and presently one of them said, Oh, my brethren, we are wearied with walking and with lifting up and setting down the chest, and with unlocking and locking the gate, and now it is midnight, and we have no breath left to

Starting point is 02:01:37 open a tomb and bury the box. So let us rest here two or three hours, then run. We're rise and do the job meanwhile each of us shall tell how he came to be castrated and all that befell him from first to last the better to pass away our time while we take our rest thereupon the first he of the lanthon and whose name was bacchiat said i'll tell you my tale say on replied they so he began as follows the first tale of the first tale of the first tale of the first eunup Bacayat. No, oh my brothers, that when I was a little one, some five years old, I was taken home from my native country by a slave-driver who sold me to a certain apparetor. My purchaser had a daughter, three years old, with whom I was brought up. And they used to make mock of me, letting me play with her and dance for her and sing to her, till I reached the age of twelve, and she that of ten. And even then they did not forbid me seeing her. One day I went

Starting point is 02:02:50 into her and found her sitting in an inner room, and she looked as if she had just come out of the bath, which was in the house, for she was scented with essences and reek of aromatic woods, and her face shone like a circle of the moon on the fourteenth night. She began to sport with me and I with her. Now I had just reached the age of puberty, so my prickle stood at point, as it were a huge key. Then she threw me on my back, and mounting a straddle on my breast, fell a wriggling and bucking upon me till she had uncovered my yard. When she saw it standing with head erect, she hent it in hand and began rubbing it upon the lips of her little slit outside her petticoat trousers. There at hot lusts stirred in me, and I threw my arms round her, while she wound hers about my neck and hugged me to her with all her might. Till, before I knew what I did, my pissals slit up her trousers, and entered her slit and did away her maidenhead.

Starting point is 02:03:59 When I saw this I ran off and took refuge with one of my comrades. Presently her mother came into her, and seeing her in this case, fainted, clean away. However, she managed the matter advisedly, and hid it from the girl's father out of goodwill to me. Nor did they cease to call to me and coax me till they took me from where I was. After two months had passed, her mother married her to a young man, a barber who used to shave her papa, and portioned and fitted her out of her own monies, whilst the father knew nothing of what had passed. On the night of consummation they cut the throat of a pigeon-polt and sprinkled the blood on her shift.

Starting point is 02:04:47 After a while they seized me unawares and gilded me, and when they brought her to her bridegroom, they made me her aga, her eunuch, to walk before her wheresoever she went, whether to the bath or to her father's house. I abode with her a long time, enjoying her beauty and loveliness, by way of kissing and clipping and coupling with her till she died, and her husband and mother and father died also, when they seized me for the royal treasury as being the property of an interstate, and I found my way hither where I became your comrade. This, then, oh, my brethren, is the cause of my cullions being cut off, and peace be with you. He ceased and his fellow began in these words,

Starting point is 02:05:39 the tale of the second eunuch khafer know o my brothers that when beginning service as a boy of eight i used to tell the slave-dealers regularly and exactly one lie every year so that they fell out with one another till at last my master lost patience with me and carrying me down to the market ordered the brokers to cry who will buy this slave knowing his blemish and making allowance for it. He did so, and they asked him, Pray what may be his blemish, and he answered, he telleth me one single lie every year. Now a man that was a merchant came up and said to the broker, How much do they allow for him with his blemish? They allow six hundred dirhams, he replied, and said the other, Thou shalt have twenty dirams for thyself. So he arranged between him and the slave-dealer who took the coin from him, and the broker carried me to the merchant's house, and departed after receiving his brokerage. The trader clothed me with suitable dress, and I stayed in his service the rest of my twelve-month until the new year began happily. It was a blessed season, planchus in the produce of the earth, and I stayed in his service the rest of my twelve-month, until the new year began happily. It was a blessed season, planches in the produce of the earth. and the merchants used to feast every day at the house of someone among them till it was my master's turn to entertain them in a flower-garden without the city so he and the other merchants went to the garden

Starting point is 02:07:22 taking with them all that they required of provont and else beside and sat eating and carousing and drinking till midday when my master having need of some matter from his home said to me o slave mount the she-mule and hide thee to the house and bring from thy mistress such and such a thing and return quickly i obeyed his bidding and started for the house but as i drew near it i began to cry out and shed tears whereupon all the people of the quarter collected great and small and my master's wife and daughters hearing the noise i was making opened the door and asked me what was the matter said i my master was sitting with his friends beneath an old wall and it fell on one and all of them and when i saw what happened to them i mounted the mule and came hither in haste to tell you when my master's daughter and wife heard this they screamed and rent their raiment and beat their faces whilst the neighbours came around them then the wife overturned the furniture of the house one thing upon another, and tore down the shelves and broke the windows and the lattices and smeared the walls with mud and indigo, saying to me, Woe to thee, O Kaffor, come help me to tear down these cupboards and break up the vessels, and this china ware, and the rest of it. So I went to her and aided her to smash all the shelves in the house, with whatever stood upon them,

Starting point is 02:09:02 after which I went round about the terrace roofs and every part of the place, spoiling all I could and leaving no china in the house unbroken, till I had laid waste the whole, crying out the while, "'Well away, my master!' Then my mistress fared forth bare-faced, wearing a headkerchief, and not else, and her daughters and the children sallied out with her and said to me, O Khafer, go thou before us and show us the place where thy master lieth dead, that we may take him from under the fallen wall, and lay him on a bier and bear him to the house, and give him a fine funeral. So I went forth before them crying out, slack my master, and they after me with faces and heads bare and all shrieking,

Starting point is 02:09:57 alas, alas for the man! Now there remained none in the quarter, neither man nor woman, nor Episcene, nor youth, nor maid, nor child, nor old trot, but went with us smiting their faces and weeping bitterly, and I led them leisurely through the whole city. The folk asked them what was the matter, whereupon they told them what they had heard from me, and all exclaimed, there is no majesty and there is no might save in allah then said one of them he was a personage of consequence so let us go to the governor and tell him what hath befallen him when they told the governor and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section six of the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two read by laur's roland Rolander. Section 7, Volume 2 of the Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night,

Starting point is 02:11:08 translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libre Vox recording. All Libre Vox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 7. when it was the fortieth night she said it hath reach me o auspicious king that when they told the governor he rose and mounted and taking with him labourers with spades and baskets went on my track with many people behind him and i ran on before them howling and casting dust on my head and beating my face followed by my mistress and her children keening for the dead But I got ahead of them and entered the garden before them, and when my master saw me in this state, I smiting my face and saying,

Starting point is 02:12:11 Well away, my mistress alas, alas, alas, who is left to take pity on me, now that my mistress is gone, would I had been a sacrifice for her? He stood aghast, and his color waxed yellow, and he said to me, What ail is thee, O Khafer? What is the matter? Oh, my lord, I replied. When thou sendest me to the house, I found that the saloon wall had given way, and had fallen like a lair upon my mistress and her children.

Starting point is 02:12:49 And did not thy mistress escape? No, by Allah, O my master, not one of them was saved. The first to die was my mistress, thine elder daughter. And did not my younger daughter escape? No, she did not. And what became of the mare-mule I used to ride, is she safe? No, by Allah, oh my master, the house-walls on the stable walls buried every living thing that was within doors, even to the sheep and geese and poultry, so that they all became a heap of flesh, and the dogs and cats, and cats,

Starting point is 02:13:30 are eating them, and not one of them is left alive. And hath not thy master, my elder son, escape, no, by Allah. Not one of them was saved, and now there is not left of house or household, nor even a sign of them, and as for the sheep and geese and hens, the cats and dogs have devoured them. When my master heard this, the light became night before his sight, his wits were days, and he so lost command of his senses that he could not stand firm on his feet. He was as one struck with a sudden palsy, and his back was like to break. Then he rent his raiment and plucked out his beard, and casting his turbaned from off his head, buffeted his face, till the blood ran down, and he cried aloud,

Starting point is 02:14:24 "'Alas, my children! Allas, my wife! Alas! my calamity!' to whom ever befell that which hath befallen me the merchants his friends also cried aloud at his crying and wept for his weeping and tore their clothes being moved to pity of his case and so my master went out of the garden smiting his face with such violence that from excess of pain he staggered like one drunken with wine as he and the merchants came forth from the garden gate behold They saw a great cloud of dust and heard a loud noise of crying and lamentation. So they looked and lo, it was the governor with his attendance and the town-folk. A world of people who had come out to look on, and my master's family following them, all screaming and crying aloud, and weeping, exceeding sore weeping. The first to address my owner were his wife and children, and when he saw them,

Starting point is 02:15:30 He was confounded and laughed and said to them, How is it with all of you, and what befell you in the house, and what hath come to pass you? When they saw him, they exclaimed, Praise to be to Allah for thy preservation, and threw themselves upon him, and his children hung about him crying, Slack our father, thanks to Allah for thy safety, O our father. And his wife said to him, Art thou indeed well? Lord to Allah who hath shown us thy face in safety. And indeed she was confounded, and her reason fled when she saw him, and she asked, O my lord, how didst thou escape, thou and thy friends the merchants? And he answered her, And how fared it with thee in the house?

Starting point is 02:16:25 Quoth they, We were all well, whole and healthy, nor had all, of evil befallen us in the house, save that thy slave Khafur came to us bareheaded with torn garments and howling. Alas, the master, alas, the master! So we asked him, What tidings of Khafer? And he answered, A wall of the garden hath fallen on my master, and his friends the merchants, and they are all crushed and dead. By Allah, said my master, he came to me, but now howling. Allah's my mistress, alas, the children of the mistress, and said,

Starting point is 02:17:11 My mistress and her children are all dead, every one of them. Then he looked round and seeing me with my turban, rent in rags round my neck, howling and weeping with exceeding weeping, and throwing dust upon my head, He cried out at me. So I came to him, and he said, Woe to thee, O ill-omened slave! O horse, son, knave! Oh, thou damned breed! What mischief thou hast wrought. By Allah, I will flog thy skin from thy flesh and cut thy flesh from thy bones. I rejoined, By Allah, thou canst do nothing of the kind, with me, O my lord, for thou boughtest me with my blemish, and there are honest men to bear witness

Starting point is 02:18:06 against thee that thou didst so accepting the condition, and that thou knew'st of my fault, which is to tell one lie every year. Now this is only a half-lie, but by the end of the year I will tell the other half, then with the lie stand whole and complete. O dog, son of a dog, cried my master, O most accursed of slaves, is this all of it but a half-fly? Verily, if it be a half-fly, tis a whole calamity. Get thee from me, thou art free in the face of Allah. By Allah, rejoined I, if thou free me, I will not free thee till my ear is completed, and I have told thee the half-lie which is left.

Starting point is 02:19:00 When this is done, go down with me to the slave-market, and sell me as thou boughtest me, to who so will buy me with my blemish. But thou shalt not manumit me, for I have no handicraft whereby to gain my living. And this my demand is a matter of law, which the doctors have laid down in the chapter of, emancipation. While we were at these words up came the crowd of people, and the neighbors of the

Starting point is 02:19:33 quarter, men, women, and children together with the governor, and his suit offering condolence. So my master and the other merchants went up to him and informed him of the adventure, and how this was but a half-fly, at which all wondered, deeming it a whole lie and a big one. And they cursed me and reviled me, while I stood laughing and grinning at them, till at last I asked, How shall my master slay me when he bought me with this my blemish? Then my master returned home and found his house in ruins, and it was I who had laid waste the greater part of it, having broken things which were worth much money, and also had done his wife, who had said to him, "'Twas Khafer who broke the vessels and chinaware.

Starting point is 02:20:29 Thereupon his rage redoubled, and he struck hand upon hand, exclaiming, "'By Allah, in my life never saw I a horse unlike this slave, "'and he saith this is but a half-fly. "'How then if he had told me a whole lie, he would ruin a city, "'I or even two.' then in his fury he went to the governor and they gave me a neat thing in the bastinado line and made me stick till i was lost to the world and fainting fit came on me and whilst i was yet senseless they brought the barber who docked me and gilded me and courtierced the wound when i revived i found myself a clean new-knock with nothing left and my master said to me even as thou hast burned my heart for the things i held dearest so have i burnt thy heart for that of thy members whereby thou settest most store

Starting point is 02:21:33 then he took me and sold me at a prophet for that i was become a eunuch and i ceased not bringing trouble upon all wherever i was sold and was shifted from lord to lord and from notable to notable being sold and being bought till i entered the palace of the commander of the faithful but now my spirit is broken and my tricks are gone from me so alas are my ballocks when the two slaves heard his story they laughed at him and chaffed him and said truly thou art scyte and skit son thou lidest an odious lie then quoth they to the third slave tell us thy tale o sons of my uncle quoth he all that ye have said is idle i will tell you the cause of my losing my testicles and my testicles and my and indeed I deserve to lose even more, for I futted both my mistress and my master's eldest son and heir. But my story is a long one, and this is not the time to tell it, for the dawn o my cousins draweth near, and if morning come upon us with this chest still unburied, we shall get into sore disgrace, and our lives will pay for it. So up with you, and open the door.

Starting point is 02:23:06 and when we get back to the palace I will tell you my story and the cause of my losing my precious stones. Then he swarmed up and dropped down from the wall inside and opened the door. So they entered, and setting down the lantern, dug between four tombs a hole as long as the chest and of the same breadth. Khafer plied the spade and Zavab removed the earth by baskets full, till they reached the depth of the stature of a man. when they laid the chest in the hole and threw back the earth over it then they went forth and shutting the door disappeared from gunnham's eyes when all was quiet and he felt sure that he was left alone in the place his thought was busied about what the chest contained and he said to himself would that i knew the contents of that box however he waited till day broke when morning shone and showed her her sheen whereupon he came down from the date tree and scooped away the earth with his hands till the box was laid bare and disengaged from the ground then he took a large stone and hammered at the lock till he broke it and opening the lid behold a young lady a model of beauty and loveliness clad in the richest of garments and jewels of gold and such necklaces of precious stones where the sultan of the sultan of the sultan's of gold where the sultan's

Starting point is 02:24:36 country evened with them it would not pay their price. She had been drugged with bang, but her bosom rising and falling showed that her breath had not departed. When Ganym saw her, he knew that someone had played her falls and huckus'd her. So he pulled her out of the chest and laid her on the ground with her face upwards. As soon as she smelt the breeze and the air entered her nostrils, mouth and lungs, she sneezed and choked and coughed, when there fell out from her throat a pill of Kretan bang. Had an elephant smelt it, he would have slept from night to night. Then she opened her eyes, and glancing around, said in sweet voice and gracious words, "'Wo to thee, O wind, there is not in thee to satisfy the thirsty, nor ought to gratify one whose thirst is satisfied.

Starting point is 02:25:36 Where is Tsar al-Bostan? But no one answered her, so she turned her and cried out. Ho, Sabia! Shariat al-Durr, Nor al-Huda, Naimat al-Sub, be ye awake. Shava, Nusab, halva, Sarifa, Out on you, speak! But no one answered, so she looked all around and said, Woe's me, have they entoned me in the tombs?

Starting point is 02:26:07 Oh, thou who knows what man's thought envones, and who givest compensation on the day of doom? Who can have brought me from amid hanging screens and curtains, veiling the harem rooms, and set me down between four tombs? All this while, Gandh, was standing by. Then he said to her, O my lady, here are neither screened rooms nor palace harems, nor yet tombs, only the slave-henth force devoted to thy love. Ghanim bin Ayub, sent to thee by the omniscient one above, that all thy troubles he may remove, and win for thee every wish that clothed beho. Then he held his peace. She was reassured by his words, and cried, I testify that there is no God but the God, and I testify that Muhammad is the

Starting point is 02:27:04 apostle of God. Then she turned to Gunn Him, and placing her hands before her face, said to him in the sweetish speech, O blessed youth, who brought me hither! See, I am now come to myself. Oh, my lady, he replied, three slave eunuchs came here, bearing this chest, and relaying, to her the whole of what he had befallen him, and how evening having closed upon him had proved the cause of her preservation. Otherwise she had died, smothered. Then he asked her who she was, and what was her story? And she answered, O youth, thanks be to Allah, who hath cast me into the hands of the like of thee. But now rise and put me back into the box, then fare forth upon the road, and hire the first camel-driver or muleteer thou findest to carry it to thy house when i am there all will be well and i will tell thee my tale and acquaint thee with my adventures and great shall be thy gain by means of me at this he rejoiced and went outside the tomb the day was now dazzling bright and the firmament shone with light and the folk had begun to circulate

Starting point is 02:28:27 so he hired a man with a mule and bringing him to the tomb lifted the chest wherein he had put the damsel and set it on the mule her love now engrossed his heart and he fed homeward with her rejoicing for that she was a girl worth ten thousand gold pieces and arraignment and ornaments would fetch a mint of money as soon as he arrived at his house he carried in the chest and opening it and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section seven of the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two read by Lars Rolander. Section 8, volume 2 of the book of a thousand nights and a night. Translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain.

Starting point is 02:29:35 For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 8. When it was the forty-first night, she said, It hath reached me, auspicious king, that when Ghanim, son of Ayub, arrived with a chest at his house, he opened it and took out the young lady who looked about her, and, seeing that the place was handsome, spread with carpets and dight with cheerful colors and other deckings, and noting the stuffs up-piled and packed bales and other.

Starting point is 02:30:18 else than that, knew that he was a substantial merchant, and a man of much money. Thereupon she uncovered her face and looked at him, and lo, he was a fair youth, so when she saw him, she loved him, and said, O my lord, bring us something to eat, on my head and mine eyes, replied he, and going down to the bazaar bought a roasted lamp and a dish of sweetme, and with these dry fruits and wax candles besides wine and whatsoever was required of drinking materials not forgetting perfumes with all this gear he returned to the house and when the damsel saw him she laughed and kissed him and clasped his neck then she began caressing him which made his love wax hotter till it got the mastery of his heart they ate and drank and each had conceived the fondest of his heart they ate and drank and each had conceived the fondest affection for indeed the two were one in age and one in loveliness and one night came on ganim bin ayub the distraught the thrall o love rose and lit the wax candles and lamps till the place blazed with light after which he produced the wine's service and spread the table

Starting point is 02:31:41 then both sat down again he and she and he kept filling and giving her to drink and she kept filling and giving him to drink and they played and toyed and laughed and recited verses whilst their joy increased and they dove in closer love each to each glory be to the uniter of hearts they ceased not to carouse after this fashion till near upon dawn when drowsiness overcame them and they slept where they were apart each from other till the morning then ganim arose and going to the market bought all they required of meat and vegetables and wine and what not and brought them to the house whereupon both sat down to eat and ate their sufficiency when he set on wine they drank and each played with each till their cheeks flushed red and their eyes took on a darker view and ganim's soul longed to kiss the girl and to lie with her and he said oh my lady grant me one kiss of that dear mouth perchance it'll quench the fire of my heart o ganim replied she wait till i'm drunk and dead to the world then steal a kiss of me secretly and on such wise that i may not know thou hast kissed me then she rose and taking off her upper dress sat in a thin shift of fine linen and a silken headkerchief at this passion inflamed ganim and he said to her o my lady wilt thou not march save me what i asked of thee by allah she replied that may not be thine for there is written upon my trouser-string a hard word thereupon aganim's heart sank and desire grew on him as its object offered difficulties and he improvised these verses

Starting point is 02:33:47 i ask the author of mine ills to heal the wound with one sweet kiss no no she cried for ever no but i soft whispering urged yes quoth she then take it by my leave when smiles shall pardon thine amiss by force cried i nay she replied with love and gladness eke i wist now ask me not what next occurred seek grace of god and wist of this deem what thou wilt of us for love by calumnies the sweeter is nor after this care i won yot whether my foe be known or not. Then his affection increased and love-fires rose hotter in his heart, while she refused herself to him, saying, Thou canst not possess me. They ceased not to make love and enjoy their wine and vassal,

Starting point is 02:34:49 whilst Ghanim was drowned in the sea of love and longing. But she redoubled in coyness and cruelty till the night brought on the darkness, and let fall on them the skirts of sleep. Thereupon Ganym rose and lit the lamps and wax candles, and refreshed the room and removed the table. Then he took her feet and kissed them, and, finding them like fresh cream, pressed his face on them and said to her,

Starting point is 02:35:20 O, my lady, take pity on one thy love hath turn, and thine eyes hath slain, for indeed I were heart whole but for thy bane, and he wept somewhat. O my lord, and light of my eyes, quoth she. By Allah, I love thee in very sooth, and I trust to thy truth, but I know that I may not be thine. And what is the obstacle, asked he, when she answered, Tonight I will tell thee my tale, that thou mayst e'en.

Starting point is 02:35:57 accept my excuse. Then she threw herself upon him, and, winding her arms like a necklace about his neck, kissed him, and caressed him, and promised him her favors, and they ceased not playing and laughing till love got the firmest hold upon both in their hearts. And so it continued a whole month, both passing the night on a single carpet-bed, but whenever he would enjoy her, she put him off, whilst mutual love increased upon them, and each could hardly abstain from other. One night as he lay by her side, and both were warm with wine, Ganym passed his hand over her breasts, and stroked them. Then he slipped it down to her waist as far as her navel. She awoke, and, sitting up, put her hand to her trousers, and finding them fast-tide, once more, fell

Starting point is 02:36:52 asleep. Presently he again felt her, and sliding his hand down to her trouser-string, began pulling at it, whereupon she awoke and sat upright. Ganym also sat up by her side, and she asked him, What dost thou want? I want to lie with thee, he answered, and that we may deal openly and frankly with each other. Quoth she, I must now declare to thee my case, that thou mayst know my quality. Then will my secret be disclosed to thee, and my excuse become manifest to thee. Quoth he, so be it. Thereat she opened the skirt of a shift, and taking up her trouser string, said to him, O my lord, read what is worked on the flat of this string. So he took it in hand, and saw these words brooded on it in gold. I am thine, and thou art mine. And thou art mine.

Starting point is 02:37:52 O cousin of the apostle. When he read this he withdrew his hand and said to her, Tell me who thou art. So be it, answered she. Know that I am one of the concubines of the commander of the faithful, and my name is Kut al-Kulub, the food of hearts. I was brought up in the palace, and when I grew to woman's estate,

Starting point is 02:38:20 He looked on me, and noting what share of beauty and loveliness the Creator had given me, loved me with exceeding love, and assigned me a separate apartment, and gave me ten slave-girls to wait on me, and all these ornaments thou seest me wearing. On a certain day he set out for one of his provinces, and the lady Subaida came to one of the slave-girls in my service, and said to her, I have something to require of thee. What is it, O my lady, asked she, and the Caliph's wife answered, When thy mistress, Kut al-Kulub is asleep, put this piece of bang into her nostrils,

Starting point is 02:39:04 or drop it into her drink, and thou shalt have of me as much money as will satisfy thee. With love and gladness, replied the girl, and took the bang from her. being a glad woman because of the money and because of four times she had been one of Subayda's slaves. So she put the bang in my drink, and when it was night drank, and the drug had no sooner settled in my stomach than I fell to the ground, my head touching my feet, and I knew not of life, but that I was in another world. When her device succeeded, she bade put me in this chest, and secretly brought in this chest, and secretly brought in the slaves and the door-keepers and bribed them and on the night when thou wast perched upon the date-tree she sent the blacks to do with me as thou saw'st so my delivery was at thy hands and thou broughtest me to this house and hast entreated me honourably and with thy kindest this is my story and i wot not what is become of the caliph during my absence

Starting point is 02:40:14 know then my condition and divulge not my case when ganim heard her words and knew that she was a concubine of the caliph he drew back for eve of the caliphate beset him and set apart from her in one of the corners of the place blaming himself and broading over his affair and patencing his heart bewildered for love of one he could not possess then he wept for excess of longing and plained him of fortune and her injuries and the world and its enmities and praise be to him who causeth generous hearts to be troubled with love and the beloved and who endoth not the minds of the mean and miserily with so much of it as eventh a grain weight so he began repeating the lover's heart for his beloved must meet sad pain and from a charms bear sore defeat what is love's taste they asked and answered i sweet is the taste but ah tis bitter sweet thereupon cut alcolub arose and took him to her bosom and kissed him for the love of him was firm fixed in her heart so that she disclosed to him her secret and all the affection she felt and throwing her arms round ganim's neck like a collar of pearls kissed him again and yet again but he held off from her in eve of the caliph then they talked together a long while and indeed both were drowned in the sea of their mutual love and as the day broke ganim rose and donned his clothes and going to the bazaar as was his wont took what the occasion required and returned her

Starting point is 02:42:07 home. He found her weeping, but when she saw him, she checked herself, and smiling through her tears, said, Thou hast desolated me, O beloved of my heart, by Allah, this hour of absence hath been to me like a year. I have explained to thee my condition in the excess of my eager love for thee, so come now near me, and forget the past, and have thy will of me. And forget the past, and have thy will of me, but he interrupted her crying, I seek refuge with Allah, this thing may never be. How shall the dog sit in the lion's stead? What is the lords is unlawful to the slave? So he withdrew from her and sat down on a corner of the mat. Her passion for him increased with his forbearance, so she seated herself by his side and caroused and played with him, till the two were flushed with wine. and she was mad for her own dishonor then she sang these verses the lover's heart is like to break in twain till when these coy denials are till when o thou who fly'st me son's fault of mine gazelles are wonted times prove tame to men absence aversion distance and disdain how shall young lover all these ills sustain Thereupon Ghanim wept, and she wept at his weeping, and they ceased not drinking till nightfall, when he rose and spread two beds, each in its place.

Starting point is 02:43:50 For whom is this second bed? asked she, and he answered her, One is for me, and the other is for thee. From this night forth we must not sleep save thus, for that which is the lords is unlawful to the thrall. Oh, my master, cried she, Let us have done with this, for all things come to pass by faith and fortune. But he refused, and the fire was lighted in her heart, And, as her longing waxed fiercer, she clung to him and cried, By Allah, we will not sleep save side by side. Allah forfend, he replied, and prevailed against her,

Starting point is 02:44:34 and lay apart till the morning, when love and longing redoubled on her, and distraction and eager thirst of passion. They abode after this fashioned three full-told months, which were long and longsome indeed, and every time she made advance to him, he would refuse himself and say, Whatever belongeth to the master is unlawful to the man. Now, when time waxed tiresome and tedious to her, and anguish and distress grew on her she burst out from her repressed heart with these verses how long rare beauty wilt do wrong to me who was it bade thee not belong to me without a chance thou weddest inner grace comprising every point of pick and see passion thou hast infused in every heart from eyelids driven sleep by deputy erst was i wedded the spray made thin of leaf O Cassia's prey, Unleaf thy sin I see. The heart e'erst hunted, aye,

Starting point is 02:45:44 How is it I spy? The hunter hunted, fair my heart by thee? Wanderer still I tell thee, Ay, that I am trapped while never up to trap thou be. Never grant my prayer, For if I grudge thyself, to thee i grudge my me more jealously and cry so long as life belong to me rare beauty how how long this wrong to me they abode in this state a long time and fear kept ganim aloof from her so far concerning these two but as regards to the lady subida when in the caliphous absence she had done this deed by cut alcolub she became perplexed saying to herself what shall i tell my cousin when he comes back and asks for her what possible answer can i make to him then she called an old woman who was about her and discovered her secret to her saying how shall i act seeing that kut al kulub died by such untimely death oh my lady quoth the old crone the time of the caliph's return is near so do thou send for a carpenter and biddy make thee a figure of wood in the form of a corpse we will dig a grave for it midmost the palace and there bury it then do thou build an oratory over it and set there in lighted candles and lamps and order each and ever in the palace to be clad in black

Starting point is 02:47:24 furthermore command thy handmaids and eunuchs as soon as they know of the caliph's returning from his journey to spread straw over the vestible floors and when the commander of the faithful enters and asks what is the matter let them say cut alcholov is dead and may allah abundantly compensate thee for the loss of her and for the highest demon which she was held of our mistress she hath buried her in her own palace when he hears this he will weep and it shall be grievous to him then will he cause perfections of the koran to be made for her and he will watch by night at her tomb should he say to himself verily sobida the daughter of my uncle hath compassed her in jealousy the death of kut alcolub or if love longing overcoming him and he bid her be taken out of her tomb fear thou not for when they dig down and come to the image in human shape he will see it shrouded in costly grave clothes and if he wished to take off the winding-sheet that he may look upon her do thou forbid him or let some other forbid him saying the sight of her nakedness is unlawful the fear of the world to come will restrain him and he will believe that she is dead and will restore the figure to its place and thank thee for thy doings and thus thou shalt escape please almighty allah from his slow of this bond when the lady subida heard her words she commended the council and gave her a dress of honour and a large sum of money ordering her to do all she had said so the old woman set about the business forthright and bade the carpenter make her the aforesaid image

Starting point is 02:49:27 and as soon as it was finished she brought it to the lady subaida who shrouded it and buried it and built a sepulchre over it wherein they lighted candles and lamps and lay down carpets about the tomb moreover she put on black and she spread abroad in the harem that kut al kulub was dead after a time the caliph returned from his journey and went up to the palace thinking only of kut al kulub He saw all the pages and eunuchs and handmaids habited in black, at which his heart fluttered with extreme fear, and when he went into the lady Subaida, he found her also garbed in black. So he asked the cause of this, and they gave him tidings of the death of Kutalculub, whereon he fell a swooning. As soon as he came to himself, he asked for her tomb, and the lady Subbaida said to him. know, O Prince of the faithful, that for his special honour I have buried her in my own palace. Then he repaired in his travelling garb to the tomb that he might wail over her, and found the carpet spread and the candles and lamps lighted. When he saw this he thanked Subida for her good deed, and abode perplexed, halting between belief and unbelief, till at last suspicion. overcame him, and he gave order to open the grave and take out the body. When he saw the shroud and would have removed it to look upon her, the fear of Allah Almighty restrained him. And the old woman, taking advantage of the delay, said,

Starting point is 02:51:14 Restore her to her place! Then he sent at once for fakirs and Koran readers, and caused perfections to be made over her tomb, and sat by the side. of the grave, weeping till he fainted, and he continued to frequent the tomb and sit there for a whole month. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and cease saying her permitted say. End of Section 8 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 9, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated

Starting point is 02:52:01 by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Anna Simon. The book of a thousand knights and a knight, Volume 2, Section 9. When it was the 42nd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the Caliph ceased not to frequent the tomb for the period of a whole month, at the end of which time it so happened one day that he entered the Saraglio after dismissing the emirs and vassiers, and lay down and slept a while, and there sat at his head a slave-girl fanning him, and at his feet a second rubbing and shampooing them. Presently he awoke, and, opening his eyes, shut them

Starting point is 02:52:50 again, and heard the handmaid at his head, saying to her who was at his feet, "'A nice business this, O Kayseran,' and the other answered her. "'Well, O Kasi-Balban?' "'Verily,' said the first, "'Our Lord knoweth naught of what had happened, "'and sit at waking and watching by a tomb, "'wherein is only a log of wood carved by the carpenter's art.' "'And Kut al-Kulup,' quoth the other,

Starting point is 02:53:15 "'what hath performed her?' she replied. "'Knowing that the lady Zubeda sent a pellet of bung "'by one of the slave-women who was bribed, to drug her, and when sleep overpowered her, she let put her in a chest, and ordered Savab and Khafur and Bukhite to throw her amongst her tombs. "'What does thou say, Ocasipalban?' asked Kaisaran. "'Is not the Lady Kut or Kulub dead?' "'Nay, by Allah,' she answered,

Starting point is 02:53:43 "'and long may her youth be saved from death. "'But I have heard the Lady Subeda say that she is in the house of a young merchant "'named Ghanim Binyub of Damascus, high the distrust. Haise that is straught, the thrall of love, and she hath been with him these four months, whilst our Lord is weeping and watching by night at a tomb wherein there is no corpse. They kept on talking this sort of talk, and the Caliph gave ear to their words, and by the time they had ceased speaking, he knew right well that the tomb was a feint and a fraud, and that Kuta Kulub had been in Ghanim's house for four months.

Starting point is 02:54:18 Whereupon he was angered with exceeding anger, and, rising up, he summoned the emir's of his state, and his wazir, Jafar, the Barmaki, came also and kissed the ground between his hands. The Caliph sat to him in fury, Go down, O Jafar, with a party of arant men, and ask for the house of Ghanim, son of Ayub, fall upon it, and spoil it, and bring him to me with my slave-girl, Kota Kulup, for there is no help without I punish him. To hear us to obey, said Jafar, and setting out with the governor and the guards and a world of people, repaired to Ghanim's house. Now, about that time, the youth happened to have brought back a pot

Starting point is 02:54:59 of dressed meat, and was about to put forth his hand to eat of it, he and Kuta Kulub, when the lady, happening to look out, saw calamity surrounding the house on every side, for the wazir and the governor, the night guard and the mamelukes, with swords drawn, had girded as the white of the eye girded the black. At this, she knew that tidings of her had reached the Caliph, her lord, and she She made sure of ruin, and her colour paled, and her fair features changed, and her favour faded. Then she turned to Ghanim and said to him, "'Oh, my love, fly for their life!' "'What shall I do?' asked he, and whither shall I go, seeing that my money and means of maintenance

Starting point is 02:55:41 are all in this house. And she answered, "'Delainok, lest thou be slain and lose life as well as wealth.' "'Oh, my loved one, and light of mine eyes,' he cried, "'How shall I do to get away "'when they have surrounded the house?' "'Quoth she, fear not!' And, stripping off his fine clothes, dressed him in ragged old garments,

Starting point is 02:56:03 after which she took the pot, and, putting in it, bits of broken bread, and a saucer of meat, placed a hole in a basket, and setting it upon his head, said, "'Go out in this guise, and fear not for me, "'who wotted right well, "'what thing is in my hand for the Caliph.'

Starting point is 02:56:18 "'So he went out amongst them, "'bearing the basket with its content, hands, and the protector vouchs saved him his protection, and he escaped the snares and perils that beset him, by the blessing of his good conscience and pure conduct. Meanwhile, Jafar dismounted, and entering the house, saw Kudakulup, who dressed and decked herself in splendid raiments and ornaments, and filled a chest with gold and jewelry, and precious stones, and rarities, and what else was light to bear, and of value rare. When she saw Jafar come in, she rose, and, kissing the chest, and, kissing the

Starting point is 02:56:52 ground before him, said, O my lord, the reed hath written of all the reed which Allah decreed. By Allah, O my lady, answered Jafar. He gave me an order to seize Ghanim, son of Ayup. And she rejoined, O my lord, he made ready his goods, and set out therewith for Damascus, and I know nothing more of him. But I desired thee to take charge of this chest, and deliver it to me in the harim of the prince of the faithful. Hearing and obedience, said Jafar, and bade his men buried away to the headquarters of the caliphate, together with Kut al-Kulup, commanding them to entreat her with honour as one in high esteem. They did his bidding after they had wrecked and plundered Ghanim's house.

Starting point is 02:57:38 Then Jafar went into the Caliph and told him all that had happened, and he ordered Kut al-Kulup to be lodged in a dark chamber and appointed an old woman to serve her, feeling convinced that Ghanim had debauched her and slept with her. Then he wrote a mandate to the Emir Mohammed bin Suleiman al-Zaini, his viceroy in Damascus, to this effect. The instant thou shalt receive this our letter, seize upon Ghanim bin Ayyub, and sent him to us. When the missive came to the viceroy, he kissed it and laid it on his head.

Starting point is 02:58:09 Then he let proclaim in the bazaars, Who so his desires to plunder, away with him to the house of Ghanim, son of Ayub. So they flocked thither, and they found that Ghanim's mother and sister had built him a tomb in the midst of the house, and set by it, weeping for him. Whereupon they seized the two without telling them the cause, and, after spoiling the house, carried them before the Viceroy. He questioned them concerning Ganyem, and both replied, For a year or more we've had no news of him. So they restored them to their place, thus far concerning them. But as regards Ganyin, when he saw his wealth,

Starting point is 02:58:46 Spoiled, and his ruin utterest, he wept over himself till his hard well-night break. Then he fared on at random till the last of the day, and hunger grew hard on him, and walking worried him. So, coming to a village, he entered a mosque, where he sat down upon a mat, and propped his back against the wall. But presently he sank to the ground in his extremity of famine and fatigue. There he lay till dawn, his heart fluttering for want of food, and, owing to his sweating, the lice coursed over his skin.

Starting point is 02:59:17 His breath waxed, fattened, and his whole condition was changed. When the villagers came to pray the dawned prayer, they found him prostrate, ailing, hunger lean, yet showing evident signs of former affluence. As soon as prayers were over, they drew near him, and, understanding that he was starved with hunger and cold, they gave him an old robe with ragged sleeves, and said to him,

Starting point is 02:59:39 "'Oh, stranger, when's art thou, and what sickness is upon thee?' He opened his eyes, and wretched his eyes, and wept but returned no answer, whereupon one of them, who saw that he was starving, brought him a saucer of honey and two barley scuns. He ate a little,

Starting point is 02:59:54 and they sat with him till sunrise when they went to their work. He abode with them in this state for a month, whilst sickness and weakness grew upon him, and they wept for him, and, pitying his condition, took counsel with one another

Starting point is 03:00:08 upon his case, and agreed to forward him to the hospital in Baghdad. Meanwhile, behold, two beggar women, who were none other than Ghanim's mother and sister, came into the mosque, and when he saw them, he gave them the bread that was at his head, and they slept by his side that night, but he knew them not. Next day, the villagers brought a camel, and said to the cameleer, set this sick man on thy beast, and carry him to Baghdad, and put him down at the spittle door,

Starting point is 03:00:36 so happily he may be medicine and be healed, and thou shalt have thy hire. To here is to comply, said the man. They brought Garnim, who was asleep, out of the mosque, and set him, Matt and all, on the camel, and his mother and sister came out among the crowd to gaze upon him, but they knew him not. However, after looking at him and considering him carefully, they said, Of a truth, he favours our Garnim, poor boy, can this sick man be he? Presently, he woke, and finding himself bound with robes on a camel's back, he began to weep and complain, and the village people saw his mother and sister weeping over him.

Starting point is 03:01:13 albite they knew him not. Then they fared forth for Baghdad, but the camelman forewent them, and, setting Ganin down at the Spittal gate, went away with his beast. The sick man lay there till dawn, and, when the folk began to go about the streets, they saw him and stood gazing on him, for he had become as thin as a toothpick, till the syndic of the bazaar came up, and drove them away from him, saying, I will gain paradise through this poor creature, for if they take him into the hospital, they will kill him in a single day. Then he made his young man carry him to his house, where they spread him a new bed with a new pillow,

Starting point is 03:01:51 and he said to his wife, Tempt him carefully, and she replied, Good, on my head be it. Thereupon she tucked up her sleeves, and warming some water, washed his hands, feet and body, after which she clothed him in a robe belonging to one of her slave-girls, and made him drink a cup of wine, and sprinkled rose-water over him. So he revived and complained, and the thitherlythe, thought of his beloved Kudal Kulub made his grief redouble, thus far concerning him, but as regards Kudalub, when the Caliph was angered against her, and Sharazard perceived

Starting point is 03:02:26 the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 9 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 10, Volume 2 of The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton, This is a Librevox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit liverfox.org. Recording by Anosimum. The book of a thousand knights and a knight, volume two, section ten.

Starting point is 03:03:05 When it was the 43rd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Caliph was angered against Kutakulup, he ordered her to a dark chamber, where she abode 80 days, at the end of which the caliph happening to pass on a certain day the place where she was heard her repeating poetry and after she ceased reciting her verse saying oh my darling o my ganim how great is thy goodness and how chaste is thy nature thou didst dwell by one who did ill by thee and thou guardest his honour who guard thine and his harim thou didst protect who to enslave thee and shine did elect But thou shalt surely stand, thou and the commander of the faithful, before the just judge, and thou shalt be justified of him, on the day when the lord, to whom be honor and glory,

Starting point is 03:04:01 shall be kazi, and the angels of heaven shall be witnesses. When the caliph heard her complaint, he knew that she had been wronged, and, returning to the palace, sent Masrude the eunuch for her. She came before him with bowed head and eyes tearful and heart sorrowful, and he said to her, O Cota Colop, I find thou accuses me of tyranny and oppression, and thou avowges that I have done ill by one who did well by me.

Starting point is 03:04:30 Who is this, who hath guarded my honour, while I guard his to become dishonour, who protected my harem, and whose herim I wrecked. He is Ghanim, son of Ayub, replied she, for he never approached me in wantonness or with lieu intent, I swear by their munificence, O commander of the faithful. Then said the Caliph, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah.

Starting point is 03:04:57 Ask what thou wilt of me, or cut her cullub. O prince of the faithful, answered she, I require of thee only my beloved Guanyam, son of Ayub. He did as she desired, whereupon she said. O lord of the Muslims, if I bring him to thy presence, wilt thou bestow me on him? And he replied, If he come into my presence, I will give thee to him As the gift of the generous, who revoked not his largess.

Starting point is 03:05:26 O prince of true believers, quoth she, Suffer me to go and seek him, Heply Allah may unite me with him. And quoth he, do evenest thou wilt. So she rejoiced, and, taking with her a thousand diners in gold, went out and visited the elders of the various fates, and gave alms in Ghanim's name. Next day she walked to the merchant's bazaar, and is close to her object to the syndic,

Starting point is 03:05:53 and gave him money, saying, bestow this in charity to the stranger. On the following Friday, she fared to the bazaar, with other thousand dinners, and, entering the goldsmiths and jeweller's market street, called the chief, and present to him a thousand dinners with these words, bestow this in charity to the stranger. The chief looked at her, and he was the same. syndic who had taken in, Ghanim, and said, O my lady, wilt thou come to my house and look upon a youth, a stranger I have there,

Starting point is 03:06:25 and see how goodly and graceful he is. Now the stranger was Ganyam son of Ayup, but the chief had no knowledge of him, and thought him to be some wandering pauper, some debtor whose wealth had been taken from him, or some lover parted from his beloved. When she heard his words, her heart fluttered, and her vitals yearned, and she said to him, sent with me one who shall guide me to thy house. So he sent a little lad who brought her to the house, wherein was the headman's stranger guest,

Starting point is 03:06:52 and she thanked him for this. When she reached the house, she went in and saluted the syndic's wife, who rose and kissed the ground between her hands, for she knew her. Then quoth Kut al-Kulub, Where is the sick man who is with thee? She wept and replied,

Starting point is 03:07:09 Here is he, oh, my lady, by Allah, he is come of good folk, and he beareth the signs of the signs of gentle breeding. You see him lying on Yongder bed. So she turned and looked at him, and she saw something like him, but he was worn and wasted till he'd become lean as a toothpick, so his identity was doubtful to her, and she could not be certain that it was he. Yet pity for him possessed her, and she wept, saying, verily the stranger is unhappy, even though he be a prince in his own land. And his case was grievous to her, and her heart ached for him. Yet she knew him not to be

Starting point is 03:07:44 Ghanim. Then she furnished him with wine and medicines, and she sat a while by his head, after which she mounted and returned to her palace, and continued to visit every bazaar in quest of her lover. Meanwhile, Ganyim's mother and sister, Fitna, arrived at Bachtat, and met the syndic who carried them to Kutalculub, and said to her, Oh, princes of beneficent ladies, there came to our city this day a woman and her daughter, who are fair of favour and signs of good breeding and dignity are apparent in them, though they be dressed in haircloth, and have each one a wallet hanging to her neck, and their eyes are tearful, and their hearts are sorrowful.

Starting point is 03:08:24 So I have brought them to thee, that thou mayst give them refuge, and rescue them from beggary, for they are not of asker folk, and, if it please Allah, we shall enter paradise through them. By Allah, O my master, cried she, thou makes me long to see them. they, adding, here with them to me. So he bade the eunuch bring them in, and, when she looked on them and saw that they were both of distinguished beauty, she wept for them, and said, By Allah, these are people of condition, and show plain signs of former opulence.

Starting point is 03:08:58 Oh, my lady, said the syndic's wife, we love the poor and the destitute, more especially as reward in heaven will recompense our love, and as for these persons, happily the oppressor had dealt heartily with them, and had plundered their property and harried their houses. Then Ghanim's mother and sister wept with sore weeping, remembering their former prosperity, and contrasting it with their present poverty and miserable condition, and their thoughts dwelt upon son and brother, whilst Couta Couloup wept for their weeping, and they said, We beseech Allah to reunite us with him whom we desire, and he is none other but my son named Ganim bin Ayyut.

Starting point is 03:09:40 When Kutalculup heard this, she knew them to be the mother and sister of her lover, and wept till the swoon came over her. When she revived, she returned to them, and said, Have no fear and sorrow not, for this day is the first of your prosperity, and the last of your adversity. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day,

Starting point is 03:10:01 and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 44th night, she said, It hath reached me, your auspicious king, that when Couta Couloup had consoled them, she bade the syndic, lead them to his house, and let his wife carry them to the hammam, and dress them in handsome clothes, and take care of them, and honour them with all honour, and she gave him a sufficient sum of money. Next day she mounted, and, riding to his house, went into his wife, who rose up and kissed her hands, and thanked her for her kindness.

Starting point is 03:10:34 There she saw Ghanim's mother and sister, whom the Snig's wife had to be able to her. taken to the hamm and clothed the fresh, so that the traces of their former condition became manifest upon them. She sat talking with them a while, after which she asked the wife about the sick youth who was in her house, and she replied, "'He is in the same state,' then said Kutal Kulup. "'Come, let us go and visit him.' So she arose, she and the chief's wife and Ganim's mother and sister, and went into the

Starting point is 03:11:02 room where he lay, and sat down near him. presently Ghanim Benayub, the distraught, the thrall of love, heard them mention the name of Kutokulub, whereupon life returned to him, amazated and withered as he was, and he raised his head from the pillow, and cried aloud, O Kutokulub! She looked at him, and made certain it was he, and shrieked rather than said, Yes, oh, my beloved! Draw near to me, said he, and she replied, "'Surely thou art Ghanim bin Ayyub,' and he rejoined. "'I am indeed.'

Starting point is 03:11:38 Hereupon a swoon came upon her, and as soon as Ghanim's mother and his sister Fitna heard these words, both cried out, "'Oh, our joy! And fainted clean away!' When they all recovered, Kutalculub exclaimed, "'Praise be to Allah, who hath brought us together again, and hath reunited thee with thy mother and thy sister.' And she related to him all that had befallen her, with the Caliph, and said, I've made known the truth to the commander of the faithful,

Starting point is 03:12:07 who believed my words, and was pleased with thee, and now he desireth to see thee, adding, He hath given me to thee. Thereat, he rejoiced with extreme joy, when she said, Quit not this place till I come back, and, rising forth wit, we took herself to the palace.

Starting point is 03:12:25 There she opened the chest which she had brought from Ghanim's house, and, taking out some of the dinners, gave them to the syndic, saying, Buy with this money for each of them, four complete suits of the finest stuff, and twenty kerchiefs, and else beside of whatsoever they require.

Starting point is 03:12:42 After which she carried all three to the baths, and had them washed and bathed, and made ready for them consummese, and gallengale water and cider against their coming out. When they left the hammam, they put on the new clothes, and she abode with them three days, feeding them with chicken meats and bullies,

Starting point is 03:13:00 and making them drink sherbert of, sugar candy. After three days their spirits returned, and she carried them again to the baths, and when they came out and had changed their raiment, she led them back to the syndic's house and left them there, whilst she returned to the palace and craved permission to see the Caliph. When he ordered her to come in, she entered, and, kissing the ground between his hands, told him the whole story, and how her lord, Ganim Benayub, the distraught, the thrall of love, and his mother and sister were now in Baghdad. When the Caliph heard this, he turned to the eunuchs and said,

Starting point is 03:13:34 Here with Ganim to me. So Jaffa went to fetch him, but Kutokulup forewent him and told Ganim, The Caliph had sent to fetch thee before him, and charged him to show readiness of tongue and firmness of heart and sweetness of speech. Then she robed him in a sumptuous dress, and gave him diners in plenty, saying, Be lavish of larges to the Caliph's household as thou goest into him. Presently, Jafar, mounted on his sonchus'er'st, and heurred, and hectored on, as Nubian Mule came to fetch him, and Ghanim advanced to welcome the wazir, and, wishing him long

Starting point is 03:14:06 life, kissed the ground before him. Now the star of his good fortune had risen, and shone brightly, and Jafar took him, and they ceased not faring together, he and the minister, till they went into the commander of the faithful. When he stood in the presence, he looked at the wazirs, and emers, and chamberlains, and vizroys, and grandies and captains, and then at the caliph. Hereupon he sweetened his speech and his eloquence, and, bowing his head to the ground, broke out in these extemporary couplets. May that monarch's life span a mighty span, whose lavish of Largesse all-imperian, Lishes scan, none other but he shall be Kaiser Heise, Lord of Lordly Hall and of Haud-de-Van. Kings lay their gems on his threshold dust, as they bow and salam to the mighty

Starting point is 03:14:55 man, and his glances for them and all recoil, bowing bea-earned, and, the ground and with faces wan, yet they gain the profit of royal grace, the rank and station of high earth's plain is scant for thy world of man, camp there in Kwan's Empirian. May the king of kings ever hold thee dear, be counsel, shine, and write steadfast plan, till thy justice spread over the widespread earth, and the near and the far be of equal worth. When he ended his improvisation, the caliph was pleased by it, and marvelled at the eloquent, of his tongue and the sweetness of his speech. And Cherezad, perceive the dawn of day, and cease to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 03:15:39 End of Section 10. Section 11, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, here, please visit Librivox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander.

Starting point is 03:16:12 The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 11. When it was the 45th night, she said, It has reached me, O auspicious king, that the Caliph, after marvelling at his eloquence of tongue and sweetness of speech, said to him, Draw near to me. So he drew near and quothed the king. Tell me thy tale, and declare to me thy case.

Starting point is 03:16:45 So Ghanim sat down and related to him what had befallen him in Baghdad, of his sleeping in the tomb, and of his opening the chest after the three slaves had departed, and informed him, in short of everything that had happened to him, from commencement to conclusion. none of which we will repeat for interest fails in twice-told tales. The Caliph was convinced that he was a true man, so he invested him with a dress of honour, and placed him near himself in token of favour, and said to him,

Starting point is 03:17:21 Acquit me of the responsibility I have incurred, and Ghanim did so, saying, O our lord the sultan, of a truth thy slave and all things, His two hands own are his masters. The Caliph was pleased at this, and gave orders to set apart a palace for him, and assigned to him pay and allowances, rations and donations, which amounted to something immense. So he removed thither with sister and mother, after which the Caliph, hearing that his sister FITNA was in beauty a very FITNA, a mere seduction, demanded her in marriage of Ghanim, who replied,

Starting point is 03:18:05 She is thy handmaid, as I am thy slave. The Caliph thanked him, and gave him a hundred thousand diners, then summoned the witnesses and the Kasi, and on one and the same day they wrote out the two contracts of marriage between the Caliph and Fitna, and between Ganim bin Ayub and Kut al-Kulub, and the two marriages were consummated on one and the same night. When it was morning, the Caliph gave orders to record the history of what had befallen Ganim from first to last, and to deposit it in the royal muniment rooms, that those who came after him might read it and marvel at the dealings of death. and put their trust in him who created the night and the day.

Starting point is 03:18:59 Yet, O auspicious king, this story to which thou hast designed give ears, is on no wise no more wondrous than the tale of King Omar bin al-Numan, and his son Sharkan and Sao Al-Makhan, and what befell them on things seldom seen and Perigrin. The king asked her, and what was their story? And she answered, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that there was in the city of safety, Baghdad, before the caliphate of Abd al-Malik bin Marwan, a king Omar bin al-Numan, hais, who was of the mighty giants, and had subjected to the Cosres of Persia and the kaisers of eastern Rome. for none could warm himself at his fire nor could any avail to meet him in the field of foray and fray and when he was angered there came forth from his nostrils sparks of flame

Starting point is 03:20:06 he had made himself king over all quarters and allah had subjected to him all his creatures his word went forth to all great cities and his hosts had harried the farthest land east and west had come under his command with whatsoever regions lay interspersed between them hind and sinned and sin the holy land al-hijas the rich mountains of al-jaman and the archipelagos of india and china Moreover, he reigns supreme over the North Country and Diyarbak, or Mesopotamia, and over Sudan, the eastern Negro land, and the islands of the ocean, and all the far-famed rivers of the earth, Sejun, and Jahun, Nile and Euphrates. He sent envoys and ambassadors to capitals the most remote, to provide him with true report. and they would bring back tidings of justice and peace with assurance of loyalty and obedience and of prayers in the pulpits for king omar bin al nuaman for he was o ruler of the age a right noble king and there came to him presence of rarities and tall and tribute from all lands of his governing this mighty monarch had a son islep sharkan who was likest of all men to his father, and who proved himself one of the prodigies of his time for subduing the brave and bringing his contemporaries to bane and ban.

Starting point is 03:21:50 For this his father loved him, with love so great none could be greater, and made him heir to the kingdom after himself. The prince grew up till he reached man's estate and was twenty years old, and Allah subjected his servants to him by reason of his great might and prowess in battle. Now his father, King Omar, had four wives legally married, but Allah had vouchsafed him no son by them, save Sharkam, whom he had begotten upon one of them, and the rest were barren. Moreover, he had three hundred and sixty concubines, after the nine. of days in the Coptic year, who were of all nations, and he had furnished for each and every a private chamber within his own palace, for he had built twelve pavilions after the number of

Starting point is 03:22:50 the months, each containing thirty private chambers, which thus numbered three hundred and three score, wherein he lodged his handmaids, and he appointed according to law for each one her night, when he lay with her, and came not again to her for a full year. And on this wise he abode for a length of time. Meanwhile his son Sharkan was making himself renowned in all quarters of the world, and his father was proud of him, and his might waxed and grew mightier, so that he passed all bounds, and bore himself masterfully, and took by storm castles and cities.

Starting point is 03:23:32 Presently, by decree of the decreer, a handmaid among the handmaids of Omar binu-Ouman became pregnant, and her pregnancy being announced to the Harim, the king, was informed thereof, whereupon he rejoiced with exceeding joy, and said, Happily it will be a son, and so all my offspring will be males. Then he documented the date of her conception, and entreated her with all manner of kindness. But when the tidings came to Sharkan, he was troubled, and the matter seemed to him a sore one and a grievous, and he said, Barely one comth, who shall dispute with me the sovereignty, so quoth he to himself.

Starting point is 03:24:24 If this concubine bear a male child, I will kill it. But he kept that intention hidden in his heart, Such was the case with Charkan, but what happened in the matter of the damsel was as follows. She was a Rumiya, a Greek girl by name Sophia, or Sophia, whom the king of Rome and lord of Cesaria had sent to King Omar as a present, together with great store of gifts and of rarities. She was the fairest of favour and loveliest of all his handmaids, and the most regardful of her honour, and she was gifted with a wit as penetrating as her presence was fascinating. Now she had served the king on the night of his sleeping with her, saying to him, O king, I desire of the God of the heavens that he bless thee this night with a male child by me,

Starting point is 03:25:25 so I may bring him up with the best of rearing, and enable him to reach man's estate, perfect in intelligence, good manners, and prudent bearing. A speech which much pleased the king. During her pregnancy, she was instant in prayer, fervently supplicating the Lord to bless her with a goodly male child and make his birth easy to her. and Allah heard her petition, so after her months were accomplished, she sat safely upon the birth-stool. Now the king had deputed a eunuch to let him know if the child she should bring forth were male or female, and in like way his son Sharkhan had sent one to bring him tidings of the same. In due time Sophia was delivered of a child, which the midwives examined and found to be, a girl with a face shinia than the moon. So they announced this to all present in the room,

Starting point is 03:26:30 whereupon the king's messenger carried the news to him, and Sharkans eunuch did the like with his master, who rejoiced with exceeding joy. But after the two had departed, quoth Sophia to the midwives, wait with me a while, for I feel as if there were still somewhat in my womb. Then she cried out, and the pains of childbed again took her, and Allah made it easier to her, and she gave birth to a second child. The wise women looked at it, and found it a boy, like the full moon, with forehead flower-white, and cheek ruddy bright with rosy light, whereupon the mother rejoiced, as did the eunuchs and attendance, and all the company, and Sophia was delivered of the afterbirth, whilst all in the palace sent forth a thrill of joy.

Starting point is 03:27:25 The rest of the concubines heard it and envied her lot, and the tidings reached Omar, son of Alnuman, who was glad and rejoiced at the excellent news. Then he rose and went to her, and kissed her head, after which she looked at the boy, and bending over him kissed him, whilst the damsels struck the task. and played on instruments of music. And the king gave order that the boy should be named Sao al-Makhan, and his sister, Nusat al-Saman. They answered, hearing and obedience, and did his bidding, so he pointed wet nurses and dry nurses, and eunuchs and attendants to serve them, and assign them rations of sugar and diet drinks,

Starting point is 03:28:15 and anguents and else beside, beyond the power of tongue to rehearse. Moreover, the people of Baghdad hearing that Allah had blessed their king with Ishu, decorate the city, and made proclamation of the glad tidings with drum and tom-tom. And the emirs and vassiers and high dignitaries came to the palace and wished King Omar bin al-Numan joy of his son, Sao al-Makam, and of his daughter Nusat al-Saman. Wherefore he thanked them, and bestowed on them dresses of honour, and further favoured them with gifts, and dealt largest to all,

Starting point is 03:28:57 gentle and simple, who were present. After this fashion he did for four days full-told, and he lavished upon Sophia raiment and ornaments, and great store of wealth, and every few days he would say, send a messenger to ask after her and the new boys. And when four years had gone by, he provided her with the wherewithal to rear the two children carefully and educate them with the best of instructions. All this while his son Sharkan knew not that a male child had been born to his father,

Starting point is 03:29:34 Omar, son of Al-Luman, having news only that he had been blessed with the birth of Nusat al-Saman. And they hid the intelligence from him until days and years had sped by, whilst he was busy in battling with the brave and fighting single-handed against the knights. One day, as King Omar was sitting in his palace, his chamberlains came in to him, and kissing the ground before him, said, O King, there become ambassadors from the King of Rome, Lord of Constantinople the Great, and they disliked. desire admission to thee and submission to thy decree. If the king command us to introduce them, we will so do, and if not, there is no disputing his behest. He bade them enter, and when they came in, he turned to them, and cautiously receiving them asked them of their case, and what was the cause of their coming. They kissed the ground before him and said,

Starting point is 03:30:39 O King, glorious and strong, O Lord of the arm that is long, know that he who has dispatched us to thee is King Afridun, Lord of Aiona Island, and the Nazarene Armies, the sovereign who is firmly established in the embry of Constantinople, to acquaint thee that he is now waging fierce war and fell with the tyrant and a tyrant and rebel, the prince of Cesaria, and the cause of this war is as follows. One of the kings of the Arabs in past time, during certain of his conquest, chanced upon a horde of the time of Alexander, whence he removed wealth past compute, and, amongst other things, three round jewels, big as ostrich eggs, from a mine of pure white gems, whose like was never seen,

Starting point is 03:31:39 by man. Upon each was graven caracts of ionian characters, and they have many virtues and properties, amongst the rest that if one of these jewels be hung round the neck of a newborn child, no evil shall befall him, and he shall neither wail nor shall fever ail him as long as the jewel remain without fail. When the Arab king laid hands upon them, and he shall neither wail, and and learned their secrets, he sent to King Afridun presence of certain rarities, and amongst them the three jewels aforementioned. And he equipped for the mission two ships, one bearing the treasure, and the other men of might to guard it from any who might offer hindrance on the high seas.

Starting point is 03:32:31 Albeit well assured that none would dare waylay his vessels, for that he was king of the Arabs. and more by token that their course lay over waters subject to the king of Constantinople, and they were bound to his port, nor were there on the shore of that sea any save the subjects of the great king Afridum. The two ships set out and voyaged till they drew near our city, when there sailed out on them certain corsairs from that country, and amongst them troops from the prince of Cesarea, who took all the treasures and rarities in the ships, together with the jewels, and slew the crews. When our king heard of this, he sent an army against them, but they rooted it.

Starting point is 03:33:24 Then he marched a second and a stronger, but they put this also to flight, whereupon the king waxed wroth and swore that he would not go forth against them, save in his own purpose. person at the head of his whole army, nor would he turn back from them till he had left Cesarea of Armenia in ruins, and had laid waste all the lands and cities over which her prince held sway. So he sent us to the Lord of the Age and the Time, Sultan Omar bin Al-Numan, king of Baghdad and of Corsan, desiring that he aid us with a army, so may honour and glory accrue to him, and he hath also forwarded by us somewhat of various kinds of presents, and of the king's grace he beggeth their acceptance, and the friendly

Starting point is 03:34:22 boon of furtherance. Then the ambassadors kissed the ground before him. Anne Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 11 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 12, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night. Translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording.

Starting point is 03:35:03 All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Livrevox Recording. EBRivox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander The Book of a Thousand Nights Under Night, Volume 2, Section 12. When it was the 46th night, she said, It has reached me, O auspicious king, that after the ambassadors and retinue,

Starting point is 03:35:35 from the Constantinopolitan king, had kissed the ground before Omar, and had delivered their embassage. They brought out the presents, which were fifty damsels of the choicest from Grisha land, and fifty mamalucers in tunics and brocade, belted with girdles of gold and silver, each wearing in his ears hoops of gold,

Starting point is 03:35:59 with pendants of fine pearls, costing a thousand ducats every one. The girls were adorned in like fashion, and were clad in stuffs worth a treasury of money. When the king saw them, he rejoiced in them and accepted them. Then he bade the ambassadors to be honorably entreated, and summoning his vassiers to counsel with them of what he should do. Herewith rose up among them a vizier,

Starting point is 03:36:31 an ancient man Dandan Haiz, who kissed the ground before Omar, and said, o king there is nothing better to do in this matter than equip an army valiant and victorious and set over it thy son sharkan with us as his lieutenants and this reed commended itself to me on two accounts first because the king of rome hath invoked thine assistance and hath sent thee gifts which thou hast accepted and secondly because while no enemy dareth attack our country thine army may go forth safely and should it succour the king of greciah land and defeat his foe the glory will be thine moreover the news of it will be noised abroad in all cities and countries and especially when the tidings shall reach the islands of the ocean and the kings of maritania shall hear it they will send the offerings of rarities and pay the tribute of money the king pleased by the vassers words and approving his rede gave him address of honour and said to him of the like of these should kings ask counsel and it seems fit that thou shouldst conduct the van of our army and our son sharkhan command the main battle Then he sent for his son, who came and kissed ground before him, and sat down.

Starting point is 03:38:14 And he expounded to him the matter, telling him what the ambassadors and the Vassir Dandan had said, and he charged him to take arms and equip himself for the campaign, enjoining him not to gainsay Dandan in aught he should do. Moreover, he ordered him to pick out of his army, 10,000 horsemen, armed Kappapai, and inured to onset a stress of war. Accordingly, Sharkhan arose on the instant, and chose out a myriad of horsemen, after which he entered his palace and mustered his host, and distributed lorges to them, saying, Ye have delay of three days.

Starting point is 03:39:02 They kissed the earth before him in obedience to his commands. and began at once to lay in munitions and provide provisions for the occasion. Wise Sharkhan repaired to the armories and took therefrom whatsoever he required of arms and armor, and thence to the stable, where he choose horses of choice blood and others. When the appointed three days were ended, the army drew out of the suburbs of Baghdad's city, and King Omar came forth to take leave. of his son, who kissed the ground before him, and received from the king seven parcels of money. Then he turned to Dundan and commended to his care the army of his son, and the vassir kissed

Starting point is 03:39:50 the ground before him, and answered, I hear and I obey. And lastly he charged Sharkan that he should consult the vassir on all occasions, which he promised to do. After this the king returned to his city, and Sharkhan ordered the officers to muster their troops in battle array. So they mustered them, and their numbers was ten thousand horsemen, besides footmen and camp followers. Then they loaded their baggage on their beasts, and the war drums beat, and the trumpets blared, and the banner also and standards were unfurred. and the banner rolls and standards were unfurled, while Sharkhan mounted horse, with a Vassir Dandan by his side, and the colors fluttering over their heads. So the horse fared forth and stinted not faring, with the ambassadors preceding them, till day departed, and night drew nigh, when they alighted and encamped for the night.

