Classic Audiobook Collection - (Volume 3) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

Episode Date: August 28, 2023

(Volume 3) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous audiobook. Genre: folklore This is a collection of stories collected over thousands of years by various authors, translators and scholars. The are an amalgam of mythology and folk tales from the Indian sub-continent, Persia, and Arabia. No original manuscript has ever been found for the collection, but several versions date the collection's genesis to somewhere between AD 800-900. The stories are wound together under the device of a long series of cliff-hangers told by Shahrazad to her husband Shahryar, to prevent him from executing her. Many tales that have become independently famous come from the Book, among them Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and the voyages of Sinbad the Sailor. This collection comes from the third of sixteen volumes translated by Burton. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 1 (00:19:22) Chapter 2 (00:41:13) Chapter 3 (01:04:09) Chapter 4 (01:29:21) Chapter 5 (01:59:29) Chapter 6 (02:31:16) Chapter 7 (02:52:53) Chapter 8 (03:23:36) Chapter 9 (03:33:14) Chapter 10 (04:11:58) Chapter 11 (04:36:29) Chapter 12 (05:06:27) Chapter 13 (05:37:30) Chapter 14 (06:03:12) Chapter 15 (06:30:00) Chapter 16 (06:47:35) Chapter 17 (07:10:49) Chapter 18 (07:24:44) Chapter 19 (07:50:35) Chapter 20 (08:12:31) Chapter 21 (08:34:41) Chapter 22 (08:51:50) Chapter 23 (09:07:58) Chapter 24 (09:21:19) Chapter 25 (09:45:28) Chapter 26 (10:03:20) Chapter 27 (10:23:56) Chapter 28 (10:44:47) Chapter 29 (11:05:25) Chapter 30 (11:23:23) Chapter 31 (11:44:59) Chapter 32 (12:05:21) Chapter 33 (12:29:45) Chapter 34 (12:57:31) Chapter 35 (13:20:03) Chapter 36 (13:40:41) Chapter 37 (14:00:20) Chapter 38 (14:26:45) Chapter 39 (14:45:06) Chapter 40 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

the book of a thousand nights and a knight volume three section one when it was the one hundred and twenty-fifth night shahrazai continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that aziz pursued to taj al maluk then i entered the flower garden and made for the pavilion where i found the daughter of delilah the wily one sitting with head on knee and hand to cheek her color was changed and her eyes were sunken but when she saw me she exclaimed, Praise be Allah for thy safety, and she was minded to rise, but fell down for joy. I was abashed before her and hung my head. Presently, however, I went up to her and kissed her and asked, How knewest thou that I should come to thee this very night?

She answered, I knew it not. By Allah, this whole year past I have not tasted the taste of sleep, but have watched through every night expecting me, and such has been my case since the day thou winst out from me, and I gave thee the new suit of clothes, and thou promised me to go to the ha-mama, and to come back. And so I sat awaiting thee that night, and a second night, and a third night,

but thou camst not till after so great a delay, and I ever expecting thy coming, for this is lover's way. And now I would have thee tell me what hath been the cause of thine absence from me this past year long, so i told her and when she knew that i was married her colour waxed yellow and i added i have come to thee this night but i must leave thee before day quoth she doth it not suffice her that she tricked thee into marrying her and kept thee prisoner with her a whole year but she must also make thee swear by the oath of divorce thou wilt return to her on the same night before morning and not allow thee to divert thyself with thy mother or me nor suffer thee to pass one night with either of us away from her

how then must it be with one from whom thou hast been absent a full year and i knew thee before she did but allah have mercy on thy cousin aziza for there befell her what never befell any and she bore what none other ever bore and she died by thy ill usage yet twas she who protected thee against me indeed i thought thou didst love me so i let thee take thine own way else had i not suffered thee to go safe in a sound skin when i had it in my power to clap thee in jail and even to slay thee then she wept with sore weeping and waxed wroth and shuddered in my face with skin bristling and looked at me with furious eyes when i saw her in this case i was terrified at her and my side muscles trembled and quivered for she was like a dreadful she goal, an ogress in ire, and I like a bean over the fire. Then she said, thou art of no use to me, now thou art married and hast a child, nor art thou any longer fit for my company. I care only for bachelors and not for married men. These prophetess nothing, thou hast sold me for yonder stinking armful, but by Allah, I will make the whore's heart ache for thee, and thou shalt not live either for me or for her. Then she cried a loud cry, and ere I could think up came the slave-girls,

and threw me to the ground. And when I was helpless under their hands, she rose, and taking a knife said, I will cut thy throat as they slaughter he goats, and that will be less than thy dessert, for thy doings to me and the daughter of thy uncle before me. When I looked to my life and found myself at the mercy of her slave-woman, with my cheeks dust-soiled, and saw her sharpen the knife, I made sure of death. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 126th night, she said, it hath reached me, oh auspicious king, that the wazir Dan Dan thus continued his tale to Zhao Al-Makhan. Then quoth the youth, Aziz, to Taj Al-Maluk. Now when I found my life at the mercy of her slave-woman with my

cheeks dust-soiled, and I saw her sharpen the knife, I made sure of death and cried out to her for mercy. But she only redoubled in ferocity and ordered the slave girls to pinion my hands behind me, which they did. And throwing me on my back, she seated herself on my middle and held down my head. Then two of them came up and squatted on my shin bones, whilst other two grasped my hands and arms, and she summoned a third pair and bade them beat me. So they beat me till I fainted and my voice failed. when I revived I said to myself "'Twer easier and better for me to have my gullet slit "'than to be beaten on this wise

"'and I remember the words of my cousin "'and how she used to say to me, "'Alla, keep thee from her mischief.' "'And I shrieked and wept to my voice failed, "'and I remained without power to breathe or to move. "'Then she again wetted the knife "'and said to the slave-girls, "'Uncover him.

"'Upon this the Lord inspired me to repeat to her the two phrases my cousin had taught me and had bequeathed to me and I said, Oh my lady, dost thou not know that faith is fair, unfaith is foul? When she heard this, she cried out and said, Allah pity thee Aziza and give thee paradise in exchange for thy wasted youth. By Allah, of a truth she served thee in her lifetime, and after her death, and now she hath saved thee alive out of my hands with these two saws nevertheless i cannot by any means leave thee thus but needs must i set my mark on thee to spite yonder brazen-faced peace who hath kept thee from me thereupon she called out to the slave-women and bade them bind my feet with cords then said to them take seat on him they did her bidding upon which she arose and fetched a pan of copper and hung it over the brazier and put it over the brazier and poured into it oil of sesame, in which she fried cheese. Then she came up to me, and I still insensible,

and in fastening my bag trousers, tied a cord round my testicles, and giving it to two of her women bade them trawl at it. They did so, and I swooned away, and was for an excess of pain in a world other than this. Then she came with a razor of steel and cut off my member masculine, so that I remained like a woman, after which she seared the wound with the boiling, and rubbed it with a powder, and I the while unconscious. Now when I came to myself, the blood had stopped, so she bade the slave girls unbind me and made me drink a cup of wine. Then said she to me, go now to her whom thou has married, and who grudged me a single night, and the mercy of Allah beyond thy cousin Aziza, who saved thy life, and never told,

her secret love. Indeed, hadst thou not repeated those words to me, I had surely slit thy reason. Go forth this instant to whom thou wilt, for I needed not of thee save what I have just cut off, and now I have no part in thee, nor have I any further want of thee, or care for thee. So be gone about thy business and rubbed thy head, and implore mercy for the daughter of thine uncle. Thereupon she kicked me with her foot, and I rose, hardly able to walk, and I went little by little, till I came to the door of our house. I saw it was open, so I threw myself within it, and fell down in a fading fit. Whereupon my wife came out, and lifting me up, carried me into the saloon, and assured herself that I had become like a woman. Then I fell into a sleep, and a deep sleep,

and when I woke I found myself thrown down at the garden gate and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the 127th night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the wazir Dandan pursued to king Zao Al-Makhan the youth Aziz thus continued his story

to Taj Al-Maluk when I awoke and found myself thrown down at the garden gate I rose groaning for pain and misery, and made my way to our home, and entering I came upon my mother weeping for me, and saying, what I knew, oh my son, and what land thou art. So I drew near, and threw myself upon her, and when she looked at me and felt me, she knew that I was ill, for my face was colored black and tan. Then I thought of my cousin and all the kind offices she had been wont to do me, and I learned when too late

that she had truly loved me. So I wept for her, and my mother wept also. Presently she said to me, O my son, thy sire, is dead. At this my fury against fate redoubled, and I cried till I fell into a fit. When I came to myself,

I looked at the place where my cousin Aziza had been used to sit and shed tears anew, till I all but fainted once more for excess of weeping, and I ceased not to cry and sob and wailed till midnight, when my mother said to me, thy father hath been dead these ten days. I shall never think of anyone but my cousin Aziza, replied I,

and indeed I deserve all that hath befallen me, for that I neglected her who loved me with love so dear. Asked she what hath befallen thee. So I told her all that had happened, and she wept awhile then she rose and set some matter of meat and drink before me i ate a little and drank after which i repeated my story to her and told her the whole occurrence whereupon she exclaimed praise biala that she did but this to thee and forbore to slaughter thee then she nursed me and medicine me till i regained my health and when my recovery was complete she said to me O my son, I will now bring out to thee that which thy cousin committed to me entrust for thee, for it is thine.

She swore me not to give it to thee, till I should see thee recalling her to mind, and weeping over her and thy connections severed from other than herself, and I know that these conditions are fulfilled in thee. So she arose, and opening a chest, took out this piece of linen, with the figures of gazelles worked thereon. which I had given to Aziza in time past, and taking it I found written therein these couplets. Lady of Beauty, say who taught thee hard and harsh design,

to slay with longing love's excess, this hapless lover thine. And thou feign dost remember me beyond our parting day, Allah will know that thee and thee, my memory never shall thine. Thou blamest me with bitter speech, yet sweetest tis to me. Will generous be and deign one day to show of love a sign? I had not reckoned love contained so much of pine and pain,

and soul distress until I came for thee to pain and pine. Never my heart knew weariness, until that eve I fell, in love with thee, and prostate fell before those glancing eye. my very foes have mercy on my case and moan therefore but thou o heart of indian steel all mercy dost decline no never will i be consoled by allah and i die nor yet forget the love of thee though life in ruins lie When I read these cupets, I wept with sore weeping, and buffeted my face, that I unfolded the scroll, and there fell from it another paper. I opened it, and behold, I found written therein. No, O son of my uncle, that I acquit thee of my blood, and I beseech Allah to make a chord between thee and her whom thou lovest, but if aught befall thee through the daughter of Delilah

the wily. Return thou not to her, neither resort to any other woman. and patiently bear thy in affliction. For were not thy fated life-hide a long life, thou hadst perished long ago, but praise be Allah, who hath appointed my death day before thine. My peace be upon thee, preserve this cloth with the gazelles herein figured,

and let it not leave thee, for it was my companion when thou was absent from me. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and cease saying her permitted. say. When it was the 128th night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king. That the Wazir Dandan pursued to King Zhaul Amakhan, and the youth aziz continued to Taj al-Maluk. So I read what my cousin had written, and the charge to me which was, preserve this cloth with the gazelles, and let it not leave thee. For it was my companion when thou wast absent from me.

and allah upon thee if thou chanced to fall in with her who worked these gazelles hold aloof from her and do not let her approach thee nor marry her and if thou happen not on her and find no way to her look thou consort not with any of her sex know that she who wrought these gazelles worketh every year a gazelle cloth and despatcheth it to far countries that her report and the beauty of her broidery which none in the world can match may be brooded abroad as for thy beloved the daughter of delilah the wily this cloth came to her hand and she used to ensnare folk with it showing it to them and saying i have a sister who wrought this but she lied and so saying, Allah rend her veil. This is my parting council, and I have not charged thee with this charge, but because I know that after my death the world will be straightened on thee, and happily by reason of this, thou wilt leave thy native land and wander in foreign parts, and hearing of her who wrought these figures, thou mayest be minded to foregather with her. Then wilt thou remember me when the memory shall not avail thee, nor wilt thou know my worth till after my death. And lastly, learn that she who

wrought the gazelles is the daughter of the king of the Camphor Islands, and a lady of the noblest. Now when I had read that scroll and understood what was written therein, I fell again to weeping, and my mother wept because I wept. And I ceased not to gaze upon it and to shed tears till nightfall. I abode in this condition a whole year, at the end of which the the merchants with whom I am in this kaffila, prepared to set out from my native town, and my mother counseled me to equip myself and journey with them. So happily I might be consoled, and my sorrow be dispelled, saying, take comfort and put away from thee this morning and travel for a year or two or three, to the caravan return, when perhaps thy breast

may be broadened and thy heart hardened. And she ceased not to persuade me. with enduring words, till I provided myself with merchandise and set out with the caravan. But all the time of my wayfaring, my tears have never dried, no never. And at every halting place where we halt, I open this piece of linen and look on these gazelles, and call to mine my cousin Aziza, and we for her as thou hast seen. For indeed she loved me, with dearest love and died oppressed by my unlove. I did her not but ill, and she did me not but good. When these merchants return from their journey,

I shall return with them, by which time I shall have been absent a whole year, yet hath my sorrow waxed greater, and my grief and affliction were but increased by my visit to the islands of camphor and the castle of crystal. Now these islands are seven in number, and are ruled by a king, by name Sharaman,

who hath a daughter called Dunya. and I was told that it was she who wrought these gazelles, and that this piece in my possession was of her embroidery. When I knew this, my yearning redoubled, and I burnt with the slow fire of pining, and was drowned in the sea of sad thought, and I wept over myself, for that I was become even as a woman,

without manly tool like other men, and there was no help for it. From the day of my quitting the Camphor Islands, i have been tearful-eyed and heavy-hearted and such hath been my case for a long while and i know not whether it will be given to me to return to my native land and die beside my mother or not for i am sick from eating too much of the world thereupon the young merchant wept and groaned and complained and gazed upon the gazelles whilst the tears rolled down his cheeks and streams and he repeated these two couplets joy needs shall come a prattle again to prattle need cease thy blame i was commove to rattle in time quoth he quoth i tis marvellous who shall insure my life o cold of tattle and he repeated also these well allah wits that since our severance day i've wept till forced to ask of tears alone patience the blamer cries thou'lt have her yet quoth i o blamer where may patience one then said he this o king is my tale hast thou ever heard one stranger so taj al malook marvelled with great marvel at the young merchant's story and fire darted into his entrails

on hearing the name of the Lady Dunya and her loveliness, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 1 of the Book A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 2, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is the LibreVrox recording. All LibreVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit.

Librevox.org. The Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 3, Section 2. When it was the one hundred and twenty-ninth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir Danden continued to Zah al-Machin. Now when Taj al-Mulik heard the story of the young merchant, he marvelled with great marvel, and fire darted into his entrails on hearing the name of the lady Dunya, who, as he knew, had embroidered the gazelles, and his love and longing hourly grew, so he said to the youth, By Allah, that hath befallen thee, whose like never befell any save thyself.

But thou hast the life term appointed, which thou must fulfill, and now it would fain ask of thee a question, quoth Aziz, and what is it? Quoth he, wilt thou tell me how thou sawest the young lady who wrought these gazelles? Then he, O my lord, O my lord, Lord, I got access to her by a slight, and it was this. When I entered her city with the caravan, I went forth and wandered about the garths, till I came to a flower garden abounding in trees, whose keeper was a venerable old man, a sheikh stricken in years, I addressed him, saying,

O ancient sir, whose may be this garden, and he replied, It belongs to the king's daughter, the Lady Dunya. We are now beneath her palace, and, when she is minded to amuse herself, she openeth the private wicket and walketh in the garden and smelt the fragrance of the flowers so i said to him favor me by allowing me to sit in this garden till she come happily may i enjoy a sight of her as she passeth shake answered there can be no harm in that thereupon i gave him a dirham or so and said to him buy us something to eat he took the money gladly and opened the door and entering himself admitted me into the garden where we strolled and ceased out strolling till we reached a pleasant spot in which he bade me sit down and await his going and his returning then he brought me as somewhat of fruit and leaving me disappeared for an hour but after a while he returned to me bringing a roasted lamb of which we ate till we had eaten enough my heart yearning the while for a side of the lady presently as we sat the postern opened and the keeper said to me rise and hide thee i did so and behold a black eunuch put his head out through the garden wicket and ask,

"'Oh, shake, is there anyone with thee?' "'No,' answered he, and the eunuch said, "'Shut the garden gate.' So the keeper shut the gate, and lo, the lady Dunya came in by the private door. When I saw her, he thought the moon had risen above the horizon

and was shining. I looked at her a full hour and longed for her as one of thirst longest for water. After a while she withdrew and shut the door, whereupon I left the garden and sought my lodging, knowing that I could not get at her, and that I was no man for her, more especially as I was become like a woman having no manly tool. Moreover, she was a king's daughter, and I but a merchant man. So, how could I have access to the like of her, or to any other woman?

Accordingly, when these my companions made ready for the road, I also made preparation, and set out with them. So we journeyed toward the city, till we arrived to the place ere we met with thee. Thou asketh me, and I have answered, and these are my adventures, and peace be with thee. now when taj al-mulloch purred that account fires raged in his bosom and his heart when thought were occupied love for the lady dunya and passion and longing were sore upon him then he arose and mounted horse and taking aziz with him returned to his father's capital where he settled him in a separate house and supplied him with all he needed in the way of meat and drink and dress then he returned him and returned to his palace and with tears trickling down his cheeks for hearing oftentimes standeth and it was seeing and knowing, and he ceased not to be in this state till his father came into him, and finding him wan-faced, lean of limb, and tearful-eyed, knew that something had occurred to chagrin him, and said, O my son, equate me with thy case, and tell me what hath befallen thee,

that thy colour is changed, and thy body is wasted. So he told him all that had passed, and what tale he had heard of Aziz in the account of the Princess Dunya, and how he had fallen in love with her on hearsay, without having set eyes on her. Quote his sire, O my son, she is the daughter of a king whose land is far from ours, so put away this thought and go in thy mother's palace. And Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day,

and seized her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and thirtieth day, she said, It has reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir Danden continued to Zah al-Machin, and the father of Taj al-Muluk spake to him on this wise. O son, her father is a king who's

land is far from ours, so put away this thought, and go into thy mother's palace, where are five hundred maidens like moons, and whichsoever of them pleaseth thee, take her, or else we will seek for thee in marriage, some one of the king's daughters, fairer than the Lady Dunya." Answered Taj al-Muluk, O father, I desire none other, for she it is who wrought the gazelles which I saw, and there is no help but that I will have her, else I will flee into the world and waste, and I will slay myself for her sake.

Then said his father, Have patience with me, till I send to her sire and demand her in marriage, and win thee thy wish, as I did for myself with thy mother. Happily Allah will bring thee to thy desire, and, if her parent will not consent, I will make his kingdom quake under with an army, whose rears shall be with me, waltzed, its van shall be upon him.

Then he sent for the youth disease, and asked him, O my son, tell me, dost thou know the way to the way to the first, the Camphor Islands. He answered yes, and the king said, I desire of thee that thou fare with my wazir thither, replied Aziz, I hear and obey, O king of the age, whereupon the king summoned his minister and said to him, Devise me some device, whereby my son's affair may be rightly managed and fare thou forth to the Camphor Islands and demand of their king, his daughter and marriage for my son, Taj al-Muluk. The wazir replied, hearkening in obedience.

Vintaj al-Malek returned to his dwelling-place, and his love and longing redoubled, and the delay seemed endless to him, and when the night darkened around him, he wept inside and complained and repeated this poetry. Dark falls the night, my tears unaided rail, and fiercest flames of love, my heart assail. Ask thou the knights of me, and they shall tell, and I find ought to do but weep and wail. night long awake i watched the stars that while core down my cheeks the tears like dropping hail in lone in lorn i'm grown with none to aid for kith and kin the love lost lover fail and when he had ended his reciting he swooned away and did not recover his senses till the morning at which time there came to him one of his father's eunuchs and standing at his head summoned him to the king's presence so he went with him and to his father seeing that his pallor had increased exhorted him to patience and promised him union with her he loved then he equipped disease in the wazir and supplied them with presents and they set out and fared on day and night till they drew near the isles of camphor where they halted on the bank of the stream, and the minister dispatched a message to acquaint the king of his arrival. The messenger hurried forwards and did not been gone more than an hour before they saw the

king's chamberlains and amirs advancing towards them to meet them at Parisang's distance from the city and escort them into the royal presence. They laid their gifts before the king and became his guests for three days, and on the fourth day the wazir rose and in going to the king, stood between his hands and acquainted him with the object which induced his visit, whereat he was perplexed for an answer, and as much as his daughter misliked men and disliked marriage. So he bowed his head groundwards a while, then raised it, and calling one of his eunuchs, said to him, Go to thy mistress, the Lady Dunya, and repeat to her what thou hast heard, and the purport of this wazir's coming. So the eunuch went forth, and returning after her time,

said to the king, O king of the age, when I went into the Lady Dunya and told her what I had heard, she was wrothed with exceeding wrath, and rose at me with a staff, designing to break my head, so I have fled from her, and she said to me, if my father forced me to wed him, whomsoever I wed will slay.

Then said her sire to the wazir and Aziz, ye have heard, and now ye know all, so let your king wot of it, and give him my salutations, and say that my daughter misliketh men, and dislikeseth marriage. And Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day, and cease to say her permitted say when it was the one hundred and thirty-first night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that king shahremen thus address the wazir and aziz

salute your king for me and inform me of what ye have heard namely that my daughter mith liketh marriage so they turned away unsuccessful and seized not faring until they rejoined the king and told him what had passed whereupon he commanded the chief officers to summon the troops and get them ready for marching and campaigning but the wazir said to him o my liege lord do not thus the king is not at fault because when his daughter learnt our business she sent a message saying if my father forced me to wed whomsoever i wed i will slay and myself after him so the refusal cometh from her when the king heard his minister's words he feared for tajal mulloch and said verily if i make war on the king of the camp for islands and carry off his daughter, she will kill herself, and it will avail me not. Then he told his son how the case stood, who hearing it said, Oh, my father, I cannot live without her, so I will go to her and contrive to get at her, even though I die in the attempt, and this only will I do in nothing else. Asked his father, How wilt thou go to her?

And he answered, I will go in the guise of a merchant. then said the king, If thou need must go, and there is no help for it, Take with thee the wazir and Aziz. Then he brought out money from his treasuries, and made ready for his son merchandise to the value of a hundred thousand dinars. The two had settled upon this action,

and when the dark hours came, Taj al-Mulik and Aziz went to Aziz's lodging, and there passed that night, and the prince was heart-smitten, taking no pleasure in food or in food, sleep, for melancholy was heavy upon him, and he was agitated with longing for his beloved. So he besought the Creator, that he would vouch safe to unite with her, and he wept and groaned and wailed, and began versifying.

Union, this severance ended, shall I see some day? Then shall my tears this love lorn lot of me portray. While night all care forgets, I only minded thee, and thou didst jar me wake. while all forgotful lay. And when his improvising came to an end, he wept with sore weeping, and Aziz wept with him, for that he remembered his cousin, and they both seize not to shed tears till morning dawn,

whereupon Taj Almolak rose, and went to farewell his mother in travelling dress. She asked him of his case, and he repeated the story to her, so she gave him fifty thousand gold pieces, and bade him adieu, and, as he fared forth she put up prayers for his safety and for his union with his lover and his friends then he betook himself to his father and asked his leave to depart the king granted him permission and presenting him with the other fifty thousand dinars bade set up a tent for him without the city and they pitched a pavilion wherein the traveller's abode two days then all set out on their journey now taj al-mulik delighted in the company of aziz and said to him O my brother, henceforth I can never part from thee, replied Aziz.

I am of like mind, in vain I would die under thy feet. But, oh, my brother, my heart is concerned for my mother. When we shall have won our wish, said the prince, there will be not save what is well. Now the wazir continued charging Taj al-Milke to be patient, while Aziz entertained him every evening with talk and recited poetry to him and diverted him with histories and anecdotes, and so they fared on diligently night and day for two whole months, till the way became tedious to Taj al-Mogg,

and the fire of desire redoubled on him, and he broke out. The road is lonesome, grow my grief in need, while on my breast love fires forever feed. Go of my hopes, sole object of my wish, by him whom molded man from drop of seed. I bear such loads of longing for thy love Dearest as weight of all shun mountains exceed O lady of my world

Love does me die No breath of light is left for life to plead But for the union hope that lends me strength My weary limbs were weak this way to speed When he had finished his verses He wept and his ease wept with him From a wounded heart till the minister was moved to pity by their tears and said,

O my lord, we have good cheer, and keep thine eyes clear of tears, there will be not save what is well. Quoth Taj al-Malek, O wazir, indeed I am weary of the length of the way. Tell me how far we are yet distant from the city. Quoth aziz, but a little way remaineth to us. Then they continued their journey,

cutting across river veils and plains, words in stony wastes. until one night as taj al-mulloch was sleeping he dreamt that his beloved was with him and that he embraced her and pressed her to his bosom and he awoke quivering with pain delirious with emotion and improvised these verses dear friend my tears i flow these cheeks adown with a longsome plain and pine my sorrows crown i plain like keening woman child bare fit and as night falls like widow dove i groan and blown the breeze from land where thou cost wone i find o'er sunburnt earth sweet coolness blown peace be with thee my love while zephyr breathes and cush it flies and turtle makes her moan and when he had ended his versifying the wazir came to him and said rejoice this is a good sign so be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear that thou shalt surely compass thy desire and aziz also came to him and exhorted him to patience and applied himself to divert him talking with him and telling him tales so they pressed on marching day and night another two months till there appeared to them one day at sunrise some white thing in the distance and taj al-mulik said to the what is yonder whiteness he replied o my lord yonder is the castle of crystal and that is the city thou seekest

at this the prince rejoiced and they ceased not faring forwards till they drew near the city and as they approached it taj almuluk joyed with exceeding joy and his care ceased from him they entered in traitor guise the king's son being habited as a merchant of importance and repaired to a great con known as the merchant's lodging quoth taj al-muluk to his ease is this the resort of the merchants and quoth he yes tis the colin ware and i lodged before so they alighted there and making their baggage camels kneel and loaded them and stored their goods in the warehouses they abode four days for rest when the wazir advised that they should hire a large house to this they assented and they found them a spacious house fitted up for festivities where they took up their abode and the wazir and aziz studied to devise some device for taj al-muluk who remained in a state of perplexing not knowing what to do now the minister could think of nothing but that he should set up as a merchant on change and in the market of fine stuffs so he turned to the prince and his companion and said to him know ye that if we tarry here on this wise assuredly we shall not win our wish nor attain our aim but if something occurred to me whereby if allah please we shall find our advantage replied taj al mulloch and disease do what seemeth good to be indeed there is a blessing on the grey beard more specially on those who like thyself are conversant with the conduct of affairs so tell us what occureth to thy mind rejoice the wazir it is my counsel that we hire thee shop and the stuff bazaar where thou mayst sit to sell and buy every one great and small hath need of silken stuffs and other clause so if thou patiently abide in my shop thine affairs will prosper inshallah

more by token as thou art comely of aspect make however aziz thy factor and set him within the shop to hand thee the pieces of cloth and stuffs when taj almalik heard these words he said this reed is right and of right pleasant wrecking so he took out a handsome suit of merchant's weed and putting it on set out for the bazaar followed by his servants to one of whom he had given a thousand dinars wherewith to fit up the shop they ceased not walking till they came to the stuff market and when the merchants saw taj al-mulik's beauty and grace they were confounded and went about saying of a truth where his wont hath opened the gates of paradise and left them unguarded so that this youth of passing comeliness hath come forth and others peradventure this is one of the angels now when they went in among the traders they asked for the shop of the overseer of the market then the merchants directed them thereto so they delayed not to to repair thither, and to salute him. And he and those who were with him rose to them, and seated them, and made much of them, because of the wazir, whom they sought to be a man in years, and of reverend Asper. And viewing the youths Aziz and Taj al-Mulik in his company, they said to one another, doubtless our sheikh is the father of these two ewes.

Then quoth the wazir, who among you is the overseer of the market? "'This is he,' replied they, "'and behold, he came forward, and the wazir observed him, narrowly, "'and sought him to be an old man of grave and dignified carriage, "'with eunuchs and servants and black slaves. "'The syndic greeted them with the greeting of friends, "'and was lavish in his attentions to them. "'Then he seated them by his side and asked them,

"'Have ye any business, which we may have the happiness of transacting?' "'The minister answered. "'Yes, I am an old man, stricken in years, and have with me these two use, with whom I have travelled through every town and country, entering no great city without tarrying their full year, that they might take their pleasure in viewing it and coming to know its citizens. Now I have visited your town intending to sojourn here for a while. So I want the handsome shop in the best situation, wherein I may establish them,

that they may traffic and learn to buy and sell and give and take, whilst they divert themselves with the sight of the place, and become familiar with the usages of its people. Quoth the overseer, There is no harm in that, And, looking at the two use, He was delighted with them and affected them with warm affection. And now he was a great concierre, bewitching glances,

referring the love of boys to that of girls, and inclining to the sour rather than the sweet of love. So he said to himself, This indeed is fine game. Glory be to him, who created and fashioned them out of vile water, and rising stood before them like a servant to do them honour. Then he went out, and made ready for them a shop, which was in the very midst of the exchange. Nor was there any larger or better in the bazaar, for it was spacious and handsomely decorated,

and fitted with shelves of ivory and ebony wood. After this he delivered the keys to the wazir, who was dressed as an old merchant, saying, Take them, O my lord, and Allah make it a blessed the dividing place to thy two sons. The minister took the keys, and the three returning to the con, where they had alighted, bade the servants transport to the shop all their goods and stuffs. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and cease saying, her permitted say. End of Section 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 3. Recording by Chelsea Baker

Section 3, Volume 3 of the Book of A Thousand Nights in a Night, translated by Richard Burton. recording, all Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 3, Section 3. When it was the 132nd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the wazir took the shop keys, he went accompanied by Taj Al-Mulik and diseased to the Khan,

and they bade the servants transport to the shop all their goods and stuffs and valuables of which they had great store worth treasures of money. And when all this was duly done, they went to the shop and ordered their stock and trade and slept there that night. As soon as morning morrowed, the Wazir took the two young men to the Hammam Bath, where they washed them clean, and then donned rich dresses and scented themselves with essences and enjoyed themselves to the utmost. Now each of the use was passing fair to look upon, And in the bath they were even as Seth to the poet, Luck to the rubber, whose deft hand oerdes, A frame begotten twixt the lymphen light,

He shows the thaumaturgy of his craft, And gathers musk in the form of camphrodite. After bathing they left, And, when the overseer heard that they had gone to the Hammam, He sat down to await the twain, And presently they came up to him like two gazelles, Their cheeks were riddened by the bath, and their eyes were darker than ever. Their faces shone, and they were as two lustrous moons or two branches fruit-laden.

Now when he saw them, he rose forthright, and said to them, O my sons, may your bath profit you always. Whereupon Tajal Malik replied, with the sweetest of speech, Allah be bountiful to thee, O my father. Why didst thou not come with us and bathe in our company? Then they both bent over his right hand and kissed it. and walked before him to the shop to entreat him honorably and show the respect for him, for that he was chief of the merchants and the market, and he had done them kindness in giving them the shop.

When he saw their hips quivering as they moved, desire and longing redoubled on him, and he puffed and snorted and devoured them with his eyes, for he could not contain himself, repeating the while these two couplets. Here the heart reads a chapter of devotion pure, nor reads dispute if heaven and worship partner take, No wonder tis he trembles walking, ne'est such weight, how much of movement that revolving spear must make. Furthermore, he said, I saw two charmers treading humble earth, two I must love, and tread they on mine eyes. When they heard this, they conjured him to enter the bath with them a second time. He could hardly believe his ears, and hastening thither, went in with him.

The wazir had not yet left the bath, so when he heard of the overseers coming, He came out and meeting him in the middle of the bath-hall, invited him to enter. He refused. Thereupon, Taja Lulik, taking him by the hand, walked on one side and Aziz by the other, and carried him into a cabinet, and that impure old man submitted to them, whilst his emotion increased on him. He would have refused, albeit this was what he desired, but the minister said to him, They are thy sons, let them wash thee and cleansed thee.

Allah preserve them to thee, exclaimed the overseer, by Allah. a year coming and the coming of those with you bring down blessing and good luck upon our city. Then he repeated these two couplets. Thou camest and green grew the hills anew, and sweetest bloom to the bridegroom through, while aloud cried earth and our earth-borns too. Hail and welcome who comest with grace to undo. They thanked him for this,

and Tajalmuluk ceased not to wash him and to pour water over him, and he thought his soul in paradise. When they had made an end of his service, he blessed them and sat by the side of the wazir, talking but gazing the while on the use. Presently, the servants brought them towels, and they dried themselves and donned their dress. Then they went out, and the minister turned to the syndic and said to him, O my lord, verily the bath is the paradise of this world, replied the overseer. Allah vouchsafe to thee such paradise, and health to thy sons, and guard them from the evil eye,

Do ye remember, ought that the eloquent have said in praise of the bath? Quoth Tajalmuluk. I will repeat for thee a pair of couplets, and he recited. The life of the bath is the joy of man's life, save that time is short for us there to bide. A heaven where irksome it were to stay. A hell delightful at entering tide. When he ended his recital, quoth the zeeze. And I also remember two couplets and praise of the bath.

the overseer said, Let me hear them, so he repeated the following. A house where flowers from stones of granite grow, seen at its best when hot with loving lows. Thou deemst it hell, but here forsooth is heaven, and some like suns and moons within it show. And when he had ended his recital, his verses pleased the overseer,

and he wandered at his words and savored their grace and fecundancy, and said to them, By Allah, ye possess both beauty and eloquence, But now listen to me, you twain, And he began chanting, and recited in the song the following verses. O joy of hell in heaven, Whose tormentory and quickens Frayman's soul with a lively gree, I marvel so delightsome house to view,

And most when neath it kindled fires I see, Sojourn of bliss to visitors withal, Pools on them pour down tears unceasingly. Then his eyesight roamed, and browsed on the gardens of their beauty, and he repeated these two couplets. I went to the house of the keeper man. He was out, but others to smile began. I entered his heaven, and then his hell,

and I said, bless Malik and bless Rezwan. When they heard these verses, they were charmed, and the overseer invited them to his house, but they declined and returned to their own place, to rest from the great heat of the bath, so they took their ease there and ate and drank, and passed that night in perfect solace and satisfaction. Till morning dawn, when they arose from sleep and making their lesser ablution, prayed the dawn, prayer and drank the morning draught.

As soon as the sun had risen, and the shops and markets opened, they arose and were going forth from their place to the bazaar opened in their shop, which their servants had already furnished after the handsome fashion, and had spread with prayer rugs and silken carpets and had placed on the divins a pair of mattresses, each worth a hundred dinars. On every mattress they had disposed a rug of skin fit for a king and edged with a fringe of gold. In a middlemost, the shop stood a third seat still richer, even as the place required. Then Tajal Malik sat down on one divin and disease on another, whilst the wazir seated himself on that in the center, and the servant stood before them. The city people soon heard of them and crowded about them, so that they sold

some of their goods, and not a few of their stuffs, for Tajal-Milk's beauty and loveliness had become the talk of the town. Thus they passed a trifle of time, and every day the people flocked to them, and pressed upon them more and more, till the wazir, after extorting Tajal-Milk to keep his secret, commended him to the care of Aziz and went home, that he might commune with himself, alone and cast about for some contrivance which might profit them. Meanwhile, the two young men sat talking, and Tazal-Mullick said to his ease, Happily, someone will come from the Lady Danya. So he ceased not expecting this chance days and nights,

but his heart was troubled and he knew neither sleep nor rest, for desire had got the mastery of him, and loving longing were sore upon him, so that he renounced the solace of sleep and abstained from meat and drink, yet ceased he not to be like the moon on the night of fullness. Now one day he sat in the shop, behold, there came up an ancient woman. And Shaharazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the 133rd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir Danden continued to Zah al-Machan. Now one day as Taj al-Muluk sat in his shop, behold, there appeared an ancient woman who came up to him, followed by two slave-girls. She ceased not advancing till she stood before the shop of Tajal-Maluk,

and, observing his symmetry and beauty and loveliness, marveled at his charms and sweated in her petticoat trousers, exclaiming, glory to him who created the out of vile water, and made the temptation to all beholders. And she fixed her eyes on him and said, This is not immortal. He is none other than an angel deserving the highest respect. Then she drew near and saluted him.

Moreupon he returned her salute and rose to his feet to receive her and smiled in her face, all this by a hint from Aziz, after which he made her sit down by his side and fanned her with a fan, till she was rested and refreshed. Then she turned to Tajalmuluk and said, O my son, O thou art perfect and bodily gifts and spiritual graces, say me, art thou of this country? He replied, in voice the sweetest and in tone of the pleasantest. By Allah, O my mistress, I was never in this land during my life till this time, nor do I abide here, save by way of diversion. Rejoined she. May the granter grant thee all honor and prosperity, and what stuff hast thou brought with thee?

Show me something passing fine, for the beauteous should bring nothing but what is beautiful. When he heard her words, his heart fluttered, and he knew their intermeaning, but Aziz made a sign to him, and he replied, I have everything thou canst desire, and especially I have goods that beset none but kings and kings' daughters. So tell me what stuff thou wantest, and for whom, that I may show thee what will be fitting for him. This, he said, that he might learn the meaning of her words,

and she rejoined. I want a stuff fit for the princess Dunya, daughter of King Sheremen. Now when the prince heard the name of his beloved, he joyed with great joy and said to his ease, Give me a parcel, so Aziz brought it, and opened it before Tajal-Mulik, who said to the old woman, Select what will suit her, for these goods are to be found only with me. She chose stuff's worth a thousand dinars and asked, how much is this?

And she ceased not the while to talk with him, and rub what was inside her thighs with the palm of her hand, answered Tajal-Mulik. Shall I haggle with the like of thee about this paltry price? Praise to be Allah, who hath acquainted me with thee. The old woman rejoined. Allah's name be upon thee. I commend thy beautiful face to the protection of the Lord of the daybreak. Beautiful face and eloquent speech.

Happy she who lieth in thy bosom and clappest thy waist in her arms and enjoith thy youth, especially if she be beautiful and lovely like thyself. At this, Tajal Malik laughed till he fell in his back and said to himself, O thou who fulfillest desires by means of pimping old women, they are the true fulfillers of desire. Then she asked, O my son, what is thy name? And he answered,

My name is Taj al-Mulik, the crown of kings. Quoth she, This is indeed a name of kings and king's sons, and thou art clad in merchant's clothes. Quoth his ease, For the love of his parents and family bore him, and for the value they set on him, they named him thus.

Replied the old woman, Thou sayest sooth. Allah guard you both from the evil eye and the envious, though hearts be broken by your charms. Then she took the stuffs and went her way, but she was amazed at his beauty and stature and symmetry, and she ceased not going till she found the lady Dunya, and said to her, O my mistress, I have brought these some handsome stuffs, quoth the princess, show me that same, and the old woman, O apple of my eye, here it is, Turn it over and examine it.

Now when the princess looked at it, she was amazed and said, Oh, my nurse, this is indeed handsome stuff. I have never seen it's like in our city. Oh, my lady, replied the old nurse. He who sold it in me is handsomer still. It would seem as if Rizwan had left the gates of paradise open in his carelessness, and as if the youth who sold me this stuff had come bodily out of heaven. I would he might sleep this night with thee and might buy the,

between thy breasts. He hath come to thy city with these precious stuffs for amusement's sake, and he is a temptation to all who set eyes on him. The princess laughed at her words and said, Allah afflict thee, O pernicious old hag, thou dotest, and there is no sense left in thee. Presently she resumed, give me the stuff that I may look at it anew. So she gave it to her, and she took it again, and saw that its size was small and its value great. It pleased her, for she had never in her life seen its like, and she exclaimed, By Allah, this is a handsome stuff, answered the old woman, O my lady, by Allah, if thou saw us the owner, thou wouldst know him

for the handsomest man on the face of the earth, quoth the Lady Dunya, didst thou ask him if he had any need, that he might tell us and we might satisfy it? But the nurse shook her head and said, The Lord keep thy sagacity. By Allah he hath a want, may thy skill not fail thee. What, is any man free from once? Rejoined the princess. Go back to him and salute him, and say to him,

Our land and town are honored by thy visit, and, if thou hast any need, we will fulfill it to thee, on our head and eyes. So the old woman at once returned to Tazal-Muluk, and when he saw her his heart jumped for joy and gladness, and he rose to his feet before her, and, taking her hand, Heeded her by his side. As soon as she was rested, she told him what Princess Dunya had said, and he, on hearing it, joyed with exceeding joy.

His breast dilated to the full. Gladness injured his heart, and he said to himself, Verily, I have my need. Then he asked the old woman, happily, that will take her a message from me, and bring me her answer? And she answered, I hear it and obey? So he said to Aziz, bring me an ink case, and paper. in a brazen pen. And when Aziz brought him what he sought, he hinted the pen in hand and wrote

these lines of poetry. I write to thee, O fondest hope, a writ, of grief that severance on my soul coloth lay. Sayeth its first line within my heart is, oh, at second, love and longing on me pray. It's third, my patience waste is, fades my life. It's fourth, not shall my pain. and pine allay, its fifth, when shall mine eyes enjoy thy sight, its sixth, say, when shall dawn our meeting day. And lastly, by way of subscription he wrote these words. This letter is from the captive of captivation, prisoned in the hold of long a expectation, wherefrom is no emancipation, but in anticipation and intercourse and in unification,

absence and separation, for from the severance of friends he loveth so feign. He suffered love-pangs and pining pain. Then his tears rushed out, and he indicted these two couplets. I write thee love, the while my tears pour down, nor cease they ever pouring thick and fleet, yet I despair not of my God, whose grace, happily some day will grant us twain to meet. Then he folded the letter and sealed it with his singlet ring, and gave it to the old woman, carry it to the Lady Dunya, quoth she, to hear is to obey. Whereupon he gave her a thousand dinars and said to her,

Oh, my mother, accept this gift for me as a token of my affection. She took both from him and blessed him, and went her way, and never stinted walking, till she went into the Lady Dunya. No one the princess saw her, she said to her, Oh, my nurse, what is it he asked us of need that we may fulfill his wish to him? replied the old woman. Oh, my lady, he sendeth thee this letter by me, and I know not what is in it,

and handed it to her. Then the princess took the letter and read it, and when she understood it, she exclaimed, "'Wince cometh and wither goeth this merchant man "'that he durst address such a letter to me?' And she slapped her face, saying, "'Wence are we that we should come to shopkeeping, "'A wah, oh, wah, by the Lord,

but that I fear Almighty Allah had slain him, and she added, Yeah, I had crucified him over his shop door, asked the old woman. What is in this letter to vex thy heart and move thy wrath on this wise? Doth it contain a complainter of oppression, or demand for the price of the stuff? Answered the princess, Woe to thee. There is none of this in it, not but words of love and endearment. This is all through thee, otherwise whence should this Satan know me?

rejoined the old woman. O my lady, thou sittest in thy high palace, and none may have access to thee. No, not even the birds of the air. Allah keep thee, and keep thy youth from blame and reproach. Thou needest not care for the barking of dogs, for thou art a princess, the daughter of a king. Be not wroth with me that I brought thee this letter, knowing not what was in it. But I opine that thou sent him an answer, and threaten him with death, and forbid this foolish ta.

Surely he will abstain and not dare do the like again, Quoth the Lady Dunya, I fear that, if I write to him, he will desire me the more. The old woman returned. When he heareth thy threats and promise of punishment, he will desist from his persistence. She cried,

Here with the encase and paper and brazen-pin. And when they brought them, she wrote these couplets. O thou for who thy wakeful knight wouldst claim my love to boon, For what of pining thou must feel in tribulation, Dost thou, fond fool and proud of sprite, Seek meeting with the moon? Say, did man ever win his wish to take in his arms the moon?

I counsel thee, from soul cast out the wish that dwells therein, And cut that short which threatens thee with sore risk over soon. And to such talk thou dare return, I bid thee to expect. For me such awful penalty as suiteth for our dune. I swear by him who molded man from gout of clotted blood, who lit the sun to shine by day and lit for night the moon. And thou return to mention that thou spakest in thy pride upon a cross of tree for boon,

I'll have thee crucified. Then she folded the letter, and handing it to the old woman, said, give him this and say him cease from this talk hearkening in obedience replied she and taking the letter with joy returned to her own house where she passed the night and when morning dawn she betook herself to the shop of tajalmulik whom she found expecting her when he saw her he was ready to fly for delight and when she came up to him he stood to her on his feet and seated her by his side then she brought out the letter and gave it to him saying read what is in this adding, When Princess Dunya read thy letter she was angry, but I coaxed her and jested with her till I made her laugh, and she had pity on thee, and she hath returned thee in answer. He thanked her for her kindness, and bade Aziz give her a thousand gold pieces. Then he perused the letter, and understanding it, felt a weeping, a weeping so sore that the old woman's heart was moved to wrath for him, and his tears and complaints were grievous

to her. Presently, she asked him, O my son, what is there in this letter to make thee weep? Answered he, She hath threatened me with death and crucifixion, And she forbiddeth me to write to her, But if I write not my death were better than my life. So take thou my answer to the letter,

And let her work her will. Rejoined the old woman, By the life of thy youth, Needs must I risk my existence for thee, that I may bring thee to thy desire and help thee to win what thou hast at heart? And Tajal Malik said, Whatever thou dost, I will requite thee for it, and do thou weigh it in the scales of thy judgment,

for thou art experienced in managing matters, and skilled in reading the chapters of the book of intrigue, all hard matters to their easy doings, and a law can bring about everything. Then he took a sheet of paper, and wrote thereon these improvised couplets. Yester'n my love with slaughter menaced me, but sweet were slaughter and deaths foreordained. Yes, death is sweet for lover doomed to bear, long life, rejected, injured, and constrained.

By Allah, dine to visit friendless friend. Thy thrall am I, and like a thrall, I am chained. Mercy, O lady mine, for loving thee, who loveth noble soul, should be assaind. Then he sighed, heavy sighs. and wept till the old woman wept also, and presently taking the letter, she said to him, Be of good cheer, and cool thy eyes and clear, for needs must I bring thee to thy wish.

And Shaharazade perceive the dawn of day, and cease saying, her permitted say. End of Section 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Recording by Chelsea Baker. Section 4, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is the Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org.

The Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 3, Section 4. When it was the one hundred and thirty-fourth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king. The winage al-Mulik wept. The old woman said to him, be of good cheer and cool eyes and clear, for needs must I bring thee to thy wish. Then she rose and left him on coals of fire, and returned to Princess Dunya, whom she found still showing on her changed face, rage at Haas-aul-Mulik's letter. She gave her his second letter, whereat her wrath redoubled, and she said,

Did I not say you would desire us the more? replied the old woman. what thing is this dog that he should aspire to thee? Quoth the princess, Go back to him and tell him that, If you write me after this, I will cut off his head. Quoth the nurse, Write these words in a letter,

And I will take it to him So that his fear may be the greater. She took a sheet of paper and wrote thereon, These couplets. Ho thou, Whose past and bygone wrists regardest with uncare, Thou to win thy meeting-prong prize dost over slowly fare. In pride of spirit thinkest thou to win the star of Soa?

Albeit thou not reach the moon which shines through upper air. How darest thou expect to win my favours, hope to clip upon a lover's burning breast my lance like shape and rare. Leave this thy purpose, lest my wrath come down on thee some day. A day of wrath shall hoary turn the partings of thy hair. Then she folded the letter and gave it to the old wreath. woman, who took it and repaired to Tajal Mullet. When he saw her, he rose to his feet and exclaimed, May Allah never bereave me of the blessing of thy coming. Quoth she, Take the answer to thy letter, he took it and reading it, whipped with sore weeping, and said, I long for someone to slay me at this moment and send me to my rest, for indeed death were

easier to me than this my state. Then he took ink-case and pen and paper and wrote a letter containing these two couplets. O hope of me, pursue me not with rigor and disdain thou to visit lover white in love of thee is drowned. Deem not a life so deeply wronged I longer will endure, my soul for severance from my friend divorced his frame unsound. Lastly, he folded the letter and handed it to the old woman, saying, Be not angry with me, though I have wearied thee to no purpose. and he bade a z's give her the other thousand ducats, saying, O my mother, needs must this let a result in perfect union or utter severance? Replied she, O my son, by Allah, I desire not but thy will,

and it is my object that she be thine, for indeed thou art the shining moon, and she the rising sun. If I do not bring you together, there is no profit in my existence, and I have lived my life till I have reached the age of ninety years in the practice of while and in truth. so how should i fail to unite two lovers though in defiance of right and law then she took leave of him having comforted his heart and ceased not walking till she went to the lady dunya now she had hidden the letter in her hair so when she sat down by the princess she rubbed her head and said oh my lady maybe thou wilt untwist my hair knot for it is a time since i went to the hamaum the king's daughter bared her arms to the elbows and letting down the old woman's locks began to lose some knot of back hair when out dropped the letter in the Lady Danya, seeing it asked, "'What is this paper?' Quoth the nurse.

"'As I sat in the merchant shop, "'this paper must have stuck to me. "'Give it to me that I may return it to him. "'Possibly it containeth some account "'whereof he hath need.' "'But the princess opened it and read it, "'and, when she understood it, she cried up, "'this is one of thy manifold tricks.

"'And hast thou not reared me, "'I would lay violent hands on thee this moment. "'Varly Allah hath inflicted me with this merchant, but all that hath befallen me with him is on thy head. I know not from what country this one can have come, no man but he would venture to affront with me thus, and I fear lest this my case get abroad, more by token as it concerneth one who is neither my kin nor of my peers. Rejoined the old woman, none would dare speak of this for fear of thy wrath and for awe of thy sire, so there can be no harm in sending him an answer, quoth princess.

oh my nurse verily this one is a perfect satan how durst he use such language to me and not dread this sultan's rage indeed i am perplexed about his case if i ordered him to be put to death it were unjust and if i leave him alive his boldness will increase quoth the old woman come write him a letter and maybe he will desist in dread so she called for paper and ink-case and pen and wrote these couplets thy folly drives thee on the long i chid writing in verse how long shall i forbid for all forbid thou persistest more and my soul grace it is to keep it hid then hide thy love nor ever dare reveal for in thou speak of thee i'll soon be rid if to thy silly speech thou turn anew raven shall croak for thee the wold amid and death shall come and beat thee down ere long but out of sight and bury neath an earthen lid. Thy folk fond fool thou wilt leave for thee to mourn, and threw their lives to sorrow all forlorn. Then she folded the letter, and committed it to the old woman, who took it, and returning to Tajal Malik, gave it to him. When he read it, he knew that the princess was hard-hearted, and that he should not win access to her, so he complained of his

case to the wazir and besought his counsel. Quoth the minister, know thou that not will profit thee save that thou write to her and invoke the retribution of heaven upon her, and quoth the prince. O my brother, O Aziz, do thou write to her as if my tongue spake, according to thy knowledge? So Aziz took a paper and wrote these couplets. By the five shakes, O Lord, I pray deliver me, let her for whom I suffer bear like misery. Thou knowest how I fry in flaming low of love. While she I love hath not O Ruth or clemency! How long shall I, despite my pain, her feeling spare?

How long shall she wrecked tyranny, O'er weakling me, and pains of never ceasing death I grieve? O Lord, Dine aid, and on other helping hand I see, How fain would I forget her, and forget Her love, but how forget when love jarred patience doth to dree? O thou who hinderest love to joy, Fair meeting tide! arest thou safe from time and fortune's jealousy art thou not glad and blessed with happy life will i from folk and country for thy love am doomed to flee veniz folded the letter and gave it to tajal mulloch who read it and was pleased with it so he handed it to the old woman who took it and went in with it to princess danya but when she read it and mastered the meaning thereof she was enraged with great rage and said all that hath be fallen may cometh by means of this ill omen omen old woman. Then she cried out to the damsels and eunuchs, saying, seize this old hag, this accursedress, and beat her with your slippers. So they came down upon

her till she swooned away, and when she came to herself, the princess said to her, By the lord, old wicked woman, did I not fear Almighty Allah, I would slay thee. Then quothed she to them, beat her again, and they did so till she fainted a second time, whereupon she bade them, drag her forth, and throw her outside the palace door. So they dragged her along her face and threw her down before the gate, but as soon as she revived she got up from the ground, and, walking and sitting by turns, made her way home. There she passed the night till morning, when she arose and went to Taj al-Mollick and told him all that had occurred. He was distressed at this grievous news and said,

O my mother, hard indeed to us, is that which hath befallen thee, but all things are according to fate and man's lot, replied she, be of good cheer, and keep thine eyes cool and clear, for I will not give over striving till I have brought thee and her together, and made thee enjoy this wanton who hath burned my skin with beating. Asked the prince, tell me what caused her to hate men, and the old woman answered. It arose from what she saw in a dream. And what was this dream? T'was this.

One night, as she lay asleep, she saw a fowler spread his net upon the ground, and scattered wheat grain around it. Then he sat down hard. and not a bird in the neighborhood, but flocked to his toils. Amongst the rest she beheld a pair of pigeons, male and female, and whilst she was watching the net, behold, the male bird's foot caught in the meshes, and he began to struggle, whereupon all the other birds took fright and flew away.

But presently his mate came back and hovered over him, then alighted on the toils, unobserved by the fowler, and fell to pecking with her beak and pulling at the mesh, in which the male bird's foot was tangled, till she released the toes, and they flew away together. Then the fowler came up, mended his net, and seated himself afar off. After an hour or so, the birds flew back, and the female pigeon was caught in the net, whereupon all the other birds took fright and scurried away, and the male pigeon fled with the rest,

and did not return to his mate. But the fowler came up and took the female pigeon and cut her throat. The princess awoke, troubled by her dream, and said, All males are like this pigeon, worthless creatures, and men in general lack grace and goodness to women. When the old woman had ended her story, Prince said to her, Oh, my mother, I desired to have one look at her, though it be my death, so do thou contrive me some contrivance for seeing her? She replied,

Know that she hath under her palace windows a garden wherein she taketh her pleasure, and thither she resorteth once and every month by the private door. After ten days, the time of her thus going forth to divert herself will arrive. so when she is about to visit the garden i will come and tell thee that thou mayst go thither and meet her and look thou leave not the garden for happily and she see thy beauty and loveliness her heart will be taken with love of thee and love is the most potent means of union he said i hear and obey whereupon he and aziz rose and left the shop and taking the old woman with them showed her the palace where they lodged then said tajalm looked to oh my brother i have no need of the shop now having fulfilled my purpose of it so i give it to thee with all that is left in it for thou hast come abroad with me and hast left thy native land for my sake aziz accepted his gift and then they sat conversing while the prince questioned him of the strange adventures which had befallen him and his companion acquainted him with the particulars thereof presently they went to the wazir and reporting to him tajon malok's purpose asked him what is there to be done let us go to the garden answered he so each and every donned richest clothes and went forth followed by three white slaves to the garden which they found thick with thickets and railing its rills when they saw the keeper's

at the gate, they saluted him with a solemn, and he returned their salute. Then the wazir gave him a hundred gold pieces, saying, pray thee, take this small sum and fetch us somewhat to eat, for we are strangers, and I have with me these two lads whom I wish to divert. The gardener took the sequins, and said to them, In turn amuse yourself in the garden, for it is all yours, and sit down till I bring you what food you require. So he went to the market while the wazir and Tazir al-Milk and his ease entered the garden. And shortly after leaving for the the bazaar, the gardener returned with a roasted lamb and cotton white bread, which he placed before them, and they ate and drank. Thereupon he served up sweetmeats, and they ate of them, and washed their

hands and sat talking. Presently the wazir said to the garth-keeper, "'Tell me about this garden. Is it thine, or dost thou rent it?' the sheikh replied. "'It doth not belong to me, but to our king's daughter, the princess dunya. What be thy monthly wages?' asked the wazir and he answered one dinneer and no more then the minister looked round about the garden and seeing in its mist a pavilion tall and grand but old and disused said to the keeper o elder i am minded to do here a good work by which thou shalt remember me replied the other o my lord what is the good work thou wouldst do take these three hundred dineers rejoin the wazir when the keeper had heard speak of the gold he said o my lord what is the good work thou wouldst do take these three hundred dineers rejoin the wazir when the keeper had heard speak of the gold he said o my lord Lord, what so thou wilt do. So the wazir gave him the monies, saying, inshallah, we will make a good work in this place. Then they left him and returned to their lodging, where they passed the night, and when it was the next day, the minister sent for a plaster and a painter and a skillful goldsmith,

and furnishing them all the tools they wanted, carried them to the garden, where he bade them whitewashed the walls of the pavilion and decorated it with various kinds of paintings. Moreover, he sent for Golden Lapus Lazuli and said to the painter, Figure me on the wall. At the upper end of this hall, a man-fowler with his net spread and birds falling into them, and a female pigeon entangled in the meshes by her bill. And when the painter had finished the picture on the side, the wazir said, Figure me on the other side, a similar figure.