Starting point is 03:40:56 And as soon as Allah caused the morn tomorrow, they mounted and tried on, guided by the ambassadors, for a space of twenty days, and by the night of the twenty-first, they came to a fine and spacious wady, well-grown with trees and shrubbery. Here Sharkan ordered them to alight, and commanded a three-day halt, so they dismounted and pitched their tents, spreading their camp over the right and the left slopes of the extensive valley, whilst the Vassir Dandan and the ambassadors of King Afrodun pitched in the soul of the Vadi. As for Sharkhan, he tarried behind them for a while, till all had dismounted, and he had dispersed themselves over the valley sites.

Starting point is 03:41:47 He then slacked the reins of his steed, being minded to explore the wady, and to mount guard in his own person, because of his father's charge and owing to the fact that they were on the frontier of Grecialand, and in the enemy's country. So he rode out alone after ordering his armed slaves and his bodyguard to camp near the Vasserdandan, and he fared on along the side of the valley till a fourth part of the night was past, when he felt tired and drowsiness over Kempah. him, so that he could no longer urge horse with heel. Now he was accustomed to take rest on horseback, so when slumber overpowered him, he slept, and the steed ceased not going on with him till half the night was spent, and entered one of the thickets, which was dense with growth. But Sharkan awoke not until his horse stumbled over wooded ground.

Starting point is 03:42:48 Then he started from sleep and found himself among the trees, and the moon arose and shone brightly over the two horizons, eastern and western. He was startled when he found himself alone in this place, and said the say, which never yet shamed its sayer. There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious the great, but as he rode on in fear of wild beasts. Behold, the moon spread her glade light over a meadow, as if it were on the meads of paradise, and he heard pleasant voices, and a loud noise of talk and laughter,

Starting point is 03:43:34 captivating the senses of men. So King Sharkan alighted, and, tying his steed to one of the trees, went over a little wait till he came upon a stream, and heard a woman talking in Arabic and saying, Now by the crush of the Messiah, this is not well of you, but whoso utters a word, I will throw her and truss her up with her own girl. He kept walking in the direction of the sound,

Starting point is 03:44:06 and when he reached the further side, he looked and behold, a stream was gushing and flowing, and antelopes at large were frisking and wrisking and writhes groving, and wild cattle amid the pasture moving, and birds expressed joy and gladness in their diverse tongues, and that place was purfl'd with all-mannered flowers and green herbs, even as a poet describe it in these couplets. Most beautiful is earth in budding bloom, when lucid waters course through plain and wood. No work but his, the all great, the all-glorious, giver of all gifts, giver of all good. And as Sharkin considered the place, he saw in it a Christian monastery, within whose ensigned a castle towered high in the air, catching the light of the moon.

Starting point is 03:45:05 Through the midst of the convent past a stream, the water flowing amongst its gardens, and upon the bank sat the woman whose voice he had heard, while before her stood ten handmaids like moons, and wearing various sort of raiment and ornaments that dazed and dazzled their beholder. High-bosomed virgins, as saith of them the poet in these couplets. is bright with what is aunt, O merry maiden's debonair, double its beauty and its grace, those drooping damsel slender fare. Virgins of graceful swimming-gate, ready with eye and lip to ensnare, and like the tenderest vine they loose, the rich profusion of their hair, shooting their shafts and arrows from beautiful eyes beyond compare, overpowering and transpiercing, and transpersing, every froward adversary. Sharkhan gazed upon the ten girls, and saw in their midst a lady like the moon at fullest,

Starting point is 03:46:16 with ringletted hair and forehead sheeny white, and eyes wondrous wide and black and bright, and temple locks like the scorpion's tail, and she was perfect in essence and attributes, as the poet said of her in these couplets, she beamed on my sight with a wondrous glance and her straight slender stature and shamed the lance she burst on my sight with cheeks rosy red where all manner of beauties have habitants and the locks on her forehead were lowering as night whence isius a dawn-tide of happiest chance then Then Sharkan heard her say to the handmaids, Come ye on that I may wrestle with you and gravel you, ere the moon set and the dawn break.

Starting point is 03:47:18 So each came up to her in turn, and she grounded them forthright, and pinioned them with their girls, and ceased not wrestling and pitching them until she had overthrown one and all. Then their turn to her an old woman, who was before her, and the beldom said as in wrath, O strumpet, cost thou glory in grounding these girls?

Starting point is 03:47:47 Behold, I am an old woman, yet I have thrown them forty times. So what hast thou to boast of? But if thou have the strength to wrestle with me, stand up, that I may grip thee and set thy head between thy heels. The young lady smiled at her words, but she was filled with an inward wrath, and she jumped up and asked, Oh, my lady, sat al-dawai. By the truth of the Messiah, wilt thou wrestle with me in very deed, or dost thou jest with me? And she answered, yeah, and Sharaad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 03:48:36 End of Section 12 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 13, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox. reading by Lars Rolander.

Starting point is 03:49:20 The book of a thousand knights and a knight, volume two, section 13. When it was the 47th night, she said, it has reached me, oh auspicious king, that when the young lady asked Satal Davahi, by the truth of the Messiah, will it wrestle with me or dost jest? And she answered, yeah, I will wrestle with thee in very deed. Sharkhan, looking on the while, the damsel cried, Rise up for the fall, and thou have spunk so to do. When the old woman heard this, she raged with exceeding rage, and her body hair stood on end like the bristles of a fretful hedgehog.

Starting point is 03:50:05 Then she sprang to her feet, whilst the damsel stood up to her and said, Now, by the truth of the Messiah, I will not wrestle with thee, unless I be naked, Mistress Hor. So she loosed her petticoat trousers, and putting her hand under her clothes, tore them off her body, then twisted up a silken kerchief into cord shape, girt it round her middle, and became as she were a scald head if Rita or a spotted snake. With this she inclined towards the damsel and said, Do thou as I have done?

Starting point is 03:50:43 All this time Sharkan was casing at the twain, and laughing at the bell-dum's loathly semblance so the dancer leisurely rose and taking a sash of yamani stuff passed it twice round her waist then she tucked up her trousers and displayed two calls of alabaster carrying a moon of crystal smooth and rounded and a stomach which exhaled musk from its dimples as it were a bed of newman's anemones and breasts like double-pourgely and breasts like double-pals and breasts like double pomegranates. Then the old woman leant towards her, and the two laid hold either of each, while Charkhan raised his head heaven-wards and prayed Allah that the bell might beat the bell-dam. Presently the young woman get beneath the old woman, and gripping her waist, cloth with the left and circling her neck with the right hand, hoisted her off the ground with both, Whereupon the old woman strode to free herself, and, in so doing, fell on her back,

Starting point is 03:51:47 Arseversy. With her legs high in air, and her hairy bush between them showed manifest in the moonshine. Furthermore, she let fly two great farts, one of which blew up the dust from the earth's face, and the others steamed up to the gate of heaven. Sharkan laughed till he fell back upon the ground. Then he arose, and, bearing his brand, looked right, and left but he saw no one save the old woman sprawling on her back and said to himself he lied not who named thee lady of calamities verily thou knewst her prowess by her performance upon the others so he drew near them to hear what should pass between them then the young lady went up to the old one and throwing a wrapper of thin silk upon her nakedness helped her to don her clothes and made excuses saying oh my lady satal davai i intended only to throw thee and not all this but thou try'st to twist out of my hands so lord to allah for safety she returned her no answer but rose in her shame and walked away till out of sight leaving the handmaids prostrate and pinioned with the fair damsel standing amongst them quoth sharkened to himself

Starting point is 03:53:11 every luck has its cause sleep did not fall upon me nor the war-horse bear me hither save for my good fortune for doubtless this maid and what is with her shall become booty to me so he made towards his steed and mounted and healed him on when he sped as the shaft speeds from the bow and in his hand he still held his brand-bear of sheath which he brandished shouting the while his war-cry allah is almighty when the damsel saw him she sprang to her feet and taking firm stand on the bank of the stream whose breath was six ells the normal cubits made one bound and landed clear on the father's side where she turned and cried out with a loud voice who art thou o thou fellow that breaks in upon our privacy and pastime and that to hanker in hand as if charging a host whence cam'st thou and whither art thou going Speak sooth, for truth will stand thee in good's deed, and lie not, for lies come of villain breed, doubtless thou hast wandered this night from thy way, that thou chancest upon this place, whence escape, were the greatest of mercies, for thou art now in an open plain, and did we shout but a single shout, would come to our rescue four thousand knights. So tell me what thou wantest, and if thou wouldst only have us set thee on the right road, we will do so. When Sharkhan heard her words, he replied, I am a stranger of the Muslims who fared forth this night's single-handed, seeking for spoil. Nor could this moonlight show me a fairer booty than these ten maidens, so I shall seize them and rejoin my comrades with them.

Starting point is 03:55:11 Quoth she, I would have thee know that as for the booty thou hast not come at it, and as for the handmaids, by Allah, they shall never be thy spoil. Have I not told thee that to lie is villain vile? Quoth he, the wise man is he who takes warning by others. Thereupon quoth she. By the truth of the Messiah, did I not fear that thy death would be on my hand. I would shout a shout should fill the mead for thee with war steeds and with men of might, but I take pity upon the stranger. So if thou seek booty, I require of thee that thou alight from thy steed, and swear to me by thy faith that thou wilt not advance against me aught like arms in hand, and we will wrestle. I and thou.

Starting point is 03:56:08 If thou throw me, set me on thy side. deed and take all of us to thy booty. But if I throw thee, thou shalt become under my command. Swear this to me, for I fear thy treachery. Indeed it has become a common saw. Where perfidi is innate, their trust is a weakly mate. Now, and thou wilt swear, I will return and draw near to thee and tackle thee. Answered Sharkan, and indeed he loved. to seize her, and said in his soul, Truly she knoweth not that I am a champion of champions. Swear me by what oath thou wilt, and by what thou deems most binding,

Starting point is 03:56:58 And I will not approach thee with aught till thou hast made thy preparation, And sest draw near that I wrestle with thee. If thou throw me, I have money wherewithal to ransom my side. and if I throw thee, T'will be booty and booty enough for me. Rejoined the damsel. I am content herewith, and Sharkhan was astounded at her words and said,

Starting point is 03:57:27 And by the truth of the apostle, whom Allah bless and keep, I too am content on the other part. Then, said she, Swear to me by him who's, sprite in body dight, and dealt laws to rule mankind aright, that thou wilt not offer me aught of violence save by way of wrestling, else mayst thou die without the pale of al-Islam? Sharkan replied, by Allah, were a kasi to swear me, even though he were a kasi of the kasi's,

Starting point is 03:58:05 he would not impose upon me such an oath as this. Then he sware to her by all she named and tied his steed to a tree, but he was drowned in the sea of thought, saying in himself, Praise be to him who fashioned her from dirty water. Then he girt himself and made ready for wrestling and said to her, Crossed the stream to me, but she replied, It is not for me to come over to thee, If thou wilt pass, thou over here to me.

Starting point is 03:58:42 I cannot do that, quoth he, and quoth she. Oh, boy, I will come across to thee. So she tucked up her skirts, and leaping, landed on the other side of the stream by his side, whereupon he drew near to her, and bent him forwards and clapped palms. But he was confounded by her beauty and loveliness, for he saw a shape which, the hand of power had tanned with the dye-leaves of the jun, which had been fostered by the hand of beneficence, and fanned by the seafers of fair's fortune, and whose birth a propitious ascendant had greeted.

Starting point is 03:59:24 Then she called out to him, O Muslim, come on and let us wrestle ere the break of morning, and tucked up her sleeves from a forearm like fresh curd, which illumined the whole place with its whiteness, and Sharkhan was dazzled by it. Then he bent forwards, and clapped his palms by way of challenge, she doing the like, and caught hold of her, and the two grappled and gripped, and interlocked hands and arms. Presently he shifted his hands to her slender waist, when his fingertips sank into the soft folds of her middle, breeding, languishment, and he fell at trembling like a Persian reed, in the roaring gale. So she lifted him up, and, throwing him to the ground, sat upon his breast

Starting point is 04:00:13 with hips and hindered cheeks like moans on sand, for his soul had lost mastery over his senses. Then she asked him, O Muslim, the slaying of Nazarenes is lawful to your folk. What then hast thou to say about being slain thyself? And he answered, O my lady, thy speech as regards slaying me is not other than unlawful for our prophet mohammed whom allah bless and preserve prohibited the slaying of women and children old men and monks as it was thus revealed to your prophet she replied it behooth us to render the equivalent of his mercy so rise i give thee thy life for generosity is never lost upon the generous then she got off his breast and he rose and stood shaking the dust from his head against the owners of the curved rib even women and she said to him be not ashamed but verily one who entereth the land of rome in quest of booty and comes to assist kings against kings how happens it that he has not strength enough to defend himself from one made out of the curvedrib it was not for lack of strength in me he answered nor didst thou throw me by thy force it was thy loveliness overthrew me so if thou wilt grant me another bout it will be of thy courtesy

Starting point is 04:01:53 she laughed and said i grant thee thy request but these handmaids have long been pinioned and their arms and sides are wary and it were only right i should lose them for happily this next wrestling-boat will be long then she went to the slave-girls and unbinding them said to them in the tongue of greece get ye to some safe place till i foil this muslim's lust and longing for you So they went away, whilst Charkan kept gazing at them, and they kept turning to look at the two. Then each approached the adversary, and he set his breast against hers, but when he felt waist touch waste, his strength failed him, and she, waxing wear of this, lifted him with her hand swiftier than the blinding leaven flash, and threw him to the ground. He fell on his back, and then she said to him,

Starting point is 04:02:53 Rise, I give thy life a second time. I spared thee in the first count because of thy prophet, for that he made unlawful the slaying of women, and I do so on the second count because of thy weakliness, and the greenness of thine dears and thy strangerhood. But I charge thee, if there be in the Muslim army sent by Omar bin al-Numan, to succour the king of Constantinople, a stronger than thou, send him hither and tell him of me. For in wrestling there are shifts and trips, catches and holds, such as the faint or falsing and the snap of first grip, the hug, the feet catch, the thigh-light, the jostle, and the leg-lock.

Starting point is 04:03:45 By allah, oh my lady, quoth Sharkan, and indeed he was highly incensed against her. Had I been Master al-Safti, Master Mohamed Kimal, or Ibn Al-Sadi, as they were in their prime, I had kept no note of these shifts thou mentionst, for, O, my mistress, by Allah, thou hast not grasped me by thy strength, but by blandishments of thy back parts, for we men of Mesopotamia, so love a full-formed thigh, that nor send me. was left me nor foresight. But now, and thou wish, thou shalt try a third fall with me, while my wits are about me, and this last match is allowed me by the laws of the game, which says the best of three. Moreover, I have regained my presence of mind. When she heard

Starting point is 04:04:47 his words, she said to him, Hasst thou not had a bellyful of this wrestling? Oh, banquished one! However, come on, and thou wilt, but know that this must be the last round. Then she bent forward and challenged him, and Sharkan did likewise, setting to it in real earnest, and being right cautious about the throw.

Starting point is 04:05:13 So the two stro a while, and the damsel found in him a strength, such as he had not absurd before, and said to him, O, Moslem, thou art now on thy metal. Yes, he replied, thou know'st that there remains to me but this one round, after which each of us will wend a different way. She laughed, and he laughed too.

Starting point is 04:05:40 Then she overreached at his thigh and caught firm hold of its unawares, which made him greet the ground, and fall full on his back. She laughed at him and said, Are thou an eater of bran? Thou are like a Badawis bonnet Which falls off with every touch, or else the father of winds that drops before a puff of air?

Starting point is 04:06:08 Fy upon thee, O thou poor thing! Adding, get thee back to the Muslim army and send us other than thyself, for thou fairest of those, and proclaim for us among the Arabs and Persians, the Turks, and Dalamites, whoso has might in him, let him come to us. Then she made a spring and landed on the other side of the stream, and said to Sharkan, laughing,

Starting point is 04:06:40 parting with thee is right grievous to me, O my lord, But get thee to thy mates before dawn, lest the knights come upon thee and pick thee up on their lance points. Thou hast no strength to defend thee against a woman. So how couldst thou hold thine own amongst men of might and knights? Sharkhan was confounded and called to her, as she turned from him, making towards the convent. Oh, my lady, wilt thou go away and leave the miserable stork. stranger, the broken-hearted slave of love? So she turned to him laughing and said, What is thy want? I will grant thee thy prayer. Have I set foot in thy country and taste the

Starting point is 04:07:29 sweetness of thy courtesy, replied he, and shall I return without eating of thy victual and tasting thy hospitality? I who have become one of thy servitors? None balk kindliness, save the base, she rejoined. Honor us in a last name, on my head and eyes be it, mount thy steed and ride along the brink of the stream over against me, for now thou art my guest. At this sharkan was glad, and, hastening back to his horse, mounted and walked him abreast of her, and she kept faring on till they came to a drawbridge, built of beams of the white poplar, hung by pullies, and steel chains, and made fast with hooks and padlocks. When Sharkhan looked, he saw awaiting her upon the bridge the same ten handmaids, whom she had thrown in the wrestling boats. And as she came up to them, she said to one in the Greek tongue, arise and take the reins of his horse and conduct him across into the convent.

Starting point is 04:08:40 So she went up to Sharkan and led him over, much puzzled and perturbed with what he saw and saying to himself oh would that the vassir dundan were here with me that his eyes might look upon these fairest of favours then he turned to the young lady and said to her o marvel of loveliness now i have two claims upon thee first the claim of good fellowship and secondly for that thou hast carried me to thy home and offered me thy hospitality i am now under thy commandance and thy guidance so do me one last favor by accompanying me to the lands of al islam where thou shalt look upon many a lion-hearted warrior and thou shalt learn who i am When she heard this she was angered and said to him, By the truth of the Messiah, Thou hast proved thyself with me a man of keen wit, But now I see what mischief therein in thy heart,

Starting point is 04:09:53 And how thou canst permit thyself a speech which proves thy traitor's intent? How should I do as thou say'st, When I wot that if I came to that king of yours, Omar bin Al-Nu-Ooman, I should never get free from him. For truly he has not the like of me, or behind his city walls or within his palace halls, Lord of Baghdad and of Korsan, though he be, who has built for himself twelve pavilions in number as the month of the year, and in each a concubine after the number of the days. And if I come to him, he would not prove shy of me.

Starting point is 04:10:36 me, for your folk believe I am lawful to have and hold, as is said in your writ, or those women whom your right hand shall possess as slaves. So how canst thou speak thus to me? As for thy saying, thou shalt look upon the braves of the Muslims. By the truth of the Messiah, thou say'st that which is not true, for I saw your eyes. army when it reached our land these two days ago, and I did not see that your ordinance was the ordinance of kings, but I beheld only a rabble of tribesmen gathered together. And as to thy words, thou shalt know who I am. I did not do thee kindness because of thy dignity, but out of pride in myself, and the like of thee should not talk thus to the like of me, even worth thou sharkan, Omar bin al-Numan's son, the profess name in these days.

Starting point is 04:11:46 Know'st thou sharkan? asked he, and she answered, yes, and I know of his coming with an army numbering ten thousand horsemen, also that he was sent by his sire with his force to prevalence for the King of Constantinople. O my lady, said Sharkhan, I adjure thee by the religion. Tell me the cause of all this, that sooth may appear to me clear of untruth, and with whom the fault lies. Now, by the virtue of thy faith, she replied, did I not fear, lest the news of me be brooded abroad, that I am of the daughters of Rome. I would adventure myself and Sally

Starting point is 04:12:37 forth single-handed against the ten thousand horsemen and slay their leader, the Vassir Dundan, and vanquish their champion Sharkan. Nor would ought of shame a crew to me thereby, for I have read books and studied the rules of good breeding in the language of the Arabs. But I have no need to want my own prowess to thee, more by token as thou hast proved in thy proper person my skill and strength in wrestling, and thou hast learned my superiority over other women. Nor indeed had Sharkan himself been here this night, and it were said to him, clear this stream, could he have done it, and I only long and lust that the Messiah would throw him into my hands in this very convent, that I might go forth to him in the habit of a man, and drag him from his saddle-seat, and make him my captive, and lay him in bilboes. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 04:13:52 End of Section 13 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Volume 2, Section 14. When it was the 48-night. She said, It has reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Nazarene damsel said to Sharkam, and he listening impatiently now,

Starting point is 04:14:53 Verily if Sharkan fell into my hands, I would go forth to him in the habit of a man, and drag him from his saddle-seat, and make him my captive and lay him in bill-boat. pride and passion and knightly jealousy took possession of him and he desired to discover and declare himself and to lay on load but her loveliness restrained him and he began repeating unfaulty of one fault the beauty prove her chance a thousand advocates shall move so she went up and sharkhan after her and when he saw the maiden's back and hinder cheeks that clashed against each other like rollers in the rolling sea he extemporized these couplets for her sins in a pleader that row and all hearts his fair pleading must bow when i saw it i cried to-night the moon at its fullest doth show thou balk his own if frit try about spite his force she would deal him a throw

Starting point is 04:16:05 the two fared on till they reached a gate over which rose a marble archway this she opened and ushered sharkan into a long vestibule vaulted with ten connected arches from each of which hung a crystal lamp glistening like a spark of fire the handmaids met her at the further end bearing wax candles of goodly perfume and wearing on their heads golden fillets trusted with all manner vessel gems and went on before her. Sharkhan still following, till they reached the inner convent. There the Muslims saw couches and sofas ranged all around, one opposite the other,

Starting point is 04:16:49 and all overhung with curtains flowered in gold. The monastery floor was paved with every kind of very-coloured marbles and mosaic work, and in the midst stood a basin that held forth and twenty jetting fountains of gold whence the water ran like molten silver whilst at the upper end stood a throne spread with silks fit only for kings then said the damsel ascend o my lord this throne so he went up to it and sat down and she withdrew to remain absent for some time sharkan asked of her from one of the sun servants who answered him, she has gone to her dormitory, but we will serve thee even as she ordered.

Starting point is 04:17:42 So they set before him beyond so rare varieties, and he ate his sufficiency, when they brought him a basin of gold and an ewer of silver, and he washed his hands. Then his thoughts reverted to his army, knowing not what he had befallen it in his absence, and calling to my own. And calling to my mind also how he had forgotten his father's injunctions so he was troubled about his case repenting of what he had done till the dawn broke and the day appeared when he lamented and sighed and became drowned in a sea of sadness and repeated i am not lost to prudence but indeed here i am bewildered what shall be my wreat would any aid me in mine ales of love by my own might and slate would I be freed. But ah, my heart is lost and passion shent. To none save Allah can I trust my need. When he ended his verse, behold, they came up to him a rare show and a fair more than twenty maidens, like crescents, encompassing the young lady, who shone in their midst

Starting point is 04:18:57 as the full moon among the constellations guarding and girding her. She was cladded, in brocades befitting kings. Her breasts were like twin palm-grenates, a woean sewn set with all kinds of jewels tightly clasped her waist, which expanded below into jutting hips, and her hindered cheeks stood out as a mound of crystal, supporting a silven shaft. When Sharkhan looked at her, his wits went nigh to fly away from him with delight, and he forgot army and vassir, as he gazed on her fair head decked and dyed with a network of pearls set off by divers sorts of gems handmaids on her right and handmaids on her left bore her train as she paced with dainty graceful gait in all the pride of seemly head he sprang to his feet seeing such beauty and loveliness and cried aloud beware and beware of that song rarely fair and broke out into these couplets with heavy back parts high breasts delicate and lissom form that swayes with swimming gait she deftly hides love longing in her breast but i may never hide its ban and bait while hosts and followers her steps proceed

Starting point is 04:20:25 like pearls now necklaced and now separate she gazed upon him for a long time and considered him till she was assured of him when she came up to him and said in very sooth the place is honoured and illumined by thee o sharkam how sped thy night o hero after we went away and left thee adding verily lying is a vile thing and a shameful especially in great kings, and thou art crowned Prince Sharkam, son and heir of King Omar bin Al-Numan, so henceforth make no secret of thy rank and condition, nor let me hear aught from thee but the truth, for leasing bequeatheth hate and despite, and as thou art peered by the shaft of fate, be resignation thine, and abide content to wait. When he heard her words he saw that artifice availed him not, and he acknowledged the truth, saying, I am Sharkan bin Omar, Al-Numan, whom fortune has afflicted and cast into this place.

Starting point is 04:21:40 So whatso thou wilt do it in my case? She hung her head groundwards a long while, then turned to him and said, Be of good cheer, and let thine eyes be cool and clear, for thou art the guest of my hospitality, and bread and salt hast made a tie between me and thee, wherefore thou art in my ward, and under my safeguard. Have no fear, for, by the truth of the Messiah, if all on earth sought to do thee hurt, they should not come at thee till life had left my body for thy sake indeed thou art now under the charge of the messiah and of me hereat she sat her down by his side and fell to playing with him till his alarm subsided and he knew that had she desired to slay him she would have done so during the past night presently she bespoke in the grecian tongue one of her slave-girls, who went away and soon came back, bringing a beaker and a tray of food.

Starting point is 04:22:51 But Sharkhan abstained from eating and said to himself, Happily she hath put somewhat in this meat. She knew what was in his thought, so she turned to him and said, Why, the truth of the Messiah, the case is not on such wise, nor is there aught in this meat of what thou suspectest. had my mind been set on slaying thee, I had slain thee ere now. Then she walked up to the tray, and ate of every dish a mouthful, whereupon Sharkhan came forward, and ate too. She was pleased at this, and both ate till they were satisfied.

Starting point is 04:23:36 They washed their hands, and after that she rose and ordered a handmaid to bring perfumes and herbs of sweet savour. wines of all colors and kinds, and a wine service with vessels of gold, silver and crystal. She filled a first goblet and drank it off before offering it to him, even as she had done with the food. Then she crowned a second and handed it to him. He drank, and she said to him, O Muslim, see how thou art here in all solace and delight of life. and she ceased not to drink and ply him with drink till he took leave of his wits anne shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say

Starting point is 04:24:30 end of section fourteen of the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two read by laurge rolander section fifteen volume two of the book of a thousand nights and a night translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libri-Vox recording. All Libre-Vox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 15. When it was the 49th night, she said,

Starting point is 04:25:23 It has reached me, O auspicious king, that the damsel ceased not to drink and ply sharkan with drink, till he took leave of his wits, for the wine and the intoxication of love he bore her. Presently she said to the slave girl, O Marjana, bring us some instruments of music. to hear is to obey said the handmaid and going out returned in the twinkling of an eye with the damascus lute a persian harp a tartar pipe and an egyptian dulcimer the young lady took the lute and after tuning each several string began in gentle undersong to sing softer than seafers wing and sweeter than tasmin spring with heart safe and safe and seafin spring with heart safe and secure from everything the couplets following allah assain those aine what streams of blood they shed how many an arrow glance those lids of thine have sped i love all lovers who to lovers show them cure twere wrong to rue the love in wrong head born and bred haply fall hapless eye for thee no sleeping cans. Heaven help the hapless heart by force of thee misled. Thou dooms me to death who art my king and I, ransom with life the deemster who would doom me dead. Thereupon each and every of the maidens rose up, and taking an instrument, played and recited couplets in the roomy tongue. Then their mistress sang also, and seeing

Starting point is 04:27:19 Sharkhan in ecstasies asked him, O Muslim, dost thou understand what I say? And he answered, Nay, my ecstasy comes from the beauty of thy finger sips, she laughed and continued, If I sing to thee in Arabic, what wouldst thou do? I should no longer, quoth he, be master of my senses. Then she took her.

Starting point is 04:27:49 an instrument, and changing the measure, began singing these verses. The smack of parting smir to me, How then bear patience Alv. I'm girl'd by ills in Trinity, Severance, distance, cruelty. My freedom stole that fairest she, and partaking irks me bitterly. When she ended her verse, she looked at Sharkan, and found him lost to existence, and he lay for a while stretched at full length and prone among the maidens. Then he revived, and remembering the songs, again inclined to mirth and merriment, and the twain returned to their wine and vassal, and continued their playing and toying.

Starting point is 04:28:44 Their pastime and pleasure till day ceased, illuminating, and night drooped her wing. Then the damsel went off to her dormitory, and when Sharkhan asked after her, they answered, She's gone to her sleeping chamber, where to he rejoined, under Allah's ward and his good card. As soon as it was morning, a handmaid came to him and said to him, My mistress biddeth thee to her. So he rose and followed her, and, as he drew near her lodging, the damsel welcome, him with smitten tablets and songs of greeting, and led him through a great door of ivory, studded with pearls and jewels.

Starting point is 04:29:33 Thence they passed with him into a tall and spacious hall, at the upper end of which was a wide dyes carpeted with all kinds of silks, and round it open lattices, commanding a view of trees and streams. About the saloon were figures carved in human form, and fashioned on such wise that the air passed through them, and set in motion musical instruments within, so that the beholder would fancy they spoke. Here sat the young lady, looking at the figures, but when she saw Sharkan, she sprang to her feet, and, taking him by the hand, made him sit down by her side. and asked him how he had passed the night. He blessed her and the two sat talking a while till she asked him. Know'st thou aught touching lovers and slaves of love?

Starting point is 04:30:31 And he answered, yes, I wot somewhat inverse on that matter. Let me hear it, quots she, so he began quoting. Pleasure and health, good cheer, good appetite, To Asa freest with our name and fame. By Allah would I near her, off she flies. A tangent granting, less the more I claim, I dot on Asa, but when clear I off. My rivals clears me too, that dearest dame.

Starting point is 04:31:07 Like wandering white that choose, for shade a cloud, Which e'er see a stadun thin air became. When she heard this, she said, verily al-kutair was conspicuous for sweet speech and chaste and he was superlative in his praise of assa when he sang and she began to recite did assadil behest to sun unnoon the judge had judged her beauties bestest boon and girls who come to me and carp at her god make the rosy cheeks her sandalshoon And indeed, quoth she, it was said that Asa boasted exceeding beauty and loveliness. Then she asked Sharkan, saying, O prince, cost thou know aught of Jamil's verses of Butaina, If so, repeat to us somewhat of them. And he answered, Yes, I know them better than any,

Starting point is 04:32:16 Whereupon he began, repeating these couplets. Jamil in holy war go fight, To me they say, What war save fight for fair ones would I ever essay? To me their every word and work are mere delight, And martyrs' crip I all they slay in fight and fray, And ask I, O Buteina, what's this love I pray? which eats my heart quoth she twill stay for ever and a and when i cry o wits return some small display for daily use quat she far far tis fled away

Starting point is 04:33:02 thou seek'st my death not else thy will can satisfy while i no goal espy save thee and thee all way thou hast spoken right well said she o king's son and jammel also spoke excellently well but what would butaina have done with him that he says in his hemistish thou seek'st my death not else thy will can satisfy o my lady quoth sharkan she wills to do him what thou wilt to do with me and even that will not satisfy thy. She laughed at his opportune reply, and they ceased not carousing till day, put out her light, and night came in darkness tight. Then she rose and went to her dormitory and slept, while Charkhan slept in his place till morning dawned. As soon as he awoke, the handmaids came to him with tablets and other instruments of mirth and merriment, as want, and kissing the ground between his hands, said to him,

Starting point is 04:34:17 Bismilla, in Allah's name, be so kind as to come, our mistress biddeth thee to her presence. So he rose and accompanied the slave-girls who surrounded him, playing on tablets and other instruments of music, till they passed from that saloon into another and yet more spacious hall, decorated with pictured likenesses and figures of birds and beasts. passing all description. Sharkhan marvelled at the art and artifice of the place, and began reciting.

Starting point is 04:34:54 He plucks fruits of her necklace in revelry, and her breast-pearls that bedded in gold mine lie. Pure water on silver bars is her brow, and her cheeks show roses with ruby's vye. Me seems in her eyne that the vire, violet's hue, lies purpling set in the Ithmids dye. When the lady saw Sharkhan, she stood up to him in honour and, taking his hand, seated him by her side and asked. O son of King Omar bin Al-Numan, hast thou any cunning in the game of chess?

Starting point is 04:35:37 Yes, he answered, but do not thou with me as said the poet. I speak, and longing love upties me and unties me, Till with her honeydew of inner lip she plies me. I brought the chessboard, and my leafist lover plays me, with white and black, but black come white never satisfies me. It was as if king for castle I were fain'd to place me, till will for loss of game at wicks'd to queen surprise me. and if i seek to read intent in eyes that eye me o man that glance askance with hint of wish defies me then she brought the chess-board and played with him but sharkan instead of looking at her moose kept gazing at her fair mouth and putting night in place of elephant an elephant instead of night she laughed and said to him if thy play be after this fashion thou know'st not of the game this is only our first replied he judge not by this bout when she beat him he replaced the pieces in position and played again with her but she beat him a second time a third a fourth and a fifth so she turned to him and said thou art beaten in everything

Starting point is 04:37:11 and he replied o my lady how should one playing with the like of thee avoid being beaten then she bade bring food and they ate and washed their hands after which the wine was set before them and they drank presently she took the dulcimer for her hand was cunning in smiting it and she began repeating to an accompaniment these couplets twixt the close-tide and open wide no medium fortune know't now ebb and flow then flow and ebb this wiser likeness shows then drink her wine the sign she's thine and smiling thou dost find her anon she'll fall unfair way when all thy good forth goes they cease not carouse till nightfall and this day was pleasanter ever than the first when darkness set in the lady betook her to her dormitory leaving him alone with the handmaids so he threw himself on the ground and slept till dawn when the damsels came to him with tambourines and other instruments according to custom. Seeing them he roused him hastily, and sat up, and they carried him to their mistress, who came to meet him, and, taking him by the hand, seated him by her side. Then she asked him how he had passed his night, whereat he prayed that her life be prolonged, and she took the

Starting point is 04:38:49 and sang through these verses which she improvised. Never incline thee to part which embitters the heart, Even the sun when he sets shall in pallor depart. While they were solacing themselves after this fashion, Behold there arose a great and sudden clamor, And a confused crowd of knights and men rushed in, holding drawn swords that glittered and gleamed in their hands, and cried aloud in the Grecian tongue. Thou hast fallen into our hands, O Sharkan, so make thee sure of death.

Starting point is 04:39:32 When he heard this he said himself, By Allah, she has entrapped me and held me in play till her men should come. These are the knights with whom she threatened me, but it is I who have thrown myself into this strait, Then he turned towards the young lady to reproach her, but saw that she had changed colour, and her face was pale, and she sprang to her feet and asked the crowd, Who are ye? O most gracious princess and peerless onion-pearl, answered the leading knight,

Starting point is 04:40:08 dost thou wit who is yon man by thy side? Not I, she replied, who may he be? Quas the patrician, This is of towns the highway man. This is he who rides in the horseman's van. This is Sharkan, son of King Omar bin Al-Numan. This is he that forces fortallis and penetrates every impregnable place. The news of him reached King Hardug, thy father, by report of the ancient dame,

Starting point is 04:40:44 Sat al-Dawai. and thy sire our sovereign has made sure that thou hast rendered good service to the army of the greeks by taking captive this omnus lion when she heard this she looked at the knight and asked him what be thy name and he answered i am mazura son of thy slave masura bin kasharda knight of knights And how, quoth she, durst thou enter my presence without leave? Quoth he, O my lady, when I came to the gate none forbade me, neither chamberlain nor porter, but all the door-keepers rose and forewent us as of want, although when others come they leave them standing at the gate while they ask permission to admit them. But this is not a time for long talking, when the king,

Starting point is 04:41:43 is expecting our return with this prince, the scorpion sting of the Islamitic host, that he may kill him and drive back his men whither they came, without the bane of battling with them. These words be ill words, rejoined the princess, and Dame Sat al-Dawahi lied, A vouching an idle thing and a vein Whereof she weateth not the truth For by the virtue of the Messiah This man who is with me is not Sharkan Nor is he a captive

Starting point is 04:42:22 But a stranger who came to us seeking our hospitality And I made him my guest So even were we assured that this be Sharkan And where it proved to us that it is he beyond a doubt I say it would ill befit mine honour that I should deliver into your hands one who has entered under my protection. So make me not a traitor to my guest and a disgrace among men, but return to the king my father, and kiss the ground before him, and inform him that the case is contrary wise to the report of the lady Sat al-Dabahi. Oh, Abri-sa, replied Masura, the name.

Starting point is 04:43:07 night, I cannot return to the king's majesty without his stepter an enemy. Quoth she, and indeed she had waxed very wrath. Out on thee, return to him with my answer, and no blame shall before thee. Quoth Masura, I will not return without him. Thereupon her colour changed, and she exclaimed, exceed not in talk and vain words, for verily this man had not come into us, were he not assured that he could of himself and single-handed make head against an hundred riders. And if I said to him, thou art Charkan, son of King Omar bin Al-Numan, he would answer yes, but it is not of your competence to let or hinder him, for if you do so he will not turn back. from you till he has slain all that are in this place. Behold, here he is by my side, and I will bring him before your sword and targe in his hand. All bade I were safe from thy wrath, answered Masura the knight. I am not safe from that of thy father, and when I see him, I shall sign to thee knights to take him captive, and we will carry him to the king bound and in abject sort.

Starting point is 04:44:35 When she heard this, she said, The matter shall not pass thus, for it would be blazening mere folly. This man is but one, and ye are an hundred knights, so if you would attack him, come out against him, one after one, that it may appear to the king which is the valiant amongst you, and Shara Sad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 15 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander.

Starting point is 04:45:22 Section 16, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public. domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 16. When it was the 50th night, she said,

Starting point is 04:45:57 It hath reached me, of auspicious king, that Princess Abriza said to the knight, This man is but one, and ye are a hundred, So if he would attack him, come out against him, one after one, That it may appear to the king, which is the valiant. Quoth Musura the knight, But the truth of the Messiah thou sayest sooth, And none but I shall sally out against him first. Quoth she,

Starting point is 04:46:30 Wait till I go to him, and acquaint him with a case, and hear what answer he will make. If he consent, he is well, but if he refused, he shall not know why is come to him, for I and my handmaids, and whosoever is in the convent will be his ransom. So she went to Sharkan and told him the news whereat he smiled, and knew that she had not informed any of the emirs, But that tidings of him had been brooded and blazed abroad Till the report reached the king against her wish and intent

Starting point is 04:47:10 So he again began reproaching himself and said How came I to adventure and play with my life by coming to the country of the Greeks? But hearing the young lady's proposal he said to her Indeed their own set one after one would be only overbordonsome to them. Will they not come out against me ten by ten? That would be villainy, said she. Let one have it one. When he heard this, he sprang to his feet and made for them with his sword and battle gear, and Musra, the knight, also sprang up and bore down upon him. Sharkan met him like a lion and delivered a shoulder-cut, which clove

Starting point is 04:47:59 him to the middle, and the blade came out gleaming and glittering from his back and bowels. When the lady beheld the swashing blow, Sharkhan's might was magnified in her side, and she knew that when she overthrew him in the wrestle, it was not by her strength, but by her beauty and loveliness. So she turned to the knights and said, Take Rick for your chief. Thereupon out came the slain man's brother, A fierce and furious knight, And rushed upon Charkin,

Starting point is 04:48:37 Who delayed not, But smote him also with a shoulder cut, And the sword came out glittering from his vitals. Then cried the princess, O ye servants of the Messiah, Avenge your comrade! So they ceased the knot charging down upon him, One after one after one.

Starting point is 04:48:57 And Charkin also ceased not playing upon them with a blade, till he had slain fifty knights, the lady looking on the while. And Allah cast a panic into the hearts of the survivors, so that they held back and dared not meet him in the duel, but fell upon him in a body, and he laid on load with heart firmer than a rock, and smote them and trod them down, like straw under the threshings lead, till had driven scents and soul out of them. Then the princess called aloud to her damsels, saying, Who is left in the convent?

Starting point is 04:49:44 And they replied, None but the gatekeepers. Whereupon she went up to Sharkand and took him to her bosom, he doing the same. and they returned to the palace after he had made an end of the milly. Now there remained a few of the knights, hiding from him in the cells of the monastery, and when the princess saw this, she rose from Sharkand's side and left him for a while, but presently came back clad in closely mashed coat of ring mail

Starting point is 04:50:18 and holding in her hand a fine Indian scimitar, and she said, Now, by the truth of the Messiah, I will not be a kneeguard of myself for my guest, nor will I abandon him, though for this I abide a reproach and by word in the land of the Greeks. Then she took reckoning of the dead and found that he had slain fourscore of the knights, and other twenty had taken to flight. When she saw what work he had made with them, she said to him, Allah bless thee, O Sharkhan, the cavaliers may well glory in the like of thee.

Starting point is 04:51:03 Then he rose, and wiping his blade clean of the blood of slain, began reciting these couplets. How often the melee I've cleft the array, and given their bravest two lions a prey. Ask of me and of them, when I proved me proud, over creation on days of the foray and fray. When I left in the onslaught their lions to lay, On the sand of the lowlands in fieriest day. When he ended his verse, The princess came up to him with smiles and kissed his hand. Then she doped her harbor, and he said to her,

Starting point is 04:51:45 O lady mine, Wherefore didst thou don that coat of mail and bear thy brand? To guard thee against these catives, she replied. Then she summoned the gatekeepers and asked them, How came ye to admit the king's knights into my dwelling without leave of me? And they answered, O princess, it is not our custom to ask leave of thee for the king's messengers, and especially for the chief of his knights. Quoth she, I think you were minded only to disgrace me and murder my guest.

Starting point is 04:52:23 and bad Sharkin smite their necks. He did so, and she cried to the rest of her servants, of a truth they deserved even more than that. Then turning to Sharkin, she said to him, Now that there hath become manifest to thee what was concealed, thou shalt be made acquainted with my history. Know, then, that I am the daughter of King Ardub of Rome. My name is Habrizah, and the ancient dame Eclap Zat al-Dawahee is my grandmother by the sword's side.

Starting point is 04:53:03 She, it certainly is, who told my father of thee, and as surely she will compass as light to slay me. More by token as thou hast slain my father's chivalry, and it is noised abroad that I have separated myself from the Nazareans, and have become no better than I should be with the Muslims. Wherefore it were wiser that I leave this dwelling while Zat al-Dawahee is on my track. But I require of thee the like kindness and courtesy I have shown thee, for enmity will surely befall between me and my father on thine account. So do not thou neglect to do aught that I shall say to thee,

Starting point is 04:53:49 remembering all these betide in me, not save, by reason of thee. Hearing her words, Sharkhan joyed greatly. His breast broadened, and his wits flew from him for delight. And he said,

Starting point is 04:54:08 By Allah, none shall come at thee, while life is in my bosom. But hast thou patience to bear parting from thy parents and thy people? Even so, she answered, and Charkin swore to her, and the two plighted their troth. Then said she, Now is my heart at ease, but there remaineth one other condition for thee. What is it? asked he, and she answered, It is that thou return with thy host to thine own country. Quoth he, O lady mine, my father, king O Mark, The Carbina al-Numann sent me to wage war upon thy sire, on account of the treasure he plundered from the King of Constantinople, and amongst the rest three great jewels, noted givers of good fortune.

Starting point is 04:55:03 Quoth she, Cheer thy heart, and clear thine eyes, I will tell thee the whole of the tale and the cause of our feud with the King of Constantinople. Know that we have a yearly festival, Hise the convent feast. We are at kings from all quarters and the noblest women are wont to congregate, thither also some merchants and traders with their wives and families, and the visitors abide there seven days. I was wont to be one of them, but when there befell enmity between us, my father forbade me to be present at the festival for the space of seven years. One year it chanced that amongst the daughters of the great who resorted to the patron,

Starting point is 04:55:55 as was their custom, came a daughter of the King of Constantinople, a beautiful girl named Sophia. They tarried at the monastery six days, and on the seventh the folk went their ways. But Sophia said, I will not return to Constantinople, save by water. So they equipped for her a ship, in which she embarked with her suite. And making sail they put out to sea. But as they were voyaging, behold, a contrary wind caught them and drove the vessel from her course till, as fate and fortune would have it.

Starting point is 04:56:36 She fell it with the Nazarean craft from the Canfor Island, carrying a crew of 500 armed francs, who had been cruising about a long time. When they sighted the sails of the ship wherein Sophia and her women were, they gave chase in all haste, and in less than an hour they came up with her. Then they laid the grappling irons aboard her and captured her. Then taking her in tow, they made all sail for their own island, and were but a little distant from it, when the wind veered round, and splitting their sails, drove them onto a shoal which lies off our coast.

Starting point is 04:57:22 Thereupon we sailed forth, and, looking on them as spoil driven to us by fate, boarded and took them, and slaying the man, made prize of the wreck, wherein we found the treasures and rarities in question, and forty maidens, amongst whom was the king's daughter, Sophia. After the capture, we carried a princess and her women to my father, not knowing her to be a daughter of King Afridun of Constantinople, and he chose out for himself ten, including her, and divided the rest among his dependents. Presently he set apart five dams, and he set apart five damsels, amongst whom was the king's daughter, and sent them to thy father, King Omar bin al-Numann, together with other gifts, such as broadcloth, and woolen staffs, and Grecian silts.

Starting point is 04:58:21 Thy father accepted them, and chose out from amongst the five girls, Sophia, daughter of of King Afridun, nor did we hear more of her till the beginning of this year, when her father wrote to my father in words unfitting for me to repeat, rebuking him with menaces and saying to him, Two years ago you plundered a ship of ours which had been seized by a band of Frankish pirates, in which was my daughter, Sophia, attended by her maidens numbering some threescore. Yet he informed me not thereof by messenger or otherwise. Nor could I make the matter public, lest reproach befall me amongst the kings, by reason of my daughter's honor. So I concealed my case till this year, when I wrote to certain Frankish corsairs,

Starting point is 04:59:19 who sought news of my daughter from the kings of the Isles. By Allah we carried her not forth of thy realm, but we have heard that King Hardub rescued her from certain pirates, and they told me the whole tale. Then he added in the writing, which he read to my father, Except you wish to be at feud with me, and design to disgrace me and dishonor my daughter, you will, the instant my letter reaches you,

Starting point is 04:59:53 send my daughter back to me. But if you slight my letter and disobey my commandment, I will assuredly make you full return for your foul dealing and the baseness of your practices. When my father read this letter and understood the contents, it vexed him and he regretted not having known that Sophia, King Afridun's daughter, was among the captured themselves that he might have sent her back to her sire. And he was perplexed about the case because, after Soledon's daughter, long a time, he could not send to King Omar bin al-Numann and demand her back from him, especially as he had lately heard that heaven had granted him boon of babe by this Sophia.

Starting point is 05:00:46 So when we pondered that truth, we knew that this letter was none other but grievous calamity, and my father found nothing for it but to write an answer to King Afridun, making his excuses and swearing to him by strong oath, that he knew not his daughter to be among the bevy of damsels in the ship, and setting forth how he had sent her to King Omar bin al-Numan, who had gotten the blessing of Ischu by her. When my father's reply reached King Afridun, he rose up and sat down, and roared and foam at the mouth, crying,

Starting point is 05:01:29 What? Shall he take captive my daughter, and even her with slave girls, and pass her on from hand to hand, sending her for a gift to kings, and they lie with her without marriage contract? By the Messiah and the true faith, said he, I will not desist till I have taken my blood vengeance for this, and have wiped out my shame. and indeed I will do a deed which the chroniclers should chronicle after me. So he bided his time, till he devised a device and laid notable toils and snares, when he sent an embassy to thy father, King Omar, to tell him that which thou hast heard. Accordingly, thy father kept thee and an army with thee, and sent thee to King Afridun, whose object is to seize thee and thine army to boot. As for the three jewels whereof he told thy father, when asking his aid,

Starting point is 05:02:40 there was not one soothfast word in that matter, for they were with Sophia, his daughter, and my father took them from her when he got possession of her and of bird maidens, and gave them to me in free gift. And they are now with me, So go thou to thy host, and turn them back, here they be led deep into, and shut in by, the land of the babies of damsels in the ship, and setting forth the francs and the country of the Greeks. For as soon as you have come far enough into their interior, they will stop the roads upon you,

Starting point is 05:03:21 and there will be no escape for you till the day of retribution and retaliation. I know that thy troops are still holding where thou leftest them, because thou didst order at three days rest, with all they have missed thee all this time, and they wot not what to do. When Sharkhan heard her words, he was absent a while in thought. Then he kissed Princess Abriza's hand and said, Praise be to Allah, who hath bestowed thee on me,

Starting point is 05:03:59 and appointed thee to be the cause of my salvation, and the salvation of Huzo is with me. But it is grievous to me to part from thee, and I know not what will become of thee after my departure. Go now to thine army, she replied, and turn them back while ye are yet near your own country. If the envoys be still with them, lay hand on them and keep them. that the case may be made manifest to you. And after three days, I will be with you, and we will enter Baghdad together. As he turned to depart, she said, Forget not the compact which is between me and thee.

Starting point is 05:04:49 Then she rose to bid him farewell, and embrace him and quench the fire of desire. So she took leave of him, and throwing her arms round his neck. Wept with exceeding weeping, and repeated these verses. I bade adieu. My right hand wiped my tears away, the while my left hand held her in a close embrace. Fearest thou not, quoth she of shame? I answered, Nay, the lover's parting day is lovers' worst disgrace. Then Sharkhan left her and walked down from the cabin.

Starting point is 05:05:35 They brought his steed, so he mounted and rode downstream to the drawbridge, which he crossed and presently threaded the woodland paths, and passed into the open middle. As soon as he was clear of the trees, he was aware of horsemen, which made him stand on the alert, and he bared his brand and rode cautiously. But as they drew near and exchanged curious looks, he recognized them, and behold, it was the wazir Dundan and two of his emirs. When they saw him and knew him, they dismounted, and saluting him, asked the reason of his absence, whereupon he told them all that had passed between him and Princess Abriza from first to last.

Starting point is 05:06:25 The wazir returned to the last. thanks to Almighty Allah for his safety, and said, Let us at once leave these lands, For the envoys who came with us are gone to inform the king of our approach, And happily he will hasten to fall on us and take us prisoners. So Sharkan cried to his man to saddle and mount, which they did, And setting out at once, they stinted not, Faring till they reached the soul of the valley wherein the host lay.

Starting point is 05:06:56 The ambassadors, meanwhile, had reported Sharkhan's approach to their king, who forthright equipped a host to lay hold of him and those with him. But Sharkin, escorted by the Wazir Dundan and the two emirs, had no sooner sighted the army, that he raised the cry, March! March! They took horse on the instant, and fared through the first day and second and third day, Nor did they cease faring for five days, at the end of which time they alighted in a well-wooded valley,

Starting point is 05:07:35 where they rested a while. Then they again set out and stayed not riding for five and twenty days, which placed them on the frontiers of their own country. Here, deeming themselves safe, they halted to rest. And the country people came out to them with guest gifts for the men and preventer and forage for their beasts. They tarried there two days, after which, as all would be making for their homes,

Starting point is 05:08:05 Sharkhan put the Vazir Dandan in command, bidding him lead the host back to Baghdad. But he himself remained behind with an hundred riders, till the rest of the army had made one day's march. Then he called to horse, and mounted with his hundred men. They rode on to Parasang's space Till they arrived at a gorge between two mountains and low There arose before them a dark cloud of sand and dust

Starting point is 05:08:36 So they checked their steeds a while till the dusts opened and lifted Discovering beneath it and hundred cavaliers Lion faced and in male coat cased As soon as they drew within ear shot of Sharkan and his mani they cried out to them, saying, By the virtue of John and Mary, we have won to our wish. We have been following you by forced marches, night and day, till we forewent you to this place.

Starting point is 05:09:08 So dismount and lay down your arms and yield yourselves that we may grant you your lives. When Sharkan heard this, his eyes stood out from his head, and his cheek flushed red, and his head, How is it of Nazarian dogs? He dare enter our country and overmatch our land? And doth not this suffice you, but you must adventure yourselves and address us in such unseemly speech?

Starting point is 05:09:39 Do you think to escape out of our hands and return to your country? Then he shouted to his hundred horsemen. Up and at these hounds, for they even you in number. So saying, He bared his sabre, and bore down on them, he and his, But the Franks met them with hearts firmer than rocks, And white dashed against white, And night dashed upon night, And hot waxed the fight, And sore was a fright, And nor parley not cries or quarter helped their plight.

Starting point is 05:10:18 And they stinted not to charge and to smite. might, right hand meeting right, nor to hack and hue with blades bright white, till day turned to night, and gloom oppressed the sight. Then they drew apart, and Charkin mastered his men, and found none wounded, save four only, who showed hurts but not death hurts. Said he to them, By Allah, my life long have I waited in the clashing sea of fight, and I have met many a gallant sprite, but none so unfrightened of the sword that smites, and the shock of men that affrights like these valiant knights.

Starting point is 05:11:06 No, O king, said they, that there is among them a Frankish cavalier who is their leader, and indeed he is a man of valor, and fatal is his spear thrust. But by Allah, he spares us, great and small, For Huzo falls into his hands, he lets him go and forbears to slay him. By Allah, had he willed, he had killed us all. Sharkand was astounded when he heard what the knight had done, and such high report of him. So he said, When the morn shall morrow, we will draw out and defy them, For we are an hundred to their hundred, and we will seek aid. against them from the Lord of the heavens.

Starting point is 05:11:56 So they rested that night in such intent, whilst the Franks gathered around their captain and said, Verily this day we did not win our will of these, And he replied, At early dawn, when the morrow shall mourn, We will draw out and challenge them, one after one. They also rested in that mind. And both camps kept guard until Almighty Allah send the light of day dawn.

Starting point is 05:12:29 Thereupon King Sharkin and his hundred riders took horse and rode forth to the plain, where they found the Franks ranged in line of battle. And Sharkin said to his followers, Our foes have determined like ourselves to do their devourier, So up and at them and lay on load. Then came forth and herald of the Franks, and cried out, saying, Let there be no general engagement between us this day, save by the duel, A champion of yours against a champion of ours. Whereupon one of Sharkhan's riders dashed out from their hands,

Starting point is 05:13:13 And craved between the two lines, crying, Oh, who is for smiting? Let no dastard engage me this day, nor neitherling. Hardly had he made an end of his vaunt, when they're sallied forth to him a Frankish cavalier, armed cappépie-p-pye, and clad in a surcoat of gold staff, riding on a grey-white steed,

Starting point is 05:13:39 and he had no hair on his cheeks. He urged his charger onto the midst of the battle-plane, and the two fell to daring dew of cut and thrust, but it was not long before the frank point the Muslim with a lance point, and toppling him from his steed, took him prisoner, and led him off crestfallen. His folk rejoiced in their comrade, and forbidding him to go out again to the field, sent forth another, to whom sallied out another Muslim, brother to the captive, and offered him battle.

Starting point is 05:14:20 The two fell to, either against other, and fought for a little while, till the Frank bore down upon the Muslim, and, forcing him with a faint, tumbled him by a thrust of the land's heel from his dustier, and took him prisoner. After this fashion, the Muslims ceased not dashing forwards, one after one, and the Franks to unhors them and take them captive, till they depart. and the night with darkness upstarted. Now they had captured of the Muslims twenty cavaliers, and when Charkin saw this, it was grievous to him, and he mastered his men and said to them,

Starting point is 05:15:06 What is this thing that hath befallen us? Tomorrow I myself will go forth to the field and offer singular combat to their chief, and learned what is the cause of his entering up. our land, and warn him against doing battle with our band. If he persist, we will punish him with death, and if he prove peaceable, we will make peace with him. They write it on this wise, till Allah Almighty caused the mourn to dawn, when mounting the

Starting point is 05:15:42 twain, and drew up for battle feign. And Charkin was going forth to the plain, but behold, More than one half of the francs dismounted and remained on foot before one of them who was mounted, till they reached the midst of the battle-plane. Sharkhan looked at that horseman, and lo! He was their chief. He was clad in a surcoat of blue satin and a close-ringed male shirt. His face was as the moon when it rises, and no hair was upon his cheeks. He hent in hand an Indian scimitar, and he rode a sable steed with a white blaze on brow,

Starting point is 05:16:27 Like a deer ham, and he smote the horse with heel till he stood almost in the midst of the field. When signing to the Muslims, he cried out in fluent Arab speech. O Sharkhan! Oh, son of Omar bin al-Numan! Oh, thou who forcest fortallis, and overthrowest cities and countries, Up and out to battle bout, And blade single-handed wield,

Starting point is 05:16:57 With one who halves with thee the field, Thou are prince of thy people, and I am prince of mine, And whose overcomes the adversary, Him let the other's men obey, And come under his sway. Hardly had he ended his speech, When out came Sharkin with a heart full of fuel, and urging his teeth into the midst of the field, closed like a raging lion with the Franks,

Starting point is 05:17:26 who encountered him with weariness and steadfastness, and met him with the meeting of warriors. Then they fell to foining and hewing, and they stinted not of onset and offset, and give and take, as they were two mountains clashing together, or two seas together dashing, nor did they cease fighting until day darkened, and nights darkened. Then they drew apart, and each returned to his own party. But as soon as Sharkin forgathered with his comrades, he said, Never looked eye on the like of this cavalier. He hath one quality I have not yet seen in any,

Starting point is 05:18:12 And this it is that, when his foeman uncovereth a place for a death. blow, he reverseth his weapon, and smitheth with a lance heel. In very deed, I know not what will be the issue to extreem and me, but is my wish that he had in our host his like and the like of his men. Then he went to his rest for the night, and when morning dawned, the frank came forth and rode down to the midfield, where Sharkhan met him. and they fell to fighting and to wheeling, left and right, and necks were stretched out to see the sight, nor did they stink from strife and sword lay and lunge of lends with mane and might, till the day turned to night, and darkness overwhelmed the light.

Starting point is 05:19:10 Then the twain drew asunder and returned each to his own camp, were both related to their comrades what had befallen them in the duel. And at last the Frank said to his men, Tomorrow shall decide the matter. So they both passed the night restfully till dawn, And as soon as it was day, They mounted, and each bore down on another, And cease not to fight till half the day was done.

Starting point is 05:19:43 Then the Frank bethought him of a rule, first urging his steed with heel, and then checking him with the rain, so that he stumbled and fell with his rider. Thereupon Sharkan threw himself on the foe, and would have smittened him with a sword, fearing lest strife be prolonged, when the Frank cried out to him, O Sharkan, champions are not wont to do thus. This is the act of a man accustomed to be beaten by a woman. a woman. When Charkin heard this, he raised his eyes to the Frank's face, and gazed

Starting point is 05:20:22 insteadfastly at him, recognized in him Princess Abriza, with whom that pleasant adventure had befallen him in the convent. Whereupon he cast Bran from hand, and kissing the earth before her asked her, What move thee to a deed like this? And she answered, I desire to prove thy prowess afield, and test thy doughtiness in tilting and jousting. These that are with me are my handmaids, and they are all clean mates, yet they have vanquished thy horsemen in fair press and stress of playing, and had not my steeds stumbled up with me, thou shouldst have seen my might and prowess in combat. Sharkhan smiled at her speech and said, be to Allah for safety, and for my reunion with thee, O queen of the age. Then she cried out to

Starting point is 05:21:23 her damsels to lose the twenty captives of Sharkhan's troop and dismount. They did as she bade, and came and kissed the earth before her and Sharkan, who said to them, It is the like of you that kings keep in store for the need hour. Then he signed to his comrades to salute the princess, saw all alighted and kissed the earth before her, for they knew the story. After this, the whole two hundred took horse and fared on night and day for six days' space till they drew near to Baghdad, when they halted and Sharkhan Beda-Brizah and her handmaids doff the Frankish garb that was on them. And Shara Zad, perceived, and she was the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 05:22:21 End of Section 16 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 17, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit you. visit Librivox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin.

Starting point is 05:22:54 The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 17. When it was the 51st night, she said, It hath reached me of auspicious king. The Sharkhan bade Princess Abriza and her damsels doff the garb that was on them, and donned the garments of daughters of Greece, and thus did they. Then he dispatched a comfort of her of his companions to Baghdad to acquaint his father of Marbino Al-Numan with his arrival and report that he was accompanied by Princess Abrizah, daughter of King Hardup, Lord of Grecieland. They halted forthright in the place they had reached, and Sharkhan also halted, and all righted

Starting point is 05:23:43 there. And when Almighty Allah made more nigh dawn, Sharkhan and his company and Abriza and her company, took horse, and fared on towards the city, when lo, on the way they met the wazir Dandan, who had come out amongst a thousand horse to honor Abriza and Charkhan, by a special commandment of King Omar, son of Al-Muman. When the two drew near, they turned towards them and kissed ground before them. Then they mounted again and escorted them into the city, and went up with them to the palace. Sharkhan walked into his father, who rose and embraced him and questioned him of his case.

Starting point is 05:24:29 So he told him all that Abriza had told him, and what had passed between them and said, She hath parted from her sire, and departed from her reign, and hath chosen to take part with us, and make her abode with us. And indeed, he said to his father, the King of Constantinople hath plotted to do as a mischief, because of his daughter Sophia, for that the King of Greece had made known to him her story, and the cause of her being given to thee, and he, the Grecian king, not knowing her to be daughter of King Afridun, Lord of Constantinople, and had it known that he would not have bestowed her upon thee, but he would have restored her to her parents.

Starting point is 05:25:17 And of a verity, he continued, we were saved from these perils only by the Lady Abrisa, and never saw we a more valiant than she. And he went on to tell his father all that had passed from first to last of the wrestling and the single fighting. When King Omar heard the story of Sharkan, Abriza was exalted in his eyes, and he longed to see her and question her. Thereupon Sharkhan went out to her and said, The king calleth for thee. She replied, I hear and I obeyed.

Starting point is 05:25:57 And he took her and brought her in to his father, who was seated on his throne, and who, having dismissed his eye-officers, was attended only by his eunuchs. The princess entered and kissing the ground between his hands, saluted him in choice terms. He was amazed at her eloquent speech And thanked her for her dealing with his son, Sharkhan

Starting point is 05:26:22 And bade her be seated So she sat down and unveiled her face And when the king saw her beauty His reason fled his head And he made her draw near and showed her favor Appointing her in a special palace for herself and her damsels And assigning them sold and allowances Then began he to ask her of the three jewels aforesaid, and she answered,

Starting point is 05:26:52 Here be thy with me, O king of the age. So saying, she rose, and going to her lodging, unpacked her baggage, And from it brought out a box, from the box, a casket of gold. She opened the casket, and taken out those three jewels, kissed them and gave them to the king. Then she went away, bearing his heart with her. After her going, the king sent for his son Sharkhan and gave him one jewel of the three. And when he inquired of the other two, replied, O my son, I mean to give one to thy brother, Zaw al-Makhan, and the other to thy sister, Nusat al-Zaman. But when Sharkan heard that he had a brother,

Starting point is 05:27:44 For to that time he knew only of his sister. He turned to his sire and said to him, O king, hast thou a son other than myself? He answered, yes, and he is now six years old, adding that his name was Zau al-Makhan, and that he and Nuzat al-Zaman were twins, born at a birth. This news was grievous to Sharkan,

Starting point is 05:28:11 but he kept his secret and said, The blessing of Allah most high be upon them, And he cast the jewel from his hand, And shook the dust off his clothes. Quoth the king, How do I see thee change thy manner when hearing of this, Considering that after me thou becomes heir of the kingdom? Of a truth, the troops have sworn to thee,

Starting point is 05:28:38 And the emirs and grandees have taken the oath of succession to thee. and this one of the three jewels is thine. Sharkhan bowed his head to the ground, and was ashamed to bend the words with his parent, so he accepted the jewel and went away, knowing not what to do for exceeding wrath, and stayed not, walking till he had entered Abiza's palace. As he approached, she stood up to meet him

Starting point is 05:29:09 and thanked him for what he had done, and prayed for blessings on him and his sire. Then she sat down and seated him by her side. But when he had taken his place, she saw rage in his face and questioned him, whereupon he told her that Allah had blessed his father with two children by Sophia, a boy and a girl, and that he had named the boy Zaw al-Makhan and the girl, Nushat al-Zaman, adding, He hath kept the other two jewels for them, and hath given me one of thine.

Starting point is 05:29:48 So I left it behind. I knew not of Zao al-Makhan's birth till this day, and the twain are now six years old. So when I learned this, wrath possessed me, and I tell thee the reason of my rage, and hide nothing from thee. But now I fear, lest my father take thee to wife, for he loveth thee. and I saw in him signs of desire for thee. So what wilt thou say, if he wished this? Was she? No, O Sharkin, that thy father hath no dominion over me,

Starting point is 05:30:25 nor can he have me without my consent, and if he prevail over me by force, I will take my own life. As for the three jewels, it was not my intent that he should give any of them to either of his children, and I had no thought but that he would lay them up in his treasury with his things of price. But now I desire of thy favor that thou make me a present of the jewel which he gave thee, if thou have accepted it. Harkening and obedience, replied Charkin, and gave it to her. Then said she, Fear nothing, and talk with him a while, and continued,

Starting point is 05:31:12 Here lest my father here that I am with you, and sit not patiently under my loss, but do his endeavour to find me. And to that end, he may ally himself with King Afridun, on account of his daughter Sophia, and both come on thee with armies, and so there befall great turmoil. When Sharkhan heard these words, he said to her, Oh, my lady, if it pleased thee to should be thou. With us, take no thought of them, though they're gathered together against us all that be on land and on sea.

Starting point is 05:31:51 "'Tis well,' rejoined she, "'and if he entreat me fair, I will tarry with you, and if he deal evilly by me, I will depart from you.' Then she bade her slave-maidens bring food, so they set the tables, and Charkin ate a little, and went away to his own house, disturbed and perturbed. Such was his case. But regarding the affairs of his father, Omar bin al-Numan, after dismissing his son Sharkin, he rose and taking the other two jewels, betook himself to the Lady Sophia, who stood up when she saw him and remained standing till he was seated.

Starting point is 05:32:34 Presently, his two children, Zaw al-Makhan and Nuzat al-Zaman, came to him, and he kissed them and hung a jewel round each one's neck, at which they rejoiced and kissed his hands. Then went they to their mother, who joyed in their joy, and wished the king long life. So he asked her, Why hast thou not informed thee all this time that thou are the daughter of her? King Afridun, Lord of Constantinople, that I might have honoured thee still more, and enlarged thee in dignity, and raised thy rank? O King, answered Sophia, and what could I desire greater or higher than this my standing with thee? Overwhelmed as I am, with thy favors and thy benefits, and furthermore, Allah hath blessed

Starting point is 05:33:31 me with two children by thee, a son and a daughter. Her reply pleased the king, and after leaving her, he set apart for her and her children a wondrous fine palace. Moreover, he appointed for them eunuchs, and attendants, and doctors of law, and doctors of philosophy, and astrologers, and physicians and surgeons to do them service. And in every way he redoubled his favor and entreated them with the best of treatment. And presently he returned to the palace of his dominion, and to his court, where he distributed justice among the lieges, so far concerning him and Sophia and her children. But in the matter of Abrisa, the king was greatly occupied with love of her, and burnt with

Starting point is 05:34:26 desire of her night and day, and every night he would go in to her. her and conversed with her and pay his core to her. But she gave him no answer, only saying, O king of the age, I have no desire for men at this present. When he saw her withdraw from him, his passion waxed hotter, and his longing and pining increased until, when weary of this, he summoned his wazir dundan, and opening his very heart to him, told him, of his love for Princess Abriza, daughter of Ardu, and informed him how she refused to yield to his wishes and how desire for her was doing him to die, for that he could get no grace of her.

Starting point is 05:35:17 The wazir, hearing these words said to the king, As soon as it is dark night, take thou a piece of ban, the measure of a miscal, about an ounce, and go in to her and drink somewhat of wine with her. When the hour of ending the carousel shall draw near, fill her a last cup, and dropping there in the bank, give it to her to drink, and she will not reach her sleeping chamber, ere the drug take effect on her. Then do thou go into her, and take thy will of her, and such is my advice. Thy read is all right, quoth the king, and seeking his treasury, he took thence a piece of concentrated bang. If an elephant smelted, he would sleep from year to year. This he put in his bosom pocket, and waited till some little of the

Starting point is 05:36:15 night went by, when he betook himself to the palace of Princess Abriza, who seeing him, stood up to receive him. But he bade her sit down. So she sat down, and he sat by her, and he sat by her, and he began to talk with her of wine and wessel, whereupon she furnished the carousine table, and placed it before him. Then she sat on the drinking vessels, and lighted the candles, in order to bring dried fruits and sweet meats, and all that pertaineth to drinking. So they fell to Tipling, and the king ceased not to pledge her, till drunkenness crept into her head.

Starting point is 05:36:59 and seeing this he took out the bit of bang from his pocket and holding it between his fingers filled the cup with his one hand and drank it off then filling the second he said to thy companionship and dropped the drug into her cup she knowing not of it she took it and drank it off

Starting point is 05:37:23 then she rose and went to her sleeping chamber He waited for less than an hour Till he was assured that the doze had taken effect on her And had robbed her of her senses When he went into her and found her throne on her back And she had doffed her petticoed trousers And the air raised the skirt of her ship And discovered what was between her tides

Starting point is 05:37:51 When the king saw the state of things And found a lighted candle at her head and another at their feet, shining upon water-thides enshrined, he took leave of his five senses for lust, and Satan seduced him, and he could not master himself, but put off his trousers and fell upon her and abated her maiden head. Then he rose off her and went to one of her women, by name Marjanah, and said, Go in to thy lady.

Starting point is 05:38:27 and speak with her. So she went into her mistress, and found her line on her back insensible, with the blood running down to the culls of her legs, whereupon she took a kerchief, and wiped away the blood, and laid by her that night. As soon as Almighty Allah brought the dawn, the handmade Marjanah washed her mistress's hands and feet, and brought rose water, and bathed her face and mouth with it, whereupon she sneezed and yawned, and cast up from her inside that bit of bang like a bolus. Then she revived and washed her hands and mouth,

Starting point is 05:39:11 and said to Marjanah, Tell me what hath befallen me. So she told her what had passed, and how she had found her, lying on her back, with the blood running down, wherefore she knew that King Omar Bin al-Numann had lain with her and had undone her and taken his will of her. And this she grieved with exceeding grief and retired into privacy,

Starting point is 05:39:39 saying to her damsels, Deny me to whoso would come in to me, and say to him that I am ill till I see what Allah will do with me. Presently the news of her sickness came. came to the king, so he sent her sherbet and sugar-electures. Some months she thus passed in solitude, during which time the king's flame cooled, and his desire for her was quenched, so that he abstained from her. Now she had conceived by him, and when three months of child breeding had gone by, her pregnancy appeared, and her belly swelled, and the world was

Starting point is 05:40:22 straightened upon her. So she said to her handmade Marjana, No, that it is not the folk who have wronged me, but I who sinned against my own self, in that I left my father and mother and country. Indeed, I abhor life, for my spirit is broken, and neither courage nor strength has left me. I used, when I mounted my steed, to have the mastery of him, but now I am unable to ride. If I be brought to bed among them, I shall be dishonored before my handwomen, and everyone in the palace will know that he hath taken my maidenhead in the way of shame, and if I return to my father, with what face shall I meet him, or with what face shall I have recourse to him? How well, quoth the poet.

Starting point is 05:41:21 Say, what shall solace one who hath nor home, nor stable steed, nor cap companion, nor a cap, nor place to house his head? Marjanah answered her, It is thine to command, I will obey. And Abriza said, I desire at once to leave this place secretly, so that none shall know of me but thou, and return to my father and my mother, for when flesh thinketh, there is not for it, but its own pork, and Allah shall do with me even as he will.

Starting point is 05:42:01 O princess, Majana replied, What thou wouldest do is well. Then she made matters ready, and kept her secret, and waited for some days till the king went out to chase and hunt, and his son, Charkin, betook himself to certain of the fortress to Chajourne there a while. Then said she to Marjanah, I wish to set out this night, but how shall I do against my destiny?

Starting point is 05:42:33 For already I feel the pangs of labor and childbirth, and if I abide other four or five days, I shall be brought to bed here, and I shall be unable to travel to my country. But this is what was written on my forehead. Then she considered a while, and said to Marjanah, Look us out a man who will go with us and serve us by the way, for I have no strength to bear arms. By Allah, O my lady, replied Marjanah. I know none but a black slave called Al-Kasban,

Starting point is 05:43:13 who is one of the slaves of King Omar bin al-Numan. He is a valiant white, and he keepeth guard at our palace gate. The king appointed him to attend us, and indeed will have overwhelmed him with our favors. So, Loki, I would go out and speak with him of this matter, and promise him some money, and tell him that, if he have a mind to tarry with us, I will marry him to whom he will. He told me before, today, that he had been a half a man. highwayman. So if he consent to us, we shall win our wish and reach to our own land. She rejoined. Call him that I may talk with him. Whereupon Marjanah fared forth and said to the

Starting point is 05:44:03 slave, O Gazban, Allah prosper thee, so thou falling with what my lady saith to thee. Then she took him by the hand and brought him to the princess, whose hands he kissed, but as she beheld him, her heart took fright at him. However, she said to herself, of a truth need giveth the law, and she approached to speak with him, yet her heart started away from him. Presently she said, O Gazban, say me, will thou help me against the perfidies of fortune, and conceal my secret if I discover it to thee?

Starting point is 05:44:47 When the slave saw her, his heart was taken by storm, and he fell in love with her, forthright, and could not but reply, O my mistress, whatsoever thou biddest me do, I will not depart therefrom, Quoth she, I would have thee take me at this hour, and take this my handmaid, and saddle us two camels, and two of the king's horses, and set on each horse a saddle-bag of goods, and somewhat of Provont, and go with us to our own country, where, if thou desire to abide with us, I will marry thee to her, thou shalt choose of my handmaidens, or, if thou prefer to return to thine own land, we will marry thee, and give thee what so thou desires, after thou hast taken of money, what shall satisfy thee.

Starting point is 05:45:43 When Al-Gasban heard this, he rejoiced with great joy and replied, O my lady, I will serve both of you with mine eyes, and will go at once and settle the horses. Then he went away, gladsome, and saying to himself, I shall get my will of them, and if they will not yield to me, I will kill them both and take their riches. But he kept this his intent to himself. and presently returned with two camels and three head of horses, one of which he rode. And Princess Abriza made Marjanah mount the second, she mount in the third, albeit she was in

Starting point is 05:46:27 labor pains, and possessed not her soul for anguish. And the slave ceased not traveling with them night and day through the passes of the mountains, till they remained but musingly marched between them and their own country. When the travail pangs came upon Abriza, and she could no longer resist. So she said to Al-Gasban, Set me down, for the pains of labor are upon me. And cried to Marjanah,

Starting point is 05:46:58 Do thou alight, and sit by me and deliver me. Then Marjanah dismounted from her horse, and Al-Gas-Ban did in like sort, and they made fast the bridles, and helped the princess to dismount, for she was a swan from excess of anguish. When Algasban saw her on the ground, Satan entered into him, and he drew his falcon, and brandishing it in her face, said, O my lady, vouchsafe me thy favours. Here in these words, she turned to him and said, It remains for me only that I yield me to Negro slaves

Starting point is 05:47:39 After having refused kings and braves And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day And ceased to say her permitted say End of section 17 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 2 Recording by Philippe Ojoaquin Section 18 Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night

Starting point is 05:48:13 translated by Richard Burton. This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 18. When it was the 52nd knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Princess Abrizzar.

Starting point is 05:48:43 set to the black slave Al-Gasban. It remaineth for me only that I yield me to Negro slaves, after having refused kings and braves. And she was wrothed with him and cried, Woe to thee, what words are these thou sayest? Out on thee, and talk not thus in my presence, and know that I will never consent to what thou sayest. Though I drink the cup of death, Wait till I have cast my burden, and am delivered of the after birth, and then, if thou be able there too, do with me as thou wilt. But, and thou leave not, loot talk at this time, assuredly I will slay myself with my own hand, and be at peace from all this. And she began reciting extempore, O spare me, thou, Gazvan, indeed in all for me, are heavy strokes of time, mischief and misery.

Starting point is 05:49:46 Hordom, my lord, for fence to all humanity, quoth he who breaks my bidding, hell for home shall see. And if thou live not suing me to Hordom's way, against the almighty choicest gift my chastity, upon my tribesmen I, with might and main, will call, and gather all, however far or near they be. And Guidiamani blade, where I, in peace hewn, Never shall his sight my face, Who makes for villainy? The face of freeborn come of noble folk and brave. What then can be to me the seed of whoresome slave?

Starting point is 05:50:30 When Gazban heard these lines, he was wrought exceedingly. His eyes reddened with blood, And his face became a dusty gray. His nostril swelled. His lips protruded, and the repulsiveness of his aspect redoubled. And he repeated these couplets. O thou, Abriza, mercy, leave me not, or I, of thy love and Yamanic glanced the victim lie. My heart is cut to pieces by thy cruelty, my body wasted, and my patience done to die. From glances ravishing all hearts with witchery, reason far flies the wild desire. desire to thee draws Hanai. Though at thy call should armies feel the face of earth,

Starting point is 05:51:19 even now I'd win my wish, and words in arms defied. When Abriza heard these words, she wept with sore weeping, and said to him, woe to thee, O Gazban, how darest the like of thee to address me such demand, obeys born and obscene bread? Does thou deem, Opho'-deem, all folk, alike. When the vile slave heard this from her, he waxed more engraged, and his eyes grew redder, and he came up to her and smiting her with a sword on her neck, wounded her to her death. Then he drove her horse before him with a treasure, and made off with himself to the mountains. Such was the case with Algas Ban. But as regards Abriza, She gave birth to a son, like the moon, and Marjana took the babe, and did him the necessary offices,

Starting point is 05:52:19 and laid him by his mother's side, and lo and behold, the child fastened to its mother's breast, and she died. When Marjanah saw this, she cried out with a grievous cry, and rent her raiment, and cast dust on her head, and buffeted her cheeks till flood flowed. saying, Alas, my mistress, alas, the pity of it, thou are dead by the hand of a worthless black slave, after all thy knightly prowess. And she ceased not, weeping, when suddenly a great cloud of dust arose and walled the horizon. But after a while it lifted and discovered a numerous conquering host. Now this was the army of King Ardub, Princess Abrizaa's father, and the cause of his coming

Starting point is 05:53:17 was that when he heard of his daughter and her handmaids had been fled to Baghdad, and that they were with King Omar bin al-Numann. He had come forth, leading those with him, to seek tidings of her from travellers, who might have seen her with the king. When he had gone a single days march from his capital, he espied three horsemen afar off, and made towards them, intending to ask whence they came, and seek news of his daughter. Now these three whom he saw at the distance were his daughter and Marjana and the slave Al-Gasban, and he made for them to push inquiry. Seeing this, the villain Blackmoor feared for himself, so he killed Abriza and fled for his life. When they came up, King Ardub saw his daughter lying dead, and Marjanah weeping over her,

Starting point is 05:54:16 and he threw himself off his steed, and fell fainting to the ground. All the riders of his company, the emirs and vatsirs, took foot, and forthright pitched their tents on the mountain, and set up for the king a great pavilion, domed and circular, without which stood the the grandees of the realm. When Marjanah saw her master, she at once recognized him, and her tears redoubled. And when he came to himself, he questioned her, and she told him all that had passed and said, of a truth, he that hath slain thy daughter, is a black slave, belonging to King Omar Bill Nanuman, and she informed him how Sharkhan's father had dealt with the princess. When King Hardub heard this, the word grew black in his side, and he

Starting point is 05:55:15 wept with sore weeping. Then he called for a litter, and therein lay in his dead daughter, returned to Caesarea, and carried her into the palace, where he went in to his mother, Zat Adawahee, and said to that lady of calamities, Shall the Muslim deal thus with my girl? Verily, King Omar bin Al-Numan He spoiled her of her honor by force, And after this, one of his black slaves slew her. By the truth of the Messiah,

Starting point is 05:55:52 I will assuredly take blood revenge for my daughter And clear away from mine honor the stain of shame. Else will I kill myself with mine own end. and he wept, passing sore. Quoth his mother, None other than Marjanah killed thy daughter, for she hated her in secret, and she continued to her son.

Starting point is 05:56:17 Fred not for taking the blood, wit of thy daughter, for by the truth of the Messiah, I will not turn back from King Omar bin al-Wuman till I have slain him and his sons. And of a very truth, I will do with him at deed, passing the power of sage and night,

Starting point is 05:56:38 whereof the chroniclers shall tell chronicles in all countries, and in every place. But needs must thou do my bidding, in all I shall direct, for whoso be firmly set on the object of his desire, shall surely compass his desire. By the virtue of the Messiah, replied he, I will not cross thee in aught thou shalt say. Then, quote, she,

Starting point is 05:57:08 Bring me a number of handmaids, high-bosomed virgins, And summon the wise men of the age, And let them teach them philosophy, And the rules of behavior before kings, And the art of conversation, and making verses, And let them talk with them of all manner science and edifying knowledge. And the sages must be Muslims, That they may teach them the language and traditions of the ancient,

Starting point is 05:57:35 Arabs, together with the history of the Caliphs and the ancient annals of the kings of al-Islam. And if we persevere in this for four years' space, we shall gain our case. So possess thy soul in patience and wait, for one of the Arabs saith, if we take men both after years forty the time were short to ye. When we have taught the girls these things, we shall be be able to work our will with our folk, for he dotheth on women, and he hath three hundred and sixty concubines, where two are now added an hundred of the flowers of thy handmaidens, who were with thy daughter, she that hath found mercy. As soon as I have made an end of their education

Starting point is 05:58:29 as described to thee, I will take them and set out with them in person. When King Ardub heard his mother's words, he rejoiced and arose and kissed her head, and at once dispatched messengers and couriers to land sundry and manifold, to fetch him Muslim sages. They obeyed his commands and fared too far countries, and thence brought him the sages and the doctors he sought. When these came into presents, he honoured them, with notable honors, and bestowed dresses on them, and appointing to them stipends and allowances, and promised them much money, when as they should have taught the damsels. Then he committed the handmaidens to their hands, and Shurazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased the saying,

Starting point is 05:59:27 her permitted say, when it was the fifty-third night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the sages and the doctors stood in the presence of King Ardub, he honoured them with notable honors, and committed the handmaidens to their hands, enjoying that these be instructed in all manner of knowledge, philosophy, and polite accomplishments, and they set themselves to do his bidding. Such was the case with King Ardub, but as for King Omar bin al-Lumann, when he was returned from coursing and hunting, and entered his palace, he sought Princess Abriza, but found her not, nor anyone knew of her, nor could any give him news of her.

Starting point is 06:00:19 This was grievous to him, and he said, How could a lady leave the palace unknown to any? Had my kingdom been at stake in this case, it were in perilous condition, there being none to govern it. I will never again go to sport and hunt till I have stationed at the gates those who shall keep good guard over them, and he was sore waxed, and his breast was straightened for the loss of Princess Abriza. Hereupon behold, his son Sharkhan returned from his journey, and the father told him what had happened, and informed him how the lady had fled, whilst he was chasing and hunting. whereat he grieved with exceeding grief. Then King Omar took to visiting his children every day and making much of them, and brought them learned men and doctors to teach them,

Starting point is 06:01:21 appointing for them stipends. When Sharkand saw this, he raged with exceeding rage and envied thereupon his brother and sister, till the signs of Chagran appeared on his face, and he ceased not to languish by reason of this matter. So one day his father said to him, Why do I see thee grown weak in body and yellow in face? Oh, my father, replied Sharkhan,

Starting point is 06:01:53 Every time I see thee fondle my brother and sister, And make much of them, jealousy seizes me, And I fear lest it grow on me, Till I slay them, and thou slay me in front. return. And this is the reason of my weakness of body, and change of complexion. But now I crave of thy favor that thou give me one of thy castles, outlying the rest, that I may abide there the remnant of my life, for as the sayer of byword saith, absence from my friend is better and fitted for me, and what so I doth not perceive, that garrarer,

Starting point is 06:02:36 not heart to grieve, and he bowed his head towards the ground. When King Gomar, bin Al-Numan, heard his words and knew the cause of his ailment, and of his being broken down, he soothed his heart, and said to him, O my son, I grant thee this, and I have not in my reign greater than the castle of Damascus, and the government of it is dying from this time. Thereupon, he forthright summoned his secretaries of state, and bade them write Sharkhan's patent of investiture to the vice-royalty of Damascus of Syria. And when they had written it, he equipped him and sent with him the wazir Dundan, and invested him with the rule and government, and gave him instructions as to poli

Starting point is 06:03:34 and regulations, and took leave of him, and the grantees and officers of state did likewise, and he set out with his host. When he arrived at Damascus, the townspeople beat the drums and blew the trumpets and decorated the city and came out to meet him in great state, whilst all the notables and grantees paced in procession, and those who stood in the court. stood to the right of the throne, walked on his right flank, and the others to his left. Thus far concerning Sharkhan, but as regards his father, Omar bin al-Numann, soon after the departure of his son, the children's tutors and governors presented themselves before him and said to him,

Starting point is 06:04:27 O our Lord, thy children have now learned knowledge, and they are completely versed. in the rules of manners and the etiquette of ceremony. The king rejoiced that they are at with exceeding joy and confer bountiful larges upon the learned men, seeing Zaw al-Makan grown up and flourishing and skilled in horsemanship. The prince had reached the age of fourteen, and he occupied himself with piety and prayers, loving the poor, the olema and the Korans.

Starting point is 06:05:04 students, so that all the people of Baghdad loved him, men and women. One day the procession of the Mahmil of Iraq passed round Baghdad before its departure for the pilgrimage to Mecca and visitation of the tomb of the Prophet, whom Allah bless and preserve. When Zaw al-Makhan, the Mamil procession, he would cease belonging desire to become a pilgrim. So he went in to his sire and said, I come to ask thy leave to make the pilgrimage, but his father forbade him, saying, Wait till next year, and I will go, and thou too.

Starting point is 06:05:50 When the prince saw that the matter was postponed, He betook himself to his sister, Nusat al-Zaman, whom he found standing at prayer. As soon as she had handed her devotions, he said to her, I am dying with desire of pilgrimage to the Holy House of Allah at Mecca, and to visit

Starting point is 06:06:11 the tomb of the prophet, upon whom be peace. I asked my father's leave, but he forbade me that, so I mean to take privily somewhat of money and set out on the pilgrimage without his knowledge. Allah upon thee, exclaimed she,

Starting point is 06:06:30 take me with thee and deprive me not a visit to the tomb of the prophet, whom Allah bless and keep. And he answered, As soon as it is dark night, do thou come forth from this place without telling any? Accordingly, when it was the middle of the night, she arose and took somewhat of money and dawned a man's habit, and she ceased not walking to the palace gate, where she found Zawalmakan, with camels ready to. for marching. So he mounted and mounted her, and the two fair dawn, till they were in the midst

Starting point is 06:07:10 of the Iraqi Pilgrim Party, and they ceased not marching, and Allah wrote safety for them, till they entered Mecca, the Holy, and stood upon Arafat, and performed the pilgrimage rites. Then they made a visitation to the tomb of the Prophet, whom Allah bless and assain, and thought to return with the pilgrims to their native land. But Zaw al-Makhan said to his sister, O my sister, it is in my mind to visit the Holy House, Jerusalem, and Abraham the friend of Allah, on whom be peace. I also desired so to do, replied she.

Starting point is 06:07:53 So they agreed upon this, and he fared forth and took passage for himself and her, and they made ready and set out in the ship, with the company of Jerusalem Palmers. That very night, the sister fell sick of an anguish chill, and was grievously ill, but presently recovered, after which the brother also sickened. She tended him during his melody,

Starting point is 06:08:21 and they ceased not wayfaring till they arrived at Jerusalem. But the fever increased on him, and he grew weaker and weaker. They alighted at a can, And there hired a lodging. But Zaw al-Makhan's sickness ceased not to increase on him, till he was wasted, will-liness, and became delirious. At this, his sister was greatly afflicted and exclaimed, There is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah, the glorious, the great. This is the decree of Allah. They sojourned in that place a while. His weakness had ever increasing, and she attending him, and buying necessaries for him and for herself, till all the

Starting point is 06:09:10 money she had was expended, and she became so poor that she had not so much as a dear hem left. Then she sent a servant of the Khan to the bazaar with some of her clothes, and he sold them, and she spent a price upon her brother. Then sold she something more, and she ceased not selling all she had, piece by piece, till nothing was left but an old rug. Whereupon she wept and exclaimed, Verily is Allah the order of the past and the future. Presently her brother said to her, O my sister, I feel recovery drawing near, and my heart longeth for a little roast meat. By Allah, O my brother, replied she, I have no face to beg.

Starting point is 06:10:02 But tomorrow I will enter some rich man's house and serve him and earn somewhat for our living. Then she bethought herself a while and said, Of a truth, it is hard for me to leave thee and thou in this state. But I must, despite myself. He rejoined. Allah forbid, thou wilt be put to shame. But there is no majesty. And there is no might, save in Allah.

Starting point is 06:10:36 And he wept, and she wept too. And she said, O my brother, we are strangers who have dwelt here a full year, but none hath yet knocked at our door. Shall we then die of hunger? I know no resource, but that I go out and do service and earn somewhat to keep us alive, till thou recover from thy sickness,

Starting point is 06:11:02 when we will travel back to our native land. She sat weeping a while, and he wept too, propped upon his elbow. Then Nusat al-Zaman arose, and baling her head with a bit of camlet, which had been of the chameleer's clothes, and which the owner had forgotten and left with them. She kissed the head of her brother, and embraced him, and went forth from him, weeping and knowing not whither she should wend. And she stinted not going, and her brother, Zawu al-Makhan,

Starting point is 06:11:42 awaiting her return, till the suppertime. But she came not, and he watched for her till the morning morrowed, but still she returned not. And this endured till two days went by. He was greatly troubled thereat, and his heart fluttered, for her, and hunger was sore upon him. At last, he left to the chamber, and calling the servant

Starting point is 06:12:10 of the Carabansaray, said, I wish thee to bear me to the bazaar. So he carried him to the market street, and laid him down there, and the people of Jerusalem gathered around him, and were moved to tears, seeing his condition. He signed to them, begging to them, begging for some what to eat. So they brought him some money from certain of the merchants who were in the bazaar, and bought food and fed him therewith, after which they carried him to a shop, where they spread him a mat of palm leaves and set anewer of water at his head. When night fell, all the folk went away, so were concerned for him. And in the middle of the night, he called to mind his sister, and his sickness redoubled on him, so that he abstained

Starting point is 06:13:09 from eating and drinking, and became insensible to the world around him. Then the bizarre people arose, and took for him from the merchants thirty-seven dirams, and hiding a camel, said to the driver, carry this sick man to Damascus, and leave him in the hospital. Happily he may be be cured and recover health. On my head beat, replied the camelman, but he said to himself, how shall I take this sick man to Damascus? And he nigh upon death.

Starting point is 06:13:47 So he carried him away to a place and hid with him till the night, when he threw him down on the ash hip near the firehole of a hamam and went his way. When morning dawned, The stalker of the bath came to his work, and finding Zawalmakan cast on his back, exclaimed, Why did they not throw their dead body anywhere but here?

Starting point is 06:14:14 So saying, he gave him a kick, and he moved. Whereupon quoth the fireman, Someone of you who hath eaten a bit of hashish, and had thrown himself down in whatsoever it be. Then he looked at his face, and said, saw his hairless cheeks and his grace and comeliness. So he took pity on him and knew that he was sick and a stranger in the land. And he cried,

Starting point is 06:14:44 There is no majesty and there is no might, save in Allah. Verily, I have sinned against this youth, for indeed the prophet whom Allah bless and keep and joineth honor to the stranger, more especially when the stranger. when the stranger is sick. Then he carried him home and went in with him to his wife and bade her tend him.

Starting point is 06:15:11 So she spread him a sleeping rug and set a cushion under his head. Then warmed water for him and washed therewith his hands and feet and face. Meanwhile, the stalker went to the market and bought some rose water and sugar

Starting point is 06:15:29 and sprinkled Zawal-Makhan's face with the water, and gave him to drink of the sherbet. Then he fetched a clean shirt and put it on him. With this, Zawal-Makan sniffed the Zephyr of health, and recovery returned to him, and he sat up and leaned against the pillow. Hereat, the fireman rejoiced and exclaimed, Praise be to Allah, for the welfare of his youth. O Allah, I beseech thee by thy knowledge of hidden things, that thou make the salvation of this youth to be at my hands. And Shurazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 18 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Recording

Starting point is 06:16:28 by Philippo Joaquin. Section 19, Volume 2. of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 2, Section 19. When it was the 54th Knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the fireman exclaimed,

Starting point is 06:17:14 O Allah, I beseech thee of thy knowledge of hidden things, that thou make this young man's life the work of my hands, and he ceased not to nurse him for three days, giving him to drink of sherbet of sugar and willow-flower water and rose-water, and doing him all manner of service and kindness, till health began to return to his body, and Zaw al-Makhan opened his eyes. Presently came in the fireman, and seeing him sitting up and showing signs of amendment, said to him, What is now thy state, O my son?

Starting point is 06:17:56 Praise be to Allah, replied Zaw al-Makhan. I am well, and like to recover, if such, be the will of Allah Almighty at this time. The stalker praised the Lord of all for this, and went in fast to the market, bought ten chickens, which he carried to his wife and said, Kill two of these for him every day, one at dawn of day, and the other at fall of day. So she rose up and killed a fowl, and brought it to him boiled, and fed him with a flesh, and made him drink its bruth. When he had done eating, she fetched hot water, and he washed his hands, and lay back upon the pillow, whereupon she covered him up with her coverlet, and he slept till the time of the mid-afternoon prayer. Then she arose, and killed another fowl, and boiled it, after which she cut it up,

Starting point is 06:19:00 and bringing it to Zawa Makan said, eat, oh my son. While he was eating, behold, her husband entered, and seeing her feeding him, sat down at his head, and said to him, How is it with thee now, O my son? Thanks be to Allah for recovery, he replied. May the Almighty requite thee thy kindness to me. At this the fireman rejoiced, and going out, both sherbet of herbert of violets and rose water and made him drink it. Now the stalker used to work at the hammam

Starting point is 06:19:40 all day for a wage of five deer-hams, whereupon he spent every day for Zawalmakan, one deer-ham upon sugar and sherbet of rose-water and will of flower water, and another deer-ham for fowls, and he ceased not to entreat him thus kindly during a whole month, the traces of illness ceased from him, and he was once more sound and whole. Thereupon the fireman and his wife rejoiced and asked him, O my son, will thou go with me to the bath? Where too he answered, yes. So the stalker went to the bazaar and fetched the donkey boy, and he mounted the Zawalmakan on the ass and supported him in the saddle,

Starting point is 06:20:32 till they came to the bath. Then he made him sit down, and seated the donkey boy in the furnace room, and went forth to the market, and bought Ayat leaves and Lupin flower, with which he returned to the bath, and said to Zaw al-Makhan, Oh, my master, in Allah's name,

Starting point is 06:20:55 walk in and I will wash thy body. So they entered the inner room of the bath, and the fireman took to rubbing Zawalmakan's legs and began to wash his body with the leaves and meal. When there came to them a bathman whom the bathkeeper had sent to Zawalmakan, and he, seeing the stalker washing and rubbing him, said, This is doing injury to the keeper's rights, replied the fireman. The master overwhelmeth us with his history. favors. Then the bathman proceeded to shave Zawalmakan's head, after which he and the stalker

Starting point is 06:21:40 washed themselves and returned to the house, where he clad Zawalmakan in a shirt of fine stuff and a robe of his own, and gave him a handsome turban and girdle and a light kerchief, which he wound about his neck. Meanwhile, the fire-reysed. man's wife had killed and cooked two chickens. So, as soon as Aval Makan entered and seated himself on the carpet, the husband arose and dissolving sugar in willow flower water made him drink of it. Then he brought the food tray, and cutting up the chickens, fed him with a flesh and gave him the bruth to drink till he was satisfied. When he washed his food, he was satisfied. When he washed his hands and prayed Allah for recovery and said to the fireman,

Starting point is 06:22:35 Thou art he whom the Almighty vowed to me and made the cause of my cure. Leave this talk, replied the other, and tell us the cause of thy coming to this city, and whence thou art. Thy face showeth signs of gentle breeding. Tell me first how thou camest to fall in with me, said Zahabye. And after I will tell thee my story." Rejoined the fireman, As for that, I found thee lying on the rubbish hip by the door of the firehouse, as I went to my work near the morning, and knew not who had thrown thee there, so I carried

Starting point is 06:23:23 thee home with me. And this is all my tale! Quoth Sahuam! Glory to him! who quickenest the bones, though they be rotten. Indeed, O my brother, thou hast not done good, save to one worthy of it, and thou shalt presently gather its fruitage. And he added, But where am I now?

Starting point is 06:23:49 Thou art in the city of Jerusalem, replied the stalker. Whereupon Zawal Makan called to mind his strangerhood and remembered his separation from his sister, and wept. Then he discovered his secret to the fireman, and told him his story, and began repeating, In love they bore me further than my force would go, And for them made me suffer resurrection through. O have compassion cruel, on this soul of mine,

Starting point is 06:24:24 Which since ye fared, is pitted by each amoe, view's foe, nor grudge the tender mercy of one passing glance, my case to lighten, easing this excess of woe. Quoth I, heart, bear this loss in patience, patience cried, Take heed, no patience in such plight I am wont to show. Then he redoubled his weeping, and the fireman said to him, Weep not, but rather praise Allah for safety and recover. I asked Zaw al-Makhan, how far it is hence to Damascus? Answered the other, six days' journey. Then quoth Zaw al-Macon, will thou send me thither?

Starting point is 06:25:15 O my lord, quoth a stalker, how can I allow thee to go alone, and thou a youth and a stranger to boot? If thou would journey to Damascus, I am one who will go with thee. my wife will listen to and obey me, and accompany me, I will take up my abode there, for it is no light matter to part with thee. Then said he to his wife, will thou travel with me to Damascus of Syria, or will thou abide here, whilst I lead this my lord thither, and return to thee? For he is bent upon going to Damascus of Syria, and by Allah it is hard to meet. to part with him, and I fear for him from highway men, replied she, I will go with you both,

Starting point is 06:26:09 and he rejoined, praised be Allah for accord, and we have said the last word. Then he rose, and selling all his own goods and his wife's gear, and Shahrazad perceived at the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say, when it was, the 55th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the fireman and his wife agreed with Zawal-Makan to travel with him Damascus' wards. Then the stalker sold his goods and his wife's gear, and bought a camel, and hired an ass for Zawal-Makan. And they set out, and ceased not wayfaring for six days till they reached Damascus. And they arrived there towards even tide, when the fireman went forth, and as was his

Starting point is 06:27:11 wand, bought some meat and drink. They had dwelt but five days in Damascus, when his wife sickened, and after a short illness was translated to the mercy of Almighty Allah. Her death was a heavy matter to Zaw al-Makhan, for he was grown used to her as she had tended him assidiously, and the fireman grieved for her with exceeding grief. Presently the prince turned to the stalker, and finding him mourning, said to him, grieve not, for at this gate we must all go in, replied he. Allah make will thy lot, O my son. Surely he will compensate us with his favors,

Starting point is 06:28:00 and cause our mourning to cease. What sayest thou, O my son, about our walking abroad to view Damascus and cheer thy spirits? Replied Zaw al-Makhan, Thy will is mine. So the fireman arose and placed his hand in that of Zawal-Makhan,

Starting point is 06:28:23 and the two walked on till they came to the stables of the Visroy of Damascus, where they found camels laden with chests and carpets and brocaded stuffs, and horses ready-saddle, and bactrian dromedaries, while Mamelukes and Negro slaves and folk of the Habab were running to and fro. Quoth Sawa al-Makhan, I wonder to whom belong all these chattels and camels and staffs. So he asked one of the eunuchs, whither this dispatching? And he answered, These are presents sent by the emir of Damascus, to King Omar bin Al-Numan, with the tribute of Syria.

Starting point is 06:29:10 Now when Zawal Makan heard his father's name, his eyes brimmed over with tears, and he began repeating, O ye gone for the gaze of these ridded-eye, He whose sight in my spirit shall ever dwell. Your charms are gone, but this heart of my heart of my heart. mine, hath no sweet, and no pleasures, it's sour dispel. If Allah's grace make us meet again, in long-drawn, love-tale, my love I'll tell. And when he had ended his verse, he wept, and the fireman said to him, O my son, we hardly believed that thy health had returned, so take heart and do not we, for I fear a relapse for thee. And he ceased not comforting and cheering him, whilst Zawalmakan sighed and moaned over his

Starting point is 06:30:08 strangerhood and separation from his sister and his family, and tears streamed from his eyes, and he recited these couplets. Get thee provant in this word, here thou went upon thy way, and know how surely death descends thy life lot to way lay. All thy worldly goods are pride And the painfulest repine All thy worldly life is vaccine Of thy soul in vain display

Starting point is 06:30:40 Say is not worldly one Like a wanderer's place of rest Where at night he knucks his camels And moves off at dawn of day And he continued to weep and wail Over his separation Whilst the fireman also be wept the loss of his wife, yet seizing not to comfort Zawal Makhan, till morning dawned.

Starting point is 06:31:08 When the sun rose, he said to him, Me seemeth thou yearnest for thy native land. Yes, replied Zawamakhan, and I can no longer tarry here, so I will commend thee to Allah's care, and set out with these folk and journey with them, little by little, till I come to my motherland, said the stalker, and I with thee, for of a truth I cannot bear to party with thee. I have done thee kindly service, and I mean to complete it by tending thee on thy travel. At this Zawamakhan rejoiced and said, Allah abundantly required thee for me, and was pleased with the idea of their traveling together.

Starting point is 06:31:56 The fireman at once went forth and bought another ass, selling the camel, and laid in his provant, and said to Zahal Makan, This is for thee to ride, by the way, and when thou art weary of riding, thou canst dismount and walk, said Zawamakhan. May Allah bless thee and aid me to requite thee, for verily thou hast dealt with me, more lovingly than one with his brother. Then he waited till it was dark night, when he laid his provisions and baggage on that ass and set forth upon their journey.

Starting point is 06:32:40 This much befell Zawa Makan and the fireman. But as regards what happened to his sister, Nuthat al-Zaman, when she left her brother in the can where they abode and wrapped in the old Camlet, went out to six servants. with someone, that she might earn wherewithal to buy him the roast meat he longed for, she feared on, weeping, and knowing not whither to go, whilst her mind was occupied with thoughts of her brother and of her family and her native land.

Starting point is 06:33:16 So she implored Allah Almighty to do away with these calamities from them, and began versifying. The dark falls the night, and passion comes sore pains to gar me drear, And pine upstairs those ceaseless pangs which work my tormentory, And cease not separation, flames my vital to consume, And drives me on destruction, weigh, this sorrow's ecstasy, And longing breeds me restlessness, desire forever fires, And tears to all proclaim what I would keep in secrecy. No cunning shift is known to me a meeting to secure

Starting point is 06:34:00 That I may quit this sickly state May cure my melody The love which blazeth in my heart Is fed with fancy fuel The lover from its hell of fire Must bear hell's agony O thou who blamest me For all befell me

Starting point is 06:34:19 Tis enough Patient I bear Whatever wrote the reed of doom for me By love, I swear, I'll never be consoled, no, never more. I swear the oath of love's own slaves, who know no perjury. O night, to chroniclers of love, the news of me declare, That sleep hath fed mine eyelids of thy knowledge witness bears. Then she walked on, weeping and turning right and left as she went.

Starting point is 06:34:54 When behold, there espied her. her an old Badawi, who had come into the town from the desert, with wild Arabs other five. The old man took note of her and saw that she was lovely, but she had nothing on her head, save a piece of Camlet, and marveling at her beauty, he said to himself, this charmer desolate men's wits, but she is in squalid condition, and whether she be of the people of this city or she be a stranger. I needs must have her. So he followed her little by little, till he met her face to face and stopped the way before her in a narrow lane, and called thou to her, asking her case, and said, Tell me, oh, my little daughter,

Starting point is 06:35:49 are thou a free woman or a slave? When she heard this, she said to him, By thy life, do not add to my sorrows. Quoth He, Allah hath blessed me with six daughters, of whom five died, and only one is left me, the youngest of all. And I come to ask thee, if thou be of the folk of this city or a stranger, that I might take thee and carry thee to her, to bear her company, so as to divert her from pining for her sister. If thou have no kith and kin, I will make thee as one of them, and thou and she shall be as my two children. Nusat al-Zaman bowed her head in bashfulness, when she heard what he said, and communed with herself, Happily, I may trust myself to this old man.

Starting point is 06:36:49 Then she said to him, O'n uncle, I am a maiden of the Arabs, and a strange. I am a sick brother, but I will go with thee to thy daughter on one condition, which is, that I may spend only the day with her, and at night may return to my brother. If thou strike this bargain, I will fare with thee, for I am a stranger, and I was high in iron among my tribe, and I awoke one morning to find myself vile and abject. I came with my brother from the land of Al-Hijas, and I fearless he know not where I am. When the Badawi heard this, he said to himself,

Starting point is 06:37:37 By Allah, I have got my desire. Then he turned to her and replied, There shall none be dearer to me than thou. I wish thee only to bear my daughter company by day, and thou shalt go to thy brother at earliest nightfall. or, if thou wilt, bring him over to dwell with us. And the Badawi ceased not to console her heart and coax her, till she trusted in him and agreed to serve him.

Starting point is 06:38:09 Then he walked on before her, and when she followed him, he winked to his men to go in advance and harness the dromedaries, and load them with their packs, and place upon them water and provisions, ready for setting out as soon as he should come up with the camels. Now this Badawi was a base-born churr, a highway thief and a traitor to the friends he held most fief, a rogue ingrain, past master of plots and chicane. He had no daughter and no son, and was only passing through the town, when by the decree of the decreer

Starting point is 06:38:52 he fell in with this unhappy one and he ceased not to hold her in converse on the highway till they came without the city of Jerusalem and when outside he joined his companions and found they had made ready the dromedaries so the Badawi mounted a camel

Starting point is 06:39:13 having seated Nuzhat al-Zaman behind him and they rode on all night Then she knew that the Badawi's proposal was a snare and that he had tricked her, and she continued weeping and crying out the whole night long, while they journeyed on, making for the mountains, in fear any should see them. Now when it was near dawn, they dismounted from their dromedaries, and the Badawi came up to Nusat al-Zaman and said to her, O city's trumpet, what is this weeping?

Starting point is 06:39:53 By Allah, and thou hold not thy peace, I will beat thee to death, O thou town filth. When she heard this, she loathededed life and longed for death, so she turned to him and said, O a cursed old man, O grey beard of hell! How have I trusted thee, and thou hast played me false, and now thou hast played me false, and now thou wouldest torture me. When he heard her reply, he cried out, O lazy baggage, dost thou dare to bend your words with me?

Starting point is 06:40:30 And he stood up, took her, and beat her with a whip, saying, And thou hold not thy peace, I will kill thee. So she was silent a while. Then she called to mine her brother, and the happy estate she had been in. and she shed tears secretly. Next day she turned to the Badawi and said to him,

Starting point is 06:40:57 How couldst thou play me this trick and lure me into these bold and stony mountains? And what is thy design with me? When he heard her words, he hardened his heart and said to her, O lazy baggage of ill omen and insolent, Will thou bend your words with me? and he took the whip, and came down with it on her back, till she felt faint. Then she bowed down over his feet, and kissed them, and he left beating her,

Starting point is 06:41:33 and began reveling her, and said, By the rights of my bonnet, if I see or hear thee weeping, I will cut out thy tongue, and stuff it up thy kind, O thou city filth. So she was silent and made him no reply for the beating pained her, but sat down with her arms round her knees, and bowing her head upon her collar, began to look into her case and her abasement after her lot of high honor, and the beating she had endured,

Starting point is 06:42:10 and she called to mine her brother and his sickness and forlorn condition, and how they were both strangers in a fire, country, which craved tears down her cheeks, and she wept silently, and began repeating. Time hath for this want to upraise and debase, nor is lasting condition for human race. In this world each thing hath appointed turn, nor may man transgress its determined place. How long these perils and woe? Ah, woe! For a life, all woeful in pot-o! Carlos Case. Allah bless not the day which have laid me low. I in the word, with this grace after so much grace. My wish is baffled, my hopes cast down, and distance forbids me to greet to his face. O thou who passeth that dear one's door, say for me, these tears shall flow evermore. When she had finished her verses, the Badawi came up to her, and taking compassion on her, bespoke her kindly, and wiped away her tears.

Starting point is 06:43:28 Then he gave her a barley scone, and said, I love not one who answereth at times when I am in wrath. So henceforth, give me no more of these impertinent words, and I will sell thee to a good man like myself, who will do well with thee, even as I have done. Yes, what so thou dost is right, answered she. And when the night was longsome upon her, and hunger burned her, She ate very little of that barley bread.

Starting point is 06:44:04 In the middle of the night, the Badawi gave orders for departure, And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 19 of the Book of a thousand. Nights and a Knight, Volume 2. Recording by Philippe Joaquin. Section 20, Volume 2, of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is the LibriVox recording.

Starting point is 06:44:44 All LibreVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Philippe Joaquin. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 20. When it was the 56th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the Badawi gave the barley scone to Nuzat al-Zaman And promised he would sell her to a good man like himself,

Starting point is 06:45:16 She replied, What so thou dost is right. And about midnight, when hunger burned her, She ate a very little of that barley bread, And the Badawi ordered his party to set out. So they loaded their loads, and he mounted a camel, sat in Usat al-Zaman behind him. Then they journeyed and ceased not journeying for three days, till they entered the city of Damascus and alighted at the Sultan's Khan,

Starting point is 06:45:49 hard by the Vissaroy's gate. Now she had lost her color by grief and the fatigue of such traveling, and she ceased not to weep over her misfortune. So the Badawi came up to her and said, O thou city filth, By the right of my bonnet, If thou live not this sweeping, I will sell thee to none but a Jew. Then he arose, and took her by the hand, and carried her to a chamber, and walked off to the bazaar, and he went round to the merchants who dealt in slave girls, and began to parley with them, saying. I have brought a slave girl whose brother fell ill, and I sent him to my people about Jerusalem, that they might tend him till he is cured. As for her, I want to sell her, but after the dog her brother fell sick, the separation from him was grievous to her, and since then she doth nothing but weep, and now I wish

Starting point is 06:46:56 that Huzzi is minded to buy her of me. Speak softly of her, and say, Thy brother is with me in Jerusalem ill, and I will be easy with him about the price. Then one of the merchants came up to him and asked, How old is she? He answered. She is a virgin, just come to marriageable age,

Starting point is 06:47:21 and she is endowed with sense and breeding and wit and beauty and loveliness. But from the day, I sent her brother to Jerusalem, her heart has been yawning for him, so that her beauty is fallen away, and her value lessened. Now, when the merchant heard this, he set forth with the Badawi, and said, O Shaikh of the Arabs, I will go with thee and buy of thee this girl whom thou prayest so highly for wit and manners and beauty and loveliness, and I will pay thee her price, but it must be upon conditions which if thou accept. I will give thee ready money, and if thou accept not, I will return her to thee."

Starting point is 06:48:11 Quoth Badawi, and thou wilt, take her up to the Sultan Sharkhan, son of Omar bin Al-Numan, Lord of Baghdad, and of the land of Khorasan, and condition me any conditions thou likest. For when thou hast brought her before King Sharkin, happily she will please him, and he will pay thee her price, and a good profit for thyself to boot. Rejoined the merchant. It happens that I have just now something to ask from him, and it is this that he write me an order upon the office, exempting me from custom dues, and also that he write me a letter of recommendation to his father, King Omar bin al-Numann.

Starting point is 06:49:03 So if he take the girl, I will weigh thee out her price at once. I agree with thee to this condition, answered the Badawi. So they returned together to the place where Nusat al-Zaman was, and the wild Arab stood at the chamber door and called out, saying, Oh, Naji! which was the name wherewith he had named her. When she heard him, she wept and made no answer. Then he turned to the merchant and said to him,

Starting point is 06:49:39 There she sitteth. Go to her and look at her, and speak to her kindly, as I enjoined thee. So the trader went up to her, and courteous wise, and saw that she was wondrous, beautiful and lovable, especially as she knew the Arabic tongue, and he said to the Badawi, If she be even as thou saidest, I shall get of the Sultan what I will for her. Then he bespeak her, Peace be on thee, my little maid, how are thou? She turned to him and replied, This also was registered in the book of destiny. Then she looked at him, and seeing him to be a man of respectable semblance, with a handsome face,

Starting point is 06:50:29 she said to herself, I believe this one cometh to buy me. And she continued, If I hold a loof from him, I shall abide with my tyrant, and he will do me to death with beating. In any case, this person is handsome of face, and maketh me hope for better truth. treatment from him than from my brute of Abadawi. Maybe he cometh only to hear me talk, so I will give him a fair answer. All this while her eyes were fixed on the ground. Then she raised them to him, and said in a sweet voice, And upon thee be peace, O my Lord, and Allah's mercy and His benediction.

Starting point is 06:51:17 This is what is commanded of the prophet, whom Allah bless and preserve. As for thine inquiry, how I am, if thou wouldst know my case, it is such as thou wouldst not wish, but to thy foe. And she held her peace. When the merchant heard what she said, his fancy took wings for the light in her, and turned into the Badawi, he asked him, What is her price? For indeed she is noble? the Badawi waxed angry and answered, Thou will turn me the girl's head with this talk. Why dost thou say that she is noble? While she is of the scum of slave girls and of the refuse of folk,

Starting point is 06:52:07 I will not sell her to thee. When the merchant heard these, he knew the man to be weak of wits and said to him, calm the self, for I will buy her of thee with these blemings. And how much will thou give me for her? inquired the Badawi. Reply the merchant, Name thy price for her. None should name the son, save his sire. Rejoined the Badawi.

Starting point is 06:52:40 None shall name it, but thou thyself, called the merchant to himself. This wildling is a rutsby and a maggotty head. Allah, I cannot tell her price, and she hath won my heart with her fair speech and good looks. And if she can read and write, it will be complete fair luck to her and to her purchaser. But this Badawi does not know her worth. Then he turned and said to him, O Shaikh of the Arabs, I will give thee in ready money, clear of the tax and the Sultan's dues two hundred gold pieces.

Starting point is 06:53:23 Now, when the Badawi heard this, he flew into a violent rage, and cried to the merchant, saying, Get up and go thy way. By Allah, were thou to offer me two hundred diners, for a bit of camlet she weareth, I would not sell it to thee. And now I will not sell her, but will keep her by me to pasture the camels and grind my grist. Then he cried out to her, saying, Come here, thou stinker. I will not sell thee. Then he turned to the merchant and said to him, I used to think thee a man of judgment, but by the right of my bonnet, if thou be gone not from me, I will let thee hear what

Starting point is 06:54:14 shall not please thee, quoth the merchant to himself. Of a truth, this Badawi is mad, and knoweth not her value, and I will say no more to him about her price at the present time. For by Allah, were he a man of sense, he would not say by the right of my bonnet. By the Almighty, she is worth the kingdom of the cross, and I have not her prize by me. But if he asked even more, I will give him what he will, though it be all my goods, Then he turned, and said to him, O Shaikh of the Arabs, take patience and calm thyself, and tell me what clothes she has with thee, cried the Badawi, and what hath the baggage to do with clothes.

Starting point is 06:55:11 By-la, this camlet in which she is wrapped is ample for her. With thy leave, said the merchant, I will unveil her face and examine her. even as folk examine slave girls whom they think of buying. Replied the other, Up and do what thou wilt, and Allah keep thy youth. Examine her outside and inside, and if thou wilt, strip off her clothes and look at her when she is naked. Quoth the trader,

Starting point is 06:55:45 Allah forfend, I will look at naught save her face. Then he went up to her, and was put to shame by her beauty and loveliness. And Shara'ad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the 57th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the merchant went up to Nusat al-Zaman,

Starting point is 06:56:15 and was put to shame by her beauty and loveliness. So he sat by her side and asked her, O my mistress, what is thy name? She answered, Dost thou ask what is my name this day, or what it was before this day? Thereupon the merchant inquired, Hast thou then two names,

Starting point is 06:56:40 Two days and yesterday's? Yes, replied she, My name in the past was Nuzhat al-Zaman, the delight of the age. But my name had this friend, present is Cusat al-Zaman, the despite of the age. When the merchant heard this, his eyes brimmed over with tears, and caused he to her, Has thou not a sick brother?

Starting point is 06:57:08 I, by Allah, O my lord, I have, was she. But fortune hath parted me and him, and he lieth sick in Jerusalem. The merchant's head was confounded at the sweetness of her son. speech, and he said to himself, Verily, the Badawi spake the truth of her. Then she called to mine her brother and his sickness, and his strangerhood and her separation from him in his hour of weakness, and her not knowing what had befallen him, and she thought of all that had happened to her with the Badawi, and of her severance from her mother and father and native land. And the tears coursed down her cheeks, and fast as they started,

Starting point is 06:57:58 they dropped. Then she began reciting, Allah, whereer thou be, his aiding part to thee, who distant dwellest in my heart. Allah, be near thee, how so far thou fare, ward off all shifts of time, all dangers thwart. My nigh my nigh, are desolate for thy vanished sight and start my tears saw me how fast they start would have an eye kind what quarter or what land homes thee and in what house and tribe thou art and found of life thou drain in greeneth of rose while drink i tears drops for my soul desert And thou joy slumbered in those hours, when I pill-twixed my side, and couch coals burning smart. All things were easy, save to part from thee. For my sad heart, this grief is hard to dream.

Starting point is 06:59:08 When the merchant heard her verses, he wept, and put out his hand to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. But she let down her veil over her face, saying, And forbid, O my lord. Then the Badawi, who was sitting at a little distance, watching them, saw her cover her face from the merchant, while about to wipe the tears from her cheeks. And he concluded that she would have hindered him from handling her. So he rose and running to her, dealt her with a camel's halter he had in his hand, such a blow on the shoulders that she fell onto the ground, on her face. Her eyebrows struck a stone,

Starting point is 06:59:59 which cut it open, and the blood streamed down her cheeks, whereupon she screamed a loud scream, and felt faint, and wept bitterly. The merchant was moved to tears for her, and said in himself, There is no help for it, but that I buy this damsel, though at her weight in gold, and free her from this tyrant. And he began to revel the Badawi whilst the Nusat al-Zaman lay insensible. When she came to herself, she wiped away the tears and blood from her face, and she bound up her head. Then, raising her glance to heaven, she besought her lord with a sorrowful heart, and began repeating, And pity one who earns in honor throved, and now is fallen into sword disgrace. She weeps and baths her cheeks with railing tears, and asks, What cure can meet this fatal case?

Starting point is 07:01:09 When she had ended her verse, she turned to the murder. merchant and said in an undertone, by the Almighty, do not leave me with the tyrant, who knoweth not Allah the most high. If I pass this night in his place, I shall kill myself with my own end. Save me from him, so Allah save thee from Ghehenna fire. Then quote the merchant to the Badawi, O Shaikh of the Arabs, this slave is none of thine affair, so do thou sell her to me for what thou wilt. Take her, quote the Badawi, and pay me down her price, or I will carry her back to the camp, and there set her to feed the camels, and gather thy jungle, said the merchant, I will give

Starting point is 07:02:01 thee fifty thousand dinners for her. Allah will open, replied the Badawi. 70,000, said the merchant. Allah will open, repeated the Badawi. This is not the capital spent upon her, for she hath eaten with me barley bread to the value of 90,000 gold pieces. The merchant he rejoined,

Starting point is 07:02:28 Thou and thine, and all thy tribe in the length of your lives, have not eaten a thousand ducats worth of barley. but I will say thee one word, wherewith, if thou be not satisfied, I will set the Visroy of Damascus on thee, and he will take her from thee by force. The Badawi continued, say on, and hundred thousand, quote the merchant. I have sold her to thee at that price, answered the Badawi. I shall be able to buy salt with her. The merchant laughed, and going to his lodgings, brought the money, and put it into the hand of the Badawi,

Starting point is 07:03:15 who took it and made off, saying to himself, Needs must I go to Jerusalem where, happily, I shall happen on her brother, and I will bring him here and sell him also. So he mounted, and journeyed till he arrived at Jerusalem, where he went to the can, and asked for Zaw al-Makhan, but could not find him. Such was the case with him, but for what regards the merchant and Usat al-Zaman, when he took her, he threw some of his clothes over her,

Starting point is 07:03:52 and carried her to his lodgings. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say, End of Section 20, of the Book of a Thousand Nights and... A Knight, Volume 2. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 21, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton.

Starting point is 07:04:26 This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Nighter. Night Volume 2, Section 21. When it was the 58-night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the trader saved Nusat al-Saman, from the Badawi, and bore her to his lodgings, and robed her in the richest drayment, he went down with her to the bazaar, where he bought her

Starting point is 07:05:06 what ornaments she choose, and put them in a satin bag, which he set before her, saying, all is for thee and i ask nothing of thee in return but that when i lead thee to the sultan viceroy of damascus thou acquaint him with the price i paid for thee albeit it was little compared with thy value and if seeing thee he by thee of me thou tell him how i have dealt with thee and ask of him for me a royal patent and a written recommendation wherewith i can repair to his father king omar bin al-nu oman lord of baghdad to the intent that he may forbid the tax on my stuff or any other goods in which i traffic when she heard his words she wept and sobbed and the merchant said to her o my lady i observe that every time i mention baghdad thine eyes are tearful is there any one there whom thou lovest if it be a trader or the like tell me for i know all the merchants and so forth there and if thou wouldst send him a message i will bear it for thee replied she by allah i have no acquaintance among merchant-folk and the like i know none there but king omar binu oman lord of baghdad when the merchant heard her words he laughed and rejoiced with exceeding joy and said in himself by allah i have won my wish then he said to her

Starting point is 07:06:53 Has thou been shown to him in time past? She answered, no, but I was brought up with his daughter, and he holdeth me dear, and I have high honour with him. So if thou wouldst have the king grant thee thy desire, give me ink, case, and paper, and I will write thee a letter. And when thou reacheth the city of Baghdad, do thou deliver it into the hand, of King Omar bin Al-Nu-O-O-Man, and say to him, Thy handmaid, Nusat al-Saman, would have thee to know that the chances and changes of the

Starting point is 07:07:36 nights and days have struck her as with a hammer, and have smitten her, so that she hath been sowed from place to place, and she sendeth thee her salams. And if he ask further of her, say that I am now with you. the viceroy at Damascus. The merchant wondered at her eloquence, and his affection for her increased, and he said to her, I cannot but think that men have played upon thine understanding, and sold thee for money. Tell me, dost thou know the Koran by heart? Yes, answered she, And I am also acquainted with the philosophy and medicine, and the prolegomena of science, and the commentaries of Galen, the physician, on the canons of Hippocrates, and I have commented him, and I have read the Tasgira, and have commented the Burhan, and I have studied the symbols of Ibn Baitha, and I have something to say of the canon of Mecca by Avicenna. I can re-readles and I can solve ambiguities and discourse upon geometry and am skilled in anatomy.

Starting point is 07:08:56 I have read the books of the Shafi school and the traditions of the prophet and syntax, and I can argue with the olema and discourse of all manner learning. Moreover, I am skilled in logic and rhetoric and arithmetic, and the making of talismans and almanacs, and i know thoroughly the spiritual sciences and the times appointed for religious duties and i understand all these branches of knowledge then quoth she to the merchant bring me ink case and paper that i write thee a letter which will aid thee on thy journey to baghdad and enable thee to do without passports now when the merchant heard this he cried out brava brava then o happy heenho's palace thou shalt thereupon he brought her paper and ink case and a pen of brass and boosted the earth before her face to do her honour she took a sheet and handled the read and wrote therewith these verses i see all power of sleep from eyes of me hath flown say did thy parting teach this ein on wake to wone

Starting point is 07:10:20 what makes thy memory light such burnings in my heart hath every lover's strength such memories to own how sweet the big drop cloud which reads rained on summer day tis gone and ere i taste its sweets afar tis flown i pray the wind with windy breath to bring some news from thee to lover why twi love so woe begone complains to thee a lover of all hope forlorn for parting pangs can break not only heart but stone and when she had ended writing these verses she continued these words are from her who saith that melancholy destroyeth her and that watching wasteth her in the murk of whose night is found no light and darkness and day are the same in her sight she toteth on the couch of separation and her eyes are blackened with the pencils of sleeplessness she watcheth the stars arise and into the gloom she strains her eyes verily sadness and lines have consumed her strength and the setting forth of her case would run to length no helper hath she but tears and she reciteth these verses No ring-dove moans from home on branch in morning light, But shakes my very frame with sorrow's killing might.

Starting point is 07:12:00 No lover sighteth for his love or gladdeth heart, To meet his mate but breathes in me redoubled blight. I bear my plaint to one who has no ruth for me. Ah me how love can part man's mortal frame and sprite. Then her eyes welled over with tears, and she wrote also these two couplets. Love smote my frame so sore on parting day, that severance severed sleep and eyes for A. I waxed so lean that I'm still a man, but for my speaking thou wouldst never say. Then she shed tears and wrote at the foot of the sheet,

Starting point is 07:12:48 this cometh from her who is far from her folk and her native land the sorrowful-hearted woman noosat al-saman in fine she folded the sheet and gave it to the merchant who took it and kissed it and understood its contents and exclaimed glory to him who fashioned thee and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the fifty-ninth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that nusat al-saman wrote the letter and gave it to the merchant and he took it and read it and understood the contents and exclaimed glory to him who fashioned thee then he redoubled his kindness and made himself pleasant to her all that day and when night came he sallied out to her to her all that day and when night came he sallied out to her to her to her, the bazaar and bought some food, wherewith he fed her, after which she carried her to the hammam, and said to the bathwoman, as soon as thou hast made an end of washing her head, dress her and send, and let me know of it. And she replied, Heering is obeying. Meanwhile he fetched food and fruit and wax candles, and set them on the bench in the

Starting point is 07:14:17 outer room of the bath. And when the tire woman had done washing her, she dressed her and dead her out of the bath and seated her on the bench. Then she sent to tell the merchant, and Numat al-Saman went forth to the outer room, where she found the tray spread with food and fruit. So she ate, and the tirewoman with her, and gave the rest to the people and keeper of the bath. Then she slept till the morning, and the merchant lay the night in a place apart from her. When he aroused himself from sleep, he came to her, and waking her, presented her with stuff of fine stuff, and a headkerchief worth a thousand diners, a suit of Turkish embroidery, and walking boots purfled with red gold, and set with pearls and gems. Moreover, he hung in each of her ears a circlet of gold, with a fine pearl therein,

Starting point is 07:15:22 Worth a thousand diners, and threw round her neck a collar of gold, with bosses of garnet And a chain of amber beads that hung down between her breasts over her navel. Now to this chain were attached ten balls and nine crescents, and each crescent had in its midst a beasel of ruby, and each ball a beasel of ballas, the value of the chain was three thousand diners, and each of the balls were priced at twenty thousand dirams, so that the dress she wore was worth in all a great sum of money. When she had put these on, the merchant bade her adorn herself, and she adorn herself to the outmost, beauty, then she let fall her fillet over her eyes, and she fared forth with the merchant preceding her.

Starting point is 07:16:19 But when folk saw her all wondered at her beauty, and exclaimed, Blessed be Allah, the most excellent creator, O lucky the man in whose house the hall be. And the trader ceased not walking, and she behind him, till they entered the palace of Sultan Sharkhan. When he sought an audience and, kissing the earth between his hands, said, O auspicious king, I have brought thee a rare gift, unmatched in this time and richly gifted, with beauty and with good qualities. Quoth the king, let me see it. So the merchant went out and brought her, she following him till he made her stand before King Sharkan. When he beheld her, blood yearned to blood, though she had been parted from him in childhood,

Starting point is 07:17:16 and though he had never seen her, having only heard a long time after her birth, that he had a sister called Nusat al-Saman, and a brother, Sao Al-Makhan, he having been jealous of them because of the succession, and such was the cause of his knowing little about them. Then having placed her before the presence, the merchant said, O king of the age, besides being peerless in her time and beauty and loveliness, she is also versed in all learning, sacred and profane, including the art of government and the abstract sciences.

Starting point is 07:17:59 Quoth the king to the trader. Take her price according as thou boughtest her, and go thy ways. I hear and I obey, replied the merchant, but first write me a patent, exempting me forever from paying teeth on my merchandise. Said the king, I will do this, but first tell me what price thou paidest for her. Said the merchant, I bought her for an hundred thousand diners, and her clothes cost me another hundred thousand. When the sultan heard these words, he declared. I will give thee a higher price than this for her. And calling his treasurer, said to him,

Starting point is 07:18:45 Pay this merchant three hundred and twenty thousand ducats, so will he have an hundred and twenty thousand diners profit. Thereupon the sultan summoned the four casis, and paid him the money in their presence, and then he said, I call you to witness that I free this my slave-girl and purpose to man. marry her. So the cassis wrote out the deed of emancipation and the contract of marriage, when the sultan scattered much gold on the head of those present, and the pages and the eunuchs picked up the sluggies. Then, after paying him his monies, Sharkan, bade them write for the merchant, a perpetual patent,

Starting point is 07:19:31 exempting him from tall, tax or teeth upon his merchandise, and forbidding each and every in all his government to molest him. And lastly, bestowed on him a splendid dress of honor. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 21 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 22, Volume 2 of the book A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libervox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libervox.org. Recording by Werthe Spike Fogre.