And represent the she-pigeon alone in the snare, and the fowler seizing her and setting the knife to her neck. And draw on the third-side wall, a great raptor, clutching a male pigeon, her mate, and digging talons into him, the artist did his bidding. And when he and the others had finished the designs, they received their hire and went away. Then the wazir and his companions took leave of the gardener and returned to their place, where they sat down to converse, and Tau Jean-Malek said to Aziz, "'O my brother, recite me some verses, perchance it may broaden my breast and dispel my dolors

and quench the fire flaming in my heart.' So Aziz chanted with sweet modulation these couplets. whatever they say of grief to lovers came i weakling eye can single-handed claim and seek thou watering-spot of my streaming eyes for floods that thirst would quench however at flame or wouldst view what ruin love has wrought with ruthless hands then see this wasted frame And his eyes ran over with tears, and he repeated these couplets also. Who loves not swan neck and gazelle-like eyes, yet claims to know life's joys, I say he lies. And love is mystery, none avail to learn, save he who loveth in pure loving wise. All my heart, ne'er lighten of this love, nor rob the wakefulness these eyelids prize.

Then he changed the mode of song and sang these couplets. Ibn Sina, in his cannon-cloth opine, Lover's best cures founded merry song And meeting lover of a like degree Dessert and garden, wine-draughts long and strong, I choose another who of thee might cure, While force and fortune aided well and long, But ah, I learned love's mortal ill,

wherein Ibn Sina's recipe is fond and wrong. After hearing them to the end, Tarzumelik was pleased with his verses and wondered at his eloquence and the excellence of his recitation, saying, Indeed, thou hast done away was somewhat of my sorrow. Then quoth the wazir, Of a truth there occurred to those of old what astoundeth those who hear it told, Quoth the prince, if thou canst recall, out of this kind, pray thee let us hear thy subtle lines, and keep up the talk. So the minister chanted and modulated in song these couplets.

indeed i deem thy favours might be bought by gifts of golden things that joy this bright and ignorantly thought thee light of love when can thy love lie low the highest most might until i saw thee choosing one that one loved with all favour crowned with all delight then wot i thou by spite canst ne'er be won and under wing my head i hid from sight and in this nest of passion made my wone wherein i nest of morning noon and night wherein i nestle morning noon and night so far concerning them but as regards the old woman she remained shut up from the world in her house till to be fell that the king's daughter was taken with a desire to divert herself in the garden now she had never been wont to do so save in company with her nurse accordingly she sent for her and made friends with her and soothed her sorrow saying i wish to go forth to the garden that i may divert myself with the sight of its trees and fruits and broaden my breast with the scent of its flowers replied the old woman i hear and obey before First I would go to my house, and soon I will be with thee. The princess rejoined, go home, but be not long absent from me. So the old woman left her, and, preparing to Tajal-Mollick, said to him, Get thee ready, and don thy richest dress, and go to the garden, and find out the gardener,

and salute him, and then hide thyself therein. To hear is to obey, answered he, and she agreed with him upon a signal, after which she returned to the Lady Dunya. As soon as she was gone, the wazir and Aziz rose, and robed Tajan. al-Mulik and a splendid suit of royal raiment worth five thousand dinars, and girt his middle with a girdle of gold set with gems and precious smuttles. Then they repaired to the garden, and found seated at the gate the keeper, who, as soon as he saw the prince, sprang to his feet and received him with all respect and reverence, and opening the gate said,

Enter and take thy pleasure in looking at the garden. Now the gardener knew not that the king's daughter was to visit that place that day, but when Tazel-Milik had been a little while there, He heard a hubbub, and ere he could think, out-issued the eunuchs and damsels by the private wicket. The gardener seeing this came up to the prince, informed him of her approach, and said to him, "'Oh, my lord, what is to be done? The princess Dunya, the king's daughter is here,' replied the prince. "'Fear not, no harm shall be folly, for I will hide me somewhere about the garden, so the keeper exhorted him to the utmost prudence and went away. Presently the princess entered the garden with her damsels and with the old woman,' he said to herself,

if these eunuchs stay with us we shall not attain our end so quoth she to the king's daughter o my lady i have somewhat to tell thee which shall ease thy heart quoth the princess say what thou hast to say o my lady rejoined the old woman thou hast no need of these eunuchs at a time like the present nor wilt thou be able to divert thyself at thine ease wilt they are with us so send them away and the lady dunya replied thou speak his sooth. Accordingly, she dismissed them, and presently began to walk about. Bout's Tau-Jolmulk looked upon her and fed his eyes on her beauty and loveliness, but she knew it not, and every time he gazed at her, he fainted by reason of her passing charms. The old woman drew her by converse till they reached the pavilion which the wazir had been decorated. When the princess entered and cast a glance round, and perceived a picture of the birds the fowler and the pigeon, whereupon she cried, "'Exalted be allah! This is the very counterfeit present.

of what I saw in my dream. She continued to gaze the figures of the birds and the fowler, with his net admiring the work, and presently she said, Oh, my nurse, I have been wants to blame and hate men. Look now at the fowler, who hath slaughtered the she-bird, who set free her mate, who was minded to return to her and aid her to escape

when the bird of prey met him and tore him to pieces. Now the old woman feigned ignorance to her and cease not to occupy her in converse, till they drew near the place where Tajalmolo lay hidden. Thereupon she signalled to him to come out and walk under the windows of the pavilion, and, as the Lady Dunya stood looking from the casement, behold, her glens fell that way, and she saw him, and nothing his beauty of face and form, said to the old woman, "'Oh, my nurse, once cometh yonder handsome youth,' replied the old woman, "'I know nothing of him save that I think he must be some great king's son, for he attaineth,

comeliness and excess and extreme loveliness.' And the Lady Dunya fell in love with him to distraction. the spells which bound her were loosed, and her reason was overcome by his beauty and grace, and his fine stature and proportions strongly excited her desire is sexual. So she said, Oh, my nurse, this is indeed a handsome youth, and the old woman replied, Thou sayest sooth, my lady, and signaled to Tajal Malik to go home. And thou desire and longing flamed in him, and he was distraught for love,

yet he went away and took leave of the gardener, and returned to his place, obeying the old woman, and not daring to cross her. when he told the wazir and aziz, that she had signalled him to depart, they exhorted him to patience, saying, Did not the ancient dame know that there was an object to be gained by thy departure?

She had not signaled thee to return home. Such was the case with Taj al-Malek, the wazir and disease, but as regards to the king's daughter, the lady dunya, desire and passion redoubled upon her. She was overcome with love and longing, and said to her nurse,

I know not how I shall manage a meeting with this youth, but through thee. exclaimed the old woman. I take refuge with Allah from Satan the stone. Thou who art averse from men, how come it then that thou art thus afflicted with hope and fear of this young man? Yet, by Allah, none is worthy of thy youth but he,

quoth the lady Dunya, O my nurse, further my cause, and help me to forgather with him, and thou shalt have of me a thousand diners, and a dress of honour worth as much more. But if thou aid me not to come at him, I am a dead woman in every sooth, replied the ancient dame. Go thy palace, and leave me to diverse means for bringing you twain together.

I will throw away my life to content you both. So the Lady Danyo returned to her palace, an old woman betook herself to Tajalmulik, who, when he saw her, rose to receive her and entreated her with respect and reverence, making her sit by his side. Then she said, The trick hath succeeded, and told him all that had passed between herself and the princess. he asked her when is her meeting to be and she answered to-morrow so he gave her a thousand diners an address of like value and she took them and stinted not walking till she returned to her mistress he said to her oh my nurse what news of the beloved replied she i have learnt where he liveth and i will bring him to thee to-morrow at this the princess was glad and gave her a thousand diners an address worth as much more and she took them in a turn to her own place where she passed the night till morning then she went to tajon malik in dressing him in woman's clothes said to him follow me and sway from side to side as thou stepest and hasten not thy pace nor take heed of any who speaketh to thee

and after thus charging him she went out and the prince followed her in woman's attire and she continued to charge and encourage him by the way that he might not be afraid nor ceased walking till they came to the palace gate she entered in the prince after her and she led him on passing through doors and vestibals so they had passed seven doors as he approached the seventh she said to him hearken thy heart and when i call out to thee and say o damsel pass on do not slacken thy pace but advances as if about to run when thou art in the vestibule look to thy left and thou wilt see a salooned doors count five doors and into the sixth for therein is thy desire asked tajal mulloch and whither wilt thou go and she answered nowhere shall i go except that perhaps i may drop behind thee and the chief eunuch may detain me to chat with him she walked on and he behind her till she reached the door where the chief eunuch was stationed and he seeing tajal mulloch with her dressed as a slave-girl said to the old woman what business hath this girl with thee replied she this is a slave of whom the lady dunya hath heard that she is skilled in different kinds of work and she hath a mind to buy her rejoin the eunuch I know neither slave-girls nor anyone else, and none shall interhere without my searching according to the king's commands. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 4 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 3.

Recording by Chelsea Baker. Section 5, Volume 3 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libre-Vox 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 3, Section 5. When it was the 135th night, she said,

It hath reached me of auspicious king, that the Chamberlain eunuch cried to the old woman. I know neither slave, girl, nor anyone else, and none shall enter here without my searching him, according to the king's commands. Then quoth she, feying to be angry, I thought thee a man of sense and good breeding, but if thou be changed, I will let the princess know of it, and tell her how thou hindrest her slave-girl.

And she cried out to Tadjal-Muluk, saying, pass on, O damsel. So he passed on into the vestibule as she bade him, whilst the eunuch was silent and said no more. The prince counted five doors and entered the sixth, where he found the princess Dunia standing and awaiting him. As soon as she saw him, she knew him and clasped him to her breast, and he clasped her to his bosom. Presently the old woman came in to them, having made pretext to dismiss the princess's slave-girls for fear of disgrace. And the Lady Dunia said to her, Be thou our doorkeeper. So she and Tadal Moolook abode alone together, and ceased not kissing and embracing and twining leg with leg till dawn. When day drew near, she left him, and shutting the door upon him,

passed into another chamber, where she sat down as worse her want, whilst her slave women came into her, and she attended to their affairs, and conversed with them. Then she said to them, Go forth from me now, for I wish to amuse myself in privacy. So they withdrew, and she betook herself to Tajal Moloch, and the old woman brought them food, of which they ate and returned to Amorou. Rosdallions till dawn. Then the door was locked upon him, as on the day before, and they ceased not to do thus for a whole month. This is how it fared with Tajal Moloch and the Lady Dunia. But as regards the wazir and Aziz, when they found that the prince had gone to the palace

of the king's daughter, and there delayed all the while, they concluded that he would never return from it, and that he was lost forever. And Aziz said to the wazir, O my father, what shall we do? He replied, O my son, this is a difficult matter, and except we return to his sire and tell him he will blame us, therefore. So they made ready at once, and forthright set out for the Greenland and the country of the two columns, and sought Sulaiman Shah's capital. And they traversed the valleys night and day till they went in to the king, and acquainted him with what had befallen his son, and how from the time he entered the princess's palace they had heard no news of him. At this the king was as though the day of doom

had dawned for him, and regret was sore upon him, and he proclaimed a holy war throughout his realm, after which he sent forth his host without a town and pitched tents for them and took up his abode in his pavilion, whilst the levies came from all parts of the kingdom, for the subjects loved him by reason of his great justice and beneficence. Then he marched with an army walling the horizon and departed in quest of his son. Thus far concerning them, but as regard Tajal Moolook and the Lady Dunia, the two remained as they were half a year's time, whilst every day they redoubled in mutual affection and love and longing and passion and desire so pressed upon Tadal Moolook

that at last he opened his mind and said to her, Know, O beloved, of my heart and vitals, That the longer I abide with thee, The more love and longing and passion and desire increase in me, For that I have not yet fulfilled the whole of my wish, asked she, What then wouldst thou have, O light of my eyes, and fruit of my vitals? If thou desire ought, besides kissing and embracing

and entwining of legs with legs, do what pleases thee, for by Allah no partner hath any part in us. But he answered, it is not that I wish. I would fain acquaint thee with my true story. Know then that I am no merchant, nay, I am a king, the son of a king, and my father's name is the supreme king, Sulaiman Shah, who sent his wazir ambassador to thy father, to demand thee in marriage for me.

But when the news came to thee, thou wouldst not consent. Then he told her his past, from first to last, nor is there any avail in the twice-tall tale. And he added, And now I wish to return to my father, that he may send an ambassador to thy sire, to demand thee in wedlock for me, so we may be at ease. When she heard these words, she joyed with great joy,

because it suited with her own wishes, and they passed the night on this understanding. But it so befell by the decree of destiny that sleep overcame them that night, above all nights, and they remained till the sun had risen. Now at this hour, King Chariman was sitting on his cushion of estate, with his emirs and grantees before him, when the syndic of the goldsmiths presented himself between his hands, carrying a large blocks, and he advanced, and opening it in the presence of the king, brought out therefrom a casket of fine work worth a hundred thousand dinners, for that which was therein of precious stones, rubies, and emeralds beyond the competence of any sovereign on earth to procure. When the king saw this, he marvelled at its beauty, and turning to the chief eunuch, with whom the old woman

had had to do, said to him, O Khafur, take this casket and went with it to the Princess Dunia. The castrato took the casket. and repairing to the apartment of the king's daughter found the door shut, and the old woman lying asleep on the threshold. Whereupon, said he, what, sleeping at this hour? When the old woman heard Eunuch's voice, she started from sleep, and was terrified, and said to him, Wait till I fetched the key. Then she went forth and fled for her life. Such was her case, but as regards the Episcene, he, seeing her alarm, lifted the door off its hinge pins,

and entering found Lady Dunia with her arms round the neck of Tajalmuluk and both fast asleep. At this sight he was confounded and was preparing to return to the king when the princess awoke, and seeing him was terrified and changed color and waxed pale, and said to him, O Kaffur, veil thou what Allah hath veiled. But he replied, I cannot conceal aught from the king. And locking the door on them, returned to Shariman, who asked him, has thou given the casket to the princess? Answered the eunuch, take the casket, here it is, for I cannot

conceal aught from thee. Know that I found a handsome young man by the side of the princess, and they too asleep in one bed and in mutual embrace. The king commanded them to be brought into the presence, and said to them, what manner of thing is this? And being violently enraged, seized the dagger, and was about to strike Tajal Moolook with it. When the Lady Dunya threw herself upon him and said to her father, Slay me before thou slayest him. The king reviled her and commanded her to be taken back to her chamber. Then he turned to Tajal Mooluk and said to him,

Woe to thee, whence are thou, Who is thy father and what hath emboldened thee to debauch my daughter? Replied the prince, No, O king, that if thou put me to death, Thou art a lost man, and thou, and all in thy dominion, will repent the deed. Quote the king, how so? And quoth Tajalmuluk, know that I am the son of King Sulaiman Shah, and here thou knowest it, he will be upon thee with his horse and foot.

When King Sharriman heard these words, he would have deferred killing Tadalmuluk, and would rather have put him in prison till he should look into the truth of his words. But the wazir said to him, O king of the age, it is my opinion that thou make haste to slay this gallows birth, who dares debauch the daughters of kings. So the king cried to the headsman, Strike off his head, for he is a traitor. Accordingly, the herdsman took him and bound him,

him fast and raised his hand to the emirs, signing to consult them, a first and a second signal, thinking thereby to gain time in this matter. But the king cried in anger to him, How long will thou consult the others? If thou consult them again, I will strike off thine own head. So the headsman raised his hand till the hair of his armpit showed, and was about to smite his neck. And Sharaad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and thirty-sixth night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the head'sman raised his hand to smite off his head, When behold, loud cries arose, And the folk closed their shops, whereupon the king said to her headsman, Wait a while, and dispatched to one to learn the news. The messenger fared forth and presently returned and reported. I saw an army like the dashing sea and its clashing surge,

And their horses curvating till earth tremblet with the tramp, And I know no more of them. When the king heard this, he was confounded and feared for his realm, lest it should be torn from him. So he turned to his minister and said, Have not any of our army gone forth to meet this army? But here he had done speaking, His chamberlains entered with messengers from the king who was approaching, and amongst them the wazir who had accompanied Taj al-Muluk.

They began by saluting the king, who rose to receive them and bade them draw near, and asked the cause of their coming. Whereupon the minister came forward from amongst them, and stood before him, and said, Know that he who hath come down upon thy realm is no king like unto the kings of yore, and the sultans that went before. And who is he? asked the shahriman. And the wazir answered, He is the lord of justice and loyalty,

the brute of whose magnanimity the caravans have blazed abroad. The sultan Suleaman Shah, Lord of the Greenland, and the two columns, and the mountains of his pan. He who loveth justice, andiquity, and hateth oppression and inequity. And he saith to thee, that his son is with thee, and in thy city, his son, his heart's very core, and the fruit of his loins. And if he find him

in safety, his aim is won, and thou shalt have thanks and praise, but if he have been lost from thy realm, or if aught of evil have befallen him, look thou for ruin and the wasting of thy reign, for this thy city shall become a word wherein the raven shall croak. Thus have I done my errand to thee, and peace be with thee. Now when King Shariman heard from the messenger these words, his heart was troubled, and he feared for his kingdom. So he cried out for his grantees and ministers, Chamberlains and lieutenants.

And when they appeared, he said to them, Woe to you, go down and search for the youth. Now the prince was still under the headman's hand, but he was changed by the fright he had undergone. Presently, the wazir, chancing to glance around, saw the prince on the rug of blood and recognized him. So he arose and threw himself upon him, and so did the other envoys. Then they proceeded to lose his bonds, and they kissed his hands and feet,

whereupon Tazal Muluk opened his eyes, and recognizing his father's wazir and his friend Aziz fell down a fainting for excess of delight in them. When King Shariman made sure that the coming of this army was indeed because of this youth, he was confounded and feared with great fear. So he went up to Tadjal Muluk and kissing his head, said to him, O my son, be not wrath with me, neither blame the sinner for his sin, but have compassion on my gray hairs and waste not my realm.

Whereupon Tajal Moolook drew near unto him, and kissing his hand, replied, No harm shall come to thee, for indeed thou art to me as my father. But look that not befall my beloved, the Lady Dunia. Rejoined the king, O my lord, fear not for her, not but joy shall be tied her. And he went on to excuse himself, and made his peace, with Suleaman Shah's wazir, to whom he promised much money, if he would conceal from the king what he had seen. Then he bade his chief officers, take the prince with them, and repair to the hamam, and clothe him in one of the best of his own suits, and bring him back speedily.

So they obeyed his bidding, and bore him to the bath and clad him in the clothes which king should Kariman had set apart for him, and brought him back to the present's chamber. When he entered, the king rose to receive him and made all his grandees stand in attendance on him. Then Tajal Muluk sat down to converse with his father's wazir and with Aziz, and he acquainted them with what had befallen him, after which they said to him, during that delay we We returned to thy father, and gave him to know that thou didst enter the palace of the princess, and didst not return therefrom.

And thy case seemed doubtful to us. But when thy sire heard of this, he mustered his forces. Then we came to this land, and indeed our coming hath brought to thee relief in extreme case, and to us great joy." Quoth he, fortune had attended your every action, first and last. While this was doing, King Chariman went in to his daughter, Princess Dunia, and found her wailing and weeping for Tajal Muluk. Moreover, she had taken a sword and fixed the hilt to the ground, and had set the point

to the middle of her heart between her breasts, and she bent over the blade, saying, needs must I slay myself and not survive, my beloved. When her father entered and saw her in this case, he cried out to her, saying, O princess of king's daughters, hold thy hand, and have ruth of thy sire, and the folk of thy realm. Then he came up to her and continued, Let it not be that an ill thing befall thy father for thy sake. And he told her the whole tale. that her lover was the son of King Suliaman Shah and sought her to wife, and he added,

The marriage waiteth only for thy consent. Thereat she smiled, and said, Did I not tell thee that he was the son of the sultan? By Allah, there is no help for it, But that I let him crucify thee on a bit of wood worth two pieces of silver. replied the king, O my daughter, have mercy on me, so Allah have mercy on thee.

Rejoined she, up with you, and make haste, and go bring him to me without delay. Quote the king, on my head and eyes be it, and he left her, and going in hastily to Tadjalmuluk, repeated her words in his ear. So he arose and accompanied the king to the princess,

and when she caught sight of her lover, she took hold of him and embraced him in her father's presence, and hung upon him and kissed him, saying, Thou hast desolated me by thine absence. Then she turned to her father and said, Soest thou ever any that could do hurt to the like of this beautiful being, who is moreover a king, the son of a king, and of the freeborn, guarded against ignoble deeds. Thereupon King Shariman went out, shutting the door on them with his own hand,

and he returned to the wazir and to the other envoys of Sulyaman Shah, and bade them inform their king that his son was in health and gladness, and enjoying all delight of life with his beloved. So they returned to King Suleyaman and acquainted him with this, whereupon King Shah Riemann ordered largest of money and vivers to the troops of King Suliaman Shah, and when they had conveyed all he had commanded, he bade be brought out an hundred coursers and a hundred dromedaries, and a hundred white slaves, and a hundred concubines, and a hundred black slaves, and a hundred

female slaves, all of which he forwarded to the king as a present. Then he took horse with his grantees and chief officers and rode out of the city in the direction of the king's camp. As soon as Sultan Suliaman Shah knew of his approach, he rose and advanced many paces to meet him. Now the wazir and Aziz had told him all the tidings, whereat he rejoiced and cried, Praise be to Allah who hath granted the dearest wish of my son. Then King Suliaman took King Shariman in his arms and seated him beside himself on the royal couch, where they conversed a while and had pleasure in each other's conversation. Presently food was set before them, and they ate till they were satisfied, and sweet meats and dried fruits were brought, and they enjoyed their dessert.

And after a while came to them Taj al-Muluk, richly dressed and adorned, and when his father saw him, he stood up and embraced him and kissed him, then all who were sitting rose to do him honor. and the two kings seated him between them, and they sat conversing a while, after which, quoth King Suyaman Shah to King Shariman. I desire to have the marriage contract between my son and thy daughter drawn up in the presence of witnesses, that the wedding may be made public, even as is the custom of kings. I hear and I obey, quote King Shariman. And thereon summoned the Qazi and the witnesses, who came and brought out the marriage contract between Taj al-Muluk and the Lady Dunia.

Then they gave bachshish of money and sweetmeats, and lavished incense and essences. And indeed it was a day of joy and gladness, and all the grandees and soldiers rejoiced therein. Then King Shariman proceeded. to dower and keep his daughter. And Taj al-Muluk said to his sire of a truth, These young man, Aziz, is of the generous, and hath done me a notable service, having borne weariness with me, and he hath traveled with me, and hath brought me to my desire. He ceased never to show sufferance with me and exhort me to patience till I accomplished my intent, and now he hath abided with us two whole years, and he cut off from his native land.

So now I purpose to equip him with merchandise that he may depart, hence, with a light heart, for his country is near hand, replied his father, right is thy read. So they made ready an hundred loads of the richest staffs, And the most costly, and Tajal Mooluk presented them with great store of money to Aziz, and farewelled him, saying, O my brother and my true friend, take these lords and accept them from me, by way of gift and token of affection, and go in peace to thine own country. Aziz accepted the presence, and kissing the ground between the hands of the prince and his father bade them adieu.

Moreover, Tazhal Muluk mounted and accompanied him three miles on his homeward way as a proof of amity, after which Aziz conjured him to turn back, saying, By Allah, O my master, wear it not for my mother, I never would part of it. from thee. But good, my lord, leave me not without news of thee, replied Tajal Muluk, So be it. Then the prince returned to the city, and Aziz journeyed on till he came to his native town, and he entered it, and ceased not fearing till he went in to his mother, and found that she had built him a monument in the midst of the house, and used to visit it continually. When he entered, he saw her with hair disheveled, and he spread over the tomb, weeping and repeating these lines.

Indeed, I am strong to bear whatever before, but weak to bear such parting's dire mischance. What heart and strangement of the friend can bear? What strength withstand assault of severance? Then sobs, burns from. her breast, and she recited also these couplets. What's this? I pass by tombs, and fondly greet my friends' last homes, but send they no reply, For saith each friend, reply how can I make, When pledged to clay and pond to stones I lie, Earth has consumed my charms, and I forget thy love, For kith and kin, poor banyne!

I. While she was thus, behold, Aziz came into her, and when she saw him, she fell down, fainting for very joy. He sprinkled water on her face, till she revived, and rising, took him in her arms, and strained him to her breast, whilst he, in like manner, embraced her. Then he greeted her, and she greeted him, and she asked the reason of his long absence, whereupon he told her all that had befallen him, from first to last, and informed her how Taj al-Muluk had given him a hundred loads of monies and stuffs. At this she rejoiced, an Aziz abode with his mother in his native town, weeping for what Mishaps had befallen to him with the daughter.

daughter of Dilala, the willing one, even her who had castrated him. Such was the case with Aziz, but as regards Tadj al-Muluk, he went in onto his beloved, Princess Dunia, and abated her maidenhead. Then King Shariman proceeded to equip his daughter for her journey with her husband and father-in-law, and bad bring them provant and presence and rarities. So they loaded their beasts and set forth, whilst King Shariman escorted them by way of farewell three days' journey on their way, till King Shah Suliaman conjured him to return. So he took leave of them and turned back, and Taj al-Muluk and his wife and father fared forwards night and day with their troops,

till they drew near their capital. As soon as the news of their coming spread abroad, the folk decorated for them the city, and Sherazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of Section 5 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 6, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand,

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 3, Section 6. When it was the 137th Knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Shah Sulaiman drew near his capital,

the folk decorated the city for him and for his son. So they entered in state, and the king, sitting on his throne, with his son by his side, gave alms and largesse, and loosed all who were in his jails. Then he held a second bridle for his son, and the sound of the singing women and players upon instruments, was never silent for a whole month, and the tired woman stinted not to adorn the Lady Dunia and display her in various dresses, and she tired not of the displaying, nor did the women wary of gazing on her. Then Tajal Moolook, after having foregathered a while with his father and mother, took up his sojourn with his wife,

and they abode in all joyance of life and in fairest fortune, till there came to them the destroyer of all delights. Now when wazir Dundan had ended the tale of Tajal Mooluk and the Lady Dunya, Zaw al-Makhan said to him, Of a truth, it is the like of thee who lightened the mourner's heart, and who deserve to be the born companion of kings, and to guide their part. policy in the right way. All this befell, and they were still besigning Constantinople, where they lay four whole years, till they yearned after their native land, and the troops murmured, being weary of vigil and besieging and the endurance of Frey and foray by night

and by day. Then King Zawal Makhan summoned Rustam and Baram and Tarkash, and And when they were in presence, bespoke them thus. Know that we have lain here all these years, and we have not won to our wish, Nay, we have but gained increased of care and concern. For indeed we came, thinking to make our men boat for King Omar bin al-Numan, And in so doing, my brother Sharkin was laying. So is our sorrow grown. to sorrow twain, and our affliction to afflictions twain.

All these came of the old woman, Zatadawahi, for it was she who slew the sultan in his kingdom, and carried off his wife, the Queen Sophia. Nor did this suffice her, but she must put another cheat on us, and cut the throat of my brother Sharkhan, and indeed I have bound myself and sworn by the solemnest oaths, that there is no help, but I take blood-wit from her. What say ye, ponder my address, and answer me?

Then they bowed their heads and answered, It is for the wazir dundan to opine. So the minister came forward and said, No, O king of the age, It booteth us not to tarry here, And it is my counsel that we strike camp and return, to our own country, there to abide for a certain time, and after that, which should return for a Rassia upon the worshippers of idols.

Replied the King, This read is right, for indeed this folk is weary for a sight of their families, and I am another who is also troubled, with yearning after my son, Kan Makan, and my brother's daughter, Cusia Fakan. For she is in Damascus, and I know not how is her case. When the troops heard this report, they rejoiced and blessed the wazir Dandan. Then the king bade the crier called the retreat after three days. They fell to prepare him for the march, and on the fourth day they beat the big drums and unfurbed the banners,

and the army set forth. The wazir Dandan in the van, and the king riding in the mid-battle, with the grand chamberlain by his side. And all journeyed without ceasing, night and day, till they reached Baghdad's city. The folk rejoiced in their return, and care and fear ceased from them whilst they stay at homes, met the absentees, and each emir betook him to his own house. As for Zawal Makan, he marched up to the palace and went in to his son, Kamakhan, who had now reached the age of seven, and who used to go down to the weapon plane and ride. As soon as the king was rested of his journey, he entered the hamam with his son, and returning seated himself on his sofa state, whilst the wazir Dandan took up his station before his. him, and the emirs and lords of the realm presented themselves and stood in attendance upon him. Then Zawal Makan called for his comrade, the fireman, who had befriended him in his wanderings.

And when he came into presence, the king rose to do him honor and seated him by his side. Now he had acquainted the wazir with all the kindness and good turns which the stalker had done him, and he found that the wick had waxed fat and burly with rest and good fear, so that his neck was like an elephant's throat, and his face like a dolphin's belly. Moreover, he was grown dull of wheat, for that he had never stirred from his palace, so at first he knew not the king by his aspect.

But Zawalmakan came up to him smiling in his face, and greeted him after the friendliest fashion, saying, How soon hast thou forgotten me? With this the fireman roused himself, and looking steadfastly at Zawalmakan, made sure that he knew him, whereupon he sprang hastily to his feet and exclaimed, O my friend, who hath made thee sultan?

Then Zahalmakan laughed at him, and the wazir coming up to him, expounded the whole story to him and said, In good sooth he was thy brother and thy friend, And now he is king of the land, And needs must thou get great good of him. So I charge thee, if he say, ask a boon of me. Ask not but for some great thing,

For thou art very dear to him. Quote the fireman, I fear lest, if I ask of him ought, he may not choose to give it, or may not be able to grant it. Quoth the wazir, have no care whatsoever thou askest he will give thee. Rejoined the stalker, by Allah, I must at once ask of him a thing that is in my thought. Every night I dream of it, and implore Almighty Allah to vouchsafe it to me. said the wazir take heart by allah if thou ask of him the government of damascus in place of his brother he would surely give it thee and make thee governor with this the stalker rose to his feet and zawal macan signed to him to sit but he refused saying allah forfend the days are gone by of my sitting in thy presence

Answered the Sultan, Not so, they endure even now. Thou wast in very deed the cause that I am at present alive, and by Allah, whatever thing most desired thou requires of me, I will give that same to thee, but ask thou first of Allah and then of me. He said, O my Lord, I fear, fear not, quote the Sultan. He continued,

I fear to ask aught, and that thou shouldst refuse it to me, and it is only. At this the king laughed, and replied, If thou require of me the half of my kingdom, I would share it with thee. So ask what thou wilt, and leave talking. Repeated the fireman. I fear, don't fear, quote the king, he went on, I fear lest I ask a thing, and thou be not. able to grant it. Upon this the Sultan waxed wrath and cried,

Ask what thou wilt. Then said he, I ask first of Allah and then of thee, that thou write me a patent of syndicate over all the firemen of the baths in the holy city, Jerusalem. The Sultan and old present laughed and Zawal Makhan said, asked something more than this, he replied, O my lord, said I not, I fear that thou wouldst not choose to give me what I should ask, or that thou be not able to grant it. Therewith the wazir signed him with his foot once and twice and thrice, and every time he began, I ask of thee,

quote the sultan, ask and be speedy, so he said, I asked thee to make me chief of the scavengers in the holy city of Jerusalem, or in Damascus town. Then all those who were present fell on their backs with laughter, and the wazir bade him. Whereupon he turned to the minister and said to him, What are thou that thou shouldst meet me? Tis no fault of mine, didst thou not thyself, bid me ask some important thing?

And he added, Let me go to my own land. With this, the Sultan knew that he was jesting, and took patience with him a while. Then turned to him and said, O my brother, ask of me some important thing, befitting our dignity. So the stalker said,

O king of the age, I ask first of Allah and then of thee, that thou make me vis-roy of Damascus, in the place of thy brother, and the king replied, Allah granteth thee this. Thereupon the fireman kissed ground before him, and he bade set him a chair in his rank, and vested him with the Visroy's habit.

Then he wrote him a patent, and sealed it with his own seal, and said to the wazir Dundan, None shall go with you, but thou, And when thou makest their return journey, Do thou bring with thee, my brother's daughter, Cusia Fakan? Harkening and obedience, answered the minister,

And taking the fireman, went down with him, And made ready for the march. Then the king appointed for the stalker's servants and suit, And gave him a new litter and a princely equipage, and said to the emirs, Whoso loveth me, Let him honour this man, and offer him an handsome present.

So each and every of the emirs brought him his gift, according to his competence, and the king named him Zibl Khan, and conferred on him the honourable surname of al-Mujahid. As soon as the gear was ready,

he went up with the wazir dandan to the king, that he might take leave of him and ask his permission to depart. The king rose to him and embraced him and charged him to do justice between his subjects and bade him make ready for fight against the infidels after two years. Then they took leave of each other and the king, the fighter for the faith, Heise, Zibl Khan, having been again exhorted by Zawal Makan to deal faith, fairly with his subjects, set out on his journey, after the emirs had brought him Mamelukes and eunuchs, even to five thousand in number who rode after him. The Grand Chamberlain also

took horse, as did Bahram, the captain of the Delamites, and Rasmam, captain of the Persians, and Tarkash, captain of the Arabs, who attended to do him service, and they ceased not riding with him three days' journey, by way of honor. Then, taking their leave of him, they returned to Baghdad, and the Sultan Zibl Khan and the Wazir Dundan fared on with their suit and troops, till they drew near Damascus. Now news was come upon the wings of birds, to the notables of Damascus, that King Zawal Makhan had made Sultan over Damascus, a king named Zibyl Khan and surnamed Al-Mujahid. So when he reached the city, he found it dressed in his honor,

and everyone in the place came out to gaze on him. The new sultan entered Damascus in a splendid progress and went up to the citadel, where he sat down upon his chair of state, whilst the wazir Dandan stood in attendance on him, to acquaint him with the ranks of the emirs and their stations. Then the grandees came in to him and kissed hands and called down blessings on him. The new king, Zibl Khan, received them graciously,

and bestowed on them dresses of honor and various presents and bounties, after which he opened at the treasuries and gave largeest to the troops, great and small. Then he governed, and did justice, and proceeded to equip the Lady Cusiafakan, daughter of King Sharkan, appointing her a litter of silken staff. Moreover, he furnished the wazir Dundan equally well for the return journey, and offered him a gift of coin, but he refused, saying, Thou art near the time appointed by the king, and happily thou wilt have need of money, or after this he may send to seek of thee funds for the holy war or what not.

Now when the wazir was ready to march, Sultan al-Mujahid mounted to bid the minister farewell and brought Kuzia Fakan to him, and made her enter the litter and sent with her ten damsels to do her service. Thereupon they set forward, whilst king, fighter for the faith, returned to his government that he might order affairs

and get ready his munitions of war, awaiting such time as King Zawalmakan should send a requisition to him. Such was the case with Sultan Ziblikan. But as regards the wazir Dundan, he ceased not fearing forward and finishing off the stages,

in company with Kuziafakan, till they came to Ruba, after a month's travel, and thence pushed on, till they drew near Baghdad. Then he sent to announce his arrival to King Zawa Makhan, who when he heard this, took horse and rode out to meet him. The wazir Dandan would have dismounted, but the king conjured him not to do so, and urged his steed till he came up to his side. Then he questioned him of Sibylkan, Haiz al-Mujahide, where to the wazir replied that he was well, and that he had brought with him Cusiafakan, the daughter of his brother. At this the king rejoiced, and said to Dundan,

Down with thee, and rest thee, from the fatigue of the journey for three days, after which come to me again. replied the wazir, with joy and gratitude, and betook himself to his own house, whilst the king rode up to his palace and went in to his brother's daughter, Cusia Fakan, a girl of eight years old. When he saw her, he rejoiced in her and sorrowed for her sire. Then he bade make for her clothes, and gave her splendid jewelry and ornaments, and ordered she be able to her, She be lodged with his son, Kan Makan, in one place. So they both grew up the brightest of the people of their time and the bravest. But Kusiafakan became a maiden of good sense and understanding and knowledge of the issues of events, whilst Kamakhan approved him a generous youth and free-handed, taking no care in the issue of art.

And so they continued till each of them attained, the age of twelve. Now Cusiafakan used to ride a horseback and fare forth with her cousin into the open plain and push forward and range at large with him in the war. And they both learned to smite with swords and spike with spears. But when they had reached the age of twelve, King Zawa Makan, having completed his preparations and provisions and munitions for holy war, summoned the wazir Dundan and said to him, Know that I have set mind on a thing which I will discover to thee, and I want an opinion thereon, so do thou with speed return me a reply,

asked the wazir, what is that, of king of the age? And the other answered, I am resolved to make my son Khan Makan sultan, and rejoice in him in my lifetime, and do battle before him till death. overtake me. What rackest thou of this? The wazir kissed the ground before the king and replied, No, O king, and sultan mine, Lord of the age and the time. That which is in thy mind is indeed good, save that it is now no tide to carry it out, for two reasons. The first, that thy son

Khan Makhan is yet of tender age, and the second, that it often befalleth him who maketh his son king in his lifetime, to live but a little while thereafterward. And this is my reply, rejoined the king, know, a wazir, that we will make the Grand Chamberlain guardian over him, for he is now one of the family, and he married my sister. that he is to me as a brother. Quote the wazir, do what seemeth good to thee. We have only to obey thine thyne order. Then the king sent for the grand chamberlain, whom they brought into the presence, together with the lords of the realm, and he said to them, ye know that this my son, Khan Makan, is the first cavalier of the age, and that he hath no peer in striking with a sword

and longing with the lands. And now I appoint him to be Sultan over you, and I make the Grand Chamberlain, his uncle, guardian over him. Replied the Chamberlain, I am but a tree which thy bounty hath planted.

And Zawa Makan said, O Chamberlain, Verily this my son, Kan Makan, and my niece Kusiafakan, are brothers' children. So I hereby marry her to him, and I call those present to witness thereof. Then he made over to his son such treasures as no tongue can describe.

And going into his sister, Nuzhat al-Zaman, told her what he had done, whereat she was a glad woman and said, Verily the twain are my children, Allah preserve thee to them, and keep thy life for them many a year. replied he, O my sister, I have accomplished in this word all my heart desired, and I have no fear for my son. Yet it were well thou have an eye on him, and an eye on his mother. As he charged the chamberlain and nozhat al-Zaman with the care of his son and niece and wife, and this he continued to do nights and days till he fell sick, and deemed sure

that he was about to drink the cup of death. So he took to his bed, while his chamberlain busied himself with ordering the folk and realm. At the end of the year the king summoned his son, Kan Makan and the wazir Dandan and said, O my son, after my death, this wazir is thy sire, for know that I am about to leave this house of life transitory, for the house of eternity, and indeed I have fulfilled my will of this word. Yet there remained in my heart one regret which may Allah dispel through and by thy hands. Asked his son, what regret is that, O my father?

Answered Zaw al-Makhan, O my son, the sole regret of me is that I die without having avenged thy grandfather, O-Mar bin al-Numan, and thine uncle, Sharkan, on an old woman whom they call Zat al-Dawahi. But if Allah grant thee aid, sleep not till thou take thy rack on her, and so wipe out of shame we have suffered at the infidel's hands, and beware of the old haggs' while, and do what the wazir dandan shall advise thee, because he from all time hath been the pillar of our realm. And his son assented to what he said.

Then the king's eyes ran over with tears, and his sickness redoubled on him, whereupon his brother-in-law, the Chamberlain, took charge over the country, and being a capable man, he judged and bade and forbade for the whole of that year, while Zawal-Makhan was occupied with his melody. and his sickness was sore upon him for four years during which the chief chamberlain sat in his stead and gave full satisfaction to the commons and the nobles and all the country blessed his rule

such was the case with zaw al-makan and the chamberlain but as regards the king's son he busied himself only with riding and longing with lance and shooting with shaft and thus also did the daughter of his ankle For he and she were wont to fare forth at the first of the day and return a nightfall, when she would go into her mother, and he would go into his mother, whom he ever found sitting in tears by the head of his father's couch. Then he would tend his father all night long till daybreak, when he would go forth again with his cousin according to their wand. Now Zawal-Makhan's pains and sufferings were lonesome upon him, and he wept and began versifying with these couplets. Gone is my strength, told is my tale of days, and look he, I am left as thou dost see, in honor's day most honored wont to be, and win the race from all my company. Would heaven before my death I might behold,

My son is seat of empire-sit for me, And rush upon his foes to take his rack, With sway of swords and lends longed gallantly. In this word and the next I am undone, Except the Lord watch save me clemency. When he had ended repeating these verses, He laid his head on his pillow, and closed his eyes and slept.

Then saw he in his sleep, one who said to him, Rejoice, for thy son shall fill the land with justice sway, And he shall rule them, and him shall the liege is obeyed. Then he awoke from his dream, gladdened by the good tidings he had seen, And after a few days, death smote him, and because of his dying, great grief fell on the people of Baghdad, and simple and gentle mourned for him. But time passed over him, as though he had never been, and Khan Makhan's estate was changed, for the people of Baghdad set him aside and put him and his family in a place apart.

Now when his mother saw this, she fell into the sorriest of plights and said, There is no help but that I go to the Grand Chamberlain, and I must hope for the aides of the Septal, the all-wise. Then she rose from her place, and betook herself to the house of the Chamberlain, who was now become Sultan, and she found him sitting upon his carpet. So she went into his wife, Nuzhat al-Zaman, and wept with sore weeping, and said unto her, Verily, the dead hath no friend. May Allah never bring you to what, As long as your age, the years endure, And may you cease not to rule justly over rich and poor.

Thine ears have heard, and thine eyes have seen All that was ours of kinship and honor and dignity and wealth And fair fortune of life and condition. And now, time hath turned. turned upon us, and fate and the world have betrayed us, and wrought in hostile way with us. Wherefore I come to thee, craving thy favors, I from whom favors were craved, for when a man dieth, women and maidens are brought to despisal. And she repeated these couplets. Suffice thee death, such marvels can enhance, and severed the

lives make lasting severance. Men's days are marvels, and their stations are, but water-pits of misery and mischance. Not rings my heart, save loss of noble friends, Girt round my rings of heart, harsh circumstance. When Nusat al-Zaman heard these words, she remembered her brother, Zawal-Makhan, and his son, Kan-Makhan. and making her draw near to her and showing her honor she said verily at this moment by allah i am grown rich and thou art poor now by the lord we did not cease to seek thee out but we feared to wound thy heart lest thou shouldst fancy our gifts to thee and alms gift Withal, what so will we now enjoy is from thee and thy husband, so our house is thy house, and our place thy place, and thine is all our wealth, and what goods we have belong to thee. Then she robed her in sumptuous robes, and set apart for her a place in the palace, adjoining her own, and they abode therein, she and her son, in all her own.

delight of life, and Usat al-Zaman clothed him also in king's raiment, and gave to them both a special handmaids for their service. After a little she related to her husband, the sad case of the widow of her brother, Zawalmakan, whereat his eyes filled with tears, and he said, Wouldest thou see the word after thee? Look thou upon the word after thee, Look thou upon the word after her other than thyself. Then entreat her honourably and enrich her poverty. And Shahrazad perceived at the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say.

End of Section 6 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 7, Volume 3, 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 3, Section 7. When it was the 138th night, she said, It hath reached me of a specious king, that when Nuzhat al-Zaman related to her house, the sad case of the widow of her brother, Zawal Makhan,

the Chamberlain said, Intreat her honorably, and enrich her poverty. Thus far concerning Nusat al-Zaman and her consort and the relict of Zawal Makan. But as regards Khan Makan and his cousin, Kuziafakan, they grew up and flourished till they waxed like unto two fruit-laden bows, or two shining moons. And they reached the age of fifteen,

and she was indeed the fairest of maids who are modestly wailed, loosely faced with smooth cheeks graced, and slender waist on heavy hips based. And her shape was the shaft's thin line, and her lips were sweeter than old wine, and the nectar of her mouth, as it were the fountain,

Salzabir, even as saith the poet in these two couplets describing one like her. As though tisain of wine on her lips honey dew, dropped from the ripened grapes, her mouth in cluster grew, and when her frame thou doubletest and low vends her vine, praise her creators might, no creature ever knew. Of a truth Allah had united in her every charm, Her shape would shame the branch of waving tree, And the rose before her cheeks craved the lenity, And the honey dew of her lips of wine made jeer, However old and clear,

And she gladdened heart, And behold her with joyous cheer, Even as saith of her the poet. Goodly of gifts is she, and charm those perfect eyes, with lashes shaming cold, and all the fair one cold, and from those e'en the glances pierce the lover's heart, like sword in Mir al-Muminina alis hold. And the relator continues, as for Khan Makan, he became unique in loveliness, and excelling imperfection, no less. None could even him in qualities, as in seemliness, and in the sheen of valour between his eyes,

was espied, testifying for him, while against him it never testified. The hardest hearts inclined to his side. His eyelids bore lashes, black as by cold, and he was of surpassing worth in body and soul. and when the down of lips and cheeks began to sprout bars, and poet sang for him far and near, appeared not my excuse, till hair had clothed his cheek, and gloom over-craped that side face, sighed to stagger, a fawn when eyes would batten on his charms.

Each glance deals thrusts like point of conjure dagger, and saith another his lover's soul have drawn upon his cheek an ant that perfected its rosy light i marvel at such martyrs lisa pent who yet with greeny robes of heaven are dyed now it chanced one holiday that cusia facan paired forth to make festival with certain kindred of the court and she went surrounded by her head. handmaids, and indeed beauty encompassed her. The roses of her cheeks dealt envy to their mole. From out her smiling lips, Levy flashed white, gleaming like the chamomile, and Khan Makan began to turn about her and devour her with his sight, for she was the moon of resplendent light. Then he took heart, and giving his tongue a start, began to improvising. eyes. When shall the disappointed heart be healed of severance, and lips of union smile at

seizing of our heart mischance? Would heaven I knew shall come some night, and with it surely bring, meeting with friend who, like myself, endureth sufferance. When Cusia Fakan heard these couplets, she showed vexation and disapproval, and putting on a haughty and angry air, said to him, "'Does thou name me in thy verse to shame me amongst folk? By Allah, if thou turn not from this talk, I will assuredly complain of thee to the grain chamberlain, Sultan of Khorasan and Baghdad, and Lord of justice and equity,

that this grace and punishment may befall thee.'" Khan Makan made no reply for anger, but he returned to Baghdad. Nkuzia Fakhan also returned to her palace, and complained of her cousin to her mother, who said to her, Oh, my daughter, happily he meant thee no harm, and is he ought but an orphan? Withal, he said not of reproach to thee, so beware thou tell none of this, lest perchance it come to the Sultan's ears, and he cut short his life, and blot out his name, and make it even as yesterday, whose memory hath passed away. However, Khan Makhan's love for Kusia Fakan spread abroad in Baghdad,

so that the women talked of it. Moreover, his breast became straightened, and his patient waned, and he knew not what to do. yet he could not hide his condition from the world. Then longed he to give vent to the pangs he endured, by reason of the love of separation, but he feared her rebuke and her wrath. So he began improvising.

Now is my dread to incur reproaches which disturb her temper and her mind obscure. Patient, I'll bear them. even a generous youth his case to cure, Beareth the burn of brand his case to cure. And Sharasad perceived the dawn of day, And ceased saying, her permitted say, When it was the one hundred and thirty-ninth night,

She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the Grand Chamberlain became sultan, They named him King Sasan, And after he had a seigne, the throne, he governed the people in righteous way. Now, as he was giving audience one day, Kan Makan's verses came to his knowledge.

Thereupon he repented him of the past, and going into his wife, Nusat al-Zaman, said to her, Verily, to joy half far grass and fire, is the greatest of risks, and men may not be trusted with women. so long as i glenseth and eyelid quivereth now thy brother's son kanmakan is come to man's estate and it beloveth us to forbid him access to the room where enclets trickle and it is yet more needful to forbid thy daughter the company of men for the like of her should be kept in a harem replied she thou sayest soon of wise king. Next day came Khan Makan according to his wont, and going in to his aunt saluted

her. She returned his salutation, and said to him, O my son, I have some what to say to thee, which I would fain leave unsaid, yet I must tell it thee, despite my inclination. Quoth he speak, and quoth she, know then that thy sire the chamberlain, the father of Cusia Fakan, hath heard of the verses thou madest an end here, and hath ordered that she be kept in the harem and out of thy reach. If therefore, O my son, thou want anything from us, I will send it to thee from behind the door, and thou shalt not look upon Cusia Fakan, Nor shall thou return hither from this day forth. When he heard this, he arose and withdrew without speaking a single word,

and betaking himself to his mother related what his aunt has said. She observed, This all cometh of thine over-talking. Thou knowest that the news of thy passion for Cusia Fakan is noised abroad, and the title hath spread everywhere, How thou eatest their food, And thereafter thou courtest their daughter. Rejoined he,

And who should have her but I? She is the daughter of my father's brother, And I have the best of rights to her. Retorted his mother, These are idle words. Be silent, lest haply thy talk come to the king, Sassan's ears, and it proved the cause of thy losing her, and the reason of thy ruin and increase of thine affliction. They have not sent us any supper to-night, and we shall die

and hungered, and were we in any land but this, we were already dead of famine or of shame for begging our bread. When Khan Makan heard these words from his mother, his regrets redoubled, His eyes ran over with tears, and he complained and began improvising. Minish this blame I ever bear from you. My heart loves her to whom all love is due. Ask not from me of patience jot or little. Divorce of patience by God's house. I rue what blamers preach of patience I unheed. Here am I, love path firmly to pursue. you. Indeed, they bar me access to my love. Here am I by God's wrath, no ill I sue. Good, sooth my bones, when as they hear thy name. Quail as birds quailed when Nisus over them flew. Ah, say to them,

who blame my love that I will love, that face fair cousin till I die. And when he had ended, his verses, he said to his mother, I have no longer a place in my aunt's house, nor among these people, but I will go forth from the palace and abide in the corners of the city. So he and his mother left the court, and having sought an abode

in the neighborhood of the poorer sort, there settled. But she used to go from time to time to King Sasan's palace, and thence take daily bread for herself and her son. As these went on, Cusia Fakan took her aside one day and said to her, Alas, O my nanti, how is it with thy son? Replied she, O my daughter, sooth to say,

He is tearful-eyed and heavy-hearted, being fallen into the net of thy love. And she repeated to her. her the couplets he had made. Whereupon Cusiafakan wept and said, By Allah, I rebuked him not for his words, nor for ill will to him, but because I feared for him the malice of foes. Indeed, my passion for him is double that he feeleth for me. My tongue may not describe my yearning for him, and wear it not for the extravagant willfulness of his words and the wanderings of his wit, my father had not cut off from him favors that besit, nor had decreed unto him exclusion and prohibition as fit. However, man's days

bring naught but change, and patience in all case is most becoming. For adventure he who ordained our severance will vouchsafe us reunion. And she began versifying in these two couplets, O son of mine uncle, Same sorrow I bear, and suffer the like of thy carque and thy care. Yet hide I from men that I suffer for pine, hide it too, and such secret to men never bear. When his mother heard this from her, she thanked her and blessed her. Then she left her and acquainted his son with what she had said, said, whereupon his desire for her increased, and he took heart, being ease of his despair,

and the turmoil of his love and care. And he said, by Allah, I desire none but her, and he began improvising. Leave this blame, I will list to no flout of my foe, I divulged my secret, was told to me keep. He is lost to my sight, for whose union I yearn, and I watch all the while he can slumber and sleep. So the days and nights went by, while Scan McCann lay tossing upon calls of fire, till he reached the age of seventeen, and his beauty had waxed perfect, and his wits were at their brightest. One night, as he lay awake, he communed with himself and said, Why should I keep silence till I waste away and see not my lover? Fault have I none save poverty, so by Allah, I am resolved to remove me from this region

and wander over the wild of the world. For my position in this city is a torture, and I have no friend nor lover therein to comfort me. Wherefore, I am determined to distract myself by absence from my native land, till I die, and take my rest after this shame and tribulation. And he began to improvise and recite these couplets. I'll bade my vitals quiver neath this ban, before the foe myself I'll never man So pardon me my vitals are a wreath

Whose superscription are my tears that dren Hey-ho my cousin seemeth hoary way Came down to hurt by reason of Reiswan Scraped not the dreadful sword long overlooked Who dares the glancing of those eyne to scan Over a last widespread world I roam and roam, And from such exile win what bread I can. Yes, over broad earth I'll roam and save my soul,

All but her absence bearing like a man. With gladsome heart I'll haunt the field of fight And meet the bravest brave in battlevan. So Kamakan fared forth from the world. the palace barefoot, and he walked in a short-sleeved gown, wearing on his head a skull-cap of felt, seven years old, and carrying a scone three days stale, and in the deep gloom of night, betook himself to the portal of al-Arish of Baghdad. Here he waited for the gate being opened, and when it was opened he was the first to pass through it, and he went out,

at random, and wondered about the wasties, night and day. When the dark hours came, his mother sought him, but found him not, whereupon the world waxed straight upon her, for all that it was great and wide, and she took no delight in aught of wheel it supplied. She looked for him a first day and a second day and a third day till ten days were passed, but no news of him reached her. Then her breast became contracted, and she shrieked and shrilled, saying, Oh, my son, oh my darling, thou hast revived my regrets. Suffice not what endured, but thou must depart from my home,

after thee i care not for food nor joy in sleep and not but tears and mourning are left me o my son from what land shall i call thee and what town hath given thee refuge Then her sobs burst out, and she began repeating these couplets. Well learned we, since you left, our grief and sorrow to sustain, while boughs of severance shot their shafts in many a-railing rain. They left me, after girding on their cells of Corduane, to fight the very pangs of death while spanned their sandy plain. Mysterious through the nightly gloom There came the moan of dove

A ring dove And replied I Seas thy plaint, How darts complain? If by my life Her heart, like mine, were full of pain and pine She had not tacks her neck With ring nor soul with radistain Flad is mine, own familiar friend

bequeathing me a store of parting pang and absence ache to suffer evermore. Then she abstained from food and drink and gave herself up to excessive tears shedding and lamentation. Her grief became public property far and wide, and all the people of the town and countryside wept with her and cried, Where is thine eye, O Zaw al-Makhan? And they bewailed the rigors of time, saying, Would heaven we knew what hath befallen Khan Makan, That he fled his native town,

And chased himself from the place where his father used to fill all in hungry case, And do justice and grace. And his mother redoubled her weeping and wailing, Till the news of Khan Makan's departure, came to King Sasan. And Charazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say, End of Section 7 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 8, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton.

This is a Librivox recording. All LibreVox 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 3, Section 8. When it was the 140th night, she said, It hath reached me, oh, auspicious king, that came to King Sasan the tidings of the departure of Khan Makan,

through the chief emirs, who said to him, Verily he is the son of our sovereign and the seed of King Omar bin Al-Numan, and it hath reached us that he hath exiled himself from the land. When King Sasan heard these words, he was wroth with them, and ordered one of them to be hanged by way of silencing him, whereat the fear of him fell upon the hearts of all the other grantees, and they dare not speak one word. Then he called to mind all the kindness that Zawa Makan had done him,

and how he had charged him with the care of his son. Wherefore he grieved for Khan Makan and said, Needs must I have searched made for him in all countries. So he summoned Tarkash and bade him choose a hundred horse and went with them in quest of the prince. Accordingly he went out and was absent ten days, after which he returned and said, I can learn no tidings of him and have hit on no trace of him,

nor can any tell me aught of him. Upon this, King Sasan repented him of that which he had done by the prince, whilst his mother abode in unrest continual, nor would patience come at her call, and thus passed over her twenty days in heaviness all. This is how it fared with these, but as regards Khan Makan, when he left Baghdad, he went forth perplexed about his case,

and knowing not whither he should go. So he fared on, alone, through the desert for three days, and so neither footmen nor horsemen. With all, his leap fled, and his wakefulness redoubled, for he pined after his people and his homestead. He ate of the herbs of the earth, and drank of its flowing waters, and siasted under its trees at hours of noontide heat, till he turned from that road, to another way, and following it other three days, came on the forth to a land of green leaves,

dyed with the hues of plants and trees, and with sloping valley sides made to please, abounding with the fruits of the earth, that drunken of the cups of the cloud, to the sound of thunder swirling loud, and the song of the turtle dove gently sought. till its hills sloped were brightly verdant, and its fields were sweetly fragrant.