Starting point is 07:20:28 The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 2, Section 22. When it was the 60th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that King Sharakan bade them write for the merchant a mandate, after paying him his monies, and they wrote a perpetual patent, exempting him from the tithe upon his merchandise, and forbidding any in his government to molest him, and lastly bestowed upon him a splendid dress of honor. Then all about him retired, and none remained, save the Khazis and the merchant. Whereupon, said he to the judges, I wish you to hear such discourse from the stamsle as may prove her knowledge and accomplishments in all aimed for her by this traitor, that we, ascertain the truth of this ascertations. They answered,

Starting point is 07:21:16 There is no evil in that. And he commanded the curtain to be let down between him and those with him, and the maiden and those with her, and the women about the damsel behind the curtains, began to wish her joy and kiss her hands and feet, when they learned that she was become the king's wife. Then they came round her, and took off her dresses, easing her of the weight of her clothes, and began to look upon her beauty and loveliness. Presently the wives of the emirs and the wazirs, heard that King Sharakin had bought a handmaiden, unmatched for her beauty and learning and philosophy and account-keeping, and versed in all branches of knowledge, that he had paid for her three hundred and twenty thousand dinars, and that he had set her free and had written a marriage

Starting point is 07:21:59 contract with her, and had summoned the four Khazis to make trial of her, and how she would answer all their questions and hold disputations with them. So they asked leave of their husbands, and repaired to the palace whereupon was Nazhat al-Zaman. When they came into her, they found the eunuchs standing before her, and as soon as she saw the wives of the emirs and the wazirs and the grandees of the realm coming to call upon her, she rose to them on her feet and met them with courtesy, her handmaiden standing behind her, and she received them saying, Ye be welcome.

Starting point is 07:22:35 The while she smiled in their faces so as to win their hearts, and she promised them all manner of good and seated them in their proper stations as if she had been brought up with them. So all wondered at her beauty and loveliness, and said to one another, This damsel is none other than a queen, the daughter of a king. Then they sat down, magnifying her worth, and said to her, O our lady, this our city is illuminated by thee, and our country and abode and birth, place and reign are honored by thy presence. The kingdom indeed is thy palace, and we all are thy,

Starting point is 07:23:09 handmaids. So, by Allah, do not shut us out from thy favors, and thy sight of thy beauty, and she thanked them for this. All this while the curtains were let down between Nizat al-Zaman and the woman with her, on the one side and the king Sharkan, and the four causies and the merchant seated by him on the other. Presently King Sharkin called to her and said, O queen, the glory of thine age, This merchant hath described thee as being learned and accomplished, and he claimeth that thou art skilled in all branches of knowledge, even to astrology. So let us hear something of all this he hath mentioned, and fathar us with a short discourse on such subjects. She replied, saying, O king, to hear is to obey. The first subject whereof I will treat are the art of government and the duties of the kings,

Starting point is 07:23:59 and what behooveth the governors of commanding meats according to religious law, and what is incumbent on them in respects of satisfactory speech and manners. Know then, O King, that all men's work tends either to religious or to leical life, though none attaineth to religions save through this world, because it is the best road to futurity. Now the works of this world are not ordered, save by the doings, of its people and the men's doings are divided into four divisions, divisions, government, commerce, husbandry, and craftsmanship. Now government requireth perfect administration with just and true judgment, for government is the pivot of the edifice of the

Starting point is 07:24:41 world which world is the road to futurity. Since Allah Almighty hath made for the world his servants as viaticum to the traveler for the attainment of his goal, and it befitteth each man that he receive of it such measure as shall bring him to Allah, and that he follow not herein his own mind and his individual lust. If the folk would take of worldly goods with justice and equity, all cause of contention would be cut off, but they take thereof with violence, and after their own desires,

Starting point is 07:25:13 and their persistence, therein gives rise to contentions. So they have need of the sultan, that he do justice between them and order their affairs, and if the king restrain not his folk from one another, they strong will drive the weak to the wall. Hence Adershire said, Religion and kingship, the twins' religion, is a hidden treasure to the king.

Starting point is 07:25:36 It is its keeper, and the divine ordinances and men's intelligence puts it out that it behooveth the people to adopt a sultan who shall withhold oppressor from the oppressed, and do the weak justice against the strong and restrain the violence of the proud and the rebels against rule. For know, O king, that according to the measures of the sultan's good, morals, even so will be the time, as saith the apostles of Allah, on whom the peace and salvation, there be two classes who, if they be good, the people will be good, and if they be bad, the people will be bad, even the Olemma and the Amirs, and it is said by a certain sage, there be three kinds of kings, the king of the faith, the king who protecteth things to which reverences do, and the king of his own lusts. The king of his own lusts. The king of his own lusts.

Starting point is 07:26:27 of the faith obligeth his subjects to follow their faith, and it behooveth he be the most faithful, for it is by him that they take pattern in the things of the faith, and it becometh the folk to obey him in whatsoever commandeth according to define ordinance, but he shall hold the discontented in the same esteem as the contented because of submission to the decrees of destiny. As for the king who protecteth things to be reverenced, He upholdeth the things of the faith and of the world compeleth his folk to follow, The divine law to preserve the rights of humanity, And it fitteth him to unite pen and sword,

Starting point is 07:27:09 For whoso declines from that pen hath written his feet slip, And the king shall rectify his error with a sharp sword And to spread his justice over all mankind. As for the king of his own lust, he hath no religion, but the following his desire, and as he feareth not the wrath of his lord who sent him on the throne. So his kingdom inclineth to disposition, and at the end his pride is in the house of perdition, and sages say, The king hath need of many people, but the king have need of but one king. Wherefore it be seemeth that he be well acquainted with their natures, that he reduced their discord to concord, that with his justice he encompasses them all and with his bounties overwhelm them all.

Starting point is 07:27:55 No, O King the Arashir styled Jemir Shadid, or the Live Cole, third of the kings of Persia, conquered the whole world and divided it into four divisions. And for this purpose, get for himself four seal rings, one for each division. The first seal was that of sea, and the police of prohibition, and on it was written alterna lives. The second was the seal of tribute and of the receipt of monies, and on it was written building up. The third was the seal of the provisioning department, and on it was written plenty. The fourth seal was the seal of the oppressed, and on it was written justice. And these usages remained valid in Persia until the revelation of al-Islam.

Starting point is 07:28:42 Krosros also wrote his son, who was with the army, be not thou too open-handed with the troops, or they will be too rich to need thee. And Shrahtrazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say, When it was the sixty-first night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Krosros wrote his son. Be not thou too open-handed with thy troops, or they will be too rich to need thee, nor be thou niggardly with them, or they will murmur against thee. Give thy giving deliberately, and confer thy favors advisedly,

Starting point is 07:29:19 Open thy hand to them in time of success, And stint them not in time of distress. There is a legend that the desert Arab came once to the Caliph al-Mansur, And said, Starve thy dog, and he shall follow thee. When the Caliph heard his words, he was enraged with the Arab. But Abu Abbas of Tuss said to him, I fear that if some other, then thou should show him, him a scone, the dog would follow him and leave the alone. Thereupon the Caliph al-Monshire's

Starting point is 07:29:50 wrath subsided, and when he knew that the wild Arab had intended no offense and ordered him a present, and know, O king, that Abd al-Malik bin Mourin wrote to his brother Abd al-Aziz when he dispatched him to Egypt, as follows, pay heed to thy secretaries and thy chamberlains, for the secretaries will acquaint thee with the estate of finished matters. and the chamberlains with matters of official ceremony, whilst thine expenditure will make thy troops known to thee. Omar bin al-Katab, whom Allah accept, when engaging a servant, was in the habit of conditioning him with four conditions, the first that he should not ride the baggage beasts, the second

Starting point is 07:30:32 that he should not wear fine clothes, the third that he should not eat the spoil, and the fourth that he should not put off praying until after the proper period. It is said that there is no wealth more profitable than understanding, and there is no understanding like common sense and prudence, and there is no prudence like piety, that there is no means of drawing near to God like good morals, no measure like good breeding, no traffic like good works, and no profit like earning the divine favor, that there is no temperance like standing within the limits of the law, no science like that of meditation, no worship like obeying the divine commands, no faith like modesty, no calculation like self-abasement, and no

Starting point is 07:31:16 honor like knowledge. So guard the head and what it containeth, the belly and what it comprises, and think of death and doom ere it ariseth. Sayeth Ali, whose face a la honor, beware of the wickedness of women, and be on thy guard against them. Consult them not in aught, but grudged not complacence to them, least they agreed for intrigue, and eke quoth he, whoso leaveth the path of moderation, his wits become perplexed, and there be rules for this, which we will mention. If it be Allah's will, and Omar, who Allah accept, saith, there are three kinds of women, firstly the true believing, heaven-fearing, loveful and fruitful, who helpeth her mate against fate, not helping fate against her mate.

Starting point is 07:32:06 secondly she who loveth her children but no more and lastly she who is shackle allah setteth on the neck of whom he will men be also three the wise when he exerciseth his own judgment the wiser who when befalleth somewhat whereof he knoweth not the issue seeketh the folk of good counsel and acteth by their advice and the wise iris lute ignoring the right way nor heeding those who would guide him straight justice is indispensable in all things. Even slave-girls have need of justice. And men, quote, as an instance highway robbers who live by violent mankind, for did not deal equitably among themselves, and observe justice in dividing their booty, their order would fall to pieces. In short, for the rest, the Prince of Noble qualities is beneficence. Come benevolence, and how excellent is the saying of the poet,

Starting point is 07:33:03 by open hand and Ruth, the youth rose to his tribe's command, go and do likewise for the same were easy task to thee, and quoth another, in Ruth and mildness surety lies, and mercy wins respect, and truth is best asylum for the man of sooth fast soul, who so for wealth of gold would win and wear the world's good, word, on glory's course must ever be the first to gain the goal. And Nazhat al-Zaman discovered upon the policy of the kings till the bystanders said, Never have we seen one reason of rule and government like this damsel. Happily she will let us hear some discourse upon subject other than this. When she heard their words and understood them, she said, As for the chapter of good breeding, it is wide of comprehension being a compend

Starting point is 07:33:58 of things perfect. Now it so happened that one day there came Caliph Mu Ayuiyya, one of his companions who mentioned the rank of Iraq and the goodness of their wit, and the Caliph's wife, Maysoon, mother of Yazid, heard his words, so when he was gone, she said to the caliph, O prince of the faithful, I would thou let some of the people of Iraq come in and talk to thee, that I may hear their discourse. Therewith Mu Ayuria said to his, attendants, see who is at the door, and they answered, the Banu Tamim. Let them come in, said he. So they came in, and with them, Al-Anafaf, son of Cays, then quoth Mou Aweya. Enter, O Abu Bar, and drew a curtain between himself and Mason, that she might hear what they said without being seen

Starting point is 07:34:50 herself. Then he said to Al-Anaf, O son of sea, draw near and tell me what counsel thou hast for me, Quoth al-enough, part thy hair and trim thy mastachio, and pare thy nails and pluck thine armpits, and shave thy pubs, and ever use the toothpick because therein be two and seventy virtues, and make the gusul or complete absolution on Friday, as an expiation for all between the Fridays, and shah Rizid perceived the dawn of day, and cease saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 07:35:22 When it was the sixty-second night, she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that anaph bin kies replied to al mu aueaas question and ever use the toothpick because therein be two in seventy virtues and make the complete friday absolution as an expiation for all between the two fridays quoth mu what is thy counsel to thyself to set my feet firmly on the ground to move them deliberately and watch over them with mine eyes how dost thou order thyself when thou goest into one not of thy nobles and of thy tribe i lower mine eyes modestly and i salute first i avoid what concerneth me not and i spare my words and how when thou goest into thine equals i give ear to them when they speak and i do not assail them when they err When thou goest into thy chiefs, I salute them without making any sign, and await the reply, If they bid me draw near, I draw near, and if they draw off from me I withdraw. How dost thou with thy wife, quoth enough, excuse me from answering this, O commander of the faithful, But Mu Ayahu cried, I conjure thee in for me, he said.

Starting point is 07:36:38 I entreat her kindly, and show her familiarity, and I am large in expenditure, for woman was created of a crooked rib, and how dost thou, when thou hast a mind to lie with her? I bid her perfume herself, and kiss her till she is moved to desire, then should it be, as thou knowest, I throw her on her back. If the seed abide in her womb, I say, O Allah, make it blessed, and let it not be wasteral, but fashion it into the best of fashions. Then I arise from her to absolution, and first I pour water over my hands, and then over my body, and lastly, I praise Allah for the joy he hath given me, said Muu'u'eo. Thou hast answered right well, and now tell me what thy requirements, said Anaf.

Starting point is 07:37:24 I would have thee rule thide subjects in the fear of Allah, and do even hand to justice between them. Thereupon Annaf rose to his feet, and left the Caliph's presence. And when he had gone, Maysoon said, Where there but this man in Iraq? He would suffice it. Then continued Nuzat al-Zaman, all this is a section of the chapter of good breeding, and know O King that Muayakib was intendant of the public treasury,

Starting point is 07:37:51 during the caliphate of Omar bin al-Katab, and Shazrad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to her permitted to say. End of Section 22 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Recorded by Wirtes-Bike Fogrea, Ria, Kentucky. Section 23, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Ashweth Canation. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 23.

Starting point is 07:38:44 When it was the sixty-third night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Nuzat al-Zaman continued, No, O king, that Mouikib was intendant of the public treasury during the caliphate of Omar bin al-Katab, and it so befell him that he saw Omar's son and gave him a diram out of the treasury. Thereupon, quoth Mouikib, I returned to my own house, and while I was sitting there, Behold, a messenger came to me from Omar, and I was afraid, and went to him. And when I came into his presence, in his hand was the diram I had given his son. He said to me, woe to thee, Muaykib, I have found somewhat concerning thy soul.

Starting point is 07:39:34 I asked, and what is that? And he answered, It is that thou hast shown thyself a foe to the followers of Muhammad, on whom be peace and salvation in the matter of this dear arm, and thou wilt have to account for it on resurrection day. And Omar also wrote a letter to Abu Musa al-Ashari as follows. When these presents reach thee, give the people what is theirs and remit to me the rest. And he did so.

Starting point is 07:40:03 Now, when Othman succeeded to the caliphate, he wrote a like letter to Abu Musa, who did this bidding, and sent him the tribute accordingly. And with it came Ziyadh. And when Ziyadh laid the tribute before Othman, the Caliph's son came in and took Adiram. Whereupon Ziyadh shed tears, Othman asked, Why weepest thou?

Starting point is 07:40:27 And Ziyad answered, I once brought Omar bin al-Kathab the like of this, and his son took Adiram, whereupon Omar bade snatch it from his hand. Now, thy son hath taken of the tribute, Yet, I have seen none say aught to him or snatch the money from him. Then, Othman cried, And where wilt thou find the like of Omar?

Starting point is 07:40:52 Again, Zaid bin Aslam relates of his father that he said, I went out one night with Omar till we approached a blazing fire. Quoth Omar, O Islam, I think these must be travellers who are suffering from the cold. Come, let us join them. So we walked on till we came to them, and behold, we found a woman who had lighted a fire under a cauldron, and by her side were two children both a-wailing. Said Omar, Peace be with you, O folk of light, for it was repugnant to him to say folk of fire.

Starting point is 07:41:28 What aileth you? said she, the cold and the night trouble us. He asked, What aileth these little people that they weep? And she answered, they are hungry. He inquired, And what is in this cauldron? And she replied, It is what I quiet them with all, And Allah will question Omar bin al-Katab of them

Starting point is 07:41:51 On the day of doom. He said, And what should Omar know of their case? Why then, rejoined she? Should he manage people's affairs And yet be unmindful of them? Thereupon Omar turned to me, continued Islam, And cried,

Starting point is 07:42:07 Come with us! So we set off running, till we reached the pay department of his treasury, where he took out a sack containing flour and a pot holding fat, and said to me, load these on my back, quoth I, O commander of the faithful, I will carry them for thee. He rejoined, wilt thou bear my load for me on the day of resurrection? So I put the things on his back, and we set off, running, so we threw down the sack hard by her. Then he took out some of the flour, and put it in the cauldron and saying to the woman, leave it to me, he began blowing the fire under the

Starting point is 07:42:44 cauldron. Now, he was a long-bearded man, and I saw the smoke issuing from between the hairs of his beard till the flour was cooked, when he took some of the fat and threw it in and said to the woman, Bed them while I cool it for them. So they fell to eating till they had eaten their fill, and he left the rest with her. Then he turned to me and said, Oh, Aslam. I see it was indeed hunger made them weep. And I'll I am glad I did not go away, ere I found out the cause of the light I saw, and Charazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 64th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that

Starting point is 07:43:28 Nuzat al-Zaman continued. It is related that Omar passed by a flock of sheep kept by a mameluke, and asked him to sell him a sheep. He answered, They are not mine. Thou art the man I sought, said Omar, and bought him and freed him. Whereupon the slave exclaimed, O Allah, as thou hast bestowed upon me the lesser emancipation, so vouchsafe me the greater.

Starting point is 07:43:54 It is also said that Omar bin al-Katab was wont to give his servant's sweet milk, and himself eat coarse fare, and to clothe them softly, and himself wear rough garments. He rendered unto all men there due, and exceeded in his giving to them. He once gave a man four thousand dirams, and added thereto a thousand. Wherefore it was said to him,

Starting point is 07:44:18 Why dost thou not increase to thy son, as thou increases to this man? He answered, This man's father stood firm at the battle of O'Hod. Al-Hassan relates that Omar once came back from Foray with much money, and that Hafsah approached him and said, O commander of the faithful, the due of kinship. O Hafsa replied he

Starting point is 07:44:39 Verily Allah hath enjoined us to satisfy the dues of kinship But not with the monies of the true believers Indeed thou pleasest thy family But thou angriest thy father And she went away trailing her skirts The son of Omar said I implored the Lord to show me my father one year after his death Till at last I saw him wiping the sweat from his brow

Starting point is 07:45:05 And asked him How is it with thee, O my father? He answered, But for my Lord's mercy thy father surely had perished. Then said Nuzat al-Zumann, Here, O auspicious king, the second division of the first chapter of the instances of the followers of the apostle

Starting point is 07:45:24 and other holy men. Saith al-Hassan al-Basri, not a soul of the sons of Adam goeth forth of the world without regretting three things. failure to enjoy what he hath amassed, failure to compass what he had hoped, failure to provide himself with sufficient Viaticum for that here-to he goeth. It was said of Sufyan,

Starting point is 07:45:48 Can a man be a religious and yet possess well? He replied, Yes, so he be patient when grieved, and be thankful when he hath received. Abdullah bin Shadad, being about to die, sent for his son, Muhammad, an admoner. He astonished him, saying, O my son, I see the summoner of death summoning me, and so I charge thee to fear Allah, both in public and in private, to praise Allah, and to be soothfast in

Starting point is 07:46:18 thy speech, for such praise bringeth increase of prosperity, and piety in itself is the best of provision for the next world, even as saith one of the poets, I see not happiness lies in gathering gold, the man most pious is man happiest. In truth, the fear of God is best of stores, and God shall make the pious, choicely blessed. Then, Quote Nuzrat al-Saman, let the king also give ear to these notes from the second section of the first chapter. He asked her, What be they? And she answered, when Omar bin Abed al-Aziz succeeded to the caliphate. He went to his household,

Starting point is 07:47:04 and laying hands on all that was in their hold, put it into the public treasury. So the Banu Umayya flew for aid to his father's sister, Fatima, daughter of Marwan, and she sent to him, saying, I must need speak to thee. So she came to him by night, and when he had made her all right from her beast and sit down,

Starting point is 07:47:25 he said to her, O aunt, it is for thee to speak first, since thou hast something to ask. Tell me then what thou wouldst with me. Replied she, O commander of the faithful, it is thine to speak first, for thy judgment perceiveth that which is hidden from the intelligence of others. Then said Omar, of a verity Allah Almighty sent Muhammad as a blessing to some and abain to others, and he elected for him those with him, and commissioned him as his apostle,

Starting point is 07:47:59 and took him to himself. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. When it was the 65th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Nuzat al-Zaman continued thus, said O my,

Starting point is 07:48:18 Verily, Allah commissioned as his apostle, Muhammad, upon whom be the benediction of Allah and his salvation, for a blessing to some and abain to others. And he elected for him those with him, and took him to himself, leaving the people a stream whereof they might drink. After him, Abu Bakr, the truth-teller, became Caliph, and he left the river as it was, doing what was pleasing to Allah. Then arose Omar, and worked to work, and strove in holy war and strife whereof none might do the like. But when Othma's arose to power, he diverted a streamlet from the stream, and Muya-viah in his turn diverted from it

Starting point is 07:48:59 several streamlets, and without ceasing in like manner, Yazid and the Banu Marvan, such as Abid al-Malek and Valid and Suleiman, drew away water from the stream, and the main course dried up till rule devolved upon me, and now I am minded to restore the stream to its normal condition. When Fatima heard this, she said, I came wishing only to see. speak and confer with thee. But if this be thy word, I have nothing to say to thee. Then she returned to the Omiyadhys, and said to them, Now take ye the consequences of your act when ye allied yourselves by marriage with Omar bin al-Qatab. And it is also said that when Omar was about to die, he gathered his children round him,

Starting point is 07:49:45 and Maslama bin Abid al-Malik said to him, O Prince of the faithful, how wilt thou leave thy children paupers, and thou their protector? None can hinder thee in thy lifetime from giving them what will suffice them out of the treasury. And this, indeed, were better than leaving the good work to him who shall rule after thee. Omar looked at him with a look of wrath and wonder, and presently replied, O Maslama, I have defended them from this sin all the days of my life, and shall I make them miserable after my death? Of a truth, my sons are like other men, either obedient to Almighty Allah who will prosper them,

Starting point is 07:50:26 or disobedient, and I will not help them in their disobedience. Know, O Maslama, that I was present, even as thou, when such an one of the sons of Marwanas was buried, and I fell asleep by him, and saw him in a dream given over to one of the punishments of Allah, to whom belong honor and glory. This terrified me and made me tremble, and I vowed to you. to Allah that if ever I came to power, I would not do such deeds as the dead man had done. I have striven to fulfill this vow all the length of my life, and I hope to die in the mercy of my lord. Quoth Maslama, a certain man died, and I was present at his burial, and when

Starting point is 07:51:07 all was over I fell asleep, and I saw him as a sleeper seeeth a dream, walking in a garden of flowing waters clad in white clothes. He came up to me and said, O Maslama, it is a for the like of this that rulers should rule. Many are the instances of this kind, and quoth one of the men of authority, I used to milk the ewes in the caliphate of Omar bin Abid al-Aziz, and one day I met a shepherd among whose sheep I saw a wolf, or wolves. I thought them to be dogs, for I had never before seen wolves. So I asked, what does thou with these dogs? They are not dogs but wolves, answer the shepherd. Quoth I, can wolves be with sheep? and not hurt them?

Starting point is 07:51:51 Quoth ye, when the head is whole, the body is whole. Omar bin Abid al-Aziz once preached from a pulpit of clay, and after praising and glorifying Allah Almighty said three words as follows, O folk, make clean your inmost hearts, that your outward lives may be dean to your brethren, and abstain ye from the things of the world. Know that between us and Adam there is no one man alive among the dead, dead are Abu Dahl Malik and those who forewent him,

Starting point is 07:52:23 and Omar also shall die, and those who forewent him. Asked Maslama, O commander of the faithful, and we set a pillow behind thee, will thou lean upon it a little while? But Omar answered, I fear lest it be a fault about my neck on resurrection day. Then he grasped with a death-retel,

Starting point is 07:52:44 and fell back in a faint, whereupon Fatima cried out, saying, Ho Mariam! Ho Muzahim! Oh, such a one, look to this man! And she began to pour water on him, weeping, till he revived from his swoon. And, seeing her in tears, said to her, What caused it thee to weep, O Fatima?

Starting point is 07:53:05 She replied, O commander of the faithful, I saw thee lying prostrate before us, and thought of thy prostration in death before Almighty Allah, of thy departure from this world, and of thy separation from us. This is what made me weep. Answered he, enough, O Fatima, for indeed thou exceedest.

Starting point is 07:53:26 Then he would have risen, but fell down. And Fatima strained him to her, and said, Thou art to me as my father and my mother, O commander of the faithful. We cannot speak to thee all of us. Then, quoth Nuzathalzaman to her brother, Sharkhan, and the four Khazis. Here endeth the second section of the first chapter. and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day

Starting point is 07:53:51 and ceased to say her permitted say End of Section 23 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 2 Recording by Ashwath Ganeshan Section 24 Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Translated by Richard Burton This is a Libervox recording

Starting point is 07:54:18 All Librevox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Colinda The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 2, Section 24. When it was the 66th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Nuzat al-Zaman said to her brother, Sharakan, and the four Kazis, here endeth the second section of the first chapter,

Starting point is 07:54:50 and it so happened that Omar bin Abed al-Aziz rode to the people of the festival at Mecca as follows. I call Allah to witness in this holy month, in the holy city, and on the day of the greater pilgrimage, that I am innocent of your oppression and of his wrongs that doth wrong you, in that I have neither commanded this nor purposed it, neither hath any report of aught thereof hitherto reached me, nor have I compassed any knowledge thereof, and I trust that a cause for pardon will be found in that none hath authority from me to oppress any man, for I shall assuredly be questioned concerning everyone oppressed.

Starting point is 07:55:30 And if any of my officers swerve from the right and act otherwise than the Holy Book and the traditions of the Apostle do authorize, obey him not, so that he may return to the way of righteousness. He said also, Allah accept of him, I do not wish to be relieved from death, because it is the supreme thing for which the true believer is rewarded. Quoth one of authority, I went to the prince of the faithful,

Starting point is 07:55:56 Omar bin Abed al-Aziz, who was then Caliph, and saw before him twelve dirhams, which he ordered for deposit in the public treasury. So I said to him, O commander of the faithful, thou impoverishest thy children, and reducest them to beggary, having nothing whereon to live on.

Starting point is 07:56:15 And thou wouldst appoint somewhat by will to them and to those who are poor of the people of thy house, it were well. Draw near to me, answered he, so I drew near to him, and he said, Now as for thy saying, thou beggarest thy children, provide for them and for the poor of thy household, it is without reason, for Allah of a truth will replace me to my children and to the poor of my house, and he will be their guardian. Verily, they are like other men, he who feareth Allah,

Starting point is 07:56:43 right soon will Allah provide for him a happy issue, and he that is addicted to sins, I will not hold him in his sin against Allah. Then he summoned his sons who numbered twelve, and when he beheld them his eyes dropped tears, and presently he said to them, Your father is between two things, either ye will be well to do, and your parent will enter the fire, or ye will be poor and your parent will enter paradise.

Starting point is 07:57:09 And your father's entry into paradise is leifer to him than that ye should be well to do. So arise and go, Allah be your helper, for to him I commit your affairs. Yusuf bin Omar accompanied me to Hisham bin Abed al-Malek, and as I met him he was coming forth with his kinsman and attendants. He alighted, and a tent was pitched for him. When the people had taken their seats, I came up to the side of the carpet whereon he

Starting point is 07:57:38 sat reclining, and looked at him. And waiting till my eyes met his eyes, bespoke him thus. May Allah fulfill his bounty to thee, O commander of the faithful. I have an admonition for thee which hath come down to us from the history of the kings preceding thee. At this, he sat up, when as he had been reclining, and said to me, Bring what thou hast, O son of Safwan. Quoth I, O commander of the faithful, one of the kings before thee went forth in a time

Starting point is 07:58:09 before this thy time, to this very country, and said to his companions, saw ye ever any state like mine, and say me, hath such case been given to any man even as it hath been given unto me? Now there was with him a man of those who survived to bear testimony to truth, upholders of the right and wayfarers in its highway, and he said to him, O king, thou askest of a grave matter, wilt thou give me leave to answer? Yes, replied the king, and the other said, dost thou judge thy present state to be short-lasting, or everlasting.

Starting point is 07:58:44 It is temporary, replied the king. How, then, rejoined the man, do I see the exulting in that which thou wilt enjoy, but a little while and whereof thou wilt be questioned for a long while, and for the rendering an account whereof thou shalt be as a pledge which is pawned? Quoth the king, Whither shall I flee, and what must I seek for me? That thou abide in thy kingship, replied the other, or else robe thee in rags, and apply thyself to obey thyself to obey.

Starting point is 07:59:12 obey Almighty Allah, thy lord, until thine appointed hour. I will come to thee again at daybreak. Khalid bin Safwan further relates that the man knocked at the door at dawn, and behold, the king had put off his crown and resolved to become an anchorite, for the stress of his exhortation. When Hisham bin Abid al-Malek heard this, he wept till his beard was wet, and bidding his rich apparel be put off, shut himself up in his palace. then the grand ease and dependents came to calide and said what is this thou hast done with the commander of the faithful thou hast troubled his pleasure and disturbed his life then quoth nujat al m'saman addressing herself to sharkhan how many instances of admonition are there not in this chapter of a truth i cannot report all appertaining to this head in a single sitting and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say When it was the 67th night, she said,

Starting point is 08:00:15 It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Nuzat al-Zaman continued, speaking to Sharkhan, know, O King, that in this chapter be so many instances of admonition that of a truth I cannot report all appertaining to this head in a single sitting, but with length of days, O King of the Age, all will be well. There said the Cazis, O King, of a truth this damsel is the wonder of the world, and of our age the unique pearl. Never heard we her like, in the length of time or in the length of our lives.

Starting point is 08:00:49 And they called down blessings on the king and went away. Then Sharkhan turned to his attendance and said, Begin ye to prepare the marriage festival and make ready food of all kinds. So they forthright did his bidding as regards the Vyans, and he commanded the wives of the amirs and waziers and grandees depart, not until the time of the wedding banquet, and of the unveiling of the bride. hardly came the period of afternoon prayer when the tables were spread with what so heart can desire or eye can delight in of roast meats and geese and fowls and the subjects ate till they were satisfied moreover sharkand had sent for all the singing women of damascus and they were present together with every slave-girl of the king and of the notables who knew how to sing and they went up to the palace in one body when the evening came and darkness starkened

Starting point is 08:01:43 They lighted candles right and left, from the gate of the citadel to that of the palace, and the emirs and wazirs and grandees marched past before King Sharkhan, whilst the singers and the tirewoman took the damsel to dress and adorn her, but found she needed no adornment. Meantime, King Sharkan went to the Haman, and coming out sat down on his seat of estate, whilst they paraded the bride before him in seven different dresses, after which they eased her of the weight of her raiment and ornament, and gave such injunctions as are enjoined upon virgins on their wedding nights.

Starting point is 08:02:18 Then Sharkhan went in unto her and took her maidenhead, and she at once conceived by him, and when she announced it he rejoiced with exceeding joy, and commanded the savants to record the date of her conception. On the morrow, he went forth and seated himself on his throne, and the high officers came into him and gave him joy. Then he called his private secretary and bade him write a letter to his father, King Omar bin Al-Nu-Nu-U-Mann, saying that he had bought him a damsel who excels in learning

Starting point is 08:02:46 and good-breeding, and who is mistress of all kinds of knowledge. Moreover, he wrote, There is no help but that I send her to Baghdad to visit my brother, Zau al-Makhan, and my sister Nuzat al-Zaman. I have set her free and married her, and she hath conceived by me. And he went on to praise her wit, and salute his brother and sister together with the Wazir Dandan and all the emirs. Then he sealed the letter. and dispatched it to his father by a post-currier who was absent a whole month, after which time he returned with the answer and presented it in the presence. Sharkhan took it, and read as follows.

Starting point is 08:03:24 After the usual bismillah, this is from the afflicted, distracted man, from him who hath lost his children and home by bane and ban, King Omar bin al-Nu-Nu-to his son Shar Khan. Know that since thy departure from me, the place has become contracted upon me, so that no longer I have power of patience, nor can I keep my secret, and the cause thereof is as follows. A chance that when I went forth to hunt and course, Zau al-Makhan sought my leave to fair Hijah's wards. But I, fearing for him the shifts of fortune, forbade him therefrom until the next year or the year after. My absence while sporting and hunting endured for a whole month. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 08:04:12 when it was the sixty-eighth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that king omar bin al-nuaman wrote in his letter my absence while sporting and hunting endured for a whole month and when i returned i found that thy brother and sister had taken somewhat of money and had set out with the pilgrim caravan for pilgrimage by stealth when i knew this the wide world narrowed on me o my son but i awaited the return of the caravan hoping that happily they would come back with it accordingly when the palmer's appeared i asked concerning the twain but they could give me no news of them So I donned mourning for them, being heavy at heart, and in sleep I have no part, and I am drowned in the tears of my eyes. Then he wrote in verse, That pair and image quits me not one single hour, whom in my heart's most honorable place I keep, since hope of their return I would not live one hour. Without my dreams of them, I ne'er would stretch me in sleep.

Starting point is 08:05:15 The letter went on, And after the usual salutations to thee and thine, I command thee neglect no manner of seeking news of them, for indeed this is a shame to us. When Sharkhan read the letter he felt grief for his father, and joy for the loss of his brother and sister. Then he took the missive, and went in with it to Nuzhat al-Zaman, who knew not that he was her brother, nor he that she was his sister, albeit he often visited her both by night and by day, till the months were accomplished and she sat down on the stool of delivery. Allah made the child birth easy to her, and she bear a daughter.

Starting point is 08:05:52 Whereupon she sent for Sharkhan, and seeing him, she said to him, This is thy daughter, name her as thou wilt. Quoth he, it is usual to name children on the seventh day after birth. Then he bent over the child to kiss it, and he saw, hung about its neck, a jewel, which he knew at once for one of those which Princess Abriza had brought from the land of the Greeks. Now when he saw the jewel hanging from his babe's neck, he recognized it right well. His senses fled and wrath seized on him. His eyes rolled in rage and he looked at Nuzat al-Zaman and said to her,

Starting point is 08:06:27 "'Wence hadst thou this jewel, O slave-girl?' When she heard this from Sharkhan, she replied, "'I am thy lady and the lady of all in thy palace. Art thou not ashamed to say to me, slave-girl? I am queen, daughter of King Omar bin Al-Annu-umon. hearing this he was seized with trembling and hung his head earthwards and shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section twenty four of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume two recording by colinda in lunework germany on february twentieth two section twenty five volume two of the book of a thousand nights and a knight translated by richard burton this is a libravox record all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox dot org recording by colinda the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two section twenty five when it was the sixty ninth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when shah khan heard these words his heart fluttered and his color waxed yellow, and he was seized with trembling, and he hung his head earthwards, for he knew

Starting point is 08:07:57 that she was his sister by the same father. Then he lost his senses, and when he revived, he abode an amazement, but did not discover his identity to her, and asked, O my lady, say, art thou in sooth the daughter of King Omar bin Al-Nuhumon? Yes, answered she. And he continued, Tell me the cause of thy leaving thy sire, and of thy being sold for a slave. So she related to him all that had befallen her from beginning to end, how she had left her brother sick in the sanctified city, Jerusalem, and how the Badawi had kidnapped her

Starting point is 08:08:36 and had sold her to the traitor. When Sharkhan heard this, he was certified of her being his sister on the sword side, and said to himself, How can I have my sister to wife? By Allah, needs must I marry her to one of my chamberlains, and if the thing get wind, I will declare that I divorced her before consummation, and married her to my chief chamberlain. Then he raised his head, and sighing said, O Nuzat al-Zaman, thou art my very sister, and I cry, I take refuge with Allah from this sin wherein to we have fallen, for I am Sharkhan, son of Omar bin al-Nu-Numon. She looked at him, and knew he spoke the truth, and becoming as one demented she wept and, she wept and, buffeted her face, exclaiming,

Starting point is 08:09:21 There is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah. Verily have we fallen into mortal sin. What shall I do, and what shall I say to my father and my mother when they ask me, whence hadst thou thy daughter? Quoth Sharcon, it were meetest that I marry thee to my chamberlain, and let thee bring up my daughter in his house, that none may know thou be my sister. This hath befallen us from Almighty Allah for a purpose of his, own, and nothing shall cover us, but thy marriage with this chamberlain, e'er any know.

Starting point is 08:09:55 Then he fell to comforting her, and kissing her head, and she asked him, What wilt thou call the girl? Call her Cusia Fakan, answered he. Then he gave the mother in marriage to the chief chamberlain, and transferred her to his house with the child, which they reared on the laps of slave-girls, and fed with milk, and dosed with powders. Now all this occurred whilst the brother, Zhao Al-Makhan, still tarried with the firemen at Damascus. One day there came to King Sharkan a courier from his father with a letter which he took and read and found therein.

Starting point is 08:10:32 After the Bismillah know, O beloved king, that I am afflicted with sore affliction from the loss of my children, sleep ever faileth me, and wakefulness ever assaileth me. I send thee this letter, that as soon as thou receivest you, it, thou make ready the monies and the tribute, and send them to us, together with the damsel whom thou hast bought and taken to wife, for I long to see her and hear her discourse, more especially because there hath come to us from Romland an old woman of saintly bearing, and with her be five damsel's high-bosomed virgins, endowed with knowledge and good breeding, and all arts and sciences befitting mortals to know. And indeed, tongue faileth me to describe this old woman, and these,

Starting point is 08:11:16 who with her wend. For of a truth they are compendiums of perfections in learning and accomplishments. As soon as I saw them I loved them, and I wished to have them in my palace, and in the compass of my hand. For none of the kings owneth the like of them. So I asked the old woman their price, and she answered, I will not sell them but for the tribute of Damascus. And I, by Allah, did not hold this price exorbitant, indeed it is but little, for each one of them is worth the whole evaluation. so i agreed to that and took them into my palace and they remain in my possession wherefore do thou forward the tribute to us that the woman may return to her own country and send to us the damsel to the end that she may dispute with them before the doctors and if she prevail over them i will return her to thee accompanied by the tribute of baghdad and shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the seventieth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that king omar son of al nulman said in his letter

Starting point is 08:12:22 and send to us the damsel to the end that she may dispute with them before the doctors and if she prevail over them i will return her to thee accompanied with the tribute of bagdad as soon as shah khan knew the contents he went to his brother-in-law and said to him bring the damsel to whom i married thee and when she came he showed her the letter and said o my sister what answer wouldst thou advise me make to this letter replied she seek advice from thyself and presently added for she yearned after her people and her native land send me together with my husband the chamberlain to baghdad that i may tell my father my table and let him know what so befell me with the badawi who sold me to the merchant and that i also inform him how thou boughtest me of the trader and gavest me in marriage to the chamberlain after setting me free be it so replied sharkhan then sharkhan took his daughter kuzia fakhan and committed her to the charge of the wet nurses and the eunuchs and he made ready the tribute in haste bidding the chamberlain travel with the princess and the treasure to baghdad he also furnished him two traveling litters one for himself and the other for his wife and the chamberlain replied to hear is to obey moreover charcon collected camels and mules and wrote a letter to to his father and committed it to the Chamberlain. Then he bade farewell to his sister, after he had taken the jewel from her, and hung it round his daughter's neck by a chain of pure gold, and she and her husband set out for Baghdad the same night. Now it so happened that Zau al-Makhan and his

Starting point is 08:13:59 friend the fireman had come forth from the hut in which they were, to see the spectacle, and they beheld camels and buchty dromedaries, and bat-mules and torches and lanterns alight, and Zao al-Makhan inquired about the loads and their owner, and was told that it was the tribute of Damascus, going to King Omar bin al-Nu-U-U-Man, lord of the city of Baghdad. He then asked, Who be the leader of the caravan? And they answered, the head chamberlain, who hath married the damsel so famous for learning in science. Thereupon Zau al-Makhan wept with bitter weeping, and was minded of his mother and his father, and his sister and his native land, and he said to the Stoker, I will join this caravan, and little by little will journey homewards.

Starting point is 08:14:44 Quoth the firemen, I would not suffer thee to travel single-handedly from the Holy City to Damascus. Then how shall I be sure of thy safety when thou farest for Baghdad? But I will go with thee, and care for thee till thou affectest thine object. With joy and good will, answered Zaw al-Makhan. Then the fireman get him ready for the journey and hired an ass, and threw saddle-bags over it, and put therein. something of Provant, and when all was prepared, he awaited the passage of the caravan.

Starting point is 08:15:15 And presently the Chamberlain came by on a dromedary and his footmen about him. Then Zhao Al-Makhan mounted the ass and said to his companion, Do thou mount with me? But he replied, Not so, I will be thy servant. Quoth Zau al-Makhan, there is no help for it, but thou ride a while. Tis well, quoth the stoker, I will ride when I grow tired. Then said Zau al-Makhan, Oh, my brother, soon shalt thou see how I will deal with thee

Starting point is 08:15:44 When I come to my own folk. So they fared on till the sun rose, And when it was the hour of the noon day's sleep, The chamberlain called a halt, And they alighted and reposed and watered their camels. Then he gave the signal for departure, And after five days they came to the city of Hamas, Where they sat down and made a three days halt.

Starting point is 08:16:05 And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 71st night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that they halted in the city of Hama three days. They then fared forwards and ceased not traveling till they reached another city. Here also they halted three days,

Starting point is 08:16:27 and thence they traveled till they entered the province D.R. Bacher. Here blew on them the breezes of Baghdad, and Zhao al-Makhan bethought him of his father and his mother and native land, and how he was returning to his sire without his sister. So he wept and sighed and complained, and his regrets grew on him, and he began improvising these couplets. Sweetheart, how long must I await by so long-suffering teed?

Starting point is 08:16:55 Nor cometh messenger to tell me where thou dost abide. Ah, me, in very sooth our meeting-time was shorter now. Would heaven shorter prove to me the present parting tide? Now trend my hand and open my robe, and thou wilt thou, within shall sight how wasted are the limbs of me, and yet the waste I hide. When say they, comfort take for loss of love, I but reply, by Allah, till the day of doom, no comfort shall betide. Thereupon said to him the fireman, Leave this weeping and wailing, for we are near the Chamberlain's tent. Quoth Zhao al-Makhan, needs must I recite somewhat averse, happily it may quench

Starting point is 08:17:35 the fire of my heart. Allah upon thee, cried the other, cease this lamentation, till thou come to thine own country, then do what thou wilt, and I will be with thee wherever thou art. Replied Zhao al-Makhan, by Allah, I cannot forbear from this. Then he turned his face towards Baghdad, and the moon was shining brightly and shedding her light on the place, and Nuzhat al-Zaman could not sleep that night, but was restless and called to mind her brother, and wept. And while she was in tears, she heard Zau al-Makhan weeping and improvising the following distics. Al Yaman's leaven glee, I see, And sore despair, Despaireth me,

Starting point is 08:18:14 For a friend who e'erst abode with me, Crowning my cup with gladys gree, It minds me of one who jilted me To mourn my bitter liberty. Say sooth, Thou fair sheet lightning shall we meet once more in joying glee? O blamer, spare me to thy blame, My lord hath sent this duel to dree, A friend who left me feign to flee,

Starting point is 08:18:34 Of time that breeds calamity, All bliss hath fled the heart of me since fortune proved mine enemy. He brimmed a bowl of merest pine, and made me drain the dregs, did he. I see my sweetheart, dead and gone, ere I again shall gaze on thee. Time, prithee, bring our childhood back, restore our happy infancy, when joy and safety joyed we, from shafts that now they shoot at me. Who aids the hapless stranger white, that nights in fright and misery, that wastes his days in lonely grief, for time's delight no more must be, doomed us despite our will to bear, the hands of base bore's kark and care.

Starting point is 08:19:14 When he ended his verse he cried out and fell down in a fainting fit. This is how it fared with him, but as regards Nuzad al-Zaman, when she heard that voice in the night, her heart was at rest, and she rose, and in her joy she called the chief eunuch who said to her, What is thy will? Quoth she, Arise, and bring me him who recited verses but now. replied he of a truth I did not hear him and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 25 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Recording by Kalinda in Lunaburg, Germany on February 22nd, 2009. Section 26, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burr.

Starting point is 08:20:13 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 2, Section 26. When it was the 72nd knight, she said, It hath reached me of auspicious king that when Nusat al-Zaman heard her brother reciting, she called the chief Ionuk and said to him, Go, fetch me the man who is repeating this poetry,

Starting point is 08:20:52 replied he. Of a truth I heard him not, and I wot him not, and folks are all sleeping. But she said, Whomsoever thou seest awake, he is the reciter. So he went, Yet found none on wake, save the stalker, for Zaw al-Makhan was still insensible,

Starting point is 08:21:16 and when his companions saw the eunuch standing by his head, he was afraid of him. Then said the eunuch, Are thou he who repeated poetry but now, and my lady heard him? The stalker fancied that the dame was wrothed with the reciter, and being afraid, he replied, By Allah, t'was not I,

Starting point is 08:21:41 rejoined the eunuch. Who then was the reciter? Point him out to me. Thou must know who it was, seeing that thou art awake. The fireman feared for Zaw al-Makan and said in himself, Happily the eunuch would do him some hurt. So he answered, By Allah, I know not who it was.

Starting point is 08:22:05 Said the eunuch, By Allah, thou liest, for there is none on way. here, but thou. So needs must thou know him. By Allah, replied the fireman, I tell thee the truth. Some passerby, some wayfarer must have recited the verses and disturbed me and kept me awake. Allah requite him, quote the eunuch, if thou happen upon him, point him out to me, and I will lay hands on him, and bring him to the door of our lady's litter. or do thou take him with thine own hand?

Starting point is 08:22:45 said the fireman, Go thou back, and I will bring him to thee. So the eunuch left him and went his way, and going in to his mistress, told her all this, and said to her, None knoweth who it was. It must have been some passerby, some wayfarer. And she was silent.

Starting point is 08:23:11 Meanwhile, Zawalmakan came to himself and saw that the moon was reached the middle heavens. The breath of the dawn breeze breathed upon him, and his heart was moved to longing and sadness. So he cleared his throat, and was about to recite verses when the fireman asked him, What will thou do? answered Zawalmakan, I have a mind to repeat somewhat. of poetry that I may quench therewith the fire of my heart, quoth the other, thou knowest not what befell me whilst thou was a feint, and how I escaped death only by beginning the eunuch. Tell me what happened, quadsal Amakhan, replied the stalker, while thou was the swoon,

Starting point is 08:24:05 there came up to me but now an eunuch, with a long staff of almond tree wood. in his hand, who took to looking in all the people's faces, as they lay asleep, and asked me who it was recited the verse, finding none awake, but myself. I told him in reply, it was some passerby, some wayfarer, so he went away, and Allah delivered me from him, else had he killed me. But first he said to me, if thou hear him again, bring him, him to us. When Zawalmakan heard this, he wept and said, Who is it would forbid me to recite? I will surely recite, befall me what may, For I am near mine own land and care for none. Rejoined the fireman,

Starting point is 08:25:01 thou design is not saved to lose thy life. And Zawamakhan retorted, needs must I recite verses verily said the stalker needs must there be a parting between me and thee in this place albeit I had intended not to leave thee till I had brought thee to thy native city and reunited thee with thy mother and father thou hast now tarried with me a year and a half and I have never harmed thee in aught what else did then, that thou must needs recite verses, seeing that we are tired out, with walking and watching, and all the folk are asleep, for they require sleep to rest them of their fatigue. But Zawa Makana answered, I will not be turned away from my purpose.

Starting point is 08:26:00 Then grief moved him, and he threw off concealment and began repeating these couplets. Stand thou by the homes and hail the lords of the ruinstead. Cry thou for an answer, Be like, reply to thee, shall be sped. If the night and absence irk thy spirit kindle a torch, We repine, and illuminate the gloom with a gleaming greed. If the snake of the sand dunes hiss, I shall marveth not at all. Let him bite, so I bite those beautiful lips,

Starting point is 08:26:37 of the Lucius Red. O Eden, my soul hath fled in despite of the maid I love, had I lost hope on heaven, my heart in despair were dead. And he also improvised the two following these stitches. We were unweared days enthralled to all our wills, dwelling in Union's sweet and homed in fairest sight. Who shall restore the home of the beloved, where showed, light of the place, for I conjoined the time's delight, and as he seized his verses, he shrieked three shrieks, and fell senseless to the ground, and the fireman rose and covered him. When Usat al-Zaman heard the first improvisation, she called to mine her father and her mother, and her brother and their will-home home.

Starting point is 08:27:39 Then she wept and cried to the eunuch and said to him, Wo to thee! He who recited the first time hath recited the second time, And I heard him hard by. By Allah, and thou fetch him not to me, I will assuredly rouse the chamberlain on thee, And he shall beat thee and cast thee out. But take these hundred dinners,

Starting point is 08:28:05 and give them to the singer, and bring him to me gently. And do him no hurt. If you refuse, hand to him this purse of a thousand diners. Then leave him, and return to me and tell me, after thou hast informed thyself of his place and his calling, and what countryman he is. Return quickly and linger not. And Shahrazad perceived at the dawn of day,

Starting point is 08:28:35 and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seventy-third night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Nusat al-Zaman sent the eunuch to make inquiries, concerning the singer, and said, Beware how thou come back to me and report I could not find him. So the eunuch went out, and laid about the people, and trod in their tents, but found none awake.

Starting point is 08:29:07 all being asleep for weariness, till he came to the stalker, and saw him sitting up, with his head uncovered. So he drew near, and seizing him by the hand, said to him, It was thou didst recite the verses. The fireman was feared for his life, and replied, No, by Allah, O chief of the people, it was not I. But the eunuch said, I will not leave thee till thou show me who it was that recited the verses, for I dread returning to my lady without him.

Starting point is 08:29:47 Now when the fireman heard these words, he feared for Zawalmakan and wept with exceeding weeping and said to the unit, By Allah, it was not I, and I know him not. I only heard some passerby, some wayfarer recited verses. So do not thou commit sin on me, for I am a stranger, and come from the holy city of Jerusalem, and Abraham, the friend of Allah, be with you all. Rise up and fear with me, rejoined Eunuch, and tell my lady this with thy own mouth, for I have seen none awake save thyself.

Starting point is 08:30:30 Quoth the stalker, hast thou not come and seen me sitting in the place where I am now, And dost thou not know my station? Thou wottest none can steer from his place, Except the watchman sees him. So go thou to thy station, And if thou again meet anyone after this hour, Reciting aught of poetry, Whether he be near or far,

Starting point is 08:30:56 It will be I, or someone I know, And thou shalt not learn of him, but by me. Then he kissed the eunuch's head, and spake him fair till he went away. But the castrato, fetched around, and returning secretly, came and stood behind the fireman, fearing to go back to his mistress without tidings. As soon as he was gone, the stalker arose and roused Zawal-Macon and said to him, Come, sit up, that I may tell thee what had happened.

Starting point is 08:31:36 So Zawal-Makhan set up. and his companion told him what had passed, and he answered, Let me alone, I will take no heed of this, and I care for none, for I am mine own country. Quad the stalker, why will thou obey thy flesh and the devil? If thou fear no one, I fear for thee and for my life. So Allah upon thee, recite nothing more of verses, till thou come to you. to thine own land. Indeed, I had not deem thee so ill-conditioned. Does thou not know that this lady is the wife of the Chamberlain, and is minding to chastise thee for disturbing her?

Starting point is 08:32:24 Be like, she is ill or restless for fatigue of the journey and the distance of the place from her home, and this is the second time she hath sent the eunuch to look for thee. However, Zawa Makhan paid no heed to the fireman's wards, but cried out a third time, and began versifying with these couplets. I fly the carpers' injury, whose carpins sorely waxed me. He chides and taunts me, wotting not. He burns me, but more grievously. The blamer cries,

Starting point is 08:33:03 He is consoled, I say, My own dearest. land to sea. They asked, why be that land so dear? I say, it taught me in love to be. They asked, what raised its dignity, I say, what made my ignominy. Whatever the bitter cup I drain, far be from me their land to flee. Nor will I bow to those who blame, and for such love would deal me shame. Hardly had he made an end of his verses, and comforted him. And, to a conclusion, when the eunuch, who had heard him from his hiding place at his head, came up to him, whereupon the fireman flea and stood afar off to see what passed between them. Then said the eunuch to Zao al-Makhan,

Starting point is 08:33:56 Peace be with thee, O my lord. And on thee be peace, replied Zaw al-Makhan, and the mercy of Allah and his blessings. O my lord, continued the eunuch. And Shara Zad perceived at the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say, when it was the seventy-fourth night. She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the eunuch said to Zawal-Makhan, O my lord, I have sought thee thee these several times this night,

Starting point is 08:34:32 For my mistress bideth thee to her. Quoth Zawal-Makhan. And who be this bitch that seeketh for me? Allah curse her and curse her husband with her. And he began to revel the eunuch, who could make him no answer, because his mistress had charged him to do Zawalmakan no hurt, nor bring him safe of his own especial free will. And if he would not accompany him to give him the thousand dinners. So the castrato began to speak him fair and say to him, O my Lord, take these purse and go with me. We will do thee no upright, O my son, nor wrong thee inught.

Starting point is 08:35:19 But our object is that thou bend thy gracious steps with me to my mistress, to receive her answer and returning will and safety, and thou shalt have a handsome present, as one who bringeth good news. When Zawal Makhan heard this, he arose and went with the eunuch, and walked among the sleeping folk, stepping over them, whilst the fireman followed after them from afar, and kept his eye upon him, and said to himself, Alas, the pity of his youth, tomorrow they will hang him, and he ceased not following them till he approached their station, without any of serving him. Then he stood still and said,

Starting point is 08:36:07 How base it will be of him, If he say it was I who bade him recite the verses. This was the case of the stalker, But as regards what befell Zawal Makan, He ceased not walking with the eunuch till he reached his station, And the castrato went in to Nusat al-Zaman and said, Oh, my lady, I have brought thee him whom thou sought, and he is a youth, fairing face and bearing the marks of wealth and gentle breeding.

Starting point is 08:36:42 When she heard this, her heart fluttered, and she cried, Let him recite some verses that I may hear him near hand, and after ask him his name and his condition and his native land. Then the eunuch went out to Zawal-Makan and said to him, What art thou knowest, for my ladies hear hard by, listening to thee, and after I will ask thee of thy name and thy native country and thy condition. Replied he, With love and gladness, but, and thou ask my name, it is erased, and my trace is unplaced, and my body a waste. I have a story, the beginning of which is not known, nor can the end of it be shown, and behold, I am even as one who hath exceeded in wine drinking,

Starting point is 08:37:40 and who hath not spared himself, one who is afflicted with his tempers, and who wandereth from his right mind, being perplexed about his case, and drowned in the sea of thought. When Uzat al-Zaman heard this, she broke out into excessive weeping and sobbing, and said to the eunuch, Ask him if he have parted from one he loveth, even as his mother or father. The castrato asked as she bade him, and Zawal-Makhan replied, Yes, I have parted from everyone I loved. But my dearest of all to me was my sister, from whom fate hath parted me. When Nusat al-Zaman heard this, she exclaimed,

Starting point is 08:38:33 Allah Almighty Reunite Him with what he loveth And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of section 26 Of the Book of a Thousand Nights

Starting point is 08:38:52 and a Night Volume 2 Recording by Philippe Joaquin Section 27 Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night Translated by Richard Burton

Starting point is 08:39:09 This is a Librivox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 2, Section 27. When it was the 75th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Nusat al-Zaman heard his words, she said,

Starting point is 08:39:40 Allah reunite him with what he loveth. Then quotes she to the eunuch, Tell him to let me hear somewhat anant his separation from his countrymen on his country. The eunuch did so, and Zawa Makan sighed heavily, and began repeating these couplets. Is not her love a pledge by all mankind confessed?

Starting point is 08:40:06 The house that homes Hinda be forever blessed, Her love all levels, men can wreck of naught beside, not before or before or after can for men have zest. Tis though the veil is paved with musk and ambergris, that day when Hindel's footstep on its face is pressed. Hail to the beauty of our camp, the pride of folk, the dearling who enslave all hearts by her behest. Allah, on time's delight, Send large dropped clouds that teem, With junior rain, but bear no thunder in their breast. And also these,

Starting point is 08:40:50 I vow to Allah if at home I sight, My sister, Nusat al-Zamani highs, I'll pass the days in joyance and delight, Made bashful minions, Maidens soft and white, To sound of arps in various modes, days might, draining the bowl, while eyes rain lively light. Neat half-closed lids, a sipping lips red bright, by stream-banks flowing through my garden

Starting point is 08:41:20 sight. When he had finished his verse, Nuzat al-Zaman lift up a skirt of the litter curtain and looked at him. As soon as her eyes fell on his face, she knew him for certain and cried out. Oh, my brother, O Zao al-Makhan! He also looked at her and knew her and cried out, Oh, my sister, O Nusat al-Zaman! Then she threw herself upon him, and he gathered her to his bosom,

Starting point is 08:41:56 and the twain fell down in a fainting fit. When the eunuch saw this case, he wondered at them, and throwing over them somewhat to cover them, waited till they should recover. After a while, they came to themselves, and Usat al-Zaman rejoiced with exceeding joy. Oppression and depression left her, and gladness took the mastery of her, and she repeated these verses. Time swear my life should fare in woeful waste. For soar nart time expiate thy sin in haste.

Starting point is 08:42:35 Comes wheel and comes a welcome friend to aid. To him who brings good news, rise, gird thy waist. I spurned old war tales of hidden bliss, Till came I caussar on those lips. When Zaw al-Makhan heard this, He pressed his sister to his breast. Tears streamed from his eyes for excess of joy, And he repeated these couplets.

Starting point is 08:43:08 Long I lamented that we fell apart, While tears repentant railed from thineineineine, And swear, if time unite us twain once more, Severance shall never sound from tongue of mine. Joy hath so overwhelmed me That excess of pleasure from mine eyes draws gouts of brine. Tears, oh, mine eyes, have now become your wand.

Starting point is 08:43:35 ye weep for pleasure and you weep for pine. They sat a while at the litter door, till she said to him, Come with me into the litter, and tell me all that hath befallen thee, and I will tell thee what happened to me. So they entered, and Zawa Makhan said, Do thou begin thy tale?

Starting point is 08:44:00 Accordingly, she told him all that had come to her since their separation at the Khan, and what had happened to her with the Badawi, how the merchant had bought her of him, and had taken her to her brother Sharkan, and had sold her to him, how he had freed her at the time of buying, how he had made a marriage contract with her, and had gone into her, and how the king, their sire, had sent and asked for her from Sharkan. Then quoth she, Praise be Allah, who hath vouchsafed thee to me,

Starting point is 08:44:39 And ordained that, even as we left our father together, So together shall we return to him. And she added, O the truth, my brother Sharkin, gave me in marriage to this chamberlain, That he might carry me to my father. And this is what befell me, from first to last. So now tell me how it is how it is. hath fared with thee since I left thee.

Starting point is 08:45:08 Thereupon he told her all that had happened to him, from beginning to end, and how Allah vouchsafed to send the fireman to him, and how he had journeyed with him and spent his money on him, and had served him night and day. She praised the stalker for this, and Zawal Makhan added of a truth of my sister. This fireman hath dealt with me in such benevolent wise As would not lover with less, nor sire with son,

Starting point is 08:45:42 For that he fasted and gave it me to eat, And he walked whilst he made me ride, And I owe my life to him, said she, Allah willing, we will require him for all this, According to our power. Then she called the Deutcheon, Eunuch, who came and kissed Zawalmakan's hand, and she said, Take thy reward for glad tidings, of face of good omen.

Starting point is 08:46:14 It was thy hand reunited me with my brother, So the purse I gave thee, and all in it are thine. But now go to thy master, and bring him quickly to me. The castrato rejoiced, and going into the chamberlid him to his mistress. Accordingly, he came to his wife, and finding Zawa Makhan with her, asked who he was. So she told him all that had befallen them both, first to last, and added, No, O Chamberlain, that thou hast married no slave girl, far from it. Thou hast taken to wife the daughter of King Omar bin Al-Numan, for I am Nuzat al-Zaman,

Starting point is 08:47:03 And this is my brother, Zaw al-Makhan. When the Chamberlain heard this story, he knew it to be sooth, and its manifest truth appear to him as he was certified that he was become King Omar bin Al-Numan's son-in-law. So he said to himself, "'T will be my fate to be made with Roy of some province.' Then he went up to Zao al-Makhan and gave him joy. of his safety reunion with his sister, and bed his servants, forthwith, make him ready a tent, and one of the best of his own horses to ride.

Starting point is 08:47:46 Thereupon, said Nusat al-Zaman, We are now near our country, and I would be left alone with my brother, that we may enjoy each other's company, and take our feel of it. Here we reach Baghdad, for we have been parted a long, long time. Be it as thou biddest, replied the Chamberlain, and going forth from them sent them wax candles and various kinds of sweetmeats, together with three suits of the costliest for Zawalmakan. Then he returned to the litter and related the good he had done,

Starting point is 08:48:28 and Usat al-Zaman said to him, beat the eunuch bring me the fireman, and gave him a horse to ride, and rationed him with a tray of food morning and evening, and let him be forbidden to leave us. The chamberlid called the castrato, and charged him to do accordingly. So he replied,

Starting point is 08:48:52 I hear and I obey. And he took his pages with him and went out in search of the stalker till he found him in the rear of the caravan, girding his ass and preparing for flight. The tears were running down his cheeks, out of fear for his life, and grief for his separation from Zawal Makhan. And he was saying to himself, Indeed, I warned him for the love of Allah, but he would not listen to me. Oh, would I knew what is become of him.

Starting point is 08:49:30 Here he had done speaking, the eunuch was standing by his head, whilst the pages surrounded him. The fireman turned, and seeing the eunuch and the pages gathered around him, became yellow with fear, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 76th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the stalker girded it, his ass for plight, and bespeak himself, saying, Oh, would I knew what is become of him. Here he had done speaking, the castrato was standing by his head,

Starting point is 08:50:16 and his side muscles quivered for fear, and he lifted up his voice and cried, Verily he knoweth not the value of the good offices I have done him. I believe he hath denounced me to the eunuch, hence these pages at about me. And he hath made me an accomplice in his crime. Then the effeminated one cried at him, saying, Who was it recited the verses? Oh, liar! Why didst thou say, I never repeated these couplets, nor do I know who repeated them,

Starting point is 08:50:53 when it was thy companion? But now I will not leave thee between this place and Baghdad, and what betideth thy comrade shall betide thee. Quote the fireman, what I feared had befallen me, and he repeated these couplets. It was as I feared the camille's discerning, but unto Allah we are all returning. Then the eunuch cried upon the pages, saying, Take him off the ass. So they carried him along with the caravan, Surrounded by the pages, as the white contains the black of the eye.

Starting point is 08:51:36 and the castrato said to them if a hair of him be lost you will be lost with it and he bade them privily treat him with honor and not humiliate him but when the stalkers saw himself beset by the pages he despaired of his life and turning to the eunuch said to him o chief i am neither this youth's brother nor am i akin to him nor is he sipped to me me, but I was a fireman in the Hammam, and found him cast out in his sickness, on the dung hip. Then the caravan feared on, and the stalker wept, and imagined in himself a thousand things, whilst the eunuch walked by his side and told him nothing, but said to him, "'Thou disturbest our mistress by reciting verses thou and this youth, but fear nothing for thyself,

Starting point is 08:52:38 and kept laughing at him, the while to himself. Whenever the caravan halted, they served him with food, and he and the castrato ate from one dish. Then the eunuch bade his lads, bring a gouglet of sugared sherbet, and after drinking himself gave it to the fireman who drank. But all the while his tears now, never dried, out of fear for his life, and grief for his separation from Zawal-Makan,

Starting point is 08:53:11 and for what had befallen them in their strangerhood. So they both traveled on with the caravan, whilst the chamberlain now rode by the door of his wife's litter, in attendance of Zawamakhan and his sister, and now gave an eye to the fireman, and Uzat al-Zaman and her brother occupied themselves with converse, and mutual condolence. And they ceased not after this fashion, till they came within three days' journey from Baghdad. Here they alighted at eventide, and rested till the morning morrowed. And as they awoke and they were about to lo the beasts, behold, there appeared afar off a great cloud of dust that darkened the firmament, till it became black as gloomiest night.