Then Kan Makhan recalled his father's city Baghdad, and for excess of emotion he broke out into verse. I roam, and roam in hope I to return, yet of returning see not how or when. I went for love of one I could not win, nor way of escaping eels that pressed could kill. can. When he ended his recital, he wept, but presently he wiped away his tears and ate of the fruits of the earth enough for his present need. Then he made the wuzoo ablution and prayed the

ordained prayers which he had neglected all this time, and he sat resting in that place through the live-long day. When night came, he slept and ceased not sleeping till midnight, when he awoke and heard a human voice declaiming these couplets. What's life to me, unless I see the pearly sheen, of teeth I love, and sight that glorious mind, pray for her bishops who in covened train, vine to bow before that heavenly queen, and death is lighter than the loved one's wrath, whose phantom haunts me, seen in every sin. O joy of cup companions, when they meet,

and loved and lovers over each other lean. Even more in time of spring, the lord of flowers, when fragrant is a word with bloom and green, Drainer of vine juice, up with thee, for now, Earth is a heaven where sweet waters flow. What can McCann heard this this, stitch. His sorrows surged up, his tears ran down his cheeks, like freshets, and flames of fire darted into his heart. So he rose to see who it was that spake these words, but so none for the

thickness of the gloom, whereupon passion increased on him, and he was frightened and restlessness possessed him. He descended from his place to the soul of the valley, and walked along the banks of the stream, till he heard the same voice, Sine heavy, sighs, and reciting these couplets. Though tis thy wont to hide thy love perforce, Yet weep on day of parting and divorce, Twixt me and my dear love were plighted wows, Pledge of reunion, fonder intercourse,

With joy inspires my heart and deals it rest, Saffir, whose coolness does desire and force, O Sada, thinks of me that ankleth wearer, Or parting broke she throught without remorse, And say, Shall night forget us, And we of suffered harships Telling soft discourse, Quoth she thou art daft for us and fay, Quoth I, saying thee, how many a friend has turned to course. If Taste Mine Eyes sweep's lip while she's away, Allah will loss of her thine eyes occurs. O wounds in vital mind,

For cure they lack, union and dewy lips, sweet Theriac. When Kan Makan heard this verse, again spoken by the same voice, Yet saw no one, He knew that the speaker was a lover, like Anten. to himself, debarred from union with her who loved him, and he said to himself, To her fitting that this man should lay his head to my head, and become my comrade in this my strangerhood. Then he hailed the speaker, and cried out to him, saying, O thou who farest in sombre night,

drawn here to me, and tell me thy tale happily, thou shalt find me one who will succour thee in thy sufferings. And when the owner of the voice heard these words, he cried out, O thou that respondest to my complaint, and wouldest hear my story, who are thou amongst the knights? Are thou human or genie? Answer me speedily, here thy death drawn in. for I have wandered in this desert some twenty days, and have seen no one nor heard any voice but thy voice. At these words, Kan Makan said to himself,

This one's case is like my case, For I, even I, have wandered twenty days, Nor during my wayfare have I seen man or heard voice. And he added, I will make him no answer till day arise. So he was silent, and the voice again called out to him, saying, O thou that callest, if thou be of the Jin, fair in peace, and if thou be man, stay a while till the day breaks dark,

and the night flee with the dark. The speaker abode in his place, and Khan Makan did likewise, and the twain in reciting verses never failed, and wept tears that railed till the light of day began loom, and the night departed with its gloom. Then Kan Makan looked at the other, and found him to be of the de Badawi Arabs, a youth in the flower of his age,

clad in worn clothes, and bearing in baldric a rusty sword, which he kept shiddle. and the signs of love longing were apparent on him. He went up to him and accosted him and saluted him, and the Badawi returned the salute and greeted him with courteous wishes for his long life, but somewhat despised him,

seeing his tender years and his condition, which was that of a pauper. So he said to him, O youth, of what tribe are thou, and to whom are thou kin among the Arabs? And what is thy history that thou goest by night after the fashion of knights? Indeed thou spakest to me in the dark words such as are spoken of none but doughty cavaliers and lion-like warriors. And now I hold thy life in hand, but I have compassion on my own. thee by reason of thy green ears. So I will make thee my companion, and thou shalt go with me,

to do me service. When Kan Makan heard him speak these unseemly words, after showing him such skill in verse, he knew that he despised him and would presume with him. Therefore he answered him with soft and well-chosen speech, saying, O chief! of the Arabs, leave my tenderness of age, and tell me why thou wanderest by night in the desert, reciting verses. Thou talkest, I see, of my serving thee. Who then are thou, and what moved thee to talk these wise? Answered he, Hark ye, boy, I am Saba, son of Rama bin Humam.

My people are of the Arabs of Syria. and I have a cousin, Nijma, Hais, who to all that look on her brings delight. And when my father died, I was brought up in the house of his brother, the father onajma. But as soon as I grew up and my uncle's daughter became a woman, they secluded her from me and me from her,

seeing that I was poor and without money in pouch. Then the chief of the Arabs and the heads of the tribes rebuked her sire, and he was abashed before them, and consented to give me my cousin, but upon condition that I should bring him a third-hour fifty head of horses, and fifty dromedaries which travel ten days without a halt, and fifty camels laden with wheat, and a like number laden with barley. together with ten black slaves and ten handmaids. Thus the weight he set upon me was beyond my power to bear, for he exacted more than the marriage settlement as by law established. So here am I traveling from Syria to Iraq, and I have passed twenty days without seeing other than myself. Yet I mean to go to Baghdad, that I may assert a certain what merchantmen of wealth and importance start thence. Then will I fare forth in their track and loot their goods, and I will slay their escort and drive off their camels with their loads.

But what manner of men are thou? Replied Khan Makan, Thy case is like unto my case, save that my evil is more grievous than the. thy kneel, for my cousin is a king's daughter, and a dowry of which thou hast spoken would not content her people, nor would they be satisfied with the like of that from me. Quotsaba, surely thou art a fool, or thy wits for excess of passion are gathering wool. How can thy cousin be a king's daughter? Thou hast no sign of royal rank on thee, for

thou art but a mendicant. Rejoined Khan Makhan, O chief of the Arabs, Let not this my case seem strange to thee, For what happened, happened. And if thou desire proof of me, I am Khan Makan, Son of King Zaw al-Makhan,

Son of King Omar bin al-Numan, Lord of Baghdad, and the realm Khorasan. And fortune banned me with her tyrant man. For my father died, and my sultanate was taken by King Sasan. So I fled forth from Baghdad secretly, lest I be seen of any man, and have wandered twenty days without any but thyself to scan.

So now I have discovered to thee my case, and my story is as thy story, and my need as thy need. When Sabah heard this, he cried out, O my joy, I have attained my desire, I will have no loot this day but thyself, for since thou art of the seed of kings and hast come out in beggar's garb, there is no help, but thy people will seek thee. And if they find thee in any one's power, they will ransom thee with monies galore. So show me thy back, O my lad, and walk before me. answered Khan Makhan.

O brother of the Arabs, act not on this wise, for my people will not buy me with silver nor with gold, not even with a copper dear hum. And I am a poor man, having with me neither much nor little. So cease then to be upon this track, and take me to thy comrade. Fare we forth for the land of Iraq, and wander over the world, so happily we may win dower and marriage portion, and we may seek and enjoy our cousin's kisses and embraces when we come back.

Hearing this, Sabah waxed angry, his arrogance and fury redoubled, and he said, Po to thee, dost thou band thee words with me, O vilest of dogs that be? turn thee thy back, or I will come down on thee with clock. Khan Makam smiled and answered, Why should I turn my back for thee? Is there no justice in thee? Does thou not fear to bring blame upon the Arab man by driving a man like myself captive,

in shame and disdain, before thou hast proved him on the plain, to know if he be a warrior or of coward, strain. Upon this Sabah laughed and replied, By Allah, a wonder, thou art a boy in years told, but in talk thou art old. These words should come from none, but a champion doughty and bold. What wantest thou of justice? Quoth Khan Makhan, if thou wilt have me thy captive, to wend with thee and serve thee, throw down, thine arms, and put off thine outer gear, and come on and wrestle with me, and whichever of us

throw his opponent, shall have his will of him, and make him his boy. Then Sabah laughed, and said, I think this waste of breath, T'noughteth the nearness of thy death. Then he arose, and threw down his weapon, and, tucking up his skirt, drew near unto Kan Makka. who also drew near, and they gripped each other. But the Badawi found that the other had the batter of him and weighed him down as the quintal downweighs the diner, and he looked at his legs firmly planted on the ground, and saw that they were as two minarets, strongly based, or two tent poles in earth encased, or two mountains which may not be disposed, or two mountains which may not be displaced. So he acknowledged himself to be a failure and repented of having come to wrestle with him,

saying to himself, would I had slay in him with my weapon? Then Kan Makan took hold of him, and mastering him, shook him till the Badawi thought his bowels would burst in his belly, and he broke out, Hold thy hand, O boy. He heeded not his words, But shook him again, And lifting him from the ground, Made with him towards the stream,

That he might throw him therein, Whereupon the Badawi roared out, Saying, O thou, valiant man, What will thou do with me? Quoth he, I mean to throw thee into this stream, It will bear thee to the Tigris. The Tigris will bring thee to the river Issa,

and the Issa will carry thee to the Euphrates, and the Euphrates will land thee in thine own country. So thy tribe shall see thee, and know thy manly cheer, and how thy passion be sincere. Then Sabah cried aloud and said, O champion of the desert lair, Do not with me what did the wicked dare, but let me go, by the life of thy cousin, the jewel of the fair. Hearing this, Khan Makan set him on the ground.

But when he found himself at liberty, he ran to his sword and targe, and taking them up, stood plotting in himself treachery, and sudden assault on his adversary. The prince canned his intent in his eye, and said to him, I conned what is in thy heart. Now thou hast hold of thy sword and thy targe. Thou hast neither length of hand, nor trick of wrestling, but thou thinkest that, Were thou on thy mare, and couldst wheel about the plain, and ply me with thy skin? I had long ago been slain.

But I will give thee thy requite, So there may be left in thy heart no despite, Nor give me the targe and fall on me with thy winger. Either thou shalt kill me or I shall kill thee. Here it is, answered Sabah, And throwing him the targe, Bared his brand, And rushed at him sword in hand.

hence the buckler in his right and began to fend himself with it while Saba struck at him, sane at each stroke. This is the finishing blow, but he fell harmless enough. For Kan Makam took all of his buckler, and it was waste work,

though he did not reply, lacking the wherewithal to strike, and Saba ceased not to smile, at him with the sabre, till his arm was weary. When his opponent saw this, he rushed upon him, and hugging him in his arm, shook him and threw him to the ground. Then he turned him over, on his face, and pinioned his elbows behind him with the baldric of his sword, and began to drag him by the feet, and to make for the river. Thereupon cried Sabah, What will thou do with me, O youth and cavalier of the age,

And brave of the plain, where battle rage? Answered he, Did I not tell thee that it was my intent to send thee by the river to thy king and to thy tribe, that thy heart be not troubled for then, nor their hearts be troubled for thee, and lest thou miss thy cousin's bright feast. At this sabah shrieked aloud, and wept, and screaming, said, Do not thus, O champion of the times brave, let me go and make me one of thy slaves. And he wept, and wailed, and began reciting these verses. I'm a strange fro, my folk, and in strangements long. Shall I die amid strangers? Ah, would that I can't.

I die, nor my kinsmen shall know where I am slain, die in exile, nor see the dear face of my friend. Thereupon Khan Makan had compassion on him, and said, Make with me a covenant true, and swear me an oath, To be a comrade as due, and to bear me company, wheresoever I may go. She is well, replied Saba, and soar accordingly. Then Kan Makan loosed him, and he rose, and would have kissed the prince's hand,

but he forbade him that. Then the Badawi opened his scrip, and taken out three barley scones, laid them before Kanmakan, and they both sat down on the bank of the stream to eat. When they had done eating together, they made the lesser ablushion and prayed, after which they sat talking of what had befallen each of them, from his people and from the shifts of time. Presently said Kamakan, Wither dost thou now intend? replied Sabah, I purpose to repair to Baghdad, thy native town, and abide there, Until Allah vouchsafed me the marriage portion.

Rejoined the other. Up then, and to the road, I tarry here. So the Badawi farewelled him, and took the way for Baghdad, whilst Kan Makan remained behind, saying to himself, O my soul, with what face shall I return, pauper, poor? Now, by Allah, I will not go back empty-handed, and if the Almighty please, I will assuredly work my deliverance. Then he went to the stream and made the wussu washing, and when prostrating,

he laid his brow in the dust and prayed to the Lord, saying, O Allah, thou who sendest down the dew, and feedest the worm that homes in the stone, I beseech thee vouchsafe me my livelihood of thine on earth. unipotence, and the grace of thy benevolence. Then he pronounced the salutation, which closes prayer. Yet every road appeared close to him, and while he sat turning right and left, behold, he espied a horseman, making towards him with bent back and reins slack. He sat up right, and after a time reached the prince, and the street, and the street,

Stranger was at the last grasp and made sure of death, for he was grievously wounded when he came up. The tears streamed down his cheeks, like water from the mouth of skins, and he said to Kan Makan, O chief of the Arabs, take me to thy friendship as long as I leave, for thou wilt not find my like. And give me a little water. Though the drinking of water be harmful to one wounded, especially whilst the blood is flowing and the life with it. And if I leave, I will give thee what shall heal thy penury and thy poverty. And if I die, mayst thou be blessed for thy good intent.

Now, under that horseman was a stallion, so noble a rabbit. The tongue fails to describe him. And as Khan Makan looked at his legs like marble shafts, he was seized with a longing and said to himself, Verily, the one of this stallion is not to be found in our time. Then he helped the rider to alight and entreated him in friendly guise, and gave him a little water to swallow, after which he waited till he had taken rest and addressed him, saying, Who hath dealt thus with thee? Quoth the rider, I will tell thee the truth of the case.

I am a horse thief, and I have busied myself with lifting and snatching horses all my life, night and day, and my name is Gassan, the plug of every state, and stallion. I heard the tell of this horse that he was in the land of Rome with King Afridun, where they had named him Al-Qat-Wu and surnamed him Al-Majnoon. So I journeyed to Constantinople for his sake and watched my opportunity, and whilst I was thus waiting, there came out an old woman, one highly honored among the Greeks. and whose word with them is law, by name Zat Aldawahi, a past mistress in all manner of trickery. She had with her this steed and ten slaves no more to attend on her and the horse,

and she was bound for Baghdad and Khorasan, there to seek King Sasan and to sue for peace and pardon from Ben. So I went out in their track, longing to get the horse, and ceased not to follow them, but was unable to come by the stallion, because of the strict guard kept by the slaves, till they reached this country, and I feared lest they enter the city of Baghdad. As I was casting about to steal the stallion, lo, a great cloud of dust arose on them. them and walled the horizon. Presently it opened and disclosed fifty horsemen, gathered together to waylay merchants on the highway, and their captain, by name Kardash, was a lion in daring and dash, a furious lion who layeth knights flat as carpets in battle crash. And Shahrazad perceived at the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 8 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3.

Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 9, Volume 3 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. recording by ellie the book of a thousand knights and a knight volume three section nine when it was the one hundred and forty-first knight she said it has reached me o auspicious king that the wounded rider spake thus to then came out the same caddash and fell on the old woman and her man and bore down upon them bashing them nor was it long before they bound her and the ten slaves wore off their captives and the horse rejoicing when i saw this i said to myself

my pains were in vain nor did i attain my gain however i waited to see how the affair would fare and when the old woman found herself in bonds she wept and said to the captain o thou doubtly champion and furious knight what wilt thou do with an old woman and slaves now that thou hast thy well of the horse and she beguiled him with soft words and she sware that she would send him horses and cattle till he released her and her slaves then he went his way he and his comrades and i followed them till they reached his country and i watched them till at last i found an opportunity of stealing the horse whereupon i mounted him and drawing a whip from a wallet struck him with it when the robbers heard this they came out on me and surrounded me on all sides and shot arrows and cast spears at me whilst i stuck fast on his back and he fended me with hoofs and forehand till at last he bolted out with me from amongst them like an earring shaft or shooting-star but in distress i got sundry grievous wounds and sore and since that time i have passed on his back three days without tasting food or sleeping out so that my strength is down-broad and the world is become to me a snort but tao has dealt kindly with me and has shown rousse on me and i see t naked stark and sorrow has set on tea its mark yet a sign of first and gentle breeding manifest on tea so tell me what and whence at tau and witha a answered the prince my name is cam macken son of sull macken son of king omar bin l newman when my father died and an orphan lot was my fate a base man seized the throne and became king over small and great then he told him all his past from first to last and the horse thief said to him for he pitied him by allah thou art one of high degree and exceeding nobility and thou shalt surely attain a state sublime and become the first cavalier of thightheim if thou can lift me on horseback and mount

tea behind me and bring me to my own land thou shalt have honor in this world and a reward on the day of bent calling to bend for i have no strength left to steady myself and if this be my last day this deed is time all way for thou art worseer of him than any other quoth came macken by allah if i could carry tea on my shoulders or share my days with tea i would do this deed without this deed for i am of a breed that love is to do good and to succour those in need and one kindly action in almighty allah's honour averted his savantic calamities from his doer so make ready to set out and put high trust in the subtle the old wise and he would have lifted him on to the horse and fared forward trusting in allah aider of those who seek aid but the horse thief said wait for me a while then he closed his eyes and opening his hands said i testify that there is no god but the god and i testify that mohammed is the apostle of god and he added oh glorious one pardon me my mortal sin for none can pardon mortal sins save the immortal and he made ready for death and recited these couplets i have wronged mankind and have ranged like wind over the world and in the wine cups my life has passed i have swam torrent course to be of the horse and my girl's high places on plain have cast much i've tried to win and overmatch my sin and cuttle of my winnings is most and last i had hoped of this deed to gain wish and need but vain was the end of this journey's vast i have stolen through life and my death in strife and was doomed by the lord who does all for cast and i have told these tolls to their fatal end for an often a pauper so kiss and friend and when he finished these verses he closed his eyes and opened his mouth then with a single death rattling he left his world there upon cammecan rose and dug a grave and laid him in the dust after which he went up to the steed and kissed him and wiped his face and joyed with exceeding joy saying

none has the fellow of this stallion no not even king sassan but such was the case with cammacken as regards king sassan presently news came to him that vesey dend had thrown off his allegiance and with him half a case with cammacken as regards king sassan presently news came to him that vesey danden had thrown off his allegiance and with him half the army who swore that they would have no king but came macken and the minister had bound the troops by a solemn convent and had gone with them to the islands of india and to berber island and to black island where he had levied armies from far and near like unto the swollen sea from fear and none could tell the hosts when from its rear and the minister was resolved to make for back that and take the kingdom in ward and slay every soul who dare retard having sworn not to return the sword of war to its cheese till he had made can mackay and take the kingdom in ward and slay every soul who dare to their chiefs till he had made can mackay king when these news came to sessan he was drowned in the sea of appeal knowing that the whole state would turn against him great and small and his trouble redoubled and his care became despair so he opened his treasuries and distributed his monies among his officers and he prayed for cammeccan's return that he might draw his heart to him with fair usage and bounty and make him commander of those troops which ceased of being faithful to him so might he quenched the spark's ear they became a flame now when the news of this reached cammecum by the merchants he returned in haste to baghdad on the back of aforesaid stallion and as king's assent sat perplexed upon his throne he heard of the coming of cammacken whereupon he despatched all the troops and headmen of the city to meet him so all who were in baghdad fared force met the prince and escorted him to the palace and kissed the thresholds whilst the damson eunuchs went on to his mother and gave her the fair tidings of his return she came to him and kissed him between the eyes but he said to her o mother myle let me go to my uncle king sysen who has overwhelmed me with will and boon and while he so did all the palace people and headmen marveled the beauty of the stallion and said no king is like unto this man

so came macken went into the king sasan and saluted him as he rose to receive him and kissing his hands and feet offered him the horse as the present the king greeted him saying welcome and welcome to my son by allah the world has been straightened on me by reason of thine absence but praise be allah for thy safety and camacken called down blessings on him then the king looked at the stallion elkertull and knew him for the very horse he had seen in such and such a year whilst beleaguering the gross worshippers of constantinople with cammecern's sire suel mecken that time they slew his uncle sherken so he said to the prince if thy father could have come by this courser he would have bought it with a thousand blood horses but now let the honour return to the honourable we accept this deed and we give him back to tea as a gift for to him thou hast more right than any wit being knightliest of nightliest thinking says and bade bring forth for him dresses of honour and let horses and appointed to him the chief flotching in the palace and showed him the utmost affection and honour because he feared the issue of the wiser dendon's doings at this came macken rejoiced and shame and humiliation ceased from him then he went to his horse and going to his mother asked o my mother how is it with the daughter of my uncle answered she by allah o my son my concern for thy absence has distracted me from any other even from thy beloved especially as she was the cause of thy strangerhood and thy separation from me then he complained to her of his case saying o my mother go to her and speak with her happily she will watch gave me her sight to see and dispel from me this despondency replied his mother idle desires obey his men's necks so put away from tith's sword that can only wax for i will not vent to her nor go into her with such message

now when he heard his mother's words he told her what said the horse-sif concerning said el d'awah how the old woman was then in their land purposing to make back that and added it was she who slew my uncle and my grandfather and needs must i avenge them the man boat our reproach be wiped out then he left her and repaired to an old woman a wicked horish peniculous bedland by name of the dinah and complained to her of his case and of what he suffered for love of his cousin cussia fecken and begged her to go on to her and win her favour for him i hear and i obey answered the old hag and leaving him betook herself to cussia fecan's palace that she might intercede with her in his behalf then she returned to him and said of the truth cusia fecun and promises to visit tithee this night about midnight and jahara said perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section nine of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume three recording by ellie september two thousand and nine Section 10, Volume 3 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, Volume 3.

When it was the 142 night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the old woman came to Kan Makhan and said, Of a truth the daughter of thine uncle saluted thee, and she will visit thee this night about midnight. He rejoiced and sat down to await the fulfilment of his cousin's promise. But before the hour of night she came to him, wrapped in a veil of black silk and she went into him and aroused him from sleep saying how canst thou pretend to love me when thou art sleeping heart-free and in complete content so he awoke and said by allah o desire of my heart i slept not but in the hope that thine image might visit my dreams then she chid him with soft words and began versifying in these couplets hadst thou been leaf in love's loyalty ne'er hadst suffered sleep to seal those ine o thou who claimest lover's loyalty treading the lover's path of pain and pine by allah

my cousin never yet did eyes of lover sleep such sleep in dine. Now, when he heard his cousin's words he was abashed before her, and rose and excused himself. Then they embraced, and complained to each other of the anguish of separation, and they ceased not thus till dawn broke, and day dispersed itself over the horizon, when she rose, preparing to depart. Upon this Kan Makan wept and sighed, and began improvising these couplets. O thou who deignest come at sorest's sink, Whose lips those teeth like necklace pearls in shrine, I kissed him thousand times, and clipped his waist, and spent the night with cheek to cheek close line.

Till to departest twain came dawning day, like sword-edge drawn from sheath in radiant line. And when he ended his poetry, Cusia Fakan took leave of him and returned to her palace. Now, certain of her damsels became aware of her secret, and one of these slave-girls disclosed it to King Sassan, who went into Cusia-Farcan, and drawing his sabre upon her, would have slain her. But her mother, Nujatazamane, entered and said to him, By Allah, do her no harm, for if thou hurt her, the report will be noised among the folk and thou shalt become a reproach amongst the kings of the age know thou that kan macan is no son of adultery but a man of honour and nobility who would not do aught that could shame him and she was reared with him so be not hasty for verily the report is spread abroad among all the palace people and all the folk of baghdad how the wazir dandan hath levied armies from all countries

and is on his way hither to make kan makhan king quoth sassan by allah needs must i cast him into such calamity that neither earth shall support him nor sky shall shadow him i did but speak him fair and show him favour because of my lieges and my lords lest they incline to him but right soon shalt thou see what shall be tied then he left her and went out to order the affairs of the realm Such then was the case with King Sasan, but as regards Kan Makhan, on the next day he came in to his mother and said, Oh my mother, I am resolved to ride forth a raiding and a looting, and I will cut the road of caravans and lift horses and flocks, Negroes and white slaves, and as soon as I have collected great store, and my cases bettered galore, I will demand my cousin Cusiafakan in marriage of my uncle Sasan. replied she o my son of a truth the goods of men are not ready to hand like a scape camel for on this side of them are sword-strokes and lance lungings and men that eat the wild beast and lay country's waste and chase lynxes and hunt lions quoth he heaven forfend that i turn back from my resolve till i have won to my will then he despatched the old woman to kuziafarkhan to tell her that he was about my resolve till i have won to my will then he despatched the old woman to kuziafakan to tell her that he was about

about to set out in quest of a marriage settlement befitting her, saying to the Bel-Darm, Thou needs must pray her to send me an answer. I hear and I obey, replied the old woman, and going forth, presently returned with Cusia Fakan's reply, which was, She will come to thee at midnight. So he abode awake till one half of the night was passed, when restlessness got hold of him, and before he was aware she came into him, saying, My life be thy ransom from wakefulness, And he sprang up to receive her, exclaiming,

O desire of my heart, My life be thy redemption from all ills and evils. Then he acquainted her with his intent, and she wept, But he said, Weep not, O daughter of my uncle, For I beseech him who decreed our separation, To vouch safest reunion and fair understanding. Then Khan Makan, having fixed a day for departure, went into his mother and took leave of her, after which came he down from his palace, and threw the baldric of his sword over his shoulder,

and donned, turbaned, and face-vail, and mounting his horse, Al-Katul, and looking like the moon at its full, he threaded the streets of Baghdad till he reached the city gate. And behold, here he found Sabah bin Rama, out of town, and his comrade, seeing him, ran to his stirrup and saluted him. He returned his salutation, and Sabah asked him, O my brother, how cameest thou by this good steed and this sword and clothes, whilst I, up to present time, have gotten nothing but my sword and target? Answered Khan Makhan, The hunter returneth not, but with quarry after the measure of his intention. A little after thy departure, fortune came to me, so now say, wilt thou go with me, and work thun intent in my company, and journey with me in this desert, replied Sabah,

By the lord of the Ka'abah, from this time forth I will call thee naught but my lord. Then he ran on before the horse, with his sword hanging from his neck, and his budget between his shoulder-blades, and Kan-makan rode a little behind him, and they plunged into the desert for a space of four days, eating of the gazelles and drinking water of the springs. On the fifth day they drew near a high hill, at whose foot was a spring encampment, and a deep-running stream, and the knolls and hollows were filled with camels and cattle, and sheep and horses, and little children played about the pens and folds. When Kan Makhan saw this, he rejoiced at the sight, and his breast was filled with delight, so he addressed himself to fight, that he might take the camels and the cattle,

and said to Sabah, come, fall with us upon this loot, whose owners have left it unguarded here, and do we battle for it with near and far, so happily may fall to our lot of goods some share. Replied Sabah, O my lord, verily they to whom these herds belong, be many in number, and among them are doughty horsemen and fighting footmen, and if we venture lives in this daring dew, we shall fall into danger great, and neither of us will return safe from this bait. But we shall both be cut off by fate,

and leave our cousins desolate. Then Kan Makhan laughed and knew that he was a coward, so he left him and rode down the rise in tent on rapine, with loud cries and chanting these couplets. o a valiant race are the sons of nu'nann braves whose blades shred heads of the foeman clan a tribe who when tried in the tussle of war taketh prowess stand in the battle-van in their tents safe close gabalunze's eyne nor his poverty's ugly features scan and i for their aidance sue of him who is king of kings and made soul of man then he rushed upon the she-cammels like a he-cammle in rut and drove all before him sheep and cattle horses and dromedaries therewith the slaves ran at him with their blades so bright and their lances so long and at their head rode a turkish horseman who was indeed a stout champion dought in fray and in battlechance and skilled to wield the nut-brown lance and the blade with bright glance he drove at canmakan so that

saying, Woe to thee! Newest thou to whom these herds belong, thou hadst not done this deed. Know that they are the goods of the band Grecian, the champions of the ocean, and the troop Circassian, and this troop containeth none but valiant whites, numbering and hundred knights, who have cast off the allegiance of every sultan. But there hath been stolen from them a noble stallion, and they have vowed not to return hence without him. Now when Kan Makhan heard these words He cried out saying, O villain,

This I bestride is the steed Whereof ye speak, And after which ye seek, And ye would do battle with me for his sake. So come out against me, All of you at once, And do you dourist for the nonce. Then he shouted between the ears of Al-Katul

Who ran at them like a rull, Whereupon Kan Makhan let drive at the Turk, And ran him through the body, and threw him from his horse and let out his life after which he turned upon a second and a third and a fourth and also of life bereft them when the slave saw this they were afraid of him and he cried out and said to them ho sons of whores drive out the cattle and the stud or i will die my spear in your blood so they untethered the beasts and began to drive them out and sabah came down to kan mah Khan with loud voices and hugely rejoicing, when lo there arose a cloud of dust, and grew till it walled the view, and there appeared under of it riders and hundred, like lions and hungered. Upon this sabah took flight, and fled to the hill's topmost height,

leaving the assailable sight, and enjoyed sight of the fight, saying, I am no warrior, but in sport and jest I delight. Then the hundred cavaliers made towards Kan Makan, and surrounded him on all sides, and one of them accosted him, saying, Whether goest thou with this loot? Quoth he, I have made it my prize, and am carrying it away, and I forbid you from it,

or come on to the combat, for know ye that he who is before you is a terrible lion, and an honourable champion, and a sword that cutteth wherever it turneth. When the horseman heard these words, he looked at Kanmakan, and saw, that he was a knight, like a main-clad lion in might, whilst his face was as the full moon rising on its fourteenth night, and Valour shone from between his eyes. Now that horseman was

the captain of the hundred horse, and his name was Kachdash, and when he saw in Kanmakan the perfection of cavalieris, with surpassing gifts of comeliness, his beauty reminded him of a beautiful mistress of his, whose name was Fatin. Now she was one of the fairest of women in face, for Allah had given her charms and grace, and noble qualities of all kind, such as tongue faileth to explain, and which ravish the hearts of men. Moreover, the cavaliers of the tribe feared her prowess, and all the champions of that land stood in awe of her high spirit, and she had sworn that she would not marry, nor let any possess her except he should conquer her in combat

Kharthash being one of her suitors and she said to her father none shall approach me save he be able to deal me overthrow in the field instead of war-thrust and blow Now when this news reached

Kadash he scorned to fight with a girl fearing reproach And one of his intimates said to him Thou art complete in all conditions of beauty and goodliness, so if thou contend with her, even though she be stronger than thou, thou must needs overcome her, for, when she seeth thy beauty and grace, she will be discomforted before thee, and yield thee the victory. For verily women have a need of men, even as thou heedest full plain. Nevertheless, Kardash refused, and would not contend with her, and he ceased not to abstain from

her thus, till he met from Kanma Khan, that which hath been set down. Now he took the prince for his beloved Fatin, and was afraid, albeit indeed she loved him, for what she had heard of his beauty and valour. So he went up to him, and said, Woe to thee, O Fatin! Thou comest here to show me thy prowess, but now alight from thy steed, that I may talk with thee, for I have lifted these cattle, and have foiled my friends, waylaid many a brave and man of knightly race, all for the sake of thy beauty of form and face, which are without peer. So marry me now that king's daughters may serve thee, and thou shalt become queen of these countries. When Kunma Khan heard these words, the fires of wrath flamed up in him,

and he cried out, Woe to thee, O Persian dog! Leave Fatin and thy trust and mistrust, and come to cut and thrust, for eft soon thou should lie in the dust. And so saying he began to wheel about him, and assail him, and feel the way to prevail. But when Kaddash observed him closely, he knew him for a doughty night, and a stalwart in fight, and the error of his thought became manifest to him, when as he saw the green down on his cheeks disbred like myrtles, springing from the heart of a rose bright red and he feared his onslaught and quoth he to those with him woe to you let one of you charge down upon him and show him the keen sword and the quivering spear for know that when many do battle with one man it is a foul shame even though he be a kempily white and an invincible knight upon this they ran at canmakan a horseman like a lion in fight mounted on a black

horse with hooves snow-white, and a star on his forehead, the bigness of a dirham, astounding wit and sight, as he were Abjar, which was Antar's distrier, even as saith of him the poet. The courser charges on battling foe, mixing heaven on high with the earth down low, as thou the morning had blazed his brow, and he rends her vitals, as quid broke woe. He rushed upon Kan Makarn, and they wheeled about a while, giving blows and taking blows such as confound the sprite and dim the sight. But Kan Makhan was the first to smite the foe a swashing blow that rove through turbaned and ironed skullcap, and reached his head, and he fell from his steed with the fall of a camel when he rolleth over. Then a second came out to him, and offered battle, and in light guise a third, a fourth, and a fifth,

and he did with them all as he had done with the first. Thereupon the rest at once rushed upon him, for indeed they were roused by rage and wild with wrath, but it was not long before he had pierced them all with the point of his spear. When Kathdash saw these feats of arms, he feared death, for he knew that the youth was stoutest of heart, and concluded that he was unique among knights and doth. And he said to Kan Makhan, I wave my claim to thy blood, and I pardon thee the blood of my comrades,

So take what thou wilt of the cattle, and wend thy ways, For thy firmness in fight, moveth my ruth, And life is better for thee than death. Replied Kan Makhan, Thou lackest not of the generosity of the noble, but leave this talk, and run for thy life, and wreck not of blame nor think to get back the booty but take the straight path for thine own safety thereupon kardash waxed exceeding wrath and rage moved him to the cause of his death so he said to kan makhan woe to thee and thou knew who i be thou wouldst not wield these words in the open field i am the lion to bash known as kardash he who spoileth great kings and way layeth all travellers and say seeth the merchant's preciousest things. And the steed under thee is that I am seeking, and I call upon thee to tell me how thou camest by him,

and hast him in thy keeping. Replied, Kan Makhan, Know thou that this steed was being carried to my uncle, King Sasan, under the escort of an ancient dame, high in rank, attended by ten slaves, when thou fellest upon her, and tookest the horse from her, and I have a debt of blood against this old woman

For the sake of my grandfather, King Omar bin al-Nut-Mahn, My uncle, King Sharkan. Wo to thee, quoth Kardash, Who is thy father, O thou that hast no lawful mother? Quoth he, know that I am Karmakhan, bin Zaw al-Makhan, son of Omar, bin An-N-N-Nut-Mahn. But when Kardash heard this address, he said, thy perfection cannot be denied nor yet the union in thee of knightly virtue and seemly head and he added fair in peace for thy father showed us favour rejoined kan macan by allah i will not deign to honour thee o wretch i disdain so far as to overcome thee in battle plain

upon this the badawi waxed wrath and they drove at each other shouting aloud whilst their horses pricked their ears and raised their tails and they ceased not clashing together with such a crash that it seemed to each as if the firmament were split in sunder and they continued to strive like two rams which butt smiting and exchanging with their spears thrust and cut presently kardash foined at khanmakar but he evaded it, and so pierced him through the breast that the spearhead issued from his back. Then he collected the horses and the plunder, and he cried out to the slaves, saying, Up and be driving as hard as ye may. Hearing this, down came Sabah, and accosting Kanma Khan, said to him, Right well hast thou die to-night of the age, verily I prayed Allah for thee, and the Lord heard my prayer. Then he cut off, Kardashi's head, and Kan macan laughed and said, Woe to thee or sabah! I thought thee a rider feign of fight, quoth the Badawi,

Forget not thy slave in the division of the spoil, so happily therewith I may marry my cousin Najma. Answered Kan, thou shalt assuredly shearing it, but now keep watch over the booty and the slaves. Then he set out for his home, and he ceased not. journeying night and day till he drew near Baghdad city and all the troops heard of Kanmakan and saw what was his of loot and cattle and the horse-thief's head on the point of Sabah spear also for he was a noted highwayman the merchants knew kath dashed his head and rejoiced saying Allah hath rid mankind of him and they marvelled at his being slain and blessed his slayer thereupon all the people of Baghdad came to Kanmakan, seeking to know what adventures had befallen him, and he told them what had passed, whereupon all men were taken with awe of him, and the knights and champions feared him. Then he drove his spoil under the palace walls, and planting the spear-heel, on whose point was Kardash's head, over against the royal gate, gave Lagesse to the people of Baghdad, distributing horses and camels, so that all loved to, him and their hearts inclined to him.

Presently he took Sabah, and lodged him in a spacious dwelling, and gave him a share of the loot, after which he went in to his mother, and told her all that had befallen him in his last journey. Meanwhile the news of him reached the king, who rose from his levee, and shutting himself up with his chief officers, said to them, know ye that I desire to reveal to you my secret, and acquaint you with the hidden facts of my case, and further know that Karmakhan will be the cause of our being uprooted from this kingdom, our birthplace, for he hath slain Kaddash, albeit he had with him the tribes of the Kurds and the Turks,

and our affair with him will end in our destruction, seeing that the most part of our troops are his kinsmen, and ye weat what the wazir Dandan hath done. how he disowneth me, after all I have shown him of favours, and after being faithful he hath turned traitor. Indeed it hath reached me that he hath levied an army in the provinces, and hath planned to make Khan Makhan Sultan, for that the sultanate was his fathers and his grandfather's,

and assuredly he will slay me without mercy. Now when the lords of the realm heard from him these words, they replied, O King, verily this man is unequal to this, and did we not know him to have been reared by thee, not one of us would approve of him, and know thou that we are at thy commandment. If thou desire his death, we will do him die,

and if thou wilt remove him, we will remove him. Now when King Sasan heard this, he said, Verily to slay him were wise, but needs must ye swear an oath to it. So all swear to slay, Khan Makhan without giving him a chance. To the end that, when the Wazir Dandan should come and hear of his death, his force might be weakened, and he fail of his design. When they had made this compact and covenant with Trim, the king honoured them with the highest honours, and presently retired to his own apartments. But the officers deserted him, and the troops refused their service, and would neither mount nor dismount until they should espy what might befall. for they saw that most of the army was with the wazir dandan. Presently the news of these things came to Cusiafakan and caused her much concern,

so that she sent for the old woman who was wont to carry messages between her and her cousin, and when she came, bade her go to him and warn him of the plot. Where too he replied, bear my salutation to the daughter of my uncle, and say to her, verily the earth is of Allah, to whom belong? might and majesty, and he giveth it as heritage to whomesoever of his servants he willeth. How excellent is the saying of the sayer, Allah holds kingship, whoso seeks without him victory, shall be cast out with soul condemned to hell of low degree. Had I or any other man a finger-breadth

of land, the rule were changed, and men a twain of partner-gods would see. Then the old woman returned to Cusiafakan and told her his reply and acquainted her that he abode in the city. Meanwhile, King Sasan awaited his faring forth from Baghdad that he might send after him some who would slay him. Till it befell one morning that Kan Makhan went out to course and chase, accompanied by Sabah, who would not leave him night or day. He caught ten gazelles, and among them one that had tender black eyes, and turned right and left, so he let her go, and Sabah said to him, Why didst thou free this gazelle?

Khan Makhan laughed, and set the others free also, saying, It is only humane to release gazelles that have young, and this one turned not from side to side, save to look for her fawns. So I let her go, and released the others in her honour. Quoth Sabah, do thou release me that I may go to my people. at this kan macan laughed and smote him with the spear-butt on the breast and he fell to the ground squirming like a snake whilst they were thus doing behold they saw a dust-cloud spiring high and heard the tramp of horses and presently there appeared under it a plump of knights and braves now the cause of their coming was this some of his followers had acquainted king sassan with khan macan's going out to the chase so he sent for an emir of the dalemites called jammit and twenty of his horsemen and gave them money and bade them slay so when they drew near the prince they charged upon him and he met them in mid-charge and killed them all to the last man and behold king sassan took horse and riding out to meet his people

found them all slain, whereat he wondered and turned back, when lo! the people of the city laid hands upon him, and bound him straightly. As for Kunma Khan, after that adventure, he left the place behind him and rode onward with Sabah the Badawi, and while he went, lo, he saw a youth sitting at the door of a house on his road, and saluted him. The youth returned his greeting, and going into the house, brought out two platters, one full of soured milk and the other of bruis swimming in clarified butter and he set the platter before kan macan saying favour us by eating of our vital but he refused and quoth the young man to him what aileth thee o man that thou wilt not eat quoth can macan i have a vow upon me the youth asked what is the cause of thy vow and can macan answered know that king sassan seized my kingdom like a tyrant and an enemy although it was my father's and my grandfather's before me yet he became master of it by force after my father's death and took no count of me me, by reason of my tender years. So I have bound myself by a vow to eat no man's

vitil, till I have eased my heart of my foe." Rejoined the youth. Rejoice, for Allah hath fulfilled thy vow. Know that he hath been imprisoned in a certain place, and methinks he will soon die. Asked Kan Makhan, in what house is he confined? Under yon-high-dome, answered the other. The prince looked and saw him the folk entering and buffeting Sasan, who was suffering the agonies of the dying. So he arose and went up to the pavilion, and noted what was therein, after which he returned to his place, and sitting down to the proffered vittle, ate what sufficed him, and put the rest in his

wallet. Then he took seat in his own place, and ceased not sitting till it was dark night, and the youth, whose guest he was, slept. When he rose and repaired to the pavilion, wherein Sasan was confined. Now, about it were dogs guarding it, and one of them sprang at him, so he took out of his budget a bit of meat, and threw it to him. He ceased not casting flesh to the dogs

till he came to the pavilion, and making his way to where King Sasan was, laid his hand upon his head. Whereupon he said, in a loud voice, Who art thou? He replied, I am Khan Makhan, whom thou stravest to kill, but Allah made thee fall into thine evil device.

Did it not suffice thee to take my kingdom and the kingdom of my father, but thou must purpose to slay me? And Sasan swore a false oath that he had not plotted his death, and that the brute was untrue. So, Kamakhan forgave him, and said to him, follow me. Quoth he, I cannot walk a single step for weakness. Quoth Khan Khan, if the case be thus, We will get us two horses, and ride forth, I and thou, and seek thee open.

So he did, as he said, and he took horse with Sasan, and rode till daybreak, when they prayed the dawn prayer, and fared on, and ceased not faring till they came to a garden, where they sat down and talked. Then Kan Makhan rose to Sasan, and said, Is ought left to set thy heart against me? No, by Allah, replied Sasan. So they agreed to. return to Baghdad, and Sabah the Badawi said,

I will go before you, to give folk the fair tidings of your coming. Then he rode on in advance, acquainting women and men with the good news. So all the people came out to meet Kanmakhan with tabrits and pipes, and Kuziaf Khan also came out, like the full moon shining in all her splendour of light, through the thick darkness of the night. So Kan Makhan met her, and soul yearned to soul, and body longed for body. There was no talk among the people of the time, but of Kanmakan,

for the knights bore witness of him that he was the most valiant of the folk of the age, and said, It is not right that other than Kanmakan should be our Sultan, but the throne of his grandfather shall revert to him as it began. Meanwhile Sasan went into his wife, Nuzat, who said to him, I hear that the folk talk of nothing but can macan, and a tribute to him such qualities as tongue never can. He replied,

Hearing of a man is not like seeing a man. I have seen him, but have noted in him none of the attributes of perfection. Not all that is heard is said, but folk ape one another in extolling and cherishing him, and Allah maketh his praises to run on the lips of men. so that they are inclined to him the hearts of the people of Baghdad and of the wazir Dandan, that perfidious and treacherous man, who hath levied troops from all the lands,

and taketh to himself the right of naming a king of the country, and who chooseth that it shall be under the hand of an orphan ruler whose worth is nought. Asked Nuzat as Zaman, What then is it that thou purposest to do? And the king answered, i mean to kill him that the wazir may be bought of his intent and return to his allegiance seeing nothing for it but my service quoth she in good sooth perfidy with strangers is a foul thing and how much more with kith and kin the righteous deed to do would be to marry him to thy daughter kuziafakan and give heed to what was said of old time and fate some person stablish o'er thy head and thou being worthier her choice upbraid yet do him honour due to his estate he'll bring thee wheel though far or near thou wade

nor speak thy thought of him else shalt thou be of those who self-degrade from honour's grade many harimes are lovelier than the bride but time and fortune lent the bride their aid when sassan heard these her words and comprehended what her verse intended he rose from her in anger and said were it not that thy death would bring on me dishonour and disgrace i would take off thy head with my blade and make an end of thy breath quoth she why art thou wroth with me i did but jest with thee then she rose to him and bust his head and hands saying right is thy foresight and i and thou will cast about for some means to kill him forthright when he heard this he was glad and said make haste and contrive some deceit to relieve me of my grieving for in my sooth the door of devices straightened upon me replied she at once I will devise for thee to do away his life. How so, asked he, and she answered, by means of our female slave, the so-called Bakun. Now this Bakun was past mistress in all kinds of knavery, and was one of the most pestilent of old women, in whose religion to abstain from wickedness was not lawful.

She had brought up Kuziafakan, and Kanmakan, who had her in so great affection that he used to sleep at her feet. so when king saan heard his wife name her he said right is this wrecking and sent for the old woman told her what had passed and bade her cast about to kill kan macan promising her all good replied she thy bidding shall be obeyed but i would have thee o my lord give me a dagger which hath been tempered in the water of death that i may despatch him the speedilyer for thee quoth sassan and welcome to thee and gave her a hanger that would devance man's destiny now this slave-woman had heard stories and verses and had learnt by rote great store of strange sayings and anecdotes so she took the dagger and went out of the room considering how she could compass his doom then she repaired to kan macan who was sitting and awaiting news of trist with the daughter of his uncle kuziafakan so that night his thought was taken up with her and the fires of love for her raged in his heart and while he was thus behold the slave-woman bakun went into him and said union time is at hand and the days of disunion are over and gone now when he heard this he asked how is it with kuziafakan and bacun answered know that her time is wholly taken up with love of thee at this he rose and doffing his out of thee at this he rose and doffing his outer clothes put them on her and promised her all good then said she know that i mean to pass this night with thee that i may tell thee what talk i have heard and console thee with stories of many passion distraughts whom love hath made sick

nay quoth he rather tell me a tale that will gladden my heart and gar my cares depart with joy and good will answered she then she took seat by his side and that poniard under her dress and began to say know thou that the pleasantest thing my ears ever heard was the tale of the hashish eater a certain man loved fair women and spent his substance on them till he became so poor that he became so poor that the tale of the hashish eater a certain man loved fair women and spent his substance on them till he became so poor that nothing remained to him the world was straightened upon him and he used to go about the market streets begging his daily bread once upon a time as he went along behold a bit of iron nail pierced his finger and drew blood so he sat down and wiping away the blood bound up his finger then he arose crying out and fared forwards till he came to a hamam and entering took off his clothes and when he looked about him he found it clean and empty so he sat him down by the fountain basin and ceased not pouring water on his head till he was tired And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 10 of The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 11, Volume 3 of The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton.

This is a Librivox recording. All Librevox 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 3, Section 11. When it was the 143rd night. She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the man sat down by the fountain basin, and ceased not pouring water on his head till he was tired. Then he went out to the room in which was the same,

cistern of cold water, and seeing no one there he found a quiet corner, and taking out a piece of hashish, swallowed it. Presently the fumes mounted to his brain, and he rolled over onto the marble floor. Then the hashish made him fancy that a great lord was shampooing him, and that two slaves stood at his head, one bearing a bowl, and the other washing gear, and all the requisites of the Hamam. When he saw this, he said in himself, Me seemeth these here be mistaken in me, or else they are of the company of us Hashishita's. Then he stretched out his legs, and he imagined that the bath-man said to him, O my master, the time of thy going up to the palace, draweth near, and it is to-day thy turn of service.

At this he laughed, and said to himself, as Allah willeth, O Hashish. Then he sat and said nothing, whilst the bar-house. bath-man arose and took him by the hand and girt his middle with a waist-cloth of black silk after which the two slaves followed him with the bowls and gear and they ceased not escorting him till they brought him into a cabinet wherein they set incense and perfumes of earning he found the place full of various kinds of fruits and sweet-scented flowers and they sliced him a watermelon and seated him on a stool of ebony whilst the bath-man stood to wash him and the slaves poured water on him after which they rubbed him down well and said o our lord sir wazir health to thee for ever then they went out and shut the door on him and in the vanity of fantasy he arose and removed the waist-cloth from his middle and laughed till he well-nigh fainted he gave not over-laughing for some time and at last quoth he to himself what aileth them to address me as if i were a minister and star me master and sir haply they are now blundering but after an hour they will know me and say this fellow is a beggar and take their feel of cuffing me on the neck presently feeling hot he opened the door whereupon it seemed to him that a little white slave and a new nook came in to him carrying a parcel then the slave opened it and brought out three kerchiefs of silk one of which he threw over his head a second over his shoulders and a second over his shoulders and a man

a third he tied round his waist. Moreover the eunuch gave him a pair of bath-clogs, and he put them on, after which in came white slaves and eunuchs, and supported him, and he, laughing the while, to the outer hall, which he found hung and spread with magnificent furniture, such as beseemeth none but kings, and the pages hastened up to him and seated him on the divan, then they fell to needing him till sleep overcame him, and he dreamt the that he had a girl in his arms. So he kissed her, and set her between his thighs. Then, sitting to her as a man sitteth to a woman,

he took yard in hand, and drew her towards him, and weighed down upon her. When lo! he heard one saying to him, Awake thou ne'er do well! The noon hour is come, and thou art still asleep. He opened his eyes, and found himself lying on the merge of the cold-water-tank, amongst a crowd of people all laughing at him, for his prickle was at point, and the napkin had slipped from his middle. So he knew that all this was but a confusion of dreams and an illusion of hashish,

and he was vexed, and said to him who had aroused him, Would thou hadst waited till I had put it in? Then said the folk, art thou not ashamed, O Hashishita, to be sleeping start naked with stiff standing tall, and they cuffed him till his neck was red. Now he was starving, yet forsooth had he savoured the flavour of pleasure in his dream. When Kan Makhan heard the Bondwoman's tale, he laughed till he fell backward and said to Bakun, Oh, my nurse, this is indeed a rare story and a delectable. I never heard the like of this anecdote.

Say me, asked more. Yes, replied she, and she ceased not to tell him merry adventures and laughable. absurdities till sleep overcame him. Then she sat by his head till the most part of the night was passed, when she said to herself, It is time to profit by the occasion, so she sprang to her feet and unsheathed the hangar, and rushing up to Kan Makhan was about to cut his throat, when behold his mother came in upon the twain. As soon as Bakun saw her, she rose in respect, and advanced to meet her, and fear got hold of her, and she fell out of her. And she fell a-trembling, as if she had the ague. When his mother looked at her, she marvelled

to see her thus, and aroused her son, who awoke and found her sitting at his head. Now the cause of her coming was that Cusiafacan overheard the conversation and the concert to kill Canmakan, and she said to his mother, O wife of my uncle, go to thy son, ere that wicked whore Bakun murder him! And she told her what had passed from first to last. so she fared forth at once and she thought of nought and stayed not for aught till she went into her son at the very moment when bakun was about to slay him in his sleep when he awoke he said to his mother o my mother indeed thou comest at a good time for nurse bakun hath been with me this night then he turned to barcun and asked her by my life knowest thou any story better than those thou hast told me she answered and where is what i have told thee compared with what i will tell thee but however better it be it must be told at another time then she rose to depart hardly believing in her escape albeit he said go in peace for she perceived by her cunning that his mother knew what had occurred so she went her way whereupon his mother said to him o my son blessed be this night

for that almighty allah hath delivered thee from this accursed woman and how so inquired he and she told him the story from beginning to end quoth he o my mother of a truth the live man findeth no slayer and though slain he shall not die but now it were wiser that we depart from amongst these enemies and let allah work what he will so when day dawned he left the city and joined the wazir dandan and after his departure certain things befell between king sassan and nuzat azaman which compelled her also to quit the city and join herself to them and presently they were met by all the high officers of king sassan who inclined to their party then they sat in council together devising what they should do and at last all agreed upon a razia into the land of rome there to take their revenge for the death of king omar bin an nukemar and his son Sharkhan. So they set out with this intent, and after sundry adventures, which it were tedious to tell,

as will appear from what follows, they fell into the hands of Rumsan, king of the Greeks. Next morning, King Rumsan caused Kan Makhan and the Wazir Dandan and their company to be brought before him, and when they came he seated them at his side, and bads spread the tables of food.

So they ate and drank and took heart of grace After having made sure of death When they were summoned to the king's presence And they had said to one another He hath not sent for us but to slay us And when they were comforted The king said, In truth I have had a dream Which I related to the monks

And they said, None can expound it to thee Save the wazir dandan Quoth the minister Wheele it was thou didst thee in thy dream O King of the Age! Quoth the King, O Wazir, I dreamt that I was in a pit

which seemed a black well where multitudes were tormenting me, and I would have risen, but when springing up I fell on my feet and could not get out of that same pit. Then I turned, and saw therein a girdle of gold, and I stretched out my hand to take it,

for when I raised it from the ground, I saw it was two girdles. So I girt my middle with them both, and behold the girdles became one girdle and this o wazir is my dream and what i saw when my sleep was deepest said dandan o our lord the sultan know that this thy dream denoteth thou hast a brother or a brother's son or an uncle's son or other near kinsman of thy flesh and blood whom thou knowest not with all he is of the noblest of you all now when the king heard these words he looked at khanmakhan and and Nuzat Azaman, and Kuzya for Khan, and the wazir Dandan, and the rest of the captives, and said to himself, If I smite these people's necks, their troops will lose heart for the destruction of their chiefs, and I shall be able to return speedily to my realm, lest the kingship pass out of my hands.

So, having determined upon this, he called to the sorda, and bade him strike off Kanmakan's head upon the spot and forthright, When lo! Up came Rumsanne's nurse and said to him, O auspicious king, what purposeest thou? Quoth he, I purpose slaughtering these prisoners who are in my power, and after that I will throw their heads upon their men. Then will I fall upon them, I and all my army in one body, and kill all we can kill, and rout the rest.

So will this be the decisive action of the war, and I shall return speedily to my kingdom, ere ought of accident befall among my subjects. When the nurse heard these words, she came up to him, and said, in the Frankish tongue, How canst thou prevail upon thyself to slay thine own brother's son, and thy sister, and thy sister's daughter? When he heard this language, he was wroth with exceeding wrath, and said to her, Oh, a cursed woman, didst thou not tell me that my mother was murdered, and that my father died by poison? Didst thou not give me a duel, and say to me, of a truth this jewel was thy father's? Why didst thou not tell me the truth? Replied she, All that I told thee is true, but my case and thy case are wonderful, and my history and thy history are marvellous.

My name is Marjana, and thy mother's name was Abriza, and she was gifted with such beauty and loveliness and valour that proverbs were made of her, and her prowess was renowned among men of war, and thy father was King Omar bin At Noomman, Lord of Baghdad and Chorasan, without doubt or double dealings or denial. He sent his son, Sharkhan, on Arazia, in company with this very Wazir Dandan. and they did all that men can. But Sharkhan, thy brother,

who had preceded the force, separated himself from the troops, and fell in with thy mother, Queen Abriza, in her palace. And we happened to have sought a place apart in order to wrestle, she and I and her other damsels. He came upon us by chance,

while we were in such case, and wrestled with thy mother, who overcame him by the power of her splendid beauty, and by her prowess. Then she entertained him five days in her palace, till the news of this came to her father by the old woman Shawahi, surnamed Zatadawahi,

whereupon she embraced al-Islam at the hands of Sharkhan, and he took her and carried her by stealth to Baghdad, and with her myself and Rihanab and twenty other damsels, all of us having, like her, followed the true faith. When we came into the presence of thy father, the king Oma binat Noomann, and he saw thy mother, Queen Abriza. He fell in love with her, and going in unto her one night, had connection with her, and she conceived by him, and became with child of thee.

Now thy mother had three jewels which she presented to thy father, and he gave one of them to his daughter, Nuzat al-Zaman, another to thy brother, Zau al-Makhan, and the third to thy brother, Sharkhan. this last thy mother took from sharkhan and kept it for thee but as the time of her delivery drew near she yearned after her own people and disclosed to me her secret so i went to a black slave called al-gazban and privily telling him our case bribed him to go with us accordingly the negro took us and fled the city with us thy mother being near her time but as we approached a desert place on the borders of a our own country, the pangs of labour came upon thy mother. Then the slave proved himself a lustful villain, and approaching her, sought of her a shameful thing. Whereupon she cried out at him with a loud cry, and was sore affrighted at him. In the excess of her fright, she gave birth to thee at once,

and at that moment there arose, in the direction of our country, a dust-cloud which towered and flew till it walled the view. Thereupon the slave feared for his love. life, so he smote Queen Abriza with his sword, and slew her in his fury. Then, mounting his horse, he went his way. Soon after his going, the dust lifted, and discovered thy grandfather, King Hardub, lord of Grecialand, who, seeing thy mother, and his daughter, lying slain on the plain, was sorely troubled with a distress that redoubled, and questioned me of the manner of her death, and the cause of her secretly quitting her father's realm. So I told him all that had passed first and last,

and this is the cause of the feud between the people of the land of the Greeks and the people of the city of Baghdad. Then we bore off thy murdered mother and buried her, and I took thee and reared thee, and hung about thy neck the jewel which was with Queen Abriza. But when being grown up thou camest to man's estate, I dared not acquaint thee with the truth of the matter, lest such information stir up a war of blood revenge between you.

Moreover, thy grandfather had enjoined me to secrecy, and I could not gainsay the commandment of thy mother's father, Hardub, king of the Greeks. This, then, is the cause of my concealment, and the reason why I forbore to inform thee that thy father was King Omar Binat Nookman. when thou camest to the throne, I told thee what thou knowest, and I durst not reveal to thee the rest till this moment,

O king of the age! So now I have discovered to thee my secret and my proof, and I have acquainted thee with all I know, and thou reckest best what is in thy mind. Now all the captives had heard the slave-woman Marjana, nursed to King Rumsan, speaking as she spake, When Nuzat Azaman, without stay or delay, cried out saying, This King Rumsan is my brother by my father, King Omar Binat Noaman,

And his mother was Queen Abriza, daughter of King Hardub, Lord of the Greeks. And I know this slavewoman, Marjana, write well. With this, trouble and perplexity got hold upon Rumsan, And he caused Nuzat Azaman to be brought up to him forthright. When he looked upon her, blood yearned to blood, and he questioned her of his history. She told him the tale, and her story tallied with that of Marjana, his nurse. Whereupon the king was assured that he was, indeed and without a doubt, of the people of Iraq, and that King Oma bin Annoqman was his father.

So without losing time, he caused his sister to be unpinioned, and Nuzat Azaman came up to him and kissed his hands, whilst her eyes ran over with tears. The king wept also to see her weeping, and brotherly love possessed him, and his heart yearned to his brother's son, Sultan Khan Makhan. So he sprang to his feet,

and taking the sword from the sword's hands, whereat the captives made sure of death, he caused them to be set close to him, and he cut their bonds with the blades, and said to his nurse, Marjana, explain the matter to this company, even as thou hast explained it to me, replied she, O king, know that this sheikh is the wazir dandan, and he is the best of witnesses to my story, seeing that he knoweth the facts of the case. Then she turned to the captives, and repeated the whole

story to them, on the spot and forthright, and in presence of the kings of the Greeks, and the kings of the Franks, whereupon Queen Nuzathe. as zaman and the wazir dandan and all who were prisoners with them confirmed her words when marjana the bondwoman had finished chancing to look at sultan canmakan she saw on his neck the third duel fellow to the two which were with queen abriza and recognizing it she cried so loud a cry that the palace re-echoed it and said to the king o my son know that now my certainty is still more assured, for this jewel that is about the neck of yonder captive is the fellow to that I hung to thy neck, and these being the two, this captive is indeed thy brother's son, Kan Makhan. Then a slave-woman, Marjana, turned to Kanmakan, and said to him,

Let me see that jewel, O king of the age. So he took it from his neck and handed it to her. Then she asked Nuzat Azaman of the third jewel, and she gave him. it to her. And when the two were in her hand she delivered them to King Rumzan, and the truth and proof were made manifest to him, and he was assured that he was indeed Sultan Khan Khan's uncle, and that his father was King Omar bin Annuqman. So he arose at once, and on the spot, and going up to the Wazir Dandan, threw his arms round his neck. Then he embraced King Kan and the twain cried a loud cry for excess of joy.

The glad news was blazed abroad without delay, and they beat the tablets and symbols, whilst the shawms sounded, and the people held high festival. The armies of Iraq and Syria heard the clamour of rejoicing among the Greeks, so they mounted to the last man, and King Zibl Khan also took horse, saying to himself, would i knew what can be the cause of this clamour and rejoicing in the army of the franks and the greeks then the army of irak dight itself for fight and advanced into the plain and place of cut and foin presently king rumzan turned him round and saw the army deployed and in preparing for battle employed so he asked the cause thereof and was told the state of the case thereupon he bade his niece and brothers

daughter Kuzya for Khan return at once and forthright to the troops of Syria and Iraq, and acquaint them with the plight that had betided, and how it was come to light that King Rumsan was uncle to Sultan Khan Khan Khan. She set out, putting away from her sorrows and troubles, and, coming to King Zibh Khan, saluted him, and told him all that had passed of the good accord, and how King Rumsan had proved to be her uncle, and uncle of Kanh Khan. and when she went into him she found him tearful-eyed in fear for the captive emirs and princes. But when he heard what had passed, from first to last, the Muslim's sadness was abated, and they joyed with the more gladness. Then King Ziml Khan, and all his officers and his retinue,

took horse and followed Princess Guziafarkhan till they reached the pavilion of King Rumzan. and when entering they found him sitting with his nephew Sultan Ganmakan. Now he had taken counsel with the Wazir Dandan concerning King Ziml Khan and had agreed to commit to his charge the city of Damascus of Sharm and leave him king over it as he before had been while they themselves entered Iraq. Accordingly they confirmed him in the vice-royalty of Damascus of Syria and bad him set out at once for his government.

So he fared forth with his troops, and they rode with him a part of the way to bid him farewell. Then they returned to their own places, whereupon the two armies foregathered, and gave orders for the march upon Iraq. But the kings said one to other, Our hearts will never be at rest, nor our wrath cease to rage,

till we have taken our reek of the old woman, shawahi, surnamed Zatadawahi, and wiped away our shame and blot upon our honour. Thereupon King Rumsan, and his nephew set out, surrounded by their nobles and grandees,

and indeed Kanmakan rejoiced in his uncle, King Rumsan, and called down blessings on Nurse Marjana who had made them known to each other. They fared on and ceased not faring till they drew near their home, banged

and when the chief chamberlain, Sasan, heard of their approach, he came out to meet them and kissed the hand of King Rumsan, who bestowed on him a dress of honour. Then the king of Rums sat down on the throne, and seated by his side his nephew, Sultan Kan Makhan, who said to him, O my uncle, this kingdom befitteth none but thee, replied Rumsan, O la be my refuge, and the Lord forbid that I should serve. plant thee in thy kingdom. Upon this the Wazir Dandan counselled them to share the throne between the two, ruling each one day in turn, and with this they were well satisfied. And Shachrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

End of Section 11 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. 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,

Volume 3, Section 12. when it was the one hundred and forty-fourth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the two kings agreed each to rule one day in turn then made they feasts and offered sacrifices of clean beasts and held high festival and they abode thus a while whilst sultan kanman spent his knights with his cousin kuziafakan and after that period as the two kings sat rejoicing in their condition and in the happy ending of their troubles. Behold, they saw a cloud of dust arise, and tower till it walled the world from their eyes, and out of it came a merchant shrieking and crying aloud for succour, and saying, O kings of the age, how cometh it that I woned safely in the land of the infidels, and I am plundered in your realm, though it be the biding place of justice and peace?

King Rumsan went up to him and questioned him of his case, and he replied, I am a merchant, and like other merchants I have been long absent from my native land, travelling in far countries for some twenty years, and I have a patent of exemption from the city of Damascus, which the viceroy, King Shar Khan, who hath found mercy, wrote me, for the cause that I had made him gift of a slave-girl. Now, as I was drawing near my home, having with me an hundred loads of rarities of Hind,

when I brought them near Baghdad, which be the seat of your sovereignty and the place of your peace and your justice, out there came upon me wild Arabs and Kurds, in band gathered together from every land, when they slew my many, and they robbed my money, and this is what they have done me. Then the trader wept in presence of King Rumsan, saying that he was an old man, and inferred,

and he bemoaned himself till the king felt for him and had compassion on him and likewise did king khan macan and they swore that they would sally forth upon the thieves so they set out amid and hundred horse each reckoned worth thousands of men and the merchant went before them to guide them in the right way and they ceased not faring on all that day and the live-long night till dawn-break when they came to a valley abounding in rills and shady with trees. Here they found the foray dispersed about the valley, having divided that merchant's bails among them. But there was yet some of the goods left. So the hundred horsemen fell upon them and surrounded them on all sides, and King Rumsan shouted his war-cry, and thus also did his nephew, Kalma Khan, and ere long they made prize of them all, to the number of near three hundred horsemen, banded together of the refuge. use of rascality. They took what they could find of the merchant's goods, and binding them

tightly brought them to Baghdad, where King Rumsan and his nephew, King Khan Makhan, sat down together on one throne, and passing the prisoners in review before them, questioned them of their case and their chiefs. They said, We have no chiefs but these three men, and it was they who gathered us together from all corners and countries. The kings said to them, point out to us your headman, and when this was done they bad lay hands on the leaders, and set their comrades free, after taking from them all the goods in their possession, and restoring them to the merchant, who examined his stuffs and monies, and found that a fourth of his stock was missing. The kings engaged to make good the whole of his loss, whereupon the trader pulled out two,

letters, one in the handwriting of Sharkhan and the other in that of Nuzhat Azaman, for this was the very merchant who had bought Nuzat Azaman of the Badawi, when she was a virgin, and had forwarded her to her brother Sharkhan, and that happened between them which happened. Hereupon King Kan Makhan examined the letters and recognised the handwriting of his uncle, Sharkhan, and having heard the history of his aunt, Nujatazaman, he went into her with the second letter written by her to the merchant who had lost through her his monies. Karmakhan also told her what had befallen the trader from first to last. She knew her own handwriting, and, recognising the merchant, dispatched to him guest gifts,

and commended him to her brother and nephew, who ordered him largesse of money and black-slash-lossed, and pages to wait on him, besides which Nusatazaman sent him an hundred thousand dirams in cash and fifty loads of merchandise, and presented to him other rich presents. Then she sent for him, and when he came, she went up to him and saluted him, and told him that she was the daughter of King Omar Binanukman, and that her brother was King Rumzan, and that King Kalmakhan was her nephew. thereupon the merchant rejoiced with great joy and congratulated her on her safety and on her reunion with her brother and kissed her hands thanking her for her bounty and said to her by allah a good deed is not lost upon thee then she withdrew to her own apartment and the trader sojourned with them three days after which he took leave of them and set out on his return march to the land of syria thereupon the two kings sent for the three robber chiefs who were of the highwaymen and questioned them of their case when one of them came forward and said know ye that i am a badawi who am wont to lie in wait by the way to snatch small children and virgin girls and sell them to merchants and this i did for many a year until these latter days when satan incited me to join yon two gallows birds in gathering together all the riff-raff of the arabs and other peoples that we might plunder merchandise and waylay merchants said the kings tell us the rarest of the adventures that have befallen thee in kidnapping children and maidens replied he o kings of the age

The strangest thing that happened to me was that one day, two and twenty years ago, I snatched a girl who belonged to the Holy City. She was gifted with beauty and comeliness, despite that she was but a servant, and was clad in threadbare clothes, with a piece of camlet cloth on her head. So I entrapped her by guile as she came out of the caravanserai, and at that very hour mounting her on a camel made off with her,

thinking to carry her to my own people in the desert, and there set her to pasture the camels, and gather their droppings in the valley. But she wept with so sore weeping, that after coming down upon her with blows, I took her and carried her to Damascus City, where a merchant saw her with me, and, being astounded at her beauty,

and marvelling at her accomplishments, wished to buy her of me, and kept on bidding me more and more for her, till at last I sold her to him for an hundred thousand dirhams. After selling her I heard her display prodigious eloquence, and it reached me that the merchant clothed her in handsome gear and presented her to the viceroy of Damascus, who gave him three times the price which he had paid to me,

and this price, by my life, was but little for such a damsel. This, O kings of the age, is the strangest thing that ever before, fell me. When the two kings heard her story, they wondered they're at, but when Nuzat Azaman heard what the Badawi related, the light became darkness before her face, and she cried out and said to her brother Rumsan, Sure and Sands doubt, this is the very Badawi who kidnapped me in the Holy City Jerusalem. Then she told them all that she had endured from him in her strangerhood of hardship, blows, hunger, humiliation, contempt, adding, And now it is lawful for me to slay him. So saying she seized a sword, and made at him to smite him,

and behold, he cried out, and said, O kings of the age, suffer her not to slay me, till I have told you the rare adventures that have betided me. And her nephew, Kan Makhan, said to her, O my aunt, let him tell us his tale, and after that do with him as thou wilt. So she held her hand, and the king said to him, Now let us hear thy history. Quoth he, O kings of the age, if I tell you a rare tale, will ye pardon me? Yes, answered they. Then the Badawi robber chief began.

The tale of Hamad the Badawi. And he said, know ye that a short while ago I was sore wakeful one night And thought the morn would never dawn So as soon as it was break of day I rose Without stay or delay And slinging over my shoulder my sword Mounted horse and set my lance in rest

Then I rode out to sport and hunt And as I went along A company of men accosted me And asked me whither I was bound I told them and they said We will keep thee company So we all fared on together, and whilst we were faring, lo, and behold, up started an ostrich, and we gave her chase. But she escaped our pursuit, and spreading wings ceased not to fly before us, and we following by sight, till she lost us in a desert wherein there was neither grass nor water, nor heard we aught therein save hiss of snake, and wail of gin, and howl of rolle. And when we reached that place the ostriches disappeared nor could we tell whether she had flown up into the sky or into the ground had gone down then we turned our horses heads and thought to return but found that to retrace our steps at that time of burning heat would be toarsome and dangerous

for the sultry air was grievous to us so that we thirsted with sore thirst and our steeds stood still we made sure of death but while we were in this case we suddenly espied from a far a spacious mead where gazelles were frisking. Therein was a tent pitched, and by the tent side a horse tethered, and a spear was planted with head glittering in the sun. Upon this our hearts revived after we had despaired, and we turned our horses' heads towards that tent, making for the meadow and the water which irrigated it. And all my comrades fared for it, and I at their head, and we ceased not faring till we reached the mead. Then we alighted at the spring and watered our beasts. But I was seized with a fever of foolish curiosity,

and went up to the door of that tent, wherein I saw a young man, without hair on his cheeks, who fellowed the new moon, and on his right hand was a slender, wasted maid, as she were a willow wand. No sooner did I set my eyes on her than love got hold of my heart, and I saluted the youth, who returned my greeting.

Then said I, O my brother, tell me who thou art, and what to thee is this damsel sitting by thy side? Thereupon the youth bent his head, groundwards a while, then raised it, and replied, Tell me first who thou art, and what are these horsemen with thee? Answered I, I am Hamad, son of Al-Fazari, the renowned knight, who is reckoned among the Arabs as five hundred horsemen,

horse. We went forth from our place this morning to sport and chase, and were overcome by thirst, so I came to the door of this tent, thinking happily to get of thee a draught of water. When he heard these my words, he turned to the fair maiden, and said, Bring this man water, and what food there is ready. So she arose, trailing her skirts, whilst the golden bangles tinkled on her ankles, and her feet stumbled in her long locks, and she disappeared for a little while. Presently she returned, bearing in her right hand, a silver vessel full of cold water,

and in her left hand a bowl brimming with milk and dates, together with some flesh of wild cattle. But I could take of her, nor meat, nor drink, for the excess of my passion, and I applied to her these two couplets, saying, It was as though the sable die upon her palms, were raven perching on a swath of freshest snow,

thou seest sun and moon conjoined in her face, while sun fear dimmed and moon fright pallid show. After I had eaten and drunk, I said to the youth, Know thou, O chief of the Arabs, that I have told thee in all truth who and what I am, and now I would fain have thee do the like by me, and tell me the truth of thy case. replied the young man as for this damsel she is my sister quoth i it is my desire that thou give me her to wife of thy free will else i will slay thee and take her by force

upon this he bowed his heads groundwards awhile then he raised his eyes to me and answered thou seest sooth in vouching thyself a renowned knight and famed in fight and verily thou art the lion of the desert But if ye all attack me treacherously, and slay me in your wrath, and take my sister by force, it will be a stain upon your honour. And you be, as ye aver, cavaliers who are counted among the champions, and reck not the shock of foray and fray, give me a little time to don my armour, and sling on my sword, and set lance in rest, and mount war-steed. Then will we go forth, into the field of fight, I and you, and if I conquer you, I will kill you to the last man,

but if you overcome me and slay me, this damsel, my sister, is yours. Hearing such words I replied, This is only just, and we oppose it not. Then I turned back my horse's head, for my love for the damsel waxed hotter and hotter, and returned to my companions, to whom I set forth her beauty and loveliness

as also the comeliness of the young man who was with her, together with his valour and strength of soul, and how he had avouched himself a match for a thousand horse. Moreover, I described to my company the tent and all the riches and rarities therein, and said to them, Know ye that this youth would not have cut himself off from society, and have taken up his abode alone in this place, were he not a man of great prowess? So I proposed that whoso slayeth the yonker shall take his sister, and they said,

This contenteth us. Then my company armed themselves, and mounting rode to the tent, where we found that the young man had donned his gear, and backed his steed, but his sister ran up to him, her veil being drenched with tears, and took hold of his stirrup,

and cried out, saying, Alas! and, Whoa, worth the day, in her fear for her brother, and recited these couplets. To Allah, will I know, make my moan of travail and of woe. Maybe iller of arsh will smite their faces with a fright. Fain would they slay thee, brother mine, with purpose fell and fell.

All be no cause of vengeance was, nor fault forewent the fight. Yet for a rider art thou known, to those who back the steed, and twixt the east and west of knights, thou art the prowess night. Thy sister's honour thou shalt guard, though little might be hers, for that her brother, and for thee she seweth Allah's might. Then let not enemy possess my soul, nor thaw my frame, and work on me their will, and treat thy sister with despite. I'll ne'er abide by Allah's truth in any land or home, where thou art not, though dight it be with joyance and delight. For love and yearning after thee, Myself I fain will slay, And in the gloomy darksome tomb,

Spread bed upon the clay. But when her brother heard her verse, He wept with sore weeping, And turned his horse's head towards his sister, And made this answer to her poetry. Stand by and see the daring do, Which I to-day will show, When meet we, and I deal them blows

That rend and cleave and split. In though rush out to seek about the lion of the war, The stoutest-hearted, brave of all, And eke the best in wit, To him I'll deal without delay, A Sa'alabian blow, And die my cane-spears joint in blood, By wound of foe bespit.

If all I beat not off from thee, Or sister, may this frame be slain, And cast my corpse to birds, For so it would be fit. Yes, for thy dearest sake, strike my blows with might and main, and when we are gone shall this event in many a book be writ. And when he had ended his verse, he said, O my sister, give ear to what I shall enjoin on thee.

Where too she replied, hearkening and obedience. Quoth he, if I fall, let none possess thy person, and thereupon she buffeted her face, and said, Allah forbid, O my brother, that I should see thee laid low, yield myself to the foe. With this the youth put out his hand to her, and withdrew her veil from her face,

whereupon it shone forth as the sun shineth out from the white clouds. Then he kissed her between the eyes, and bade her farewell, after which he turned to us and said, Hola! Knights! Come ye as guests, or crave ye cuts and

thrusts. If ye come to us as your hosts, rejoice ye in the guest-right. and if ye covet a shining moon come ye out against me night by night into this plain and place of fight thereupon rushed out to him a doughty rider and the young man said to him tell me thy name and thy father's name for i am under an oath not to slay any whose name tallies with mine and whose father's name is that of my father and if this be the case with thee i will give thee up the maid Quoth the horseman, My name is Bilal, and the young man answered him saying, Thou liest when speaking of benefits,

While thou comest to front with thine evilest will, And of prowess that prow, to my words give ear, I'm he who makes champions in battlefield reel, With keen blade like the horn of the cuspid moon, So where thrust thee shall drill through the duress hill. Then they charge down, each at each, and the youth thrust his adversary in the breast

so that the lance head issued from his back. With tints another came out, and the youth cried, Ho thou hound! Who art rotten with foulness in grain? What high mead is there easy For warrior to gain?

Tis none save the lion of strain, Purist pure, Who uncairth for life In the battle-plain. Nor was it long before the youth, left him drowned in his blood, and cried out, Who will come forth to me? So a third horseman rushed out upon the youth,

and began saying, To thee come I forth with my heart aflame, and summon my friends and my comrades by name, when thou slewest the chief of the Arabs this day, this day thou remainest the pledge of my claim. Now, when the youth heard this, he answered him in these words, thou liest, O foulest of Satan's that are,

and with easings calumnius thou comest to war. This day thou shalt fall by a death-dealing point, where the lance's lunge and the scimitars jar. Then he so foined him in the breast that the spear-point issued from his back, and he cried out, saying, Oh, will none come out? So a fourth fared forwards, and the youth asked him his name, and he answered,

my name is Hilal the new moon and the youth began repeating thou hast failed who would sink me in ruin sea thou who cameest in malice with perfidy i whose verses hast heard from the mouth of me will ravish thy soul though unknown to thee then they drave at each other and delivered two cuts but the youth's stroke devanced that of the rider his adversary and slew him and thus he went on to kill all who said, sallied out against him. Now, when I saw my comrade slain, I said to myself, if I go down to fight with him, I shall not be able to prevail against him, and if I flee, I shall become a byword of shame among the Arabs. But the youth gave me no time to think, for he ran at me, and dragged me from my saddle, and hurled me to the ground. I fainted at the fall, and he raised his sword, designing to cut off my head, but I clung to his skirts, and he lifted me in his hand as though I were a sparrow. When the maiden saw this, she rejoiced in her brother's prowess,

and coming up to him, kissed him between the eyes. Then he delivered me to her, saying, Take him and look to him, and entreat him hospitably, for he is come under our rule. So she took hold of the collar of my hubok, and led me away by it, as one would lead a dog. Then she did off her brother's coat of mail, and clad him in a robe, and set for him a stool of ivory, on which he sat down,

and she said to him, Allah, whiten thy honour, and prevent from thee the shifts of fortune, and he answered her with these couplets. My sister said, as saw she how I stood, in fight when sun-rays lit my knightlyhood, Allah sain thee for a brave of braves, to whom in veil bow lions, how so would. I, go ask the champions of my case, when feared the lords of war my warrior mood. My name is famed for fortune and for force, and soared my spirit to such altitude. Ho thou, Hamad, a lion hast up stirred, shall show thee speedy death like viper brood. Now, when I heard his verse, I was perplexed as to my case,

and considering my condition and how I was become a captive, I was lowered in my own esteem. Then I looked at the damsel, his sister, and seeing her beauty, I said to myself, Tis she who caused all this trouble. And I fell am marvelling at her loveliness, till the tears streamed from my eyes, and I recited these couplets.

Dear friend, I'll leave thy loud reproach and blame. Such blame but irks me, yet may not alarm, I'm clean distraught, for one whom saw I. i not without her winning me by winsome charm yestrine her brother crossed me in her love a brave stout-hearted and right long of arm then the maiden set food before her brother and he bade me eat with him whereat i rejoiced and felt assured that i should not be slain and when he had ended eating she brought him a flagon of pure wine and he applied him to it till the fumes of the drink mounted to his head and his face flushed red. Then he turned to me and said,

Woe to thee, O Hamad! dost thou know me or not? Replied I, By thy life I am rich in naught save ignorance. Quoth he, O Hamad, I am Abad bin Tamim bin Sa'laba. And indeed Allah giveth thee thy liberty, and leadeth thee to a happy bride, and spareth thee confusion. Then he drank to my long life, and gave me a cup of wine, and I drank it off, and presently he filled me a second and a third and a fourth and i drained them all while he made merry with me and swore me never to betray him so i swear to him one thousand five hundred oaths that i would never deal perfidiously with him at any time but that i would be a friend and a helper to him thereupon he bade his sister bring me ten suits of silk so she brought them and laid them on my person and this dress i have on my body is one of them. Moreover, he made Bring one of the best of his she-dramedaries, carrying stuffs and

provont. He bade her also bring a sorrel horse, and when they were brought he gave the whole of them to me. I abode with them three days, eating and drinking, and what he gave me of gifts is with me to this present. At the end of the three days he said to me, Oh, Hamad, oh my brother, I would sleep a while and take my rest, and verily I tried, trust my life to thee. But if thou see horsemen making hither, fear not, for know that they are of the Banu Sa'laba, seeking to wage war on me. Then he laid his sword under his head-pillow, and slept. And when he was drowned in slumber, Iblis tempted me to slay him. So I arose in haste, and drawing the sword from under his head, dealt him a blow that made his head fall from his body. But his sister knew

what I had done, and rushing out from within the tent, threw herself on his corpse, rending her raiment, and repeating these couplets. To kith and kin bear thou sad tidings of our plight, from doom thou wise decreed, shall none of men take flight. Lo art thou laid, O brother, strewn upon the stones, with face that mirrors moon, when shining brightest bright, good sooth it is a day accursed thy slaughter day shivering thy spear that won the day in many a fight now thou be slain no rider shall delight in steed nor man-child shall the breeding woman bring to light this morn hamard up rose and fowly murdered thee falsing his oath and troth with foulest perjury when she had ended her verse she said to me o thou of For cursed forefathers, wherefore didst thou play my brother false, and slay him, when he purposed returning thee to thy native land with provisions, and it was his intent also to marry thee to me at the first of the month. Then she drew a sword she had with her, and planting the hilt in the earth, with the point set to her breast, she bent over it, and threw herself thereon, till the blade issued from her back, and she fell to the ground, dead.

I mourned for her and wept and repented when repentance availed me naught. Then I rose in haste, and went to the tent, and taking whatever was light of load, and weighty of worth, went my way. But in my haste and horror I took no heed of my dead comrades, nor did I bury the maiden and the youth. And this my tale is still more wondrous than the story of the serving-girl I kidnapped from the Holy City Jerusalem. But when Nuzat Azamah,

heard these words from the Badawi. The light was changed in her eyes to-night. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. And of Section 12 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 13, Volume 3 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, Volume 3, Section 13. When it was the one hundred and forty-fifth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Nuzat Azamah heard these words from the Badawi. The light was changed in her eyes to night, and she rose, and drawing the sword, smote Hamad the Arab, between the shoulder-blades, so that the point issued from the apple of his throat. And when all present asked her, Why hast thou made hast haste to slay him? She answered, Praise'd be Allah, who hath granted me in my life-tide to avenge myself with my own hand, and she bade the slaves, drag the body out by the feet, and cast it to the dogs. Thereupon they turned to the two prisoners, who remained of the three, and one of them was a

black slave, so they said to him, What is thy name, fellow? Tell us the truth of thy case. He replied, As for me, my name is Al-Raz-Bahn, and acquainted them what had passed between himself and Queen Ardhese, daughter of King Hardub, Lord of Greece, and how he had slain her and fled. Hardly had the negro made an end of his story, when King Rumsan struck off his head with a scimitar, saying, Praise to Allah who gave me life.

I have avenged my mother with my own hand. Then he repeated to them what his nurse Marjana had told him of this same slave, whose name was Al-Razban. after which they turned to the third prisoner now this was the very camel-driver whom the people of the holy city jerusalem hired to carry zao al-makan and lodge him in the hospital at damascus of syria but he threw him down on the ashes-midden and went his way and they said to him acquaint us with thy case and tell the truth so he related to them all that had happened to him with sultan zao al-makan how he had been carried from the holy city at the time when he was sick till they made damascus and he had been thrown into the hospital how also the jerusalem folk had paid the camelia money to transport the stranger to damascus and he had taken it and fled after casting his charge upon the midden by the side of the ash-heap of the hamam but when he ended his words sultan can macan took his sword forthright and cut off his head saying praised be allah who hath given me life that i might requite this traitor what he did with my father for i have heard this very story from king zawal macan himself

then the king said each to other it remaineth only for us to wreak our revenge upon the old woman shawahee eclept because she is the prime cause of all these calamities and cast us into adversity on this wise who will deliver her into our hands that we may avenge ourselves upon her and wipe out our dishonour and king rumsan said needs must we bring her hither so without stay or delay he wrote a letter to his grandmother the aforesaid ancient woman giving her to know therein that he had subdued the kingdoms of damascus and mausel and iraq and had broken up the host of the muslims and captured their princes adding i desire thee of all urgency to come to me bringing with the queen sophia daughter of king afridun and whom thou wilt of the nazarene chiefs but no armies for the country is quiet and wholly under our hands and when she read the letter and recognised the handwriting of king rumzan she rejoiced with great joy and forthrighted equipping herself and Queen Sophia set out with their attendants, and journeyed, without stopping, till they drew near Baghdad. Then she foresent a messenger to acquaint the king of her arrival, whereupon Quoth Rumsan, we should do well to don the habit of the Franks, and fare forth

to meet the old woman, to the intent that we may be assured against her craft and perfidy. Where to, Kanmakan replied, Hearing is consenting. so they clad themselves in frankish clothes and when cuzaa fa can saw them she exclaimed by the truth of the lord of worship did i not know you i should take you to be indeed franks then they sallied forth with a thousand horse king rumsan riding on before them to meet the old woman as soon as his eyes fell on hers he dismounted and walked towards her and she recognising him dismounted also and embraced him but he pressed her ribs with his hands till he well-nigh broke them quoth she what is this o my son but before she had done speaking up came kan macan and dan dan and the horsemen with them cried out at the women and slaves and took them all prisoners then the two kings returned to baghdad with their captives and rumzan bade them decorate the city which they did for three days at the end of which they brought them to baghdad with their captives and rumzan bade them decorate the city which they did for three days at the end of which they brought brought out the old woman shawahi height zatadawahi with a peaked red turbaned of palm-leaves on her head diademed with asses dung and proceeded by a herald proclaiming aloud this is the reward of those who presume to lay hands on kings and the sons of kings then they crucified her on one of the gates of baghdad and when her companions saw what befell her all embraced in a body the face

of al-islam as for kan macan and his uncle rumzan and his aunt nuzhatazaman and the wazir dandan they marvelled at the wonderful events that had betided them and bad the scribes chronicle them in books that those who came after might read then they all abode for the remainder of their days in the enjoyment of every solace and comfort of life till there overtook them the destroyer of all delight and the sunderer of all societies. And this is the whole that hath come down to us of the dealings of fortune with King Omar bin at Nookman, and his sons, Sharkhan, and Zawalmakan, and his son's son, Khan Makhan, and his daughter Nuzha Tazaman, and her daughter, Cusia Fakhan.

Thereupon, quoth Shachdhaar to Shachrazad, I desire that thou tell somewhat about, And hearing this, Dunyazade said to her sister, I have never seen the Sultan light at heart all this while till the present night, and his pleasure giveth me hope that the issue for thee with him may be a happy issue. Then drowsiness overcame the Sultan, so he slept, and Shatrazad perceived the approach of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and four thousand,

forty-sixth night shahrazad began to relate in these words the tale of the birds and beasts and the carpenter quoth she it hath reached me a war-spicious king that in times of yore and in ages long gone before a peacock abode with his wife on the sea-shore now the place was infested with lions and all manner wild beasts with all it abounded in trees and trees and streets So cock and hen were wont to roost by night upon one of the trees, being in fear of the beasts, and went forth by day, questing food. And they ceased not thus to do, till their fear increased on them, and they searched for some place wherein to dwell other than their old dwelling-place. And in the course of their search, behold, they happened on an island abounding in streams and trees. So they alighted there, and ate of its fruits, and drank of its waters. But whilst they were thus engaged, lo! Up came to them a duck in a state of extreme terror,

and stayed not faring forwards, till she reached the tree whereon were perched the two peep-fowl, when she seemed reassured in mind. The peacock doubted not but that she had some rare story, so he asked her of her case and the cause of her concern, Where, she answered, I am sick for sorrow and my horror of the son of Adam. So beware, and again I say, beware of the sons of Adam. Rejoined the peacock, Fear not, now that thou hast won our protection,

cried the duck, al-hambolilah, glory to God, who hath done away my carc and care by means of you being near. For indeed I come of friendship fain with you twain, and when she had ended her speech the peacock's wife came down to her and said well come and welcome and fair cheer no harm shall hurt thee how can son of adam come to us and we in this isle which lieth the middlemost of the sea from the land he cannot reach us neither can he come against us from the water so be of good cheer and tell us what hath betided thee from the child of adam answered the duck know then o thou pehen that of a truth i have dwelt all my life in this island safely and peacefully nor have i seen any disquieting thing till one night as i was asleep i sighted in my dream the semblance of a son of adam who talked with me and i with him then i heard a voice say to me o thou duck beware of the son of adam and be not imposed on by his words nor by that he may suggest to thee for he aboundeth in wiles and guiles so beware with all weariness of his perfidy for again i say he is crafty and right cunning even as singeth of him the poet he'll offer sweetmeats with his edged tongue and fox thee with the foxy guile of foxes

and know thou that the son of adam circumventeth the fishes and draweth them forth of the seas and he shooteth the birds with a pellet of clay and trappeth the elephant with his craft none is safe from his mischief and neither bird nor beast escapeth him and on this wise have i told thee what i have heard concerning the son of adam so i awoke fearful and trembling and from that hour to this my heart hath not known gladness for dread of the son of Adam, lest he surprise me unawares by his wile, or trap me in his snares. By the time the end of the day overtook me, my strength was grown weak, and my spunk failed me. So, desiring to eat and drink, I went forth walking, troubled in spirit, and with a heart ill at ease. Now when I reached yonder mountain I saw a tawny lion-welp at the door of a cave, and sighting me he joyed in me with great joy. for my colour pleased him and my gracious shape so he cried out to me saying draw an eye unto me i went up to him and he asked me what is thy name and what is thy nature answered i my name is duck and i am of the bird kind and i added but thou why tarriest thou in this place till this time answered the whelp my father the lion hath for many a day warned me against the son of

Adam, and it came to pass this night that I saw in my sleep the semblance of a son of Adam. And he went on to tell me the like of that I have told you. When I heard these words I said to him, O lion, I take asylum with thee, that thou mayest kill the son of Adam, and be steadfast in resolve to his slaughter. Verily I fear him for myself with extreme fear, and to my fright a fright is added, for that thou also, dreadest the son of Adam, albeit thou art sultan of savage beasts.

Then I ceased not on my sister, to bid the young lion, beware of the son of Adam, and urge him to slay him, till he rose of a sudden, and at once from his stead, and went out, and he fared on, and I after him, and I noted him lashing flanks with tail. We advanced in the same order till we came to a place where the roads forked, and saw a cloud of dust arise which presently clearing away discovered below it a runaway naked ass now galloping and running at speed and now rolling in the dust when the lion saw the ass he cried out to him and he came up to him in all humility then said the lion hark ye crack-brain brute what is thy kind and what be the cause of thy coming hither he replied o son of the sultan i am by kind an ass assinus cabalus and the cause of my coming to this place is that i am fleeing from the son of adam asked the lion whelp dost thou fear then that he will kill thee answered the ass not so o son of the sultan but i dread lest he put a cheat on me and mount upon me for he hath a thing called pack-saddle which he setteth on my

back, also a thing called girths, which he bindeth about my belly, and a thing called crupper, which he putteth under my tail, and a thing called bit, which he placeth in my mouth, and he fashioneth me a goad, and goadeth me with it, and maketh me run more than my strength. If I stumble he curseth me, and if I bray, he revileth me, and at last, when I grow old, and can no longer run, he puteth on me a panel of wood, and delivereth me to the water-carriers, who load my back with water from the river, in skins and other vessels such as jars, and I cease not to wone in misery and abasement and fatigue till I die, when they cast me on the rubbish-heaps to the dogs.

So what grief can surpass this grief, and what calamities can be greater than these years? calamities. Now when I heard, O P. Hen, the ass's words, my skin shuddered, and became as goose-flesh at the son of Adam. And I said to the lion, well, O my lord, the ass of a verity hath excuse, and his words add terror to my terror. Then quoth the young lion to the ass, with a goest thou, quoth he, before sunrise, I spied the son of Adam afar off, and fled from him. and now i am minded to flee forth and run without ceasing for the greatness of my fear of him so happily i may find me a place of shelter from the perfidious son of adam whilst the ass was thus discoursing with the lion whelp seeking the wild to take leave of us and go away behold appeared to us another cloud of dust whereat the ass brayed and cried out and looked hard and let fly a loud fart after a while the dust lifted and discovered a black steed finely dight with a blaze on the forehead like a dirham round and bright handsomely marked about the hoof with white and with firm strong legs pleasing to sight and he neighed with a fright

this horse ceased not running till he stood before the whelp the son of the lion who when he saw him marvelled and made much of him and said what is thy kind O majestic wild beast, and wherefore fleeth thou into this desert wide and vast? He replied, O lord of wild beasts, I am a steed of the horse kind, and the cause of my running is that I am fleeing from the son of Adam. The lion whelp wondered at the horse's speech, and cried to him, Speak not such words, for it is shame to thee, seeing that thou art tall and stout, And how cometh it that thou fearest the son of Adam, thou with thy bulk of body, and thy swiftness of running, when I, for all my littleness of stature, am resolved to encounter the son of Adam, and, rushing on him, eat his flesh, that I may allay the affright of this poor duck, and make her dwell in peace in her own place? but now thou hast come here and thou hast wrung my heart with thy talk and turned me back from what i had resolved to do seeing that for all thy bulk the son of adam hath mastered thee and hath feared neither thy height nor thy breadth albeit wert thou wert thou wilt thou wilt kill him nor could he prevail against thee but thou wouldst make him drink the cup of death

the horse laughed when he heard the whelp's words and replied far far is it from my power to overcome him old prince let not my length and my breadth nor yet my bulk delude thee with respect to the son of adam for that he of the excess of his guile and his wiles fashioneth me a thing called hobble and applieth to my forelegs a pair of ropes made of palm fibres bound with felt and gibbeth me by the head to a high peg, so that I being tied up remain standing, and can neither sit nor lie down. And when he is minded to ride me, he bindeth on his feet a thing of iron called stirrup, and layeth on my back another thing called saddle, which he fasteneth by two girths, passed under my armpits. Then he setteth in my mouth a thing of iron he calleth bit, to which he tith a thing of leather called rain and when he sitteth in the saddle of my back he taketh the rain in his hand and guideth me with it goading my flanks the while with the shovel stirrups till he maketh them bleed so do not ask o son of our sultan the hardships i endure from the son of adam and when i grow old and lean and can no longer run swiftly he selleth me to the miller who maketh me turn in the mill and i cease not from turning

night and day till i grow decrepit. Then he in turn vendeth me to the knacker, who cutteth my throat, and flayeth off my hide, and plucketh out my tail, which he selleth to the sieve-maker, and he melteth down my fat for tallow candles. When the young lion heard the horse's words, his rage and vexation redoubled, and he said, When didst thou leave the son of Adam? replied the horse at midday and he is upon my track whilst the whelp was thus conversing with the horse lo there rose a cloud of dust and presently opening out discovered beneath it a furious camel gurgling and pawing the earth with his feet and never ceasing so to do till he came up with us now when the lion-welp saw how big and buxom he was he took him to be the son of adam and was about to spring upon him when i said to him o prince of a truth this is not the son of adam this be a camel and he seemeth to be fleeing from the son of adam as i was thus conversing on my sister with the lion-welp the camel came up and saluted him whereupon he returned the greeting and said what bringeth thee hither replied he i came here fleeing from the son of adam quoth the whelp and thou with thy huge frame and length and breadth how cometh it that thou fearest the son of adam seeing that with one kick of thy foot thou wouldst kill him

quoth the camel o son of the sultan know that the son of adam hath subtleties and wiles which none can withstand nor can any prevail against him save only death for he putteth into my nostrils a twine of goats here he calleth nose-ring and over my head a thing he calleth halter then he delivereth me to the least of his little children and the youngling draweth me along by the nose-ring my size and strength notwithstanding. Then they load me with the heaviest of burdens, and go long journeys with me, and put me to hard labour through the hours of the night and the day. When I grow old and stricken in years, and disabled from working, my master keepeth me not with him, but selleth me to the knacker, who cutteth my throat, and vendeth my hide to the tanners, and my flesh to the cooks. So do not ask the hardships I suffer from the thither. son of Adam. When didst thou leave the son of Adam? asked the young lion, and he answered,

At sundown, and I suppose that coming to my place, after my departure, and not finding me there, he is now in search of me, wherefore let me go, O son of the Sultan, that I may flee into the wolds and the wilds, said the whelp, wait a while, O camel, till thou see how I will tear him, and give thee to eat of his flesh whilst i crotch his bones and drink his blood replied the camel o king's son i fear for thee from the child of adam for he is wily and guileful and he began repeating these verses when the tyrant enters the liege's land nought remains for the lieges but quick remove now whilst the camel was speaking with the lion whelp behold there rose a cloud of dust which after a time opened and showed an old man scanty of stature and lean of limb and he bore on his shoulder a basket of carpenter's tools and on his head a branch of a tree and eight planks he led little children by the hand and came on at a trotting pace never stopping till he drew near the whelp when i saw him on my sister i fell down for excess of fear but the young lion rose and walked forward to meet the carpenter and when he came up to him the man smiled in his face and said to him

with a glib tongue and in courtly terms o king who defendeth from harm and lord of the long arm allah prosper thine evening and thine endeavouring and increase thy valiancy and strengthen thee protect me from that which hath distressed me and with its mischief hath oppressed me for i have found no helper save only thyself and the carpenter stood in his presence weeping and wailing and complaining when the whelp heard his sighing and his crying he said i will succour thee from that thou fearst who hath done thee wrong and what art thou o wild beast whose like in my life i never saw nor ever espied one good more eloquent of tongue than thou what is thy case replied the man o lord of wild beasts as to myself i am a carpenter but as to hath wronged me verily he is a son of adam and by break of dawn after this coming night he will be with thee in this place when the lion-welp heard these words of the carpenter the light was changed to night before his sight and he snorted and roared with ire and his eyes cast forth sparks of fire then he cried out saying by allah i will assuredly watch through this coming night till dawn nor will i return to my father till i have won my will then he returned to the carpenter and asked of a truth i see thou art short of stead and I would not hurt thy feelings, for that I am generous of heart. Yet do I deem thee unable to keep pace with the wild beasts.

Tell me then whither thou goest, answered the carpenter. Know that I am on my way to thy father's wazir, the lynx, for when he heard that the son of Adam had set foot in this country, he feared greatly for himself, and sent one of the wild beasts on a message for me to make him a house wherein he should dwell, that it might shelter him and fend off his enemy from him so not one of the sons of adam should come at him accordingly i took up these planks and set forth to find him now when the young lion heard these words he envied the lynx and said to the carpenter by my life there is no help for it but thou make me a house with these planks ere thou make one for sir lynx when thou hast done my work go to him and make him whatso he wisheth

the carpenter replied o lord of wild beasts i cannot make thee aught till i have made the lynx what he desireth then will i return to thy service and build thee a house as a fort to ward thee from thy foe exclaimed the lion whelp by allah i will not let thee leave this place till thou build me a house of planks so saying he made for the carpenter and sprang upon him thinking to jest with him and come cuffed him with his paw, knocking the basket off his shoulder, and threw him down in a fainting fit, whereupon the young lion laughed at him, and said, Woe to thee, O carpenter, of a truth, thou art feeble and hast no force, so it is excusable in thee to fear the son of Adam. Now, when the carpenter fell on his back, he waxed exceeding wrath, but he dissembled his wrath for fear of the whelp, and sat up and smiled in his face,

saying, Well, I will make for thee the house. With this he took the planks he had brought, and nailed together the house, which he made in the form of a chest, after the measure of the young lion, and he left the door open, for he had cut in the box a large aperture, to which he made a stout cover,

and bored many holes therein. Then he took out some newly wrought nails and a hammer, and said to the young lion, Enter the house through this opening, that I may fit it to thy measure. Thereat the whelp rejoiced, and went up to the opening, but saw that it was straight,

and the carpenter said to him, Enter and crouch down on thy legs and arms. So the whelp did thus, and entered the chest, but his tail remained outside. Then he would have drawn back and come out, but the carpenter said to him, Wait patiently a while, till I see if there be room for thy tail with thee.

The young lion did as he was bid, when the carpenter twisted up his tail, and stuffing it into the chest, whipped the lid on to the opening, and nailed it down. Whereat the whelp cried out, and said, O carpenter, what is this narrow house thou hast made me? Let me out, sirrah! But the carpenter answered, far be it, far be it from thy thought. Repentance for past avails naught, and indeed of this place thou shalt not, come out. He then laughed and resumed, Verily, Thou art fallen into the trap, and from thy duress there is no escape, O vilest of wild beasts! Rejoined the whelp, O my brother, what manner of words are these thou addresses to me? The carpenter replied, No, O dog of the desert, that thou hast fallen into that which thou feasts.

Fate hath upset thee, nor shall caution set thee up. when the whelp heard these words o my sister he knew that this was indeed the very son of adam against whom he had been warned by his sire in waking state and by the mysterious voice in sleeping while and i also was certified that this was indeed he without doubt wherefore great fear of him for myself seized me and i withdrew a little apart from him and waited to see what he would do with the young lion then i saw o my sister the son of adam dig a pit in that place hard by the chest which held the whelp and throwing the box into the hole heap dry wood upon it and burn the young lion with fire at this sight o sister mine my fear of the son of adam redoubled and in my affright i have been these two days fleeing from him but when the peh-hen heard from the duck this story and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say and of section thirteen of the book of a thousand knights and a knight volume three section fourteen volume three of the book of a thousand knights and a knight translated by richard burton this is a liberty 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 3, Section 14. When it was the 147th Knight, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the peahen heard from the duck this story. She wondered with exceeding wonder, and said to her, O my sister, here thou art safe from the son of Adam, for we are in one of the islands of the sea, whither there is no way for the son of Adam. So do thou take up thine abode with us, till Allah make easy thy case, and our case.

Quoth the duck, I fear lest some calamity come upon me by night, for no runaway can rid him of fate by flight. Rejoined the Pei-hen, Abide with us, and be like unto us, and ceased not to persuade her, till she yielded, saying, O my sister, thou knowest how weak is my resistance, but verily had I not seen thee here, I had not remained, said the Pehen,

That which is on our forids, we must indeed fulfil. And when our doomed day draweth near, who shall deliver us. But not a soul departeth, except it have accomplished its predestined livelihood and term. Now, the while they taught thus, a cloud of dust appeared,

and approached them, at sight of which the duck shrieked aloud and ran down into the sea, crying out, Beware, beware! Though flight there is not from fate and lot. After a while the dust opened out, and discovered under it an antelope.

Whereat the duck and the peahen were reassured, and the peacock's wife said to her companion, This thou seest, and wouldst have me beware of, is an antelope, and here he is making for us. He will do us no hurt, for the antelope feedeth upon the herbs of the earth, and even as thou art of the bird kind, so is he of the beast kind. Be therefore of good cheer, and cease caretaking, for caretaking wasteth the body. Hardly had the peahen done speaking when the antelope came up to them, thinking to shelter him under the shade of the tree, and citing the peahen and the duck, saluted them and said, I came to this island to-day, and I have seen none richer in herbage nor pleasanter for habitation. Then he besought them for company and amity, and when they saw his friendly behaviour to them, they welcomed him and gladly accepted his offer. So they struck up a sincere friendship, and swear there too, and they slept in one place, and they ate and drank together, nor did they cease dwelling in safety, eating and drinking their fill, till one day there came thither a ship which had strayed from her course in the sea.

She cast anchor near them, and the crew came forth and dispersed about the island. They soon caught sight of the three friends, antelope, peahen and duck, and made for them, whereupon the peahen flew up into the tree, and thence winged her way through the air, and the antelope fled into the desert, but the duck abode paralysed by fear. So they chased her till they caught her, and she cried out and said, "'Caution availed me naught against fate and lot,' and they bore her off to the ship. now when the peahen saw what had betided the duck she removed from the island saying i see that misfortunes lie in ambush for all but for yonder ship parting had not befallen between me and this duck because she was one of the truest of friends then she flew off and rejoined the antelope who saluted her and gave her joy of her safety and asked for the duck to which she replied the enemy hath taken her

and i loathed the sojourn of this island after her then she wept for the loss of the duck and began repeating the day of parting cut my heart in twain in twain may allah cut the parting day and she spake also this couplet i pray some day that we reunion gain so i may tell him parting's ugly way the antelope sorrowed with great sorrow but dissuaded the pea-hens from her resolve to remove from the island. So they abode there together with him, eating and drinking, in peace and safety, except that they ceased not to mourn for the loss of the duck. And the antelope said to the peahen, O my sister, thou seest how the folk who came forth of the ship

were the cause of our severance from the duck, and of her destruction. So do thou beware of them, and guard thyself from them, and from the while of the son of Adam. and his guile. But the P-Hen replied, I am assured that naught caused her death, save her neglecting to say supan Allah, glory to God. Indeed I often said to her, exclaim thou, praised be Allah, and verily I fear for thee because thou neglectest to Lord the

Almighty. For all things created by Allah, glorify him on this wise, and whoso neglecteth the formula of praise, Him destruction way lays. When the antelope heard the peahens words he exclaimed, Allah make fear thy face, and betook himself to repeating the formula of praise, and cease not therefrom a single hour. And it is said that his form of adoration was as follows. Praise be to the requiter of every good and evil thing, the lord of majesty, and of kings the king. And a tale is also told on this wise of the hermits a certain hermit worshipped on a certain mountain whither resorted a pair of pigeons and the worshipper was wont to make two parts of his daily bread

and shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the one hundred and forty-eighth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the worshipper was wont to make make two parts of his daily bread, eating one half himself and giving the other to the pigeon pair. He also prayed for them both that they might be blessed with issue, so they increased and multiplied greatly. Now they resorted only to that mountain where the hermit was, and the reason of therefore gathering with the holy man was their assiduity in repeating, Praise be Allah! For it is recounted that the pigeon said in praise, Praise'd be the creator of all creatures, the distributor of daily bread, the builder of the heavens, and dispredder of the earths. And that couple ceased not to dwell together in the happiest of life, they and their brood till the holy man died,

when the company of the pigeons was broken up, and they dispersed among the towns and villages and mountains. Now it is told that on a certain other mountain their dwelled a shepherd, a man of piety, and good sense and chastity, and he had flocks of sheep which he tended, and he made his living by their milk and wool. The mountain which gave him a home abounded in trees and pasturage, and also in wild beasts, but these had no power over his flocks. So he ceased not to dwell upon that highland in full security, taking no thought to the things of the world, by reason of his beatitude and his assiduity in prayer and devotion, till Allah ordained that he should fall sick with exceeding sickness. Thereupon he betook himself to a cavern in the mountain, and his sheep

used to go out in the morning to the pasturage, and take refuge at night in the cave. But Allah Almighty, being minded to try him and prove his patience and his obedience, sent him one of his angels, who came into him in the semblance of a fair woman, and sat down before him. When the shepherd saw that woman seated before him, his flesh shuddered at her, with horripilation, and he said to her, O thou woman, what was it invited thee to this, my retreat? I have no need of thee, nor is there aught betwixt me and thee which calleth for thy coming into me. Quoth she, O man, dost thou not, behold my beauty and loveliness and the fragrance of my breath, and knowest thou not the need

women have of men and men of women? So who shall forbid thee from me, when I have chosen to be near thee, and desire to enjoy thy company? Indeed, I come to thee willingly, and do not withhold myself from thee, and near us there is none whom we need fear, and I wish to abide with thee as long as thou sojournest in this mountain, and be thy companion and true friend. I offer myself to thee, for thou needest the service of woman, and if thou have carnal connection with me,

and know me, thy sickness shall be turned from thee, and health return to thee, and thou wilt repent thee of the past, for having forsworn the company of women, during the days that are now no more. In very sooth I give thee good advice, so inclined to my counsel and approach me quoth the shepherd go out from me o woman deceitful and perfidious i will not incline to thee nor approach thee i want not thy company nor wish for union with thee

he who coveteth the coming life renounceth thee for thou seducest mankind those of past time and those of present time allah the most high lieth in wait for his servant and wo unto him who is cursed with thy company answered she o thou that earest from truth and wanderest from the way of reason turn thy face to me and look upon my charms and take thy full of my nearness as did the wise who have gone before thee indeed they were richer than thou in experience and sharper of wit withal they rejected not as thou rejectest the enjoyment of women nay they took their pleasure of them and their company even as thou renouncest them and it did them no hurt in things temporal or things spiritual wherefore do thou recede from thy resolve and thou shalt praise the issue of thy case rejoined the shepherd all thou sayest i deny and abhor and all thou offerest i reject for thou art cunning and perfidious and there is no honesty in thee nor is their honour how much of foulness hidest thou under thy beauty and how many a pious man hast thou seduced from his duty and made his end penitence and perdition avaunt from me o thou who devotest thyself to corrupt others thereupon he threw his goat's hair cloak over his head that he might not see her face and betook himself to calling upon the name of his lord and when the angel saw the excellence of his submission to the divine will he went out from him and ascended to heaven now hard by the hermit's hill was a village wherein dwelt a pious man who knew not the other's station till one night he heard in a dream a voice saying to him

in such a place near to thee is a devout man go thou to him and be at his command so when morning dawned he set out to when thither and what time the heat was grievous upon him he came to a tree which grew beside a spring of running water so he sat down to rest in the shadow of that tree and behold he saw beasts and birds coming to that fount to drink and when they caught sight of the devote and when they caught sight of the devotee sitting there they took fright and fled from before his face then said he there is no majesty and there is no might save in allah i rest not here but to hurt of these beasts and fowls so he arose blaming himself and saying verily my tarrying here this day hath wronged these animals and what excuse have i towards my creator and the creator of these birds and beasts for that i was the cause of their flight from their drink and their daily food and their place of pasturage. Alas, for my shame before my lord on the day when he shall avenge the hornless sheep, on the sheep with horns! And he wept, and began repeating these couplets.

Now, Anne, by Allah, unto man were fully known, Why he is made, in careless sleep he ne'er would wone. First death, then cometh wake, and dreadful day of doom, reproof with threats saw terror frightful malison bid we or else forbid we all of us alike the cave companions when at length their sleep was done then he again wept for that he had driven the birds and beasts from the spring by sitting down under the tree and he fared on till he came to the shepherd's dwelling and going in saluted him the shepherd returned his salutation and embraced him weeping and saying what hath brought thee to this place where no man hath ever yet come to me quoth the other devotee i saw in my sleep one who described to me this thy stead and bade me repair to thee and salute thee so i came in obedience to the commandment the shepherd welcomed him rejoicing in his company and the twain abode upon that mountain worshipping allah with the best of worship and they ceased not serving their lord in the cavern and living upon the flesh and milk of their sheep

having clean put away from them riches and children and what not till the certain the inevitable became their lot and this is the end of their story then said king shakr-yar oh shahrazad thou wouldst cause me to renounce my kingdom and thou makest me repent of having slain so many women and maidens hast thou any bird stories yes replied she and began to tell the tale of the water-fowl and the tortoise it is related by truthful men o king that a certain bird flew high up firmamentwards and presently lit on a rock in the midst of water which was running and as he sat there behold the current carried to him the carcass of a man and lodged it against the rock or being swollen it floated the bird which was a water-fowl drew near and examining it found that it was the dead body of a son of adam and saw in it sign of spear and stroke of sword so he said to himself i presume that this man who hath been slain were some evil-doer and that a company banded themselves together against him and put him to death and were at peace from him and his evil-doing and as he continued marvelling at this suddenly the vultures and kites came down upon the carcass from all sides and got round it which when the water-fowl saw he feared with sore a fright and said i cannot abide here any longer so he flew away in quest of a place where he might wone till that carcass should come to an end and the birds of prey leave it and he stayed not in his flight till he found a river with a tree in its midst

so he alighted on the tree troubled and distraught and sore grieved for departing from his birth-place and said to himself verily sorrows cease not to follow me i was at my ease when i saw that carcass and rejoiced therein with much joy saying this is a gift of daily bread which allah hath dealt to me but my joy became annoy and my gladness turned to sadness for the ravenous birds which are like lions seized upon it and tear it to pieces and came between me and my prize so how can i hope to be secure from misfortune in this world or put any trust therein indeed the proverb sayeth the world is the dwelling of him who hath no dwelling he who hath no wits is cousined by it and entrusteth it with his wealth and his child and his family and his folk and whoso is cousined ceaseth not to rely upon it pacing proudly upon earth until he is laid under earth and the dust is cast over his corpse by him who of all men was dearest to him and nearest but naught is better for generous youth than patience under its cares and miseries i have left my native place and it is abhorrent to me to quit my brethren and friends and loved ones now whilst he was thus musing lo a male tortoise descended into the river and approaching the water-fowl saluted him saying o my lord what hath exiled thee and driven thee so far from thy place replied the water-fowl the descent of enemies thereon for the wise brooketh not the neighbourhood of his foe and how well saith the poet,

Whenas on any land the oppressor doth alight, There's nothing left for those that dwell therein, but flight. Quoth the tortoise, If the matter be as thou sayest, And the case as thou describest, I will not leave thee, nor cease to stand before thee, That I may do thy need, and fulfil thy service. For it is said that there is no sore a desolation

than that of him who is an exile cut off from friends and home, and it is also said that no calamity equileth that of severance from the good, but the best solace for men of understanding is to seek companionship in strangerhood, and be patient under sorrows and adversity. Wherefore I hope that thou wilt approve of my company, for I will be to thee a servant and a helper. Now, when the water-fowl heard the tortoise's words, he answered, Verily, thou art right in what thou sayest, for, by my life, I have found grief and pain in separation,

that while I have been parted from my place, and sundered from my brethren and friends, seeing that in severance is an admonition to him who will be admonished, and matter of thought for him who will take thought. If the generous youth find not a companion to console him, Weal is forever cut off from him, and ill is eternally established with him, and there is nothing for the sage, but to solace himself in every event with brethren,

and be constant in patience and endurance. Indeed, these two are praiseworthy qualities, and both uphold one under calamities and vicissitudes of the world, and ward off, start-off, startling sorrows and harrowing cares come what will rejoined the tortoise beware of sorrow for it will spoil thy life and waste thy manliness and the two gave not over conversing till the bird said never shall i cease fearing the shifts of time and vicissitudes of events when the tortoise heard this he came up to him and kissing him between the eyes said to him never may the come to him company of the birds cease to be blessed in thee and through thee, and find wisdom in thy good counsel. How shalt thou be burdened with care and harm? And he went on to comfort the water-fowl,

and soothe his terrors, till he became reassured. Then he flew to the place where the carcass was, and found, on arriving there, the birds of prey gone, and they had left nothing of the body but bones, whereupon he returned to the tortoise, and acquainted him with the fact that the foe had disappeared from his place, saying, Know that of a truth I long for return homewards to enjoy the society of my friends, for the sage cannot endure separation from his native place. So they both went thither, and found naught to affright them, whereupon the water-fowl began repeating,

and happily when as straight descends on lot of generous youth, Bright sore with Allah only lies his issue from annoy. He straightened but full oft when rings and mash's straightest clip, He escapes his strait and joyance finds, Al-be I see no joy. So the twain abode in that island, And while the water-fowl was enjoying a life of peace and gladness, suddenly fate led thither a hungry falcon which drove its talons into the bird's belly and killed him nor did caution avail him when his term of life was ended

now the cause of his death was that he neglected to use the formula of praise and it is said that his form of adoration was as follows "'Praised be our lord in that he ordereth and ordaineth, "'and praised be our lord in that he enricheth and impoverisheth.' "'Such was the waterfowl's end, "'and the tale of the ravenous birds. "'And when it was finished, quoth the sultan, "'Oh, Shachrazad, verily thou overwhelmest me "'with admonitions and salutary instances.