Starting point is 08:54:05 Thereupon the chamberlain cried out to them, Stay, and you are loading delay. Then, Mountie with his Mamelux rode forward in the direction of the dust cloud. When they drew near, suddenly appeared under it a numerous conquering host, Like the full-tide sea, with flags and standards, drums and cattle drums, horsemen and footmen. The chamberlain marveled at this, and when the troops saw him, there detached itself from amongst them a plump of five hundred cavaliers, who fell upon him and his suit, and surrounded them, five for one.

Starting point is 08:54:49 Whereupon said he to them, what is the matter, and what are these troops, that ye do this with us? As they, who are thou, and whence comest thou, and whither are thou bound? And he answered, I am the chamberlain of the emir of Damascus, King Sharkhan, sung of Omar bin al-Numan, Lord of Baghdad,

Starting point is 08:55:14 and of the land of Khorasan, and I bring tribute and presents from him to his father in Baghdad. When the horsemen heard these words, they let their head-curchifts fall over their faces and wept, saying, In very sooth, King Omar is dead, And he is that naught but of poison. So fear ye forwards,

Starting point is 08:55:40 No harm shall befall you till you join his grand wazir Dandan. Now when the chamberlid heard this, He wept sore and exclaimed, Oh for our disappointment in this our journey. Then he and all his suit wept till they had come up to the host And sought access to the wazir Dundan, Who granted an interview and called him. a halt and causing his pavilion to be pitched, sat down on a couch therein, and commanded

Starting point is 08:56:11 to emit the chamberlain. Then he bade him be seated and questioned him, and he replied that he was chamberlain to the emir of Damascus, and was bound to King Omar with presence and the tribute of Syria. The wazir, hearing the mention of King Omar's name, wept and said, King Omar is dead by poison, and upon his dying, the folk fell out amongst themselves as to who should succeed him, until they were like to slay one another on his account. But the notables and grantees and the four cazes interposed, and all the people agreed to refer the matter to the decision of the four judges, and that none should gain say them. So it was agreed that We go to Damascus, and fetch thence the king's son, Sharkhan, and make him sultan over his

Starting point is 08:57:10 father's realm. And amongst them were some who would have chosen the cadet, Zawalmakan, for quoth they his name be light of the place, and he hath a sister, Nusat al-Zaman highs, the delight of the time. But they set out five years ago for al-Hijaz, and none woteth what is become of them. When the Chamberlain heard this, he knew that his wife had told him the truth of her adventures, and he grieved with sore grief for the death of King Omar, albeit he joyed with exceeding joy, especially at the arrival of Zawal Makan, for that he would now

Starting point is 08:57:54 become Sultan of Baghdad in his father's stead. And Shahrazad perceived at the dawn of day and ceased saying or permitted say End of Section 27 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Recording by Philippo Joaquin Section 28, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org.

Starting point is 08:58:36 Recording by Philippo Joaquin. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 28. When it was the 77th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when Sharkhan's Chamberlain heard of the death of King Omar bin Al-Numan, he mourned, but he rejoiced because of his wife and her brother, Zawal Makan, who would become Sultan of Baghdad in his father's stead. So he turned to the wazir Dandan and said to him, Verily, your tale is a wonder of wonders.

Starting point is 08:59:17 Know, O chief wazir, that here, where you have encountered me, Allah hath given you rest from fatigue, and bringeth you your desire after the easiest of fashions, for that His almighty will restore it to you, Zawa Makan, and his sister, Nusat al-Zaman, whereby we will settle the matter as we easily can. When the minister heard these words, he rejoiced with great joy and said, O Chamberlain, tell me the tale of the twain, and what befell them and the cause of their long absence.

Starting point is 08:59:57 So he repeated to him the whole story, and told him that Nuzat al-Zaman was his wife, and related to him the adventures of Zawal-Makhan. from first to last. As soon as he had ended his tale, the wazirs sent for the emirs and wazirs and chief officers and acquainted them with the matter, whereat they rejoiced with great joy and wondered at the happy chance. Then they gathered in a body and went into the chamberlain

Starting point is 09:00:31 and did their service to him, kissing the ground between his hands, And the wazir Dandan also rose and went out to meet him and stood before him in honor. After this, the chamberlain held on that day a divan council, and he and the wazir sat upon a throne, whilst all the emirs and grantees and officers of state took their places before them, according to their several rents. Then they melted sugar in rose water and drank, after which the emirs sat down and hold counsel and permitted the rest of the host to mount and ride forward leisurely,

Starting point is 09:01:18 till they should make an end of their debate and overtake them. So the officers kissed the ground between their hands and mounting rode onwards, preceded by the standards of war. When the Grandees had finished their conference, they took horse and rejoined the host, and the Chamberlain approached the wazir Dundan and said, I deem it well to ride on before you and precede you that I may get ready a place for the Sultan and notify him of your coming and of your choosing him as Sultan over the head of his brother Sharkhan. Thight thou reckest," answered the wazir.

Starting point is 09:02:08 Then the chamberlain rose up in haste, and Dandan also stood up to do him honor, and brought him presents, which he conjured him to accept. In similar guise, did all the emirs and grantees and officers of state, bringing him gifts and calling down blessings on him, and saying to him, Happily thou wilt mention our case to Sultan Zawal Makan, and speak to him to continue us in our dignities. The Chamberlain promised all they required, and bade his pages be ready to march, whereupon the wazir dundan sent with him tents, and bade the tent pitchers, set them up at a day's journey from the city, and they did his bidding.

Starting point is 09:03:00 Then the chamberlain mounted and rode forward, full of joy, and said to himself, How blessed is this gurney? And indeed his wife was exalted in his eyes. She and her brother Zawal Makan. They made all haste over their wayfare, till they reached a place distant a day's journey from Baghdad, where the chamberlain called a halt. for rest, and bade his men alight, and make ready a sitting place for the Sultan Zawamakan,

Starting point is 09:03:37 son of King Omar bin al-Nuhumun, while he rode forward with his Mamelukes, and alighting at the distance from Nusat al-Zaman's litter, commanding the eunuchs to ask leave of admission to the presence. They did so, and she gave permission, whereupon he went in to her, and conversed with her and her brother, and told them of the death of their father and of Zawamakan how the heads of the people had made him king over them in the stead of his sire, and he gave them joy of the kingdom. They both wept for their father and asked the manner of his being killed, but Chamberlain

Starting point is 09:04:25 answered, The news rests with the wazir Dundan, who will be here tomorrow, leading all the hosts, and it only remaineth for thee, O king, to do what they counsel, since they have unanimously chosen thee Sultan. For if thou do not this, they will choose someone else, and thou canst not be sure of thy life with another Sultan. Happily, he will kill thee, or discord may be fall between you twain, and the kingdom pass out of the hands of both. Zawamakan bowed his head a while, and then said, I accept the position. For indeed there was no refusing, and he was certified that the chamberlain

Starting point is 09:05:14 had counseled him well and wisely, and set him on the right way. Then he added, Oh, my uncle, how shall I do with my brother Sharkhan? O my son, replied the Chamberlain, Thy brother will be Sultan of Damascus, and thou Sultan of Baghdad. So take heart of grace and get ready thy case. Zawa Makana accepted this, and the Chamberlain presented him with a suit of royal raiment, and a dagger of state, which the Wazir Dandan had brought with him.

Starting point is 09:05:56 Then, leaving him, he bade the tent pitchers, choose a spot of rising ground and set up thereon a spacious pavilion, wherein the sultan might sit to receive the emirs and grantees. Moreover, he ordered the kitcheners to cook rich vines and serve them, and he commanded the water carriers to dispose the water troughs. They did as he bade them, and presently arose a cloud of dust from the ground, and spread till it walled the horizon around. After a while, the dust dispersed,

Starting point is 09:06:36 and there appeared under it the army of Baghdad and Khorasan, a conquering host like the pool-tide sea, and Charasad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say, her permitted say, when it was the 78th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the chamberlain bade the tent-pitchers set up a pavilion spacious enough to receive the subjects talking to their sultan they planted a splendid shamiana befitting kings and as they ended their labor behold a dust-cloud spired aloft and the breeze made it lift and beneath it showed a conquering host and presently it appeared that this was

Starting point is 09:07:30 the army of Baghdad and Khorasan, preceded by the wazir Dandan, and in it all rejoiced at the accession of the light of the place. Now Zawa Makhan had donned robes of royal estate and girt himself with a sword of state. So the chamberlain brought him a steed, and he mounted, surrounded by the Mamelux, and all the company from the tents on foot. to do him service, and he rode on until he came to the great pavilion, where he sat down, and he laid the royal dagger across his thighs, whilst the chamberlain stood in attendance on him, and his armed slaves stationed themselves under the entrance awning of the Shamiana,

Starting point is 09:08:23 with drawn swords in their hands. Presently, up came the troops and the host, and craved admission, so the Chamberlain went in to Zawa Makan and asked his leave, whereupon he bade admit them, ten by ten. The Chamberlain acquainted them with the king's commands, to which they replied, We hear and we obey, and all drew up before the pavilion entrance. Then he took ten of them and carried them through the vestibule, into the presence of Sultan Zaw al-Makhan, whom, when they saw, they were awed.

Starting point is 09:09:07 But he received them with most gracious kindness, and promised them all good. So they gave him joy of his safe return, and invoked Allah's blessings upon him, after which they took the oath of fealty, never to gain say him in aught, and they kissed ground before him and withdrew. Then other ten entered, and he entreated them as he had entreated the others. And they ceased not to enter, ten by ten, till none was left, but the wazir done done. Lastly, the minister went in and kissed the ground before Zawalmakan, who rose to meet him, saying, Welcome, O wazir, and sire's son's peer. Verily, thine acts are those of a counsellor,

Starting point is 09:10:06 right dear, and judgment and foreseeing clear are in the hands of the subtle of Lear. Then bet him the chamberlain, forthwith go out, and cause the tables to be spread, and order all the troops thereto. So they came and ate, and drank. Moreover, the Sultan commanded his wazir Dundan, call a ten days halt of the army, that he might be private with him, and learn from him how and wherefore his father had been slain. The wazir obeyed the commands of the Sultan, with a submission, and wished him eternity of glory, and said, This needs must be.

Starting point is 09:10:58 He then repaired to the heart of the encampment, and ordered the host to halt ten days. They did as he bade them, and moreover, he gave them leave to divert themselves, and ordered that none of the lords in waiting

Starting point is 09:11:16 should attend upon the king for service during the space of three days. Then the wazir went to the Sultan and reported all to him, and Zawamakhan waited until nightfall, when he went in to his sister Nusaat al-Zaman and asked her, Does thou know the cause of my father's murder or not? I have no knowledge of the cause, she answered, and drew a silken curtain before herself, whilst Zawa Makan seated himself without the curtain and commanded the wazir to the presence. And when he came, said to him,

Starting point is 09:12:02 I desire thou relate to me in detail the cause of the killing of my sire, King of Mar bin al-Numan. No then, O king, replied Dundan, that King O Mar bin al-Numan, when he returned from Baghdad from his chasing and hunting and entered the city, inquired for thee and thy sister, but could not find you and knew that you toane had gone on the pilgrimage. Whereat he was greatly grieved and much angered, and his breast was straightened, and he abode thus half a year, seeking news of you from all who came and went,

Starting point is 09:12:48 but none could give him any tidings. Now, while we were in attendance upon him one day, after a whole year had sped, since he were lost to his sight, lo! There came to us an ancient dame, with signs of being a devotee, accompanied by five damsels, high-bosomed virgins, like moons, endowed with such beauty and loveliness, as tongue faileth to describe. And to crown their perfections and comeliness,

Starting point is 09:13:24 they could read the Quran, and were versed in various kinds of learning, and in the histories of bygone peoples. Then that old woman sought audience of the king, and He bade admit her, whereupon she entered the presence and kissed the ground between his hands. was then sitting by his side, and he, seeing in her the sign of asceticism and devoutness,

Starting point is 09:13:56 made her draw near and take seat hard by him. And when she had sat down, she addressed him and said, No, O king, that with me are five damsels, who's like no king among the kings possesseth, for they are endowed with wit and beauty and loveliness and perfection. They read the Quran and the traditions and are skilled in all manner of learning and in the history of bygone races. They stand here between thy hands to do thee service of King of the Age. And it is by trial that folk are prized or despised. thy father, who hath found mercy, looked at the damsels, and their favor pleased him.

Starting point is 09:14:53 So he said to them, Let each and every of you make me hear something of what she knoweth and unto the history of the folk of your and of peoples long gone before. And Charazad perceived at the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of Section 28 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 29, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton.

Starting point is 09:15:37 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 2, Section 29. When it was the 79th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir dundan said unto King Zawa Makan,

Starting point is 09:16:07 Thy father, who hath found mercy, glanced at the damsels and their favor pleased him, and he said to them, Let each and every of you make me hear something of what she knows. anunt the history of the folk of yore and of peoples long gone before. Thereupon one of them came forward, and, kissing the ground before him, spake as follows. Know, O king, that it behoves one of good breeding to eschew impertinence, and adorn himself with excellencies, and observe the divine injunctions, and avoid mortal sins, and to

Starting point is 09:16:50 To this he shall apply himself with the assiduity of one, who if stray therefrom, falleth into perdition, for the foundation of good breeding is virtuous behavior, and know that the chief cause and reason of man's existence is the endeavor after life everlasting, and the right way thereto is the service of Allah. Therefore, it behoveth thee to deal beneficently with the people, and swerve not from this canon, for the mightier men are in dignity, the more their need of prudence and foresight. And indeed, monarchs need this more than the many, for the general cast themselves into affairs without taking thought to the issue thereof.

Starting point is 09:17:45 Be thou prodigal of thy life and thy good in the way of Allah, and know that if an enemy dispute with thee, thou mayst dispute with him and refute him with proofs and be proof against him. But as for thy friend, there is none can judge between thee and him, save righteousness and fair dealing. Choose, therefore, thy friend for thyself, after thou hast proved him. If he be of the brotherhood of futurity, let him be zealous in observing the externals of the Holy Law and burst in its inner meaning, as far as may be.

Starting point is 09:18:30 And if he be of the Brotherhood of the world, let him be free-born, sincere, neither a fool nor a perverse, for the full man is such that even his parents might well flee from him, and a liar cannot be a true friend. Indeed, the word Sidic, friend, deriveth from Sidq, truth, that welleth up from the bottom of the heart, and how can this be the case when falsehood is manifest upon the tongue? Know that observance of the law profited him who practised it. So love thy brother, if he be of this quality, and do not cast him off, even if thou see in him that with irketh thee, for a friend is not I like a wife,

Starting point is 09:19:27 whom one can divorce and remarry. Nay, his heart is like glass. Once broken, it may not be mended. And Allah bless him who saith, Where how thou hurtest man with hurt of heart? Tis hard to win thee back the heart offended. For hearts indeed, whence love is alien made, Like broken glass may never more be mended. The maiden continued and concluded with pointing out to us what sages say.

Starting point is 09:20:04 The breast of brethren is his. who is the most constant in good counsel, the best of action is that which is fairest in its consequence, and the best of praise is not that which is in the mouths of man. It is also said, it behoveth not the servant to neglect thanking Allah, especially for two favors, health and reason. Again it is said, whoso honours himself, His lust is a light matter to him, and he who maketh much of his small troubles, Allah afflicteth him with the greater. He who obeys his own inclinations, neglecteth his duties,

Starting point is 09:20:51 and he who listeneth to the slenderer, loseseth the true friend. He who thinketh well of thee, do thou fulfil his thought of thee? He who exceedeth in contention, sinneth, and he who against upright standeth not on word is not safe from the sword. Now will I tell thee somewhat of the duties of Cazis and judges? No, O king, that no judgment serveth the cause of justice, save it be given after proof positive. And it behoveth the judge to treat all people on the same level, to do intense, that the great may not hunger for oppression, nor the small despair of justice. Furthermore,

Starting point is 09:21:45 he should extract proof from the complainant and impose an oath upon the defendant. The mediation is admissible between Muslims, except it be a compromise sanctioning the unlawful or forbidding the lawful. If thou shalt have done ought during the day, of which thy reason is doubtful, but thy good intention is proved, thou, O Qazi, shouldst revert to the right, for to do justice is a religious obligation, and to return to that which is right is better than persistence in wrong. Then, O judge, thou shouldest study precedence and the law of the case,

Starting point is 09:22:34 and do equal justice between the suitors, With all fixing thine eyes upon the truth and committing thine affair to Allah, be he extolled and exalted. And require thou proof of the complainant, and if he adduced evidence, let him have due benefit of it. And if not, put the defendant to his oath. For this is the ordinance of Allah. Receive thou the testimony of competent Muslim witnesses, one against other, for Almighty Allah hath commanded judges to judge by externals, He himself taking charge of the inner and secret things.

Starting point is 09:23:21 It behoveth the judge also to avoid giving judge meat, whilst suffering from stress of pain or hunger, and that in his decisions between folk he seek the face of Allah Almighty. For he whose intent is pure and who is at peace with himself, Allah shall guarantee him against what is between him and the people. Quoth Al-Zuri, There are three things for which, if they be found in a kazi, he should be disposed. Namely, if he honoured the base,

Starting point is 09:24:02 if he loved, praise, and if he fear dismissal. And Omar bin Abd al-Aziz once deposed a kazi, who asked him, Why hast thou dismissed me? It hath reached me, answered Omar, that thy conversing greater than thy condition. It is said also that Iskandar said to his kazi, I have invested thee with this function,

Starting point is 09:24:32 and committed to thee in it my soul, and mine honor and my manliness. So do thou guard it with thy sense and thine understanding. To his cook, he said, Thou are the sultan of my body, so look thou tender it as thine own self. To the structurally, he said, thou are the controller of my wit, so do thou watch over me.

Starting point is 09:25:02 in what thou writest for me and from me." Thereupon the first damsel backed out from the presence, and the second damsel came forward. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say, When it was the eightieth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir-than-done said to Tuzau al-Makhan. Thereupon the first damsel backed out from the presence, and a second damsel came forward, and, kissing the ground seven times before the king thy father, spake as follows. The sage, Luke Man, said to his son, There be three who are known only in three several cases.

Starting point is 09:26:03 The merciful man is unknown, save in time of wrath, the brave only in battle, and thy friend in time of need. It is said that the oppressor shall be depressed, though by people praised, and that the oppress is at rest, though by people blamed. Quoth Allah Almighty, assuredly, deem not that those who rejoice in what I have done, and who love to be praised for what they have not done shall escape reckoning of punishment. Indeed, there is reserved for them a grievous penalty. And he said, On whom be salvation and salutation, works are according to intention, and to each

Starting point is 09:26:55 man is attributed that which he intended. said also, in the body is a part which being sound the rest is sound, and which being unsound, the whole is unsound. And this is the heart. Now this heart is the most marvelous of what is in man, since it is that which ordereth the whole affair. If coveted eyes steer in it, desire destroys him, and if affliction master it, anguish slayeth him. If anger rage in it,

Starting point is 09:27:37 danger is hard upon him. If it be blessed with contentment, he is safe from discontent. If fear surprise it, he is full of mourning, and if calamity overtake it, Affliction betideth him. if a man gained the use of wealth,

Starting point is 09:28:00 peradventure he is diverted thereby from the remembrance of his lord. If poverty choke him, his heart is distracted by woe, or if disquietude waste his heart, weakness causeth him to fall. Thus, in any case, nothing profited him, but that he be mindful of Allah and occupy himself with gaining his livelihood in this world, and securing his place in the next. It is asked of a certain sage,

Starting point is 09:28:37 who is the most ill-conditioned of men? And he answered, The man whose lusts master his manhood, And whose mind soareth over high, So that his knowledge disbredeth, and his excuse diminishes. And how excellently saith, the poet, Freest a mite of all mankind fro meddling white, who see in others are self-error never can cite. Riches and talents are but loans to creature land. Each wears the cloak of that

Starting point is 09:29:15 he bears in breasts and sprite. If by mistaken door attempt and aught thou make, thou shalt go wrong, and if the door be right, go right, continued the maiden. As for anecdotes of devotees, quote Hisham bin Bashar. I asked Omar bin Ubaid, what is true piety, and he answered, The apostle of Allah, to whom be salutation and salvation, hath explained it when he saith, The pious is he who forgeteth not the grave nor calamity, And who prefereth that which endureth to that which passeth away.

Starting point is 09:30:04 Who counteth not the morrow as of his days, But reckoneth himself among the dead. And it is related that Abu Zar used to say, Want is dearer to me than wealth, And unheal is dearer to me than wealth, and unheal is dearer to me than health. Quoth one of the listeners, May Allah have mercy on Abuzar.

Starting point is 09:30:33 For my part I say, Whoso puteth his trust in the goodness of the election of Almighty Allah should be content with that condition which Allah has chosen for him. Quote one of the companions of the Prophet, Ibn Abi Aubfa once prayed with us that the Lord. dawn prayer. When he had done, he recited, O thou unwrapped, Till he came to where Allah saith, when there shall be a tramping on the trumpet, and fell down dead. It is said that Sabit al-Banani

Starting point is 09:31:13 wept till he well-nigh lost his eyes. They brought him a man to medicine him, who said to him, I will cure thee, provided thou obey my bidding, ask the sabit, in what matter? Quoth a leech, in that thou live weeping. What is the worth of mine eyes, rejoined Sabit, if they do not weep? Quoth a man to Muhammad bin Abdila, exhort thou me. And Shahrazad perceived at the dawn of day, and seized them. to say, her permitted say. When it was the 81st night, she continued,

Starting point is 09:32:00 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the wazir done done, said to Zaw al-Makhan. Thus spake the second handmaid to the king who hath found mercy, Omar bin al-Numan. Quoth a man to Muhammad bin Abilah, Exhort thou me. I exhort thee, replied he, to be a self-ruler, an abstainer, in this world, and in the next, a greedy slave.

Starting point is 09:32:33 How so? asked the other, and Muhammad answered, The abstinent man in this world conquereth both the word that is and the word to come. And what Gauss bin Abdela? They were two brothers among the sons of Israel, one of whom said, said to the other, What be the most perilous thing thou hast done? Replied the brother, I once came upon a nest of young birds, so I took out one and threw it back into the nest, but among the chickens were some which drew apart from it. This is the most perilous thing I ever did. Now what be the most perilious thing thou hast ever done? He rejoined,

Starting point is 09:33:24 When I arise for prayer, I am fearful that it is only for the sake of the reward. Now their father heard these words and exclaimed, O Allah, and say thy sooth, take them to thyself. It is declared by one of the wise men. Verily, these were of the most virtuous of children. Quoth, Saeed bin Jubair, I was once in common. company with Fusala bin, who by answer to him, Exhort thou me, replied he,

Starting point is 09:34:06 Bear in mind these two necessaries. Shun's synthaism and harm not any of Allah's creatures. And he repeated these two couplets. Be as thou wilt, for Allah still is bounteous lord, and care dispelor dread not therefore, pain and ban. To two things only never draw thee nigh, nor give, partner to Allah, trouble to thy brother man, and how well saith the poet, And thou of pious works as tore neglect, And after death meet one who did collect, Thou shalt repent, thou didest not as he,

Starting point is 09:34:55 Nor madeest tradie as he did elect. Then the third damsel came, forward, after the second had withdrawn, and said, Of a truth, the chapter of piety is exceeding wide, But I will mention what occurroth to me thereof, concerning the pious of old. Quoth a certain holy man, I congratulate myself in death, Though I am not assured of rest therein, save that I know death in terms. interveneth between a man and his works, so I hope for the doubling of good works and the darken-off of ill works. And Ita al-Salami, when he had made an end of an exhortation,

Starting point is 09:35:48 was wont to tremble and grieve and weep sore. And as I asked him why he did this, he answered, I desire to enter upon a grave matter, and it is the standing. up before Almighty Allah to do in accordance with my exhortation. In similar guise, Zain al-Abidin, son of Al-Husain, was wont to tremble when he rose to pray. Being asked the cause of this, he replied, Know ye not before whom I stand and whom I address? It is said that there lived near Sufyan al-Tauri, a blind man, who, when the month of Ramadan came, went out with a folk to pray, but he remained silent and hung back.

Starting point is 09:36:48 Said Sufian, On the day of resurrection he shall come with the people of the Koran, and they will be distinguished by increase of honor from their fellows. was Sufian, where the soul established in the heart of Befiteth, it would fly away for joy and pining for paradise, and for grief and fear of hell-fire. It is related also of Sufiar Al-Tauri that he said, To look upon the face of a tyrant is a sin. Then the third damsel retired and came forward the fourth, who said, Here I am to treat of sundry traditions of pious men which suggest themselves to me. It is related that Bishr barefoot said,

Starting point is 09:37:47 I once heard Khalid say, Beware of secret polytheism. I asked, what may secret polytheism be? And he answered, When one of you in praying prolong his inclinations and prostitialism. till a cause of impurity come upon him. And one of the sages said, Doing works of evil expiates what is ill.

Starting point is 09:38:17 Quoth I supplicated Bishr barefoot To acquaint me with some theological mysteries, But he said, O my son, this knowledge it behoveth us Not to teach to everyone. of every hundred, five, even as the legal alms upon money, said Ibrahim, I thought his reply excellent and approved of it, and while I was praying, behold, Bishr was also praying. So I stood behind him, making the prayer bow, till the Mueh-A-Hin called his call. Then rose a man of tattered appearance and said,

Starting point is 09:39:04 O folk, Beware of a truth which bringeth unwil, For there is no harm in a lie bringing will, And in time of need, no choice we heed. Speech booteth not in the absence of good qualities, Even as silence, hurteth not in the presence of good. Presently I saw Bishre drop at Danik, so I picked it up and exchanged it for a dear ham which I gave him. Quoth he, I will not take it. Quoth I, it is perfectly lawful change, but he rejoined,

Starting point is 09:39:47 I cannot take in exchange the riches of the present world for those of the future world. It is related also that Bishr barefoot's sin. sister once went to Ahmad bin Ahambal, and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, or permitted say. End of Section 29 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Recording by Philippe O'Dawkin. Section 30, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a LibriVox recording.

Starting point is 09:40:36 All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Recording by Philippo Joaquin The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 2, Section 30. When it was the 82nd knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the wazir Dandan continued to bespeak, Zawal Makan, in this wise. and quote the maiden to thy father.

Starting point is 09:41:11 Bishr Bearfoot's sister once went to Ahmad bin Hanbal and said to him, O Imam of the Faith, We are a family that spin thread by night and work for our living by day, And oftentimes the crescents of the watch of Baghdad pass by, and we on the roof spinning by their light. Is this forbidden to us? asked Ahmad, Who are thou? I am the sister of Bishar barefoot, answered she.

Starting point is 09:41:47 Rejoined the Imam, O household of Bishr, I shall never cease to drink full droughts of piety from your hearts. Quoth one of the sages, When Allah willeth well to his servant, he openeth upon him the gate of action. Malik bin Dinar, when he passed through the bazaar and so ought he desired, was wont to say, O soul, take patience, for I will not accord to thee what thou desirest. He said also, Allah accept him. The salvation of the soul lies in resistance to it, and its damnation in submission to it. Quoth Mansur bin Ammar. I made a pilgrimage, and was fearing Mecca a word, by way of Kufa, and the night was overcast,

Starting point is 09:42:51 when I heard a voice crying out from the deeps of the darkness, saying, O Allah, I swear by thy greatness and thy glory, I meant not, through my disobedience, to transgress against thee, for indeed I am not ignorant of thee, but my fault is one thou didst foreordained to me from eternity without beginning. So do thou pardon my transgression, for indeed I disobeyed thee of my ignorance. When he had made an end of his prayer, he recited aloud the verse,

Starting point is 09:43:32 O true believers, save your souls and those of your families from the fire whose fuel is men and stones. Then I heard a fall, but not knowing what it was, I passed on. When the morning marrowed, as we went our way, behold, we fell in with a funeral train, followed by an old woman whose strength had left her. I asked her of the dead, and she answered, This is the funeral of a man who passed by us yesterday, whilst my son was standing at break. and after his prayer he recited a verse from the book of Allah Almighty when the man's gallbladder burst and he fell dead therewith the fourth damsel retired and the fifth came forward and said I here will also repeat what occureth to me regarding the acts of devotees in olden time

Starting point is 09:44:40 Maslamah bin Dinar used to say, By making sound the secret thoughts, sins great and small are covered. And, when the servant of Allah is resolved to leave sinning, victory cometh to him. Also quoth he, Every worldly good which does not draw one nearer to Allah is a calamity.

Starting point is 09:45:09 For a little of this world, distracteth from a mickle of the world to come and a mickle of the present maketh thee forget the whole of the future it was asked of Abu Hasim who is the most prosperous of men and he answered who suspends his life in submission to Allah the other inquired and who is the most foolish of mankind whose o's selleth his future future for the worldly goods of others," replied Abu Hazim. It is reported of Moses, on whom be peace.

Starting point is 09:45:53 Then when he came to the waters of Median, he exclaimed, O Lord, verily I stand in need of the good which thou shalt send down to me, and he asked of his lord and not of his folk. There came two damsels, and he drew water for them. them both, and allowed not the shepherds to draw first. When the twain returned, they informed their father, Shu Aib, on whom be peace, who said, happily, he is hungry, adding to one of them, go back to him, and bid him hither. Now when she came to Moses, she veiled her face and said, My father,

Starting point is 09:46:45 Heeded thee to him, that he may pay thee thy wage for having drawn water for us. Moses was averse to this, and was not willing to follow her. Now she was a woman large in the back parts, and in wind blowing upon her garment, covered the hindered cheeks to Moses, which when Moses saw he lowered his eyes and said to her, Get thee behind while I walk in front. So she followed him, till he entered the house of Shu Aib, where supper was ready. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the 83rd night, she said,

Starting point is 09:47:38 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir dandan continued to Zaw al-Makhan. Now quote the fifth damsel to thy sire. When Moses, on whom be peace, entered the home of Shuaib, where supper was ready, Shouaib said to him, O Moses, I desire to pay thee thy wage, for having drawn water for these two. But Moses answered, I am of the household which selleth nothing of the fact of the next word for what is on earth of gold and silver then quoth shu ayib O youth nevertheless thou art my guest and it is my want and that of my forbears

Starting point is 09:48:33 to honor the guest by setting food before him so Moses sat down and ate then Shuiab hired Moses for eight that is to say eight years, and made his wage marriage with one of his two daughters, and Moses' service to him was to stand for her dowry, as saith the holy writ of him, verily, I will give thee one of these my two daughters in marriage, on condition that thou serve me for higher eight pilgrimages, and if thou would be fulfill ten years it is in thine own breast for I seek not to impose a hardship on thee a certain man once said to one of his friends whom he had not met for many

Starting point is 09:49:34 days thou hast made me desolate for that I have not seen thee this long a while quoth the other I have been distracted from thee by I b. Shihab Does thou know you? Quote his friend, Yes, he has been my neighbor these thirty years, but I have never spoken to him. He replied, Verily, thou forgettest Allah in forgetting thy neighbor.

Starting point is 09:50:09 If thou loves Allah, thou wouldst love thy neighbor. Knowest thou not that a neighbor hath a claim upon his neighbor, even as a rite of Keith and kin, said Huzaifa, We entered Mecca with Ibrahim bin Adham And Shakik al-Balki was also making a pilgrimage that year. Now we met whilst circumambulating the Kaaba and Ibrahim said to Shakik, What is your fashion in your country?

Starting point is 09:50:51 replied Shaqiq when we are blessed with our daily bread we eat and when we hunger we take patience this wise said Ibrahim to the dogs of Balk but we when blessed with plenty do honor to Allah and when we hungered we thank him and Shakik seated himself before Ibrahim and said to him Thou art my master. Also, said Mohammed bin Imran. A man once asked of Hatim the death, What maketh thee to trust in Allah? Two things, answered he,

Starting point is 09:51:42 I know that none save myself shall eat my daily bread, so my heart is at rest as to that. And I know that I was not created without the knowledge of Allah, and am abashed before him. Then the fifth damsel retired, and the ancient dame came forward, and kissing the ground before thy father nine times, said, thou hast heard, O king, what these all have spoken on the subject of piety, and I will follow their example in relating what hath reached me of the famous men of past times. It is said that the Imam al-Shafii departed the night into three portions,

Starting point is 09:52:35 the first for study, the second for sleep, and the third for prayer. The Imam Abu Hanifa was wont also to pass half the night in prayer. One day a man pointed him out to another, as he walked by and remarked, Yonder man watches the whole night. When he heard this, Abu Hanifa said, I was abashed before Allah to hear myself praised for what was not in me. So after this, he used to watch the whole night. And one of the sages hath said,

Starting point is 09:53:25 Who seeketh for pearl in the deep dives deep, Who on high Budhai robs his night of sleep? Al-Rabi relates that Al-Shafi used to recite the whole Quran 70 times during the month of Ramadan, And that in his daily prayers. Quoth al-Shafi, Allah accept him. During ten years I never ate my fill of barley bread,

Starting point is 09:54:00 for fullness hardness the heart, and deadness the wit, and inducese sleep, and enfeeblet one from standing up to pray. It is reported of Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Sakra that he said, I was once talking with Omanah, and he observed to me,

Starting point is 09:54:26 Never saw I, A more God-fearing or eloquent man Than Mohabbat bin Idris al-Shafi. It so happened, I went out one day with Al-Haris bin Labing, Al-Safar, who was a disciple of Al-Muzani, and had a fine voice, And he read the saying of the Almighty.

Starting point is 09:54:52 This shall be a day, whereon they shall not speak to any purpose, nor shall they be permitted to excuse themselves. I saw Al-Shafi's color change. His skin shuddered with horipulation. He was violent and he moved, and he fell down in a fainting fit. When he revived, he said, I take refuge with Allah from the stead of the liars and the lot of the negligent. O Allah, before whom the hearts of the wise abase themselves, O Allah, of thy beneficence accord to me the remission of my sins, adore me with a curtain of thy protection, and pardon me, my shortcomings, by the magnanimity of thy being. Then I rose and went away. Quoth one of the pious,

Starting point is 09:55:56 When I entered Baghdad, Al-Shafi was there, So I sat down on the river bank To make the ablution before prayer. And behold, There passed me one who said, O youth, Make thou Fuzo ablution well,

Starting point is 09:56:17 And Allah will make it well for thee in this world and in the next. I turned, and, though, there was a man behind whom came a company of people, so I hastened to finish my ablushion, and followed him. Presently he turned and asked me, Say, does thou want aught? Yes, answered I, I desire that thou teach me somewhat of that, which Allah Almighty hath taught thee.

Starting point is 09:56:53 He said, Know then, that whoso believeth in Allah shall be saved, and whoseo jealously loveth his faith, shall be delivered from destruction, and whoso practiseth abstinence in this word, His eyes shall be solaced on the morrow of death. Shall I tell thee any more? I replied,

Starting point is 09:57:19 assuredly. And he continued, Be thou of the word that is heedless, and of the word to come greediest. Be truthful in all thy dealings, and thou shalt be saved with the salvationists. Then he went on, and I asked about him, and was told that he was the Imam al-Shafi. Al-Shafi was wont to remark, I loved to see folk profit by this learning of mine, on condition that nothing of it be attributed to me. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day,

Starting point is 09:58:09 and ceased saying, her permitted say. When it was the 84th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir d'an continued to Zou, al-Makhan, the old woman bespeak thy sire, saying, The Imam al-Shafi was wont to remark, I love to see folk profit by this learning of mine, on condition that nothing of it be attributed to me.

Starting point is 09:58:47 He also said, I never disputed with anyone, but I would that Almighty Allah should give him the knowledge of the truth, and aid him to spread it. Nor did I ever dispute with anyone at all, but for the showing forth of the truth. And I reck not whether Allah manifest it by my tongue or by his. He also said, whom Allah accept. If thou fear to grow conceited by thy lord, then bethink thee whose grace thou seekest, and for what good thou yearnest, and what punishment thou dreadest.

Starting point is 09:59:38 It was told of Abu Hanifa that the commander of the faithful Abu Jafar al-Masur had appointed him Kazi and ordered him a salary of ten thousand dirhams. But he would not accept of this, and when the day came on which the mind was to be paid him, he prayed the dawn prayer, then covered his head with his robe, and spoke not. When the Caliph's messenger came with the money, he went in to the Imam and accosted him, but he would not speak to him. So the messenger said, Verily, this money is lawfully dying.

Starting point is 10:00:30 I know that it is lawfully mine, replied he, But I abhorred that the love of tyrants get a hold upon my heart, asked the other, If thou go in to them, canst thou not guard thyself from loving them? Answered Abu Hanifa, Can I look to enter the sea without my clothes being wet? Another of Al-Shafi's saying, Allah accepting, is, O soul of mine, and thou accept my read, Thou shalt be wealthy and of grace and tire.

Starting point is 10:01:17 Cast off ambitious hopes and vain desires, How many a death was done by vain desire? Among the sayings of Sufyan al-Tauri, with which he admonished Ali bin al-Hassan al-Salami, was, Be thou a man of truth, and where lies and treachery and hypocrisy and pride. Be not indebted, save to him who is merciful to his debtors. And let thine associate be one who shall dissociate thee from the world. Be ever mindful of death, and be constant in craving pardon of Allah and in beseeching of Allah peace for what remaineth of thy life. Counsel every true believer when he asked thee concerning the things

Starting point is 10:02:19 of his faith, and beware of betraying a believer. For whoso betrayeth a believer betrayeth Allah and his apostle. Avoid dissensions and litigations. and leave that which causeth doubt in thee, for things which breed no doubt. So shall thou be at peace. Enjoying beneficence and forbid malevolence. So shall thou be loved of Allah. Adorn thy inner man and Allah shall adorn thine outer man.

Starting point is 10:03:00 Accept the excuse of him, who excuseth self, to thee and hate not any one of the Muslims. Draw near unto those who withdraw from thee and excuse those that misuse thee. So shall thou be the friend of the prophets. Let thine affairs, both public and private, be in a last charge and fear him with the fear of one who knoweth he is dead

Starting point is 10:03:34 and who faredeth towards resurrection and judgment stead between the hands of the Lord of Dread. And remember that to one of two houses thou art sped, either for heaven's eternal or to the hell fires that burn. Thereupon the old woman sat down beside the damsels. Now when thy father, who hath found mercy, heard their discourse, he knew that they were the most accomplished of the people of their time. And seeing their beauty and loveliness and the extent of their wisdom and lore,

Starting point is 10:04:21 he showed them all favors. Moreover, he turned to the ancient dame and treated her with honor and set apart for her and her damsels, the palace, which had lodged Princess Abrizah, daughter of the King of Greece, to which he bade carry all the luxuries they needed. They abode with him ten days, and the old woman abode with them. And whenever the King visited them, he found her absorbed in prayer, watching by night, and fasting by day. whereby love of her took hold upon his heart, and he said to me,

Starting point is 10:05:11 O wazir, verily this old woman is of the pious, and awe of her is strong in my heart. Now, on the eleventh day, the king visited her, that he might pay her the price of the damsels. But she said to him, O king, know that the king, know that the king, the price of these maidens surpasseth the competence of men. Indeed, I seek not from them either gold or silver or jewels, be it little or much. Now, when thy father heard these

Starting point is 10:05:53 words, he wondered and asked her, O my lady, and what is their price? Whereeto, she answered, I will not sell them to thee, save on condition that thou fast, watching by night a whole month, and abstaining by day. All for the love of Allah Almighty. And if thou do this, they are thy property to use in thy palace as thou pleased. So the king wandered at the perfection of her rectitude, piety and abnegated. She was magnified in his eyes, and he said, Allah make this pious woman to profit us.

Starting point is 10:06:45 Then he agreed with her to fast for a month, as she had stipulated, and she said to him, I will help thee with the prayers I pray for thee, and now bring me a gaglet of water. They brought one, and she took him. it and recited over it, and muttered spells, and sat for an hour, speaking in speech, no one understood, or knew aught thereof. Lastly, she covered it with a cloth, and sealing it with her signet ring, gave it to thy sire, saying, When thou hast fasted the first ten days,

Starting point is 10:07:31 Break thy fast on the eleventh night, with what is it, in this gaglet, for it will root out the love of the word from thine heart, and fill it with light and faith. As for me, tomorrow I will go forth to my brethren, the invisible controls, for I yearn after them, and I will return to thee when the first ten days are past. Thy father took the gaglet, and arose, and set it apart in a closet in his palace. Then locked the door and put the key in his pocket. The next day the king fasted and the old woman went her ways, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of Section 30 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 2. Recording by

Starting point is 10:08:42 Philippo Joaquin. Section 31, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox. dot org recording by lars rolander the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two section thirty one when it was the eighty-fifth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the vassir dandan thus continued to sau al-makam now when came the day for the sultan's fast the old woman went to her ways. And after he had accomplished the ten days thereof, on the eleventh he opened the gugglet and drank what was therein, and found it cordial to his stomach. Within the second ten days of the month, the old woman returned, bringing sweetmeats wrapped in a green leaf,

Starting point is 10:10:00 like no leaf of known tree. She went into thy sire and saluted him, and when he saw her, he rose to her saying, Welcome, O pious lady. O king quoth she, The invisible controls salute thee, For I told them of thee, And they rejoiced in thee, And have sent thee their halva,

Starting point is 10:10:25 Which is of the sweetmeats of the other world, Do thou break thy fast on it, At the end of the day? The king rejoiced at this with great joy, And exclaimed, praised be allah who hath given me brethren of the invisible world thereupon he thanked the ancient dame and kissed her hands and he honoured her and the damsels with exceeding honour she went forth for the twenty days of thy father's fast at the end of which time she came to him and said know o king that i told the invisible controls of the love which is between me and thee and inform them how i had left the maidens with thee and they were glad that the damsels should belong to a king like thee for they were wont when they saw them to be strenuous in offering on their behalf prayers and petitions ever granted

Starting point is 10:11:23 so i would fain carry them to the invisible controls that they may benefit by thy breadth of their favour and peradventure they shall not return to thee without some treasure of the treasures of the earth that thou, after completing thy fast, mayst occupy thyself with their raiments, and help thyself, by the money they shall bring thee, to the extent of thy desires. When thy sire heard her words, he thanked her for them, and said, Except that I fear to cross thee, I would not accept the treasure of aught else, but when wilt thou set out with them? replied she, on the seven-and-twentieth night, and I will bring them back to thee at the head of the month, by which time thou wilt have accomplished thy fast, and they will have had their courses and be free from impurity, and they shall become thine and be at thy disposal. By Allah, each damsel of them is worth many times thy kingdom. He said, I know it, O pious lady.

Starting point is 10:12:38 Then quoth the old woman, There is no help but that thou send with them Someone in thy palace, Who is dear to thee, That she may find solace And seek a blessing of the invisible controls. Quoth he, I have a Greek slave called Sophia,

Starting point is 10:12:58 By whom I have been blessed with two children, A girl and a boy, but they were lost years ago. Take her with thee that she may get the blessing. And Shara'ad perceived the dawn of day, and cease to say her permitted saying. When it was the 86th night, She said,

Starting point is 10:13:24 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the Vassir Dandan continued to saw Al-Makhan. Quot thy thy first. desire to the ancient woman when she demanded the handmaids of him. I have a Greek slave called Sophia, by whom I have been blessed with two children, a girl and a boy, but they were lost years ago, so take her with thee happily she may get the benediction, and, belike, the invisible controls will sue Allah for her, that her two children may be restored to her. "'Thou hast said well,' replied she,

Starting point is 10:14:06 "'or that indeed was her grievous want. "'Thy sire gave not over-finishing his fast, "'till the old woman said to him, "'Oh, my son, I am going to the invisible controls, "'so bring me, Sophia. "'Accordingly he summoned her, "'and she came forthright, "'and he delivered her to the old woman,

Starting point is 10:14:30 "'who mixed her up with the other down, Then she went into her chamber, and bringing out a sealed cup, presented it to the sultan, saying, On the 30th day, do thou repair to thee Hamam, and when thou comes out, enter one of the closets in thy palace, and drink what is in this cup, then sleep, and thou shalt detain what thou seagest, and peace be with thee. thereat the king was glad and thanked her and kissed her hands quoth she i commend thee to allah's care whereat quoth he and when shall i see thee again o pious lady in very sooth i love not to part with thee then she called down blessings on him and departed with the five damsels and the queen whilst the king fasted after her departure other three days till the month ended when he rose and went to the hammam and coming out shut himself up in a closet of his palace commanding that none should go in twiom There, after making fast the door, he drank what was in the cup, and lay down to sleep. And we sat awaiting him till the end of the day, but he did not come out, and we said,

Starting point is 10:15:58 For hence he is tired with a bath, and with watching by night and fasting by day, wherefore he sleepeth. So we waited till next day, but still he did not come forth. Then we stood at the closet door, and cried aloud, so how, how, happily he might awake and ask what was the matter. But nothing came of that. So at last we lifted up the door, and going in found him dead, with his flesh torn into strips and bits of his bones broken. When we saw him in this condition, it was grievous to us, and we took up the cup and found within its cover a piece of paper whereon was inscribed. Who so doth evil leaveth no regrets,

Starting point is 10:16:49 and this to be the reward of him who playeth traitor with the daughters of kings, and who debauches them. And we make known to all who fall upon this scroll, that Sharkan, when he came to our country, seduced our queen Abrisa, nor did that suffice him, but he must needs take her from us and bring her to you. Then he sent her away in company of a black slave who slew her, and we found her lying dead on the desert sword, and thrown out to wild beasts.

Starting point is 10:17:26 This is no kingly deed, and he who did this is requitted with naught, but what he merited. So do ye suspect none of having killed him, for no one's son. slew him, but the cunning witch, whose name isat al-Dawahi. And behold, I have taken the king's wife, Sophia, and have carried her to her father, Afridun king of Constantinople. Moreover, there is no help for it, but that we wage war upon you, and kill you, and take your country from you, and ye shall be cut off even to the last man. Nor shall a living soul be spared by death, Nor one who bloweth fire with his breath,

Starting point is 10:18:15 Save he who cross and belt worshipeth. When we read this paper, We knew that the ancient woman Had beguiled us and carried out her plot against us. Whereupon we cried aloud and buffeted our faces, And wept sore, when weeping availed us naught. and the troops fell out as to whom they should make sultan some would have thee and others would have thy brother sharkan and we cease not to dispute about this for the space of a month at the end of which certain of us drew together and agreed to repair to thy brother sharkan so we set out and journeyed on till we fell in with thee and such is the manner of the death of sultan omar bin al numan

Starting point is 10:19:05 Now, when the Vassir Dandan had made an end of his story, Sao Al-Makhan and his sister, Nursat al-Saman wept, and the chamberlain who wept also said to Zau al-Makhan, O king, weeping will avail thee not, nor shall ought profit thee, but that thou harden thy heart, and strengthen thy stress, and establish thy sovereignty, for verily whoso leaveth the like of thee is not dead. Thereupon Sao Al-Makhan gave over his weeping,

Starting point is 10:19:44 and caused his throne to be set up without the pavilion, and then commanded the army to pass in review order before him. And the Chamberlain sat by his side, and all the armor-bearers behind him, whilst the Basir Dandan and the rest of the emirs and grandes, stood each in his individual's deed. Then quoth King Sao Al-Makhan to the Minister Dundam. Inform me concerning my sire's treasures, and he replied,

Starting point is 10:20:17 I hear and I obey, and gave him to know of the late king's hordes and monies, and what was in the treasury of amassed wealth and jewels, and acquainted him with other precious things. So Sao Halmakan opened his hand to the army, and gave a sumptuous robe of honour to the Basir Dandan, saying, Thou continues in office, whereupon Dandan kissed the ground before him, and wished him long life. Then he bestowed dresses on the emirs, after which he said to the Chamberlain, Bring out before me the tribute of Damascus that is with thee. So he was shown the chests of money and rarities and jewels, when he took them and parted them all amongst the troops, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 10:21:18 When it was the 87th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Sao Al-Makhan ordered the chamberlain to bring out before him what he had brought of the tribune. of Damascus. And when he was shown the chests of money and rarities and jewels, he took them and parted them all amongst the troops, till nothing was left, and the emirs kissed the ground before him, and wished him long life, saying, never saw we a king who gave the like of these gifts. Then all went away to their tents, and when it was morning he gave orders for marching. so they marched for three days till on the fourth day they drew near to baghdad when they entered the city they found it decorated and saw al-makan the sultan went up to his father's palace and sat down on the throne whilst the emirs of the army and the vassir dandan and the chamberl of damascus stood between his hands then he bade his private secretary write a writ to his brother acquainting him with all that had passed from first to last and he concluded as soon as thou hast read this letter make ready thine affair and join us with thine army that we may turn to holy war

Starting point is 10:22:49 upon the infidels, and take man-boat for our father, and wipe out the stain upon our honor. Then he folded the letter, and sealed it with his seal ring, and said to the minister, Dundan, None shall carry this letter but thou, and it behoeth thee, speak my brother, fair and say to him, if thou have a mind to thy father's kingdom, it is thine, and thy brother shall be viceroy for thee in Damascus, For to this effect I am instructed by him. So the vassir went down from before him, and made ready for his march. Then Sao Al-Makhan bade set apart a magnificent house for the fireman, and furnished it with the best furniture, and long is the tale of that fireman.

Starting point is 10:23:42 Presently Saoamakan went out, chasing and hunting, and as he was returning to Baghdad, one of the emirs presented him with blood horses and with beauteous handmaids, whose description the tongue evades. One of the damsels pleased him, so he went in unto her and knew her that night, and she conceived by him forthright. After a while the Vasserdandan returned from his journey, bringing him news of his brother Sharkan, and that he was then on his way to him, and said, It were fitting thou go forth to meet him. So Al-Makhan replied, I hear and I consent.

Starting point is 10:24:26 And riding forth with his grandies a day's journey from Baghdad, he pitched his pavilions there, awaiting his brother. Next morning appeared King Sharkan amid the army of Syria, a horseman of might, a lion fears in fight, a pro and doughty knight. As the squadrons drew nigh, and the dust-clouds came hard by, and the troops rode up with banners on high, Zaw al-Makhan and those with him pushed forward to meet Sharkan and his men. And when Zaw al-Makhan saw his brother, he desired to dismount,

Starting point is 10:25:05 but Sharkan conjured him not to do on this vice, and himself footed it, and walked a few paces towards him. As soon as he reached Sval Makan, the new sultan, threw himself upon him, and Sharkan embraced him and wept with great weeping, and the twain condoled with each other. Then they mounted and rode onward, they and their troops, till they reached Baghdad, where they alighted and went up to the royal palace, and there they passed that night, and when next morning came, Sval Makan went forth, and bade summon the troops from all parts, and proclaimed a holy war and a russia. They then awaited the coming of the levies from each quarter of the kingdom, and every one who came they entreated with honour and promised him all manner of good, till in so doing a full month had sped, and the fighting men flocked to them in a continuous body. Then Sharkan said to saw Al-Makhan, O my brother, tell me thy history. So he told him all that had befallen him,

Starting point is 10:26:24 from first to last, including the benevolent dealing of the fireman with him. Asked Sharkan, hast thou requitted his kindness? And he answered, O my brother, I have not rewarded him as yet, but in Salah, I will recompense. I will recompense. him when as I return from this raid. And Shara'asad perceived the dawn of day, and cease saying her permitted say. End of Section 31 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 32, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night,

Starting point is 10:27:19 translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 32. When it was the 88 night. She said,

Starting point is 10:27:50 It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that Sharkan asked his brother Zaw al-Makhan, Has thou requitted the fireman for his kindness? And he answered, O my brother, I have not rewarded him as yet, but in Salah,

Starting point is 10:28:08 I will recompense him when as I return from this raid, and find time so to do. Therewith Sharkan was certified, that his sister, Nusat al-Saman, had told him the whole truth, but he concealed what had passed between them, and offered his salutation to her by her husband the Chamberlain. She sent him back her greeting, calling down blessings on him, and inquiring after her daughter, Kutsia Farkan, to which she replied that the maiden was well, and in the best of health and safety. Whereupon

Starting point is 10:28:45 she praised Almighty Allah and gave him thanks. Then Sharkhan went to his brother to take counsel with him for departure, and Zawalmakan said, O my brother, as soon as the army is complete and the Arabs have come in from all parts, we will march forth. So he bade make ready the commissariat and prepare munitions of war, and went in to his wife, who was now five months gone, with child, and he put under her astrologers and mathematicians, to whom he pointed stipends and allowances.

Starting point is 10:29:24 Then he set out three months after the arrival of the army of Syria, and as soon as the Arabs were come in, and the troops were assembled from all directions, and as he fared forth, he was followed by the warriors and the united host. Now the name of the general of the Dylam army, was Rustam, and that of the general of the army of the Turks, Baram. And Sao Al-Makam marched in mid-host, and on his right was his brother Sharkam, and on his left the chamberlain, his brother-in-law. So the squadrons broke up and pushed forward, and the battalions and companies filed past in battle array, till the whole army was in motion.

Starting point is 10:30:12 They ceased not to fare on for the space of a month, and each body dismounted at its own ground, and there rested every week three days, for the host was great, and they advanced in this order till they came to the country of the Greeks. Then the people of the villagers and hamlets, and the poor sort took fright at them, and fled to Constantinople. But when King Afridon heard the tidings he rose and betook himself to Tzatal Davahai, the same who had contrived the stratagem, and had travelled to Baghdad and had slain King Omar bin Al-Numan, and who after carrying off her slaves and Queen Sophia had returned with them, and all to her native land. Now, when she had been restored to her son, the king of Greece, and felt herself safe, she said

Starting point is 10:31:08 to King Hardub, Cool thine un. eyes, for I have avenged my blood the shame of thy daughter Abrisa, and have killed Omar bin Al-Numan, and have brought back Sophia. So now let us go to the king of Constantinople, and carry to him his daughter, and acquaint him with what hath happened, that all of us be on guard and prepare our forces, and I will fare with thee to King Afridum, Lord of Constantinople, for I opine that the Muslims will not await our attack. Said Hardup, Terry thou till they draw near our country, that we may make us ready meantime and assemble our power. Accordingly they took to levying their forces and preparing for war.

Starting point is 10:31:58 And when the news of the Muslims advance reached them, they were prepared for defense, and Sat al-Dawahy had preceded them. Now when she and her son arrived, at Constantinople, the king of kings, Afridon, hearing of the approach of Hardub, king of the Greeks, came forth to meet him and asked how it was with him and the cause of his visit. So Harub acquainted him with the cunning doings of his mother, Sat al-Davahi, how she had slain the Muslim king and recovered from him Queen Sophia, and had said, the Muslims have assembled their forces and are on their way to attack us, wherefore it behooth that we two join hands in single band and meet them.

Starting point is 10:32:49 Now King Afridon rejoiced in the return of his daughter and the killing of King Omar bin Al-Numan, and he sent to all countries seeking secure and acquainting the folk with the cause of slaying the Muslim king. So the Nazarene troops flocked to him, and three months were not passed ere the army of the Greeks was complete, beside which they joined themselves to him Franks from all their lands, French, Germans, and Ragusans, with men of Tsara, Venetians, Genoese, and all the hosts of the Jello faces. And when the gathering was at its full, Earth was straightened on them by Rhe. reason of their multitude. Then Afridon, the great king, ordered a march, so they set out and

Starting point is 10:33:40 cease not to defile through the city for ten days. They fared on till they reached the Wadi Haise Al-Nuoman, a broad-sided veil, hard by the Salt Sea, where they halted three days, and on the fourth they were about to set out again, when news came that the army of al-Islam on them press, and the defenders of the faith of Muhammad of men the best. So they halted in it other three days, and on the eighth day espied a dust-cloud which towered till it walled the whole land. Nor was an hour of the day past ere that dust began to drift, and was torn to shreds in the lift, and pierced through its shades the starry radiance of lance and the white livy of blades. Presently there appeared beneath it the banners Islamitam and the ensigns Mahometan. The horsemen urged forward, like the letting

Starting point is 10:34:36 loose of seas that surged, clad in mail, as they were mackereled back clouds, which the moon envil, whereupon the two hosts clashed like two torrents on each other dashed. Eyes fell upon ice, and the first to seek combat singular was the Wazi Dandan. He and the army of Syria, numbering thirty thousand bridles, and with him were the general of the Turks, and the general of Dailam, Rustam and Baram, amid twenty thousand whores, behind whom came the men from the shores of the Salt Sea, clad in iron mail, as they were full moons that passed through a night overcast. Then the Nazarene host called out on Jesus and Mary, and the defiled cross, and they heaped

Starting point is 10:35:27 themselves upon the Vassir Dundan and those with him of the Syrian host. Now all this was in pursuance of a stratagem devised by that ancient woman Sat al-Davahi, for before his departure, King Afridun had gone into her and asked her, How shall I do, and what plan shall I pursue? It is thou hast caused this great distress to us, and she had answered, O great king and mighty Cohen! I will teach thee a trick would baffle Iblis himself, though he summoned to his assistance all his grisly host, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 89th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, all this was a stratagem of the ancient woman, for that the king before his departure had gone to, to her, and asked, How shall I do, and what plan shall I pursue? It is thou hast caused this great distress to us, and she had answered, O great king and mighty Cohen, I will teach thee a trick would baffle the devil himself, though he summoned to his assistance all his grisly hosts. It is that thou send fifty thousand men going down in ships, and sailing over the sea to the mountain,

Starting point is 10:36:59 of smoke, and there let them land, and stir not, till the standards of al-Islam come upon thee, when do thou up and at them? Then bid the troops from the seaward sally out upon the Muslims, and take them in rear, whilst we confront them from the landward. So not one of them shall escape, and our sorrows shall tease and peace abide with us. Now the council of this ancient woman commended itself to King Aphrodon, and he replied, Right is the wrecking thou reckest, O princes of wits and resource of kings and coens wearing for their blood-wit. So when the army of al-Islam came upon them in Chath Valley, before they knew it, the flames began to burn up the tents and the swords in men's bodies to make rents.

Starting point is 10:37:54 then hurried up the army of Baghdad and Korasan, who numbered one hundred and twenty thousand whores, with Sat al-Makhan in the front of war. When the host of the infidels that lay by the sea saw them, they sallied out against them, and followed in their tracks, and when Sao al-Makhan espied this, he cried out to his men, turn back to the infidels, O people of the chosen apostle, and slay those who deny, and hate the authority of the compassionating, the compassionate. So they turned and fought with the Christians. Then Sharkhan marched up with another corpse of the Muslim host, some hundred thousand men, whilst the infidels numbered naipon a thousand and six hundred thousand men. When the Muslims were united, their hearts were strengthened,

Starting point is 10:38:49 and they cried out, saying, Verily Allah hath promised us victory, and to the infidels hath assigned defeat, and they clash together with sword and spear. Now sharkan tear through rank and row, and raged among the masses of the foe, fighting so fierce a fight as to make children grey grow, nor did he cease, tourneying among the infidel horde, and working havoc among them, with the keen edge of sword, shouting, Al-Ahu Akbar, Hala is most great, till he drove back the host to the coast. Then failed the force of the foe and Allah gave victory to the faith of al-Islam, and folk fought folk, drunken without strong drink, till they slew of the infidels in this affair, 40,000, while of the Muslims but 3,500 fell. Moreover, the lion of the faith, King Sharkand and his brother, Sao Al-Makhan, slept not that night, but occupied themselves with congratulating their braves,

Starting point is 10:40:04 and with looking to the wounded and with assuring the army of victory and salvation, and promise of reward in the world to come. Thus far concerning the Muslim, but a man of the Muslim, As regard King Afridon, Lord of Constantinople and sovereign of Rome, and Sat al-Dawahi, they assembled the emirs and the host, and said to them, Verily we had worked our will and so last our hearts, but our overconfidence in our numbers, and that only defeated us. Then quoth to them the ancient one, the lady of calamities,

Starting point is 10:40:43 In very sooth not shall profit you, except ye draw you nigh unto the Messiah, and put your trust in the true belief, for by the virtue of the Messiah, the whole strength of the Muslim host lies in that Satan, King Sharkam. Tomorrow, said King Afrodon, I have resolved to draw up in battle array and to send out against them that redoubtable cavalier Luca bin Shammlut, for if King Sharkhan come forth as a champion to fight single-handed, our man will slay him and will slay the other Muslim knights till not one is left, and I propose this knight to sacer you all with the holy incense. When the emirs heard these words, they kissed. the ground before him. Now the incense which he designated was the excrement of the chief patriarch, the denier, the defiler of the truth, and they sought for it with such instance, and they so highly valued it that the high priests of the Greeks used to send it to all the countries of the Christians in silken raps after mixing it with musk and ambergris. Hearing of it, kings would pay a thousand gold pieces for every drug. and they sent for and sought it to fumigate brides withal and the chief priests and the great kings were wont to use a little of it as colerium for the ice and as a remedy in sickness and colic

Starting point is 10:42:14 and the patriarchs used to mix their own scyte with it for that the scyte of the chief patriarch could not suffice for ten countries so as soon as dawn was seen and the morning shone with its shine and sheen the horsemen ran to their spears full full keen, and King Afridun, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted save. When it was the Ninth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, as soon as dawn was seen, and the morning shone with its shine and sheen. The horsemen ran to their spears, full king, and King Afridon summoned his chief knights and nobles, invested them with dresses of honour, and drawing the sign of the cross on their brows, incensed them with the incense, which, as aforesaid, was the scyte of the chief patriarch, the coen,

Starting point is 10:43:14 the heresiarc. This incensing done, he called for Luca bin Shammlet, surnamed the sword of the Messiah, and after fumigating him and rubbing his palate with the holy murd, caused him to snuff it and smear his cheeks and anointed his moustaches with the rest now there was no stouted champion in the land of room then this accursed lucca nor any better at bending of bow or sway of sword or long with lance on the day of devour but he was foul of favour for his face was as the face of an ass his shape that of an ape and his look as the look of a malignant snake his presence was grievouser than parting from the beloved make, and blacker than night was his blackness, and more feted than the lion was his breath for foulness, more crooked than bow was his crookedness, and grimmer than the leopard was his ugliness, and he was branded with a mark of the infidels on face. After this he came up to King Aphrodon, and kissed his feet, and stood before him, and the king said to him, I desire thou go out against Sharkan, king of Damascus, and son of Omar bin Al-Numan, and deliver us from this affliction.

Starting point is 10:44:42 Quoth Luca, harking and obedience, and the king made the sign of the cross on his forehead, and felt assured of help from heaven being near hand. Then Luca went out from the presence, and the cursed one mounted a sorrel horse. He was clad in a red robe and a harbark of gold set with jewels, and he bore a trident spear, as he were Iblis the damned, on the day of drawing out his host's war to Dharain. Then he rode forward, he and his horde of infidels, even as though they were driving to the fire, preceded by a herald, crying aloud in the Arabic tongue and saying, who sect of mohammed upon whom be the salutation and salvation let none of you come out by your champion sharkhan the sword of al-islam lord of damascus in sham nor had he made an end of speaking when arose a tumult in the plain all the people heard the strain and the whole moving bodies of the armies twain called to mind the day of complain then the cowards trembled and all next turned toward the sound, and lo, it was King Sharkan, son of King Omar bin Aluman, for when his brother, Sao al-Makhan, saw that a cursed one push out on the plain, and heard the pursuant, he turned to Sharkan and said to him,

Starting point is 10:46:15 of a surety they seek for thee, said he, should it so be it were most pleasing to me? So when they made sure of the matter, and heard the herald crying, in the plain. Let none of you come out against me save Sharkhan. They knew this cursed Luca to be champion of the land of room, who had sworn to sweep the earth clean of Muslims. Now he was one of the greatest of villains, a wretch who caused hearts to pain, and the Dalamites Turks and Kurds dreaded his might and mane. Presently Sharkan crave at him like a lion, angry grim, mounted on a courser, like a wild gazelle flying, snell and slim, and coming nigh to him, made the spear he hend to shake, as it were a darting snake, and recited these couplets.

Starting point is 10:47:08 I have a sorrel's deed, whose pride is fain to bear the rain, shall give thee what thou likest not, and make thee feel his mane. I have a handy limber spear, full bright and keen of point upon, whose shaft the dam of death her thrown his seat hath tain i have a trenchant clave of hind and when i bear its face of scabbard vale from out its brow the race of levi reign luka understood not the sense of his speech nor did he apprehend the vehemence of the verse but he smote his forehead with his hand in honour of the cross drawn thereon and kissed it then he couched his throat spear and ran at sharkhan but first he tossed the javelin with one hand in air to such height that it was lost to the spectator's sight and catching it with the other hand as do the jugglers hurled it at it flew from his grasp like a shooting star and folk clamoured and fared for sharkan but as the spear flew near him he put out his hand and caught it in full flight to the amazement of all who saw the sight then he shook it with the hand that took it till it was swell-nigh broken and hurled it so high into the welkin that it disappeared from view as it descended he caught it again with the other hand in less than the twinkling of an eye and cried out from his heart-core, saying,

Starting point is 10:48:46 By the truth of him who created the sevenfold skies, I will assuredly make this cursed white a byword for mankind to despise. Then threw he the throw spear at Luca, who thought to do as Sharkan had done, and put forth his hand to trend it in mid-flight, but Sharkan prevented him, and sped at him a second third, throw spear, which smote him, and the point fell on his forehead, in the very center of the sign of the

Starting point is 10:49:19 cross, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire and dwelling-place dire. But when the infidel saw Luca bin Shamblot fall slain, they buffeted their faces, and they cried, alas, and woe worth the day, and called for aid upon the abbots of the monasteries. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and cease to say her permitted saying. End of Section 32 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 33, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain.

Starting point is 10:50:14 For more information or to volunteer, please. Visit Librivox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 33. When it was the 91st Knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the infidels saw Luca bin Shumlet fall slain,

Starting point is 10:50:44 they buffeted their faces and cried. Alas, and woe worth the day, and called upon the abbots of the monasteries and cried, Where be the crosses? So the religious offered up prayers, and the Christians all drew together against Charkham, and brandishing their skimitars and lances, rushed forward to the attack.

Starting point is 10:51:09 Then army met army, and breasts fell under hoof, while spare and sword drooled the day, and forearms and wrists grew weak, and the coursers seemed created, without legs, nor did the herald of war cease calling to fight, till arms were awary, and day took flight, and night came on with darkness dight. So the two hosts drew apart, whilst every brave staggered like a drunken knave, for that with so much cut and thrust they strayed, and the place was choked with the slain, fell where the wounds and the hurt knew not by whom they fell.

Starting point is 10:51:47 Then Sharkhan joined his brother, Sao Al-Makhan, and the Chamberlain and the Vassir Dandan, and said to them, Verily Allah hath opened a door for the infidels to fall. Praise be the Lord of the world's one and all, replied Sao Al-Makhan. Let us never cease to praise Allah, for that he hath dispel troubled trouble from the Arab and the adjam. Indeed, the folk, generation after generation, shall tell of thy daring do against the accursed Luca, the falsifier of the Evangio, of thy catching the throngs bear in mid-flight, and how the enemy of Allah among men thou didst might, and thy fame shall endure until the end of time. Then said Shark-i, O grand chamberlain, and doughty, captain, and he answered ad sum quoth sharkan take with thee the basir dandan and twenty thousand whores and lead them seven parsangs towards the sea and force the march till ye shall have come near the shore and there remain only two parsangs between thee and the foe then ambush ye in the hollows of the ground till ye hear the tumult of the infidels disembarking from their ships and the war-cry from every side strike your ear and ye know that the sabres have begun labour between us and them and when so ye see our troops falling back as if defeated

Starting point is 10:53:26 and all the infidels following them as well those in front as those from the seaward and the tents do ye still lie in wait for them but as soon as ye see the standard with the words there is no god but the god and mohammed is god's god's apostle on whom be salutation and salvation then up with the green banner and do your endeavour and fall on their rear and shout allah ho akbar allah is most great and circled round that they may not interpose between the retreating army and the sea he replied to here is to obey and forthright they agreed upon this matter and they went forth now the chamberlain took with himself the vassir dandan and twenty thousand men even as sharkhan had commanded as soon as dawned the moon the troops sprung to horse when they had donned their armor gear and drawn the skimitar and slung their spear then the christians disbred themselves over hill and dale and the ecclesiasts cried out and all heads were bared and those in the ships hoisted the cross at their mast-heads and began making for shore from every side and landed their horses and get them ready for fight and fray whilst the sword-blaze glittered bright and the javelins glanced like livy light on male shirt-white and all joined fight and the grim-mill of death of the the world round and ground those who fought from horse and the ground. Heads from bodies flew, end tongues, smute, grew, and eye snow, vision knew.

Starting point is 10:55:09 Schimitar strayed with utmostrain, and heads flew over the battle-plane. Gold-bladder's crave and wrists were shone in twain. Steeds splashed in pools of gore, and beers were gripped right sore. The host of al-Islam called out, saying, on the prince of mankind be blessings and peace, and to the compassionate glory and praise, which never shall cease for his boons which a increase, and the host of the infidels shouted, Glory to the cross and the belt and the vine-press juice, and the wine-presser and the priests and the monks, and the festival of palms and the metropolitan.

Starting point is 10:55:51 Now, Sao Al-Makhan and Sharkan held back, and their troops gave, away and faint flight from before the enemy, while the infidel array pressed hard upon them, deeming them in route, and made ready to foin and yew. Then the many of the Muslims raised their voices, reciting the first verses of the chapter of the cow, whilst the dead were trampled under hoofs of steeds, and the heralds of the Greeks cried out, who servants of the Messiah, who people of the true faith, who followers of the primate, verily divine grace upon you oaps, for see the hosts of al-Islam, like birds with broken wings inclined to elope? So turn ye not to them your backs, but let your swords clave deep in their necks, and hold not

Starting point is 10:56:41 your hands from them, else are ye outcasts from the Messiah, Mary's son, who spoke even when a cradled one. Now Afridon, King of Constantinople, deemed that the infidels were victorious, knowing not that this was but a clever stratagem of the Muslims, and sent to King

Starting point is 10:57:02 Hardov of Rome congratulations on success, adding, A veiled us not but the holy Mird of the arch-patriarch, whose fragrance exhaled from the beards and moustaches of the slaves of the cross near and far, and I swear by the miracles of the Messiah and by thy daughter Abrisah, the Nazarene,

Starting point is 10:57:24 the Mariolator, and the waters of Baptists, that I will not leave upon the earth a single defender of al-Islam, and to the bitter end will I carry out this plan. So the messenger betook himself with the address to the king, Hardug, whilst the infidels called to one another saying, Take we vengeance, wreck for Luke. and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the ninety-second night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the infidels call to one another saying take we vengeance wreck for luca while hard of king of greece cried aloud ho to our revenge for abrisa thereupon king sao al-makan shouted who serve of the requiting king, smite the children of denial and disobedience with the blanche of sword and the brown of spare. So the Muslims returned to the infidels and plied them with a keen-edged skimitar whilst their herald cried aloud. Up and at the foe of the faith, all ye who

Starting point is 10:58:40 love the prophet elect, with hope of salvation on the day of fear, to win favour of the bountiful, the forgiving one, for verily the garden of paradise is under the shadow of swords. And behold, Sharkand and his men charged down upon the infidels, and cut off their retreat, and wheeled and tournade among the ranks. When, lo, a knight of goodly presence opened a passage through the army of unbelievers and circled hither and thither amongst the deniers, cutting and thrusting and covering the ground with heads and trunks, so that the faithless fared him, and their necks bent under his lung and ewe. He was skirt with two swords, his glances and his brund, and he was armed with two lances, one of bamboo-cane and the other his straight

Starting point is 10:59:32 one-like shape, and his flowing hair stood him instead of many warriors, even aseth the poet. lord not long hair except it be disbred in two-fold locks on day of fight and fray o'er youth who bears his lance twixt flank and thigh from many a wist cared knight to win the day and as singeth another i say to him what while he slings his sword for sword shall serve those looks that sword like show says he may say labor looks for those I love, my sword for those who sweets of love unknown. When Sharkhan Soemi said to him, I conjure thee by the Koran, and the attributes of the compassionate one, O champion of the champions, tell me who thou art, for verily by the deeds this day, thou hast pleased the requiting king, whom one thing distracteth not from other thing, in that thou hast been discomforting the children of impiety and the rebellion revelling.

Starting point is 11:00:45 Then cried the cavalier to him saying, Thou art he who mad his brother covenant with me, but yesterday, how quickly thou hast forgotten me. Thereupon he withdrew his mouth bale, so that what was hidden of his beauty was disclosed, and lo, it was none other than Sao al-Makam. Then Sharkand rejoiced in his brother, save that he feared for him the rush of fighting, and the crush of braves as mighty, and this for two reasons, the first his tender age of exposure to the evil eye, and the second that his safety was to the kingdom the greater of the two overshadowing wings. So he said to him, O king, thou riskest thy life, so join thy steed to mine, in very sooth I fear for thee from the foe, and better thou stint hazarding thyself forth of these squadrons, that we may shoot at the enemy thine unerring shaft. Quoth Sao Al-Makam, I desire to even thee in fray, and I will not be niggard of myself before. thee in the melee. Then the host of al-Islam, heaping itself upon the infidels,

Starting point is 11:02:05 girt them on all sides, ward on them a right holy war, and break the power of the children of impiety and pride and store. But King Afridan sighed when he saw the evil wreck that had fallen on the Greek, and they turned their backs from fight and addressed themselves to flight, making for the ships when low there came out upon them from the sea-coast another host led by the minister dandan the champion who was wont to make champions bite the dust and to lay load on them with cut and thrust nor less came forth the emir baram lord of the provinces of sham amid twenty thousand hoarse doughty of arm and the host of al-islam pressed them in front and on flank and wrought them grievous harm then a body of the moslems turned against those who in the ships remained and perdition on them reigned till they threw themselves into the main and they slew of them many slain more than a hundred thousand noblemen nor was one of their champions great or small, saved from bail and bane. Moreover, they took their ships, with all the money and treasure and cargo, save a score of keel,

Starting point is 11:03:25 and the Muslims got the loot, whose like was never gotten in bygone years, nor was such cut and thrust ever heard by men's heirs. Now, amongst the booty, were fifty thousand horses, besides treasure and spoil, past reckoning and arithmetic, whereat the Muslims rejoiced with an exceeding joy, for that Allah had given them victory and protection. Such was the case with them, but as regards the fugitive infidels, they soon reached Constantinople, with the tidings preceded them that King Aphrodun had prevailed over the Muslims. So quoth the ancient dame Sat al-Dabahi. I know that my son Hardov, King of Room, is no runagate, and that he feareth not the Islamitic hosts, but will restore the whole

Starting point is 11:04:17 world to the Nazarene faith. Then she bade the great King Afrodun give command that the city be decorated, and the people held festival high and drank their wines drunkenly, and knew not the decrees of destiny. Now, whilst they were in the midst of the rejoicings, behold the raven of jewel and downfall croaked over them, and up came the twenty fugitive ships wherein was the king of Cesaria. So King Afridon, Lord of Constantinople, met them on the seashore, and they told him all that had befallen them from the Muslim, and they wept sore and groaned and moaned, and rejoicing at wheel was turned into dismay for unheal, and they informed him concerning Luca, son of Sharmulut, how calamity had betided him and how death had shot him with his shaft.

Starting point is 11:05:12 There at the horrors of Doom-day rose upon King Afridon, and he knew that there was no making straight their crook. Then came up from them the sound of weeping and wailing. The city was full of men mourning, and the keepers were keening, and sighs and cries were heard from all sides. And when King Hardub of Greece met King Afridon, he told him the truth of the case, and how the flight of the Muslims was by way of stratagem and deceit, and said to him, Look not to see any of the army, save those who have already reached thee.

Starting point is 11:05:51 When King Afridon heard these words, he fell down in a fainting fit, with his nose under his feet, and as soon as he revived, he exclaimed, surely the Messiah was wrothed with them that he caused the Muslims to prevail over them. Then came the arch-patriarch sadly to the king who said to him, Oh, our father, annihilation hath overtaken our army, and the Messiah has punished us. Replied the Patriarch, grieve not, nor feel concerned, for it cannot be but that one of you have sinned against the Messiah. and all have been punished for his offence but now we will read prayers for you in the churches that the mohammedan hosts may be repelled from you after which the old woman sat al-dabahi came to aphrodon and said to him O king, verily the Moslem hosts are many, and we shall never overcome them save by while.

Starting point is 11:06:56 Wherefore I propose to work upon them by guile and repair to this army of al-Islam. Happily I may win my wish of their leader and slay their champion, even as I slew his father. If my stratagem succeed in this case, not one of the host he leads shall return, to his native land, for all are strong only because of him. But I desire to have some Christian dwellers of Syria, such as go out every month and year to sell their goods that they may help me, for this they can do in carrying out my plan. Replied the king, Be it so whenever thou wilt. So he bade fetching hundred men, Naitis an Nudge run in Shum, and the king,

Starting point is 11:07:47 King asked them, have ye not heard what hath befallen the Christians with the Muslims? Yes, answered they, and he rejoined. Know ye that this woman hath devoted her life to the Messiah, and purposeth to go forth with you, disguised as monotists and Mohammedans, to work out a device which shall profit us and hinder the Muslim from us. Say, then, are ye also willing to devote to, yourselves to the anointed, and I will give you a quintal of gold. He of you who escapeth shall have the money, and him of you who dith will the Messiah reward.

Starting point is 11:08:31 O king, replied they, we will devote our lives to the Messiah, and we will be thy sacrifice. Thereupon the old woman took all she required of aromatic roots, and placed them in water, which she boiled over the fire till the black essence of them was extracted. She waited till the decoction was cold, then dipped the corner of a long kerchief therein, and stained her face therewith. Moreover, she donned over her clothes along Gabardine with an embroidered border, and took in her hand a rosary, and afterwards went into the King Aphrodun, who knew her not, nor did any of his companions know her,

Starting point is 11:09:16 till she discovered herself to them. And there was none in the assembly, but who thanked and praised her for her cunning, and her son rejoiced and said, May the Messiah never fail thee. Thereupon she took with her the Syrian Christians, and set out for the army of Baghdad. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day,

Starting point is 11:09:42 and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 33 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 34, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Livrevox.org.

Starting point is 11:10:22 by Lars Rolander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 34. When it was the 93rd Knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when King Afridon heard these words, he fell into a fainting fit, with his nose under his feet, and as soon as he revived, fear fluttered the scrotum below his belly, and he complained to the ancient dame Satalda Now this accursed old woman was a witch of the witches, past mistress in sorcery and deception,

Starting point is 11:11:02 wanton and wily, debauched and deceptuous, with foul breath, red eyelids, yellow cheeks, dull brown face, eyes blared, mangy body, hair grizzled, back humped, skin withered, and wan and nostrils which ever ran. But he had studied the scriptures of al-Islam, and had made the pilgrimage to the, the Holy House of Mecca, and all this that she might come to the knowledge of the Mohammedan ordinances, and the miraculous verses of the Quran, and she had professed Judaism in the Holy City of Jerusalem for two years' space, that she might master the magic of men and demons, so that she was a plague of plagues and a pest of pests, wrong-headed as to belief and to no religion fief.

Starting point is 11:11:51 Now the chief reason of her sojourn with her son, King Hardub of Greece, was on account of the slave virgins at his court, for she was given to tribadism, and could not exist without sapphism, or she went mad. So if any damsel pleased her, she was wont to teach her the art of rubbing clitoris against clitoris, and would overnoin't her with saffron till she fainted away for excess of volupti. obeyed her, she was wont to favor, and make her son inclined towards her. But whose her repelled her she would conceive to destroy, and so she abode for a length of time. This was known to Madhanna and Ryhanan, and Uttria, the handmaids of Abrisa, and their princess loathed the old woman and abhorred to lie with her. Because of the rank smell from her armpits, the stench of her fissals more feeted than carrion, and the roughness of her hide coarsher than palm-fiber. She was wont to bribe those who rubbed parts with her by means of jewels and instructions, but Abraissa held elufe from her, and sought refuge with the omnipotent,

Starting point is 11:13:07 the omniscient, for, by Allah, right well quoth the poet, Who thou who growls slow before the great, nor over fording lesser mendest thou blench, who gildish dross by dirham gathering, no otter sent disguises carrion stench. And now to return to the story of her stratagem and the woes of her working. Presently she departed, taking the chief Nazarens with their hosts, and turned towards the army of the Muslims, whereupon King Hardub went into King Afridon, said to him, O King, we have no need of the chief patriarch nor of his prayers, but will consult my

Starting point is 11:13:53 mother's counsel, and observe what she will do with her craft unending against the Muslim hosts. For these are marching with all their power. They will soon be upon us, and they will encircle us on all sides. When King Afronan heard this, terror took hold upon his heart, and he wrote letters, without stay or delay, to all the nations of the Natharines saying, It behoveth none of the messiatis or cross-nights to hold back, especially the folk of the strongholds and forts, but let them all come to us, foot and horse, women and children, for the Muslim hosts already tread our soil. So haste, haste ye, ere what we fear to us here appear, thus much concerning them, but,

Starting point is 11:14:43 But regarding the work of the old woman Sataldavahi, when she went forth from the city with her suit, she clad them in the clothing of Moslem merchants, having provided herself with a hundred mules, carrying stuffs of Antioch, such as gold-woven satins and royal brocades, and so forth. And she had taken a letter from King Aphrodon to the following effect. These be merchantmen from the land of Shamm, who have been with us, so it besitteth none to do them harm or hindrance, nor take tax or tith of them till they reach their homes and safe places, for by merchants a country flourishes, and these are no men of war, nor of ill faith. Then quoth the accursed Sataldavahi to those with her. Verily I wish to work out a plot for the destruction of the Muslim, replied they o queen command us whatso thou wilt we are at thy disposal and may the messiah never disappoint thy dealings

Starting point is 11:15:48 then she donned a gown of fine white wool and rubbed her forehead till she made a great mark as of his scar and anointed it with anointment of her own fashion so that it shone with prodigious sheen now the old hag was lean-bodied and hollow-eyed and she bound her legs tightly round with cords just above her feet till she drew near the moslem camp when she unwowned them leaving their marks deeply embedded in her ankles then she anointed the wheels with dragon's blood and bade her companions beat her with a severe beating and set her in a chest and quoth she cry a broad refrain of unity nor fear from it aught of damage. Replied they, How can we beat thee, Who be our sovereign lady, Sataldavahi,

Starting point is 11:16:43 Mother of the king we glory in? Then said she, We blame not, nor deal reproach to him, Who goeth to the dakes, And in need evil becometh good deed. When ye have set me in the chest, Take it and make it one of the bales, And place it on mule-back,

Starting point is 11:17:02 and fare forth with it and the other goods through the moslem camp and fear ye no blame and if any of the moslems hinder you give up the mules and their lading and betake yourself to their king sao al-makan and implore his protection saying we were in the land of the infidels and they took nothing from us but wrote us a passport that none shall do us hindrance or work our mischance If he asks you, what profit had ye of your property in the land of room? Answer him, we profited in the deliverance of a pious man, who had been bound down in an underground cell, nigh fifteen years, crying out for help, yet none helped him. Nay, the infidels tortured him night and day. We knew not this, but after we had tarried in Constantinople for some time, having soly, our goods and bought others in their steed. We determined on and made ready for a return to our native land. We spent that night conversing about our journey, and when day broke we saw

Starting point is 11:18:15 figured upon the wall a human form, and as we drew nigh it, behold, it moved and said, O Mosulans, is there amongst you one who is minded to woo the favor of the Lord of the three worlds. How so? asked we, and the figure answered, know that Allah hath made me speak to you, to the intent that your faith be fortified, and that your belief emboldened you, and that you may go forth of the country of the infidels, and repair to the Muslim host, for with them wounds the sword of the compassionate one, of our age the champion, king Sharkan, by whom he shall conquer Constantinople town and destroy the sect of the Nazarene. And when ye shall have journeyed three days you will find an hermitage known as the hermitage of the ascetic matrohina,

Starting point is 11:19:11 and containing a cell. Visit it with pure intent and contrive to arrive there by force of will, for therein is a religious from the holy city Jerusalem, by name Abdullah, and he is one of the devoutest of mankind. endowed with the power of working saintly miracles such as dispel doubts and obscurity. Certain of the monks seized him by fraud and shut him up in a suitorang, where he hath lain a long time. By his deliverance you will please the Lord of faithful men, for such release is better than fighting for the faith. Now when the ancient dame and those with her had agreed upon such words, she said, as soon as that which i impart shall reach the heirs of king sharkhan say him further hearing this from that image we knew that the holy man

Starting point is 11:20:09 and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the ninety-fourth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the old woman sat al-dabahi and those with her had agreed upon such words she said now as soon as that which i impart shall reach the ears of king sharkan say him further hearing these words from that image we knew that the holy man was indeed of the chiefest devotees and allah's servants of purest qualities so we made three days march till we came in sight of that hermitage and then we went up to it and passed the day in buying and selling as is the want of merchants as soon as day had departed our sight and night was come to darken light we repaired to the cell wherein was the dungeon And we heard the holy man, after chanting some verses of the Quran, repeat the following couplets. My heart disheartened is, my breast is straight, and sinks my soul in sea of bale and bait. Unless escape an ear I soon shall die, and death were better than this doleful strait. O lightning, and thou light my home and foe, and there still brighter charms thy shine abate.

Starting point is 11:21:38 say what my path to meet them, being buried by wars and barricado's socrates gate. When once ye have brought me into the Muslim camp, and I mix with them, you shall see, the old moment continued, how I will make shift to beguil them, and slay them all, even to the last man. The Nazarens, hearing what she said, kissed her hands and set her in the chest, after they had beaten her with a grievous beating in obedience to her commands. for they saw it was incumbent on them to do her bidding in this. Then they all made for the Muslim host, as hath erst been said. Such was the case with the damned Hag Sataldavahi and her companions.

Starting point is 11:22:24 But as regards the Mohammedan army, they indeed after Allah had given them victory over their enemies, and they had plundered everything in the ships of money and hordes. All sat down to converse with one another. and Sao Al-Makhan said to his brother Sharkhan, Verily Allah hath granted us to prevail because of our just dealing and discipline and concord amongst ourselves. Wherefore continue, O Sharkan, to obey my commandment in submission to Allah. Be he exalted and extolled, for I mean to slay ten kings in blood revenge for my sire, to cut the throat of fifty thousand greeks and to enter constantinople replied sharkan my life be thy ransom against death

Starting point is 11:23:16 needs must i follow out the holy war though i wown many a year in their country but i have o my brother in damascus a daughter named cusia fakan whom i love heartily for she is one of the marvels of the time and she will soon be of age, said Sá'al-Makhan, and I also have left my wife with child and near her time, nor do I know what Allah will vouchsafe me by her. But promise me, O my brother, that if Allah bless me with a son, thou will grant me thy daughter for wife to him, and make covenant with me and pledge me thy faith thereon. With love and goodwill, replied Sharkand, and stretching out his hand to his brother, he said, If she bring thee a son, I will give him my daughter Cusia Fakan to wife. At this Svalmakan rejoiced, and they fell to congratulating each other on the victory over the

Starting point is 11:24:22 enemy. And the Vassi Dandan also congratulated the two brothers, and said to them, know, O ye kings, that Allah hath given us the victory, for that we have devoted our lives to him, be he exalted and extolled, and we have left our homes and households. And it is my counsel that we follow up the foe and press upon him and harass him. So happily Allah shall enable us to win our wishes, and we shall destroy our enemies' branch and root. If it please you, do ye go down in these ships and sail over the sea, whilst we fare forward by land and bear the brunt of battle, and the thrust of fight, and the minister Dandan ceased not to urge them to combat, and repeated his words who said, To slay my foes in chiefest bliss I wist, and on the courteous back be borne a list, comes promising Trist a messenger from friend,

Starting point is 11:25:26 full off when comes the friend with outen tryst and these words of another war for my mother and i live i'll take spare for my brothers skimitar for sire with every shag haired brave who meets his death smiling till one from doom his dear desire and when the vassir ended his verses he said praise be to him who aided us dear victory to uphold, and who hath given a spoil of silver and fine gold. Then Sval Makan commanded the army to depart, and they fared on forcing their marches for Constantinople, till they came to a wide and spacious champagne, full of all things fair and fain, with wild cattle frisking, and gazelles pacing to and fro across the plain. Now they had traversed great deserts, and driest, drink had been six days cut off from them when they drew near this meadow and saw there in waters founting and ripe fruits daunting and that land as it were paradise for it had donned its adornments and decked itself gently waved the branches of the trees drunken with the new wine of the dew and combined with the nectar of tussim the soft breathings of the morning breeze mind and gayser were confounded by its beauty

Starting point is 11:26:56 Even as saith the poet. Behold this lovely garden, Tiseth though, Spring over its frame her green cloak had spread, Looking with fleshly aine thou shalt but sight, A lake whose waters balance in their bed, But look with spirit eyes, and lo, Shall see glory in every leaf Ovovaves thy head. And as another seth,

Starting point is 11:27:23 The streams are cheek by sunlight rosy, died, whose down is creeping shade of tamarisk stems. Round legs of tree trunks waveless roll in rings, silver and blossoms are the diadems. When Zawalmakan saw this champagne, with its tree bowing, and his flowers blooming, and his birds warbling, he called to his brother Sharkan and said, Oh, my brother, Verilinda Mascus is not the like of this place. we will not march from it save after three days that we may take rest ourselves and that the army of al islam may regain strength and their souls be fortified to encounter the blamed infidels so they halted therein and while camping behold they heard a noise of voices from afar and saulmakan asked the cause thereof and was answered that a caravan of merchants from the land of syria had halted there to rest and that the moslem troops had come on them and had happily seized something of the goods which they had brought from the country of the infidels after a while up came the merchants crying out and appealing to the king for agents

Starting point is 11:28:41 when svalmakan saw this he bade them be brought before him and when in presence they said to him o king we have been in the country of the infidrels and they plundered us of nothing why then do our brothers the mosle our goods and we in their own land of a truth when we saw your truths we went up to them and they robbed us of what we had with us and we have now reported to thee all that hath befallen us thereupon they brought out to him the letter of the king of constantinople and sharkhan read it and said we will presently restore to you what hath been taken from you but yet it behoveth you not to carry merchandise to the country of the infidels replied they o our lord in very sooth allah despatcheth thither that we might win what gahazi never won the like of not even thou in all thy rations asked sharkan what was it ye want O king, answered they, we will not tell thee save in private, for if this matter be noised among the folk, happily it may come to the ears of some, and this will be the cause of our ruin, and of the ruin of all Muslims who resort to the land of the Greeks. Now they had hidden the chest wherein was the damned Sataldavahi. So Saoalmakan and his brother brought them to a private place, where they laid bare to both of them the story of the devotee, and wept till they made the two kings weep. And Shahar-Assad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 11:30:31 End of Section 34 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 35, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording, all Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 35.

Starting point is 11:31:16 When it was the 95th night, she said it hath reached me a auspicious king that the Nazarens who wore merchants with, when brought to a private place by Zawalmakan and his brother Sharkhan, laid bare to both of them the story of the devotee, and wept till they made the two kings weep, and repeated to them all which had been taught by the old witch Sat al-Dabahi. Thereupon Sharkan's heart journeyed to the devotee, and he was moved to Ruth for him, and was fired with seal for the service of Almighty Allah. So quoth he to them. Did ye rescue this holy man, or is he still in the hermitage? Quoth they. We delivered him and slew the hermit, fearing for our lives, after which we made haste to fly for a dread of death,

Starting point is 11:32:07 but a trusty man told us that in this hermitage are quintals of gold and silver, and stones of price. Then they fetched the chest and brought out the cursed old woman, as she were a cassiapod of excess of blackness and lerness, and she was laden with the same fetters and shackles. When Zawalmakan and the bystanders saw her, they took her for a man of the best of Allah's devotees, and surpassing in pious qualities, more especially because of the shining of her forehead, for the ointment wherewith she had anointed her face. So Zahalmakan and Sharkan wept sore.

Starting point is 11:32:47 Then they rose up in honour and kissed her hands and feet, sobbing aloud. But she signed to them and said, Cease this weeping, and hear my words. Hereat they dried their tears in obedience to her bidding, and she said, Know ye both that I was content to accept what my lord did unto me, for I can that the affliction which befell me was a trial from him. Be he exalted and extolled, and whoso hath no patience under calamity and tribulation. For him there is no coming to the delights of paradise. I had indeed supplicated him that I might return to my native land, not as a compensation for the sufferings decreed to me, but that I might die under the horse-hoofs of warriors fighting for the faith who, who, being, slain in fray, live again without suffering death.

Starting point is 11:33:50 Then she repeated the following couplets. Our fort is tore and flames the fire of fight. Moses art thou and this is time for aid. Cast down thy rod, twill swallow all thy wrought. Nor dread for men their ropes be bipers made. For chapters read on fight day, lines of foes, and on their next gray verse, with thy blade. When the old woman had ended her verse, her eyes overflowed with tears, and her forehead under the unduant shone like gleaming light, and Sharkand rose and kissed her hand, and caused food be brought before her, but she refused it, saying, I have not broken my fast by day for fifteen years, and how should I break it at such a time, when my lord hath been bountiful to me in delivering me from the

Starting point is 11:34:47 the captivity of the infidels, and removing me from that which was more grievous to me than torment of fire. I will wait till sundown. So when it was nightfall, Sharkan and Sahuamakhan came and served her with food and said, Eat, O ascetic, but she said, This is no time for eating. It is the time for worshipping the requiting king. Then she stood up in the pretexting. prayer-nish, and remained praying till the night was spent, and she ceased not to do after this fashion for three days and nights, sitting not but at the time of the salam or salutation, ending with several prayers. When Salaamakhan saw her on this wise, firm belief in her, get hold of his heart, and he said to Sharkan, "'Caus a tent of perfumed leather to be pitched for this religious, and a point a

Starting point is 11:35:47 body servant to wait upon him. On the fourth day she called for food, so they brought her all kind of meats that could seduce the sense or delight the sight, but of all this she would eat only a scone with salt. Then she again turned to her fast, and, as the night came, she rose anew to pray. When Sharkhan said to Sallamakhan, Verily this man carries renunciation of the world to the extreme of renounce, announcing, and, were it not for this holy war, I would join myself to him and worship Allah in his service till I came before his presence, and now I desire to enter his tent and talk with him for an hour. Quoth Sao al-Makhan, and I also tomorrow will sally forth to fight against

Starting point is 11:36:38 Constantinople, and we shall find no time like the present, said the Basir Dundan, and I no less desire to see this ascetic, happily he will pray for me that I find death in this holy war, and come to the presence of my lord, for I am a wary of the world. So as soon as night had darkened, they repaired to the tent of that witch, Sat al-Davahi, and seeing her standing to pray, they drew near her and fell a weeping for pity of her, but she paid no heed to them till midnight was past, when she ended her orisons by pronouncing the salutation. Then she turned to them, and after wishing them long life, asked them, wherefore come ye? Whereto they answered, O thou holy man, didst thou not hear a sweep around thee?

Starting point is 11:37:33 She rejoined, to him who standeth in the presence of Allah, remaineth no existence in time, either for hearing any or for seeing aught about him. Foth they, we would have thee recount to us the cause of thy captivity, and pray for us this night, for that will profit us more than the possession of Constantinople. Now when she heard their words, she said, By Allah, were ye not the emirs of the Muslims, I would not relate to you aught of this at any time, for I complain not but to Allah alone.

Starting point is 11:38:11 However to you I will relate the circumstances of my captivity. Know then that I was in the saintly city of Jerusalem with certain ecstatics and inspired men, and did not magnify myself among them, for that Allah, be ye exalted and extolled, had endowed me with humility and abnegation, till I chanced to go down to the sea one night and walked upon the water. Then entered into me pride, whence I know not, and I said to myself, Who like me can walk the water? And my heart from that time hardened, and Allah afflicted me with a love of travel. So I journeyed to room, land, and visited every part for a whole year, and left no place but therein I worshipped Allah. When I came to this spot, I cloned the mountain,

Starting point is 11:39:06 saw there an hermitage, inhabited by a monk called Matrubina, who, when he sighted me, came out, and kissed my hands and feet, and said, Verily, I have seen thee since thou enterest the land of the Greeks, and thou hast filled me with longing for the land of al-Islam. Then he took my hand, and carried me into that hermitage, and brought me to a dark room, and when I entered it, unawares, he locked the door on me, and left me there for forty days, without meat or drink, for it was his intent to kill me by delay. It chanced one day that a knight called Dacianus came to the hermitage, accompanied by ten squires and his daughter Tamasil, a girl whose beauty was incomparable.

Starting point is 11:39:57 When they entered that hermitage, the monk Matruina told them of me, And the knight said, Bring him out, for surely there is not on him a bird's meal of meat. So they opened the door of the dark room, and found me standing in the niche, praying and reciting the Quran and glorifying Allah, and humbling myself before the Almighty. When they saw me in this state, Matrohina exclaimed, This man is indeed a sorcerer of the sorcerers. And hearing his words they all came in on. me, Dacianus and his company with all, and they beat me with a grievous beating till I desire death and reproach myself, saying, this is his reward who exalteth himself, and who prideth himself on that which Allah hath vouchsafed to him, beyond his own competence. And thou,

Starting point is 11:40:52 O my soul, verily self-esteem and arrogance have crept into thee. Does thou not know that pride angereth the Lord and hardneth the heart, and bringeth men to the fire. Then they laid me in fetters, and returned me to my place, which was the dungeon underground. Every three days they threw me down a scone of barley bread and a draught of water, and every month or two the night came to the hermitage. Now his daughter Tamasil had grown up, for she was nine years old when I first saw her, and fifteen years passed of a mean captivity, so that she had reached her four-and-twentieth year. There is not in our land nor in the land of the Greeks a fairer than she, and her father, fear lest the king take her from him, for she had bowed herself to the Messiah,

Starting point is 11:41:49 and rode with Dachianus in the habit of a cavalier, so that albate none might compare with her in loveliness, no one who saw her knew her for a woman, and her father had laid up his monies in this hermitage, every one who had ought of pride or treasured hoard, being wont to deposit it therein, and I saw there all manner of gold and silver, and jewels, and precious vessels and rarities, none may keep count of them, save Almighty Allah. Now ye are worthier of these riches than those infidels, so lay hands on that which is in the hermitage and divide it among the Muslims, and especially on fighters in the holy war. When these merchants came to Constantinople and sold their merchandise, that image which is on the wall spoke to them, by grace of a marvel which Allah granted to me, so they made for that hermitage and slew Matrohina, after. after torturing him with most grievous torments, and dragging him by the baird till he showed

Starting point is 11:42:56 them the place where I was, when they took me and found no path but flight for dread or death. Now, tomorrow night, Tamasil will visit that hermitage, as is her habit, and her father and his squires will come after her, as he feareth for her. So if you would witness these things, take me with you, and I will deliver to you the monies and the riches of the knight Dacianos, which be in that mountain, for I saw them bring out vessels of gold and silver to drink therefrom, and I heard a damsel of their companies sing to them in Arabic, and well away, that so sweet a voice should not be busied in chanting the Koran. If then ye will enter into that hermitage, and hide there against the coming of the

Starting point is 11:43:47 Dacianus and his daughter, and take her, for she is fit only for the king of the age, Sharkhan, or King Zawalmakan. Thereat they all rejoiced, with the exception of the Vassir Dandan, who put scant faith in her story, for her words took no hold on his reason, and signs of doubt in her and disbelief showed in his face. Yet he was confounded at her discourse, but he feared to speak with her for Ave of the king. Then quoth the ancient Dame Sataldavahi. Verily I fear lest the night come,

Starting point is 11:44:24 And seeing these troops encamped in the meadow, Be afraid to enter the hermitage. So Zawalmakan ordered the army to march upon Constantinople and said, I have resolved to take with me a hundred horse and many mules, and make for that mountain, where we will load the beasts with the monies which be in the hermitage. he sent at once for the chief Chamberlain, whom they brought into the presence, and he summoned likewise the leaders of the Turks and Dalamites, and said, as soon as it is dawn, do ye set forth

Starting point is 11:45:00 for Constantinople, and thou, O Chamberlain, shall take my place in counsel and contrivance, while thou, O Rustom, shalt be my brother's deputy in battle. But let none know that we are not with you, and after three days we will rejoin you. Then he chose out an hundred of their doubtiest riders, and he and Sharkhan and the Minister Dandan set out for the hermitage, and the hundred horsemen led the mules with chests for transporting the treasure. And Shara Sad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

Starting point is 11:45:42 End of Section 35 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 36, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org, reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 133. When it was the ninety-six night, she said, It hath reached me, auspicious king, that Sharkand and his brother, Zawalmakan, and the Vassir Dandan, set off with an hundred horse for the hermitage, described to them by that accursed Sataldavahi, and they took with them mules and chests for transporting the treasure.

Starting point is 11:46:45 Now as soon as dawned the morn, the Chamberlain signalled to the host in order for departure, and they set out thinking that the two kings and the vassir were with them, knowing not that the three had made for the monastery. Such was the case with the host, but as regards the two kings and the minister, they tarried in their place till the end of that day. Now the infidels who were with Sataldabai took their duty. departure privily, after they had gone into her, and kissed her hands and feet, and obtained her leave to march. So she not only gave them permission, but also taught them all she minded

Starting point is 11:47:28 of wheel and gil. And when it was dark night, she arose and went into Zawalmakan and his companions, and said to them, Come, let us set out for the mountain, and take with you a few men at arms. bade her and left five horsemen at the foot of the mountain, whilst the rest rode on before Sataldavahi, who gained new strength for excess of joy, so that Zawalmakan said, Glory be to him who sustaineth this holy man, whose like we never saw. Now the witch had written a letter to the king of Constantinople, and dispatched it on the wings of a bird, acquainting him with what had passed, an ending. I wish thee to send me ten thousand horsemen of the bravest of the Greeks, and let them steal along the foot of the mountains with

Starting point is 11:48:21 caution, lest the host of al-Islam get sight of them. And when they reach the hermitage, let them ambush themselves there, till I come to them with a Muslim king and his brother, for I shall invigal them and will bring them thither, together with a vassir and an hundred horse, and no more, that I may presently deliver to them the crosses which be in the hermitage. I am resolved to slay the monk Matrohina, since my scheme cannot be carried out but by taking his life. If my plot worked well, not one of the Muslims shall return to his own country, no, not a living weight, nor one who blows the fire alight, and Matrohina shall be a sacrifice for the followers of the Nazarene faith, and the servants of the cross, and praise be to the Messiah first and last.

Starting point is 11:49:18 When this letter reached Constantinople, the keeper of the carrier pigeons carried it to King Afridon, who read it and forthwith inspected his host, and equipped ten thousand cavaliers with horses and Dromedaries, and mules and provant, and bade them repair to that hermitage, and, after reaching the tower, to hide therein. Thus far concerning them, but as regards King Zawalmakan and his brother Sharkan, and the Vassir Dandan, and the escort, when they reached the hermitage, they entered and met the monk Matrohina, who came out to see who and what they were. whereupon quoth that pious man sat al-davahi slay this damned fellow so they smote him with their swords and made him drink the cup of death

Starting point is 11:50:12 then the accursed old woman carried them to the place of offerings and exvotus and brought out to them treasures and precious things more than she had described to them and after gathering the whole together they set the booty in chests and loaded the mules therewith. As for Tamazil she came not, she or her father, for fear of the Muslims. So, Saal Makhan tarried there, awaiting her all that day and the next and a third, till Sharkhan said to him, By Allah, I am troubled anenty army of al-Islam, for I know not what is become of them. His brother replied, and I also am concerned for them. We have come by this great treasure, and I do not believe that Tamasil or anyone else will approach the hermitage, after that befell which hath befallen the host of the Christians. It behooveth us then to content ourselves with what Allah hath given us and depart,

Starting point is 11:51:17 so happily he will help us conquer Constantinople. Accordingly they came down from the mountain, while Sataldavahi was impotent to oppose their march for fear of betraying her deceit, and they fared forwards till they reached the head of a defile, where the old woman had laid an ambush for them with their ten thousand whores. As soon as these saw the Muslims, they encircled them from all sides, couching lance and bearing the white saber-blade, and the infidels shouted the watchword of their faith and set the shafts of their mischief a string. When Svalmakhan and his brother Sharkand and the minister Dandan looked upon this host,

Starting point is 11:52:05 they saw that it was a numerous army and said, Who can have given these troops information of us? Replied Sharkan, Oh, my brother, this be no time for talk. This is the time for smiting with swords and shooting with shafts. so gird up your courage and hearten your hearts for this strait is like a street with two gates though by the virtue of the lord of arabs and adjams were not the place so narrow i would bring them to naught even though they were an hundred thousand men said sawalmakan had we wotted this we would have brought with us five thousand whores and the vassir dandan continued if we had ten thousand and horse they had availed us naught in these narrows, but Allah will succour us against them.

Starting point is 11:53:01 I know this defile and its straightness, and I know there be many places a refuge in it, for I have been here on Rassia with King Omar bin Al-Numan, what while we beseed Constantinople. We abode in this place, and here is water colder than snow. So come, let us push out of this defile, ere the infinite. host increase on us and get the start of us to the mountain-top, whence they will hurl down rocks upon us, and we powerless to come at them. So they began hurrying on to get out of those narrows, but the pious man, Sat al-Davahi, looked at them and said, What is it ye fear, ye who have bowed yourselves to the Lord, and to working his will? By Allah, I abode

Starting point is 11:53:50 imprisoned underground for fifteen years, yet never gain save the Almighty in aught he did with me. Fight ye in a last way, so whoever of you is slain, Paradise shall be his abode, and whoso slayeth, his striving shall be to his honour. When they heard from the ascetic these words, their care and anxiety ceased from them, and they stood firm till the infidels charged down from all sides, whilst the swords played upon their necks, and the cup of death went round amongst them. The Muslims fought for the service of Allah, a right good fight, and wrought upon his foes with sway of sword and lung of lance, whilst Savalmakan smote upon the men and garred the knights, bite the dust, and their heads from their bodies take flight, five by five, and ten by ten till he had done to death a number of them past numbering and a count beyond counting now while so doing he looked at the accursed old woman who was waving her sword and heartening them and all who fared fled to her for shelter but she was also signing the infidels to slay sharkan so troop after troop rushed on him with design to do him die but each troop that charged to kill

Starting point is 11:55:16 he charged and drew back, and when another troop attacked him, he repelled the assault with the sword in their backs, for he thought it was the devote's blessing that gave him the victory, and he said in himself, Verily on this holy man, Allah looketh with eyes of his favor, and strengtheneth my prowess against the infidels, with the purity of his pious intent. see that they fear me and cannot prevail against me, but everyone who assaileth me turneth tail and taketh flight. So they battled the rest of the day, and when night fell, the Muslims took refuge in a cave of that defile, being wary with stress of war and cast of stone, and that day were slain of them five and forty. And when they were gathered together, they sought

Starting point is 11:56:13 the devotee, but could find no trace of him. And this was grievous to them, and they said, Belike he hath died a martyr. Quoth Sharkan, I saw him heartening the horsemen with divine instances, and using, as talisman verses of holy writ. Now while they were talking, behold, the cursed old woman, Sataldavahi, stood before them, handing in hand the head, of the chief captain of the ten thousand horse, a noble knight, a champion fierce in fight, and a Satan for blight. One of the Turks had slain him with an arrow, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire. And when the infidels saw what that Muslim had done with their leader, they all fell on him, and wrought his bane and viewed him in pieces with their swords. And Allah hurried his soul to heaven.

Starting point is 11:57:13 Then the cursed old woman cut off that knight's head and brought it and threw it at the feet of Sharkhan and Zawalmakan and the Vassir Dandam. Now when Sharkang sue her, he sprang up hastily before her and exclaimed, "'Praised be Allah for thy safety and for our sighting thee. O holy man and devout champion of the religion!' replied she, O, my son, I have sought martyrdom this day, and I have thrown my life away amid the infidel array, But they fared me with dismay. When ye dispersed, I waxed jealous for your honour, so I rushed on the chief knight their leader, Albeit he was a match for a thousand horse, and I smote him till I severed head from trunk.

Starting point is 11:58:08 Not one of the infidels could near me, so I brought his side. head to you. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted save. When it was the 97th night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the damned witch Sat al-Davahi took the head of the night, the leader of the twenty thousand infidals, she brought it and threw it down before Zawal-Makhan and his brother Sharkan, and the Vassir Dandam, saying, When I saw your condition, I waxed jealous for your honour, so I rushed on the chief knight And smote him with a sword, till I severed head from trunk, and none could near me, so I brought his head to you, that you may be strengthened in holy war, and work out with your swords the

Starting point is 11:59:01 will of the Lord of the faithful, and now I propose leaving you to strive against the infidels, whilst I go to your army, though they be at the gates of Constantinople, and return with twenty thousand hordes to destroy these unfaithfuls. Quoth Sharkan, how wilt thou pass to them? O thou holy man, seeing that the valley is blocked up on all sides by the miscreants! Quoth the accursed hag! Allah will wail me from their eyes, and they shall not sight me, nor if any, he saw me, would he dare to attack me at that time, for I shall be as one non-existing,

Starting point is 11:59:44 absorbed in Allah, and he will fend off from me his foes. Thou say'st, O holy man, rejoined Sharkan, for indeed I have been witness of that, so if thou can pass out at the first of night, it will be best for us, replied she, I will set out at this very hour, and if thou desire thou shalt go with me, and none shall see thee. Furthermore, if thy brother also have a mind to go with us, we will take him, but none else, for the shadow of a saint can cover only twain. Sharkan said, As for me, I will not leave my comrades, but if my brother will, there is no harm in his going with thee and setting us free of this strait.

Starting point is 12:00:34 for he is the stronghold of the Muslims and the sword of the Lord of the Three Worlds. And if it be his pleasure, let him take with him the Vassir Dandan, or whom else he may elect, and send us ten thousand whores to Sukur us against these caitiffs. So after debate they agreed on this, and the old woman said, Give me leisure to go before you and consider the condition of the infidels, if they be asleep or awake, quoth they. We will not go forth, say with thee, and trust our affair to Allah. If I do your bidding, replied she, blame me not, but blame yourselves, for it is my read that you await me till I bring your tidings of the case. Then said Sharkan, go to them, and delay not from us,

Starting point is 12:01:26 for we shall be awaiting thee. Thereupon she fared forth, and Sharkan turned to his brother, addressing him and said, Were not this holy man a miracle worker, he had never slain yonder furious night, this is proof sufficient of the ascetic's power, and of a truth the pride of the infidels is laid low by the slaying of this cavalier, for he was violent, an evil devil, and a stubborn.

Starting point is 12:01:56 Now whilst they were thus devising of the mighty works of the devotee, behold the curse sataldavahi came upon them and promised them victory over the unbelievers wherefore they thanked her not knowing that all this was weal and gil and the damned hag asked where be the king of the aged zawalmakan and the minister dundan answered he here am i take with thee thy vassir said she and follow after me that we may forth to Constantinople. Now she had acquainted the infidels with the cheat she had put upon the Muslims, and they rejoiced with exceeding great joy and said, Our hars will not be contended till we shall have slain their king in return for the knight's death, because we had no stouter rider than he.

Starting point is 12:02:54 And they added, bespeaking the ill-omened hag as she told them her plan of faring to the land of the Muslims. When thou bring'st him to us, we will bear him to King Afridun. Then she went out and went out with her Sao Al-Makhan and the minister Dundan, and she walked on before the two saying, Fair forth with the blessing of Almighty Allah. So they did her bidding, for the shaft of patent fortune of man's lot had shot them, and she ceased not leading them both through the midst of the Grecian camp, till they came to the defile, the narrow path aforesaid, whilst the infidel enemy watched them, but did them no hindrance, for the infernal old woman had enjoined this. Now when Sáhal Makhan and the Vassir Dandan saw that the infidel host offered

Starting point is 12:03:49 them no let and stay, and yet had them in sight, the Vassir exclaimed, By Allah, this is one of the Holy Man's saintly miracles, and doubtless he be of the elect, rejoined Sahuamakam. By Allah, I think the infidels be not but blind, for we see them and they see us not. And while they were thus praising the Holy Man and recounting his mighty works and his peyety and his prayers, behold, the infidels charged down on them from all sides, and surrounded them and seized them, saying, Is there anyone else with you, Twain, that we may cease upon him too? And the Vassir Dandan replied, see you not yon other man that is before us? Replied the unbelievers, by the truth of the Messiah and the monks and the primate and the

Starting point is 12:04:47 metropolitan, we see none save you two. Then Sawalmakan said, by Allah, this is a chastisement decreed to us by Almighty Allah. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 36 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 37, Volume 2, of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording.

Starting point is 12:05:33 All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org, recording by Lucy Perry. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 37. When it was the 98th Night. she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the unfaithful had seized upon king sao al macan and the vazia dandan they said to the two is there any one else with you twain that we may seize upon him also and the vazir dand replied see you not yon other man who be with us they rejoined by the truth of the messiah and the monks and the primate and the metropolitan we see none save you two then the infidels laid shackles on their feet and set men to guard them during the night whilst that al-doi fared on and disappeared from their sight so they fell to lamenting and saying to each other verily the opposing of pious men leadeth to greater distress than this and we are punished by the strait which hath befallen us

Starting point is 12:06:36 so far concerning zao al-makan and the vazir dandan but as regards king shakhan he passed that night in the cavern with his comrades and went dawn the day and he had prayed the mourn prayer he and his men made ready to do battle with the infidel and he heartened them and promised them all good then they sallied out till they were hard upon the unbelievers and when these saw them from afar they cried out to them saying o muslims we have taken captives of your sultan and your vizier who hath the ordering of your affairs and accept ye leave off fighting us we will slay you to the last man but anew yield yourselves we will take you to our king who will make peace with you on condition that you quit our country and return home and harm us in aught and we will do you no harm in aught if ye accept it will be well for you but if ye refuse there remain with nothing for you but death. So we have told you, Sooth, and this is our last word to you. Now when Sharkhan heard this, and was certified of the captivity of his brother and the Vazir Dan he was weighed down with woe and wept. His force failed him, and, making sure of death, he said to himself, Would I know the cause of their capture? Did they fail of respect to the holy man, or disobey him, or what was the matter? Then they sprang up to battle with the unbelievers,

Starting point is 12:07:50 and slew great numbers of them. The brave was known that day from Cravehers. raven men, and sword and spear were died with bloody stain, for the infidels flocked upon them, as flies flocked to drink, from hill and from plain. But Charcan and his men ceased not to wage the fight of those who fear not to die, nor let death hinder them from the pursuit of victory, till the valley ran gore, and earth was full of the slain she bore. And when night fell, the army is separated, each making for his own place, and the Muslims returned to the cavern where gain and loss were manifest to them. Few remained of them, and there was no dependence for them but on Allah and the scimitar. Now there had been slain of them that day, five and thirty men of the

Starting point is 12:08:27 chiefest emirs, and they had killed thousands of the infidels, footmen, and fighters on horse. When Charkand saw this, the case was grievous to him, and he asked his comrades, What shall we do? Where to all answered, that which Almighty Allah willeth shall before us. On the morning of the second day, Sharkan said to the remnant of his troop, If ye go forth to fight, not one of you will remain alive, and we have but little left of food and water. so i deem ye would do better to bear your brands and go forth and stand at the mouth of this cavern to hinder any from entering haply the holy man may have reached the moslem host and may return with ten thousand horses to succourous in the fight with the infidels for belike the unfaithful may have failed to see him and those with him they said this were the better course to take and of its expediency no doubt we make so the troop went out and held the cavern mouth standing by its walls and every one of the infidels who sought to enter in they slew thus did they fend off the foe from the gap of the cavern and they patiently supported all such assaults till day was done and night and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased her permitted say when it was the ninety-ninth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the army of the moslems held the cavern mouth and stood by its walls and they fended off the foe

Starting point is 12:09:43 and every one of the infidels attempted to charge them him they slew and they patiently supported all such assault till day was done and the night came on dusky and done by which time king shakhan had only five and twenty men and no more left Then quoth the infidels to one another, When shall these battle days have an end? We are weary of warring the Muslims. And quoth one of them, Up and at them, for there remain of them but five and twenty men. If we cannot prevail on them to fight, Let us light a fire upon them,

Starting point is 12:10:12 and if they submit themselves and yield to us, We will take them prisoners, But if they refuse, we will leave them for fuel to the fire, So they become to men of foreseeing mind a warning dire. May the Messiah on their fathers have no grace, And may the sojourn of the Nazarenes be for them, no one. abiding place. So they carried fuel to the jaws of the cavern and set fire to it. Thereupon Charkin and his companions made sure of perdition and yielded themselves to prisoners. And while they

Starting point is 12:10:36 were in this condition low, the knight their captain said to those who counselled their slaughter, it is not for any save for King Ephrodon to kill them, that he may gratify his wrath. Therefore it behoveth us to keep them endurance by us till the morrow, when we will journey with them to Constantinople, and deliver them to our king, who shall deal with them as he please, said they, this is the right course, and he commanded to pinion them and set guards over them. Then, as soon as it was black night, the infidels busied themselves with feasting and making festival, and they called for wine and drank it till all fell upon their backs. Now, Sharkhan, and his brother Zao al-Makhan were in confinement, and so also were his companion

Starting point is 12:11:14 knights, whereupon the elder turned to the younger brother, and said to him, O my brother, how win-free! By Allah, replied Zau-Makhan, I know not, for here we be like birds in cage. Then Sharkhan waxed wrath and sighed for excessive rage, and stretched himself till his pinion bonds brass asunder. Whereupon being free, he arose and went up to the captain of the guard, and taking from his pocket the keys of the fetters, freed Zao al-Makan and the Vazir Dandan and the rest of his men. Then he turned to the two and said, I desire to slay three of these infidels, and take and don their dress, we three, so that we shall be guised as Greeks, and we will

Starting point is 12:11:49 pass through them, without their knowing us, and fare forth to our own force. replied Zawalma Khan. This is no safe counsel. For if we kill them, I fear some of their comrades may hear their shrieks, and the foe be aroused upon us and kill us, to other sure a way to pass out of the defile. So they agreed upon this, and set out, and when they had left the head of the strait a little distance behind,

Starting point is 12:12:09 they saw horses picketed, and the rider sleeping, and Sharkand said to his brother, better we take each one of us a steed. There were five-and-twenty horsemen, so they took five-and-twenty horses, whilst Alice sent sleep upon the infidels for a purpose he knew. and the faithful mounted and fared on till they were out of reach meanwhile shah khan set to gathering from the infidels as many weapons swords and spears as were wanted and while they took saddle and struck forwards none of the infidels supposed that any one could release sao al-makan and his brother and their men or that their prisoners had power to escape now when all the captives were safe from the unfaithful sharkan came up with his comrades and found them awaiting his arrival on coals of flame expecting him in anxious graeme so he turned to them and said

Starting point is 12:12:53 Feel no fear, since Allah protecteth us, I have that to propose which happily shall affect our purpose. What is it? asked Bay. And he answered, I desire that ye all climb to the mountain-top and cry out with one voice, Al-Aqab. And ye add, the army of al-Islam is upon you. Al-Aqab. This wise their company will surely be dissolved, nor will they find out the trick for they are drunk. But they will think that the Muslim troops have encompassed them about on all sides and have mingled with them. So they will fall upon one another, brand in hand during the confusion of drunkenness. us and sleep, and we will cleave them asunder with their own swords, and the scimitar will go around amongst them till dawn. Replied Zawalma Khan, this plan is not good. We should do better to

Starting point is 12:13:33 make our way to our army and speak not a word, for if we cry out, Allah al-Aq-bah, they will wake and fall on us, and not one of us will escape, rejoined Sharkan, by Allah, though they should awake tis no matter, and I long that ye fall in with my plan, for naught save good can come of it. So they agreed thereon, and clomb the mountain, and shouted, al-a-a-a-a-a-abar, and hills, and trees and rocks reworded there al-Aw Akbar for fear of the Almighty, but when the Kaffirs heard this slogan, they cried out to one another, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to have permitted say. End of Section 37 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, recording by Lucy Perry in Bath on February the 27th, 2009. Section 38, Volume 2 of the

Starting point is 12:14:25 book of a thousand knights and a night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Recording by Cole McKinnon. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 38. When it was the one hundredth night, she said, it has reached me, O auspicious king, that Chercon spake thus. I long that ye fall in with this my plan, for not save good can come of it. So they agreed thereon, and clom the mountain heed, and shouted, Alu Akbar! And hills and trees and rocks reworded their Alu Akbar for fear of the Almighty. The infidels heard it and cried out one two other, and donned their armor and said,

Starting point is 12:15:18 The foe is upon us, by the truth of the Messiah. Then they fell on one and one, another, and slew of their own men more than any knoweth, save the Almighty Allah. As soon as it was dawn, they sought for the captives, but found no trace of them, and their captain said, They who did this were the prisoners in our possession, up then, and after them in haste till ye overtake them, when we will make them quoth the cup of requital, and let not fright, nor the panic of sudden awakening possess you. So they took the horses, and rode after the fugitives, and it wanted but an eye twinkling before they overtook them and surrounded them. Now when Zahul Amakhan saw this, he was seized with increase of terror and said to his brother, What I feared would come

Starting point is 12:16:05 is upon us, and now it remaineth only for us to fight for the faith. But Sher Khan preferred to hold his peace. Then Zahul Amakan and his companions rushed down from the hillcrest, shouting Alu Akbar, and his men repeated the war-cry and addressed themselves to fight and to sell their lives in the service of the Lord of faithful men. And while they were in this case, behold, they heard many voices voicing, there is no God but the God, God is most great, salutation and salvation upon the apostle, the bringer of glad tidings, the bearer of bad tidings. So they turned towards the direction of the sound.

Starting point is 12:16:47 and saw a company of Muslims who believed in one God, pushing towards them, whereat their hearts were heartened, and Sher Khan charged upon the infidels, crying out, There is no God but the God. God is most great, he and those with him, so that earthquake, as with an earthquake, and the unbeliever host break asunder, and fled into the mountains, and the Muslims followed them with lunge and blow, and Zao al-Mekan and his comrades of the Muslims ceased not to smite, the hosts of the infidel foe, and parted heads from bodies till day darkened, and night coming on stark in sight. Thereupon the Muslims drew together, and passed the night in congratulations,

Starting point is 12:17:29 and, when morning dawned and daybreak shone with its shine and sheen, they saw Barham, the captain of the Dalemites, and Rustam, the captain of the turts, advancing to join them, with twenty thousand cavaliers like lions grim. As soon as they saw Zawu Amakan, The riders dismounted and saluted him, and kissed ground between his hands when he said to them, Rejoice ye in the glad tidings of the victory of the Muslim, and the discomfiture of the tribe of unbelievers. Then they gave one another joy of their deliverance, and of the greatness of the reward after resurrection day. Now the cause of the coming of the suckers to that place was this, when the Emir Barham and the Emir Rustam, and the Chief Chamberlain, with the Muslim host,

Starting point is 12:18:17 and flags flaunting high ahead, came in sight of Constantinople, they saw that the Nazarens had mounted the walls and manned the towers and the forts, and had set all their defenders in order of defense. As soon as they learned of the approach of the host of al-Islam and the banners Muhammadan, and they heard the clash of arms and the noise of war voices, and tramp of horse-hoves, and from their lookouts they beheld the Muslims, with their standards and ensigns of the faith of unity under the dust, clouds, and low. They were like a flight of locust, or rain-clouds, raining rain, and the voices of the Muslims chanting the Quran, and glorifying the compassion one, struck their years. Now the infidels knew of the approach of this host, through Zat al-Dwahi,

Starting point is 12:19:05 with her craft and hordom, calumny and contrivance, and the armies of al-Islam drew near, as it were the swollen seed for the multitude of footmen and horsemen and women and children, Then quoth the general of the Turks to the general of the Dalamites, O'emir, of a truth we are in jeopardy from the multitude of the foe who is on the walls! Look at yonder bulwarks, and at this world of folk like the seas that clash with dashing billows? Indeed, yon infidel outnumber us a hundred fold, and we cannot be safe from spies who may inform them that we are without a sultan. In very We sooth we run danger from these enemies, whose numbers may not be told, and whose resources none can withhold, especially in the absence of King Zal al-McChan and his brother, Cher Khan, and

Starting point is 12:19:55 the illustrious wazir Dan Dan. If they know of this, they will be emboldened to attack us in their absence, and with the sword they will annihilate us to the last man, not one of us, safety shall see. So it is my counsel that thou take ten thousand riders of the Allies and the Turks, and march them to hermitage of Metrahirin, and the Medal of Malakuhahian, in quest of our brothers and comrades. If thou act, by my advice, it may be we shall approve ourselves the cause of their deliverance, in case they be hard-pressed by the infidels, and if thou act not, blame will not attach to me. But an ye go, it behoveth that ye return quickly,

Starting point is 12:20:38 for ill suspicion is part of prudence. The Amir aforesaid, fell in with his counsel so they chose twenty thousand horses and they set out covering the roads and making for the monastery above mentioned so much for the cause of their coming but as regards the ancient dame zat al-dwahi as soon as she had delivered sultan zal al-mican and his brother sherkan and the wazir dandan into the hands of the infidels the foul whore mounted a swift steed saying to the faithless I designed to rejoin the Muslim army, which is at Constantinople, and contrive for their destruction, for I will inform them that their chiefs are dead, and when they hear that from me, their joining will be disjointed, and the court of their confederation cut, and their host scattered. Then I will go to King Afrodun, Lord of Constantinople, and to my son, Hardub, king of Rome, and relate to them their tidings, and they will sally forth on the Muslims with their troops

Starting point is 12:21:41 and will destroy them and will not leave one of them alive. So she mounted and struck across country on her good steed all the live-long night, and when day dawned appeared the armies of Barham and Rustam advancing towards her, so she turned into a wayside break and hid her horse among the trees, and she walked while saying to herself, happily the Muslim hosts be returning, routed from the assault of Constantinople. However, as she drew near them, she looked narrow, and made sure that their standards were not reversed, and she knew that they were coming, not as conquered men, but fearing for their king and comrades. When she was assured of this, she hastened towards them, running at speed like a devil of ill

Starting point is 12:22:26 reed, till reaching them she cried out, "'Hash-Gh-h-G! O soldiers of the compassionate one, hasten to the holy war against the hosts of Satan. When Barham saw her he dismounted and kissed the ground before her, and asked her, O friend of Allah, what is behind thee? answered she, Question not of sad case and sore condition, for when our comrades had taken the treasure from the hermages of Mataharan, and designed to win their way Constantinople words,

Starting point is 12:22:55 thereupon came out on them a driving host and a dreadful of the infidels, and the damned witch repeated to them the story to fill them with trouble and terror, adding, the most of them are dead, and there are but five and twenty men left, said Barham, O holy man, when didst thou leave them? But this night replied she, he cried, Glory be to Allah, to him who hath rolled up the far distance for thee like a rug, so thou hast sped thus walking upon thy feet and props upon a mid-rip of a palm-tree, but thou art one of the saints which fly like birds when inspired and possessed by his directions. Then he mounted his horse,

Starting point is 12:23:39 and he was perplexed and confounded by what he had heard from the bedlam so strong in lies and ill-communus. And he said, There is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah, the glorious, the great. Verily our labor is lost, and our hearts are heavy within us, for our sultan is a prisoner, and those who are with them. Then they cut across the country, wide and side, night and day, and when morning dawn they reach the head of the defile, and saw Zauu Amakhan and Sharkhan shouting,

Starting point is 12:24:12 There is no God, Alu Akbar, and salutation and salvation upon the congratulator, the communinator, whereupon he and his drove at the unbelievers and whelmed them, as the rain-torn whelms the waste, and cried out their war-cries, till fear get hold of the prowess nights, and the mountains were cloven in affright,

Starting point is 12:24:34 and when shone the day and showed it shine and sheen, The breeze of morning blew upon them sweet and fragrant, and each recognized other as hath been said before. Then they kissed the ground before the king, and before his brother, Cher Khan, who told them all that had befallen the party in the cave. Now thereat they marveled and said to one another, hasten we back to Constantinople, for we left our companions there, and our hearts are with them. So they hurried departure, commending themselves to the subtle, the all-wise, and Zavis, and Zao al-McChan exhorted the Muslims to steadfastness and versified in the following couplets. Be praise as mine to all praiseworthy thee, O Lord, who stinted not mine aid to be.