"'Hast thou any stories of beasts?' "'Yes,' answered she, and began to tell the tale of the wolf and the fox know o king that a fox and a wolf once cohabited in the same den harbouring therein together by day resorting thither by night but the wolf was cruel and oppressive to the fox they abode thus awhile till it so befell that the fox exhorted the wolf to use gentle dealing and leave off his ill deeds saying if thou persist in thine arrogance belike allah will give the son of adam power over thee for he is past master in guile and while and by his artifice he bringeth down the birds from the firmament and he haeleth the mighty fish forth of the flood-waters and he cutteth the mountain and transporteth it from place to place all this is of his craft and whiliness wherefore do thou betake thyself to equity and fair dealing and leave rowardness and tyranny and thou shalt fare all the better for it but the wolf would not accept his counsel and answered him roughly saying what rightest thou to speak of matters of weight and importance and he dealt the fox a cuff that laid him senseless but when he revived he smiled in the wolf's face and excusing himself for his unseemly speech repeated these two couplets if any sin i sinned or i did aught in love of you which hateful mischief wrought my sinned my sin i saw rebut

repent and pardon sue, so give the sinner gift of pardoned sort. The wolf accepted his excuse and held his hand from further ill-treatment, saying, Speak not of what so concerneth thee not, lest thou hear what will please thee not, answered the fox, To hear is to obey. And Shafazard perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 14 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 15, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is the Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Linda Moro. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Nights and a Nighter. Volume 3, Section 15. When it was the 149th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That quoth the wolf to the fox, Speak not of what so concerneth thee not,

lest thou hear what will please thee not, Answered the fox. To hear is to obey, I will abstain henceforth from what pleaseth thee not. For the sage saith, Have a care that thou speak not of that Whereof thou art not asked, leave that which concerneth thee not for that which concerneth thee,

and by no means lavish good counsel on the wrongness, for they will repay it to thee with wrong. And reflecting on the words of the wolf, he smiled in his face, but in his heart he meditated treachery against him, and privily said, There is no help but that I compass the destruction of this wolf. So he bore with his injurious usage, saying to himself, Verily, insolence and evil-speaking are causes of perdition,

and cast into confusion, and it is said, The insolent is shent, and the ignorant doth repent, And whoso feareth to him safety assent. Moderation marketh the noble, and gentle manners are gains of the grandest. It behooveth me to dissemble with this tyrant, And needs must he be cast down. Then quoth he to the wolf, Verily, the Lord pardoneth his erring servant and relenteth toward him,

If he confess his offenses, and I am a weak slave and have offended in presuming to counsel thee. If thou knewest the pain that befell me by thy buffet, thou wouldst ken that even the elephant could not stand against it, nor endure it. But I complain not of this blows hurt, because of the joy and gladness that hath betided me through it, for though it was to me exceeding sore, yet was its issue of the happiest. And with sooth saith the sage, the blow of the teacher is at first right hurtful, but the end of it is sweeter than strained honey.

Quote the wolf, I pardon thee thine offense and I cancel thy fault, but beware of my force and avow thyself my thrall, for thou hast learned my severity unto him who showeth his hostility. Thereupon the fox prostrated himself before the wolf, saying, Allah lengthened thy life, and mayest thou never cease to overthrow thy foes. And he stinted not to fear the wolf, and to wheedle him and dissemble with him. now it came to pass that one day the fox went to a vineyard and saw a breach in its walls but he mistrusted it and said to himself verily for this breach there must be some cause and the old saw saith

who so seeth a cleft in the earth and shunneth it not and is not wary in approaching it the same as self-deluded and exposeth himself to danger and destruction indeed it is well known that some folk make the figure of a fox in their vineyards nay they even set before the semblance grapes in plates, that foxes may see it and come to it and fall into perdition. In very sooth I regard this breach as a snare, and the proverb saith, caution is one half of cleverness. Now prudence requireth that I examine this breach and see if there be ought therein which may lead to perdition, and coveting shall not make me cast myself into destruction. So he went up to the hole and walked round it right warily and low. It was a deep pit which the owner of the vineyard had dug to trap there

in the wild beasts which laid waste to his vines. Then he said to himself, Thou hast gained, for thou hast refrained. And he looked and saw that the hole was lightly covered with dust and matting. So he drew back from it, saying, praised be allah that I was wary of it. I hope that my enemy, the wolf, who maketh my life miserable, will fall into it. So will the vineyard be left to me and I shall enjoy it alone and dwell there and at peace. Thus saying he shook his head and laughed a loud laugh, and began versifying. Would heaven I saw at this hour the wolf fallen down in this well? He who anguished my heart for so long and guard me drain isle and fell.

Heaven grant after this I may live free of wolf for long fortunate spell, when I've rid grapes and vineyard of him, and in bunch spoiling happily dwell. His verse being finished, he returned in haste to the wolf and said to him, Allah hath made plain for thee the way into the vineyard without toil and moyle. This is of thine auspicious fortune. So good luck to thee, and mayest thou enjoy the plentiful plunder and the profuse provont which Allah hath opened up to thee without trouble. Asked the wolf, What proof hast thou of what thou assertest?

And the fox answered, I went up to the vineyard and found that the owner was dead, having been torn to pieces by wolves. So I entered the orchard and saw the fruit shining upon the trees. The wolf doubted not the fox's report, and his gluttony got hold of him, so he arose and repaired to the cleft for that greed blinded him, whilst the fox falling behind him lay as one dead, quoting to the case the following couplet. For Layla's favor dost thou greed? But bear in mind greed is a yoke of harmful weight on neck of man. And when the wolf had

reached the breach the fox said, Enter the vineyard, thou art spared the trouble of climbing a ladder. for the garden wall is broken down and with a lie it resteth to fulfil the benefit so the wolf went on walking and thought to enter the vineyard but when he came to the middle of the pit covering he fell through whereupon the fox shook for joy and gladness his care and concern left him and he sang out for delight and improvised these couplets fortune had mercy on the soul of me and for my torments now shows clemency granting whatever gift my heart desired and far removed what I feared to see. I will, good sooth, excuse her all her sins. She sinned in days gone by, and much sinned she. Yay, her injustice she hath shown in this. She whitened locks that were so black of blee, but now for this same wolf, escape there's none. Of death and doom he hath full certainty. Then all the vineyard comes beneath my rule. I'll brook no partner who's so fond a fool. Then the fox looked into the cleft, and seeing the wolf weeping in repentance,

and sorrow for himself, wept with him, whereupon the wolf raised his head to him and asked, Is it of pity for me thou weepest, O father of the fortlet? answered the fox. No, by him who cast thee into this pit, I weep for the length of thy past life, and for regret that thou didst not fall into the pit before this day. For hadst thou done so before I foregathered with thee, I had rested and enjoyed repose, but thou wast spared till the fulfillment of thine allotted term, and thy destined time. Then the wolf said to him as one jesting, O evil-doer, go to my mother and tell her what hath befallen me. Happily she may devise some device for my release. Of a truth thou hast been brought to destruction by the excess of thy greed

in thine exceeding gluttony, since thou art fallen into a pit whence thou wilt never escape. "'Know'st thou not the common proverb, O thou witless wolf, "'whoso taketh no thought as to how things end, "'him shall fate never befriend, "'nor shall he safe from perils wend. "'O Réinard,' quoth the wolf, "'thou wast want to show me fondness, "'and covet my friendliness, and fear the greatness of my strength.

"'Hate me not rancorously because of that I did with thee, "'for he who hath power and forgiveth, "'his reward Allah giveth, even as saith the poet. Soe kindness seed in the unfittest stead. It will not be wasted whereso thou shalt sow. For kindness I'll be buried long, yet none shall reap the crop,

save sower who guard it grow. Rejoined the fox, O witlessest of beasts of prey, and stupidest of the wild brute which the world's overstray, Hast thou forgotten thine arrogance and insolence and tyranny, and thy disregarding the dew of good fellowship, and thy refusing to be advised by what the poet saith.

Wrong not thy neighbor, Ian if thou have power, the wronger always vengeance harvest reaps. Thine eyes shall sleep, while bides the wronged on wake, accursing thee, and Allah's eye ne'er sleeps. O Abu al-Husain, replied the wolf,

twit me not with my past sins, for forgiveness is expected of the generous, and doing kind deeds is the truest of treasures. How well sayeth the, the poet, haste to do kindness, while thou hast much power, for at all seasons thou hast not such power. And he ceased not to humble himself before the fox, and say, happily thou canst do somewhat to deliver me from destruction, replied the fox.

Oh, thou wolf, thou witless, deluded, deceitful trickster! Hope not for deliverance, for this is but the just reward of thy foul dealing, and its due retaliation. Then he laughed with chops wide open and repeated these two couplets. No longer beguile me, thou wilt fail of thy will. What can't be thou seekest? Thou hast sown, so reap ill, quote the wolf, O gentlest of ravenous beasts, I fain hold thee too faithful to leave me in this pit. Then he wept and complained, and with tears streaming from his size recited these two couplets. O thou whose favors have been out of comte, whose gifts are more than may be numbered, never mischance befell me, yet from time, but that I found thy hand right

fain to aid. O thou niny foe, quoth the fox, how art thou reduced to humiliation and prostration and objection and submission, after insolence and pride and tyranny and arrogance? Verily, I'm I kept company with thee only for fear of thy fury, and I cajoled thee without one hope of fair treatment from thee. But now trembling has come upon thee, and vengeance hath overtaken thee, and he repeated these two couplets. O thou who seekest innocence to guile! Thou art caught and trap of thine intentions vile. Now drain the draught of shamefullest mischance, and be with other wolves cut off, thou scryl,' replied the wolf. O thou clement one, Speak not with the tongue of enemies, Nor look with their eyes,

But fulfill the covenant of fellowship with me, ere the time of applying remedy ceased to be. Rise and make ready to get me a rope, and tie one end of it to a tree, Then let the other down to me, that I may lay hold of it, so happily I shall from this straight wind free, And I will give thee all my hand possesseth of wealth and fee. Quote the fox, Thou persistest in it. conversation concerning what will not procure thy liberation. Hope not for this, for thou shalt never, never get of me wherewithal to set thee at liberty. But call to mind thy past misdeeds, and the craft and perfidy thou didst imagine against me, and bethink thee how near thou art

to being stone to death, for know that thy soul is about the world to quit, and cease in it, and depart from it. So shalt thou to destruction high, and ill, is the abiding place thou shalt abide abye rejoined the wolf, O father of the fortlet, hasten to return to amity and persist not in this rancorous enmity. Know that whoso from ruin saith a soul is as if he had quickened it and made it whole, and whoso saveth a soul alive is as if he had saved all mankind. Follow not forwardness, for the wise forbid it, and it were most manifest forwardness to leave me in this pit, draining the agony of death and dight to look upon mine own doom.

When is it lieth in thy power to deliver me from my store? So do thy best to release me and deal with me benevolently, answered the fox. Oh, thou base and barbarous wretch! I compare thee because of the fairness of thy professions and expressions, and the foulness of thy intentions and thy inventions, to the falcon and the partridge. asked the wolf,

How so? And the fox began to tell, the tale of the falcon and the partridge. Once upon a time I entered a vineyard to eat of its grapes, and while so doing, behold, I saw a falcon stoop upon a partridge and seize him, but the partridge escaped from the Caesar, and entering his nest, hid himself there.

The falcon followed a pace and called out to him, saying, Oh, imbecile, I saw thee unhungered in the world, and took pity on thee. so i picked up for thee some grain and took hold of thee that thou mightest eat but thou fledest from me and i want not the cause of thy flight except it were to put upon me a slight come out then and take the grain i have brought thee to eat and much good may it do thee and with thy health agree when the partridge heard these words he believed and came out to him whereupon the falcon struck his talons into him and seized him cried the partridge is this that which thou toldest me thou hadst brought me from the world and whereof thou badest me eat saying much good may it do thee and with thy health agree thou hast lied to me and may allah cause what thou eatest of my flesh to be a killing poison in thy maw so when the falcon had eaten the partridge his feathers fell off and his strength failed and he died on the spot know then o wolf pursued the fox that he who digeth for his brother a pit himself soon falleth into it, and thou first deceivest me in mode unfit, quote the wolf.

Spare me this discourse nor saws and tales in force, and remind me not of my former ill course, for sufficeeth me the sorry plight I endure perforce, seeing that I am fallen into a place in which even my foe would pity me, much more a true friend. Rather find some trick to deliver me and be thou there by my saviour. If this cause thee trouble, remember the that a true friend will undertake the sorous travail for his true friend's sake, and will risk his life to deliver him from evil. And indeed it hath been said, a real friend is better than a real brother. So if thou stir thyself to save me and I be saved,

I will for sure gather thee such store as shall be a provision for thee against want, however sore, and truly I will teach thee rare tricks whereby to open what so bounteous vineyards thou please, and strip the fruit-laden trees. rejoined the fox laughing. How excellent is what the learned say of him who aboundeth in ignorance like unto thee? Ask the wolf, What do the wise men say? And the fox answered,

They have observed that the gross of body are gross of mind, far from intelligence and nigh unto ignorance. As for thy saying, O thou stupid, cunning idiot, that a true friend should undertake sore travail for his true friend's sake, it is soothest thou sayest, but tell me, Of thine ignorance and poverty of intelligence, how can I be a true friend to thee, considering thy treachery? Dost thou count me thy true friend?

Nay, I am thy foe, who joyeth in thy woe, and couldst thou trow it, this word were soarer to thee than slaughter by shot of shaft. As for thy promise to provide me a store against want, however sore, and teach me tricks to plunder what so bounty as vineyards I please, and spoil fruit-laden trees, How cometh it, O guileful traitor, That thou knowest not a while to save thyself from destruction? How far art thou from profiting thyself, And how far am I from accepting thy counsel? If thou have any tricks, Make shift for thyself to save thee from the risk,

Wherefore I pray a lot to make thine escape far distant. So look, O fool, if there be any trick with thee, And therewith save thyself from death, ere thou lavish instruction upon thy neighbors. But thou art like a certain man attacked by a disease, who went to another diseased man with the same disease, and said to him, shall I heal thee of thy disease? replied the sick man. Why dost thou not begin by healing thyself? So he left him and went his way, and thou, O ignorant wolf, art like this, so stay where thou art, and under what hath befallen thee be of good heart. When the wolf heard what the fox said, he knew that from

him he had no hope of favor. So he wept for himself, saying, Verily I have been heedless of my wheel, but if Allah delivered me from this ill, I will assuredly repent of my arrogance toward those who are weaker than I, and will wear woolens and go upon the mountains celebrating praises of the Almighty Allah and fearing his punishment. And I will withdraw from the company of other wild beasts, and for sure will feed the poor fighters for the faith. Then he wept and wailed, till the heart of the fox softened when he heard his humble words and his professions of penitence for his past insolence and arrogance. So he took pity upon him and sprang up joyfully, and going to the brink of the breach,

squatted down on his hind quarters and let his tail hang in the hole, whereupon the wolf arose and putting out his paw, pulled the fox's tail so that he fell down in the pit with him. Then said the wolf, O fox of little mercy, why didst thou exalt in my misery, thou that wast my companion and under my dominion. Now thou art fallen into the pit with me, and retribution have soon overtaken thee. Verily the sages have said, If one of you reproach his brother with sucking the dugs of a bitch,

he also shall suck her. And how well quoth the poet? When fortune weighs heavy on some of us, and makes camel kneel by some other one, say to those who rejoice in our ills, awake, the rejoicer shall supper as we have, done. And death in company is the best of things. Wherefore I will certainly and assuredly hasten to slay thee ere thou see me slain, said the fox to himself, aha, I am fallen into the snare with

this tyrant, and my case calleth for the use of craft and cunning, for indeed it is said that a woman fashioneth her jewelry for the day of display, and quotes the proverb, I have not kept thee, oh my tear, save for the time when distress draweth near. And unless I make a man, I make a hast to circumvent this prepotent beast, I am lost without recourse, and how well sayeth the poet. Make thy game by guile, for thou art born at a time when sons are lions and forest lane, and turn on the leet of thy knavery, that the mill of subsistence may grind thy grain, and pluck the fruits, or, if out of reach, why cram thy maw with the grass on plain? Then said the fox to the wolf, hasten not to slay me, for that is not the way to pay me, and thou wouldst repent it.

O thou valiant wild beast, lord of force and exceeding prowess! And thou accord delay, and consider what I shall say. Thou wilt can what purpose I proposed. But if thou hasten to kill me, it will profit thee not, and we shall both die in this very place, answered the wolf. O thou wily trickster, what gareth thee hope to work my deliverance in thine own, that thou prayest me to grant thee delay. Speak and propound to me thy purpose, replied the fox.

As for the purpose I proposed, it was one which deservedeth that thou girded me handsomely for it. For when I heard thy promises and thy confessions of thy past misdeeds, and regrets for not having earlier repented and done good, and when I heard thee vowing, shouldst thou escape from this strait to leave harming thy fellows and others, forswear the eating of grapes and of all manner of fruits, devote thyself to humility, cut thy claws, and break thy dog-teeth, dawn woollins and offer thyself as an offering to

Almighty Allah, then indeed I had pity upon thee. For true words are the best words, and although before I had been anxious for thy destruction, when as I heard thy repenting and thy vows of amending should Allah thou sheaf to save thee, I felt bound to free thee from this thy present plight. So I let down my tale that thou mightest grasp it and be saved. Yet wouldest thou not quit thy wanted violence and habit of brutality,

nor soughtest thou to save thyself by fair means, but thou gavest me a tug which I thought would sever body from soul, so that thou and I are fallen into the same place of distress and death, and now there is but one thing can save us, and if thou accepted of me, we shall both escape,

and after it behooeth me to find us, fulfill the vows thou hast made, and I will be thy veritable friend. Asked the wolf, What is it thou proposest for my acceptance? Answered the fox. It is that thou stand up at full height till I come nigh on level with the surface of the earth. Then will I give a spring and reach the ground, and when out of the pit I will bring thee what thou mayst lay hold of,

and thus shalt thou make thine escape. Rejoined the wolf, I have no faith in thy word, for sages have said, Whoso practiseth trust in the place of hate heareth, and who so trusteth in the untrustworthy as a dupe. He who retrieth him who hath been tried shall reap repentance, and his days shall go waste, and he who cannot distinguish between case and case, giving each its due, and assigneth all the weight to one side, his luck shall be little, and his miseries shall be many. How well saith the poet! Let thy thought be ill and none else but ill, for suspicion

as best of the worldling skill. Not casteth a man into parlous place, but good opinion and worse goodwill. And the saying of another, Be sure all are villains and so bide safe, Who lives wide awake on few ill shall light. Meet the foe with smiles and a smooth fair brow And in heart raise a host for the battle dight.

And that of yet another, He thou trusted most is thy worst unfriend, wear all and take heed with whom thou wend. Fair opinion of fortune is feeble sign, So believe her ill, and her ills perpend. Quote the fox, Fairly, mistrust and ill opinion of others are not to be commended in every case. Nay, trust and confidence are the characteristics of a noble nature,

and the issue thereof is freedom from stress of fear. Now it behoobeth thee, O thou wolf, to devise some device for thy deliverance from this thou art in. and our escape will be better to us both than our death so quit thy distrust and rancour for if thou trust in me one of two things will happen either i shall bring thee something whereof to lay hold and escape from this case or i shall abandon thee to thy doom but this thing may not be for i am not safe from falling into some such strait as this thou art in which indeed would be fitting punishment of perfidy of a truth the adage saith faith is fair and faithlessness is foul so it behoopeth thee to trust in me for i am not ignorant of the haps and mishaps of the world and delay not to contrive some device for our deliverance as the case is too close to allow further talk replied the wolf for all my want of confidence in thy fidelity verily i knew what was in thy mind and that thou wast moved to deliver me when as thou heardest my repentance and i said to myself if what he asserteth be true he will have repaired the ill he did, and if faults it resteth with the Lord to requite him. So looky, I have accepted

thy proposal, and if thou betray me, may thy traitorous deed be the cause of thy destruction. Then the wolf stood bolt upright in the pit, and taking the fox upon his shoulders, raised him to the level of the ground, whereupon Reynard gave a spring from his back and lighted on the surface of the earth. When he found himself safely out of the cleft he fell down senseless, and the wolf said to him, O my friend, neglect not my case, and delay not to deliver me. The fox laughed with a loud ha-ha-ha, and replied, Oh, dupe, not threw me into thy hand save my laughing at thee and making mock of thee,

for in good sooth when I heard thee profess repentance, mirth and gladness seized me, and I frisked about and made Mary and danced, so that my tail hung low into the pit and thou caughtest hold of it and draggest me down with thee. and the end was that the law Almighty delivered me from thy power. Then why should I be other than a helper in thy destruction, seeing that thou art of Satan's host? I dreamt yesterday that I danced at thy wedding, and I told my dream to an interpreter who said to me,

Verily thou shalt fall into imminent deadly danger, and thou shalt escape therefrom. So now I know that my falling into thy hand and my escape are the fulfillment of my dream, and thou, O imbecile, knowest me for thy fear, foe. So how couldest thou, of thine ignorance and unintelligence, nurse desire of deliverance at my hands? After all thou hast heard of harsh words from me, and wherefore should I attempt thy salvation when, as the sages have said, in the death of the wicked is rest for mankind, and a purge for the earth? But were it not that I fear to bear more affliction by keeping faith with thee than the

sufferings which follow purporty, I had done mine endeavor to save thee. When the wolf heard this, he bit his forehand for repentance. And Shadhazad 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 Knight, Volume 3. Section 16, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Borton. This is a Librevox recording. All Librivox recordings are in the public domain.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Recording by Kamna The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 16. When it was the 150th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the wolf heard the fox's words, he bit his forehand for repentance. Then he gave the fox fair words,

but this availed not, and he was at his wit's end for what to do. So he said to him in soft, low accents, verily, you tribe of foxes are the most pleasant, in point of tongue, and the subtlest in jest. And this is but a joke of thine, but all times are not good for funning and jesting. The fox replied,

O ignoramus, in good sooth jesting hath a limit, with the jester must not overpass, and deem not that Allah will again give thee possession of me after having once delivered me from thy hand. Quoth the wolf, It behoveth thee to compass my release by reason of our brotherhood and good fellowship, and if thou release me,

I will assuredly make fair thy recompense. Quote the fox, wise men say, take not to brother the wicked fool, for he will disgrace thee in lieu of disgracing thee, nor take to brother the liar for, if thou do good he will conceal it,

and if thou do ill he will reveal it. and again the sages have said there is help for everything but death all may be warded off except fate as for the reward thou declares to be my due from thee i compare thee herein within the serpent which fled from the charmor a man saw her affrighted and said to her what aileth thee o thou serpent replied she i am fleeing from the snake'shmael for he seeketh to trap me and if thou wilt save me and hide me with thee i will make fire thy reward and do thee all manner of kindness so he took her incited thereto by lust for the recompense and eager to find favour with heaven and set her in his breast pocket now when the charmer had passed and he had vended his way and the serpent had no longer any cause to fear he said to her where is the reward thou didst promise me behold i have saved thee from that thou fearedest and souredest of life replied she tell me in what limb or in what place shall i strike thee with my fangs for thou knowest we exceed not that recompense so saying she gave him a bite whereof he died and i liken thee o dullard to the serpent's inner dealings with her man hast thou not heard but the poet saith trust not to man when thou hast raised his plain and wrath nor that twill thou miss vain smooth fields the viper to the touch and glides with grace yet hides she deadliest venine

quote the wolf o thou glib of gab and fair of face ignore not my case and men's fear of me and where thou wreatest how i assault the strongly walled pace and uproot the vines from base wherefore do as i bid thee and stand before me even as the thrall stand before his lord quoth the fox o stupid dullard who seekest a vain thing i marvel at thy folly and thy front of brass in the in that thou biddest me serve thee and stand up before thee as i were a slave bought with thy silver but soon shalt thou see what is in store for thee in the way of cracking thy stucon with stones and knocking out thy tito'-dog teeth so saying the fox clomb a hill overlooking the vineyard and standing there shouted to the vintagers nor did he give overshouting till he woke them, and they, seeing him, all came up to him in haste. He stood his ground till they drew near him, and close to the pit wherein was the wolf. Then he turned and fled, so the folk looked into the cleft, and spying the wolf, set to pelting him with heavy stones, and they stinted not smiting him with stones and sticks,

and stabbing him with spears till they killed him and went away. Thereupon the fox returned to the cleft and said, standing over the spot where his foe had been slain saw the wolf dead so he wagged his head for very joyance and began to recite these couplets fate the wolf's soul snatched up from worldly stead far be from bliss his soul that perished abu sirhan how sore thou soughtest my death thou burnt this day in fire of sorrow dread thou art fallen into pit where all who for are blown by dead blast down among the dead thenceforward the aforesaid fox abode alone in the vineyard unto the hour of his dead secure and fearing no hurt and such are the adventures of the wolf and the fox but men also tell a tale of the mouse and the itchonim a mouse and an itchonon once dealt in the house of a peasant who was very poor and one of his friends sickened the dock of briskied him, husked sesame. So the hint sought of one of his comrades, sesame to be hussed by way of healing the sick man, and when a measure thereof was given to him,

he carried at home to his wife, and bade her dress it. So she steeped it, and husked it, and spread it out to dry. Now when the itchinum saw the grain, she went up to it, and fell to carrying it away to her whole, and she toyed all. day till she had borne off the most of it. Presently in came the peasant's wife, and seeing much of the grain gone, stood a while wondering, after which she sat down to watch and find out who might be the intruder, and make him account for her loss. After a while out crept the itchonum to carry off the grain, as was her wound, but spying the woman seated there, knew that she was on the watch for her, and said in her mind, verily the same,

affair is like to end blamably and so i fear me this woman is on the lookout for me and fortune is no friend to those to who attend not to the issue and end so there is no help for it but that i do a fair deed whereby i may manifest my innocence and wash out all the ill-doings i have done and carry it forth and lay it back upon the rest the woman stood by and seeing the itchonim do thus said to herself verily this is not the cause of our loss for she bring it back from the whole for him who stole it and returned it to its place and of a truth she had done us a kindness in storing us a sesame and the reward of those who does us good is that we do them they like good it is clear that that it is she who stole the grain, but I will not seize my watching till he fall into my hands, and I find out who is the thief. The itchonim guess what was in her mind, so she went to the mouse and said to her, O my sister, there is good in one who observeth not the claims of neighbourhood,

and who showeth no constancy in friendship. The mouse replied, Even so, O my friend, and I delight in thee, and in thy neighbourhood, but what be the motive of this speech quothed the itchonim the house-master hath brought some home some ssseme and hath eaten at his fill of it he and his family and hath left much every living being hath eaten of it if thou take a fit in thy return thou art worthier thereof than any other this pleased the mouse and she squeaked for joy and danced and frisked her ears and tail and greed for the grain deluded her so she rose at once and issuing forth of her home saw the sesame husked and dry shining with whiteness and the woman sitting at watch and wad the mouse taking no thought to the issue of the affair for the woman had armed herself with a and unable to contain herself, ran up to the sesame, and began turning it over and eating of it, whereupon the woman smote her with that club and cleft her head. So the cause of

her destruction were her greed and headlessness of consequences. Then said the Sultan, O Shahrazad, by Allah, this be a goodly parable. Say me, hast thou any story bearing on the beauty of true friendship, and the observance of its duty in time of distress and rescuing from destruction. Answered she, yes, it had reached me that they tell tale of the cat and the crow. Once upon a time, a crow and a cat lived in brotherhood, and one day as they were together under a tree, behold, they spied a leopard making towards them, and they were not aware of his approach till he was close upon them.

The crow at once flew up to the tree-top, but the cat abode confounded and said to the crow, O my friend, hast thou no device to save me, even as all hope is in thee? Replied the crow, of very truth it behoved brethren, in case of need to cast about for a device, when peril overtaketh them, and how well said the port, poet. A friend in need is he who, ever true, for this, they well-doing would himself undo, one who, when fortune garsers a sparting rue, victimeth self, reunion to renew. Now hard by that tree were shepherds with their dogs, so the crow flew towards them,

and smote the face of the earth with its wings, cowering and crying out. Furthermore, he went up to one of the dogs, and flapped his wings in his face, and flew up a little way, whilst the dog ran after him, thinking to catch him. Presently one of the shepherds raised his head and saw the bird flying near the ground and lighting alternately, so he followed them, and the crow ceased not flying just high enough to save himself, and to throw out the dogs, and yet tempting them to follow, for the purpose of tearing him to pieces. But as soon as they came near him, he would fly up a little, and so at last he brought them to the tree, under which was the leopard, and when the dog saw him they rushed

upon him, and he turned and fled. Now the leopard thought to eat the cat, who was saved by the craft of his friend, by the crow. This story, O king, showeth that the friendship of brothers of purity delivereth and savieth from difficulties and from falling into mortal dangers, and they also tell a tale of the fox and the crow. A fox one, once dwelt in a cave of a certain mountain and as often as a cub was born to him and grossed out he would eat the young one for he had died of hunger had he instead of doing left the cub alive and bred it by his side and preserved and cherished his issue yet this was very grievous to him now on the chest of the same mountain a crow had made his nest

and the fox said to himself, I have a mind to set up a friendship with this grow, and make a comrade of him, that he may help me to my daily breath, for he can do in such matters what I cannot. So he drew near the crow's home, and when he came within the sound of speech, he saluted him and said,

O my neighbor, verily a true believer, had two claims upon his true believing neighbor, the right of neighborliness and the right of al-Islam, our common faith and know o my friend that thou art my neighbour and thou hast acclaim upon me which is behiveth to observe the more that i have long been thy neighbour also there be implanted in my breast a store of love to thee which bidd me speak thee fair and obliged me to solicit by brother'ship what sayest thou in reply answer the crow verily the truest speech is the best speech and how Happily thou speakest with thy tongue, that which is not in thy heart, so I fear lest thy brotherhood be only of the tongue outward, and thy enmity be in the heart inward, for that thou art the eater, and either eaten, and faring apart, fairing apart, were apter to us than friendship and fellowship. What then, maketh thee seek, that which thou hast may not gain, and desire what may not be done. seeing that I be the bird kind and thou be of the beast kind.

Verily, this thy preferred brotherhood may not be made, neither were it seemly to make it. Rejoin the fox of a truth who knoweth the abiding place of excellent things, make it better choice in what he chose it therefore, so perchance he may advantage his brethren, and indeed I should love to warn near thee, and I have sued for thine intimacy, to the end that we may help each other to our several objects, and success shall surely wait upon our amity. I have many tales of the goodliness of true friendship, which I will relate to thee if thou wish the relating. Answered the crow, thou hast my leave to let me hear thy communication, so tell thy tale, and relate it to me, that I may hearken it harken to it and weigh it and judge of thine which intend thereby rejoin the fox here then o my friend what which is told of a flea and a mouse and which beareth out what i have said to thee

asked the crow how so and the fox answered they tell this tale of the flea and the mouse once upon a time a mouse dwelt in the house of a merchant who owned much merchandise and great stories of monies one night a flea took shelter in the merchant's carpet bed and finding his body soft and being thirsty drank of his blood the merchant was awakened by the smart of the bite of the bite and sitting up called to his slave-girls and serving men so they hastened to him and tucking up their sleeves fell to searching for the flea but as soon as the blood-sucker was aware of the search he turned to flee and coming on the mouse's home entered home entered it when the mouse saw him she said to him but bring it thee into me thou who art not of my nature nor of my kind and who canst not be assured and of safety from violence or not of being expelled with roughness roughness and ill-usage answer the sea answer the flea of a trude i took refuge in thy dwelling to save me from slaughter and i have come to thee seeking thy protection and on nowest coveting thy house nor shall any mischief betide thee from me to make thee leave thy home nay i hope right soon to repay thy favours to me with all good and then shalt thou see and praise the issue of my words and when the mouse heard the speech of the flee and shahrazad proceed the dawn of day and cease saying her permitted say End of Section 16 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3.

Recording by Karmna Section 17, Volume 3 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 Librevox.org. Recording by Linda Moro. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3.

Section 17. When it was the one hundred and fifty-first night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the mouse heard the words of the flee, she said, If the case be as thou dost relate and describe, then be it thine ease here, For naught shall befall thee save the reign of peace and safety, Nor shall aught be tide thee but what shall joy thee, and shall not annoy thee, Nor shall it annoy me. I will lavish on thee my affections without state, and do not thou regret having lost the merchant's blood nor lament for thy subsistence from him but be content with what sustenance thou canst obtain for indeed that is safer for thee and i have heard o flea that one of the nomic poets saith as follows in these couplets

i have fared content in my solitude with whate'er befell and led life of ease on a water draught and a bite of bread coarse salt and a gown of tattered freeze a loss might, and he be pleased, give me easiest life. But with what so pleaseth himself, I please. Now when the flea heard these words of the mouse, he rejoined, I hearken to thy charge, and I submit myself to obey thee, nor have I power to gainsay thee till life be fulfilled in this righteous intention, replied the mouse. Pure intention sufficeseth to sincere affection. So the tie of love arose and was knitted between them twain, and after this the flea used to visit the merchant's bed by night and not exceed his diet, and house himself by day in the hole of the mouse. Now it came to pass one night that the

merchant brought home great store of dinars and began to turn them over. When the mouse heard the chink of the coin, she put her head out of her hole and fell to gazing at it, till the merchant laid it under his pillow and went to sleep. When she said to the flea, Seeest thou not the proper occasion and the great good fortune? Hast thou any device to bring us to our desire of yonder dinars? Quote the flea. Verily, it is not good that one strives for aught, unless he be able to win his will, because if he lackability thereto he falleth into what he should avoid,

and he attaineth not his wish by reason of his weakness. Albeit he use all power and cunning, like the sparrow which picketh up grain and falleth into the net, and is caught by the fowler thou hast no strength to take the dinars and to transport them out of this house nor have i forced sufficient to do this i the contrary i could not carry a single ducate of them so what hast thou to do with them quoth the mouse i have made me from my house these seventy openings whence i may go out in my desire and i have set apart a place strong and safe for things of price and if thou can contrive to get the merchant out of the house I do not doubt of success, and so be that fate aid me,' answered the flea. I will engage to get him out of the house for thee. And going to the merchant's bed bit him a fearful bite, such as he had never before felt, then fled to a place of safety where he had no fear of the man.

So the merchant awoke and sought for the flea, but finding him not lay down again on his other side. Then the flea bit him a second time more painfully than before. he lost patience, and leaving his bed went out to lay down on the bench before his door, and slept there and woke not till the morning. Meanwhile the mouse came out and fell to carrying the dinars into her hole, till she left not a single one. And when day dawned the merchant began to suspect the folk and fancy all manner of fancies. And, continued the fox, know thou, O wise and experienced crow with the clear-seeing eyes, that I tell thee this only to the intent

that thou mayest reap the recompense of thy kindness to me, even as the mouse reaped the reward of her kindness to the flee. For see how he repaid her and requited her with the goodliest of requitals, said the crow, it lies with the benefactor to show benevolence or not to show it, nor is it incumbent on us to entreat kindly one who seeketh a connection that entaileth separation from kith and kin. If I show thee favor, who art my foe by kind, I am the cause of cutting myself off, from the world. And thou, O Fox, art full of wiles and guiles. Now those whose characteristics are craft and cunning must not be trusted upon oath, and whoso is not to be trusted upon oath, in him there is no good faith. The tidings lately reached me of thy treacherous dealing with one

of thy comrades, which was a wolf, and how thou didst deceive him until thou leddest him into destruction by thy perfidy and stratagems. And this thou diddest after he was of thine own kind, and thou hadst long consorted with him, yet didst thou not spare him. And if thou couldst deal thus with thy fellow, which was of thine own kind, how can I have trust in the truth, and what would be thy dealing with thy foe of other kind than thy kind? Nor can I compare thee and me, but with the saker and the birds. How so? asked the fox, answered the crow.

They relate this tale of, The saker and the birds. There once was a sacer who was a cruel tyrant, and Shadhazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 152nd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the crow pursued.

They relate that there was once a saker who was a cruel tyrant in the days of his youth, so that the raveners of the air and the scavengers of the earth feared him, none being safe from his mischief. And many were the haps and mishaps of his tyranny and his violence, for this saker was ever in the habit of oppressing and injuring all the other birds. As the years passed over him he grew feeble and his force failed him, so that he was often famished, but his cunning waxed stronger with the waning of his strength, and he redoubled in his endeavor and determined to be present at the general assembly of the birds, that he might eat of their orts and leavings. So in this manner he fed by fraud and

instead of feeding by fierceness and force. And thou, O fox, art like this. If thy might fail thee, thy slight faileth thee not. And I doubt not that thy seeking my society is a fraud to get thy food. But I am none of those who fall to thee and put fist into thy fist, for that Allah hath bow-shaved force to my wings and caution to my mind, and sharp sight to my eyes, and I know that whoso apeth a stronger than he wearieth himself,

and haply cometh to ruin. wherefore i fear for thee lest if thou apest a stronger than thyself there befall thee what befell the sparrow asked the fox what befell the sparrow allah upon thee tell me his tail and the crow began to relate the story of the sparrow and the eagle i have heard that a sparrow was once flitting over a sheep-fold when he looked at it carefully and behold he saw a great eagle swooped down upon a newly weaned lamb and carry it off in his sheep-wold and he saw a great eagle swooped down upon a newly weaned lamb and carry it off in his claws and fly away. Thereupon the sparrow clapped his wings and said, I will do even as this one did, and he waxed proud in his own conceit and mimicked a greater than he. So he flew down forthright and lighted on the back of a fat ram with a thick fleece, which was become matted by his lying in his dung and stale till it was like woolen felt. As soon as the sparrow pounced upon the sheep's back, he flapped his wings to fly away. But his feet became tangled in the wool,

and however hard he tried he could not set himself free. While all this was doing the shepherd was looking on, having seen what happened first with the eagle and afterward with the sparrow, so he came up to the wee birdie in a rage and seized him. Then he plucked out his wing feathers, and tying his feet with a twine, carried him to his children, and threw him to them. What is this? asked one of them,

and he answered, This is he that aped a greater than himself and came to grief. Now thou, O Fox art like this, and I would have thee beware of aping a greater than thou, lest thou perish. This is all I have to say to thee, so fair for me and peace. When the fox despaired of the crow's friendship, he turned away, groaning for sorrow and gnashing teeth upon teeth in his disappointment. And the crow, hearing the sound of weeping and seeing his grief and profound melancholy, said to him, O fox, what dole and doler make thee gnash thy canines?

Answered the fox, I gnash my canines, because, I find thee a greater rascal than myself, and so saying he made off to his house and ceased not to fare until he reached his home. Quote the sultan, O Shahrazad, how excellent are these thy stories, and how delightsome! Hast thou more of such edifying tales? answered she, They tell this legend concerning the hedgehog and the wood-pigeons. A hedgehog once took up his abode by the side of a date palm whereupon roosted a wood-pigeon and his wife that had built their nest there and lived a life of ease and enjoyment. So he said to himself, This pigeon-pe-pe-pe-peer eateth of the fruit of the date-tree, and I have no means of

getting at it, but needs must I find some fashion of tricking them? Upon this he dug a hole at the foot of the palm-tree, and took up his lodgings there, he and his wife. Moreover, he built an oratory beside the hole and went into retreat there, and made a show of devotion and edification and renunciation of the world. The male pigeon saw him praying and worshipping, and his heart was softened toward him for his excess of devoutness. So he said to him, How many years hast thou been thus? replied the hedgehog.

During the last thirty years, What is thy food? That which falleth from the palm tree? And what is thy clothing? Prickles! And I profit by their roughness. And why hast thou chosen this for place rather than another? I chose it and preferred it to all others that I might guide the airing into the right way,

and teach the ignorant. I had fancied thy case, quote the wood-pigeon, other than this, but now I yearn for that which is with thee, quote the hedgehog. I fear lest thy deed contradict thy word, and thou be even as the husbandman, who, when the seed season came, neglected to sow, saying, Verily I dread lest the days bring me not to my desire, and by making haste to sew I shall only waste my substance. When the harvest-time came and he saw the folk earing their crops, he repented him of what he had lost by his tardiness, and he died of chagrin and vexation.

Asked the wood-pigeon, What then shall I do that I may be freed from the bonds of the world and cut myself loose from all things save the service of my lord? answered the hedgehog. Be take thee to preparing for the next world and content thyself with a pittance of provision, Quote the pigeon, How can I do this?

I that am a bird and unable to go beyond the date-tree Whereon is my daily bread. And even could I do so, I know of no other place wherein I may wone, Quote the hedgehog, Thou canst shake down of the fruit of the date-tree, What shall suffice thee and thy wife for a year's provont? Then do you take up your abode in a nond?

nest under the trunk, that ye may prayerfully seek to be guided in the right way, and then turn thou to what thou hast shaken down, and transport it all to thy home, and store it up against what time the dates fail, and when the fruits are spent, and the delay is longsome upon you, address thyself to total abstinence, exclaimed the pigeon, O Allah requite thee with good for the righteous intention wherewith thou hast reminded me of the world to come, and has directed me into the right way. Then he and his wife worked hard at knocking down the dates till nothing was left on the palm tree, whilst the hedgehog finding whereof to eat rejoiced and filled his den with the fruit, storing it up for his subsistence, and saying in his mind,

when the pigeon and his wife have need of their provision, they will seek it of me and covet what I have, relying upon thy devoutness and abstinence, and from what they have heard of my counsels and admonitions, they will draw near unto me. Then I will make them my prey and eat them, after which I shall have the place, and all that drops from the date-tree to suffice me. Presently, having shaken down the fruits, the pigeon and his wife descended from the tree-top, and finding that the hedgehog had removed all the dates to his own place, said to him, O hedgehog, thou pious preacher and of good counsel, we can find no sign of the dates, and know not on what else we shall feed, replied the hedgehog probably the winds have carried them away but the turning from the provisions to the provider is of the essence of salvation and he who the mouth corners cleft the mouth without victual hath never left

and he gave not over and proving the occasion to them on this wise and making a show of piety and cozening them with fine words and false until they put faith in him and accepted him and entered his den and had no suspicion of his deceit thereupon he sprang to the door and gnashed his teeth and the wood-pigeon seeing his perfidy manifested said to him what hath to-night to do with yesternight knowest thou not that there is a helper for the oppressed beware of craft and treachery lest that mishap befall thee which befell the sharpers who plotted against the merchant what was that asked the hedgehog answered the pigeon i have heard tell this tale of the merchant and the two sharpers in a city called sindaw there once was a very wealthy merchant who made ready his camel loads and equipped himself with goods and set out with his outfit for such a city purposing to sell it there now he was followed by two sharpers who had made up into bales what merchandise they could get and giving out to the merchant that they also were merchants wended with him by the way so halting at the first halting place. They agreed to play him false and take all he had, but at the same time each inwardly plotted foul play to the other, saying in his mind, if I can cheat my comrade, times will go well with me, and I shall have all these goods for myself. So after planning this perfidy, one of them took

food and putting therein poison brought it to his fellow, and the other did the same, and they both ate of the poisoned mess, and they both died. Now they had been sitting with the merchant, so when they left him and were long absent from him, he sought for tidings of them, and found the twain lying dead, whereby he knew that they were sharpers who had plotted to play him foul, but their foul play had recoiled upon themselves. So the merchant was preserved and took what they had. Then quoth the sultan, O Shadhahrazad, verily thou hast aroused me to all whereof I was negligent, so continued to edify me with these fables, quoth she, It hath reached me, O king, that Men tell this tale of the thief and his monkey.

A certain man had a monkey, and that man was a thief who never entered any of the street markets of the city wherein he dwelt, but he made off with great profit. Now it came to pass one day that he saw a man offering for sale worn clothes, and he went calling them in the market, but none bid for them and all to whom he showed them refused to buy of him. Presently, the thief who had the monkey saw the man with the ragged clothes, set them in a wrapper, and sit down to rest for weariness. So he made the ape sport before him to catch his eye,

and whilst he was busy gazing at it stole the parcel from him. Then he took the ape and made off to a lonely place where he opened the wrapper, and taking out the old clothes, folded them in a piece of costly stuff. This he carried to another bazaar and exposed for sale together with what was therein, making it a condition that it should not be opened, and tempting the folk with the lowness of the price he set on it. A certain man saw the wrapper and its beauty pleased him,

so he bought the parcel on these terms and carried it home, doubting not that he had done well. When his wife saw it, she asked, What is this? And he answered, It is costly stuff which I have bought at the lowest price, meaning to sell it again and take the profit. Rejoined she,

Oh, dupe, would this stuff be sold under its value unless it had been stolen? Dost thou not know that whoso buyeth ought without examining it falleth into error and becomeeth like unto the weaver, quoth he, and what is the story of the weaver? And quoth she, I have heard this tale of, the foolish weaver. There once was in a certain village a weaver who worked hard but could not earn his living save by overwork. Now it chanced that one of the Richards of the neighborhood made a marriage feast and invited the folk there to. The weaver also was present, and found the guests who wore rich

gear, served with delicate viands, and made much of by the housemaster for what he saw of their fine clothes. So he said in his mind, If I change this my craft for another craft easier to compass and better considered and more highly paid, I shall amass a great store of money, and I shall buy splendid attire so I may rise in rank and be exalted in men's eyes, and become even with these. Presently he beheld one of the mountebanks who was present at the feast, climbing up to the top of a high and towering wall and throwing himself down to the ground and alighting on his feet, whereupon the weaver said to himself, Needs must I do as this one hath done, for surely I shall not fail of it.

So he arose and swarmed upon the wall and casting himself down, broke his neck against the ground, and died forthright. Now I tell thee this that thou sayest, get thy living by what thou knowest and thoroughly understandest, lest, per adventure greed enter into thee, and thou lust after what is not of thy condition. Quote the woman's husband, Not every wise man is saved by his wisdom, nor is every fool lost by his folly. I have seen it happen to a skillful charmer, well-versed in the ways of serpents, to be struck by the fangs of a snake and killed,

and others to prevail over serpents who had no skill in them and no knowledge of their ways. And he went, contrary to his wife, and persisted in buying stolen goods below their value till he fell under suspicion and perished, therefore. Even as perished the sparrow in the tale of, the sparrow and the peacock. There was, once upon a time, a sparrow that used every day to visit a certain king of the birds and ceased not to wait upon him in the mornings, and not to leave him till the evenings, being the first to go in and the last to go out. One day a company of birds chanced to assemble on a high mountain, and one of them said to another,

verily we are waxed many and many are the differences between us and there is no help for it but we have a king to look into our affairs so shall we all be at one and our differences will disappear thereupon up came that sparrow and counselled them to choose for king the peacock that is the prince he used to visit so they chose the peacock for their king and he become their sovereign bestowed largesse upon them and made the sparrow his secretary and prime minister now the sparrow was wont by times to quit his assiduous service in the presence of the king and look into matters in general so one day he absented himself at the usual time whereat the peacock was sore troubled and while things stood thus he returned and the peacock said to him what hath delayed thee and thou the nearest to me of all my servants and the dearest of all my dependents replied the sparrow i have seen a thing which is doubtful to me and whereat i am frightened asked the peacock "'What was it thou sawest?' "'And the sparrow answered. "'I saw a man set up a net hard by my nest, "'pegdow down its pegs,

"'strew grain in its midst, and withdraw far off. "'And I sat watching what he would do when, behold. "'Fate and fortune draved thither a crane in his wife, "'which fell into the midst of the net and began to cry out, "'whereupon the fowler rose up and took them. "'This troubled me, and such is the reason for my absence "'from thee, O king of the age, but never again will I abide in that nest for fear of the net rejoined the peacock.

Depart not thy dwelling, for against fate and lot forethought will avail thee not. And the sparrow obeyed his bidding and said, I will forthwith arm myself with patience and forbear to depart in obedience to the king. So he ceased not taking care of himself, and carrying food to his sovereign who would eat what sufficed him, and after feeding, drink his water and dismiss the sparrow. Now one day as he was looking into matters, lo and behold, he saw two sparrows fighting on the ground and said in his mind, How can I, who am the king's wazir, look on and see sparrows fighting in my neighborhood?

By Allah, I must make peace between them. So he flew down to reconcile them, but the fowler cast a net over the whole number and the sparrow happened to be in their very midst. Then the fowler arose and took him and gave him to his comrade, saying, take care of him, I never saw fatter or finer. But the sparrow said to himself, I have fallen into that which I feared, and none but the peacock inspired me with false confidence. It availed me not to beware of the stroke of fate and fortune, since even he who taketh precaution may never flee from destiny. And how well, said the poet in this poetry, What so is not to be shall ne'er become, no wise, and that to be must come to pass.

it shall come to pass at time ordained, and the ignoramus eye shall cry, alas! Whereupon quoth the king, O Shadhahrazad, recount me other of these tales, and quoth she, I will do so during the coming night if life be granted to me by the king whom Allah bring to honor, and Shadhazad 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 3 Section 18, Volume 3 The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Liberbox recording.

All Lipberbox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visitlipperbaks.org. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 18. when it was the one hundred and fifty-third night she said i will relate the tale of ali bin bakar and of shams al-nahar it hath reached me o august king that in the days of yore and in times and ages long long before during the caliphate of Harun al-Rashid. That was a merchant who named his son, Abu al-Assan, Ali bin Tahrir.

And the same was of great goods and grace, while his son was fair form and face, and held in favor by all folk. He used to enter the royal palace without asking leave, for all the caliph's concubines and slave girls loved him, and he was wont to be companion with Al Rashid in his cups, and recite verses to him, and tell him curious tales and witty.

with all he sold and bought in the merchant's bazaar and there he used to sit in a shop a young youth named ali bin bakar of the sons of the persian kings who was form of form and symmetrical a shape and perfect of figure with cheeks as red as roses and joined eyebrows sweetest speech laughing lipped and delighting in mirth and gaiety now it chanced one day as the two sat talking and laughing behold that came up ten damsels like moons every one of them complete in in beauty and loveliness and elegance and grace and among some was a young lady riding on a she-mule with a saddle of brocade and stirrups of gold she wore an outer veil of fine stuff and a waist was girt with a girdle of gold embroidered silk and she was even as saith the poet silky her skin and silk that zoned waist sweet voice words not wore many nor to few two eyes quothal a bee and they became and work like wine on hearts they make to rue. O love I feel, grow greater every night. O solace, doom-day bring our interview. And when the Korajay reached Abu al-Hassan's shop, she alighted from her mule, and sitting down on the front board, saluted him, and he returned her salaam. When Ali bin Bakr saw her, she ravished his understanding, and he rose to go away, but she

said to him, sit in thy place, became to thee and thou goest away. This is not fair. replied he o my lady by allah i flee from what i see for the tongue of the case saith she is a son which towereth high sky so ease thy heart with cure and patience lent thou'er's where sky height shall fail to fly nor she from sky-height can make descent when she heard this she smiled and asked abu al-hassan what is the name of this young man who answered he is a stranger and she inquired what countryman is he, where to the merchant replied, he is a descendant of the Persian kings. His name is Ali, son of Bakar, and the stranger deserveth honor. Rejoins she, when my damsel comes to thee, come thou at once to us, and bring him with thee, that we may entertain him in our bode, lest he blame us and say, there is no hospitality in the people of Baghdad, for niggardliness is the worst fault a man can have.

thou hearest what i say to thee and if thou disobeyed me thou wilt incur my displeasure and i will never again visit thee or salute thee both abu al-a-san on my head and my eyes allah preserved me from thy displeasure fair lady then she rose and went her way such was her case but as regards al-aubarakar he remained in such a state of bewilderment now after an hour the damsel came to abu al-lissan and said to him of a truth my lady shams al-denahar the favourite of the commander of the faithful harun al-varshid bideth thee to her thee and thy friend my lord ali bin bakar so he rose and taking alie with him followed the girl to the callous pals where she carried them into a chamber and made them sit down They talked together a while, when behold, trays of food were set before them, and they ate and washed their hands. Then she brought them wine, and they drank deep in Mary, after which she bade them rise and carried them into another chamber, vaulted upon four columns, furnished after the goodliest fashion

with various kinds of furniture, and adorned with the decorations as it were one of the pavilions of Paradise. They were amazed at the rarities they saw, saw, and as they were enjoying like a review of these marvels, suddenly came up ten slave girls, like moons, swaying and swimming in beauty's pride, dazzling the sight and confounding the sprite, and they ranged themselves in two ranks as if they were of the black-eyed brides of paradise. And after a while, in came ten other damsels, bearing in their hands lutes and diverse instruments of mirth and music, and these, having saluted the two guests, sat down and felt tuning their lute strings.

Then they rose and standing before them, played and sang, and recited verses. And indeed, each one of them was a seduction to the servants of the Lord. Whilst they were thus busied and there entered ten other damsels like unto them, high-bosomed maids, and of equal age, with black eyes and cheeks like the rose,

joined eyebrows, and looks languorous. A very fascination to every faithful white, and to all who looked upon them a delight. clad in various kinds of colored silks, with ornaments that amazed the band's intelligence. They took up their station at the door, and there succeeded them yet ten other damsels, even fairer than they, clad in glorious way, so as no tongue can say. And they also stationed themselves by the doorway. Then came in a band of twenty damsels, and among them the lady, Sham's Al-Nahar height,

as she were the moon among the stars, swaying from side to side, with luring gait and in beauty's pride, and she was veiled to the middle with the luxuriance of her locks, and cladded on a robe of azure blue, and a mantilla of silk, embroidered with gold and gems of price, and her waist was girted with a zone set with various kinds of precious stones. She ceased not to advance with her graceful and kettish swaying, till she came to the couch that stood at the upper end of the chamber and seated herself thereon. But when Ali binbacker saw her, he versified. with these verses source of mine evils truly she alones of long love longing and my groans and moans near her i find my soul in melting moon for love of her and wasting of my moans and finishing his poetry said to abu al hassan hadst thou dealt more kindly with me thou hadst forewarned me of these things ere i came hither that i might have made up my mind in taking patience to support what hath befallen me and he wept and groan to complain replied abu hal hassan o my brother i meant thee naught but good but i feared to tell thee this lest such transport should betide thee as might hinder thee from forget gathering with her, and be a stumbling block between thee and her, but be of good cheer and keep

thineines cool and clear, for she to thee inclineth, and to favor thee designeth. Asked Ali bin Bakar, what is this young lady's name? answered Abu al-Assan. She is Haidt-Salem-Ajah, one of the favorites of the commander of the faithful, Harun al-Rashid, and this is the palace of the caliphate. The shams al-Nahar sat gazing upon the charms of Ali bin Bakar, and he upon the hers, till both were engrossed with love for each other. Presently she commanded the damsels one and all to be seated, each in her rank in place, and all sat on a couch before one of the windows, and she bade them sing, whereupon one of them took up the lute and began caroling.