Starting point is 12:25:21 Though was I lost abroad, thou wast to me, strongest support which vouchsafed victory, thou gavest me wealth and rein and goodly gifts, and slungest conquering sword of valiancy. Thou madest me blessed beneath thy kingly shade, Engraced with generous boons dealt fain and free. Thou savest from every fear I feared by aid, Of my wazir the ages noblest he. Gerd us thy grace in fight to throw the Greek, Who yet came back dight in wars Cremosi?

Starting point is 12:25:53 Then made I faint to fly from out the fight, But like grim line turning made them flee, And left on valley soul my foam and drunk, not with old wine, but death-cups revelry. Then came the saintly hermit, and he showed, his marvels wrought for town and wool to see, when slew the hero whites who woke to dwell, and Eden-Bowers wherein sweet rile lets well. But when Zuel Amakhan had made an end of versifying, his brother Charcon congratulated him on his safety, and thanked him for the deeds he had done, after which both set out forcing their marches to rejoin their army and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the one hundred and first night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that Cher Khan congratulated his brother Zahul Ami Khan on his safety and thanked him for the deeds he had done after which bull set out forcing their marches to rejoin their army such was their case but as regards the old woman

Starting point is 12:26:58 Zatatatwalhi, after she had foregathered with the hosts of Restam and Barham, she returned to the copus, where she took her steed, and mounted, and sped on at speed, till she drew near the Muslim army that beleaguered Constantinople, when she lighted it down from her dastrier, and led it to the pavilion tent of the chief Chamberlain, and when he saw her, he stood up to her in honour, and sighing to her, with his right hand, and said, welcome, O pious recluse. Then he questioned her of what had befallen, and she repeated to him her disquieting lies, and deluding communes, saying, In sooth, I fear for the Amir Rustam, and the Amir Baram, for that I met them and theirs on the way,

Starting point is 12:27:41 and sent them and their following to relieve the king and his companions. Now there are but twenty thousand horses, and the unbelievers outnumber them, so I would have thee, at this moment, send off the rest of thy troops at full speed to their succour, least they be slain to the last man. And she cried to them, hast, hast. When the Chamberlain and the Muslims heard these words, their spirits fell and they wept. But Zat al-Dwah He said to them, Ask adents of Allah, and bear patiently this triburation, for ye have the example of those who have been before you of the people of Muhammad, and paradise with its palaces is laid out by Allah, for those who die martyrs, and needs must all die. But most praiseworthy,

Starting point is 12:28:24 is dying while fighting for the faith. The Chamberlain hearing this speech of the accursed old woman called for the Amir Baram's brother, a knight by the name of Tarkash, and choosing out for him ten thousand horses, riders famed for force, bade him set out at once. So he fared forth and marched all that day

Starting point is 12:28:44 and the whole of the next night, till he neared the Muslims. When daylight dawned, Charkon saw the dust-cloud about them, and feared for the men of al-Islam and said, If these troops which are coming upon us be Muslim, men, our victory is assured by them. But if these be Nazarenes, there is no gainsaying destiny's decrees. Then he turned to his brother, Zahul al-Macon, and said,

Starting point is 12:29:07 Never fear, for with my life I will ransom thee from death. If these be Muhammad in troops, then were it an increase of heavenly favors. But if they be our foes, there is no help save that we fight them. Yet do I long to meet the holy men, ere I die, so I may beg him to pray him to pray that I die, not safe by death of martyrdom. Wilts the twain were thus speaking, Behold, there appeared, the banners inscribed with the words. There is no God, but the God and Muhammad is the apostle of God.

Starting point is 12:29:37 And Sher Khan cried out, How is it with the Muslims? All are sound and safe, replied they, and we came not but out of concern for you. Then the chief of the army dismounted, and, kissing ground before Sher Khan, asked, O my lord, how be the sultan and the wazir Dandan, and Rustam, and my brother Baram. Are they all in safety? He answered. All well, but who brought thee tidings of us?

Starting point is 12:30:03 Quoth Tarkesh, it was the holy man who told us that he had met my brother Baram and Rustam, and had sent them both to you, and he also assured us that the infidels had encompassed you, and outnumbered you. But I see not the case, save the contrary thereof, and that you are victorious. They questioned him. And how did the holy man reach you? And he replied, walking on his feet, and he had compassed in a day and a night,

Starting point is 12:30:29 ten days' journey for a well-girt horseman. There is no doubt but that he is a saint of Allah, said Cherkan. But where is he now? They rejoined. We left him with our troops, the folk of faith moving them to do battle with the rebels and the faithless.

Starting point is 12:30:45 Thereat, Sharkon rejoiced and thanked Allah for their own deliverance and the safety of the holy man, and commended the dead his mercy, saying, This was written the book. Then they set out making for Constantinople by forced marches, and whilst they were on this enterprise, behold, a dust-cloud arose to such height, that it walled the two horizons, the eastern and the western, from man's sight,

Starting point is 12:31:09 and the day was darkened by it two night. But Chercon looked at it and said, Verily I fear, least this be the infidels, who have routed the army of al-Islam, for that this dust walleth the world, east and west, and hith the two horizons north and south. Presently appeared under the dust a pillar of darkness. Blacker than the blackness of dismal days, nor cease to come upon them that column more dreadful than the dread of the day of doom. Horse and foot hastened up to look at it, and know the terrors of the chase. When behold, they saw it to be the recluse aforesaid, so they thronged round him to kiss his hand

Starting point is 12:31:46 and he cried out, O people of the best of mankind, the lamp which shineth in darkness blind, verily the infidels have outwitted the Muslims by guile, for they fell upon the host of the one God, whilst they deemed themselves safe from the faithless, and attacked them in their tents, and made a sore slaughter of them, what well they looked for no while. So hasten to the aid of the believers in the unity of God, and deliver them from those who deny him. Now when Chercon heard these words, his heart flew from his heart flew from his his breast with sore trouble, and alighting from his steed and amazement, he kissed the recluse's hands and feet.

Starting point is 12:32:23 Unlikewise did his brother, Zauul al-McCann, and the rest of the foot and horse-trups, except the wazir Dantan, who dismounted not but said, By all my heart flieth from this devotee, for I never knew show of devotion to religion that bred not bane. So leave him and rejoin your comrades the Muslims. For this man is of the outcast from the gate of the mercy of the Lord of the three worlds. How often have I here made Razia with the King Omar bin al-Numann, and trod in the earth of these lands, said Cherkan. Put away from these such evil thought, hast thou not seen this holy man exciting the faithful

Starting point is 12:33:00 to fight, and holding spirits and swords light? So slander him not, for backbiting is blamable, and poisoned is the flesh of the pious. Look how he inciteth to fight the foe, and did not Almighty Allah love him? he had cast him aforetime into fearful torment then shere khan bade bring a nubian mule for the ascetic to ride and said mount o pious man devote and virtuous but the devotee refused to ride and feigned self-denial that he might attain his end and they knew not that his holy personage was like him of whom the poet saith he prayeth and he fasteth for an end he doth a spy when once his end is safely one then fast in prayer, goodbye. So the devotees ceased not to walk among the horsemen and the footmen, like a wily fox meditating guile, and begin to uplift her voice, chanting the Quran, and praising the compassionate one, and they continued pressing forward till they approached the camp of al-Islam,

Starting point is 12:34:03 where Sher Khan found the Muslims in conquered plight and the chamberlain upon the brink of falling back in flight, wilt the sword of Greece, havoc, dight among the faithful, the righteous and those to work upright, and Cherazade perceive the dawn of day and cease saying her permitted say. End of Section 38 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 39, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librivox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox. Recording by Cole McKinnon

Starting point is 12:34:53 The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 39 When it was the one hundred and second knights, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Sharakan saw the Muslims in conquered plight, and the chamberlain upon the brink of retreat and flight, and the soared havoc dights among the righteous and workers of upright, the cause of this weakness among the Muslims was the accursed old woman, Zat al-Dawahi, the foe of the faith, after seeing that Barham and Rustam had set forward with their troops to join Sharkhan and his brother, Zal al-Makhan, repaired to the camp of the Muhammadans before Constantinople, and caused the mission of the Emir Takash, as had been before said.

Starting point is 12:35:43 In this her purpose was to divide the Muslim forces the better to weaken them. Then she left them and entered Constantinople, and called with a loud voice on the knights of the Greek saying, Let me down a cord, that I may tie thereto this letter, and do ye bear it to your king Afrodun, that he may read it, and to my son, King Hardub, that they both do what is written therein of bidding and forbidding. So they let down for her a string, and she tied. there to a letter whose purport was the following. From the terribleest of tribulations, and the chiefest of all calamities, Zat al-Dwahi to King Afridan greeting,

Starting point is 12:36:25 but afterwards of a truth I have contrived, a device for destroying the Muslims, so bid you quiet and content, I have cozined and captured their sultan, and the wazir Dandan, and then I returned to their camp and acquainted them therewith, whereby their pride had a fall, and their withers were rung, and I have so wrought upon the host, leagering Constantinople, that they have sent ten thousand men under the emir Takash to succor the captives, of whom there be now left but few. It is therefore my object, that ye sally forth against them, with all your power, while this day endureth, and that ye fall on them in their tents, and that ye leave them not till ye shall have slain them to the last man. For verily the messiahs

Starting point is 12:37:13 look down upon you, and the blessed virgin favoureth you, and I hope of the Messiah that he forget not what deed I have done. When her letter came to King Afrodun, he rejoiced with great joyance, and sending at once for King Hardub of Greece, son of Zat al-Dwahi, read the letter to him as soon as he came, whereeth he was exceedingly glad and said, See my mother's craft, verily it dispenses with sword, and her aspect standeth in steed of the terrors of the day of dread. Rejoined Afrodun, May the Messiah not be rave us for the veritable parent, nor deprive her of her while and guile.

Starting point is 12:37:53 Then he bade the knights give orders for sallying outside the city, and the news was noised abroad in Constantinople. So the Nazarenes and cohorts of the cross birth forth and unsheath their keen sabers in their numbers, shouting out their professions of impiety and hands, heresies, and blasphemying the Lord of all creatures. When the Chamberlain saw the sally, he said, Behold, the Greek is upon us, and they surely have learned that our Sultan is far away, and happily they have attacked us, for that the most part of our troops have marched to the

Starting point is 12:38:26 succor of King Zal al-Makhan. Therewith he waxed wrath and cried out, whole soldiers of al-Islam, and favors of the true faith. Ang ye flee in our loss, but if he stand, best, ye win. Know ye that valiancy lieth in endurance of out-trance, and that no case is so straight, but that the Almighty is able to make it straight. Allah san you, and look upon you with eyes of compassion and faint. Thereupon the Muslims cried out, Allah Akbar! And the believer in the one God shouted his slogan, and whirled the mill-wheels of fight with cutting and thrusting in mane and might. Cimitars and spears played sore, and the plains and and valleys were swamped with gore. The priest and monks priested it, tight-girding their girdles

Starting point is 12:39:14 and uplifting the crucifixes, while the Muslims shouted out the professions of the requiting king, and verses of the Quran began to sing. The hosts of the compassion are one fought against the legion of Satan, and head flew from body of man, while the good angels hovered above the people of the chosen prophet, nor did the sword cease to smite till the day darkened, and night came on and starkened. Now the miscreants had encompassed the Muslims, and made sure of escaping the pains that awaited them, and the faithless greeted for victory over the faithful, until day dawned and dazzled. Thereupon the Chamberlain mounted, he and his men, trusting thee allah, would help them to victory, and host was mingled with host, and battle rose afoot and took post,

Starting point is 12:40:02 and heads flew from trunks, whilst the brave, stood in fast steed, the craven, turned tail and fled, and the judge of death judged, and sentenced sped, so that the champions fell from their saddle slain, and corpus cumbered meadow and plain. Then the Muslims begin to give ground, and rearwards bent, and the Greek took possession of some of their tents, whereupon the Muslims were about to break and retreat and take flight, when meanwhile, behold, up came Shir Khan with the rest of the host of al-Islam, and the standards of the believers in unity. And having come up with them, he charged the infidels, and followed him Zal al-Makhan, and the wazir Dandan, and the emirs Baharam and Rustam, with his brother, Tarkash.

Starting point is 12:40:53 When the foe saw this, they lost head, and their reason fled, and the dust-clouds tower till they covered the country, whilst the righteous believers joined their pious comrades. Then Sharkhan accosted the Chamberlain and praised him for his steadfastness, and he in turn gave the prince joy of his timely succor and his gaining the day. Thereat the Muslims were glad and their hearts were hardened, so they rushed upon their enemies and devoted themselves to Allah in their fight for the faith. But when the idolaters beheld the standards of Muhammadan, and thereon the profession of faith of Islamatine, proclaiming the unity they shrieked woe and ruin and besought succor of the patriarchs of the monasteries then they fell to calling upon john and mary and the cross apparent and stayed their hands from slaughter wilt king afrodun went up to consult king hardub of greece for the two kings stood one at the head of each wing right and left now there was with them also a famous cavalier lewea highs who commanded the center, and they drew out in battle array, but indeed they were full of alarm

Starting point is 12:42:09 and affray. Meanwhile, the Muslims aligned their forces, and thereupon Cher Khan came to his brother, Zhaul al-Makhan, and said, O king of the age, doubtless they mean to champion it, and that is also the object of our desire, but it is my wish to push forward the stoutest hearted of our fighters, for by forethought is one half of life wrought, replied the sultan. As thou wilt, O companion of good counsel, It is my wish, added Cher Khan, To stand in midline opposite the Anfidel,

Starting point is 12:42:42 With the wazir Dan Dan on my left, And thee on my right, Wilt's the Amir Baram leads the dexter wing, And the Amir Rustam leads the wing, sinstrel, And thou, O mighty king, Shall be under the standards and the enzymes, For that thou art the pillar of our defense, Upon thee, after Allah,

Starting point is 12:43:00 is our dependence, and we will all be thy ransom from aught that can harm thee. Zahul al-McChan thanked him therefore, and the slogan arose and the saber was drawn, but as things stood thus, behold, there came forth a cavalier from the ranks of Rome. And, as he drew near, they saw that he was mounted on a slow-paced she-mule, fleeing with her master from the shock of swords. Her housings were of white silk, covered by a paper carpet of cashmere stuff, and on her back, set a shake, an old man of comely presence and reverend aspect, garbed in a gown of white wool. He stinted not pushing her, and hurrying her on till he came near the Muslim, and said, I am an ambassador to you all,

Starting point is 12:43:50 and an ambassador hath not to do safe to deliver. So give me safe conduct, and permit of speech, that I communicate to you my message. replied Sher Khan, Thou art in safety, Fear neither sway of sword nor lunge of lands. Thereupon the old man dismounted, And, taking the cross from his neck, placed it before the sultan, And humbled himself with much humility.

Starting point is 12:44:16 Then quoth to him the Muslims, What is with thee of news? And quoth he, I am an ambassador from King Afridan, For I counselled him To avert the destruction of all these frames of men, and temples of the compassionate one, and to him it seem righteous to stay the shedding of blood, and limit it to the encounter of two knights in shock of fight singular.

Starting point is 12:44:40 So he agreed to that, and he saith to you, verily, I will ransom my army with my life, so let the Muslim king do as I do, and with his life ransom his host, and if he kill me, there will be no stay left in the army of Rome, and if I kill him, there will be no stability with the Muslims. When Sharkhan heard this, he said, O monk, I agree to that, for it is just, nor it may be gain said, and behold, I will meet him in duel and do with him daring due, for I am champion of the faithful even as he is champion of the faithless,

Starting point is 12:45:18 and if he slay me, he will have won the day, and not will remain for the Muslims forces save flight. So return to him, O thou monk, and say that the single combat shall take place tomorrow, for this day we have come off our journey, and we are a weary. But after rest neither reproach nor blame fear ye. So the monk returned, and he rejoicing, to King Afrodun and King Hardub, and told them both what Sher Khan had said, whereat King Afrodun was glad, with exceeding gladness,

Starting point is 12:45:52 and fell from him anxiety and sad. sadness, and he said to himself, no doubt, but this Sher Khan is their doughtiest swayer of the sword, and their doris at lunge of lance, and when I shall have slain him, their hearts will be disheartened, and their strength will be shattered. Now Zat al-Dwahi had written to King Afrodun of that, and had told him how Sher Khan was a knight of the braves, and the bravest of knights, and had warned him against him. But Afrodun was a stalwart cavalier who fought in many a fashion. He could hurl rocks and throw spears and smite with the iron mace,

Starting point is 12:46:33 and he feared not the prowess of the prow. So when he heard the report of the monk that Chirkan agreed to the duel, he was likely to fly for exceeding joy because he had self-confidence, and he knew that none could withstand him. The infidels passed that night in joy in jubes. and wine-bibbing. And, as soon as it was dawn, the two armies drew out the sort of spear and the blanche of blade. And behold, a cavalier rode single-handed into the plain, mounted on a steed of purest strain, and for foray and fray full ready and feign, and that night had limbs of might,

Starting point is 12:47:14 and he was clad in an iron cuiris, made for stress of fight. On his breast he wore a jeweled mirror, and in his hand he bore a keen scimitar, and his lance of Cahalan wood, the curious work of the Frank, weighing a quintal. Then the rider uncovered his face and cried out, saying, Whoso knoweth me verily hath enough of me, and whoso knoweth me not, right soon shall keen who I be. I am Afrodun, the overwhelmed by the well-omened Shawahi Zat al-Dwahi, but he had not ended speaking, heir, Sher Khan, the champion of the Muslims, fared forth to meet him, mounted on a sorrel horse, worth a thousand pieces of red gold, with accoutrements purfold in pearls and precious stone, and he bore in Baldrick a blade of watered Indian steel that threw next shore and made easy the hard

Starting point is 12:48:11 and sore. He crave his charger between the two hosts in line wilts the horsemen, all fixed on him, their aine, and he cried out to Afrodune, Woe to thee, O accursed it! Dest thou deem me one of the horsemen thou hast overtaken, who could not stand against thee on a battle-plane? Then each rushed upon other, and they bashed together, like two mountains crashing, or two billows dashing and clashing, they advanced and retreated, and drew together and withdrew,

Starting point is 12:48:44 and stinted not a fray and fight and weapon-play, and strife and stay, with stroke of sword and lunge of lance. Of the two armies looking on, some said, Shir Khan is victor, and others Afrodun will conquer, and the two riders stayed not their hands from the hustle until ceased the clamor and the bustle, and the dust columns rose, and the day waned, and the sun waxed yellow and warm. Then cried out King Afrodun to Sherekan saying, by the truth of the Messiah and the faith which is no liar. Thou art not save a doughty rider and a stalwart fighter, but thou art fraudful, and thy nature is not that of the noble.

Starting point is 12:49:28 Ikeen thy work is other than praiseworthy, nor is thy prowess that of a prince. For thy people behave to thee as though thou wert a slave, and see, they bring thee out a charger, which is not thine, that thou mayst mount and return to the fight but by the truth of my faith thy fighting irketh and fatigeth me and i am weary of cutting and thrusting with thee and if thou propose to lay on a load with me to-night thou wouldst not change aught any of the harness nor thy horse till thou approve to the cavaliers thy generous blood and skill and brunt when sharkhan heard him say these words concerning his own folk behaving to him as though he were a slave. He waxed wroth and turned towards his men, meaning to sign to them and bid them not to prepare him change of harness or horse. When lo, Afrodun shook his throat high in the air and cast it at Cherokon. Now when the Muslim turned his back, he found

Starting point is 12:50:33 none of the men near him, and he knew this to be a trick of the cursed imbatel. So he wheeled round in haste, and behold, the javelin came at him. So he swerved from it till his head was bent low as his saddle-bow. The weapon grazed his breast and pierced the skin of his chest, for Shercon was high-bosomed. Whereupon he gave one cry and swooned away. Thereat the accursed Afridan was joyful, thinking he had slain him, and shouted to the infidels, bidding them rejoice, whereat the faithless were encouraged, and the faithful wept. When Zao Al-McCann saw his brother reeling in seal so that he welled, Nye fell,

Starting point is 12:51:16 he dispatched cavaliers towards him, and the braves hurried to his aid and came up with him. Thereupon the infidels dove at the Muslims. The two hosts joined battle, and the two lines were mingled, whilst the keen scimitar of El Yaman did good work. Now the first to reach Cher Khan was the Wazard Dan Dan. and Cher Hazad, perceive the dawn of day, and cease to say, her permitted say. End of Section 39, in the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 40, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Sir Richard Burton.

Starting point is 12:52:07 This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit librivox.org. Recording by Henrik Marcenkevich. The Book of a Thousand Nights and the Night, Volume 2, Section 40. When it was the 103rd night, she said, It hath reached me, awe, auspicious king, that when King Zao Al-Makhan saw that the accursed infidel had struck with javelin his brother Sharkhan,

Starting point is 12:52:43 he deemed him dead, and dispatched cavaliers towards him. And the first to reach him were the wazir Dandan and the emir of the Turks, Bahram, and the emir of the Dalamites, Rustam. They found him falling from his horse. So they stayed with him in his saddle and returned with him to his brother, Zawalmakan.

Starting point is 12:53:05 Then they gave him in charge to his pages, and went again to do the work, of cut and thrust. So the strife redoubled, and the weapons together clashed and ceased, not bait and debate, and naught was to be seen but blood flowing and necks bowing. Nor did the swords cease on the napes of men to make play, nor the strife to rage with more and more afraid, till the most part of the night was passed away, and the two hosts were weary of the Malay. So they called the truce, and each army returned to its tents, whilst all the infidels repaired to King Alfredon and kissed the ground before him, and the priests and monks wished him

Starting point is 12:53:50 joy of his victory over Sharkhan. Then the king fared for Constantinople, and sat upon the throne of his realm, when King Hardub came to him and said, May the Messiah strengthen thy forearm, and never cease to be thy helper, and hearken to what prayers my pious mother, Zat al-Dawahi, shall pray for thee. Know that the Muslims can make no stay without Sharkhan. Replied Afridun, Tomorrow shall end the affair when to fight I fare.

Starting point is 12:54:27 I will seek Zawal-Markan and slay him, and their army shall turn tail, and the flight shall avail. Such was the case with the kafirs, but as regards the host of al-Islam, when Zao al-Makhan returned to his tent, he thought of naught but his brother, and, going into the pavilion, found him in evil case and sore condition. Whereupon he summoned for counsel the Wazir Dandan and Rustam and Bahram. When they entered, they opined to assemble the physicians that they might medicine, shixtel. Sharkhan, and they wept and said, The world will not readily afford his like,

Starting point is 12:55:11 and they watched by him all that night, and about the later hours came to them the recluse in tears. When Zau Al-Makhan saw him, he rose in honor, and the religious stroked Sharkan's wound with his hand, chanting somewhat of the Quran, and repeating by way of talisman some of the verses of the compassion. one. And the pretender ceased not to watch over him till dawn, when he came to himself, and opening his eyes, moved his tongue in his mouth, and spake. At this, Zawal Makhan rejoiced,

Starting point is 12:55:49 saying, of a truth the blessing of the holy man hath taken effect on him. And Sharkhan said, Praise be Allah for recovery. Indeed, I am well at this hour. That a cursed one played me false, and, but that I swerved the side lighter than lightning, the throw-spear had pierced through my breast. So praised be Allah for saving me, and how is it with the Muslims? Answered Zawal Makhan, All are weeping for thee. Quoth Sharkhan, I am well and in good case, but where is the holy man? Now he was sitting by him and said, At thy head.

Starting point is 12:56:34 So the prince turned to him and kissed his hand when he said, O my son, be of good patience, and Allah shall increase thy reward, for the wage is measured by the work. Sharkhan rejoined, pray for me, and he prayed for him. As soon as morning dawned and day break and shine and sheen, the Muslims sallied out to the plain and the kaffirs made ready to thrust and cut. Then the Islamite host advanced and offered fight with weapons ready dight, and King Zawalmakan and Afridun made to charge one at other.

Starting point is 12:57:14 But when Zawalmakan fared forth into the field, there came with him the wazir Dandan and the Chamberlain and Bahram, saying, We will be thy sacrifice. He replied, By the Holy House and Zem-Zem and the place, I will not be stayed from going forth against these wild asses. And when he rode out into the field, he played with sword and spear till riders marveled, and both armies wandered.

Starting point is 12:57:44 Then he rushed upon the foe's right wing, and of it slew two knights, and in like manner he dealt with the left wing. Presently he stayed his steed in the midst of the field and cried out, where is Afridun, that I may make him taste the cup of disgrace. But when King Hardub saw the case he conjured Afridun not to attack him, saying, O king, yesterday it was thy turn to fight, it is mine today. I care not for his prowess. So he rushed out towards Zawalmakan, brand in hand, and under him a stallion like Abjar,

Starting point is 12:58:26 which was Antar's charger, and its coat was jet black, even as saith the poet. On the glancing racer, outracing glance, he speeds as though he would collar doom. His steed's black coat is of darkest jet and likest night in her nightly's gloom, whose nay sounds glad to the hearer's ears, like thunders rolling and thunderous boom. If he race the wind, he will lead the way, and the lightning flash will behind him loom. Then each rushed upon the opponent, parrying blows and proving the marvelous qualities were stored in him, and they fell to drawing on and withdrawing, till the breasts of the bystanders were straightened, and they were weary of waiting for the event.

Starting point is 12:59:20 At last Zawalmakan cried out his war cry and rushed upon Hardub, king of Caesarea, and struck him a stroke that shored head from trunk and slew him on the spot. When the infidels saw this, they charged in a body, compact and united upon Zawalaman, who met them amidstield, and they engaged in hewing and foining till blood ran in rills. Then the Muslims cried out, Allah Akbar, God is most great, and there is no God but the God, and invoked salvation for the prophet,

Starting point is 13:00:02 the bringer of glad tidings, the bearer of bad tidings. And there befell a great fight, but Allah assigned victory to the faithful and defeat to the faithless. The wazir Dandan shouted, Take your blood revenge for King Omar, bin al-Numann and his son Sharkhan, and bared his head and cried out to the Turks.

Starting point is 13:00:28 Now there were by his side more than twenty thousand horse, and all charged with him as men, when the faithless found not to save their lives but flight. So they turned tail to fly while the biting saber wrought its havoc, and the Muslims slew of them that day some fifty thousand horse and took more than that number. Much folk also were slain while going in at the gates, for the flock was great. Then the Greeks hove to the doors and swarmed up the walls to await the assault, and in fine the Muslim hosts returned to their tents, aided to glory and victory, and King Zawal Makhan went into his brother whom he found in most joyous case.

Starting point is 13:01:15 So he made a prostration of thanks to the bountiful and the exalted. and then he came forward and gave Sharkhan, joy of his recovery. Answered he, Verily, we are all under the benediction of this religious, holy and righteous. Nor would you have been victorious, but for his accepted horizons. Indeed, all day he remained that prayer to invoke victory on the Muslims. And Shachrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 104th night, she said,

Starting point is 13:01:56 It had reached me, O auspicious king, that when Zaw al-Makhan went into his brother, Sharkhan, he found him sitting with the holy man by his side. So he rejoiced and drew near him and gave him joy of his recovery. Answered he, Verily we are all under the benediction of this recluse, nor would you have been victorious, but for his prayers. Indeed, he felt no fear this day, and he ceased not supplication for the Muslims.

Starting point is 13:02:30 I found strength to return to me when I heard your Allahawakbar, for then I knew you to be victorious over your enemies. But now recount to me, O my brother, what befell thee? So he told him all that had passed between him, and they accursed Hardub, and related how he had slain him and sent him to the malediction of Allah. And Sharkhan praised him and thanked him for his prowess. When Zat Adawahi heard tell of her son's death, and she still dressed as a devotee, her face waxed yellow and her eyes ran over with railing tears.

Starting point is 13:03:14 She kept her counsel, however, and feigned to the Muslims that she was going. glab, and wept for excess of joy. But she said to herself, by the truth of the Messiah, there remaineth no profit of my life, if I burn not his heart for his brother, Sharkhan, even as he hath burned my heart for King Hardub, the mainstay of Christendom, and the hosts of cross them. Still she kept her secret, and the wazir Dandan and King Zawar Macan and the Chamberlain remained sitting with Sharkhan, though they had dressed and sav'd his wound. After which they gave him medicines and he began to recover strength.

Starting point is 13:04:03 Whereat they joyed with exceeding joy and told the troops who congratulated themselves, saying, Tomorrow he will ride with us and do manly devois in the siege. Then said Sharkhan to them, You have fought through all this day and are a weary of fight, so it behoveth that you return to your places and sleep and not sit up. They accepted his counsel, and then each went away to his own pavilion, and none remained with Sharkan, but a few servants, and the old woman Zat al-Dawahee.

Starting point is 13:04:44 He talked with her through part of the night. Then he stretched himself to rest, and his servants did likewise, and presently sleep overcame them all, and they lay like the dead. Such was the case with Sharkhan and his men, but as regards the old woman, she alone abode awake while they slumbered in the tent, and, looking at Sharkhan, she presently saw that he was drowned in sleep. Thereupon she sprang to her feet As she were a scald she-bear or a speckled snake And drew from her waist cloth A dagger so poisoned That if laid thereon it would have melted a rock

Starting point is 13:05:31 Then she unsheathed the poniard And went up to Sharkhan's head And she drew the knife across his throat And severed his weasened And hewed off his head from his body and once more she sprang to her feet, and going the round of the sleeping servants, she cut off their heads also, lest they should awake.

Starting point is 13:05:55 Then she left the tent and made for the Sultan's pavilion, but finding the guards on the alert turned to that of the Wazir Dandan. Now she found him reading the Quran, and when his sight fell upon her, he said, welcome to the holy man. Hearing this from the wazir, her heart trembled, and she said, The reason of my coming hither at this time is that I heard the voice of a saint amongst Allah's saints and them going to him. Then she turned her back, but the wazir said to himself,

Starting point is 13:06:34 By Allah, I will follow our devotee this night. So he rose and walked after her. but when the accursed old woman sensed his footsteps, she knew that he was following her. Whereupon she feared the disgrace of discovery and said in herself, Unless I serve some trick upon him, he will disgrace me. So she turned and said to him from afar, O thou wazir, I am going in search of this saint that I may learn who he is, and after learning this much, I will ask his leave for thee to visit him.

Starting point is 13:07:10 then I will come back and tell thee, for I fear thine accompanying me without having his permission, lest he take umbrage at me seeing thee in my society. Now when the wazir heard these words he was ashamed to answer her, so he left her and returned to his tent, and would have slept, but sleep was not favorable to him, and the world seemed heaped upon him. Presently he rose and went forth from the tent, saying in himself, I will go to Sharkhan and chat with him till morning. But when he entered into Sharkan's pavilion, he found the blood running like an aqueduct,

Starting point is 13:07:55 and saw the servants lying with their throats cut like beasts for food. At this he cried a cry which aroused all who were asleep. The folk hastened to him, and, seeing the blood streaming set up a clamor of weeping and wailing. Then the noise awoke the sultan, who inquired what was the matter, and it was said to him, Sharkhan, thy brother and his servants are murdered. So he rose in haste and entered the tent,

Starting point is 13:08:28 and found the wazir dand-dand shrieking aloud, and he saw his brother's body without a head. Thereat he swooned away, and all the way, all the troops crowded around him, weeping and crying out, and so remained for a while, till he came to himself, when he looked at Sharkhan and wept with sore weeping, while the wazir and Rustam and Bahram did the like. But the Chamberlain cried and lamented, more than the rest, and asked leave to absent himself. Such was his alarm. Then said Zawal-Makhan, know ye who did this and how is it i see not the devotee him who the things of this world hath put away quoth the wazir and who should have been the cause of this affliction save that devotee that's satan

Starting point is 13:09:25 By Allah, my heart abhorred him from the first, because I know that all who pretend to be absorbed in practices religious are vile and treacherous. And he repeated to the king the tale of how he would have followed the religious, but he forbade him, whereupon the folk broke out into a tumult of weeping and lamentation, and humble themselves before him who is ever near, him who ever answereth prayer. supplicating the he would cause the false devotee who denied Allah's testimony to fall into their hands. Then they laid Sharkhan out and buried him in the mountain aforesaid and mourned over his far-famed virtues. And Shachrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 40 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, volume 2. Recording by Henrik M. Houston, Texas, USA. Section 41, Volume 2 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night,

Starting point is 13:10:42 translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librivox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibreVox.org. Recording by Ellie. the book of a thousand knights and a knight volume two section forty one when it was the one hundred and fifth night she said it has reached me o auspicious king that they laid jerkin out and buried him in the mountain aforesaid and wound over his far-famed virtues then they looked for the opening of the city gate but it opened not and no sign of men appeared to them on the walls where at the wandered with exceeding wonder but king suel mecken said by allah i will not turn back from them though i sit here for years and years till i take blood revenge from my brother sherkin and waste constantinople and kill the king of the netherains even if this overcome me and i be at rest from this woeful world

Starting point is 13:11:42 then he bade be brought out the treasure taken from the monastery of metrohina and mastered the troops and divided the monies among them and he left not one of them but he gave him gifts which contented him moreover he assembled in the presence three hundred horse of every division and said to them do ye send supplies to your households for i am resolved to abide by this city year after year till i have taken men-vote for my brother even if i die in this deed and when the army heard these words and had received his gifts of money he replied to hear us to obey therbon he summoned couriers and gave them letters and charged them to deliver the same together with the money to the soldiers families and inform them that all were safe and satisfied and acquaint them saying we are encamped before constantinople and we will either destroy it or die and albeit we be obliged to abide her months and years we will not depart hence till we take it moreover he bade the vassadendendent right to his sister nassadal salmon and said to him acquaint her with what has befallen us and what be our situation and command my child to her care since that when i went out to war my wife was near her delivery and by this time she must needs have been brought to bed and if she has given birth to a boy as i have heard say hasten your return and bring me the acceptable news then he gave them somewhat of money which they poached and set out at once and all the people flocked for us to take leave of them and entrust them with the monies and the messages after they had departed suel meckon turned to the vassier danton and commanded him to advance with the army against the city walls so the troops pushed forward but found none on the ramparts

Starting point is 13:13:32 were at the marvelled while suelmecken was troubled at the case for he deeply moored the severance from his brother sherkin and he was so bedurbed about the traitor the ascetic in this condition they abode three days without seeing any one so far concerning the moslems but as regards the greeks and the cause of their refusing to fight during these three days the case was this as soon as set al-dawahi had slain shirken she hastened her march and reached the walls of constantinople where she called out in the greek tongue to the guards to throw her down a robe was they who art thou and was she i am set al-davahi they knew her and led down a court to which she tied herself and they drew her up and when inside the city she went into the king of freedom in said to him what is this i hear from the moslems they say that my son king hath up is slain he answered yes and she shrieked out and wept right grievously and ceased not weeping thus till she made a freedom and all who were present weeped with her then she told the king how she had slain shirkken and thirty of his servants whereat he rejoiced and thanked her and kissing her hands exhorted her to resignation for the loss of her son said she by the truth of the messiah i will not rest content with killing that dog of the moslem dogs in blood revenge from his son a king of the kings of age now there is no help for it but that a worksome guile and contrive a vail while whereby to slay the sultan suel mecken and the veseyden and the jeanne chamber lane and rastam and bahram and ten thousand cavalryes of the army of al islam for it shall never be said that my son's head be paid with the blood-wit of shirk and said no never then said she to king a freedom know o king of age that it is my wish to set forth morning for my son and to cut my girdle and to break the crosses replied a freedom do what thou desire i will not gain the tea in odd and if thou prolong thy morning for many days it were a little thing for though the moslems resolved to beleager us years and years they will never win their will of us nor gain aught of us save trouble and veriness

Starting point is 13:15:41 then the accursed one when she had ended with the calamity she had wrought and the ignominious which in herself she had thought took in case and paper and wrote thereon from shawahi said aldawahi to the host of the moslems know ye that i entered your country and dubbed by my cunning your nobles and at first hand i slew your king omer bin l newman in the midst of his palace moreover i slew in the affair of the mountain pass and of the cave many of your men and the last i killed were shirkin and his servants and the fortune do not stay me and satan obey me i needs must slay me your sultan and the vassetend for i am she who came to you in disguise of the recluse and who heaped upon you my devices and deceits wherefore and you would be in safety after this fare your force at once and if you seek your own destruction she is not abiding for the nuns and though ye tarry here years and years ye shall not do your desire on us and so peace be yours after writing her writ she devoted three days to morning for king hartab a writ on the forest she called the knight and bade him take the letter and make it fast to a shaft and shoot it into the moslem camp when this was done she entered the church and gave herself up to weeping and wailing for the loss of her son saying to him who took the kinship after him nothing will serve me but i must king sule macon and all the nobles of al-islam such was the case with her but as regards what occurred to the moslem all passed three days in trouble and anxiety and on the force when gazing at the walls behold they saw a knight holding a bow and about to shoot an arrow along whose side a letter was bound so they waited till he had shot it among them and the sultan bade the vassier danton to take the missive and read it

Starting point is 13:17:30 he perused it accordingly and when suel macken heard it to end and understood its purport his eyes filled with tears and he shrieked for agony at her perfidity and the minister danton said by allah my heart shrank from her cross the sultan how could this hoar play her tricks upon us twice but by the almighty i will not depart hence till i fill her cleft with moulden lad and jail her with the chailing of a bird-caged then bind her with her own hair and crucify her over the gate of her of constantinople and he called to mind his brother and whipped an excessive weeping but when said aldawahi arrived amongst the infiders and related to them her adventures at length they rejoiced at her safety and at the slaying of thereupon the moslems addressed themselves again to the siege of the city and the sultan promised his man that if it should be taken he would divide its treasures among them in equal parts but he tried not his tears grieving for his brother till his body was wasted and growing thin as a toothpick presently the vesitanton came into him and said be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear and very soon thy brother died not because his hour was come and there is no prophet in this morning how well says the poet what so is not to be no slight shall bring to pass what is to be without the failure shall become soon the becoming fortune shall be found to be and folly's brother shall abide forlorn and clumb therefore do thou leave the sweeping and wailing and harden the heart to bear arms he replied o vassier my heart is heavy for the death of my father and my brother and for our absence from hers and home and my mind is concerned for my subjects thereupon the vassie and the bystander swept but they ceased not from pushing forward the siege of constantinople for a length of days and day being thus behold news arrived from bagdad by one of the amos to the effect that the king

Starting point is 13:19:30 his wife had been blessed with the boy and that his sister nassad el saman had named him ken macken moreover that the boy be fair to be famous already showing wondrous signs and marvellous tokens and that she had commanded the olima and the preachers to pray for mother and child from the pulpits and blessed him in all wise furthermore that the twain were well that the land had enjoyed abundant rains and that his comrade the fireman was established in all prosperity with eunuch and slaves to wait upon him but that he was still ignorant of what had befallen him and she ended with the greeting of peace then gwas suel macken to the wesshead enden now is my back strengthened for that i have been blessed with the son whose name is can and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the one hundred and six knight she said it has reached me auspicious king that when they brought him the news of his wife having borne him a boy child so will macon rejoiced with great joy and cried now is my back strengthened for that i have been blessed with the son whose name is ken macken and he spake to the vassier dend saying i am minded to leave this morning and order perfections of the corin for my brother and command alms deeds on his account quos de vizier tie design is good thereupon he caused hens to be pitched over his brother's tomb so they raised them and gathered together such of the men-at-arms as could repeat the corin and some began reciting the holy volume whilst others chanted litanies containing the names of allah and thus they did till the morning then suel mecken went up to the grave of his brother sherkin and poured forth copious tears and improvised these couplets they bore him bayard and all who followed with moses shrieks what they over heard took tore till reached the grave which pate had made his home dug in men's souls who once whole god adore never had a thought before to seem a joy born on the buyer which heads of bier's bore

Starting point is 13:21:35 ah no nor hear the home tea in the dust that stars of heaven earth ever covered over is the tomb-dweller hostage of his deed where light and splendour over thy facial poor prays to restore his life her word has pledged gripped in confound find he shall disbred the more when suel macken had made an end of his versifying he wept and wept with him all the troops then he came to the grave and threw himself upon it viled with woe and the vese repeated the words of the poet pain leaving life that's fleet was the eternal one thou didst the swirled many of doer like he has done left as the worldly house without reproach or blame ah made the exchange secure the every thou wast from hostile onset shield and firm defence for us to baffle shafts and whistling spears to shun i see this world is only cheat and vanity where men not else must seek but please the truthful one the imperian's lord allow the power of heavenly bliss and with thy faithful friends the guide show goodly won a pity last good even with sigh of bitter grief seeing the vest in woe for lacking of easting sun when the vesey danden had finished his reciting he wept with sore weeping and the tears rained from his eyes like cushioned pearls then came forward one who had been of shirk and spoon companions in his cups and wept till renn reels the drops and he enumerated the dead man's generous qualities reciting the following pentastics where gone is bounty since the hand is turned to clay and i in misery lie since thou was taken away she'st not uliter guide having keep thee glad and gay how tears had torn my cheeks these forward wrinkles fray a sight of joy-shine eyes and fill tea with dismay

Starting point is 13:23:25 by ella never this heart with him i spoke of tea ah no no dared my sight to see thy brilliancy save that my teard-trop sorries won't have guard me three and if ever an other rest is one of me my yearning draw their reins nor suffer sleep to see when the men stinted reciting suel macken and the minister danton wept and the whole army was moved to tears after which all retired to their tents and the king returned to the vassal to counsel with him concerning the conduct of the campaign on this vice the two past days and nights while suel macken was weighed down with grief and mourning till the last she said i long to hear stories and adventures of kings and tales of lover folk enslaved by love haply allah may make this soft less the twitches on my heart of heavy anxiety and stint and stay my weeping and wailing quos de vassier if not can dispel thy trouble but hearing curious tales of kings and people long gone before and stories of folk enslaved by love of yore and so forth this thing were easy for i had no other business in the lifetime of thy father who has found mercy than to relate stories and to repeat verses to him this very night i will tell thee a tale of a lover and his beloved so shall thy breast be broadened when suel macken heard these words from the minister his heart was set upon that which had been promised to him and he did nothing but watch for the coming of the night that he might hear what the wessenden had to tell of the kings of yore and distracted lovers long gone before and hardly would he believe that night had fallen near he bade light the wax candles and the lamps and bring all that was needful of meat and drink and perfume gear and what not and when all was in presence he summoned the vassier danton and the amyers rastem and bahram and tarkash and the grand chamberlain then waited till the whole party was seated before him whereupon he turned to the minister and said

Starting point is 13:25:24 know o vassir that night is come and has let down over a swale of gloom and we desire that thou tell us those tales which thou promised us replied the vassir with true and good will and shaharazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section forty one of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume two recording by ellie may two section forty two volume two of the book of a thousand nights and a knight translated by richard burton this is a librivox recording all liby vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Reading by Ian McMillian. The book of a thousand knights and a knight, volume two, section 42. When it was the 107th night, she said, it has reached me, oh auspicious king, but when King Zau al-Makhan summoned the wazir and the Chamberlain and Rustam and Bahram, he turned

Starting point is 13:26:40 towards the minister Danand and said, know, O wazir, that night is come, and hath let down over us its veil of gloom, and we desire that thou tell us those tales which thou promised us. Replied the wazir, with love and gladness, Know, O auspicious king, that they reached my ears a relation of a lover and a loved one, and of the discourse between them, and what befell them of things rare and fair, a story such as repelleth care from the heart, and dispeleth sorrow, like unto that of the patriarch Jacob.

Starting point is 13:27:15 And it is as follows. Tale of Tadjalmuluk and the Princess Dunya, the lover and the loved. There stood in times long gone by behind the mountains of Ispahan, a city hides the green city, wherein dwelt a king named Sulaiman Shah. Now, he was a man of liberality and beneficence,

Starting point is 13:27:37 of justice and integrity, of generosity and sincerity, to whom travellers repaired from every country and his name was noised abroad in all regions and cities and he reigned many a year in high worship and prosperity save that he owned neither wives nor children he had a minister who rivaled him in goodness and generosity and it so happened that one day he sent for him and when he came into the presence said to him o my wazir my heart is heavy and my patience is past and my force faileth me for that I have neither wife nor child. This is not the way of kings who rule over all men, princes and paupers, for they rejoice in leaving behind them children and successors, whereby are double de number and their strength.

Starting point is 13:28:28 Quoth the prophet whom I'll bless and keep, marry ye, increase ye and multiply ye that I may boast me of your superiority over the nations on the day of resurrection. So what is thy read, the wazir, advise me of what course and contrivance be advisable. And when the minister heard these words, the tears sprang from his eyes in streams, and he replied,

Starting point is 13:28:52 Far be it from me, O king of the age, that I debate on that which appertaineth to the compassionate one. Will there have me cast into the fire by the all-powerful king's wrath and hour by the concubine? Rejoined the king, know, O Wazir, that when a sovereign bieth a female slave, he knoweth neither her rank nor her lineage, and thus he cannot tell if she be of simple origin

Starting point is 13:29:16 that he may abstain from her, or of gentle strain, that he may be intimate in her companionship. So, if he have commerce with her, happily she will conceive by him and her son be a hypocrite, a man of wrath and a shed of blood. Indeed, the like of such woman may be instanced by a salt and marshy soil, which if one till forever it yieldeth only worthless growth, and no endureth sheweth. For it may be that her son will be obnoxious to his lord's anger, doing not what he biddeth him, or abstaining from what he forbiddeth him. Wherefore will I never become the cause of this through the purchase of a concubine? And it is my desire that thou demand for me in marriage the daughter of some one of the kings,

Starting point is 13:30:08 whose lineage is known and whose loveliness hath renown. If thou can direct me to some maiden of birth and piety of the daughters of Muslim sovereignty, I will ask her in marriage and wed her in presence of witnesses. So may accrue to me the favour of the Lord of all creatures. Said the wazir, O king verily Allah hath fulfilled thy wish and hath brought thee to thy desire. Presently adding, No, O king, it hath come. to my knowledge, that King Zarsha, Lord of the White Land, hath a daughter of surpassing loveliness,

Starting point is 13:30:46 whose charms talk, and tail fail to express. She hath not her equal in this age, for she is perfect in proportion and symmetry, black-eyed, as if cold died, and long-locked, wee of waist, and heavyeth hip, and when she draweth nigh, she seduces, and when she turneth her back, she sleth, she ravishes heart and view and she looks even as saith of her the poet a thin weight maid whose shames the willow wand nor sun nor moon can like her rising shine tis as her honey dew of lips were blent with wine and pearls of teeth were bathed in wine her form like heavenly orries graceful slim fair face and ruin dealt by glancing-eye for many a dead done man her eyes have slain upon her way of love in ruin lane i live i sheese my death i say no more but dying without her vain where life is wine now when the wazir had made an end of describing let maiden he said to salimansha it is my counsel o king that thou despatched to her father and ambassador sagacious experience and trained in the ways of the world who shall courteously demand her in marriage free

Starting point is 13:32:09 thee of her sire. For in good sooth she hath not her equal in the far parts of the world, nor in the near. So shall thou enjoy her lovely face in the way of grace, and the Lord of glory be content with thy case, for it is reported of the prophet, whom Allah bless and preserve, that he said, there be no monkery in al-Islam. At this the king was transported to perfect joy, his breast was broadened and lightened, care and cart ceased from him, and he turned. to the wazir and said, Know thou, O minister, that none shall fare about this affair,

Starting point is 13:32:45 save thou, by reason of thy consummate intelligence and boot-reading. Wherefore hie thee home, and do all thy hast to do, and get thee ready by the morrow, and depart, and demand me in marriage this maiden, with whom thou hast occupied my heart and thought,

Starting point is 13:33:02 and returned not to me, but with her, replied the wazir, I hear, and I obey. And then he tried, to his own house and bade make ready presents befitting kings of precious stones and things of price and other matters like a float but weighty of worth besides rabbiats feeds and coats of mail such as david made and chests of treasure for which speech hath no measure and the wazir loaded the hole on camels and mules and set out attended by a hundred slave-girls with flags and banners flumping over his head the king charged in the return to return to him after a few days, and when he was gone, Suleiman Shah lay on poles of fire, engrossed night and day with desire, while the envoy fared on, without ceasing, through gloom and light,

Starting point is 13:33:53 spanning fertile field and desert site, till but a day's march remained between him and the city where two he was bound. Here he sat him down on the banks of a river, and summoning one of his confidance, be it went his way to King Zahar Shah, and the night. his approach without delay. Quote the messenger, I hear and I obey, and he rode on in haste to that city, and as he was about to enter therein, it so chanced that the king, who was sitting in one of his pleasances before the city gate, espied him as he was passing the doors, and knowing him for a stranger, bid bring him before the pretense. So the messenger coming forward informed him of the approach of the wazir of the mighty king Shalaman Shah. Lord of the Greenland, and of the

Starting point is 13:34:39 the mountains of his Baham, whereat King Zarashah rejoiced and welcomed him. Then he carried him to his palace and asked him, where he leads to thou the wazir? And he answered, I left him an early day on the banks of such a river, and tomorrow he will reach thee, Allah continue his favours to thee, and have mercy upon that parents. Thereupon King Zarshaar Shah commanded one of his wazirs to take the better part of his grampies and chamberlain's and detentants and lords of the land, and go out to meet the ambassador in honour of King Sulam and Shah, for that his dominion extended over the country. Such was the case with Zahar Shah, but as regards to Wazir he abode in his stead till night was half spent, and then set out for the city. But when morning shone and the sun rose upon hill and dawn, of a sudden

Starting point is 13:35:34 he saw King Zahazha's wazir approaching him with his chamberlains and high lords and chief officers of the kingdom, and the two parties joined company at some Parasang's distance from the city. Thereat, the Wazir made sure of the success of Zerun and saluted the escort, which ceased, not preceding him till they reached the king's palace and passed in before him through the gate to the seventh vestibule, a place where none might enter on horseback, for it was near to where the king sat. So the minister alighted and fared on a foot, till they came to a foot, till they came to lofty saloon, as whose upper end stood a marble couch, set with pearls and stones of price, and having for legs four elephants' tusks. Upon it was a coverlet of green satin, purple with red gold,

Starting point is 13:36:23 and above it hung a canopy adorned with pearls and gems, whereon sat King Zarsha, whilst his officer's estate stood in attendance before him, and when the wazir went into him, he composed his mind, and, unbounding his tongue, displayed the oratory of the, wazir and saluted the king in the language of eloquence. And Shahrazad received the dawn of dame, and ceased to say her permitted, say, When it was the one hundred and eighth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the wazir of King Sulaim and Shah entered the presence of King Zahar Shah,

Starting point is 13:37:01 he composed his mind, and, unbinding his tongue, displayed the oratory of wazirs, and saluted the king in the language of eloquence, improvised these couplets. He cometh robed and bending gristfully, O'er crop and copper dews of Grace, sheds he. He charms, nor carats, spells, nor garan ye, may fend the glances of those aim from thee. Say to the blamer, blame me not, for I, from love of him will never turn to flee, my heart hath played me false while through to him, and sleep in love with him abhorreth he. O heart, thart not the soul who love, who love, love with him, so bide with him while I desertion-tree.

Starting point is 13:37:43 There's naught to join my ears with joyous sound, save praise of kings Arshah in Jubilee. A king, albeit, I leave thy lack to win, one look, that look were all sufficiency. And if a pious prayer thou breathed for him, shall join all faithfuls in such pious grue. Folk of his realm, if any shirk is right, for other hoping, growth and faith. i see and when the wazir had entered his poetry kings aarshah bade him draw near and honoured him with the highest honours and then seating him by his own side smiled in his face and favoured him with a gracious reply they ceased not on this wise till the time of the under meal when the attendants brought forward the tables of food in that saloon and all ate till they were sated after which the tables were removed and those who were in the assembly withdrew leave alone with the chief officers now when the minister saw this he rose to his feet and after complimenting the king a second time when kissing the ground before him speak as follow o mighty king and dread lord i have travelled hither and have visited thee upon a matter which shall bring thee peace profit and prosperity and it is this that i come as ambassador to thee seeking in marriage thy daughter the

Starting point is 13:39:09 the noble and illustrious maid from salim alas-hah a prince famed for justice and integrity sincerity and generosity lord of the green land and of the martins of his bahan who sendeth thee of presents a store and gifts of price galore ardently desiring to become thy son-in-law but art thou inclined to him as he to thee he then kept silence awaiting a reply and when kings arshah heard these words He sprang to his feet and kissed the ground respectfully before the Vazir, while the bystanders were confounded at his condescension to the ambassador, and their minds were amazed. Then he praised him, who is Lord of honour and glory in reply, and he is still standing. O mighty Wazir and illustrious chief,

Starting point is 13:39:58 Hear thou what I say. Of a truth, we are to King Salaiman Shah, of the number of his subjects, and we shall be in noble by his alliance, and we covet it ardently, for my daughter is a handmaid to his handmaidens, and it is my dearest desire that he may become my stay and my reliable support. Then he summoned the Kazis and the witnesses. He should bear testimony that King Saliman Shah had dispatched his wazir as proxy to conclude the marriage,

Starting point is 13:40:29 and that King Tsar Shah joyfully acted and officiated for his daughter. So the Kaziz concluded the wedding contract and offered a, of prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the wedded fares. After which the wazir arose, and, fetching the gifts and rarities and precious things, laid them all before the king. Then Zarsha occupied himself and ented the fitting art of his daughter, and honourably entertained the wazir, and feasted his subjects all, great and small, and for two months they held high festival, omitting naught that could rejoice heart and eye.

Starting point is 13:41:07 When all things needful for the bride were ready, the king caused the tents to be carried out, and they pitched the camp within sight of the city, where they packed the bride's stuffs and chests, and get ready the Greek handmaids and turkey slave-girls, and provided the princess with great store of precious treasures and costly jewels. Then he had made for her a litter of red gold, inlaid with pearls and stones of price, and set apart two mules to carry it, a litter which was like one of the three of the three. chambers of a palace, and within which she seemed, as she were of the loveliest armies, and it became as one of the pavilions of paradise. And after they had made bales of the treasures and monies, and had loaded them upon the mules and camels, kings Arshah went forth with her,

Starting point is 13:41:55 for a distance of three parisangs, after which he bade farewell to her and the wazir and those with him, and returned to his home in gladness and safety. Thereupon the wazir, fairing with King's daughter pushed on, and ceased not his stages over desert ways, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, for permitted sake. When it was the 109th night, she said, it had reached me, O auspicious King, that the Wazir fared on with the Kerr's daughter, and ceased not forcing his stages over desert ways, and hastened his best through nights and days, till there remained between him and his city, but three marches. Thereupon he sent forward to King Sulaiman Shah, one who should announce the coming for the bride. The king rejoiced thereat,

Starting point is 13:42:45 and bestowed on the messenger address of honour, and be it his troops marched forth in grand procession to meet the princess and to company for due worship and honour, and don their richest apparel with banners flying over their heads, and his orders were obeyed. He also commanded to cry throughout the city that neither curtain damsel nor honoured lady nor thine ruptured crone should fail to fare forth and meet the bride. And so they all went out to greet her and the grandest of them vied in doing her service, and they agreed to bring her to the king's palace by night. Moreover, the chief officers decided to decorate the road and to stand in a spolier of double line. Whilst the bride should pass by, proceeded by her eunuchs and serving

Starting point is 13:43:30 women and clad in the gear her father had given her. So when she made her appearance, the troops surrounded her, those of the right wing and those of the left, and the litter ceased not advancing with her till she approached the palace, nor remained any but came forth to gaze upon the princess. Drums were beaten, and spears were brandished and horns blared, and flags fluttered, and steeds pranced for precedence and scents shed fragrance till they reached the palace gate. and the page was entered with the litter through the harem wicket the place shone with its splendours and the walls glittered for the glamour of its gear now when night came the eunuchs threw open the doors of the bridal chamber and stood surrounding the chief entrance whereupon the bride came forward and amid her damsels she was like the moon among stars or a union shining on a string of lesser pearls and she passed into the bridal posset where they had set for her a couch of alabaster inlaid with unions and jewels. As soon as she had taken seat there,

Starting point is 13:44:36 the king came into her, and Allah filled his heart with her love, so he abated her maidenhead and ceased from him his trouble and disquiet. He abode with her well by a month, but she had conceived by him the first night, and when the month was ended he went forth and sat on his sofa at stake, and dispensed justice to his subjects till the months of her pregnancy were accomplished. On the last day of the ninth month towards daybreak, the queen was seized with the pangs of labour, so she sat down on the stool of delivery and Alain made trivial easy on her, and she gave birth to a boy child on whom appeared auspicious signs. When the king heard of this, he joyed with exceeding joy and rewarded the bearer of the good tidings with much treasure,

Starting point is 13:45:23 and of his gladness he went into the child and kissed him between the eyes and wondered, at his brilliant loveliness, for in him was approved the saying of the poet, in the towering forts Allah thrown the king, a lion, a star in the skies of rain,

Starting point is 13:45:40 at his rising the spear and the throne rejoiced, the gazelle, the ostrich, the men of Maine. Mount him not on the paps, for right soon he'll show, that the throne

Starting point is 13:45:51 on the war-steed's loins he's fame, and wean him from sucking of milk for soon, a sweeter drink, the foe's blood healed grain. Then the midwives took the newborn child and cut the naval cord and darkened

Starting point is 13:46:06 his eyelids with coal powder and named him Tajam Maluk Karan. He was suckled at the breast of fond indulgence and was reared in the lack of happy fortune. And thus his day ceased not running and the years passing by till he reached the age of seven. Thereupon Salimansha

Starting point is 13:46:24 summoned the doctors and learned of men and bade then teach his son writing and science and bell-letter. And this they continued to do for some years till he had learnt what was needful. And when the king saw that he was well grounded and what so he desired, he took him out of the teachers and professors' hands and engaged for him a skillful master

Starting point is 13:46:44 who taught him cavalrous and nightly exercises till the boy attained the age of 14. And when he fared abroad on any occasion, all he saw him were ravaged. by his beauty and made him the subject of verse and even pious men were seduced by his brilliant loveliness and shahrazad perceived it on of day and ceased to say were permitted say end of section forty two of the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two section forty three volume two of the book of a thousand knights in the night translated by richard burtham this is a libravox All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org.

Starting point is 13:47:43 Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 43. When it was the 110th night, she said, It hath reached me auspicious king, that when Tarshal Molo Kharan, son of Suleiman Shah became perfect in riding craft, and excelled all those of his time. His excessive beauty, when he fared abroad on any occasion, caused all who saw him to be ravished, and to make him the subject of verse. And even pious men were seduced by his brilliant loveliness. Quoth the poet of him, I clipped his form and wax-drunk with his scent,

Starting point is 13:48:30 fair branch to whom Sifur gave nutterment, nor drunken as one who drinks wine but drunk, with night draught his lips of the honey-dolent. All beauty is shown in the all of him, hence all human hearts he in hand hath hence. My mind by Allah shall never unmind, his love while I wear lives change till spent. If I live in his love I live, If I die, For pine and longing, O blessed I'll cry. When he reached the eighteenth year of his age, Tender down sprouted, on his side face fresh with youth, From a mole upon one rosy cheek, And a second beauty spot, Like a grain of ambergris, adorned the other. And he won the wits and eyes of every wick, who looked on him even as hath the poet he is caliph of beauty in joseph's liu and all lovers fear when they sight his grace

Starting point is 13:49:40 pause and gaze with me on his cheek thou'l's sight the caliphate's banner of sable you and aseth another thy sight hath never seen fairer sight of all things men can in the world by. Then, John Brown Mole that studs his spony cheek, of rosy red beneath the jet-black eye, And as saith another, I marvel'd seeing John Mole that serves his cheek's bright flame, yet burneth not in fire, albeit infidel. I wonder eke to see the autostolic glance, Miracle working, though it worked by magic spell. How fresh and bright the down that decks his cheek, and yet! Burst and gull-bladders feed within as waters well. And as set another, I marvel here in people questioning of the fount of life and in what land tis found. I see it sprung from lips of dainty fawn, sweet rosy mouth with green moustache down.

Starting point is 13:50:57 And wondrous wonder tis when Moses viewed, that found he rested not from weary round. Now, having developed such beauty, when he came to man's estate, his loveliness increased, and it won for him many comrades and intimates, while everyone who drew near to him wished that Tash al-Malok-Karan might become Sultan after his father's death, and that he himself might be one of his emirs. Then took he passionately to chasing and hunting, which he would hardly leave for a single hour. His father, King Solomon Shah, would have forbidden him the pursuit, fearing for him the perils of the waste and the wild beasts, but he paid no heed to his warning boys, and it so chanced that once upon a time he said to his attendants,

Starting point is 13:51:58 Take ye ten days' food and forage, and when they obeyed his bidding, he set out with his suit for sport and disport. They rode on into the desert, and ceased not riding four days, till they came to a place where the ground was green, and they saw in it one. wild beasts grazing, and trees with ripe fruit growing and springs flowing. Quoth Tashal Malok to his followers, set up the nets here, and peg them in a wide ring, and let our trusting place be at the mouth of the fence in such a spot. So they obeyed his words, and staked out a wide circle with toys, and there gathered together a mighty matter of all kinds of wild beasts and gazelles, which cried out for fear of the men, and threw themselves for fright in the face of the horses. Then they loosed on to them the hounds and lynxes and hawks, and they shot the quarry down with shafts which pierced their vitals,

Starting point is 13:53:09 and, by the time they came to the further end of the net-ring, they had taken a great number, of the wild beasts, and the rest fled. Then Tarshal Malok dismounted by the water-side, and bade the game be brought before himself, and divided it, after he had set apart the best of the beasts for his father, King Solomon Shah, and dispatched the game to him, and some he distributed among the officers of his court. He passed the night in that place, and when morning dawned, there came up a caravan of merchants conveying negro slaves and white servants, and halted by the water and the green ground. When Tarzan Malok saw them, he said to one of his companions, Bring me news of yondermen and question them why they have halted in this place.

Starting point is 13:54:05 So the messenger went up to them and addressed them. Tell me who you be, and answer me an answer without delay. Replied they, We are merchants, and have halted to rest, for that the next station is distant, and we abide here because we have confidence in King Solomon Shah and his son

Starting point is 13:54:26 Tars al-Maluk, and we know that all who alight in his dominions are in peace and safety. Moreover, we have with us precious stuffs which we have brought for the prince. So the messenger returned and told these news to the king's son, who, hearing the state of the case, and what the merchants had replied said, If they have brought stuff on my account, I will not enter the city, not depart hence till

Starting point is 13:54:54 I see it shown to me. Then he mounted the horse and rode to the caravan, and his mamelux followed him till he reached it. Thereupon the merchants rose to receive him, and invoked on him divine aid and favor, with continuance of glory and virtues, after which they pitched him a pavilion of red satin, embroidered with pearls and jewels, wherein they spread him a kingly divan, upon a silk carpet, worked at the upper end with emeralds set in gold. There Tarzan Malok seated himself, whilst his white servants stood in attendance upon him, and sent to bid the merchants bring out all that they had with them. Accordingly they produced their merchandise, and displayed the whole, and he viewed it, and took off it what liked him, paying them the price. Then he looked about him at the caravan,

Starting point is 13:55:54 and remounted and was about to ride onwards, when his glance fell on a handsome youth in fair attire, and a comely and shapely make, with flower-white brow and moon-like face, save that his beauty was wasted, and that yellow youth had overspread his cheeks, by reason of parting from those he loved. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eleventh night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Tashalmolok, when he looked about him at the caravan, saw a handsome youth, in neat attire, and of shapely make, with flower-like forehead and moon-like face, save that his beauty was wasted and yellow views had overspread his cheeks,

Starting point is 13:56:50 by reason of parting from those he loved. And great was his groaning and moaning, and the tears streamed from his eyelids as he repeated these couplets. Longsome is absence, care and fear are sore. And ceaseless tears, O friend, mine eyes outpour. Yeah, I farewell'd my heart on parting day, And heartless, hopeless now I bide forlore. Pause, O my friend, with me farwelling one,

Starting point is 13:57:25 Whose words my cure can work, my health restore. Now, when the youth ended his poetry, He wept a while and fell down in a fainting fix, whilst Taralmuluk looked at him and wandered at his case. Then coming to himself he stared with distracted air and versified in these couplets. Beware her glance, I read thee, disliked wizard-voy. None can escape unscathed those eyes shafts glancing flight. In very soothed black eyes with languorous sleepy look,

Starting point is 13:58:07 Pairs deeper than white swords, however these may bite. Be not thy senses by her sweets of speech beguiled, Whose broading fever shall ferment in thought and sprite. Soft-sided fair did silk but press upon her skin, To a draw red blood from it as thou thyself canst sight. Cherry is she who charms twixt neck and anklest well, and ah, what other scent shall cause me such delight. Then he sobbed a loud sob and swooned away.