Give thou my message twice, bring clear reply in trice, to thee, O Prince of Beauty, with complaint to rise. My lord is heart vladir, and life's most precious spies, give me one kiss and gift, or loan, if thou devise. And if thou craves for more, take all that satisfies. Thou don'tst be sick in a stress, thee with hell-sweed, I bless. Her singing charmed Ali bin Bakar, and he said to her, sing me more of the like of these verses. So she struck the strings of man to chaunt these lines. By stress with parting, O beloved one, thou matted to the eyelids, torment, race to run. O gladness of my sight and dear desire, goal of my wishes, my religion, pity the youth whose eign are drowned in tears of love are gone distraught and clean undone when she had finished her verses shams al nahar said to another damsel let us hear something from thee so she played a lively measure and began with these couplets

his looks had made me drunken not his wine his grace of gate disgraced sleep to the e zine dazed me no cup but cop with curly crop his gifts overcame me not the gifts of vine his whining locks to my patient's clue unwound his wring droop beauties rubbed all wits of mine. When Shamza al Naha heard this recital from the damsel, she sighed heavily, and the song pleased her. Then she made another damsel sing, so she took the lute and began chanting. Face that with soul and heaving, lamping vies, gift-tide's fair fountain which begins to rise, whose curly side beard writ of love,

and each curl concealeth mysteries. Cryed Beauty, when I met this youth I knew, tis all is loom such gorgeous robes. supplies when she had finished her song ali bin bachar said to the slave maiden nearest him sing us somewhat thou o damsel so she took up the lute and began singing our tristing time is all too short for this long coarsish coquetry how long this nay nay and wait wait this is not old nobility and now that time deans lend delight profits of the opportunity when she ended and ali bin baccar followed up her song with glowing tears as Shams al-Nahar saw him weeping and groaning and complaining, she burned with love-longing and desire, and passion and transport consumed her. So she rose from the sofa and came to the door of the out-clope, where Ali met her, and they embraced with the arms round the neck, and fell down fainting in the doorway, whereupon the damsels came to them and carrying them into the al-clove, sprinkled rose-water upon the mold.

When they had recovered, they found not Abu al-A-san, who had hideth themselves by the side of a couch, and the young lady said, Where is Abu al-A-A-Sand? So he showed himself to her from the side of the couch, and she saluted him, saying, I pray Allah to give me the means of requiting thee, O thou account d'est amend. Then she turned to Ali bin Bakr, said to him,

O my lord, passion hath not reached this extreme past with thee, without my feeling the like, but we have nothing to do save to bear patiently what calamity hath befallen us. Replied he, By Allah, O my lady, union with thee may not contend me nor leave me the love of thee which hath mastered my heart but with the leaving of my life so saying he wept and the tears ran down his cheeks like threaded pearls and when shams al-nahar saw him weep she wept for his weeping but abu halna san exclaimed by allah i wonder at your case and am confounded at your condition of a truth your affair is amazing and your chance stazing what this weeping while ye are together then how will it be

what time ye aparted and far separated, and he continued. Indeed, this is no tide for weeping and wailing, but a season for meeting and merry-making. Rejoice, therefore, and take your pleasure and share no more tears. The Shams al-Nahar signed to a slave-girl, who arose and presently returned with handmaids bearing a table, whose dishes of silver were full of various rich viands. They set the table before the parents Shamsal-Nahar began to eat, and to place tidbits in the mouth of Ali bin Bakar, and they ceased not doing till, they were satisfied. When the table was removed and they washed their hands. Then the waiting woman fenced censors with all manner of incense, alib wood and ambergris and mixed scents, and sprinkling plaques full of rosewater,

were also brought, and they were fumigated and perfumed. After this, the slaves set on vessels of graven gold containing all kinds of sherberts, besides fruits fresh and dried, that I can desire, and I can delight in. And lastly, one brought a flagon of Carnelian full of old wine. Then Shams on the hard chose ten handmaids to attend on them, intent singing women, and dismissing the rest of their apartments, bade some of those who remained strict the loot. They did as he bade, and one of them began to sing. My soul to him, who smiled back my salute, in breast-reviving hopes that were no more. The hand of love my secret brought to light, and censor's tongue what lies my ribs below.

My teardrops ever pressed twixt me and him, as though my teardrops showing love would flow. when she had finished her singing shams al-na-ha rose and filling a goblet drank it off then crowned it again and handed it to alib bin bakhar and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section eighteen of the book of a thousand knights and a knight volume three translated by richard burton section nineteen volume three of the book of a thousand knights and a knight translated by richard burton this is a liberal all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox dot org reading by lars the book of a thousand knights and a night volume three section nineteen when it was the one hundred and fifty-fourth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that shamsal nahar filled a goblet and handed it to albin bakar after which she bade another damsel sing, and she began singing these couplets. My tears, thus flowing rival with my wine, pouring the like of what Phil's cup to bring, by Allah what I not, and run these aine, we wine or else it is of tears I drink.

And when she ended her recitation, Albin Bakar drained his cup and returned it to Shamsal Nahr. She filled it again, and gave it to Abbot. al-hassan who tossed it off then she took the lute saying none shall sing over my cup save myself so she screwed up the strings and intone these verses the tears run down his cheeks in double row and in his breast high flameth lover low he weeps when near a fearing to be far and whether far or near his tear-drops flow and the words of another our life to thee o cup-boy beauty dight from parted hair to calves from black to white soul beemeth from thy hands and from thy lips pliades and full moon through thy collars night good sooth the cups which made our heads fly round are those thine eyes pass round to daze the sight no wonder lovers hail thee as full moon waning to them for sel air waxing bride art thou a deity to kill and quicken bidding this fair forbidding other wight allah from model of thy form made beauty and the seafers scented with thy pride thou art not of this order of humanity but angel lent by heaven to man

when ali bin bakar and abu al-hazan and those present heard shamsal-nahar's song they were like to fly for joy and sported and laughed but while they were thus enjoying themselves low up came a damsel trembling for fear and said oh my lady the commander of the faithful's eunuchs are at the door afif and mazrur and marjan and others whom wot i not when they heard this they were like to die with fright but shams al-nahar laughed and said have no fear then quoth she to the damsel keep answering them whilst we remove hence and she caused the doors of the alcove to be closed upon ali and abu al-hazan and let down the curtains over the entrance they being still within after which she shut the door of the saloon and went out by the privy wicket into the flower-garden and let down the curtains and let down the curtains they being still within after which she shut the door of the saloon and went out by the privy wicket into the flower-garden where she seated herself on a pouch she had there, and made one of the damsels need her feet. Then she dismissed the rest of her women to their rooms, and bade the portress admit those who were at the door, whereupon Masrur entered. He and his company of twenty withdrawn swords, and when they saluted her, she asked, Wherefore come ye, where to they answered. The commander of the faithful saluteth thee.

indeed he is desolated for want of thy sight he leteth thee know that this be to him a day of joy and great gladness and ye wisheth to seal this day and complete his pleasure with thy company at this very hour so say will go to him or shall he come to thee upon this she rose and kissing the earth replied i hear and i obey the commandment of the prince of true believers then she summoned the women-guards of her household and other slave damsels who lost no time in attending upon her and made a show of obeying the caliph's orders and albeit everything about the place was in readiness she said to the eunuchs go to the commander of the faithful and tell him that i await him after a little space that i may make ready for him a place with carpets and other matters so they returned in haste to the faithful to the faithful and tell him that i wait him after a little space that i may make ready for him a place with carpets and other matters so they returned in haste to the caliph while shamsal nahar doffing her outer gear repaired to her lover albin baccar and drew him to her bosom and bade him farewell whereat he wept sore and said oh my lady this leave-taking will cause the ruin of my very soul and the loss of my very soul but i pray allah grant me patience to support the passion wherewith he hath afflicted me replied she by allah none shall suffer petition save i for thou wilt fare forth to the bazaar and consort with those that shall divert thee and thy life will be sound and thy love hidden for sure but i shall fall into trouble and tristess nor find any to console me more by token that i have given the caliph a trist wherein haply great peril shall betide me by reason of my love for thee and my longing for thee and my grief at being parted from thee

for with what tongue shall i sing and with what heart shall i present myself before the caliph and with what speech shall i company the commander of the faithful in his cups and with what eyes shall i look upon a place where thou art absent and with what taste shall i drink wine of which thou drinkest not quoth abu al hasan be not troubled but take patience and be not remiss in entertaining the commander of the faithful this night neither show him any neglect but be of a good heart now at this juncture behold up came a damsel who said to chamsal-nahar oh my lady the caliph's pages are come so she hastily rose to her feet and said to the maid take abo al hasan and his friend and carry them to the upper balcony giving upon the garden and there leave them till darkness come on when do thou contrive to carry them forth accordingly the girl led them up to the balcony and locking the door upon them both went her away as they sat looking on the garden lo the caliph appeared escorted by nearer a hundred eunuchs with drawn swords in hand and girt about with a score of damsels as they were moons all clad in the richest of raiment and on each one's head was a crown set with jewels and rubies while each carried alighted flambo the caliph walked in their midst they encompassing him about on all sides and mazhrur and afif

went before him and he bore himself with a graceful gate so shamsal nahar and her maidens rose to receive him and meeting him at the garden door kissed ground between his hands nor did they cease to go before him till they brought him to the couch whereon he sat down whilst all the waiting women who were in the garden and the eunuch stood before him and there came fair handmaids and concubines holding in hand-lighted candles holding in hand-lighted candles and perfumes and incense and instruments of mirth and music. Then the sovereign bade the singer sit down, each in her place, and Shamsal Nahar came up, and, seating herself on a stool by the side of the Caliph's couch, began to converse with him. All this happening whilst Abu al-Hasan and Ali bin Bakar looked on and listened unseen of the king. presently the caliph fell to jesting and toying with chamsal-nahar and both were in the highest spirits glad and gay when he bade them throw open the garden pavilion so they opened the doors and windows and lighted the tapers till the place shone in the season of darkness even as the day then the eunuchs removed thither the wine service and

quoth abu al hasan i saw drinking vessels and rarities whose like mine eyes never beheld vases of gold and silver and all manner of noble metals and precious stones such as no power of description can describe till indeed it seemed to me i was dreaming for excess of amazement at what i saw but as for ali bin bakar from the moment shams alnahar left him he lay strewn on the ground for stress of amazement at what i saw but as for ali bin bakar from the moment shams al-nah left him he lay strewn on the ground for stress of love and desire. And when he revived he felt to gazing upon these things that had not their like and saying to Abu al-Hasan, O my brother, I fearless the Caliph see us or come to know of our case, but the most of my fear is for thee. For myself of a truth I know that I am about to be lost past recourse, and the cause of my destruction is not but love and longing and excess of desire and distraction, and disunion from my beloved of the union with her. But I beseech Allah to deliver us from this perilious predicament, and they cease not to look

out of the balcony on the caliph who was taking his pleasure, till the banquet was spread before him, when he turned to one of the damsels and said to her, Oh, Garam, let us hear some of thine enchanting songs. So she took the lute, and tuning it began singing. The longing of a Bedouin maid whose folks are far away, who yearns after the willow of the hedges and the bay, whose tears when she on traveller's lights might for their water serve, and eke her passion with its heat their bivouc fire pervay, is not more fierce nor ardent than my longing for my love, who deems that I commit a crime in loving

him all way. Now, when Shamsalnar heard these verses, she slipped off the stool whereon she sat, and fell to the earth fainting, and became insensible to the world around her, upon which the damsels came and lifted her up. And when Ali bin Bakar saw this from the balcony, he also slipped down senseless, and Abu al-Hasan said, Verily, fate hath divided love desire equally upon you twain. As he spoke low, in came the damsel who had led them up to the balcony and said to them, O Abol Hassan, arise thou and thy friend, and come down, for of a truth the world has back straight upon us, and I fear lest our case be discovered, or the caliph become aware of you.

Unless you descend at once we are dead ones. Quoth he, and how shall this youth descend with me, seeing that he hath no strength to rise? Thereupon the damsel began sprinkling rose-water on Ali bin Bakar, till he came to his senses, when Abu al-Hassan lifted him up, and the damsel made him lean upon her. So they went down from the balcony, and walked on a while, till the damsel opened a little iron door, and made the two friends pass through it, and they came upon a bench by the Tigris bank. Thereupon the slave-girl clapped her hands, and there came up a man with a little boat, to whom said she, take up these two young men, and land them on the opposite side.

So both entered the boat, and as the man rode off with them, and they left the garden behind them, Ali bin Bakar looked back towards the Caliph's Palace, and the pavilion undergrounds, and bade them farewell with these two couplets. I offered this weak hand as last farewell, while to a heart-burning fire that hand is guided. Oh, let not this end union, let not this be last provision for long road provided. Thereupon the damsel said to the boatmen, Make haste with them both, so he plied his oars deftly,

The slave-girl being still with them. and shahrazad perceived the dawning day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the one hundred and fifty-fifth night she said it hath reached me auspicious king that the boatman rode them towards the other bank till they reached it and landed whereupon she took leave of them saying it were my wish not to abandon you but i can go no farther than this then she turned back whilst ali bin Bakar lay prostrate on the ground before Abo al-Hasan, and by no manner of means could he rise, till his friend said to him, Indeed, this place is not sure, and I fear lest we lose our lives in this very spot, by reason of the lewd fellows who infest it, and highwaymen and men of lawlessness. Upon this, Ali bin Bakar arose, and walked a little, but could not continue walking. Now Abu al-Hasan had friends in that quarter, so he made search for one of them in whom he

trusted, and who was of his intimates, and knocked at the door. The man came out quickly, and seeing them, bade them welcome, and brought them into his house, where he seated them and talked with them, and asked them whence they came. Quoth Abu al-Hasan. We came out but now, being obliged thereto by a person with whom I had dealings, and who hath in his hands dirhams of mine. And it reached me that he designed to flee into foreign parts with my monies, so I fared forth to-night in quest of him, taking with me for company this youth, Ali bin Bakar. But when we came, hoping to see the debtor, he hid from us, and we could get no sight of him. Accordingly we turned back empty-handed without a doit, but it was irks,

to us to return home at this hour of the night so weeding not whither to go we came to thee well knowing thy kindness and wanted courtesy ye are welcome and well come answered the host and studied to do them honour so the twain abode with him the rest of their night and as soon as the daylight dawn they left him and made their way back without aught of delay to the city when they came to the house of abu al hasan he conjured his comrade to enter so they went in and lying down on the bed slept awhile as soon as they awoke abu al hasan bade his servants spread the house with rich carpets saying in his mind needs must i divert this youth and distract him from thinking of his affliction for i know his case better than another then he called for water for ali bin bakar who when it was brought, rose up from his bed and making his ablutions, prayed the obligatory prayers, which he had omitted for the past day and night, after which he sat down, and began to Sulas himself by talking with his friend. When Abel Hassan saw this, he turned to him and said,

O my lord, it were fitter for thy case that thou abide with me this night, so thy breast may be broadened and the distress of love-longing that is upon thee be dispelled, and thou make merry with us. So happily the fire of thy heart may thus be quenched. Ali replied, O my brother, do what seemeth good to thee, for I may not on any wise escape from what calamity hath befallen me, so act as thou wilt. Accordingly Abu al-Hasan arose, and bade his servant summon some of the choices of his friends, and sent for singers and musicians who came, and meanwhile he made ready meat and drink for them. So they sat eating and drinking, and making merry through the rest of

the day till nightfall. Then they lit the candles, and the cups of friendship and good fellowship went round amongst them, and the time passed pleasantly with them. Presently a singing woman took the lute and began singing. I've been shot by fortune and shaft of Ahe, downstruck me and parted from fondest friend. Time has proved him foe, and my patient failed, yet I ever expected it thus would end. When Ali bin Bakar heard her words, he fell to the earth in a swung, and ceased not lying in his fainting fit till daybreak, and Abu al-Hasan despaired of him, but with the dawning, he came to himself and sought to go home, nor could his friend hinder him for fear of the issue of his

affair. So he made his servants bring a she-mule, and, mounting Ali thereon, carried him to his lodgings, he and one of his men. When he was safe at home, Abu al-Hassan thanked Allah for his deliverance from that sore peril, and sat a while with him, comforting him. But Ali could not contain himself, the violence of his love and longing. So Abu al-Hasan rose to take leave of him and return to his own place. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fifty-six night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Abu al-Hasan rose to take leave of him, Ali, son of Bakar, exclaimed, Oh, my brother, leave me not without news.

I hear and obey, replied the other, and forthwith went away, and repairing to his shop, opened it and sat there all day, expecting news of Shamsal Nahar, but none came. He passed the night in his own house, and, when dawned the day, he walked to Ali bin Bakar's lodging, and went in and found him thrown on his bed, with his friends about him, and physicians around him, prescribing something or other, and the doctors feeling his pulse. When he saw Abol Hassan enter, he smiled, and the visitor, after saluting him, inquired how he did, and sat with him till the folk withdrew, when he said to him, What plight is this? Quoth Ali bin Bakar. It was brooded abroad that I was ill, and my comrades heard the report,

and i have no strength to rise and walk so as to give him the lie who know'st abroad my sickness but continue lying strewn here as thou seest so my friends came to visit me say however o my brother hast thou seen the slave girl or heard any news of her he replied i have not seen her since the day we parted from her on tigris bank and he presently added o my brother my brother beware thou of scandal and leave this weeping rejoined ali o my brother indeed i have no control over myself and he sighed and began reciting she gives her woman's hand a force that fails the hand of me and with red dye on wrist she guards my patience fail and flee and for her hand she fears so sore what shafts her eyes discharge She is feigned to clothe and guard her hand with mail-ringed panoply. The leech in ignorance felt my pulse the while to him I cried. Sick is my heart, so quit my hand, which hath no malady. Quoth she to that fair knightly vision, favoured me and fled.

By Allah, picture him, nor add nor, bait in least degree. replied the dream, I leave him though he die of thirst I cry. Stand off from water-pit and say, why this persistency, Rain tear-pearls her Narcissus eyes, and rose on cheek-bellit, she made my sherbet and the lout with bits of hail she bit. And when his recital was ended, he said, Oh, Abu al-Hassan, I am smitten with an affliction, from which I deemed myself in perfect surety, and there is no greater ease for me than death,

replied he, be patient, haply Allah will heal thee. Then he went out from him, and repairing to his shop opened it, nor had he sat long, when suddenly up came the handmaid who saluted him. He returned her salam, and looking at her, saw that her heart was palpitating, and that she was in sore trouble and showed signs of great affliction. So he said to her, Thou art welcome, and welcome. How is it with Shamsal Nahar? She answered, I will presently tell thee, but first let me know how doth Ali bin Bakar. So he told her all that had passed, and how his case stood, whereat she grieved and sighed and lamented and marvelled at his condition. Then said she, My lady's case is still stranger than this, for when you went away

and fired homewards, I turned back my heart beating hard on your account, and hardly crediting your escape. On entering I found her lying prostrate in the pavilion, speaking not, nor answering any, whilst the commander of the faithful sat by her, not knowing what ailed her, and finding none who could make known to him aught of her ailment. She ceased not from her swoon till midnight, when she recovered, and the prince of the faithful said to her, What harm hath happened to thee, Oshams al-Nahar, and what hath befallen thee this night? Now when she heard the Caliph's words, she kissed his feet and said, Allah make me thy ransom, O prince of true believers, verily a sourness of stomach lighted a fire

in my body so that I lost my senses for excess of pain, and I know no more of my condition. Ask the Caliph, What hast thou eaten to-day? And she answered, I broke my fast on something I had never tasted before. Then she feigned to be recovered, and calling for a something of wine, drank it and begged the sovereign to resume his diversion. So he sat down again on his couch in the pavilion, and the sitting was resumed. But when she saw me, she asked me how you fared. I told her what I had done with you both, and repeated to her the verses which Ali bin Bukhar had composed at parting-tide, whereat she wept secretly, but presently held her peace. After a while the commander of the faithful ordered a damsel to sing, and she began reciting.

life has no sweet for me since forth ye fared would heaven i what how fair ye who forsake where only fit my tears were tears of blood since you are weeping for mine absence sake but when my lady heard this verse she fell back on the sofa in a swoon and shahrazad preceded the dawn of day and cease saying her permitted say End of Section 19 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Reading by Lars Rolander. Section 20, Volume 3 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. rolander the book of a thousand knights and a night volume three section twenty when it was the one hundred and fifty seventh night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the slave-girl continued to abu al hassan but when my lady heard this verse she fell back on the sofa in a swoon and seized her hand and sprinkled rose-water on her face till she revived when i said to her O, my lady, expose not thyself, and all thy palace containeth, By the life of thy beloved, Be thou patient, She replied, Can aught before me worse than death, Which indeed I seek, For by Allah, my ease is therein? Whilst we were thus talking, Another damsel sang these words of the poet, Quoth they, may be that patient lend thee ease, Quoth I, since fair, he where is patience place? Convenant he made twixt me and him to cut, the cords of patience at our last embrace. And as soon as she had finished her verse, Shamsal Nahar swooned away once more, which when the caliph saw, he came to her in haste, and commanded the wine to be removed, and each damsel to return to her chamber. He abode with her the rest of the night, and when dawned the day, he sent for chirurgeons and

leeches and bade them medicine her, knowing not that her sickness arose from love and longing. I tarried with her till I deemed her in a wave of recovery, and this is what kept me from thee. I have now left her with a number of her body-women, who were greatly concerned for her, when she bade me go to you two and bring her news of Ali bin Bakar and return to her with the tidings. When Abel Hassan heard her story, he marveled and said, By Allah, I have acquainted thee with his whole case, so now return to thy mistress, and salute her for me and diligently exhort her to have patience and say to her, Keep thy secret and tell her that I know all her case which is indeed hard, and one which calleth for nice conduct.

She thanked him, and taking leave of him, returned to her mistress. So far concerning her, but as regards Abu al-Hasan, he ceased not to abide in his shop till the end of the day, when he arose and shut it and locked it, and be taking himself to Ali bin Bakar's house knocked at the door. One of the servants came out and admitted him, and when Ali saw him, he smiled and congratulated himself on his coming, saying, O Abu al-Hasan, thou hast desolated me by thine absence this day, for indeed my soul is pledged to thee during the rest of my time. Answered the other, leave this talk. Were thy healing at the price of my hand, I would cut it off ere thou couldst ask me, and could I ransom thee with my life, I had already laid it down for thee. Now this very day, Shamsal Nahar's handmaid, hath been with me, and told me that what hindered

her coming here, this was the Caliph's sojourn with her mistress, and she acquainted me with everything which had betided her. And he went on to repeat to him all that the girl had told him of Shamsal Nakhar, at which Ali bin Bakar lamented sore, and wept and said to him, Allah upon thee of my brother, help me in this affliction, and teach me what course I shall take. Moreover, I beg thee of thy grace to abide with me this night, that I may have the solas of thy society. Abu al-Hasan agreed to this request, replying that he would readily ignite there, so they talked together till even tide darkened, when Ali bin Bakar groaned aloud and lamented and wept

Coppius tears, reciting these couplets. Thine image in these a'n alip thy name, My heart thy home, How couldst thou disappear? How sore I grieve for life, Which comes to end, Nor see I boon of union far or near. And these the words of another. She split my cusk of courage, With eye-sorts that sorely smite, She pierced my patience ring-mail with her shape like canespeare light patched by the musky mole on cheek was to our sight displayed comforts set round with ambergris light dawning through the night her soul was sorrow'd and she bit carnelian stone with pearls whose unions in a sugar-tank ever to lurk unite restless she sighed and smoke with palm the snows that clothed her breast and left a mark thereon i looked and never beheld such sight pens fashioned of her coral nails with amber-grief for ink five lines on crystal page of breast did cruelly indict o swords when armed with trusty steel i bid you all beware when she on you bent's deadly glance which fascinates the sprite

and guard thyself o thou of spear when as she draweth near to tilt with slender quivering shape likes the nut-brown spear and when when alibi ben baccar ended his verse he cried out with a great cry and fell down in a fit abu al-hassan thought that his soul had fled his body and he ceased not from his wound till daybreak when he came to himself and talked with his friend who continued to sit with him till the foreknown then he left him and repaired to his shop and hardly had he opened it when lo the damsel came and stood by his side as soon as he saw her she made him a sign of salutation which he returned and she delivered to him the greeting message of her mistress, and asked, How doth Ali bin Bakar? Answered he, O handmaid of good, Ask me not of his case,

Nor what he suffereth for excess of love-longing. He sleepeth not by night, Neither resteth he by day. Wakefulness wasteth him, And care has conquered him, And his condition is a consternation to his friend. Quoth she, My lady saluteth thee and him,

and she hath written him a letter, for indeed she is in worse case than he, and she entrusted the same to me, saying, do not return save with the answer, and do thou obey my bidding? Here now is the letter, so say, wilt thou wend with me to him, that we may get his reply? I hear and obey, answered Abba al-Hasan, and locking his shop and taking with him the girl. He went by a way different from that whereby he came to Ali bin Bakar's house, where he left her standing at the door and walked in. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 158 night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abu al-Hassan went with a girl to the house of Ali, son of Bakar, where he left her standing. at the door, and walked in to his great joy. And Abu al-Hasan said to him, The reason of my coming is that such an one hath sent his handmaid to thee, with a letter, containing his greeting to thee, and mentioning therein, that the cause of his not coming to thee, was a matter that hath betided him. The girl standeth even now at the door, shall she have leave to enter, and he signed to him that it was Shams al-Nahar's slave-girl. ali understood his signal and answered bring her in and when he saw her he shook for joy and signed to her how doth thy lord allah grant him health and healing

he is well answered she and pulling out the letter gave it to him he took it and kissing it opened and read it after which he handed it to abel hassan who found these verses written therein this messenger shall give my news to thee patience what while my sight thou canst not see a lover leaves in love's insanity whose e'en abide on wake incessantly i suffer patience pangs in vows that none of men can medicine such my destiny keep cool thine eyes never shall my heart forget nor without dream of thee one day shall be look what befell thy wasted frame and thence argue what i'm doomed for love to dream and afterwards without fingers i have written to thee and without tongue i have spoken to thee to resume my case i have an eye wherefrom sleeplessness departeth not and a heart when sorrowful thought stirreth not it is with me as though health i had never known nor in sadness ever cease to own, nor spent an hour in pleasant place, but it is as if I were made up of pine and of the pain of passion and shagring. Sickness unceasingly troubled, and my journeying ever redoubled, desire still growth, and longing in my heart still gloat, I pray allah to hasten our union,

and dispel of my mind the confusion, and I would fain thou favor me, with some words of thine, that I may cheer my heart in pain and repine. Moreover I would have thee put on patience, leaf, until Allah vouchsafe relief, and his peace be with thee. When Ali bin Bakar had read this letter, he said in weak accents and feeble voice, With what hand shall I write, and with what tongue shall I make moan and lament? Indeed she addeth sickness to my sickness, and draweth death upon my death. Then he sat up and taking in hand in case and paper, wrote the following reply.

In the name of Allah the compassionating, the compassionate, Thy letter hath reached me, O my lady, and hath given ease to a sprite worn out with passion and love-longing, and hath brought healing to a wounded heart cankered with languishment and sickness, for indeed I am become even aseth the poet. Straightened bosom reveres disbred, slumberless eyelids, body wearied, patience cut short, disunion longsumst, reason, deranged and heart whose leaf is fled, and know that complaining is unethed, and now that complaining is availing but it ethes him whom love-longing disordereth and separation destroyeth and with repeating union i keep myself comforted and how fine is the saying of the poet who said did not in love plight joys and sorrows meet how would the message of the writ be sweet when he had made an end of his letter he handed it to abel hassan saying

read it and give it to the damsel so he took it and read it and its words stirred his soul and its meaning wounded his vitals then he committed it to the girl and when she took it ali bin bakar said to her salute thy lady for me and acquaint her with my love and longing and how passion is blended with my flesh and my bones and say to her that in very deed i need a woman who shall snatch me from the sea of destruction and save me from this dilemma for of a truth fortune o'prethes me with her visititudes and is there any helper to free me from her turpitudes and he wept and the damsel wept for his weeping then she took leave of him and went forth and abo al-hassan went out with her and farwelled her so she ganged her gate and he returned to his shop which he opened and sat down there as was his one. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and fifty-ninth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Abu al-Hasan farewelled the slave-girl, and returned to his shop which he opened and sat down there, according to his custom. But as it tarried, he found his heart oppressed,

and his breast straightened, and he was perplexed about his case, so he ceased not from melancholy the rest of that day and night, and on the morrow he betook himself to Ali bin Bakar, with whom he sat till the folk withdrew, when he asked him how he did. Ali began to complain of desire, and to discount upon the longing and distraction, which possessed him, and repeated these words of the poet. have plain'd of pining before my time live and dead by parting been terrified but such feelings as those which my ribs immure i have never heard of nor ever respied and these of another poet i have borne for thy love what never bore for his fair case the daft one height of old yet i chase not the wildings of old and wildings of old and wilde'n wilde Like case for madness is manyfold.

Thereupon quoth Abu al-Hassan, Never did I see or hear of one like unto thee in thy love, When thou sufferest all this transport and sickness and trouble being enumurred, Of one who returneth thy passion, How would it be with thee if she whom thou lovest were contrary and contumelious, And thy case were discovered through her purpose? perfidy. And Ali, the son of Bakar, says Abu al-Hassan, was pleased with my words, and he relied upon them, and he thanked me for what I had said and done. I had a friend, continued Abol

Hassan, to whom I discovered my affair, and that of Ali, and who knew that we were intimates, but none other than he was acquainted with what was betwixt us. He was wont to come to me and inquire how Ali did, and after a little he began to ask me about the damsel. But I fenced him off, saying, She invited him to her, and there was between him and her as much as can possibly take place, and this is the end of their affair. But I have devised me a plan and an idea which I would submit to thee. Asked his friend, and what is that?

Answered Abu al-Hassan, I am a person well known to have much dealing among me. men and women, and I fear, O my brother, lest the affair of these twain come to light, and this lead to my death, and the seizure of my goods, and the rending of my repute, and that of my family. Wherefore I have resolved to get together my monies, and make ready, forthright, and repair to the city of Basura, and there abide, till I see what cometh of their case, that none may know of me.

For love hath lorded over both, and correspondence, passest between them. At this present their go-between and confidant is a slave-girl, who hath till now kept their counsel. But I fear, lest haply anxiety get the better of her, and she discovered their secret to someone, and the matter, being brooded abroad, might bring me to great grief, and prove the cause of my ruin, for I have no excuse to offer my accusers. Rejoined his friend, thou hast acquainted me with a parlous affair, from the like of which the wise and understanding will shrink with fear. Allah averred from thee the evil thou dreadest, with such dread and save thee from the consequences thou apprehendest.

Assuredly thy wrecking is aright, so Abu al-Hasan returned to his place, and began ordering his affairs and preparing for his travel. Nor had three days passed here he made an end of his business and fared forth Basara wards. His friend came to visit him three days after, but finding him not, asked of him from the neighbors who answered, he set out for Basara three days ago, for he had dealings with its merchants, and he has gone thither to collect monies from his debtors, but he will soon return. The young man was confounded at the news and knew not whither to wend, and he said in his mind, Would I had not parted from Abu al-Hasan? Then he bethought him of some plan, whereby he should gain access to Ali bin Bakar. So he went to his lodging and said to one of his servants,

Ask leave for me of thy lord that I may go in and salute him. The servant entered and told his master, and presently returning invited the man to walk in. So he entered and found Ali bin Bakar thrown back on the pillow and saluted him. Ali returned his greeting and bade him welcome, whereupon the young man began to excuse himself for having held a loof from him all that while and added, O my lord, between Abu al-Hassan and myself there was close friendship, so that I used to trust him with my secrets and could not

severe myself from him an hour. Now it's so chanced that I was absent three-day space on certain business with a company of my friends, and when I came back and went to him, I found his shop locked up, so I asked the neighbors about him, and they replied, he is gone to Basura. Now I know he had no surer friend than thou, so, by Allah, tell me what thou know'st of him. When Ali bin Bakar heard this, his color changed and he was troubled and answered. I never heard he this day of his departure, and if the case beest thou say'st, weariness is come upon me, and he began repeating, for joys that are no more, I want to weep, while friends and lover stood by me unscattered, this day when disunited me and them. Fortune, I weep, lost loves and friendship,

Then he hung his head groundwards, in thought a while, and presently raising it, and looking to one of his servants said, Go to Abol Hassan's house, and inquire an end him whether he be at home or journeying abroad. If they say he is abroad, ask whither he be gone. The servant went out, and returning after a while, said to his master, When I asked for Abol Hassan his people told me that he was gone on a journey to Basra, but I saw a damsel standing at the door, who, knowing me by sight, though I knew her not, said to me, art thou not servant to Ali bin Bakar? Even so, answered I, and she rejoined.

I bear a message for him from one who is the dearest of all folk to him, so she came with me and she is now standing at the door. Quoth Ali bin Bakar, bring her in. The servant went out to her and brought her in, and the man who was with Ali looked at her and found her pretty. Then she advanced to the son of Baccar and saluted him. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 20 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Read by Lars Rolander

Section 21, Volume 3 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 3, Section 21. When it was the one hundred and sixtieth night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the slave-girl came into Ali bin Bakar, She advanced to him and saluted him, and spake with him secretly, And from time to time during the dialogue, He exclaimed with an oath and swore that he had not talked and tattled of it. Then she took leave of him and went away. Now Abol Hassan's friend was a jeweller, and when she was gone he found a place for speech and said to Ali bin Bakar.

Doubtless and assuredly the Caliph's household have some demand upon thee, or thou hast dealings therewith. Who told thee of this? asked Ali, and the jeweller answered. I know it by John the Damsel, who is Shams al-Nahar's slave-girl, for she came to me a while since, with a note wherein was written that she wanted a necklace of jewels, and I sent her, a costly collar. But when Ali bin Bakar heard this, he was greatly troubled, so that the jeweller feared to see him give up the ghost. Yet after a while he recovered himself and said, Oh, my brother, I conjure thee by Allah to tell me truly how thou know'st her, replied he,

do not press this question upon me. And Ali rejoined, indeed I will not turn from the till thou tell me the whole truth. Quoth the jeweller, I will tell thee all on condition that thou distrust me not, and that my words cause thee no restraint, nor will I conceal aught from thee by way of secret, but will discover to thee the truth of the affair, provided that thou acquaint me with the true state of thy case, and the cause of thy sickness. Then he told him all that had passed from first to last between Abu al-Hassan and himself, adding, I acted thus only out of friendship for thee, and of my desire to serve thee,

and assured him that he would keep his secret and venture life and good in his service. So Ali in turn told him his story, and added, By allah, oh my brother, not moved me to keep my case secret from thee and from others, but my fear lest folk should lift the, veils of protection from certain persons. Rejoined the jeweller, and I decide not to foregather with thee, but of the great affection

I bear thee, and my seal for thee in every case, and my compassion for the anguish thy heart endureth from severance. Happily I may be a comfort to thee in the room of my friend, Abu al-Hassan, during the length of his absence. So be thou of good cheer, and keep thine eyes cool and clear. Thereupon Alis thanked him, and repeated these couplets. And say I, patient I can bear his faring. My tears and sighings give my say the lie.

How can I hide these tears that course it down, This plain my cheek, for friend to feign to fly? Then he was silent a while, and presently said to the jeweller, "'Knowst thou what secret the girl whispered to me?' answered he, "'Not I by Allah, oh my lord.' Quoth Ali. She fancied that I directed Abol Hassan to go to Basurah, and that I had devised this device to put a stop to our correspondence and consorting.

I swore to her that this was on no wise so, but she would not credit me and went away to her mistress, persisting in her injurious suspicions, for she inclined to Abel Hassan and gave ear to his word. Answered the young jeweller, O, my brother, I understood as much from the girl's manner, but I will win for thee thy wish. Insala! Rejoined Ali bin Bakar, Who can be with me in this, and how wilt thou do with her, when she shunned?

and flies like a wildling of the world cried the jeweller by allah needs must i do my utmost to help thee and contrived to scrape acquaintance with her without exposure of mischief then he asked leave to depart and ali bin bakar said o my brother mind thou keep my counsel and he looked at him and wept the jeweller bade him good-bye and fared forth and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the one hundred and sixty-first night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the jeweller bade him good-bye and fared forth not knowing what he should do to win for him his wishes and he ceased not walking while over-musing the matter till he spied a letter lying in the road he took it up and looked at its direction and superscription then read it and behold it ran from the least worthy of lovers to the most worthy of beloved's so he opened it and found these words written therein a messenger from thee came bringing union hope but that he erred somehow with me the thought prevailed so i rejoiced not rather grew my grief still more witting my messenger of wits and wit had failed. But afterwards know, oh my lord, that I cannot the reason why our correspondence between thee and me hath been broken off. But if the cruelty arise from thy part, I will requit it with

fidelity, and if thy love have departed, I will remain constant to my love of the parted, for I am with thee even, asest the poet, be proud I'll crouch, bully I'll bear, despite, I'll pray. Go, I will come, speak, I will hear, bid, I'll obey. As he was reading, lo, up came the slave-girl, looking right and left, and seeing the paper in the jeweller's hand, said to him, Oh, my master, this letter is one I let fall. He made her no answer, but walked on, and she walked behind him till he came to his house, when he entered, and she after him, saying, O my master, give me back this letter, for it fell from me. Thereon he turned to her and said,

O handmaid of good, fear not neither grieve, for verily Allah the protector loveth those who protect, but tell me in truthful way thy case, as I am one who keepeth counsel. I conjure thee by an oath not to hide from me aught of thy lady's affairs, for happily Allah shall help me to further her wishes, and make easy by my hand that which is hard. When the slave-girl heard these words, she said,

O my lord, indeed a secret is not lost whereof thou art the secretest, nor shall any affair come to not for which thou strivest. Know that my heart inclineth to thee and would interest thee with my tidings, but do thou give me the letter? Then she told him the whole story, adding, Allah is witness to whatso I say. Quoth he, thou hast spoken truly, for I am acquainted with the root of the matter. Then he told her his tale of Ali bin Bakar, and how he had learned his state of mind,

and related to her all that had passed from first to last, whereat she rejoiced, and they two agreed that she should take the letter and carry it to Ali, and returned and acquaint the jeweller with all that happened. so he gave her the letter and she took it and sealed it up as it was before saying my mistress shamsal nahar gave it to me sealed and when he hath read it and given me its reply i will bring it to thee then she took leave and repaired to ali bin bakar whom she found waiting and gave him the letter he read it and writing a paper by way of reply gave it to her and she carried it to the jeweller who to her who to her and she carried it to the jeweller who to her tore asunder the seal, and read it and found written therein these two couplets. The messenger who kept our commerce hid, hath failed and showeth wrath without disguise. Choose one more lial from your many friends, who truth approving disapproves of lies.

To proceed, verily I have not entered upon perfidy, nor have I abandoned fidelity. I have not used cruelty, neither have I out of liltie. No covenant hath been broken by me, nor hath loved I been severed by me. I have not parted from penitence, nor have I found aught but misery and ruin after severance. I know nothing of that thou avouchest, nor do I love aught but that which thou lovest. By him who knoweth the secret of hidden things none discover, I have no desire save union with my lover, and my one business is my passion to conceal, I'll bade with sore sickness I ail, this is the exposition of my case, and now all hail. When the jeweller read this letter and learned its contents, he wept with sore weeping, and the slave-girls said to him,

"'Leave not this place till I return to thee, for he suspecteth me of such and such things, in which he is excusable, so it is my desire to bring about a meeting between thee and my mistress, Shamsal Nahar, whosoever I may trick you to it, for the present I left her prostrate awaiting my return with a reply. Then she went away, and the jeweller passed the night with a troubled mind, and when day dawned he prayed his dawned prayer, and sat expecting the girl's coming. And behold, she came into him rejoicing with much joy, and he asked her, What knew so, damsel? She answered,

After leaving thee, I went to my mistress, and gave her the letter written by Ali bin Bakar, And when she read it and understood it, she was troubled and confounded. But I said to her, O my lady, have no fear of your affair being frustrated by Abol Hassan's disappearance, for I have found one to take his place, better than he and more of worth, and a good man to keep secrets. Then I told her what was between thyself and Abu al-Hassan, and how thou camest by his confidence, and that of Ali,

been baccar, and how that note was dropped, and thou cam'st by it, and I also showed her how we arranged matters betwixt me and thee. The jeweller marvelled with much wonder when she resumed. And now my mistress would hear what so thou say'st, that she may be sure by thy speech of the covenant between thee and him, so get thee ready to go with me to her forthwith. When the Jewelor heard the slave-girl's words, he saw that the proposed affair was grave and a great peril to brave, not likely to be undertaken or suddenly entered upon, and he said to her, Oh, my sister, virally I am of the ordinary and not like unto Abol Hassan, for he being of high rank and of well-known repute, was wont to frequent the Caliph's household, because of their

need of his merchandise. As for me he used to talk with me, and I tremble before him the while. So if thy mistress would speak with me, our meeting must be in some place other than the Caliph's palace, and far from the abode of the commander of the faithful. For my common sense will not let me consent to what thou proposest. On this wise he refused to go with her, and she went on to say that she would be surety for his safety, adding, Take heart and fear no harm, and pressed him to courage till he consented to accompany her. With all his legs bent and shivered, and his hands quivered, and he exclaimed, Allah forbid that I should go with thee.

Indeed I have no strength to do this thing, replied she. Hearten thy heart, if it be hard for thee to go to the Caliph's palace, and thou canst not muster up courage to accompany me, I will make her come to thee. so budge not from thy place till i return to thee with her then the slave-girl went away and was absent for a while but a short while after which she returned to the jeweller and said to him take thou care that there be with thee none save thyself neither manslave nor girl slave quoth he i have but a negress who is in years and who waiteth on me so she arose and locked the door between his niggress and the jeweller and sent his man-servants out of the place after which she fed forth and presently returned followed by a lady who entering the house filled it with the sweet scent of her perfumes when the jeweller saw her he sprang up and set her a couch and a cushion and she sat down while he seated himself before her her. She abode a while without speaking, till she had rested herself, when she unveiled her face, and it seemed to the jeweller's fancy as if the sun had risen in his home. Then she asked her

slave-girl, "'Is this the man of whom thou spakest to me?' "'Yes,' answered she, whereupon the lady turned to the jeweller and said to him, "'How is it with thee?' replied he. "'Right well, I pray a laugh for thy, preservation and that of the commander of the faithful quoth she thou hast moved us to come to thee and possess thee with what we hold secret then she questioned him of his household and family and he disclosed to her all his circumstance and his condition and said to her i have a house other than this and i have set it apart for gathering together my friends and brethren and there is none there save the old negress of who i spoke to thy handmaid she asked him on what wise he came first to know how the affair began and the matter of abo al hassan and the cause of his way faring accordingly he told her all he knew and how he advised the journey thereupon she bewailed the loss of abo al hassan and said to the jeweller no o such a one that men's souls are active in their lusts and that men are still men and that deeds are not done without words nor is end ever reached without endeavor rest is won only by work and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say

when it was the one hundred and sixty-second night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that shamsalnar thus addressed the jeweller rest is gained only by work and success is gendered only by help of the generous. Now I have acquainted thee with our affair, and it is in thy hand to expose us or to shield us. I say no more, because thy generosity requireth not. Thou know'st that this my handmaid keepeth my counsel, and therefore occupieth high place in my favor, and I have selected her to transact my affairs of importance. So let none be worthier in thy sight than she, and acquaint her with thine affair, and be of good cheer, for on her account thou art save from all fear, and there is no place shut upon thee, but she shall open it to thee. She shall bring thee my messages to Ali bin Bakar,

and thou shalt be our intermediary. So saying she rose scarcely able to rise, and fared forth, the jeweller fearing before her to the door of her house after which he returned and sat down again in his place having seen of her beauty and heard of her speech what dazzled him and dazed his wit and having witnessed of her grace and courtesy what bewitched his he sat musing on her perfections till his mind was waxed tranquil when he called for food and ate enough to keep soul and body together then he changed his clothes and went out and repairing to the house of the youth ali bin bakar knocked at the door the servants hastened to admit him and walk before him till they had brought him to their master whom he found strown upon his bed now when he saw the jeweller he said to him thou hast tarried long from me and that hath heaped care upon my care then he dismissed his servants and bade the doors be shut after which he said to the jeweller by allah o my brother i have not closed my eyes since the day i saw thee last for the slave-girl came to me yesterday with a seed-letter from her mistress shamsal-nahar and went on to tell him all that had passed with her adding by the lord i am indeed perplexed concerning mine affair and my patience faileth me for abo al-hassan was a comforter who cheered me because he knew the slave-girl when the jeweller heard his words he laughed and ali said why dost thou laugh at my words thou on whose coming i congratulated myself and to whom i looked for provision against the shifts of fortune

Then he sighed and wept and repeated these couplets. Full many laugh at tears they see me shed. Who had shed tears and bore they what I bore? None feeleth pity for the afflicted woe, say one as anxious, and in woo galore. My passion, journing, sighing, thought repine, Are for me cornered in my heart's deep call. He made a home there which he never came. quits yet rare our meetings not us here to fall no friend to establish in his place i see no intimate but only he and he

now when the jeweller heard these lines and understood their significance he wept also and told him all that had passed betwixt himself and the slave-girl and her mistress since he left him and ali bin bakar gave ear to his speech and at every word he heard his colour shifted from white to red and his body grew now stronger and then weaker till the tale came to an end when he wept and said oh my brother i am a lost man in any case would mine end were nigh that i might be at rest from all this but i beg thee of thy favour to be my helper and comfort her in all my affairs till Allah fulfill what so be his will, and I will not gainsay thee with a single word, quoth the jeweller. Nothing will quench thy fire, save union with her, whom thou lovest, and the meeting must be in other than this perilious place. Better it were in a house of mine where the girl and her mistress met me, which place she choose for herself to the intent that ye twain may there meet and complain each to other of what you have suffered from the pangs of love quoth aliv bin bakar o good sir do as thou wilt and with allah be thy reward

and what thou deems this right do it forthright but be not long in doing it lest i perish of this anguish so i abode with him said this jeweler that night conversing with him to the morning morrowd. 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 3. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 22, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording.

all librivox recordings were in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox dot org the book of a thousand knights and a night volume three section twenty two when it was the one hundred and sixty third night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the jeweller continued so i abode with him that night conversing with him till the morning morrowed when i prayed the dawn prayers and going out from him returning to my house. Hardly had I settled down when the damsel came up and saluted me, and I returned her salutation, and told her what had passed between myself and Ali bin Bakar, and she said, Know that the Caliph hath left us, and there is no one in our place, and it is safer for us and better. Replied I, Sooth thou sayest, yet it is not like my other house which is both fitter and surer for us. And the slave-girl rejoined, Be it as thou sayest, seeest fit, I am now going to my lady, and will tell her what thou sayest, and acquaint her

with all thou hast mentioned. So she went away, and sought her mistress, and laid the project before her, and presently returned, and said to me, It is to be as thou sayest, so make us ready the place, and expect us. us. Then she took out of her breast-pocket a purse of dinars, and gave this message. My lady saluted thee, and saith to thee, take this, and provide therewith what the case requireeth. But I swore that I would accept naught of it. So she took the purse, and returning to

her mistress, told her, he would not receive the money, but gave it back to me. No matter, answered Shams al-Nahar. As soon as the slave-girl was gone, continued the jeweler, I arose and betook myself to the other house, and transported thither all that was needful, by way of vessels and furniture and rich carpets, and I did not forget China vases and cups of glass and gold and silver, and I made ready meat and drink required for the occasion. When the damsel came and saw what I had done, it pleased her, and she bade me fetch Ali bin Bakar. But I said, None shall bring him save thou.

Accordingly, she went to him and brought him back perfectly dressed and looking his best. I met him and greeted him, and then seated him upon a divan, befitting his condition, and set before him sweet-scented flowers in vases of china and very-coloured glass. Then I set on a tray of many tinted meats, such as broaden the breast with their sight, and sat talking with him and diverting him, whilst the slave-girl went away and was absent till after sundown prayers, when she returned with Shams al-Nahar, attended by two maids and none else. Now as soon as she saw Ali bin Bakar and he saw her, he rose and embraced her, and she, on her side,

embraced him, and both fell in a fit to the ground. They lay for a whole hour insensible. Then, coming to themselves, they began mutually to complain of the pains of separation. Thereupon they drew near to each other and sat talking charmingly, softly, tenderly. After which they somewhat perfumed themselves, and fell to thanking me for what I had done for them. Quoth I, have ye a mind for food? Yes, quoth they. So I set before them a small matter of food, and they ate till they were satisfied, and then washed their hands. After which I led them to another sitting-room, and brought them wine.

So they drank and drank deep, and inclined to each other, and presently Shams al-Nahar said to me, O my master, complete thy kindness by bringing us a lute or other instrument of mirth and music, that the measure of our joy may be fully filled. I replied, On my head and eyes, And rising, brought her a lute, which she took and tuned. Then, laying it in her lap, she touched it with a masterly touch, At once exciting to sadness and changing sorrow to gladness, After which she sang these two couplets.

My sleeplessness would show I love to bide on wake, And would my leanness prove that sickness is my make, And tear floods course adown the cheeks they only scald, Would I knew union shall disunion overtake? Then, she went on to sing the choicest and most affecting poetry to many and various modes, till our senses were bewitched, and the very room danced with excess of delight and surprise at her sweet singing, and neither thought nor reason was left in us. When we had sat a while and the cup had gone round amongst us, the damsel took the loot

and sang to a lively measure these couplets. My love a meeting promised me and kept it faithfully. One night as many I shall count in number and degree. O night of joyance, fate vouchsafed safe till faithful lovers tway, Uncaring for the rail or loon at all his company, My lover lay the night with me and clipped me with his right, While I, with left embraced him a faint for ecstasy, And hugged him to my breast and sucked the sweet wine of his lips,

Full savouring the honeydraft the honeyman sold to me. Whilst we were thus been drowned in the sea of gladness, continued the Jewish, Behold, there came into us a little maid trembling, and said, Oh, my lady, look how you may go away, for the folk have found you out and have surrounded the house, and we know not the cause of this. When I heard her words I arose startled, and lo, in rushed a slave-girl who cried, Calamity hath come upon you! At the same moment the door was burst open, and there rushed in upon us ten men

masked in kerchiefs, with hangers in their hands and swords by their sides, and as many more behind them. When I saw this, the world was straightened on me, for all its wideness, and I looked to the door but saw no issue, so I sprang from the terrace into the house of one of my neighbors, and there hid myself. Thence I found that folk had entered my lodgings and were making a mighty hubbub, and I concluded that the Caliph had got wind of us, and had sent his chief of the watch to seize us and bring us before him. So I abode, confounded, and ceased not remaining in my place without any possibility of quitting it till midnight. And presently the house-master arose, for he had heard me moving, and he feared with exceeding

great fear of me. So he came forth from his rum with drawn brand in hand, and made at me, saying, Who is this in my house? Quoth I, I am thy neighbour, the jeweller, and he knew me and retired. Then he fetched a light, and coming up to me, said, O my brother, indeed, that which have befallen thee this night, his no light matter to me. I replied, Oh, my brother, tell me who was in my house, and entered it breaking in my door, for I fled to thee not knowing what was to do. He answered, of a truth, the robbers who attacked our neighbors yesterday, and slew such a one, and took his goods, saw thee on the same day bringing furniture into this house, so they broke in upon thee and stole

thy goods, and slew thy guests. Then we arose, pursued the jeweller, I and he, and repaired to my house, which we found empty without a stick remaining in it. So I was confounded at the case, and said to myself, As for the gear I care not about its loss, albeit I borrowed part of the stuff from my friends and doth come to grief. Yet is there no harm in that, for they know my excuse in the plunder of my property and the pillage of my place.

But as for Ali bin Bakar and the Caliph's favorite concupon, I fear lest their case get rooted abroad, and this caused the loss of my life. So I turned to my neighbor, and said to him, Thou art my brother and my neighbor, and will cover my nakedness. What then dost thou advise me to do? The man answered, What I counsel thee to do is to keep quiet and wait, For they who entered thy house and took thy goods

Have murdered the best men of a party from the palace of the caliphate, And have killed not a few of the watchmen. The government officers and guards are now in quest of them on every road, and happily they will hit upon them, whereby thy wish will come about without effort of thine. The jeweller, hearing these words, returned to his other house, that wherein he dwelt, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and sixty-fourth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the jeweler heard these words he returned to his other

house wherein he dwelt, and said to himself, Indeed, this that hath befallen me is what Abu al-Hassan feared, and from which he fled to Basora, and now I have fallen into it. Presently, the pillage of his pleasure-house was noised abroad among the folk, and they came to him from all sides and places, some exulting in his misfortune, and others excusing him and condoling with his sorrow, whilst he bewailed himself to them, and for grief neither ate meat nor drank drink. And as he sat, repenting him of what he had done, behold, one of his servants came into him and said, There is a person at the door who asketh for thee, and I know him not. The jeweller went forth to him and saluted him who was a stranger, and the man whispered to him,

I have somewhat to say between our two selves. Thereupon he brought him in and asked him, What hast thou to tell me? Quoth the man, come with me to thine other house, and the jeweler inquired, dost thou then know my other house replied the other i know all about thee and i know that also whereby allah will dispel thy dolers so i said to myself continued the jeweller i will go with him whither he will and we went out and walked on till we came to my second house and when the man saw it he said to me it is without door or doorkeeper and we cannot possibly sit in it so come thou with me to another place then the man continued passing from stead to stead and i with him till night overtook us yet i put no question to him of the matter in hand and we ceased not to walk on till we reached the open country he kept saying follow me and quickened his pace to a trot whilst i trotted after him heartening my heart to go on until we reached the river where he took boat with me and the boatman rode us to a trot whilst i trotted after him heartening my heart to go on until we reached the river where he took boat with me and the boatman rode us over to the other bank. Then he landed from the boat, and I landed after him, and he took my hand and led me to a street which I had never entered in all my days, nor do I know in what quarter it was.

Presently the man stopped at the door of a house, and opening it, entered and made me enter with him, after which he locked the door with an iron padlock, and led me along the vestibule, till he brought me in the presence of ten men, who were as though they were one and the same man, they being brothers. We saluted them, continued the jeweler, and they returned our greeting and bade us be seated, so we sat down. Now I was like to die for excess of weariness, but they brought me rose-water and sprinkled it on my face, after which they gave me a sherbet to drink, and set before me food, whereof some of them ate

with me. Quoth I to myself, were there aught harmful in the food they would not eat with me? So I ate, and when we had washed our hands each of us returned to his bed, place. Then they asked me, "'Dost thou know us?' And I answered, "'No, nor in my life have I ever seen you. Nay, I know not even him who brought me hither,' said they, "'Tell us thy tidings, and lie not at all.' Replied I, "'Know then that my case is wondrous and my affair marvellous, but wot ye

anything about me?' They rejoined, "'Yes, it was we took thy goods yesterday night, and carried off thy friend and her who was singing to him. Quoth I, Allah let down his veil over you, Where be my friend and she who was singing to him? They pointed with their hands to one side and replied, Yonder, but by Allah, oh, our brother,

the secret of their case is known to none save to thee, for from the time we brought to twain hither, Up to this day we have not looked upon them nor questioned them of their condition, seeing them to be persons of rank and dignity. Now this and this only it was that hindered our killing them. So tell us the truth of their case, and thou shalt be assured of thy safety and of theirs. When I heard this, continued the jeweller, I almost died of fright and horror,

and I said to them, Know ye, O my brethren, that if generosity were lost, it would not be found save with you, and had I a secret which I feared to reveal, none but your breasts would conceal it. And I went on, exaggerating their praises in this fashion, till I saw that frankness and readiness to speak out would profit me more than concealing facts. So I told them all that had betided me to the very end of the tale. When they heard it, they said, And is this young man Ali Bakar's son, and this lady Shams al-Nahar? I replied, yes.

Now this was grievous to them, and they rose and made their excuses to the two, And then they said to me, Of what we took from thy house's part is spent, But here is what is left of it. So speaking, they gave me back most of my goods, And they engaged to return them to their places in my house, and to restore me the rest as soon as they could. My heart was set at ease till they split into two parties,

one with me and the other against me, and we fared forth from that house, and such was my case. But as regards Ali bin Bakar and Shams al-Nahar, they were well-nigh dying for excessive fear, when I went up to them, and saluting them, asked, What happened to the damsel and the two maids, and where be they gone? And they answered only,

We know nothing of them. Then we walked on, and stinted not, till we came to the river-bank where the bark lay, and we all boarded it, for it was the same which had brought me over on the day before. The boatman rode us to the other side, but hardly had we landed and taken seat on the bank to rest, when a troop of horse swooped down on us like eagles, and surrounded us on all sides and places. Whereupon the robbers with us sprang up in haste like vultures, and the boat put back for them, and took them in, and the boatman pushed off into mid-stream, leaving us on the river-bank, unable to move or to stand-still.

Then the chief horseman said to us, Whence be ye, and we were perplexed for an answer, but I said, continued the jeweler. Those ye saw with us are rogues, we know them not. As for us we are singers, and they intended taking us to sing for them, nor could we get free of them, save by subtlety and soft words. So on this occasion they let us go, their works being such as you have seen. But they looked at Shams al-Nahar and Ali bin Bakar, and said to me, Thou hast not spoken sooth, But if thy tale be true, tell us who ye are, and whence ye are, and what be your place,

and in what quarter you dwell. I knew not what to answer them, but Shams al-Nahar sprang up, and approaching the captain of the horseman, spoke with him privily. Whereupon, he dismounted from his steed, and setting her on horseback, took the bridle and began to lead his beast. And two of his men did delight with the youth, Ali bin Bakar, and it was the same with myself. The commandant of the troops ceased not faring on with us, till they reached a certain part of the river-bank, when he sang out in some barbarous jargon, and there came to us a number of men

with two boats. Then the captain embarked us in one of them, and he with us, whilst the rest of his men put off in the other, and rode on with us till we arrived at the palace of the Caliphate, where Shams al-Nehar landed. And all the while we endured the agonies of death for excess of fear, and we endured the agonies of and they ceased not faring till they came to a place whence there was a way to our quarter. Here we landed and walked on, escorted by some of the horsemen, till we came to Ali bin Bikar's house, and when we entered it, our escort took leave of us and went their way.

We abode there, unable to stir from the place, and not knowing the difference between morning and evening, and in such case we continued till the dawn of the next day. But when it was again nightfall I came to myself, and saw Ali bin Bikarer. and the women and men of his household weeping over him, for he was stretched out without sense or motion. Some of them came to me, and thoroughly arousing me, said, Tell us what hath befallen our son, and say how came he in this plight. Replied I, O folk, hearken to me.

And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 22 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 23, Volume 3, of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 23. When it was the one hundred and sixty-fifth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the jeweller answered them.

O folk, harken to my words, and give me no trouble and annoyance, but be patient, and he will come to tell you his tale for himself. And I was hard upon them, and made them afraid of a scandal between me and them. But as we were thus, behold, Ali bin Bakar moved on his carpet-bed, whereat his friends rejoiced, and the stranger-folk withdrew from him. But his people forbade me to go away. Then they sprinkled rose-water on his face, and he presently revived and sensed the air. Whereupon they questioned him of his case, and he assayed to answer them, but his tongue could not speak forthright, and he signed to them to let me go home.

So they let me go, and I went forth hardly crediting my escape, and returned to my own house supported by two men. When my people saw me thus they rose up and set to shrieking and slapping their faces, but I signed to them with my hand to be silent, and they were silent. Then the two men went their way, and I threw myself down on my bed, where I lay the rest of the night, and awoke not till the forenoon, when I found my people gathered round me and saying, What calamity befell thee, and what evil with its mischief did fell thee? Quoth I, Bring me somewhat to drink. So they brought me drink, and I drank of it what I would, and said to them, What happened, happened?

Thereupon they went away, and I made my excuses to my friends, and asked if any of the goods that had been stolen from my other house had been returned. They answered, Yes, some of them have come back, by token that a man entered and threw them down within the doorway, and we saw him not. So I comforted myself, and abode in my place two days, unable to rise and leave it. And presently I took courage and went to the bath, for I was worn out with fatigue, and troubled in mind for Ali bin Bakar and Shams al-Nahar, because I had no news of them all this time, and could neither get to Ali's house, nor, out of fear for my life, take my rest in my own.

And I repented to Almighty Allah of what I had done, and praised him for my safety. Presently, my fancy suggested to me to go to such and such a place and see the folk and solace myself. So I went on foot to the cloth market, and sat a while with a friend of mine there. When I rose to go, I saw a woman standing over against me. So I looked at her, and lo, it was Shams al-Nahar's slave-girl. When I saw her, the world grew dark in my eyes, and I hurried on. She followed me, but I was seized with a fright and fled from her.

And whenever I looked at her, a trembling came upon me whilst she pursued me, saying, Stop, that I may tell thee somewhat. But I heeded her not, and never ceased walking till I reached a mosque, and she entered after me. I prayed a two-bow prayer, after which I turned to her, and sighing said, What cost thou want? She asked me how I did, and I told her all that had befallen myself and Ali bin Bikar, and besought her for news of herself. She answered,

Know that when I saw the robbers break open thy door and rush in, I was in sore terror, for I doubted not that they were the Caliph's officers, and would seize me and my mistress, and we should perish forthwith. So we fled over the roofs, I and the maids, and casting ourselves down from a high place came upon some people with whom we took refuge. And they received us and brought us to the palace of the Caliphate, where we arrived in the sorriest of plights. We concealed our case and abode on coals of fire till nightfall, when I opened the river-gate,

and calling the boatman who had carried us the night before, said to him, I know not what has become of my mistress, so take me in the boat that we may go seek her on the river. Happily I shall chance on some news of her. Accordingly he took me into the boat, and went about with me and ceased not wending till midnight, when I spied a bark, making towards the water-gate, with one man rowing and another standing up, and a woman lying prostrate between them twain. And they rode on till they reached the shore when the woman landed, and I looked at her, and behold, it was Shamsal Nihar. Thereupon I got out and joined her, dazed for joy to see her after having to be able to

lost all hopes of finding her alive. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and sixty-sixth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the slave-girl went on telling the jeweler. I was dazed for joy to see her, after having lost all hopes of finding her alive. When I came up to her, she bade me give the man who had brought her thither a thousand gold pieces, and we carried her in, I and the two maids, and laid her on her bed, where she passed that night in a sorely troubled state. And when morning dawned I forbade the women and eunuchs to go into her, or even to draw

near her for the whole of that day. But on the next she revived, and somewhat recovered, and I found her as if she had come out of her grave. I sprinkled rose-water upon her face, and changed her clothes, and washed her hands and feet. nor did I cease to coax her till I brought her to eat a little and drink some wine, though she had no mind to any such matter. As soon as she had breathed the fresh air and strength began to return to her, I took to upbraiding her, saying, O my lady, consider and have pity on thyself.

Thou seest what hath betided us, surely enough and more than enough of evil hath befallen thee, for indeed thou hast been nigh upon death. She said, By allah, O good damsel, in sooth, death were easier to me than what hath betided me, for it seemed as though I should be slain, and no power could save me. When the robbers took us from the jeweller's house they asked me, Who mayest thou be? And hearing my answer, I am a singing girl, they believed me.

Then they turned to Ali bin Bakar and made inquiries about him, and who art thou, and what is thy condition. Whereatoo he replied, I am of the common kind? So they took us and carried us along without our resisting, to their abode, and we we hurried on with them for excess of fear. But when they had us set down with them in the house they looked hard at me, and seeing the clothes I wore and my necklaces and jewelry, believed not my account of myself, and said to me, of a truth, these necklaces belong to no singing girl, so be soothfast and tell us the truth of thy case. I returned them no answer whatever,

saying in my mind, now will they slay me for the sake of my apparel and ornaments? And I spoke not a word. Then the villains turned to Ali Becerne. Bacar asking, And thou, who art thou, and whence art thou, for thy semblance seemeth not as that of the common kind? But he was silent, and we ceased not to keep our counsel, and to weep, till Allah softened the rogue's hearts to pity, and they said to us, Who is the owner of the house wherein we were? We answered, Such a wanton, the jeweler.

Whereupon, quoth one of them, I know him right well, and I wot the other house where he liveth, and I will engage to bring him to you this very hour. Then they agreed to set me in a place by myself, and Ali bin Bikar in a place by himself, and said to us, Be at rest, ye twain, and fear not, lest your secret be divulged. Ye are safe from us. Meanwhile their comrade went away and returned with the jeweller, who made known to them our case, and we joined company with him. After which a man of the band fetched a bark, wherein they embarked us all three,

and rowing us over the river, landed us with scant ceremony on the opposite bank and went their ways. Thereupon up came a horse-patrol and asked us who we were. So I spoke with the captain of the watch and said to him, I am Shams al-Nahar the Caliph's favorite. I had drunken strong wine and went out to visit certain of my acquaintance of the wives of the wazirs, when yonder rogues came upon me and laid hold of me and brought me to this place. But when they saw you they fled as fast as they could. I met these men with them, so do thou escort me and them to a place of safety, and I will requite thee as I am well able to do. When the captain of the watch heard my speech he knew me, and a lighting mounted me on his horse, and in like manner did two of his men

with Ali bin Bakar. So I spoke to her, continued the handmaid, and blamed her doings and bad her beware, and said to her, O my lady, have some care for thy life! But she was angered at my word, and cried out at me. Accordingly, I left her and came forth in quest of thee, but found thee not, and dared not to go to the house of Ali bin Bakar. So stood watching for thee, that I might ask thee of him, and what how it goes with him, and I pray thee of thy favor to take of me some money, for thou hast doubtless borrowed from thy friends part of the gear, and as it is lost, it behoveth thee to make it good with the folk. I replied, To hear is to obey, go on, and I walked with her to her to

we drew near my house, when she said to me, Wait here till I come back to thee. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and sixty-seventh night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that after the slave-girl had addressed the jeweller, wait here till I come back to thee. She went away, and presently returned with money, which she put, continued the jeweller, into my hand, saying, O my master, in what place shall we? we meet. Quoth I, I will start and go to my house at once, and suffer hard things for thy sake, and contrive how thou mayest win access to him, for such access is difficult at this present.

Said she, Let me know some spot where I shall come to thee, and I answered, In my other house I will go thither forth right, and have the doors mended and the place made safe again, and henceforth we will meet there. Then she took leave of me and went her way, whilst I carried the money home, and counting it, found it five thousand dinars. So I gave my people some of it, and to all who had lent me aught, I made good their loss, after which I arose and took my servants, and repaired to my other house, whence the things had been stolen, and I brought builders and carpenters and masons who restored it to its former

state. Moreover, I placed my negress slave there, and forgot the mishaps which had befallen me. Then I fared forth and repaired to Ali bin Bakar's house, and when I reached it, His slave-servants accosted me, saying, Our Lord calleth for thee night and day, And hath promised to free whichever of us bringeth thee to him, So they have been wandering about in quest of thee everywhere, But knew not in what part to find thee.

Our master is by way of recovering strength, But at times he reviveth, and at times he relapseth, And whenever he reviveth, he nameth thee, and saith, Needs must ye bring him to me, though but for the twinkling of an eye. And then he sinketh back into his torpor. Accordingly, continued the jeweler, I accompanied the slave and went in to Ali bin Bakar, and finding him unable to speak, sat down at his head. Whereupon he opened his eyes, and seeing me, wept and said,

Welcome and welcome! I raised him, and making him sit up, strained him to my bosom, and he said, No, O my brother, that from the hour I took to my bed I have not sat up till now, Praise to Allah that I see thee again. And I ceased not to prop him, and support him, until I made him stand on his feet and walk a few steps, after which I changed his clothes and he drank some wine, but all this he did for my satisfaction. Then, seeing him somewhat restored, I told him what had befallen me with the slave-girl, none else hearing me, and said to him, take heart and be of good courage, I know what thou sufferest.

He smiled, and I added, verily, nothing shall betide thee save what shall rejoice thee and medicine thee. Thereupon he called for food, which being brought he signed to his pages and they withdrew. Then quoth he to me, O my brother, hast thou seen what had befallen me? And he made excuses to me, and asked how I had fared all that while. I told him everything that had befallen me from beginning to end, whereat he wondered, and calling his servants, said, bring me such and such things. They brought in fine carpets and hangings, and besides that, vessels

of gold and silver, more than I had lost, and he gave them all to me. So I sent them to my house and abode with him that night. When the day began to yellow, he said to me, Know thou that as to all things there is an end, so the end of love is either death or accomplishment of desire. I am nearer unto death, would I had died ere this befell, and had not Allah favored us, we had been found out and put to shame. And now I know not what shall deliver me from this my strait, and were it not that I fear Allah I would hasten my own death, for no, O my brother, that I am like bird in cage, and that my life is of a surety perished, choked by the distresses which have befallen me. Yet hath at a period established firm,

and an appointed term, and he wept and groaned, and began repeating, Enough of tears hath shed the lover white, When grief outcast all patience from his sprite, He hid the secrets which united us, But now his eye parts what he did unite. When he had finished his verses, the jeweller said to him, O my lord, I now intend returning to my house. He answered, There be no harm in that.

Go and come back to me with news as fast as possible, For thou seest my case. So I took leave of him, continued the jeweler, and went home, and hardly had I sat down, when up came the damsel, choked with long weeping. I asked, What is the matter? And she answered, O my lord, know then that what we feared hath befallen us, for when I left thee yesterday and returned to my lady, I found her in a fury with one of the two maids who were with us the other night, and she ordered her to be beaten. The girl was frightened and ran away,

but as she was leaving the house, one of the door-porters and guards of the gate met her and took her up, and would have sent her back to her mistress. However, she let fall some hints which were a disclosure to him, so he cajoled her and led her on to talk, and she tattled about our case, and let him know of all our doings. This affair came to the ears of the Caliph, who bad removed my mistress, Shams al-Nahar, and all her gear, to the palace of the caliphate, and set over her a guard of twenty eunuchs.

Since then to the present hour he hath not visited her, nor hath given her to know the reason of his action, but I suspect this to be the cause. Wherefore I am in fear for my life, and am sorely troubled, O my lord, knowing not what I shall do, nor with what contrivance I shall order my affair and hers, for she hath none by her more trusted or more trustworthy than myself. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 23 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 24, Volume 3, of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton.

This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 24. When it was the 168th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the slave-girl thus addressed the jeweller, And in very sooth my lady hath none by her more trusted or more trustworthy in matter of secrecy than myself. So go thou, O my master, and speed thee without delay to Ali bin Bakar, And acquaint him with this, that he may be on his guard and ward,

And if the affair be discovered, we will cast about for some means whereby to save our lives. On this, continued the jeweller, I was seized with sore trouble, and the world grew dark in my sight, for the slave-girl's words. And when she was about to wend, I said to her, What reckest thou, and what is to be done? Quoth she, My counsel is that thou hasten to Ali bin Bakar, if thou be indeed his friend and desire to save him. Thine be it to carry him this news at once, without aught of stay and delay, or regard for far and near. and mine be it to sniff about for further news. Then she took her leave of me and went away. So I rose and followed her track, and betaking myself to Ali bin Bakar, found him flattering himself with impossible expectations. When he saw me returning to him so soon, he said,

I see thou hast come back to me forthwith, and only too soon. I answered patience, and cut short this foolish connection, and shake off the preoccupation wherein thou art. for there hath befallen that which may bring about the loss of thy life and good now when he heard this he was troubled and strongly moved and said to me o my brother tell me what hath happened replied i o my lord know that such and such things have happened and thou art lost without recourse if thou abide in this thy house till the end of the day at this he was confounded and his soul well-nigh departed his body but he recovered himself and said to me what shall i do o my brother and what counsel hast thou to offer answered i my advice is that thou take what thou canst of thy property and whom of thy slaves thou trustest and flee with us to a land other than this ere this very day come to an end. And he said,

I hear and I obey. So he rose, confused in days like one in epilepsy, now walking, and now falling, and took what came under his hand. Then he made an excuse to his household, and gave them his last injunctions, after which he loaded three camels and mounted his beast, and I did likewise.

We went forth privily in disguise, and fared on, and ceased not our wayfare the rest of that day and all its night, till nigh upon morning, when we unloaded, and hobbling our camels, lay down to sleep. But we were worn with fatigue, and we neglected to keep watch, so that there fell upon us robbers, who stripped us of all we had and slew our slaves, when these would have beaten them off, leaving us naked and in the sorriest of plights, after they had taken our money and lifted our beasts and disappeared. As soon as they were gone we arose, and walked on till morning dawned, when we came to, came to a village which we entered, and finding a mosque took refuge therein, for we were naked.

So we sat in a corner all that day, and we passed the next night without meat or drink, and at daybreak we prayed our dawn prayer and sat down again. Presently, behold, a man entered, and saluting us, prayed a two-bow prayer, after which he turned to us and said, O folk, are ye strangers? We replied, yes, the bandits waylaid us, and straying, us naked, and we came to this town, but no none here with whom we may shelter. Quoth he, What say ye, will ye come home with me?

And, pursued the jeweller, I said to Ali bin Bakar, Up, and let us go with him, and we shall escape two evils. The first our fear lest someone who knoweth us enter this mosque and recognize us, so that we come to disgrace, and the second, that we are strangers and have no place wherein to lodge. And he answered helplessly, as thou wilt. then the man said to us again o ye poor folk give e'er-end to me and come with me to my place and i replied hearkening and obedience whereupon he pulled off a part of his own clothes and covered us therewith and made his excuses to us and spoke kindly to us then we arose and accompanied him to his house and he knocked at the door whereupon a little slave-boy came out and opened to us the host entered and we followed him

when he called for a bundle of clothes and muslins for turbans and gave us each a suit and a piece so we dressed and turbaned ourselves and sat us down presently in came a damsel with a tray of food and set it before us saying eat we ate some small matter and she took away the tray after which we abode with our host till nightfall when ali bin bakar sighed and said to me know o my brother that i am a dying man past hope of life and i would charge thee with a charge it is that when thou seest me dead thou go to my parent and tell her of my decease and bid her come hither that she may be here to receive the visits of condolence and be present at the washing of my corpse and do thou exhort her to bear my loss with patience Then he fell down in a fainting fit, and when he recovered he heard a damsel singing afar off, and making verses as she sang. Thereupon he addressed himself to give ear to her, and hearkened to her voice, and now he was insensible, absent from the world, and now he came to himself, and anon he wept for grief and mourning at the love which had befallen him.

Presently he heard the damsel, who was singing repeat these couplets. Parting ran up to part from lover Twain. Converse, perfect concord, friendship feign. The nights with shifting drifted us apart. Would heaven I wot if we shall meet again! How bitter after meeting tis depart! May lovers ne'er endure so bitter pain! Death-grip, death-choke, lasts for an hour and ends,

But parting tortures aye, in heart remain! Could we but trace where parting's house is placed, We would make parting eke of parting taste? When Ali, son of Bakar, heard the damsel's song. He sobbed one sob, and his soul quitted his body. As soon as I saw that he was dead, continued the jeweler, I committed his corpse to the care of the housemaster, and said to him, Know thou, that I am going to Baghdad to tell his mother and kin's folk that they may come hither and conduct his burial. So I betook myself to Baghdad, and going to my

house changed my clothes, after which I repaired to Ali bin Bakar's lodging. Now when his servants saw me, they came to me and questioned me of him, and I bade them ask permission for me to go into his mother. She gave me leave, so I entered, and saluting her said, Verily, Allah ordereth the lives of all creatures by his commandment, and when he decreateth aught there is no escaping its fulfillment, nor can any soul depart but by leave of Allah, according to the writ which affirmeth the appointed term. She guessed by these words that her son was dead, and wept with sore weeping, then she said to me, Allah upon thee, tell me, is my son dead?

I could not answer her for tears and excessive grief, and when she saw me thus she was choked with weeping, and fell to the ground in a fit. As soon as she came to herself, she said to me, Tell me how it was with my son. I replied, May Allah abundantly compensate thee for his loss. And I told her all that had befallen him from beginning to end.

She then asked, did he give thee any charge? And I answered yes. and told her what he had said, adding, Hasten to perform his funeral. When she heard these words, she swooned away again, and when she recovered she addressed herself to do as I charged her. Then I returned to my house, and as I went along musing sadly upon the fair gifts of his youth,

Behold, a woman caught hold of my hand, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and sixty-ninth night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the jeweller thus continued. A woman caught hold of my hand, and I looked at her, and lo! It was the slave-girl who used to come from Shams al-Nahar, and she seemed broken by grief. When we knew each other we both wept, and ceased not weeping till we reached my house,

and I said to her, knowest thou the news of the youth, Ali bin Bakar? She replied, No, by Allah! So I told her the manner of his death and all that had passed, we both wept, after which quoth I to her, how is it with thy mistress? Quoth she, The commander of the faithful would not hear a single word against her, but, for the great love he bore her, saw all her actions in a favorable light, and said to her, O Shams al-Nahar, thou are dear to me, and I will bear with thee, and bring the noses of thy foes to the grindstone. Then he bade them furnish her an apartment, decorated with gold, and a handsome

sleeping-chamber, and she abode with him in all ease of love. life and high favor. Now it came to pass that one day as he sat at wine, according to his custom, with his favorite concubines in presence, he bade them be seated in their several ranks, and made Shams al-Nahar sit by his side. But her patience had failed, and her disorder had redoubled upon her. Then he bade one of the damsels sing, so she took a lute, and tuning it, struck the chords, and began to sing these verses. One craved my love, and I gave all he craved of me, And tears on cheek betray how twas I came to yield, Teardrops, methemeth, are familiar with our case, Revealing what I hide, hiding what I revealed.

How can I hope in secret to conceal my love, Which stress of passion ever showeth unconcealed? Death, since I lost my lover, is grown sweet to me. Would I knew what their joys, when I shall quit the field? Now when Shams on the Har heard these verses sung by the slave-girl, she could not keep her seat, but fell down in a fainting fit, whereupon the Caliph cast the cup from his hand and drew her to him crying out. And the damsels also cried out, and the prince of true believers turned her over and shook her, and lo and behold, she was dead. The Caliph grieved over her death with sore grief and bad break all the vessels and dulcimers and other instruments of mirth and music which were in the room. Then carrying her body to his closet, he abode with her for the rest of the night.

When the day broke, he laid her out and commanded to wash her and shroud her and bury her, and he mourned for her with sore mourning, and questioned not of her case, nor of what caused her condition. And I beg thee in Allah's name, continued the damsel, to let me know the day of the coming of Ali bin Bakar's funeral procession, that I may be present at his burial. Quoth I, for myself, where thou wilt thou canst find me, but thou, where art there to be found and who can come at thee where thou art, she replied, On the day of Sharm al-Nahar's death, the commander of the faithful, freed all her women,

myself among the rest, and I am one of those now abiding at the tomb in such a place. So I rose and accompanied her to the burial ground, and piously visited Shem al-Nahar's tomb. After which I went my way and ceased not to await the coming of Ali bin Bakar's funeral. When it arrived, the people of Baghdad went forth to meet it, and I went forth with them, and I saw the damsel among the women, and she the loudest of them in lamentation, crying out and wailing with a voice that rent the vitals and made the heart-ache. Never was seen in Baghdad a finer funeral than his, and we ceased not to follow in crowds till we reached the cemetery, and buried him to the mercy of Almighty Allah.

Nor from that time to this have I ceased to visit the tombs of Ali son of Bakar and of Sham al-Lahar. This then is their story, and Allah Almighty have mercy upon them. And yet is not their tale, continued Shahrazad, more wonderful than that of King Shari-man? The king asked her, and what was his tale? And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 24 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3.

Section 25, Volume 3 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 3, Section 25. When it was the 170th night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, as regard the tale of Kamar al-Zaman,

that there was in times of yore and in ages long gone before, a king called Chariman, who was lord of many troops and guards and officers, and who reigned over certain islands, known as the Kalidan Islands, on the borders of the land of Persians. But he was stricken in years, and his bones were wasted, Without having been blessed with a son, Albeit he had four wives, daughters of kings, And three score concubines,

With each of whom he was wont to lie one night in turn. This prayed upon his mind, and disquited him, So that he complained thereof to one of his wazirs, saying, Verily, I fear lest my kingdom be lost when I die, For that I have no son to succeed me. The minister answered, O king, peradventure Allah shall yet bring something to pass, So rely upon the Almighty, and be instant in prayer.

It is also my counsel that thou spread a banquet And invite to it the poor and needy, And let them eat of thy food. and supplicate the Lord to vouchsafe thee a son, for perchance there may be among thy guests, a righteous soul, whose prayers find acceptance, and thereby thou shalt win thy wish. So the king rose made the lesser ablussian,

and prayed a two-baw prayer. Then he cried upon Allah with pure intentions, after which he called his chief wife to bed and lay with her. forthright. By grace of God she conceived, and when her months were accomplished, she bore a male child, like the moon on the night of fullness. The king named him Kamar al-Zaman, and rejoiced in him with extreme joy and bade the city be dressed out in his honor. So they decorated the streets seven days, whilst the drums beat and the messenger bore the glad tidings abroad. Then wet and dry nurses were provided for the boy, and he was reared in splendor and delight,

until he reached the age of fifteen. He grew up of surpassing beauty, and simulhood and symmetry, and his father loved him so dear that he could not brook to be parted from him day or night. One day he complained to a surgeon of his ministers anent the excess of his love for his only child, saying, O thou the wazir, of a truth I fear for my son, Kamar al-Zaman, the shifts on accidents which befall man, and fain would I married him in my lifetime, answered the wazir. O king, know thou that marriage is one of the most honorable of moral actions, and thou wouldst indeed do well and right to marry thy son in thy lifetime. Here thou make him sultan.

On this quoth the king hither with my son Kamar al-Zaman. So he came and bowed his head to the ground in modesty before his sire. O Kamara al-Zaman, said King Shariman, Of a truth I desire to marry thee and rejoice in thee during my lifetime, replied he, O my father, know that I have no lust to marry, nor cloth my soul inclined to women, for that concerning their craft and perfidy, I have read many books and heard much talk, even as saith the poet. Now, and of women aske, I reply, in their affairs I'm versed a doctor rare, when man's head grisels and his money dwindles, in their reflections he hath not for share.

And another said, rebel against him. women, and so shall thou serve Allah no more. The youth who gives women the reign must for fate all hope to soar. They'll balk him when seeking the strange device, Excelsior, though waste he a thousand of years in the study of science and lore. And when he had ended his verses, he continued, O my father, Wedlock is a thing where to, I will never consent. No, not though I drink the cup of death. When Sultan Shariman heard these words from his son, light became darkness in his sight, and he grieved thereat with great grief. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say, her permitted say.

When it was the one hundred and seventy-first night, she said, it hath reached me O auspicious king, that when King Shariman heard these words from his son, the light became darkness in his sight, and he grieved over his son's lack of obedience to his directions in the matter of marriage. Yet, for the great love he bore him, he was unwilling to repeat his wishes, and was not wrath with him, but caressed him and spake him fair, and showed him all manner of kindness, such as tendeth to induce affection. All this, and Kamar al-Zaman increased daily in beauty and loveliness, and amorous grace, and the king bore with him for a whole year till he became perfect in eloquence and elegant wit.

All men were ravished with his charms, and every breeze that blew bore the tidings of his gracious favor. His fair sight was a seduction to the loving, and the garden of delight to the longing, for he was honey-sweet of speech, and the sheen of his face shamed the full moon. He was a model of symmetry and blandishment and engaging ways. His shape was as the willow wand or the ratten cane, and his cheeks might take the place of rose, or red anemone. He was in fine the pink of perfection, even as the poet has said of him. He came and cried they, Now be Allah blessed, praise him that clad thou's soul in so fair vest.

His king of beauty where the beuteous be. All are his riots, all obey his hast. His lip dews sweeter than the world. virgin honey. His teeth are pearls in double row-clothes press. All charms are congregating him alone, and deals his loveliness to men unrest. Beauty wrought to those cheeks for words to see. I testify that is none good but he. When the year came to an end, the king called his son to him and said, O my son, Will thou not hearken to me? Whereupon Kamara al-Zaman

fell down for respect and shame before his sire and replied, O my father, how should I not hearken to thee, seeing that Allah

commandeth me to obey thee, and not gain see thee? Rejoined King Shardiman. O my son, know that I desire to man, marry thee, and rejoice in thee whilst yet I leave, and make thee king over my realm before my death.

When the prince heard his sire pronounce these words, he bowed his head a while, then raised it and said, O my father, this is a thing which I will never do. No, not though I drink the cup of death. I know of a surety that the Almighty hath made me. made obedience to thee a duty in religion. But Allah upon thee, press me not on this matter of marriage, nor fancy that I will ever marry my lifelong, for that I have read the books, both of the ancients and moderns, and I have come to know all the mischiefs and miseries which have befallen them through women and their endless artifices.

And how excellent is the saying of the poet. He whom the Randy moths and trap shall never see deliverance, Though build he forts a thousandfold, Whose mighty strength lead plates and hence, Therefore shall be of no avail, These fortresses have not a chance. Women I deal in treachery, To far and near of earth's suspense,

with fingers dipped in henna blood and locks in braids that made the glance and eyelids painted over with coal they garas drink or dire mischance and how excellently saith another women for all the chastity they claim are awful cast by kites wherever they list this night their talk and secret charms are shined that night another joyeth, cough and wrist, like in whence after night thou first at dawn, and lodges otherwise thou hast not wist. Now when Chariman heard these his son's words, and learnt the import of his verses and poetical quotations, he made no answer, of his excessive love for him, but redoubled in the importance. graciousness and kindness to him. He at once broke up the audience, and as soon as the sense was over, he summoned his minister, and taking him apart, said to him, O thou the wazir,

tell me how I shall deal with my son in the matter of marriage. And Sharaad perceived the dawn of day, and seized the saying, her permitted say, when it was the one, 172nd night. She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the king summoned his minister, And taking him apart, said to him, O thou the wazir,

Tell me what I shall do with my son in the matter of marriage. Of a truth I took counsel with thee thereon, And thou didst counsel me to marry him, Before making him king. I have spoken with him of wedlock time, after time, and he still gainsaid me. So do thou, O wazir, forthright advise me what to do? Answered the minister, O king, wait another year, and if after that thou be minded to speak to him

on the matter of marriage, speak not to him privily, but address him on a day of state, when all the emirs and wazirs are present, with the whole of the army standing before thee, and when all are in crowd, then send for thy son, Kamar al-Zaman, and summon him. And when he cometh, broach to him the matter of marriage before the wazirs and grantees, and officers of state and captains,

for he will surely be bashful and daunted by their presence, and will not dare to oppose thy will. Now when King Shariman heard his wazir's words, he rejoiced with exceeding joy, seeing success in the project, and bestowed on him a splendid robe of honor. Then he took patience with his son another year, whilst, with every day that passed over him,

Kamar al-Zaman increased in beauty and loveliness, and elegance and perfect grace, till he was nigh twenty years old. Indeed Allah had clad him in the cloak of comeliness and had crowned him with the crown of completion. His eye-glance was more bewitching than Harut and Marut, and the play of his luring looks more misleading than Tagut, and his cheeks shone like the dawn rosy red, and his eyelashes stormed the keen-edged blade. The whiteness of his brow resembled the moon shining bright, and the blackness of his locks was as the murky night,

and his waist was more slendered than the gossamer, and his back parts than two sand-heaps bulkier, making a babble of the heart with their softness. But his waist complained of his waist complained of, the weight of his hips and loins, and his charms ravished all mankind, even as one of the poet saith in these couplets. By his eyelash tenderled, by his lender waist, I swear, by the dart his wickory feathers, fatal hurtling through the air, by the just roundness of shape, by his glances bright and keen, by the swart limping of his locks, and his fair forehead shining

sheen, by his eyebrows which deny that she who looks on them should sleep, which now commanding, now forbidding, over me high dominion keep, by the roses of his cheek, his face as fresh as Myrtle breath. His tulip lips, and those pure pearls that hold the places of his teeth, by his noble form which rises fatly, turned in even swell, to wear upon his jutting chest to young prom-grenades seem to dwell, by his supple moving hips, his taper waist, the silky skin, by all he rubbed perfection of, and holds and chained his, his furtained his, form within. By his tongue of steadfastness, his nature true and excellent. By the greatness of his rank, his noble birth, and high descent. Musk from my love, Her savor steals,

Who musk exhales from Abrilyam, and all the airs, Embergris breathes are but the Zaffir's blow over him. The sun methinks, the broad bright sun, as low before my my love should quail, as would my love himself transcend the paltry paring of his nail. So King Chariman, having accepted the counsel of his wazir, waited for another year and a great festival. And Sherazade perceived at the dawn of day and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and seventy-third night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Shariman, having accepted the council of his wazir, waited for another year, and a great festival, a day of state when the audience hall was filled with the emirs and wazirs and grantees of his reign, and officers of state, and captains of might and main. Thereupon he sent for his son, Kamara al-Zaman, who came, and kissing the ground before him,

three times, stood in presence of his sire, with his hands behind his back, the right grasping the left, and said the king to him, know, O my son, that I have not sent for thee on this occasion, and summon thee to appear before this assembly, and all these officers of state here awaiting our orders, save and accept that I may lay a commandment on thee, wherein do thou not disobeyed obey me, and my commandment is that thou marry, for I am minded to wed thee to a king's daughter, and rejoice in thee, here I die. When the prince heard this, much from his royal sire, he bowed his head, grand words, a while, then raising it towards his father, and being moved there too at that time by youthful folly and boish ignorance, replied, but for myself of

I will never marry. No, not though I drink the cup of death. As for thee, thou art great in age and small wit, hast thou not, twice here this day, and before this occasion, question me of the matter of marriage, and I refused my consent? Indeed, thou dotest, and are not wit to govern a flock of sheep. So saying, Kamar al-Zaman unclasped his hands from behind his back and tucked up his leaves above his elbows before his father, being in a feat of fury. Moreover, he added many words to his sire, knowing not what he said in the trouble of his spirits. The king was confounded and ashamed, for that this befell in the presence of his grantees and soldier officers assembled on a high festival and a state occasion.

But presently the majesty of kingship took him, and he cried out at his son, and made it tremble. Then he called to the guards standing before him and said, Seize him! So they came forward, and laid hands on him, and binding him, brought him before his sire, who bade them pinioned his elbows behind his back, and in these guise make him stand before the presence. and the prince bowed down his head for fear and apprehension, and his brow and face were beaded and sprinkled with sweat, and shame and confusion troubled him sorely. Thereupon his father abused him and revelled him and cried,

Woe to thee thou son of adultery, a norseling of abomination! How dost thou answer me on this wife? before my captains and soldiers, but hitherto none hath chastised thee. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased sane, her permitted say, when it was the one hundred and seventy-fourth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that King Shariman cried thou to his son, Kamar al-Zaman, how dost thou answer me on the?

this wise before my captains and soldiers, but hitherto none hath chastised thee. Knowest thou not that this deed thou hast done, were disgrace to him had it been done by the meanest of my subjects, and the king commanded his Mamelukes to lose his elbow bonds and imprison him in one of the bastions of the citadel. So they took the prince and thrust him into an an old tower, wherein there was a dilapidated saloon, and in its middle a ruined well, after having first swept it and cleansed its floor flags, and sat there in a couch on which they laid a mattress, a leathern rug, and a cushion. And then they brought a great lanthorn and a waxed candle, for that place was dark, even by day. And lastly, the Mamelux led Kamar al-Zamand

didder, and stationed an eunuch at the door. And when all this was done, the prince threw himself on the couch, sad-spirited, and heavy-hearted, blaming himself and repenting on his injurious conduct to his father, whence repentance availed him not, and saying, Allah curse marriage and marriage-ball and married woman, the traitorous is all, But I had hearkened to my father and accepted a wife. Had I so done, it had been better for me than this jail. This is how it fared with him. But as regards King Shariman, he remained seated on his throne all throughout the day until sundown.

Then he took the minister apart and said to him, Know thou, O wazir, that thou and thou only, west the cause of all this that hath come to pass between me and my son, by the advice thou hast pleased to devise. And so what dost thou counseled me to do now? Answered he, O king, leave thy son in limbo for a space of fifteen days, then summon him to thy presence, and bid him wed, and assuredly he shall not gain say thee again. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of Section 25 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, Volume 3. Recording by Philippo Joaquin. Section 26, Volume 3 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Knight,

translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. Librivox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org, recording by Ethan Rampton. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 26. When it was the 175th night, she said, It hath reached me a auspicious king, that the wazir said to King Sharamon, leave thy son in limbo for the space of fifteen days, then summon him to thy presence and bid him wed, and assuredly he shall not gainsay thee again. The king accepted the wazir's opinion, and lay down to sleep that night troubled at heart

concerning his son, for he loved him with dearest love, because he had no other child but this, and it was his want every night not to sleep, save after placing his arm under his son's neck. So he passed that night in trouble and unease on the prince's account, tossing from side to side, as he were laid on coals of Artemisia wood, for he was overcome with doubts and fears, and sleep visited him not at all that live-long night, but his eyes ran over with tears, and he began repeating, while slanderer slumber, longsome is my night. Suffice thee a heart so sad in parting plight, I say, one night in care slow moments by, what no return

for thee fair morning light. And the saying of another, when saw I play had stu'er, his glance escape, and Polestar draught of sleep upon him poor, and the beer daughters went in morning dight, I knew that morning was for him no more. Such was the case with King Shariman. But as regards Kamar al-Zaman, when the night came upon him, the eunuch set the lantern before him, and lighting the wax candle, placed it in the candlestick, then brought him somewhat of food. The prince ate a little and continually reproached himself for his unseemly treatment of his father. saying to himself, O my soul, knowest thou not that a son of Adam is the hostage of his tongue,

and that a man's tongue is what casteth him into deadly perils. Then his eyes ran over with tears, and he bewailed that which he had done, from anguished vitals and aching heart, repenting him with exceeding repentance of the wrong wherewith he had wronged his father, and repeating, fair youth shall die by stumbling of the tongue. Stumble of foot works not man's life such wrong. the slip of lip shall oft smite off the head, while slip of foot shall never harm one long. Now when he had made an end of eating,

he asked for the wherewithal to wash his hands, and when the Mamaluk had washed them clean of the remnants of food, he arose and made the wazoo ablution, and prayed the prayers of sundown on nightfall, conjoining them in one, after which he sat down. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

when it was the hundred and seventy-sixth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the prince kamar al-zaman had prayed conjoining them in one the prayers of sundown and nightfall he sat down on the well and began reciting the koran and he repeated the cow and the house of imran and y s the compassionate blessed be the king unity and the two talismans and he ended with blessing and supplication and with saying i see refuge with Allah from Satan the stone. Then he lay down upon his couch, which was covered with a mattress of satin from Almadin town, the same on both sides, and stuffed with the raw silk of Iraq. And under his head was a pillow filled with ostrich down, and when ready for sleep, he doffed his outer clothes and drew off his bag trousers, and lay down in a shirt of delicate stuff smooth as wax. And he donned a headkerchief of Asiomarazi cloth, and at such time and on this Skies, Kamar al-Zaman, was like the full-orbed moon, when it riseth on its fourteenth night.

Then, drawing over his head a coverlet of silk, he fell asleep with the land-horn burning at his feet, and the wax candle over his head, and he ceased not sleeping through the first third of the night, not knowing what lurked for him in the womb of the future, and what the omniscient had decreed for him. Now, as fate and fortune would have it, both tower and saloon were old and had been many years deserted, and there was therein a Roman well inhabited by a genia of the seed of Iblis the accursed, by name Maimuna, daughter of Aldimiriat, a renowned king of the Jan, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the one hundred and seventy-seventh night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the name of the genia in question was Maimuna, daughter of Aldimiriat, a renowned king of the Jardn. And as Camar al-Zermann continued sleeping till the first third of the night, Maimuna came up out of the Roman well and made for the firmament, thinking to listen by stealth to the converse of the angels.

But when she reached the mouth of the well, she saw a light shining in the tower, contrary to custom. And having dwelt there many years without seeing the like, she said to herself, never have I witnessed aught like this. And marveling much of the matter

determined that there must be some cause therefore. So she made for the light, and found the eunuch sleeping within the door, and inside she saw a couch spread, whereon was a human form with the wax candle burning at his head, and the landhorn at his feet. And she wandered to see the light and stole towards it little by little. Then she folded her wings and stood by the bed, and drawing back the cover lid, discovered Kamar al-Zaman's face.

She was motionless for a full hour in admiration. and wonderment. For the lustre of his visage outshone that of the candle. His face beamed like a pearl with light. His eyelids were languorous like those of the gazelle. The pupils of his eyes were intensely black and brilliant. His cheeks were rosy red. His eyebrows were arched like bows, and his breath exhaled the scent of musk. Even as Seth of him the poet, I kissed him. Darker grew those pupils which seduce my soul, and cheeks flushed rosier hue. O heart, if slanderers dare to deem there be his like in charms, say bring him hither you. Now when Maimuna saw him, she pronounced the formula of praise, and said,

Blessed be Allah, the best of creators, for she was of the true believing gin, and she stood a while, gazing on his face, exclaiming and envying the youth his beauty and loveliness, and she said in herself, by Allah, I will do no hurt to him, nor let any harm him. Nay, from all of evil will I ransom him, for this fair face deserveth not but that folk should gaze upon it, and for it praise the Lord. Yet how could his family find it in their hearts to leave him in such desert place, where if one of our marids came upon him at this hour

he would assuredly slay him. Then the Ifrita Maimuna bent over him, and kissed him between the eyes, and presently drew back the sheet over his face which she covered up, and after this she spread her wings, and soaring into the air, flew upwards. And after rising high from the circle of the saloon, she ceased not winging her way through air and ascending skywards till she drew near the heaven of this world, the lowest of the heavens. And behold, she heard the noisy flapping of wings, cleaving the welkin, and directing herself by the sound, she found when she drew near it that the noise came from an Ifred called Danash.

So she swooped down upon him like a sparrowhawk, and when he was aware of her, and knew her to be Maimuna, the daughter of the king of the Jin. He feared her, and his side-muscles quivered, and he implored her forbearance, saying I conjure thee, by the most great and august name, and by the most noble talisman graven upon the seal-ring of Solomon. Entreat me kindly and harm me not. When she heard these words her heart inclined to him, and she said, Verily thou conjurest me, O accursed, with a mighty conjuration. Nevertheless, I will not let thee go, till thou tell me whence thou comest thou comest at this. hour.

He replied, O Princess, know that I come from the uttermost end of China land, and from among the islands, and I will tell thee of a wonderful thing I have seen this night. If thou kind my words true, let me when my way, and write me a patent under thy hand, and with thy sign manual that I am thy freedman, so none of the Jin hosts, whether of the upper who fly, or of the lower who walk the earth, or of those who dive beneath the waters, do me let or hindrance. rejoined my Munna, And what is it that thou hast seen this night,

O liar, or accursed? Tell me without leasing, and think not to escape from my hand with falses, for I swear to thee by the letters waving upon the bezel of the seal-ring of Solomon David's son, on both of whom be peace. Except thy speech be true, I will pluck out thy feathers with mine own hand,

and strip off thy skin and break thy bones. Quote the Ephred Danash, son of Shamhurish, the flyer, I accept, O my lady, these conditions. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that D'inash spoke thus to Mamuna. I accept, O my lady, these conditions. Then he resumed, know, O my mistress, that I come to-night from the islands of the inland sea, in the parts of China, which are the realms of King Gaiyur, lord of the islands and

the seas and the seven palaces. I saw a daughter of his, than whom Allah hath made none fairer in her time. I cannot picture her to thee, for my tongue would fail to describe her with her due of praise, but I will name to thee a somewhat of her charms by way of approach. Now her hair is like the knights of disunion and separation, and her face like the days of union and delectation, and right well hath the poet said when picturing her, she disbred the locks from her head one night, showing four-fold nights into one-night run, and she turned her visage towards the moon, and two moons showed at moment one.

She hath a nose like the edge of the burnished blade, and cheeks like purple wine, or anemone's blood-redd. Her lips is coral and carnilion shine, and the water of her mouth is sweeter than old wine. Its taste would quench hell's fiery pain. Her tongue is moved by wit of high degree and ready repartee. Her breast is a seduction to all that see it. Glory be to him who fashioned it and finished it, and joined there two or two upper arms smooth and rounded.

Even as Seth of her the poet Al-Walahan, she hath wrists which did her bangles not contain, she would run from out her sleeves in silver rain. She hath breasts like two globes of ivory, from whose brightness the moons borrow light, and a stomach with little waves as it were a figured cloth of the finest Egyptian linen made by the copts, with creases like folded scrolls, ending in a waist slender past all power of imagination, based upon back parts like a hillock of blown sand, that force her to sit when she would feast stand, and awaken her when she fain would sleep, even aseth of her and describeth her the poet. She hath those hips conjoined by thread of waste, hips that oar me and her too tyrannize

my thoughts they daze whene'er I think of them, and weigh her down whene'er she would uprise. And those back parts are upborne by thighs smooth and round, and by a calf like a column of pearl, and all this reposeth upon two feet, narrow, slender, and pointed like spear-blades, the handiwork of the protector and requiter. I wonder how of their littleness they can sustain what is above them, but I cut short my praises of her charms fearing lest I be tedious. And Shahazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and seventy-ninth night, she said it hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that the Iphred Danash bin Shammurish said to the Ifrita Maimuna, of a truth I cut short my praises, fearing lest I be tedious. Now when Maimuna heard the description of that princess and her beauty and loveliness, she stood silent in astonishment, whereupon Denash resumed, the father of this fair maiden is a mighty king, a fierce knight, immersed night and day in fray and fight, for whom death hath no fright and the escape of his foe no dread, for that he is a tyrant masterful, and a conqueror irresistible, lord of troops and armies and continents and islands, and cities and villages, and his name is King Gaiur, lord of the islands and of the seas, and of the seven palaces.

Now he loveth his daughter, the young maiden whom I have described to thee, with dearest love, and for affection of her, he hath heaped together the treasures of all the kings, and built her therewith seven palaces, each of a different fashion, the first of crystal, the second of marble, the third of china steel, the fourth of precious stones and gems of price, the fifth of porcelain, and many hewed onyxes and ring-bezzles, the sixth of silver and the seventh of gold, and he hath filled the seven palaces with all sorts of sumptuous furniture, rich silken carpets and hangings and vessels of gold and silver, and all manner of gear that kings require, and hath bidden his daughter to abide in each by turns for a certain season of the

year, for her name is the Princess Badur. Now when her beauty became known and her name and fame were brooded among the neighboring countries, all the kings sent to her father to demand her of him in marriage, and he consulted her on the matter. But she disliked the very word wedlock with a manner of abhorrence, and said, O my father, I have no mind to marry, no not at all, for I am a sovereign lady, and a queen suzerain ruling over men, and I have no desire for a man who shall rule over me. And the more suit she refused, the more her suitor's eagerness increased, and all the royalties at the inner islands of China sent presents and rarities to her father, with letters asking her in marriage. So he pressed her again and again with advice on the

matter of his spouses. But she ever opposed to him refusals, till at last she turned upon him angrily and cried, O my father, if thou name matrimony to me once more, I will go into my chamber and take a sword, and fixing its hilt in the ground, will set its point to my waist, then will I press upon it till it come forth from my back, and so slay myself. Now when the king heard these her words, the light became darkness in his sight, and his heart burned for her as with a flame of fire, because he feared lest she should kill herself, and he was filled with perplexity concerning her affair, and the kings her suitors. So he said to her, if thou be determined not to marry, and there be no help for it, abstain

from going and coming in and out. Then he placed her in a house, and shut her up in a chamber, appointing ten old women as duenas to guard her, and forbade her to go forth to the seven palaces. Moreover, he made it appear that he was incensed against her, and sent letters to all the kings, giving them to know that she had been stricken with madness by the jinns, and it is now a year since she hath thus been secluded. Then continued the Ifret Danash, addressing the Ifrita Maimuna, And I, O my lady, go to her every night,

And take my fill of feeding my sight on her face, And I kiss her between the eyes. Yet of my love to her, I do her no hurt, Neither mount her, for that her youth is fair and her grace surpassing, Everyone who seeth her jealouseth himself for her. I conjure thee, therefore, O my lady, to go back with me and look on her beauty and loveliness, and stature, and perfection of proportion. And after, if thou wilt, chastise me or enslave me, and win to thy will, for it is thine

to bid and to forbid. So saying the Iffred Danash bowed his head towards the earth, and drooped his wings downward. But Maimuna laughed at his words, and spat in his face, and answered, What is this girl of whom thou prayedest, but a pats heard wherewith the wife, after making water. Far, far, by Allah, or cursed I thought thou hadst some wondrous tale to tell me, or some marvellous news to give me. How would it be if thou were to sight, my beloved? Verily this night I have seen a young man, whom if thou saw, though but in a dream, thou wouldst

be palsied with admiration, and spittle would flow from thy mouth. Asked the Iffret, and who and what is this youth? Then she answered, no, O Denash, that there hath befallen the young man the like of what thou tellest me befell thy mrs. mistress, for his father presseth him again and again to marry, but he refused, till at length his sire waxed wroth at being opposed, and imprisoned him in the tower where I dwell, and I came up to-night and saw him, said Dina, O my lady, shew me this youth, that I may see if he be indeed handsomer than my mistress the Princess Boudur, or not, for I cannot believe that the like of her liveth in this hour age.

Rejoin, Mauna, thou liest, or cursed, O most ill-omened of marids, and vilest of Satan's. Sure I am that the like of my beloved is not in this world. And Shara Zad perceive the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 26 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 27, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Bertom. 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 3, Section 27. When it was the 180th night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the

Ifrata Maimuna spake thus to the Ifrit Danash. Sure am I that the like of my beloved, is not in this world. Are thou mad to fellow thy beloved with my beloved? He said, Allah upon thee, O my lady, go back with me, and look upon my mistress, and after I will with thee, and look upon thy beloved. She answered, It must needs be so, O accursed, for thou art a knavish devil. But I will not go with thee, nor shalt thou come with me, save upon condition of a wager which is this. If the lover thou lovest, and of whom thou boastest, so bravely, prove handsomer than mine, whom I mentioned, and whom I love, and of whom I boast, the bet shall be thine against me, but if my beloved prove the handsomer, the bet shall be mine against thee,

quoth Danash, the Ifret. I accept this thy wager, and am satisfied thereat, so come with me to the islands quoth maimuna no for the abode of my beloved is nearer than the abode of thine here it is under us so come down with me to see my beloved and after we will go look upon thy mistress i hear and i obey said danash so they descended to earth and alighted in the saloon which the tower contained then maimona station danash beside the bed, and, putting out her hand, drew back the silken coverlet from Camaralt Saman's face, when it glittered and glistened and shimmered and shone like the rising sun. She gazed at him for a moment, then turning sharply round upon Danash said, Look, o'ercursed, and be not the basest of madmen. I am a maid, yet my heart he hath waylaid. So Danash looked at the prince, and long continued gazing steadfast,

on him then, shaking his head, said to Maimuna, by Allah, O my lady, thou art excusable, but there is yet another thing to be considered, and this is that the estate female differeth from the male. By Allah's might this, thy beloved, is the likest of all created things, to my mistress in beauty and loveliness and grace and perfection, and it is as though they were both cast alike in the mould of seemly head. Now, when Maimuna heard these words, the light became darkness in her sight, and she dealt him with her wing so fierce a buffet on the head as well nigh made an end of him. Then quoth she to him. I conjure thee by the light of his glorious countenance, go at once, O accursed, and bring hither thy mistress whom thou lovest so fondly and

foolishly, and return in haste that we may lay the twain together, and look on them both as they lie asleep side by side. So shall it appear to us which be the goodlier and more beautiful of the two. Except thou obey me this very moment, O accursed, I will dart my sparks at thee with my fire and consume thee, yea, in pieces I will rend thee, and into the deserts cast thee, that to stay at home and wayfar an example thou be. Quoth Danash, O my lady, I will do thy behests, for I know for sure that my mistress is the fairer and the sweeter. So saying the Ifrit flew away, and Maimona flew with him to guard him. They were absent a while and presently returned bearing the young lady,

who was clad in a shift of fine Venetian silk, with a double edging of gold and pearls. with the most exquisite of embroidery, having these couplets worked upon the ends of the sleeves. Three matters hinder her from visiting us in fear, of hateful slandering, envier, and his hired spies, the shining light of brow, the trinket's tinkling voice, and scent of essences that tell whenever she tries, given that she hide her brow with edge of sleeve and leave, At home her trinketry, how shall her scent disguise? And Danash and Maimuna stinted not bearing that young lady till they had carried her into the saloon and had laid her beside the youth Kamar al-Saman,

and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eighty-first night, she said, It hath reached me, o auspicious king, that the Ifrit-Dam, and the ifratah maimona stinted not bearing princess buddur till they descended and laid her on the couch beside kamara alzaman then they uncovered both their faces and they were the likest of all folk each to other as they were twins or an only brother and sister and indeed they were a seduction to the pious even as seth of them the poet al mubin o heart be not thy love confined to one lest thou by doting or disdain be undone love all the fair and thou shalt find with them if this be lost to thee that shall be one and quoth another mine eyes beheld two lying on the ground both had i loved if on these aine they lay so danash and maimona gazed on them awhile and he said by allah o my lady it is good my mistress is assuredly the fairer she replied not so my beloved is the fairer woe to thee o danash art blind of eyed heart

that lean from fat thou canst not depart? Will thou hide the truth? Does thou not see his beauty and loveliness and fine stature and symmetry? Out on thee! Hear what I propose to say in praise of my beloved, and if thou be a lover true to her thou dost love, do thou the light for her thou lovest. Then she kissed Kamerald Sama and again and again between the eyes, and improvised this ode. how is this why should the blamer abuse thee in his pride what shall console my heart for thee that art but slender bow a nature cold eye thou hast that witcheth far and wide from pure platonic love of it deliverance none i trow those glances fell as plundering turp to heart such havoc deal as never havoc'd skimitar made keenest at the curve on me thou lay'st load of love the heaviest while i feel so feeble groan that under weight of chemisette i swerve my love for thee as wottest well his habit and my low his nature to all others falses all the love i tender now were my heart but like to shine i never would say no only my wasted form is like thy love thy tender only my wasted form is like thy

waists of gracious slender out on him who in beauties robe for moon-like charms hath fame and who is clain by mouth of men as marvel of his tribe of man what manner may he be ask they who flight and blame for whom thy heart is so distressed i only cry describe o stone-en-tempered heart of him learn of his yielding grace and bending form to show me grace and yielding to consent. O my prince beautiful, thou hast an overseer in place, Who irketh me and eke a groom, Whose wrong cloth near relent. Indeed he lithe, who hath said that all of loveliness, Was pent in Joseph, in thy charms there's many and many a joe. The genie breed me when I saw,

stand and face to face a dress, but meeting thee my fluttering heart its shame and terror show. I take aversion's semblance, and I turn from thee in fright, but more aversion, I assume, More love from me dost claim. That hair of jetty black, That brow ever-raying radiant light, Those aine were in white jostles black, That dearling dainty frame. When Danash heard the poesy which Maimonas spake in praise of her beloved, he joyed with exceeding joy, and marveled with excessive wonderment, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eighty-second night, she said, It hath reached me, auspicious king, that when the Ifrit Danash heard the posy, which Maimunas spake in praise, she said, it hath reached me o auspicious king that when thee frit danash heard the posy which maimuna spake in praise of her beloved he shook for exceeding joy and said

thou hast celebrated thy beloved in song and thou hast indeed done well in praise of him whom thou lovest and there is no help for it but that i also in my turn do my best to enfame my mistress and recite somewhat in her honour Then the Ifrit went up to the Lady Budor, and, kissing her between the eyes, looked at Maimona and at his beloved princess, and recited the following verses, albeit he had no skill in poesy. Love for my fair, they chide in angry way, unjust for ignorance, ye unjustice they, ah, lovish favours on the love-mad home, taste of thy wrath and parting-bow shall slay. In soothful love I'm wet with railing tears, That rail mine eyelids blood thou mightest say. No marvel what I bear for love tis marvel, That any know my me while thou'rt away. Unlawful were our union did I doubt, thy love or heart inclined to other may. And eat these words, I feed eyes on their stead by the valley's side, And I'm slain, And my slaver aside Hath tried, Grief wine have I drunken, And down my cheeks, Dance tears to the song of the camel-guide.