Starting point is 13:58:46 But when Tarshal Moolook saw him in this case, he was perplexed about his state and went up to him. And as the youth came to his senses and saw the king's son standing at his head, he sprang to his feet and kissed the ground between his hands. Tashalmuluk asked him, Why didst thou not show us thy merchandise? And he answered, O my lord, there is not among my stock worthy of thine August highness. Quoth the prince, Needs must thou show me what thou hast and acquaint me with thy circumstance, for I see thee weeping-eyed and heavy-hearted. If thou have been oppressed, we will end thine oppression, and if thou be in debt, we will pay thy debt, for of truth my heart burneth to see thee,

Starting point is 13:59:40 since I first set eyes on thee. Then Tarshalmolok bade the seats be set, and they brought him a chair of ivory and ebony with a network of gold and silk, and spread him a silken rug for his feet. So he sat down on the chair, and bidding the youth seat himself on the rug, said to him, "'Show me thy stock in trade.' The young merchant replied, "'O my lord, do not name this to me, for my goods be unworthy of thee.' Rejoined Tash al-Mulok, it needs must be thus, and bade some of the pages fetch the goods. So they brought them in despite of him, and when he saw them the tears streamed from his eyes,

Starting point is 14:00:30 and he wept and sighed and lamented. Sobs rose in his throat, and he repeated these couplets. By what thine eyelids show of call and coquetry, by what thy shape displays of lissom's symmetry, By what thy lipplets store of honey dew and wine, By what thy mind adorns of gracious kindly grieve, To me thy sight dream-visioned, O my hope, exceeds, the happiest escape from horriblest injury. Then the youth opened his bales and

Starting point is 14:01:08 displayed his merchandise to Tashalmoluq in detail, piece by piece, and amongst them he brought out a gown of satin brocaded with gold worth two thousand dinars. When he opened the gown, there fell a piece of linen from its folds. As soon as the young merchant saw the this, he caught up the piece of linen in haste and hid it under his thigh, and his reason wandered, and he began versifying. When shall be healed of thee this heart that ever bides in woe, then thee the playard stars more chance of happy meeting show, parting and banishment and longing pain of lo of love, procrastating and delay these ills, life lay low. Nor union bids me live in joy, nor parting kills by grief, Nor travels draws me

Starting point is 14:02:09 Nearer thee, Nor nearer comes thou. Of thee no justice may be had, Indeed dwells not of rush, Nor gain of grace by side of thee, Nor flight from thee I know. For love of thee all goings forth and comings back are straight, on me and I am puzzled sore to know where I shall go. Tarsalmuluk wandered with great wonder at his verse, and could not comprehend the cause. But when the youth snatched up the bit of linen and placed it under thigh, he asked him, What is that piece of linen? Oh, my lord, answered the merchant, thou hast no concern with this piece. quoth the king's son.

Starting point is 14:02:58 Show it me, and quoth the merchant, O my lord, I refuse to show thee my goods On account of this piece of linen, For I cannot let thee look upon it. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, And ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 112th night, She said,

Starting point is 14:03:23 It has reached me, o'est day, auspicious king that the young merchant said to Tashalmuluk, I did not refuse to show thee my good save on this account, for I cannot let thee look upon it, whereupon Tashalmuluk retorted, before I must and will see it, and insisted and became angry. So the youth drew it out from under his thigh, and wept and moaned and redoubled his sighs and groans, and repeated these verses. Now blame him not, for blame brings only irk and pain. Indeed I spake him sooth, but never his air could gain. May Allah guard my moon, which writheth in the veil, beside our camp, from loose robe like skyy plain. I left him, but had love vouchsafed to leave for me, some peace in life,

Starting point is 14:04:23 such leave of him I never had tan. How long he pleaded for my sake on parting morn, while down his cheeks and mine tears ran in railing rain. Allah belie me not, the garb of mine excuse, this parting rent, but I will mend that garb again. No couch is easy to my side, nor on such wise. Ought easeth him, when all alone, without me lane. Time with ill-omened hand hath brought between us two, and made my waxing joys to wane and his to wane, and poured me a grief and woe, what time time fain had crowned, the bough he made me drink, and gave for him to drain. When he endeth his recitation quoth Tash al-Molok, I see thy conduct without consequence. Tell me then, why weepest thou at the sight of this rag? When the young merchant

Starting point is 14:05:29 heard speak of the piece of linen, he sighed and answered, O my lord, my story is a strange, and my case out of range, with regard to this piece of linen, and to her from whom I brought it, and to her whom wrought on it these figures and emblems. Hereupon he spread out the piece of linen, thereon was the figure of a gazelle wrought in silk, and worked with red gold, and facing it was another gazelle, traced in silver, with a neck ring of red gold, and three bugles of wrissel it upon the ring. When Tarshalmuluk saw the beauty of these figures, he exclaimed, Glory be to Allah, who teaches man that which he knoweth not, and his heart yearn'd to his heart yearns to hear the youth story, so he said to him, Tell me thy story, with her who owned these gazelles, replied the young man.

Starting point is 14:06:34 Here, O my lord, the tale of Assis and Assisa. My father was a wealthy merchant, and Allah had vouchsafed him no other child than myself, but I had a cousin, Assisa Heise, daughter of my paternal uncle, and wheat-wain were brought up in one house, for her father was dead, and before his death he had agreed with my father that I should marry her. So when I reached man's estate, and she reached womanhood, they did not separate her from me or me from her, till at last my father spoke to my mother and said, This very year we will draw up the contract of marriage between Assis and Assisa. So having agreed upon this, he betook himself to preparing provision for the wedding feast.

Starting point is 14:07:28 Still we ceased not to sleep on the same carpet, knowing not of the case, albeit she was more thoughtful, more intelligent, and quicker-witted than I. Now when my father had made an end of his preparations, and not remained for him but to write out the contract, and for me but to consummate the marriage with my cousin, he appointed the wedding for a certain Friday, after public prayers. And, going round to his intimates, among the merchants and others, he acquainted them with that whilst my mother went forth,

Starting point is 14:08:06 and invited her women friends, and summoned her kith and kin. When the Friday came, they cleaned the saloon and prepared for the guests, and washed the marble floor. Then they spread tapestry about our house, and set out thereon what was needful after they had hung its walls with cloth of gold now the folk had agreed to come to us after the friday prayers so my father went out and bade them make sweetmeats and sugar dishes and there remained nothing to do but to draw up the contract then my mother sent me to the bath and sent after me a suit of new clothes of the richest and when i came out of the hammam donned those habits which were so perfume that as i went along there exhaled from them a delicious fragrance scenting the wayside i had designed to repair to the cathedral mosque when i bethought me of one of my friends and returned in quest of him that he might be present at the writing of the contract and quoth i to myself

Starting point is 14:09:17 this matter will occupy me till near the time of congregational prayer so i went on and entered a by street which i had never before entered perspiring profusely from the effects of the bath and the new clothes on my body and the sweets streamed down whilst the scents of my dress were wafted abroad i therefore sat me at the upper end of the street resting on a stone bench after spreading under me an embroidered kerchief i had with me The heat oppressed me more and more, making my forehead perspire, and the drops trickled along my cheeks. But I could not wipe my face with my kerchief, because it was disbred under me. I was about to take the skirt of my robe and wipe my cheeks with it, when, unexpectedly, there fell on me from above a white kerchief, softer to the touch than the morning breeze, and pleasanter to the sight than healing to the deceased. I held it in hand and raised my head to see whence it had fallen, when my eyes met the eyes of the lady who owned these gazelles. Anne Shara-Sad perceived the dawn of day,

Starting point is 14:10:34 and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 43 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and A Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librebox recording. All LibreVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 44.

Starting point is 14:11:22 When it was the one hundred and thirteenth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the youth continued to touch al-Muluk. So I raised my head to see whence this kerchief had fallen, When my eyes met those of the lady who owned these gazelles. And lo, she was looking out of a wicket in a lattice of brass, and never saw my eyes a fairer than she, and in fine my tongue faileth to describe her beauty. When she caught sight of me looking at her, she put her forefinger into her mouth,

Starting point is 14:12:02 then joined her middle finger and her witness finger, and laid them on her bosom, between her breasts, after which she drew in her head and closed the wicked shutter, and went her ways. There upon fire broke out in and was heaped upon my heart, and greater grew my smart. The one sight cost me a thousand sighs, and I abode perplexed for that I heard no word by her spoken, nor understood the meaning of her token. I looked at the window a second time, but found it shut and waited patiently till sundown, but sensed no sound, and saw no one in view. So when I despaired of seeing her again, I rose from my place, and taking up the hand-perchief, opened it, when there breathed from it a scent of musk, which caused me so great delight,

Starting point is 14:12:58 I became as one in paradise. Then I spread it before me, and outdropped from it a delicate little scroll, whereupon I opened the paper, which was perfumed with a delicious perfume, and then, Therein were writ these couplets. I sent to him a scroll that bore my plaint of love, Written in fine, delicate hand, for writing prose man's skill. Then quoth to me, my friend, why is thy writing thus, So fine, so thin-drawn, tis to read unsuitable? Quoth I, for that I'm fine-drawn, wasted waxed thin,

Starting point is 14:13:42 thus lover's writ should be, for so love wills his will. And after casting my eyes on the beauty of the kerchief, I saw upon one of its two borders, the following couplets worked in with a needle. His cheek down writeth, O fair for the goodly scribe, Two lines on table of his face in Reihon hand, O the wild marvel of the moon, when comes he forth, and when he bends o shame to every willow wand and on the opposite border these two couplets were traced his cheek downrighteth on his cheek with ambergris on pearl two lines like jet on apple-line the goodliest design slaughter is in those languid ine whenever a glance they deal and drunkenness in either cheek and not in any wine

Starting point is 14:14:44 when i read the poetry on the handkerchief the flames of love darted into my heart and yearning and pining redoubled their smart so i took the kerchief and the scrolls of the chatechieff and the scrolls of love darted into my heart and yearning and yonning redoubled their smart so i took the kerchief and the scroll and went home knowing no means to win my wish for that i was incapable of conducting love affairs and inexperienced in interpreting hints and tokens nor did i reach my home ere the night was far spent and i found the daughter of my uncle sitting in tears but as soon as she saw me she wiped away the drops and came up to me and took off my walking-dress and asked me to reason of my absence saying all the folk emirs and notables and merchants and others assembled in our house and the kasi and the witnesses were also present at the appointed time they ate and tarried awhile sitting to await thine appearance for the writing of the contract and when they despaired of thy presence they dispersed and went their ways and indeed she added thy father raged with exceeding wrath by reason of this and swore that he would not celebrate our marriage save during the coming year for that he hath spent on these festivities great store of money. And she ended by asking, What hath befallen thee this day to make thee delay till now? And why hast thou allowed that

Starting point is 14:16:21 to happen, which happened because of thine absence? Answered I, O daughter of mine uncle, question me not concerning what hath befallen me. Then I told her all that had passed from beginning to end, and showed her the handkerchief. She took the scroll and read what was written therein, and tears ran down her cheeks, and she repeated these sequins. Who saith that love at first of free will came? Say him, thou liest, love be grief and grame. Yet shall such graeme and grief entail no shame. All annals teach us one thing, the same. Good current coin clips coin, we may not creep, and please thou say there's pleasure in thy pain. Find fortune's playful gambols, glad and fain, or happy blessings in the unhappy's bane,

Starting point is 14:17:25 that joy or grieve with equal might and main. T'wix'd phrase and antifraise, I'm all a heap, But he, with all whose days are summer bright, Whom maids' air great with smiling lips delight, Whom spicy breezes fan in every sight, And wins whatever he wills that happy white, White-blooded, coward heart should never keep. Then she asked me, What said she, and what signs made she to thee?

Starting point is 14:18:01 I answered, she uttered not a word, but put her forefinger in her mouth, then joining it to her middle finger, laid both fingers on her bosom, and pointed to the ground. Thereupon she withdrew her head and shut the wicket, and after that I saw her no more. However, she took my heart with her, so I sat till sundown, expecting her again to look out of the window. but she did not, and, when I despaired of her, I rose from my seat and came home. This is my history, and I beg thee to help me in this my sore calamity. Upon this she raised her face to me and said, O son of mine uncle, if thou soughtest my eye, I would tear it for thee from its eyelids,

Starting point is 14:18:58 and perforce I cannot but aid thee to thy desire, and aid her also to her desire, for she is whelmed in passion for thee, even as thou for her. Asked I, and what is the interpretation of her signs? And Asiza answered, As for the putting her finger in her mouth, it showed that thou art to her as her soul to her body, and that she would, would bite into union with thee with her wisdom teeth. As for the kerchief, it betokens that her breath of life is bound up in thee. As for the placing her two fingers on her bosom between her breasts, its explanation is that she said, The sight of thee may dispel my grief, for know, O my cousin, that she loveth thee, and she trusteth in thee. This is my interpretation of her signs, And could I come and go at will, I would bring thee and her together in shortest time, and curtail you both with my skirt.

Starting point is 14:20:07 Hearing these words I thanked her, continued the young merchant, for speaking thus, and said to myself, I will wait two days. So I abode two days in the house, neither going out nor coming in, neither eating nor drinking, but I laid my head on my cousin's lap while she comforted me and said to me, Be resolute and of good heart and hope for the best. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted save. When it was the one hundred and fourteenth night, she said,

Starting point is 14:20:50 It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the youth-privile. Pursuit to Tars al-Malok. And when the two days were past, she said to me, Be of good cheer, and clear thine eyes of tears, and take courage to dress thyself, and go to her, according to thy trist. Then she rose and changed my clothes, and perfumed me with incense-smoke. So I braced myself up, and heartened my heart, and went out, and walked on till I came to the by-street, where I sat down on the bench a while. And behold, the wicked suddenly opened,

Starting point is 14:21:29 and I looked up and, seeing her, fell down in a swoon. When I revived, I called up resolution, and took courage and gazed again at her, and again became insensible to the world around me. Then I came to myself, and looking at her, saw that she held in hand a mirror, and a red, kerchief. Now, when she caught my glance, she bared her forearms and opened her five fingers, and smote her breast with palm and digits. And after this she raised her hands, and holding the mirror outside the wicket, she took the red kerchief, and retired into the room with it. But presently returned, and putting out her hand with the kerchief, let it down towards the lane three several times, dipping it and raising it as often. Then she wrung it out and folded it in

Starting point is 14:22:26 her hands, bending down her head the while, after which she drew it in from the lattice and shutting the wicked shutter, went away without a single word. Nay, she left me confounded, and knowing not what signified her signs. I tarried sitting there till suppertime, and did not return home till near midnight, and there I found the daughter of my uncle with her cheek props in her hand, and her eyelids pouring forth tears, and she was repeating these couplets. Woe's me! Why should the blamer guard thee blaming bow? How be consoled for thee that art so tender, bow? Bright being, on my vitals cost thou pray and drive, my heart before platonic passion, forced to bow.

Starting point is 14:23:19 Thy turk-like glances haveok deal in core of me, as furbished sword, thin ground at curve, could never show. Thou weighs me down with weight of care, while I have not, strength even to bear my shift, so weakness lays me low. Indeed I weep blood-tears to hear the blamers say, The lashes of thy lover's aine Shall pierce thee through.

Starting point is 14:23:48 Thou hast my prince of loveliness, an o'er-seer who wrongs me and a groom who beats me down with brow. A foully lies who says all loveliness belonged, To Joseph in thy loveliness is many a joe. I force myself to turn from thee in deadly fright of you. of spies, and what the force that turns away my sight. When I heard her verse, Kark increased and care redoubled on me, and I fell down in a corner of her house, whereupon she arose in haste, and, coming to me, lifted me up, and took off my outer clothes, and wiped my face with her sleeve. Then she asked me what had befallen me, and I described all that had happened from her.

Starting point is 14:24:44 Quoth she, O my cousin, As for her sign to thee, With her palm and five fingers, Its interpretation is, Return after five days, And the putting forth of her head out of the window, And her gestures with a mirror,

Starting point is 14:25:02 And the letting down, And racing up, And ringing out of the red kerchief, Signify, Sit in the dyer's shop, till my messenger come to thee. When I heard her words, Fire flamed up in my heart,

Starting point is 14:25:16 And I exclaimed, O daughter of my uncle, Thou say'st sooth in this thine interpretation, For I saw in the street the shop of a Jew-dier. Then I wept, and she said, Be of good cheer and strong heart, Of a truth others are occupied with love for years and endure with constancy the ardour of passion whilst thou hast but a week to wait why then this impatience

Starting point is 14:25:49 thereupon she went on cheering me with comfortable talk and brought me food so i took a mouthful and tried to eat but could not and i abstained from meat and drink and estranged myself from the sulas of sleep till my colours waxed yellow and I lost my good looks, for I had never been in love before, nor had I ever savored the ardor of passion save this time. So I fell sick, and my cousin also sickened on my account, but she would relate to me by way of consolation, stories of love and lovers every night, till I fell asleep, and whenever I awoke I found her wakeful for my sake, with tears running down her cheeks. This ceased not till the five days for past, when my cousin rose, and warmed some water, and bathed me with it. Then she dressed me in my best, and said to me, repair to her, and Allah fulfill thy wish, and bring thee to thy desire of thy beloved, So I went out and ceased not walking on till I came to the upper end of the Bih street.

Starting point is 14:27:10 And it was the Sabbath I found the dire-shock lock and sat before it, till I heard the call of the mid-afternoon prayer. Then the sun yellowed and the musines chanted the call to sundown prayer, and the night came. But I saw no sign, nor heard one word, nor knew any news of her. So I feared for my life sitting there alone, and at last I arose and walked home, reeling like a drunken man. When I reached the house I found my cousin Aziza standing with one hand grasping a peg driven into the wall, and the other on her breast, and she was sighing and groaning and repeating these couplets. The longing of an Arab lass forlorn of kith and kin, Who to hidia's in willow wand and myrtle cloth incline,

Starting point is 14:28:06 And who, when meeting caravan, shall with Lavlo set light, To bevacked fire and bang for conquer tears of pain and pine, Exceeds not mine for him, nor more devotion shows, But he, seeing my heart is folly, he spurns love, as sin in dust, now when she had finished her verse she turned to me and seeing me wiped away her tears and my tears with her sleeve then she smiled in my face and said o my cousin allah grant thee enjoyment of that which he hath given thee why didst thou not pass the night by the side of thy beloved and why hast thou not fulfilled thy desire of her When I heard her words, I gave her a kick in the breast, and she fell down in the saloon, and her brow struck upon the edge of the erased pavement and hit against a wooden peg therein.

Starting point is 14:29:09 I looked at her and saw that her forehead was cut open, and the blood running. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. the book of a thousand nights and a night, volume two. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 45, volume two of the book of a thousand nights and a night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain.

Starting point is 14:29:53 For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Reading by Lars Roland. under the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two section forty five when it was the one hundred and fifteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young merchant continued tutas almo now when i kicked the daughter of my uncle in the breast she fell on the edge of the raised pavement in the saloon and her brow struck upon a wooden peg thereby her forehead was cut open, and the blood run down, but she was silent and did not utter a single sound. Presently she rose up, and made some tinder of rags, then, stanching with it the bleeding wound, bound her forehead with a bandage, after which she wiped up the blood that had fallen on the carpet, and it was as if nothing had been. Presently she came up to me, and smiling in my face,

Starting point is 14:30:56 said with gentle voice, by Allah, O son of my uncle, i spake not these words to mock at thee or at her but i was troubled with an ache in my head and was minded to be blooded but now thou hast eased my head and lightened my brow so tell me what hath befallen thee to-day thereupon i told her all that had passed between me and her that day and she wept as she heard my words and said o son of my uncle rejoice at the good tidings of thy desire being fulfilled and thine aim being attained. Of a truth this is a sign of acceptance, for that she stayed away only because she wishes to try thee, and know if thou be patient or not, and sincere in thy love for her, or otherwise. To-morrow, repair to her at the old place, and see what sign she maketh to thee, for indeed thy gladness is near, and the end of thy sadness is at hand. And she went on to comfort me, but my carc and care ceased not to increase on me.

Starting point is 14:32:07 Presently she brought me food which I kicked away with my foot, so that contents of every saucer was scattered in all directions, and I said, Every lover is a madman, he inclineth not to food, neither enjoith his sleep. And my cousin Aziza rejoined, By Allah, O son of my uncle, these be in very deep, the signs of love. And the tears streamed down her cheeks, when as she gathered the fragments of the saucers, and wiped up the food. Then she took seat and talked to me whilst I prayed Allah to hasten the dawn. At last, when morning arose with its sheen and shine, I went out to seek her,

Starting point is 14:32:49 and hastening to her by-street, sat down on that bench, when, lo, the wicket opened, and she put out her head laughing. Then she disappeared within and returned with a mirror, a bag and a pot full of green plants, and she held in hand a lamp. The first thing she did was to take the mirror, and putting it into the bag, tie it up and throw it back into the room. Then she let down her hair over her face and set the lamp on the pot of flowers during the twinkling of an eye. Then she took up all the things and went away shutting the window without saying a word. My heart was riven by this state of the case, and by her secret signals, her mysterious secrets, and her utter silence, and thereby my longing waxed more violent, and my passion and distraction redoubled on me.

Starting point is 14:33:44 So I retracted my steps, tearful-eyed and heavy-hearted, and returned home, where I found the daughter of my uncle, sitting with her face to the wall for her heart was burning with grief and galling jealousy albate her affection forbade her to acquaint me with what she suffered of passion and pining when she saw the excess of my longing and distraction then i looked at her and saw on her head two bandages one on account of the accident to her forehead and the other over her eye in consequence of the pain she endured for stress of weeping and she was in miserable plight shedding her head tears and repeating these couplets. I number nights indeed, I count night after night, yet lived I long ere learned so sore account to see, ah, dear friend I compass not what Allah pleased to doom, for Laila nor what Allah destined for me, ah, to other giving her and unto me her love, what loss but Lila's loss would he I ever dream, ah. And when she had finished her reciting, she looked towards me and seeing me

Starting point is 14:34:59 through her tears, wiped them away, and came up to me hastily, but could not speak for excess of love. So she remained silent for some while, and then said, Oh, my cousin, tell me what befell thee with her this time. I told her all that had passed, and she said, Be patient, for the time of thy union is come. come, and thou hast attained the object of thy hopes. As for her signal to thee with a mirror which she put in the bag, it said to thee, when the sun is set, and the letting down of her hair over her face, signified, when night is near, and leteth fall the blackness of the dark, and hath starkened the daylight, come hither. As for her gesture with a pot of green

Starting point is 14:35:45 plants it meant, when thou comest enter the flower garden, which is behind the street, and, as for her sign with a lamp, it denoted, when thou enters the flower garden, walk down it, and make for the place where thou seest the lamp shining, and seat thyself beneath it, and await me, for the love of thee is killing me. When I heard these words from my cousin, I cried out from excess of passion, and said, How long wilt thou promise me, and I go to her? But get not my will, nor find any true sense in thine interpreting. Upon this she laughed and replied, It remaineth for thee but to have patience during the rest of this day,

Starting point is 14:36:31 till the light darken, and the night's darken, and thou shalt enjoy union and accomplish thy hopes, and indeed all my words be without leasing. Then she repeated, two couplets let days their folds and plies deploy and shun the house that deals annoy full oft when joy seems farthest far thou night most art to hour of joy then she drew near to me and began to comfort me with soothing speech but dared not bring me aught of food fearing lest i be angry with her and hoping i might incline to her so when coming to me she only to off my upper garment and said to me sit o my cousin that i may divert thee with talk till the end of the day and almighty allah willing as soon as it is night thou shalt be with thy beloved but i paid no heed to her and ceased not looking for the approach of darkness saying o lord hasten the coming of the night and when the night set in the daughter of my uncle was

Starting point is 14:37:43 wept with sore weeping and gave me a crumb of pure musk and said to me o my cousin put this crumb in thy mouth and when thou hast won union with thy beloved and has taken thy will of her and she hath granted thee thy desire repeat to her this couplet who lovers all by allah say me sooth what shall he do when love sore vex his youth and she kissed me and she kissed me and swore me not to repeat this couplet till i should be about to leave my lover and i said hearing is obeying and when it was supper-tide i went out and ceased not walking on till i came to the flower-garden whose door i found open so i entered and seeing a light in the distance made towards it and reaching it came to a great pavilion vaulted over with a dome of ivory and ebony and the lamp hung from the midst of the dome the floor was spread with silken carpets embroidered in gold and silver and under the lamp stood a great candle burning in the candelabrum of gold in mid pavilion was a fountain adorned with all manner of figures and by its side stood a table covered with a silken napkin and on its edge a great porcelain bottle full of wine with a cup of crystal inlaid with gold near all these was a large tray of silver covered over and when i uncovered it i found therein fruits of every kind figs and pom-grenates grapes and oranges citrons and shaddocks disposed amongst an infinite variety of sweet-scented flowers such as rose chasmine myrtlere egglantine narcissus and all sorts of sweet-smelling herbs

Starting point is 14:39:37 i was charmed with the place and i joyed with exceeding joy albeit i found not there a living soul and my grief and anxiety ceased from me and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the one hundred and sixteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young merchant continued to tars al-molok i was charmed with a place and joyed with great joy. Albeit there I found not a living soul of Almighty Allah's creatures, and saw nor slave, nor handmade, to oversee these things, or to watch and ward these properties.

Starting point is 14:40:21 So I sat down in the pavilion to await the coming of the beloved of my heart, but the first hour of the night passed by, and the second hour, and the third hour, and still she came not. Then hunger grew sore upon me, for that it was long since I, I had tasted food by reason of the violence of my love.

Starting point is 14:40:41 But when I found the place, even as my cousin had told me, and saw the truth of her interpretation of my beloved's signs, my mind was set at rest, and I felt the pangs of hunger. Moreover, the odor of the vines on the table excited me to eat. So, making sure of attaining my desire and being famished for food, I went up to the table and raised the cover, and found in the middle a china dish containing four chickens reddened with roasting and seasoned with spices, round the which were four saucers, one containing sweetmeats, another conserver pomgrenate seeds,

Starting point is 14:41:21 a third almond pastry, and a fourth honey fritters. And the contents of these saucers were part sweet and part sour. So I ate of the fritters and a piece of meat, then went on to the almond cakes, and ate what I could, after which I fell upon the sweetmeats, whereof I swallowed a spoonful or two, or three or four, ending with part of a chicken, and a mouthful of something beside. Upon this my stomach became full, and my joints loose, and I waxed too drowsy to keep awake. So I laid my head on a cushion after having washed my hands, and sleep overcame me. I knew not what happened to me after this, and I awoke not till the sun see,

Starting point is 14:42:06 seats scorch me, for that I had never once tasted sleep for days past. When I awoke I found on my stomach a piece of salt and a bit of charcoal. So I stood up and shook my clothes, and turned to look right and left, but could see no one, and discovered that I had been sleeping on the marble pavement without bedding beneath me. I was perplexed thereat, and afflicted with great affliction. The tears ran down my cheeks, and I mourned for myself. Then I reached. returned home, and when I entered, I found my cousin beating her hands on her bosom, and weeping tears like rain-shedding clouds, and she versified with these couplets. Blows from my lover's land a seafur coolie sweet, and with its every breath makes old and love new glow. O sefer of the morning hour, come show to us, each lover hath his lot his share of joy and woe.

Starting point is 14:43:04 could i but win one dearest wish we had embraced with what embrace and clip o breast from lovers know allah forbids while by its unseen my cousin's face all joys the world can give or hand of time bestow would heaven i knew his heart were like this heart of me melted by passion flame and charged with longing o when she saw me she rose in haste and wiped away her tears and addressed me with her soft speech saying o son of my uncle verily allah hath been gracious to thee in thy love for that she whom thou lovest loveth thee whilst i pass my time in weeping and bewailing my servants from thee who blames me and chidedst me but may allah not punish thee for my sake thereupon she smiled in my face a smile of reproach and caressed me then taking off my walking clothes she spread them out and said by allah this is not the scent of one who hath enjoyed his lover so tell me what hath befallen thee o my cousin i told her all that had passed and she smiled again a smile of reproach and said verily my heart is full of pain but may he not live who would hurt thy heart indeed this woman maketh herself inordinately dear and difficult to thee and by allah o son of my uncle i fear for thee from her o my cousin that the meaning of the salt is thou wast drowned in sleep like insipid food disgustful to the taste and it is as though she said to thee it behoveth thou be salted lest the stomach

Starting point is 14:44:58 for thou profess to be of the lover's noble and true but sleep is unlawful and to a lover undue therefore is thy love but a lie however it is her love for thee that lieth for she saw thee asleep yet aroused thee not and were her love for thee true she had indeed awoken thee as for the charcoal it means allah blacken thy face for thou makest a lying presence of love whereas thou art not but a child and has no object in life other than eating and drinking and sleeping. Such is the interpretation of her signs, and may Allah Almighty deliver thee from her. When I heard my cousin's words, I beat my hand upon my breast and cried out. By Allah, this is the very truth, for I slept and lover's sleep not. Indeed I have sinned against myself, for what could have wrought me more hurt than eating and sleeping. Now, what shall I do?

Starting point is 14:46:06 Then I wept sore, and said to the daughter of my uncle, Tell me how to act and have pity on me, so may Allah have pity on thee, else I shall die, as my cousin loved me with very great love. and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 45 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 46, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording.

Starting point is 14:46:54 All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Section 46. When it was the one hundred and seventeenth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the young merchant continued his tale to Tarsh al-Muluk. thereupon quoth i to the daughter of my uncle tell me what to do and have pity on me so may allah have pity on thee as the daughter of my uncle loved me with great love she replied

Starting point is 14:47:41 on my head and eyes but oh my cousin i repeat what i have told thee often times if i could go in and out at will i would at once bring you two together and cover you both with my skirt nor would i do this but hoping to win thy favour in sala i will do my utmost to endeavour to unite you but hear my words and do my bidding go thou to the very same place and sit down where thou satest before and at supper-tide look though eat not for eating in due this sleep and have a care though slumber not for she will not come to thee till a fourth part of the night be past and the Almighty avert her mischief from thee. Now, when I heard these words, I rejoiced and besought Allah to hasten the night, and as soon as it was dark, I was minded to go, and my cousin said to me,

Starting point is 14:48:44 When thou shalt have met her, repeat to her the couplet I taught thee before, at the time of thy leave-taking. Replied I, On my head and eyes, and went out and repaired to the garden, where I found all made ready in the same state as on the previous night, with every requisite of meat and drink, dried fruits, sweet-scented flowers, and so forth. I went up into the pavilion and smelt the odor of the viands, and my spirit lusted after them. But I possessed my soul in patience for a while, till at last I could no longer withstand temptation.

Starting point is 14:49:24 So I arose from my seat and went up to the table, and, raising its cover, found a dish of fowls, surrounded by four saucers, containing four several meats. I ate a mouthful of each kind, and as much as I would of the sweetmeats, and a piece of meat. Then I drank from the saucer a sauce yellowed with saffron, and, as it pleased me, I supped it up by the spoonful, till I was satisfied, and my stomach was. was full. Upon this my eyelids drooped, so I took a cushion and set it under my head, saying, Happily I can recline upon it without going to sleep.

Starting point is 14:50:05 Then I closed my eyes and slept, nor did I wake till the sun had risen, when I found on my stomach a cube of bone, a single tip-cat-stick, the stone of a green date, and a carob-pod. There was no furniture nor aught else in the place, and it was as he was, as he was, if there had been nothing there yesterday. So I rose, and shaking all these things off me, fared forth in a fury, and going home found my cousin groaning and versifying with these caplets. A wasted body, heart impairs'd to call, and tears that down my poor cheeks poor and poor, and lover cure of access, but but still, not say what's fair can come from

Starting point is 14:50:54 fairest flower. O cousin mine, thou fill'st my soul with pate, and from these tears mine eyelids acheful sore. I chid the daughter of my uncle, and abused her, whereth she wept, then, wiping away her tears, she came up to me and kissed me, and began pressing me to her bosom, whilst I held back from her, blaming myself. Then said she to me, Oh, my cousin, it seemeth thou sleptest again this night, replied I, yes, and when I awoke I found on my stomach, a cube of bone, a single tip-cat stick, a stone of a green date, and a carob pod, and I know not why she did this. Then I wept and went up to her and said, expound to me her meaning in so doing and tell me how shall i act and aid me in my sore strait she answered on my head and eyes by the single tip-cat stick and the cube of bone which she placed upon thy stomach she saith to thee thy body is present but thy heart is absent and she meaneth love is not thus

Starting point is 14:52:14 so do not reckon thyself among lovers. As for the date-stone, it is as if she said to thee, and thou wert in love thy heart would be burning with passion, and thou wouldst not taste the delight of sleep, for the sweet of love is like a green date which kindlet a coal of fire in the vitals. As for the carob-pod, it signifieth to thee, the lover's heart is with, wearied, and thereby she said, Be patient under our separation, with the patience of job. When I heard this interpretation, fires darted into my vitals, like a dart and grief redoubled upon my heart,

Starting point is 14:52:59 and I cried out, saying, Allah decreed sleep to me for my ill fortune. Then I said to her, O my cousin, by my life, devise me some device whereby I may win me, my will of her. She wept and answered, O Azis, O son of my uncle, Verily my heart is full of sad thought which I cannot speak, but go thou again tonight to the same place, and beware thou sleep not, and thou shalt surely attain thy desire. This is my counsel, and peace be with thee. Quoth I, if Allah please, I will not sleep, but will do as

Starting point is 14:53:44 thou biddest me. Then my cousin rose and brought me food, saying, Eat now what may suffice thee, that nothing might divert thy heart. So I ate my fill, and when night came, my cousin rose, and bringing me a sumptuous suit of clothes, clad me therein. Then she made me swear I would repeat to my lover the verse aforesaid, and bade me beware of sleeping. So I left her and repair to the garden, and went up, into that same pavilion where i occupied myself in holding my eyelids open with my fingers and nodding my head as the night darkened on me and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the one hundred and eighteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young merchant continued to tars al-molok so i repaired to the garden and went up into that same pavilion, and occupied myself in gazing upon the flower-beds,

Starting point is 14:54:51 and in holding my eyelids open with my fingers, and nodding my head as the night darkened on me. And presently I grew hungry with watching, and the smell of the meats being wafted towards me, my appetite increased. So I went up to the table, and took off the cover and ate a mouthful of every dish, and a bit of meat, after which I turned to the flag. of wine, saying to myself, I will drink one cup. I drank it, and then I drank a second and a third, till I had drunk full ten, when the cool air smote me, and I fell to the earth like a felled man. I ceased not to lie thus till day arose, and when I awoke and found myself outside the garden, and on my stomach were a butcher's knife and a dram weight of iron,

Starting point is 14:55:42 Thereat I trembled, and taking them with me, went home, where I found my cousin saying, Verily, I am in this house wretched and sorrowful, having no helper but weeping. Now, when I entered, I fell down at full length, and throwing the knife and the dram weight from my hand, I fainted clean away. As soon as I came to myself, I told her what had befallen me, and said, Indeed, I shall never enjoy my desire. But when she saw my tears and my passion, they redoubled her distress on my account, and she cried, Fairly, I am helpless. I warned thee against sleeping, but thou wouldst not hearken to my warning,

Starting point is 14:56:33 nor did my words profit thee aught. I rejoined. By Allah, I conjure thee to explained to me the meaning of the knife and the iron-dram-weight. By the dram-weight, replied my cousin, she eludeth to her right eye, and she swareth by it, and saith, by the lord of all creatures, and by my right eye. If thou come here again and sleep, I will cut thy throat with this very knife, and indeed I fear for thee, O my cousin, from her malice. My heart is full of anguish for thee, and I cannot speak. Nevertheless, if thou can be sure of thyself not to sleep, when thou returnest to her, return to her, and beware of sleeping, and thou shalt attain thy desire. But if when returning to her thou wilt sleep,

Starting point is 14:57:31 as is thy want, she will surely slaughter thee. Asked I, What shall I do, O daughter of my uncle? I beg thee by Allah to help me in this my calamity. Answered she, On my head and eyes, If thou will harken to my words and do my bidding, Thou shalt have thy will.

Starting point is 14:57:58 Quoth I, I will indeed hearken to thy words and do thy bidding. And quoth she, When it is time for thee to go, I will tell thee. Then she pressed me to her bosom, And laying me on the bed, shampooed my feet, till drowsiness overcame me, and I was drowned in sleep. Then she took a fan and seated herself by my head, with a fan in her hand, and she was weeping till her clothes were wet with tears. Now, when she saw that I was awake, she wiped away the drops and fetched me some food and set it before me. I refused it, but she said to me, did I not tell thee that thou must do my bidding? Eat! So I ate and thwarted her not, and she proceeded to put the food into my mouth, and I to masticate it till I was full. Then she made me drink Jujubil Sherbet and sugar, and washed my hands and dried them with a kerchief,

Starting point is 14:58:59 after which she sprinkled me with rose water, and I sat with her a while in the best of spirits. When the darkness had closed in, she dressed me and said to me, O son of my uncle, watch through the whole night and sleep not, for she will not come to thee this tide till the last of the dark hours,

Starting point is 14:59:21 and, Allah willing, thou shalt be at one with her this night, but forget not my charge. Then she wept, and my heart was pained for her by reason of her overmuch weeping, and I asked, What is the charge thou gazed me? She answered, When thou takest leave of her, repeat to her the verse before mention. So, full of joy I left her, and repairing to the garden, went up into the pavilion, where being satiated with food i sat down and watched till a fourth part of the dark hours was past that night seemed long-sum to me as it were a year but i remained awake till it was three-quarters bent and the cocks crew and i was famished for long watching accordingly i went up to the table and ate my fill whereupon my head grew heavy and i wanted to sleep when behold a light appeared making towards me from afar

Starting point is 15:00:25 i sprang up and washed my hands and mouth and roused myself and before long she came with ten damsels in whose midst she was like the full moon among the stars she was clad in a dress of green satin purfled with red gold and she was as seth the poet she lords it over our heart in grass green gown with buttons loose and locks long flowing down quoth i what is thy name quoth she i'm she who burns the lover heart life coals upon i made my plaint to her of loving lobe laughed she to stone thou moan'steless moan quoth i and be of hardy stone thy heart allah drew sweety spring from hardy stone when she saw me she laughed and said how is it that thou art awake and that sleep overcame thee not forasmuch as thou hast watched through the night i know that thou art a lover for night watching is the mark of lovers displaying brave endurance of their desires then she turned to her women and signed to them and they went away from her Whereupon she came up to me, and strained me to her breast and kissed me, whilst I kissed her. And she sucked my upper lip whilst I sucked her lower lip. I put my hand to her waist and pressed it, and we came not to the ground, save at the same moment.

Starting point is 15:02:07 Then she undid her petticoat trousers, which slipped down to her anklets, and we fell to clasping and embracing and toying and speaking softly, and biting an intertwining of legs and going round about the holy house and the corners thereof till her joints became relaxed for love delight and she swooned away i entered the sanctuary and indeed that night was a joy to the sprite and a solace to the sight even as seth the poet sweetest of nights the world can show to me that night when cups went round and round as fed by'd by ceaseless spring. Their utter severance made, I twixt mine eyes and sleep, and joined, rejoined, mine eardrop with the anklet ring. We lay together in close embrace till the morning, when I would have gone away, but she stopped me and said, Stay till I tell thee something, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her

Starting point is 15:03:15 permitted save. End of Section 46 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 47, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.

Starting point is 15:03:51 reading by laurz rolander the book of a thousand knights and a night volume two section forty seven when it was the one hundred and nineteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young merchant continued his recital totas almoelok when i would have gone away she stopped me and said stay till i tell thee something and charge thee with a charge. So I stayed whilst she unfolded a kerchief, and drew out this piece of linen, and spread it open before me. I found worked on it these two figures of gazelles, and admired it within great admiration. Then I took the piece of linen and went away, joyful after we had agreed that I should visit her every night in the garden. But in my joy, I forgot to repeat. to her the verse my cousin had taught me, for when giving me the piece of linen with the gazelles, she had said to me, keep this carefully, as it is my sister's hanged-work. I asked her,

Starting point is 15:05:04 What is thy sister's name? And she answered, Her name is Nur al-Huda. When I went to my cousin, I found her lying down, but as soon as she saw me, she rose with the tears running from her eyes, and came up to me and kissed me on the breast and said, Didst thou do as I enjoined thee, and repeat the verse to her? I forgot it, replied I, and nothing drew it out of my mind but these two figured gazelles, and I threw the piece of linen on the floor before her. She rose and sat down again, but was unable to contain herself for impatience, and her eyes ran over with tears whilst she repeated these two couplets.

Starting point is 15:05:55 O thou who seeks parting softly fair, let not the pair delude with cunning art, par softly, fortune's nature is to guile, and end of every meeting is to part. And when she ended her recitation, she said, O my cousin, give me this piece of linen, So I gave it to her, and she took it and unfolding it, So what was therein? When the trist came, for me, going to my lover, The daughter of my uncle said to me,

Starting point is 15:06:31 Go, and peace attend thee, And when thou art about to leave her, Recite to her the verse I taught thee long ago, And which thou didst forget. Quoth I, tell it me again and she repeated it then i went to the garden and entered the pavilion where i found the young lady awaiting me when she saw me she rose and kissed me and made me sit in her lap and we ate and drank and did our desire as before in the morning i repeated to her my cousin's verse which was this ho lovers all by all allah say me sooth what shall he do when love sore vexeth youth when she heard this her eyes filled with tears and she answered and said

Starting point is 15:07:22 strive he to cure his case to hide the truth patiently humble self and sue for rush i committed it to memory and returned home rejoicing at having done my cousin's bidding when i entered the house i found her lying down and my mother at her head weeping over her case but as soon as i went in to her my mother said to me a foul plague on such a cousin how couldst thou leave the daughter of thy uncle ailing and not ask what ailed her but when my cousin saw me she raised her head and sat up and asked me oh assis did thou repeat to her the couplet i taught thee i answered yes and when she heard it she wept and recited in answer another couplet which i committed to memory quoth my cousin tell it me i did so and when she heard it she wept with much weeping and repeated the following verses how shall youth cure the care his life undeth and every day his heart in peace his youth in sooth he would be patient but he findeth not save a heart which love with pains imbuth then added my cousin when thou go'st to her as a want repeat to her also these two couplets which thou hast heard i replied harking and obedience and i went at the wonted time to the garden whether past between my mistress and myself what tongue faileth to describe when i was about to leave her i repeated to her those two couplets of my cousins whereupon the tears streamed from her eyes and she replied

Starting point is 15:09:20 if he of patience fail the truth to hide for him no cure save death my vision youth i committed them to memory and returned home and when i went in to my cousin'st my cousin'st i went in to my cousin'st my cousin'st i committed them to memory and returned home and when i went in to my cousin's I found her fallen to a fit, and my mother sitting at her head. When she heard my voice, she opened her eyes and asked, Oh, assis, didst thou repeat the two couplets to her? Where to I answered, yes, but she wept on hearing them, and she replied with this couplet beginning, if he of patient fail to the end. And I repeated it, whereupon my cousin's wound again. and when she came to herself she recited these two couplets harking obeying with my dying mouth i greet who joy of union never allow'd

Starting point is 15:10:18 pair fall all happy loves and fair befall the hapless lover dying in his drought again when it was night i repaired to the garden as usual where i found the young lady awaiting me we sat down and ate and drank, after which we did all we wanted and slept till the morning, and as I was going away, I repeated to her the saying of my cousin. When she heard the couplet, she cried out with a loud cry, and was greatly moved and exclaimed, "'Ava! Avah! By Allah! She who spake these lines is dead!' Then she wept and said to me, "'Wo to thee! How is she who spoke thus related to thee? replied I. She is the daughter of my father's brother. Thou liest, rejoined she. By Allah, were she thy cousin, thou hadst borne her the same love

Starting point is 15:11:18 as she bore thee. It is thou who hast slain her, and may the almighty kill thee as thou kill'dst her. By Allah, hadst thou told me, thou hadst a cousin, I would not have admitted thee to my favors. Quoth I. Verily, it was she who interpreted to me the signs thou madeest, and it was she who taught me how to come to thee, and how I should deal with thee, and, but for her, I should never have been united to thee. She then asked me, did thy cousin then know of us? And I answered, Yes, whereupon she exclaimed. Allah give thee sorrow of thy youth, even as thou hast sorrowed her youth. Then she cried to me, Go now, and see after her.

Starting point is 15:12:15 So I went away, troubled at heart, and ceased not walking till I reached our street, when I heard sounds of wailing, and asking about it was answered, Asiza, we found her dead behind the door. I entered the house, and when my mother saw me, she said, her death lies heavy on thy neck and may allah not acquit thee of her blood and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the one hundred and twentieth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young merchant continued to tush al malok so i enter the house and when my mother saw me she said her death lies heavy on thy neck and may allah not acquit thee of her blood a plague on such a cousin then came my father and we laid her out and get ready her beer and buried her and we had recitations of the whole koran over her tomb and we abode by her grave three days after which we returned to our home and i grieving for her grievously

Starting point is 15:13:33 Then my mother came to me and said, I would fain know what thou didst to her to break her heart, for, oh, my son, I questioned her at all times of the cause of her complaint, but she would tell me nothing nor let me know aught of it. So Allah upon thee tell me what thou hast been doing to her that she died. quoth I, I did nothing, quoth my mother, Allah avenger on thee. Verily she told me not, but kept her secret till she died of her love-longings for thee. But when she died I was with her, and she opened her eyes and said to me,

Starting point is 15:14:24 O wife of my uncle, may Allah hold thy son guiltless of my blood, and punish him, not for what he hath done by me, and now Allah transporteth me from the house of the world, which is perishable, to the house of the other world, which is eternal. Said I, O my daughter, Allah preserve thee and preserve thy youth, And as I questioned her of the cause of her illness, she made me no answer, but she smiled and smiled, said, O wife of my uncle, Bid thy son, whenever he would go whither he goeth every day, Repeat these two sores at his going away,

Starting point is 15:15:15 Faith is fair, unfaith is foul, For this is of my tender affection to him, That I am solicitous concerning him during my lifetime, And after my death. then she gave me somewhat for thee and swear me that i would not give it until i see thee weeping for her and lamenting her death the thing is with me and when i have seen thy case as i have said i will make it over to thee show it me cried i but she would not then i gave myself up to love delights and thought no more of my cousin's death for my mind was unsettled and fain would i have been with my lover the livelong day and night so hardly had i perceived the darkness fall when i betook myself to the garden where i found the young lady sitting on coals of fire for much impatience As soon as she was sure that she saw me, she ran to me, and, throwing her arms about my neck, inquired of the daughter of my uncle.

Starting point is 15:16:26 I replied, Sooth to say, she is dead, and we have caused sicceril litanies and recitations of the Koran to be performed for her. And it is now four nights, and this be the fifth since she is gone. When she heard that, she shrieked aloud and wept. and said, Did I not tell thee that thou hast slain her? Hadst thou let me know of her before her death, I would have requitted her the kindness she did me, in that she served me and united thee to me, for without her we had never foregathered, we twain, and I fearless some calamity before thee because of thy sin against her.

Starting point is 15:17:14 Quoth I. She acquitted me of offence ere she died, and I repeated to her what my mother had told me. Quoth she, Allah, upon thee, when thou returnest to thy mother, learn what thing she keepeth for thee. I rejoined. My mother also said to me,

Starting point is 15:17:37 Before the daughter of thy uncle died, she laid a charge upon me, saying, whenever thy son would go whither his want to go, teach him these two soes. Faith is fair, unfaith is foul. When my lady heard this, she exclaimed, The mercy of Almighty Allah be upon her. Indeed she hath delivered thee from me, for I minded to do thee a mischief, but now I will not harm thee, nor trouble thee. I wondered at this and asked her. What then wast thou minded to do with me in time past, and we two being in bond of love? Answered she, thou art infatuated with me, for thou art young in life and a raw laddie.

Starting point is 15:18:33 Thy heart is void of gil, and thou waltz. we didst not our malice and deceit. Were she yet alive, she would protect thee, for she is the cause of thy preservation, and she hath delivered thee from destruction. And now I charge thee, speak not with any woman, neither accost one of our sex, be she young or be she old, and again I say, beware, for thou are art simple and raw, and knowest not the wiles of women, and their malice, and she who interpreted the signs to thee is dead, and, indeed, I fear for thee, lest thou fall into some disgrace, and find none to deliver thee from it. Now the daughter of thy uncle is no more. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say,

Starting point is 15:19:36 her permitted say when it was the one hundred and twenty-first night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the young merchant continued to tars al-molu then the young lady said to me i fear for thee lest thou fall into some disgrace and find none to deliver thee from it alas for thy cousin and ah the pity of her would I had known her before her death, that I might have requitted by waiting upon her the fair service she did me. The mercy of Allah Almighty be upon her, for she kept her secret and revealed not what she suffered, and but for her thou hadst never foregathered with me. No, never, but there is one thing I desire of thee. I asked, what is it? and she answered it is that thou bring me to her grave that i may visit her in the tomb wherein she is and write some couplets thereon i rejoined to-morrow if allah please i slept with her that night and she ceased not saying after every hour would thou hadst told me of thy cousin before her death

Starting point is 15:21:03 and i asked her what is the meaning of the two sauce she taught me faith is fair unfaith is foul but she made no answer as soon as it was day she rose and taking a purse of gold pieces said to me come show me her tomb that i may visit it and grave some verses thereon and build a dome over it and commend her to allah's mercy and bestow these dinars in alms for her soul i replied to hear is to obey and walked on before her whilst she followed me giving alms as she went and saying to all upon whom she lavished bounty this is an alms for the soul of assisa who kept her counsel till she drank the cup of death and never told the secret of her love and she stinted not thus to give alms and say for a caesar's soul till the purse was empty and we came to the grave and when she looked at the tomb she wept and threw herself on it then pulling out a chisel of steel and a light hammer she graved therewith upon the head stone in fine small characters these couplets i passed by broken tomb amid a goth'd right sheen whereon seven blooms of nouman glow'd with karamwas quoth i who sleepeth in this tomb quoth answering earth before a lover hardest tomb bend reverently quoth i may allah help thee o thou slain of love and grant thee home in heaven and paradise height to sea hapless are lovers all even tuned in their tombs

Starting point is 15:23:04 where amid living folk the dust weighs heavily pain would i plant a garden blooming round thy grave and water every flower with tear-drops flowing free Then she turned away in tears, and I with her, and returned to the garden where she said to me, By Allah, I conjure thee never leave me, to hear is to obey, replied I. Then I gave myself fully up to her, and paid her frequent visits. She was good and generous to me, and as often as I passed the night with her, She would make much of me, and would ask me of the two sauce my cousin Assisa told my mother, and I would repeat them to her. And matter ceased not to be on this voice, and I continued for a whole year,

Starting point is 15:24:01 eating and drinking and enjoying dalliance, and wearing change of rich raiment, until I waxed gross and fat, so that I lost all thought of sorrowing and mourning, and I clean forgot my cousin Assisa. And on New Year's day I went to the bath, where I refreshed myself and put on a suit of sumptuous clothes. Then coming out I drank a cup of wine, and smelt the scent of my new gear, which was perfumed with various essences, and my breast was broadened thereby. For I knew not the tricks of fate, nor the changing ways of time, when the out of the out of the out. hour of night prayer came, I was minded to repair to my lover. But, being the worse for wine, I knew not when going to her whither I went. So my drunkenness turned me into a by-street,

Starting point is 15:24:57 called Sindic Street. And the while I walked up that street, behold, I caught sight of an old woman, faring with a lighted taper in one hand, and in the other a folded letter. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 47 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 48, Volume 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording.

Starting point is 15:25:46 All Librevox recordings are in the evening. public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit librivox.org. Reading by Lars Rolander The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 2, Section 48. When it was the 122nd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the young merchant whose name was a cis, continued to Tars al-Molok. And when I entered the street called Sindic Street,

Starting point is 15:26:24 behold, I caught sight of an old woman walking with the lighted taper in one hand, and in the other a folded letter, and I drew near her, and lo, she was weeping and repeating these couplets. O glad news-bearer, welcome, welcome, hail! How sweet thy speech to me! what treat thy tale o messenger from him whose wheel i love god bless thee long as pre this soft morning gale now when she saw me she asked o my son canst thou read and i answered of my officiousness yes old nantes rejoined she then take this letter and read it to me. And when she handed it to me, I took it, and, unfolding it dreaded to her, and behold it was from an absent man to his friends and lovers whom he greeted. And when she heard its purport, she rejoiced at the good tidings, and blessed me saying,

Starting point is 15:27:36 Allah, dispelled thine anxiety, even as thou hast dispelled mine. Then she took the letter and walked on. Meanwhile I was urged by a call of nature, and sat down on my heels to make water. When I had ended I stood up and wiped the orifice with a pebble, and then letting down my clothes, I was about to win my way, when suddenly the old woman came up to me again, and bending down over my hand, kissed it and said, "'Oh, my master, the Lord give thee joy of thy youth, I entreat thee to walk with me a few steps as far as yonder door, for I told them what thou didst read to me of the letter, and they believe me not, so come with me two steps and read them the letter from behind the door, and accept the prayers of a righteous woman. I inquired, what is the history of this letter?

Starting point is 15:28:39 And she replied, O my son, this letter is from my son, who hath been abhorred. absent for a term of ten years. He set out with a stock of merchandise and tarried long in foreign parts, till we lost hope of him, and supposed him to be dead. Now, after all that delay, cometh this letter from him, and he hath a sister who weepeth for him night and day. So I said to her, He is well and all right, but she will not believe me and declares. There is no help but thou bring me one who will read this letter in my presence, that my heart may be at rest and my mind at ease. Thou knowest, O my son, that all who love are wont to think evil,

Starting point is 15:29:36 So be good enough to go with me and read to her this letter, standing behind the curtain whilst I call his sister to listen within the door. So shalt thou dispel our heed and fulfil our need. Verily quoth the apostle of Allah, whom Allah bless and preserve, Whoso easeth the trouble of one of the troubles of this troublous world, Allah will ease him of an hundred troubles, and according to another tradition, who so easeth his brother of one of the troubles of this troublous world, Allah shall relieve him of seventy and two troubles on the day of resurrection, and I have betaken myself to thee, so disappoint me not. Replied I, To hear is to obey, do thou go before me. So she walked on devancing me, and I followed her a little way, till she came to the gate of a large and handsome mansion, whose door was plaited with copper. I stood behind the door whilst the old woman cried out in Persian, and ere I knew it,

Starting point is 15:30:56 a damsel run up, with light and nimble step. She had tucked up her trousers to her knees, so that I saw a pair of calves that confounded thinker and lighter, and the maid herself was as seth the poet describing her. O thou who bear'st leg calf, better to suggest, for passion-madded armorist better things above. Towards its lover-cloth the bowl go round and run, cup and cup-bearer only drive a staffed with love. Now these legs were like two pillars of alabaster adorned with anklets of gold, wherein were set stones of price, and the damsel had tucked up the end of her gown under her armpit,

Starting point is 15:31:45 and had rolled up her sleeves to the elbow, so that I could see her white wrists, whereon were two pairs of bracelets with clasps of great pearls, and round her neck was a collar of costly gems. Her ears were adorned with pendants of pearls, and on her head she wore a kerchief of brocade, brand new and brooded with jewels of price, and she had thrust her skirt of her shift into her trouser string, being busy with some household business, so when I saw her in this undress I was confounded at her beauty, for she was like a shining sun. Then she said with soft choice speech never heard i sweeter oh my mother is this he who cometh to read the letter it is replied the old woman and she put out her hand to me with a letter now between her and the door was a distance of about half a rod so i stretched forth my hand to take the letter from her and thrust head and shoulders within the door thinking to draw near her

Starting point is 15:32:57 and read the letter, when, before I knew what her design was, the old woman butted her head against my back, and pushed me forwards with the letter in my hand, so that ere I could take thought, I found myself in the middle of the hall, far beyond the vestibule. Then she entered, faster than a flash of blinding liven, and had not to do but to shut the door. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. when it was the one hundred and twenty-third night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the youth assis pursued to tash al-molok when the old woman pushed me forwards i found myself ere i could think inside the vestibule and the old woman entered faster than a flash of blinding levi and had not to do but to shut the door when the girl saw me in the vestibule she came up to me and she came up to me and and strained me to her bosom, and threw me to the floor, then she sat a straddle upon my breast,

Starting point is 15:34:04 and kneaded my belly with her fingers, till I well-nigh lost my senses. Thereupon she took me by the hand, and led me, unable to resist for the violence over her pressure, through seven vestibules, whilst the old woman forewent us with a lighted candle, till we came to a great saloon with four estrads, whereon a horseman might play polo. Here she released me, saying, Open thine eyes, so I opened them still giddy for the excess of her embracing and pressing, and saw that the whole saloon was built of the finest marbles and alabasters, and all its furniture was of silk and brocade, even to the cushions and mattresses.

Starting point is 15:34:52 therein also were two benches of yellow brass and a couch of red gold set with pearls and precious stones befitting none save kings like thyself and off the saloon were smaller sitting-rooms and the whole place was redolent of wealth then she asked o assis which is sliefer to thee life or death life answered i and she asked and she asked o assis which is slither to thee life or death life answered i and she said if life be leifer to thee marry me quoth i indeed i should hate to marry the like of thee quoth she if thou marry me thou wilt at least be safe from the daughter of dalila the wily one i asked and who be that daughter of the wily one whereupon she laughed and replied tis she who hath accompanied with thee this day for a year and four months may the almighty destroy and afflict her with one worse than herself by allah there liveth not a more perfidious than she how many men hath she not slain before thee and what deeds hath she not done nor can i understand how thou hast been all the time in her company yet she hath not killed thee nor done thee a mischief when i heard her words i marvelled with exceeding marvel and said oh my lady who made thee to know her said she i know her as the age knoweth its calamities but now i would fain have thee tell me all that hath passed between you two that i may ken the cause of thy deliverance from her so i told her all that had happened between us including the story of my cousin assisa she expressed her pity when she heard of the death and her eyes ran over with tears and she claps hand on hand and cried out

Starting point is 15:37:03 her youth was lost on allah's way and may the lord bless thee for her good works by allah o assis she who died for thee or was the cause of thy preservation from the daughter of dahlia the wily and but for her thou hadst been lost and now she's dead i fear for thee from the crafty ones perfidy and mischief but my throat is choking and i cannot speak quoth i ay by all this happened even as thou say'st and she shook her head and cried there liveth not this day the likes of assisa i continued and on her death-bed she bade me repeat to my lover these two saws faith is fair unfaith is foul when she heard me say this she exclaimed O assist, by Allah those same words saved thee from dying by her hand, and now my heart is at ease for thee from her, for she will never kill thee, and the daughter of thy uncle preserved thee during her lifetime and after her death. By Allah, I have desired thee day after day, but could not get at thee till this time, when I tricked thee and outwitted thee, for thou art a raw youth, and knows not the wiles of young women, nor the deadly gil of old women. Rejoined I, No, by Allah. Then said she to me, Be of good cheer, and eyes clear.

Starting point is 15:38:51 hath found Allah's grace, and the life shall be in good case. Thou art a handsome youth, and I do not desire thee but according to the ordinance of Allah and his apostle, on whom be salutation and salvation. Whatever thou requirest of money and stuff, thou shalt have forthright without stint, and I will not impose any toll on thee. No, never, for that. There is with me always spread baked hot and water in pot. All I need of thee is that thou do with me even as the cock doth. I asked, and what doth the cock?

Starting point is 15:39:36 Upon this she laughed and clapped her hands, and fell over on her back for excess of merriment. Then she sat up and smiled and said, Oh, light of my eyes, Really dost thou not know what cocks do you? duty is? No, by Allah, replied I, and she, the cock's duty is to eat and drink and tread. I was abashed at her words and ask, is that the cock's duty? Yes, answered she, and all I ask of thee now is to gird thy loins and strengthen thy will and fodder thy best. Then she clapped her hands

Starting point is 15:40:18 and cried out, saying, Oh, my mother, bring forward those who are with thee. And behold, in came the old woman, accompanied by four lawful witnesses, and carrying a veil of silk. Then she lighted four candles, whilst the witnesses saluted me and sat down. And the girl veiled herself with a veil,

Starting point is 15:40:42 and deputed one of them to execute the contract on her behalf. So they wrote out the book, marriage bond, and she testified to have received the whole sum settled upon her, both the half in advance and the half in aryars, and that she was indebted to me in the sum of ten thousand dirams. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and twenty-fourth night, she said, it hath reached me auspicious King that the young merchant continued to Tash Almolok. When they wrote out the marriage contract, she testified to having received the whole sum

Starting point is 15:41:27 settled upon her, the half in advance and the half in aryars, and that she was indebted to me in the sum of ten thousand dirhams. She paid the witnesses their wage, and they withdrew whence they came. Thereupon she arose and cast off her clothes, and stood in a chemise of fine silk, edged with gold lace, after which she took off her trousers, and seized my hand and led me up to the couch, saying, There is no sin in a lawful put-in. She lay down on the couch, outspread upon her back, and drawing me on to her breast, heaved a sigh, and followed it up with a wriggle by way of being coy. Then she pulled up the shift above her breasts, and when I saw her in this pose, I could not withhold myself from thrusting it into her.

Starting point is 15:42:20 After I had sucked her lips, while she whimpered and shamed shame, and wept when no tears came. And then said she, O, my beloved, do it and do thy best! Indeed the case reminded me of his saying, who said, When I drew up her shift from the roof of her coint, I found it straight as my mind and my money. So I drew it half way, and she sighed a loud sigh, Quoth I, Why this sigh? For the rest of it, honey. And she repeated, O my beloved, let the finish be made, for I am thine handmaid. My life on thee, up with it, give it me all of it, that I may take it in my hand, and thrust it into my very vitals. and she ceased not to excite me with sobs and sighs and amorous cries in the intervals of kissing and clasping until amid our murmurs of pleasure we attained the supreme delight and the term we had in sight we slept together till the morning when i would have gone out but lo she came up to me laughing and said so so thinkest thou that going into the hammam is the same as going out dost thou deem me to be the like of the daughter of dalila the wily one beware of such a thought for thou art my husband by contract and according to law

Starting point is 15:44:01 if thou be drunken return to thy right mind and know that the house wherein thou art openeth but one day in every year go down and look at the great door so i rose and went down and found the door locked and manade up and returned and told her of the locking and nailing oh assis said she we have in this house floor grain fruits and pomegranates sugar meat sheep poultry and so forth enough for many years and the door will not be opened till after the lapse of a whole twelvemonth and well i wheat Thou shalt not find thyself without this house till then. Quoth I, There is no majesty, And there is no might save in Allah, The glorious, the great.

Starting point is 15:44:58 And how can this harm thee? Rejoined she, Seeing thou know'st Coch's duty, Whereof I told thee. Then she laughed, and I laughed too, And I conformed to what she said, And abode with her doing cox duty, duty, and eating and drinking and futtering for a year of full twelve months, during which time

Starting point is 15:45:22 she conceived by me, and I was blessed with a baby by her. On the New Year's day I heard the door open, and behold men came in with cakes and floor and sugar. Upon this I would have gone out, but my wife said, Wait till supper-tide, and go out even as thou cam'st in, so I waited. till the hour of night prayer, and was about to go forth in fear and trembling, when she stopped me saying, By Allah, I will not let thee go until thou swear to come back this night before the closing of the door. I agreed to this, and she swore me a solemn oath on blade and book, and the oath of divorce to boot, that I would return to her.

Starting point is 15:46:11 Then I left her and going straight to the garden, found the door open as usual, whereat I was angry and said to myself, I have been absent this whole year, and come here unawares and find the place open as of want. I wonder is the damsel still here as before. I needs must enter and see before I go to my mother, more by reason that it is now nightfall. So I entered the flower garden. And Shara Sad perceived the dawn of day, And cease to say her permitted say.

Starting point is 15:46:53 End of section 48 of the book of a thousand nights and a night, volume two. And also end of the book of a thousand nights and a night, volume two. Thank you for listening.

Classic Audiobook Collection - (Volume 2) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

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