For union blessing I strive, Thou sure, In Budur and Swad all my bliss shall bide. What I not which of three gave me most to plain, So here them numbered ere thou decide, Those sworders her e'en, That lancers her figure, Or ring-mailed locks, Which her forehead hide, Quoth she, and I ask of her what so waits, Or abide, Or abide in town, or in desert ride to me in thy heart i dwell look there quoth i where's my heart aware aware when maimuna heard these lines from thee frit she said thou hast done well o danash but say thou which of the two is the handsomer and he answered my mistress buddur is handsomer than thy beloved cried maimuna thou liest o a cursed. Nay, my beloved is more beautiful than thine. But Danash persisted, mine is the fairer, and they ceased not to wrangle and challenge each other's words till Maimona cried out at

Danash, and would have laid violent hands on him. But he humbled himself to her, and, softening his speech, said, Let not the truth be a grief to thee, and cease with this talk, for all we say is to testify in favour of our lovers. Rather, let each of us withdraw the claim, and seek we one who shall judge fairly between us, which of the two be fairer, and by his sentence we will abide. I agree to this, answered she, and smote the earth with her foot, whereupon there came out of it an iffrit blind of an eye, hump-backed and scurvy skin, with eye-orbit slid up and down his face. On his head were seven horns and four locks of hair fell to his heels. His hands were pitch-folk-like, and his legs mast-like, and he had nails as the claws of a lion, and feet as the

hoofs of the wild ass. When that Ifrit rose out of the earth, and sighted Maimona, he kissed the ground before her, and, standing with his hands clasped behind him, said, What is thy will, O my mistress, O daughter of my king? She replied, O Caskash, I would have thee judge between me and this accursed Danash. And she made known to him the matter from first to last, whereupon Diefrit Caskash looked at the face of the youth and then at the face of the girl, and saw them lying asleep, embraced, each with an arm under the other's neck, alike in beauty and loveliness and equal in grace and goodliness the marid gazed long upon them marvelling at their seemly head and after carefully observing the twain he turned to maimona and danash and reseated these couplets

go visit her thou lovest and regard not the words detractors utter envious charles can never favor love or sure the merciful never made a thing more fair to look upon than two fond lovers in each other's arms, speaking their passion in a mute embrace. When heart has turned to heart, the fools would part them, strike idly on cold steel, so when thou'st found, one purely folly shine except her true heart, and live for her alone, O thou that blamest! The love struck for their love, give o'er thy talk. How canst thou minister to a mind deceased? Then he turned again to Maimuna and Danash, and said to them, By Allah, if you will have the truth, I tell you fairly that Twain be equal in beauty and loveliness and perfect grace and goodliness, nor can I make any difference between them on account of their being man and woman.

But I have another thought, which is that we wake each of them in turn, without the knowledge of the other, and whichever is the more enamured shall be held inferior in seemly head and comeliness. Quoth Maimona, right is this wrecking. And quoth Danash, I consent to this. Then Dhanash changed himself to the form of a flea and bit Kamar al-Saman, whereupon he started from sleep in a fright. And Shara Sad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eighty-third night, she said, It has reached me, O auspicious king, that Dhanash changed himself to the form of a flea,

and bit Kamar al-Saman, who started from sleep in a fright, and rubbed the bitten part, his neck, and scratched it hard because of the smart. Then, turning sideways, he found lying by him something whose breath was sweeter than musk, and whose skin was softer than cream. Here at marveled he with great marvel, and he sat up and looked at what lay beside him, when he saw it to be a young lady like a Junion pearl, or a shining sun or a dome seen from afar on a well-built wall for she was five feet tall with a shape like the letter alif bosomed high and rosy cheek even as seth of her the poet four things which never conjoin unless it be to store my vitals and to shed my blood brow white as day and tresses black as night cheeks rosy red and lips which smile

over-flood, and also quoth another, a moon she rises, Willow one she waves, breathes ambergris and gazes a gazelle, me seems that sorrow woes my heart and winds, and when she wendeth hastes therein to dwell. And when Camarad Saman saw the lady Budur, daughter of King Geyer, and her beauty and comeliness, she was sleeping-clad in a ship of Venetian silk, without her petticoat trousers, and wore on her head a kerchief embroidered with gold and set with stones of price. Her ears were hung with twin earrings, which shone like constellations, and round her neck was a color of union pearls, of size unique, past the competence of any king. When he saw this, his reason was confounded, and natural heat began to stir in him.

awoke in him the desire of quission, and he said to himself, What so Allah willeth that shall be, and what he willeth not shall never be. So saying he put out his hand, and turning her over, loose the colour of her chimies, Then arose before his sight her bosom, with its breasts like double globes of ivory, where it is inclination for her redoubled, and he desired her with exceeding hot desire. He would have awakened her, but she would not awake, for Danash had made her sleep heavy. So he shook her and moved her, saying, Oh, my beloved, awake, and look on me! I am Kamar al-Zaman. But she awoke not, neither moved her head, whereupon he considered her case for a long hour,

and said to himself, If I guess aright, this is the damsel to whom my father would have married me, and these three years past i have refused her but in salage god willing as soon as it is dawn i will say to him marry me to her that i may enjoy her and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section twenty seven of the book of a thousand knights and a night volume three read by lorah Rolander. Section 28, Volume 3 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 3, Section 28. When it was the one hundred and eighty-fourth night, she said,

It hath reached me auspicious king, that Kamar al-Saman said to himself, By Allah, when I see dawn I will say to my sire, Marry me to her that I may enjoy her, Nor will I let half the day pass ere I possess her, And take my fill of her beauty and loveliness. Then he bent over Budur to bus her, whereat the geniae maimuna trembled and was abashed and danash the if it was like to fly for joy but as kamar al-zaman was about to kiss her upon the mouth he was ashamed before allah and turned away his head and averted his face saying to his heart have patience then he took thought awhile and said i will be patient haply my father when he was wroth with me and sent me to this jail may have brought my young lady and made her lie by my side to try me with her

and may have charged her not to be readily awakened when i would arouse her and may have said to her what ever thing kamar alzaman do to thee make me wear thereof or belike my sire'st her or belike my sire standeth hidden in some stead whence being himself unseen he can see all i do with this young lady and to-morrow he will scold me and cry how cometh it that thou say'st i have no mind to marry and yet thou didst kiss and embrace yonder damsel so i will withhold myself lest i be ashamed before my sire and the right and proper thing to do is not to touch her at this present nor even to look upon her except to take from her somewhat which shall serve as a token to me and a memorial of her that some sign endure between me and her then kamar alzaman raised the young lady's hand and took from her little finger a seal-ring worth an immense amount of money for that its becile was a precious duel and around it were graven these couplets count not that i your promises forgot despite the length of your delinquencies be generous o my lord to me inclining happily your mouth and cheeks these lips may kiss by allah never will i relinquish you albeit you will transgress love's boundaries then kamar alzaman took the sea-ring from the little finger of queen buddur and set it on his own then turning his back to her went to sleep when maimona the genii saw this she was glad and said to danash and kashkash saw ye how my beloved kamar alzaman bore himself chastly towards this young lady

Verily this was of the perfection of his good gifts, for observe you twain how he looked on her, and noted her beauty and loveliness, and yet embraced her not, neither kissed her, nor put his hand to her, but turned his back and slept. Answered they, even so! Thereupon Maimon Maimona changed herself into a flea, and entering into the raiment of Budur, the loved of Danash, crept up her calf and came upon her thigh, and reaching a place some four carats below her navel, there bitter. There upon she opened her eyes, and sitting up in bed, saw a youth lying beside her, and breathing heavily in his sleep, the loveliest of almighty

Allah's creatures, with eyes that put to shame the fairest horace of heaven, and a mouth like Solomon's seal, whose water was sweeter to the taste and more Ephasius than Theriac, and lips the color of coral stone, and cheeks like the blood-red anemone, even a set one describing him in these couplets. My mind's withdrawn from Sinab and Nawar, by rosy cheeks that growth of myrtle-bear. I love a fawn a tunic-vested boy, and leave the love of bracelet wearing fair. My mate in hall and closet is unlike. Her that I play with as at home we pair. O thou who blam'st my flight from Hind and Sinab! The cause is clear as stone uplighting air. Wouldst have me fair a slave, the thrall of thrall, cribbed pent confined behind the bar and wall?

Now when Prince Budur saw him, she was seized by a transport of passion, and jub, and love-longing. And Shah-Assad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her, permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eighty-fifth night, she said, it hath reached me auspicious king, that when Princess Budur saw Kamar al-Zaman, she was forthwith ceased with a transport of passion and yearning and love-longing, and she said to herself, alas my shame this is a strange youth and i know him not how cometh he to be lying by my side on one bed then she looked at him a second time and noting his beauty and loveliness said by allah he is indeed a comely youth and my heart is well-night torn in sunder with longing for him but alas how am i shamed by him by the almighty had i known him It was this youth who sought me in marriage of my father.

I had not rejected him, but I had wiped with him and enjoyed his loveliness. Then she gazed in his face and said, O my lord and light of mine eyes, awake from sleep and take thy pleasure in my beauty and grace, and she moved him with her hand, but Maimona de Genia let down sleep upon him as it were a curtain, and pressed heavily on his head with her wings, so that Kamar al-Saman awoke not. Then Princess Budur shook him with her hands and said, My life on thee, hearken to me, awake and up from thy sleep, and look on the Narcissus, and the tender down thereon, and enjoy the sight of naked waist and navel,

and tussle me and tumble me from this moment till break of day. Allah upon thee, O my lord, sit up and prop thee against the pillow and slumber not. Still, Kamar al-Saman made her no reply, but breathe hard in his sleep, continued she. Alas! Alas! thou art insolent in thy beauty and comeliness, and grace and loving looks. But if thou art handsome, so am I handsome. What then is this thou dost? Have they taught thee to float me, or hath my father, the wretched old fellow, made thee swear not to speak to me tonight? But Kamar al-Saman opened not his mouth, neither awoke, whereat her passion for him redoubled, and Allah inflamed her heart with love of him. She stole one glance of eyes that cost her a thousand sighs, her heart fluttered, and her vitals throbbed, and her hands and feet quivered.

And she said to Kamar al-Saman, Talk to me, O my lord, speak to me, oh my friend, answer me, oh my beloved, and tell me thy name, For indeed thou hast ravished my wit. And during all this time he abode drowned in sleep, and answered her not a word, And Princess Budur sighed and said, Alas, alas! Alas! Why art thou so proud and s'r?

self-satisfied then she shook him and turning his hand over saw her seal-ring on his little finger whereat she cried a loud cry and followed it with a sigh of passion and said alack alack by allah thou art my beloved and thou lovest me yet thou seem'st to turn thee away from me out of coquetry for all o my darling thou cam'st to me-and thou cam'st to me whilst i was asleep and knew not what thou didst with me and tookest my seal-ring and yet i will not pull it off thy finger so saying she opened the bosom of his shirt and bent over him and kissed him and put forth her hand to him seeking somewhat that she might take as a token but found nothing then she thrust her hand into his breast and because of the smoothness of his body it slipped down to his waist and then she thrust her hand into his breast and because of the smoothness of his body it slipped down to his waist and then to his navel, and thence to his yard, whereupon her heart ached and her vitals quivered, and lust was sore upon her, for that the desire of women is fiercer than the desire of men, and she was ashamed of her own shamelessness, then she plucked his seal-ring from his finger, and put it on her own instead of the ring he had taken, and boosted his inner lips and hands, nor did she leave any part of him

unkissed, after which she took him to her breast, and embraced him, and laying one of her hands under his neck and the other under his armpit, nestled close to him, and fell asleep by his side. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eighty-sixth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Prince, as Budur fell asleep by the side of Kamar al-Saman, after doing that which she did, quoth Maimuna to Danash. Night thou, o'-o-cursed, how proudly and coquettishly my beloved bore himself, and how hotly and passionately thy mistress showed herself to my dearling.

There can be no doubt that my beloved is handsomer than thine. Nevertheless I pardoned thee. Then she wrote him a document of my dearling. new mission, and turned to Kaskash and said, Go help Danash to take up his mistress, and aid him to carry her back to her own place, For the night waneeth a pace, and there is but little left of it. I hear and I obey, answered Kaskash. So the two Ifrits went forward to Princess Budur, and, upraising her, flew away with her.

Then, bearing her back to her own place, they laid her on her bed, whilst Maimuna abode alone with Kamar al-Saman, gazing upon him as he slept, till the night was all but spent when she went her way. As soon as morning morrowed, the prince awoke from sleep, and turned right and left, but found not the maiden by him,

and said in his mind, What is this business? It is as if my father would incline me to marriage with the damsel who was with me, and have now taken her away by stealth to the intent that my desire for wedlock may redouble. Then he called out to the eunuch who slept at the door, saying, Woe to thee, O damned one, arise at once. So the eunuch rose, bemused with sleep, and brought him base in a newer,

whereupon Kamar al-Zaman entered the water-closet, and did his need. Then, coming out, made the wussue ablution, and prayed the dawn-prayer, after which he sat telling on his beats the ninety-and-nine names of Almighty Allah. Then he looked up and seeing the eunuch standing in service upon him, said, Out on thee, O Savab! Who was it, came hither and took away the young lady from my side, and I still sleeping? Asked the eunuch, O my lord, what manner of young lady? The young lady who lay with me last night, replied,

Kamar al-Saman. The Junuk was startled at his words, and said to him, By Allah, there hath been with thee neither young lady nor other. How should young lady have come in to thee when I was sleeping in the doorway, and the door was locked? By Allah, O my lord, neither male nor female hath come in to thee, exclaimed the prince, thou liest, O pestilent slave! Is it of thy competence also to hoodwink me and refuse to tell me what is become of the young lady who lay with me last night and declined to inform me who took her away replied the eunuch and he was affrighted at him by allah o my lord i have seen neither young lady nor young lord his words only angered kamar al saman the more and he said to him o a cursed one my father has indeed taught thee deceit seat, come hither, so the eunuch came up to him, and the prince took him by the collar and dashed him to the ground, whereupon he let fly a loud fart, and Kamar al-Saman, kneeling upon him,

kicked him and throttled him till he fainted away. Then he dragged him forth and tied him to the well-rope, and let him down like a bucket into the well, and plunged him into the water, and drew him up and lowered him down again. Now it was hard-winded, winter weather, and Kamar al-Saman cease not to plunge the eunuch into the water, and pull him up again, and deuce him and haul him, whilst he screamed and called for hell, and the prince kept on saying, By Allah, O damned one, I will not draw thee up out of this well till thou tell me, and fully acquaint me with the story of the young lady, and who it was took her away, whilst I slept. And Shara Sad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her, permitted say.

When it was the one hundred and eighty-seventh night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Kamarad Saman said to the eunuch, By Allah, I will not draw thee up out of this well, until thou tell me the story of the young lady, and who it was, took her away whilst I slept, answered the eunuch after he had seen death staring him in the face. Oh, my lord, let me go, and I will relate to thee the truth and the whole tale. So Kamar al-Saman pulled him up out of the well, all but dead for suffering, what with cold and the pain of dipping and dosing, drubbing and dread of drowning. He shook like cane in hurricanes, his teeth were clenched as by cramp, and his clothes were drenched

and his body befouled, and torn by the rough sides of the well. Briefly he was in a sad pickle. Now, when Kamar al-Saman saw him in this sorry plight, he was concerned for him. But as soon as the eunuch found himself on the floor, he said to him, O my lord, let me go and doff my clothes, and wring them out and spread them in the sun to dry, and don others, after which I will return to thee forthwith, and tell thee the truth of matter. Answered the prince, O rascal slave, hadst thou not seen death face to face, never hadst thou confess to fact, nor told me a word, but go now and do thy will, and then come

back to me at once, and tell me the truth. Thereupon the eunuch went out, hardly crediting his escape, and ceased not running, stumbling and rising in his haste, till he came into King Shariman, whom he found sitting at talk with his vassir of Kamar al-Saman's case. The king was saying to the minister, I slept not last night for anxiety concerning my son, Kamar al-Saman, and indeed I fear lest some harm befall him in that old tower. What good was there in imprisoning him? Answered the vassir.

Have no care for him. By Allah no harm will befall him, none at all. leave him in prison for a month till his temper yield, and his spirit be broken, and he returned to his senses. As the two spoke, behold, up rushed the eunuch, in the aforesaid plight, making to the king who was troubled at sight of him, and he cried, O, our lord, the sultan, verily thy son's wits are fled, and he hath gone mad, he hath dealt with me thus and thus, so that I am come as thou seest me, and he kept saying, A young lady lay with me this night, and stole away secretly whilst I slept,

Where is she? And he insisteth on my letting him know where she is, and on my telling him who took her away, But I have seen neither girl nor boy. The door was locked all through the night, for I slept before it with the key under my head, and I opened to him in the morning with my own hand. When King Shariman heard this, he cried out, saying, Allah, my son! And he was enraged with sore rage against the vassir,

who had been the cause of all this case, and said to him, Go up, bring me news of my son, and see what hath befallen his mind. So the vassi rose, and, stumbling over his long skirts, in his fear of the king's wrath, hastened with the, the slave to the tower. Now the sun had risen, and when the minister came in to Kamar al-Saman, he found him sitting on the couch reciting the Koran, so he saluted him and seated himself by his side and said to him, O my lord, this wretched eunuch brought us tidings which troubled and alarmed us, and which incensed the king? asked Kamar al-Saman, and what hath he told you of me to trouble

my father. In good sooth he hath troubled none but me, answered the Vassir. He came to us in fulsome state and told us of thee a thing which heaven forfend, and the slave added a lie which it befitteth

not to repeat. Allah preserve thy youth and sound sense and tongue of eloquence, and forbid to come from thee aught of offence. Quoth the prince, O Vassir, and what thing did this pestilent slave say of me the minister replied he told us that thy wits had taken leave of thee and thou wouldst have it that a young lady lay with thee last night and thou wast instant with him to tell thee whither she went and thou didst torture him to that end

But when Kamar al-Saman heard these words, he was enraged with sore rage, and he said to the wazir, This manifest to me in very deed that you people taught the unit to do as he did. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 28 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Read by Lars Rolander. Section 29, Volume 3, of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librivox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org.

Recording by Ethan Rampton. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 29. When it was the one hundred and eighty-eighth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when Kamar al-Zaman heard the words of the wazir, He was enraged with sore rage, And said to him, Tis manifest to me in very deed,

That you people taught the eunuch to do as he did, And forbade him to tell me what became of the young lady Who lay with me last night. But thou, O wazir, are cleverer than the eunuch, So do thou tell me, without stay or delay, Whither went the young lady who slept on my bosom last night. For it was you who sent her and bade her steep in my embrace, and we lay together till dawn. But when I awoke I found her not.

So where is she now? Said the wazir, O my lord Kamar al-Zaman, Allah's name encompassed the about. By the Almighty, we sent none to thee last night, but thou layest alone, with the door locked on thee, and the eunuch sleeping behind it. Nor did there come to thee, young lady, or any other. Regain thy reason, O my lord, and establish thy senses and occupy not thy mind with vanities. Rejoined Camar al-Zaman, who was incensed at his words, O wazir, the young lady in question is my beloved, the fair one with the black eyes and rosy cheeks, whom I held in my arms all last night. So the minister wondered at his words and asked him, Didst thou see this damsel last night with thine own eyes on wake or in sleep?

Answered Camar al-Zaman, O ill-lant old man, dost thou feel? fancy I saw her with my ears. Indeed, I saw her with my very eyes and awake, and I touched her with my hand, and I watched by her full half the night, feeding my vision on her beauty and loveliness and grace and tempting looks. But you had schooled her, and charged her to speak no word to me. So she feigned sleep, and I lay by her side till dawn, when I awoke and found her gone. Rejoined the wazir, O my lord Camar al-Zaman, happily thou sawest this in thy sleep, It must have been a delusion of dreams, or a deception caused by eating various kinds of food, or a suggestion of the accursed devils.

cried the prince, O pestilent old man, will thou too make a mock of me, and tell me this was happily a delusion of dreams, when that eunuch confessed to the young lady saying, At once I will return to thee, and tell thee all about her. With these words he sprang up and rushed at the wazir, and gripped hold of his beard, which was long, and after gripping it he twisted his hand in it, and haylily, him off the couch, threw him on the floor. It seemed to the minister as though his soul departed his body for the violent plucking at his beard, and Kamile Zaman ceased not kicking the wazir and basting his breast and ribs and cuffing him with open hand on the nape of his neck,

till he had well-nigh beaten him to death. Then said the old man in his mind, just as the eunuch slave saved his life from this lunatic youth by telling him a lie. Thus it is even fitter that I do likewise, else he will destroy me. So now for my lie to save him, myself, he being mad beyond a doubt. Then he turned to Kamara-Zaman and said, O my lord, pardon me, for indeed thy father charged me to conceal from thee this affair of the young lady, but now I am weak and weary, and wounded with funding. For I am an old man, and lack strength and bottom to endure blows. Have, therefore, a little patience with me, and I will tell thee all, and acquaint thee with the story of the young woman.

When the prince heard this, he left off drubbing him, and said, wherefore couldst thou not tell me the tale until after shame and blows. Rise now, unlucky old man that thou art, and tell me her story. Quoth the wazir, say, dost thou ask of the young lady with the fair face and perfect form? Quoth Camar al-Zaman, even so, tell me, O wazir, who it was that led her to me and laid her by my side, and who was it that took her away from me by night? And let me know forthright, whither she is gone, that I myself may go to her at once. If my father, did this deed to me that he might try me by means of that beautiful girl, with a view to our marriage, I consent to wed her and free myself of this trouble, for he did all these dealings with me,

only because I refused wedlock. But now I consent, and I say again, I consent to matrimony, so tell this to my father, or wazir, and advise him to marry me to that young lady, for I will have none other, and my heart loveth none, save her alone. Now rise up at once, and hastily to my father, and counsel him to hurry on our way. wedding, and bring me his answer within this very hour, rejoined the wazir, tis well, and went forth from him, hardly believing himself out of his hands. Then he set off from the tower, walking and tripping up as he went, for excess of fright and agitation, and he ceased not hurrying till he came in to King Shariman, and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased

saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and eighty-ninth night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir fared forth from the tower, and cease not running till he came into King Sharaman, who said to him as he sighted him, O thou wazir, what man hath brought thee to grief, and whose mischief hath treated thee in way and leaf? How happeneth it that I see thee dumbfounded, and come to me thus astounded? Replied the wazir, O king, I bring thee good news. And what is it, quoth Sharaman, and quote the wazir, know that thy son, Kamar al-Zerman's wits are clean gone, and that he had become stark mad. Now when the king heard these words at the

minister, light became darkness in his sight, and he said, O wazir, make clear to me the nature of his madness. Answered the wazir, O my lord, I hear, and I obey. Then he told him that such and such had passed, and acquainted him with all that his son had done. Whereupon the king said to him, hear, O wazir, the good tidings which I give thee in return for this thy fair news of my son's insanity, and it shall be the cutting off of thy head, and the forfeiture of my favour, O most ill-omened of wazirs, and foulest of emirs. For I feel that thou hast caused my son's disorder by the wicked advice, and the sinister counsel thou hast given me first and last.

By Allah, if aught of mischief from madness have befallen my son, I will most assuredly nail thee upon the palace dome, and make thee drain the bitterest draught of death. Then he sprang up, and taking the wazir with him, fared straight to him. for the tower, and entered it. And when Kamar al-Zaman saw the two, he rose to his father in haste from the couch whereon he sat, and kissing his hands, drew back and hung down his head, and stood before him with his arms behind him, and thus remained for a full hour. Then he raised his head towards his sire, the tears gushed from his eyes and streamed down his cheeks, and he began repeating, "'For give the sin neath which my limbs are trembling, for the slave

seeks for mercy from his master, I have done a fault which calls for free confession, where shall it call for mercy and forgiveness. When the king heard this, he arose and embraced his son, and kissing him between the eyes, made him sit by his side on the couch. Then he turned to the wazir, and looking on him with eyes of wrath, said, O dog of wazirs, how didst thou say of my son such and such things, and make my heart quake for him. Then he turned to the prince and said, O my son, what is today called?

He answered, O my father, this day is the Sabbath and tomorrow is first day. Then come second day, third, fourth, fifth, and lastly Friday. Exclaimed the king,

O my son, O Kamar al-Zaman, praise be Allah, for the preservation of thy reason. What is the present month called in our Arabic? Zul-Qadda, answered Kamar al-Zaman,

and it is followed by Zul-Hijah. Then come at Muharram, then suffer. Then Rabbi Ah the first and Rabbi Ah the second, the two Jamadas, Rajab, Shahaban, Ramazan, and Shawal. At this the king rejoiced exceedingly, and spat in the wazir's face, saying, O wicked old man, how canst thou say that my son is mad, and now none is mad but thou. Whereupon the minister shook his head, and would have spoken, but we thought himself to

wait a while, and see what might next befall. Then the king said to his child, or my son, what would Words be these thou saidest to the eunuch and the wazir, declaring, I was sleeping with a fair damsel this night. What damsel is this of whom thou speakest? Then Kamar-El-Zaman laughed at his father's words, and replied, O my father, know that I can bear no more jesting, so add me not another mock or even a single word on the matter, for my temper hath waxed short by that you have done with me, and know, O my father, with assured knowledge, that I consent to marry, but on condition that thou give me to wife her who lay by my side this night.

For I am certain it was thou sentest her to me, and madeest me in love with her, and then dispatcheth a message to her before the dawn, and took her away from beside me. Rejoined the king, the name of Allah encompassed the about, O my son, and be thy wit preserved from witlessness, and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and nineth-night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Quoth King Sharaman to his son Kamar al-Zaman, the name of a thousand. Allah encompass thee about, O my son, and be thy wit preserved from witlessness.

What thing be this young lady whom thou fanciest I sent to thee last night, and then again that I sent to withdraw her from thee before dawn? By the Lord, or my son, I know nothing of this affair. And Allah upon thee, tell me if it be a delusion of dreaming, or a deception caused by indisposition. For verily thou lay us down to sleep last night with thy mind occupied an ent-marriage, and troubled with the talk of it. Allah damned marriage, and the hour when I spake of it,

and curse him who counsel it. And without doubt or diffidence I can say that being moved in mind, by the mention of wedlock, thou dreamest that a handsome young lady embraced thee, and did fancy thou sawest her when awake. But all this, O my son, is but an imbroglio of dreams. Replied Camar al-Zaman, leave this talk, and swear to me by Allah, the all-creator, the the humbler of the tyrant Caesars and the destroyer of the Chosros, that thou knowest not of the young lady nor of her owning place. Quoth the king, by the might of Allah Almighty, the god of Moses and Abraham, I know not of all this, and never even heard of it. It is assuredly a delusion of dreams thou haste in sleep. Then the prince replied to his sire,

I will give thee a self-evident proof that it happened to me when on wake. And Shahazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her. permitted say. When it was the one hundred and ninety-first night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Kamar al-Zaman said to his sire, I will give thee a self-evident proof that this happened to me when on wake. Now let me ask thee, did it ever befall any man to dream that he was battling a sore battle, and after to awake from sleep, and find in his hand a sore blade besmeared with blood? Answer the king, no by Allah, oh my son, this hath never been.

Rejoined Kamar al-Zaman, I will tell thee what happened to me, and it was this. Meseemed I awoke from sleep in the middle of the past night, and found a girl lying by my side, whose form was like mine, and whose favor was as mine. I embraced her and turned her about with my hand, and took her seal-ring, which I put on my finger, and she pulled off my ring and put it on hers. Then I went to sleep by her side, but refrained for her from shame of thee, deeming that thou hast sent her to me, intending to tempt me with her, and incline me to marriage, unsuspecting thee to be hidden somewhere whence thou could see what I did with her.

And I was ashamed even to kiss her on the mouth for thy account, thinking over this temptation to wedlock. And when I awoke at point of day, I found no trace of her, nor could I come at any news of her, and there betel me what thou knowest of with the eunuch and with the wazir. How, then, can this case have been a dream and a delusion, when the ring is a reality? save for her ring on my finger I should indeed have deemed it a dream. But here is the ring on my little finger. Look at it, O King, and see what is its worth.

So saying he handed the ring to his father, who examined it and turned it over, then looked to his son and said verily, there is in this ring some mighty mystery and some strange secret. What befell thee last night with the girl is indeed a hard nut to crack, and I know not how intruded upon us this intruder. None is the cause of all this pasha save the wazir. But Allah upon thee, O my son, take patience, So haply the Lord may turn to gladness this thy grief,

And to thy sadness bring complete relief. As quoth one of the poets, Happily shall fortune draw her reign And bring fair chance, For she is changeful, jealous, vain. Still I may woo my want and wishes win, And see on heels of care unfair the feign. And now, O my son,

I am certified at this hour that thou art not mad. but thy case is a strange one which none can clear up for thee save the Almighty. cried the prince, by Allah, oh, my father, deal kindly with me and seek out this young lady, and hasten her coming to me, else I shall die of woe, and of my death shall no one know. Then he betrayed the order of his passion, and turned towards his father, and repeated these two couplets. If your promise a personal call prove untrue, deign envisioned to grant me an interview, Quote they, how can phantom appear to the sight of a youth whose sight is foredone, Perdue. Then, after ending his poetry, Kamar al-Zaman again turned to his father, with submission and despondency, and shedding tears in flood, began repeating these lines.

And Shahazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and ninety-second night, she said it hath reached me, or auspicious king, that when Kamar al-Zaman had repeated to his father these verses, he wept and complained and groaned from a wounded heart, and added these lines. Beware that eye glance which hath magic might. Wherever turn those orbs it bars our flight, nor be deceived by low sweet voice that breeds a fever festering in the heart and spright. So soft that silky skin were rose to touch it, she'd cry and tear-dropped rain for pain and fright. Did Zephyr-in and sleep-pass o'er land, scented he chose to well in scented sight. Her necklets vie with twinkling of her belt, her wrists strike

either wristlet dumb with spite. When upon her bangles bust those rings in ear, upon the lover's eye and high mysteries light. I'm blamed for love of her nor pardon claim. Eyes are not profiting which lack foresight. Heaven strip thee blame her mine unjust art thou. Before this fawn must every eye low bow. After which he said by Allah, O my father, I cannot endure to be part from her even for an hour. The king smote hand upon hand and exclaimed, There is no majesty and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. No coming contrivance can profit us in this affair. Then he took his son by the hand, and carried him to the palace, where Kamar al-Zaman lay down on a bed of languor, and the king sat at his head,

weeping and mourning over him, and leaving him not night or day, till at last the wazir came into him and said, O king of the age and the time, how long will thou remain shut up with thy son, and hide thyself from thy troops? Happily the order of thy realm may be deranged, by reason of thine absence from thy grantees and officers of state. He behoveth a man of understanding, if he have various wounds in his body, to apply him first to medicine the most dangerous. So it is my counsel to thee that thou remove thy son from this place, to the pavilion which is in the palace overlooking the sea, and shut thyself up with him. there, setting apart in every week two days, Thursday and Monday, for state receptions and

progresses and reviews. On these days let shine emirs and wazirs and chamberlains and viceroys, and high officials and grantees of the realm, and the rest of the levies and the lieges have access to thee, and submit their affairs to thee, and do thou their needs, and judge among them, and give and take with them, and bid and forbid. And the rest of the week thou shalt pass with thy son, Kamar al-Zaman, and cease not thus doing till al-a-law, and shall vouchsafe relief to you, Twain. Think not, O King, that thou art safe from the shifts of time, and the strokes of change which come like a traveller in the night. For the wise man is ever on his guard, and how well saith a poet, thou deemest well of time when days went

well, and fearest not what ills might bring thee fete, the knights so fair and restful cozen thee, for peaceful nights bring woes of heavy weight. On children of mankind whom time befriends, beware of time's deceits, or soon or late. When the sultan heard his Wazir's words, he saw that they were right and deemed his counsel wise, and it had effect upon him, for he feared lest the order of the state be deranged. So he rose at once,

and bade transport his son from his sick-room to the pavilion in the palace overlooking the sea. Now this palace was girt round by the waters and was approached by a causeway twenty cubits wide. It had windows on all sides commanding an ocean view. His floor was paved with party-colored marbles, and its ceiling was painted in the richest pigments, and figured with gold and lapis lazuli. They furnished it for Camar al-Zaman with splendid upholstery, embroidered rugs and carpets of the richest silk,

and they clothed the walls with choice brocades, and hung curtains bespangled with gems of price. In the midst they set him a couch of juniper wood, inlaid with pearls and jewels, and Camar al-Zamon sat down thereon, but the excess of his concern and passion, for the young lady, had wasted his charms and emaciated his body. He could neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep, and he was like a man who had been sick twenty years of sore sickness. His father seated himself at his head, grieving for him with the deepest grief, and every Monday and Thursday he gave his wazirs and emirs and chamberlains and viceroys, and lords of the realm and levies, and the rest of his lieges leave to come up to him in that pavilion.

So they entered and did their several service and duties, and abode with him till the end of the day, when they went their ways, and the king returned to his son in the pavilion, whom he left not night nor day. And he ceased not doing on this wise for many days and nights. Such was the case with Kamar al-Zaman, son of King Sharaman. But as regards Princess Budur, daughter of King Gaiyur, lord of the aisles and the seven palaces, when the two gins bore her up and laid her on her bed, she slept till daybreak, when she awoke and sitting upright looked right and left, but saw not the youth who had lain in her bosom. At this her vitals fluttered, her reason fled, and she shrieked a loud shriek which awoke all her slave-girls and nurses and duennas. They flocked into her,

and the chief of them came forward and asked, What aileth thee, O my lady? Answered the princess, O wretched old woman, where is my beloved, the handsome youth who lay last night in my bosom? Tell me whether he is gone. Now when the duena heard this, the light stockened in her sight, and she feared from her mischief with sorrow fright, and said to her, O my Lady Budour, What unseemly words are these? cried the princess,

Woe to thee, pestil and crone that thou art! I ask thee again, Where is my beloved? The goodly youth with the shining face And the slender form, the jetty eyes and the joined eyebrows, Who lay with me last night from supper-tide Until near daybreak.

She rejoined, By Allah, O my lady, I have seen no young man, nor any other. I conjure thee, carry not this unseemly jest too far, lest we all lose our lives, for perhaps the joke may come to thy father's ears, and who shall then deliver us from his hand? And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 29 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3.

Section 30, Volume 3 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 Linda Moro The Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 3, Section 30. When it was the one hundred and ninety-third night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the dweb spake the Lady Budur in these words, Allah upon me, O my lady, carry not this unseemly jest too far, for perhaps it may come to thy father's ears, and who shall then deliver us from his hand? The princess rejoined. In very sooth, a youth lay with me last night, one of the fairest faced of men,

exclaimed the duenna. Heaven preserved thy reason and deed. No one lay with thee last night. Thereupon the princess looked at her hand and finding Camaralzaaman's seal-ring on her finger instead of her own, said to her, woe to thee thou accursed, thou traitorous, wilt thou lie to me and tell him,

me that none lay with me last night, and swear to me a falsehood in the name of the Lord? Replied the duenna, by Allah, I do not lie to thee, nor have I sworn falsely. Then the princess was incensed by her words, and drawing a sword she had by her, she smote the old woman with it and slew her, whereupon the eunuch and the waiting women and the concubines cried out at her, and ran to her father, and without stay or delay, acquainted him with her case. So the king went to her and asked her, "'Oh, my daughter, what aileth thee!' And she answered,

"'Oh, my father, where is the youth who lay with me last night?' Then her reason fled from her head, and she cast her eyes right and left and rent her raiment even to the skirt. When her sire saw this, he bade the women lay hands on her, so they seized her and manacled her, then putting a chain of iron about her neck made her fast to one of the palace windows,

and there left her. Thus far concerning Princess Budur, but as regards her father, King Gaiur, the world was straightened upon him when he saw what had befallen his daughter, for that he loved her and her case was not a little grievous to him. So he summoned on it the doctors and astrologers and men skilled in talisman writing and said to them, "'Whoso healeth my daughter of what ill she hath, I will marry him to her and give him half of my kingdom. But who so cometh to her and cureth her not, I will strike off his head and hang it over her palace gate.' Accordingly, all who went into her but failed to heal her, he beheaded and hung their heads over the palace gates, till he had beheaded on her account forty doctors and crucified forty astrologers. Wherefore the general held the loop from her, all the physicians having failed to medicine her malady, and her case was a puzzle to the men of science and the adepts and cabalistic characters.

And as her longing and passion redoubled and love and distraction were sore upon her, she poured forth tears and repeated these couplets. My fondness, O my moon, for thee my foeman is, And to thy comradeship the nights my thought compel. In gloom I bide with fire that flames below my ribs, Whose low I make comparison with heat of hell. I'm plagued with the sorest stress of pine and ecstasy, Nor clearest noontide can that horrid pain dispel.

Then she sighed and repeated these also. salams from me to friends and every stead Indeed to all dear friends do I incline Salams but not salams that bid ad you Salams that growth of good for you design I love you dear indeed nor less your land But bide I far from every need of mine And when the lady Boudur ceased repeating her poetry

She wept till her eyes waxed sore and her cheeks changed form and hue and in this condition she continued three years. Now she had a foster brother by name Marzawan, who was traveling in far lands and absent from her the whole of this time. He loved her with an exceeding love, passing the love of brothers. So when he came back he went into his mother and asked for his sister the Princess Budur. She answered him, Oh, my son, thy sister hath been smitten with madness

and have passed these three years with a chain of iron about her neck. And all the physicians and men of science have failed of healing her. When Marzawan heard these words, he said, I must needs go into her, peradventure I may discover what she hath, and be able to medicine her. And his mother replied, Needs must thou visit her, but wait till tomorrow that I may contrive something to suit thy case.

Then she went afoot to the palace of the Lady Boudur, and accosting the eunuch in charge of the gates, made him a present and said to him, I have a daughter who was brought up with thy mistress, and since then I married her, and when that befell the princess which befell her, she became troubled and sore concerned, and I desire of thy favor that my daughter may go into her for an hour and look on her, and then return when she came, so shall none know of it. Quote the eunuch, this may not be except by night after the king have visited his child and gone away,

then come thou and thy daughter. So she kissed the eunuch's hand, and returning home waited till tomorrow at nightfall, and when it was time she arose and sought her son Marzawan, and attired him in women's apparel, then taking his hand in hers led him toward the palace, and ceased not walking with him till she came upon the eunuch after the sultan had ended his visit to the princess. Now when the eunuch saw her, he rose to her and said, Enter, but do not prolong thy stay. So they went in, and when Marzawan beheld the lady in the aforesaid plight, he saluted her, after his mother had doffed his woman's garb.

Then he took out of their satchel books he had brought with him, and lighting a wax candle he began to recite certain conjurations. Thereupon the princess looked at him, and recognizing him said, Oh, my brother, thou hast been absent on thy travels and thy news have been cut off from us, he replied, true, but Allah hath brought me back safe and sound, and I am now mind it set out again, nor hath aught delayed me but the news I hear of thee, wherefore my heart burned for thee and I came to thee, so happily I may free thee of thy malady. She rejoined, O my brother, thinkest thou it as madness aileth me? Yes, answered he, and she said, Not so by alloth, tis even as saith the poet. Quoth they, thou ravesst on him thou lovest,

Quoth I, the sweets of love are only for thinsane. Love never maketh time his friend be friend. Only the gin-struck white such boon can gain. Well, yes, I'm mad. Bring him who maddened me, and if he cure my madness, blame restrain. Then she let Marzawan know that she was loved at, and he said, Tell me concerning thy tale and what befell thee. Happily there may be in my hand something which shall be a means of deliverance,

for thee. And Shad Hasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and ninety-fourth night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Marzawan thus addressed Princess Budur. Tell me concerning thy tale and what befell thee. Happily a law may inspire me with a means of deliverance for thee, quoth she, O my brother, hear my story which is this. One night I, I awoke from sleep in the last third of the night, and sitting up saw by my side the handsomest of youths that be, and tongue faileth to describe him, for he was as a willow wand, or an Indian rattan cane. So me thought it was my father who had done on this wise, in order to thereby

try me, for that he had consulted me concerning wedlock when the king sought me of him to wife, and I had refused. It was this, though, withheld me from arousing him, for I feared that, If I did ought of embraced him, he would peradventure inform my father of my doings. But in the morning I found on my finger his seal ring in place of my own, which he had taken. And, oh, my brother, my heart was seized with love of him at first sight, and for the violence of my passion and longing I have never savored the taste of sleep, and have no occupation save weeping away and repeating verses night and day. And this, O my brother, is my story, and the same.

the cause of my madness. Then she poured forth tears and repeated these couplets. Now love hath banished all the bread delight. With that heart nibbling fawn my joys took flight. Lightest of trifles lover's blood to him who waste the vitals of the hatless white. For him I'm jealous of my sight and thought. My heart expi upon my thought and sight. Those long-lashed eyelids rain on me their shafts, guileful, destroying hearts where'er they light. Now, while my portion in the world endures, shall I behold him ere I quit world's sight? What bear I for his sake I'd hide, but tears betray my feelings to despise despite. When near our union seemeth ever far, when far my thoughts to him, I nearest are.

And presently she continued, See then, O my brother, how thou mayst aid me in mine affliction. So Marzawan bowed his head groundwards a while, wondering and not knowing what to do. Then he raised it and said to her, All thou hast spoken to me I hold to be true, though the case of the young man pass my understanding. But I will go round about all lands and will seek for what may heal thee.

Happily Allah shall appoint thy healing to be at all. my hand. Meanwhile, take patience and be not disquieted. Thereupon Marzawan farewelled her, praying that she might be constant, and left her repeating these couplets. Thine image ever accompanies my sprite, for all thou art distant from the pilgrim's sight. My heart wishes ere attract thee near. What is the lightning speed to thought swift flight? then go not thou my very light of eyes which when thou art gone lack all the coal of light then marzawan returned to his mother's house where he passed the night and when the morrow dawned having equipped himself for his journey he fared forth and ceased not faring from city to city and from island to island for a whole month till he came to a town named altairab there he went about scenting news of the town's folk so happily he might light on a cure for the princess's malice For in every capital he entered or passed by, it was reported that Queen Boudur, daughter of King Gaiyur, had lost her wits.

But arriving at Altarab City, he heard that Kamar al-Zaman, son of King Shachiman, was fallen sick and afflicted with melancholy madness. So Marzawan asked the name of the prince's capital, and they said to him, It is on the islands of Khalidan, and it lieth distant from our city a whole month's journey by sea, but by land it is six months' march. So he went down to the sea in a ship which was bound for the Halidon Isles, and she sailed with a favoring breeze for a whole month till they came in sight of the capital. And there remained for them but to make land when, behold, there came out on them a tempestuous wind which carried away the mass and rent the canvas, so that the sails fell

into the sea and the ship capsized with all on board. And Shad hazzad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and ninety-fifth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the ship capsized with all on board, each sought his own safety, and as for Marzawan, the set of the sea carried him under the king's palace, wherein was Khmer al-Zaman. And by the decree of destiny it so happened that this was the day on which King Shahemann gave audience to his grandees and high officers, and he was sitting with his son's head on his lap, whilst a eunuch fanned away the flies, and the prince had not spoken, neither had he eaten nor drunk for two days, and he was grown thinner than a spindle. Now the wazir was standing

respectfully afoot near the latticed window giving on the sea, and raising his eyes saw Marzawan being beaten by the billows and at his last gasp, whereupon his heart was moved to pity for him. So he drew near to the king, and moving his head toward him, said, I crave thy leave, O king, to go down to the court of the pavilion and open the water gate, that I may rescue a man who is at the point of drowning in the sea, and bring him forth of danger into deliverance. Per adventure on this account, Allah may free thy son of what he hath. The king replied, O that wazir, enough is that which hath befallen my son through thee and on thine account. Happily if thou rescue this drowning man, he will come to know our affairs,

and look on my son who is in this state and exalt over me. But I swear by Allah that if this half-drowned wretch come hither and learn of our condition and look upon my son, and then fare forth and speak of our secrets to any, I will assuredly strike off thy head before his. For thou, O my minister, art the cause of all that hath betided us, first and last. now do as thou wilt thereupon the wazir sprang up and opening the private pasture in which gave upon the sea descended to the causeway then walked on twenty steps and came to the water where he saw marzawan nigh unto death So he put out his hand to him, and catching him by his hair, drew him ashore in a state of insensibility, with belly full of water and eyes half out of his head. The wazir waited till he came to himself, when he pulled off his wet clothes and clad him in a

fresh suit, covering his head with one of his servant's turbans, after which he said to him, Know that I have been the means of saving thee from drowning. Do not thou requite me by causing my death and thine own. And Shad Hasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and ninety-sixth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the wazir did to Marzawan what he did, He thus addressed him, Know that I have been the cause of saving thee from drowning,

so requite me not by causing my death and thine own. Asked Marzawan, and how so? And the wazir answered, thou art at this hour about to go up and pass among emirs and wazirs, all of them silent and none speaking because of Kamar al-Zaman, the son of the sultan. Now when Marzawan heard the name of Kamar al-Zaman, he knew that this was he whom he had heard spoken of in sundry cities, and of whom he had come in search.

But he feigned ignorance and asked the wazir, And who is Kamar al-Zaman? Answered the minister, He is the son of Sultan Shahreman, and he has. is sore sick and lieth strewn on his couch restless alway, eating not nor drinking, neither sleeping night nor day. Indeed, he is nigh upon death, and we have lost hope of his living, and are certain that he is dying. Beware lest thou look too long on him, or thou look on any other than that where thou setst thy feet, else thou art a lost man, and I also. He replied,

Allah upon me, O wazir, I implore thee of thy favor. Acquaint me touching this youth thou describest. What is the cause of the condition in which he is? The wazir replied, I know none, save that three years ago his father required him to wed, but he refused, whereat the king was wroth and imprisoned him. And when he awoke on the morrow he fancied that during the night he had been roused from sleep and had seen by his side a young lady of passing loveliness,

whose charms tongue can never express, and he assured us that he had plucked off her seal-ring from her finger, and had put it on his own, and that she had done likewise. But we know not the secret of all this business. So by Allah, O my son, when thou comest up with me into the palace, look not on the prince, but go thy way, for the sultan's heart is full of wrath against me. So said Marzawan to himself, By Allah, this is the one I sought. Then he followed the wazir, up to the palace, where the minister seated himself at the prince's feet. But Marzawan found forsooth nothing to do but go up to Kamar al-Zaman and stand before him at gaze. Upon this the wazir died of a fright in his skin, and kept looking at Marzawan and

signaling him to wend his way, but he feigned not to see him, and gave not over-gazing upon Kamar al-Zaman, till he was well assured that it was indeed he whom he was seeking. And Shah-hassad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased. to say her permitted say. End of Section 30 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 31, Volume 3, of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visitlibrovox.org.

Recording by Rebecca Case. Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 31. When it was the 197th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Marzawan looked upon Kamar al-Zaman, and knew that it was indeed he whom he was seeking, he cried, Exalted be Allah,

who hath made his shape, even as her shape, and his complexion as her complexion, and his cheek as her cheek. Upon this, Kamar al-Zaman opened his eyes and gave earnest ear to his speech, and, when Marzawan saw him inclining to hear, he repeated these couplets. I see thee full of song, and plaint and love's own ecstasy, delighting in describing all the charms of loveliness. Art smit by stroke of love, or hath shaft-shot wounded thee, none save the wounded ever show of such signals of distress. Ho thou, crown the wine cup, and sing me singular.

Praises to Salama, all Rabab. Tanum addressed. Go round the grapevine sun, which for mansion hath ajar. Whose east the cup-boy is, and hear my mouth that oaps for west. I'm jealous of the very clothes that dare her sides and roll. when she veils her dainty body, the delicatist grace. I envy every goblet of her lips that taketh toll when she sets the kissing cup on that sweetest kissing place.

But deem not by the keen-edged scimitar I'm slain, the hurts and harms I dree are from arrows of her eyes. I found her fingertips, as I met her once again, deep reddened with the juice of the wood that ruddy dies, And cried, Thy palms thou stainedest when far away was I, And this is how thou payest one distracted by his pine. Quoth she, and kindled in my heart a flame that burned high,

Speaking as one who cannot hide of longing love the sign. By thy life, this is no dye used for dying. so forbear thy blame, nor in charging me with falsing love persist. But when upon our parting day I saw these haste to fare, the while were bared my hand and my elbow and my wrist, I shed a flood of blood-red tears, and with fingers brushed away. Hence blood-reddened were the tips and still blood-red they remain. Had I wept before she wept to my longing love,

a prey. Before repentance came, I had quit my soul of pain. But she wept before I wept, and I wept to see her care, and I said, All the merit to precedent. Blame me not for loving her, nor on self of love I swear. For her sake, for her only, these pains my soul torment. She hath all the lair of Lukeman and Yousef's beauty leaf, sweet singer David's voice, and Miriam's chastity. While I've all Jacob's mourning and Jonah's prison grief and the sufferings of Job and old Adam's history, yet kill her not, albeit of my love for her I die. But ask her why my blood to her was lawful. Ask her why. When Mars away, Rewan recited this ode, The words fell upon Kamar al-Zaman's heart as freshness after fever and returning health. And he sighed and, turning his tongue in his mouth, said to his sire, O my father,

let this youth come and sit by my side. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of the day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 198th night, she said, preached me, O auspicious king, that Camar al-Zaman said to his sire, O my father, allow this youth to come and sit by my side. Now when the king heard these words from his son, he rejoiced with exceeding joy, though at the first his heart had been set against Marzawan, and he had determined that the stranger's head needs must be stricken off. But when he heard Camar al-Zaman speak, his anger left him,

and he arose and drawing Marzawan to him, seated him by his son, and turning to him said, Praise'd be Allah for thy safety. He replied, Allah preserve thee, and preserve thy son to thee, and call down blessings on the king. Then the king asked, From what country art thou? And he answered, From the islands of the inland sea, the kingdom of King Gahir, Lord of the Isles and the Seas and the Seven Palaces. Quoth King Scheheraman, Maybe thy coming shall be blessed to my son,

And all about safe to heal what is in him. Quoth Marzawan, Inshallah, naught shall be save what shall be well. Then turning to Kamar al-Zaman, He said to him in his ear, Unheard of the king and his court, O my lord, be of good cheer, And hearten thy heart,

And let thine eyes be cool and clear, And with respect to her, For whose sake thou art thus, Ask not of her case on thine account. But thou keepest thy secret and fellest sick, While she told her secret, And they said she had gone mad. So she is now in prison,

With an iron chain about her neck, In most piteous plight. But, Allah willing, The healing of both of you shall, come from my hand. Now when Kamar al-Zaman heard these words, his life returned to him and he took heart and felt a thrill of joy and signed to his father to help him sit up. And the king was like to fly for gladness and rose hastily and lifted him up. Presently, of his fear for his son, he shook the kerchief of dismissal. And all the Imars and wazirs withdrew. Then he set two pillows for his son

to lean upon, after which he bade them perfume the palace with saffron, and decorate the city, saying to Marzawan, by Allah, O my son, of a truth, thine aspect be a lucky and a blessed. And he made as much of him as he might, and called for food, and when they brought it, Marzawan came up to the prince and said, Rise, eat with me. So he obeyed him and ate with him, and all the while the king invoked blessings on Marzawan and said, How auspicious is thy coming, oh my son? And when the father saw his boy eat, his joy and gladness redoubled,

and he went out and told the prince's mother in all the household. Then he spread throughout the palace the good news of the prince's recovery, and the king commanded the decoration of the city, and it was a day of high festival. Marzawan passed that night with Kumar Al-Zaman, and the king also slept with them in jane. joy and delight for his son's recovery. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. When it was the one hundred and ninety-ninth night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that King Scheheroman also passed that night with them, in the excess of his joy for his son's recovery. And when the next morning dawned, and the king had gone away and the two young men were left alone, Kamar al-Zaman told his story from beginning to end to Marzawan who said, In very sooth I know her with whom thou didst forgather. Her name is the Princess Budur, and she is daughter to King Kahayur. Then he related to him all that had passed with the princess, from first to last, and acquitted him with the excessive love she bore him, saying,

All that befell thee with thy father hath befallen her with hers, and thou art without doubt her beloved, even as she is thine. So brace up thy resolution and take heart, for I will bring thee to her, and unite you both anon, and deal with you even as saith the poet. Obey to lover adverse be his love, and show aversion how so may he care.

Yet will I manage that their persons meet, Ian as the pivot of a scissors pair. And he cease not to comfort and solace and encourage Kamar al-Zaman and urged him to eat and drink till he ate food and drank wine and life returned to him and he was saved from his ill case and Marzawan cheered him and diverted him with talk and songs and stories and in good time he became free of his disorder and stood up and sought to go to the hamam so Marzawan took him by the hand and both went to the bath where they washed him their bodies and made them clean. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted

say. When it was the two hundredth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Kamar al-Zaman, son of King Scheheraman, went to the haman, his father and his joy at this event freed the prisoners, and presented splendid dresses to his grandees, and bestowed large alms' gifts upon the poor, and they decorate the city seven days. Then quoth Marzwan to Kamar al-Zaman. No, O my lord, that I came not from the Lady Budur save for this purpose, and the object of my journey was to deliver her from her present case.

And it remaineth for us only to devise how we may get to her, since thy father cannot brook the thought of parting from thee. So it is my counsel, that to-morrow thou ask us leave to go abroad, hunting. Then do thou take with thee a pair of saddlebags full of money and mount a swift steed, and lead a spare horse, and I will do the like, and say to thy sire, I have a mind to divert myself with hunting the desert and to see the open country, and there to pass one night. Suffer not any servant to follow us, for as soon as we reach the open country, we will go our ways. Kamar al-Zaman rejoiced in this plan with great joy and cried,

It is good. Then he stiffened his back, and, going into his father, sought his leave, and spoke as he had been taught, and the king consented to his going forth a hunting, and said, Oh, my son, blessed be the day that restoreth thee to hell, I will not gain say in this, but pass not more than one night in the desert, and return to me on the morrow, for thou knowest that life is not good to me without thee, and indeed I can hardly believe thee to be wholly recovered from what thou hadest, because thou art to me as he of whom quoth the poet, I'll be by me I had through day and night Solomon's carpet and the Crois might Both were in value less than wing of gnat Unless these ein could hold the eye in sight

Then the king equipped his son Kamar Alzaman and Marzawan For the excursion Bidding make ready for them four horses Together with a dromedary To carry the money and a camel to bear the water and belly timber. And Kamar al-Zaman forbade any of his attendants to follow him. His father farewelled him and pressed him to his breast and kissed him, saying, I ask thee in the name of Allah, be not absent from me more than one night, wherein sleep

will be unlawful to me, for I am even as saith the poet. Thou present, in the heaven of heavens I dwell. bearing thine absence is of hell's my hell pledged be for thee my soul if love for thee be crime my crime is of the fellest fell does love lo burn thy heart as burns it mine doomed night and day gahenna fire to smell answered kamar alzaman oh my father inshallah i will lie abroad but one night then he took leave of him and he and marzawan made he and marzawan mounted, and leading the spare horses, the Drummondary with the money, and the camel with the water and victual, turned their faces towards the open country, and Scheherazade perceived the dawning day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and first night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Kamar al-Zaman and Marzawan ferried forth,

and turned their faces toward the open country, and they traveled from the first of the day till nightfall, when they halted and ate and drank and fed their beasts and rested a while, after which they again took horse and ceased not journeying for three days, and on the fourth they came to a spacious tract wherein was a thicket. They alighted in it, and Marzawan, taking the camel in one of the horses, slaughtered them, and cut off their flesh and stripped their bones. Then he doffed from Kamar al-Zaman his shirt and trousers, which he smeared with the horse's blood, and he took the prince's coat, which he tore to shreds, and befouled with gore. And he cast them down in the fork of the road. Then they ate and drank, and mounting set

forward again. And, when Kamar al-Zamon asked why this was done, and said, What is this, oh, my brother, and how shall it profit us? Marzawan replied, know that thy father when we have outstayed the second night after the night from which we had his leave and yet we return not will mount and follow in our track till he come hither and when he happeneth upon this blood which i have spilled and he seeth thy shirt and trousers rent and gore fouled he will fancy that some accident befell thee from band'nance or wild beasts and he will give up hope of thee and return to his city and by this device we shall win our wishes. Quoth Camar al-Zaman, By Allah, this be indeed a rare device. Thou hast done right well.

Then the two fared on days and nights, and all that while Kamar al-Zamon did not but complain when he found himself alone, and he ceased not weeping till they drew near their journey's end, when he rejoiced and repeated these verses. Will tyrant play with truest friend Who thinks of thee each hour And after showing love desire

Betray indifference May I forfeit every favor If in love I falsed thee If thee I left Abandoned me by way of recompense But I've been guilty of no crime Such harshness to deserve And if I ought offended thee

I bring my penitence Of fortune's wonders one, it is thou hast abandoned me, but fortune never wearieth of showing wonderments. When he had made an end of his verses, Marzawan said to him, Look, these be king Gahir's islands, whereat Kamar al-Zaman joyed with exceeding joy,

and thanked him for what he had done, and kissed him between the eyes and strained him, and Scheherasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. when it was the two hundred and second night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Marzawan said, Look, these be the islands of King Gahoyur.

Kamar al-Zaman joyed with exceeding joy, and thanked him for what he had done, and kissed him between the eyes and strained him to his bosom. And after reaching the islands and entering the city, they took up their lodging in a kahan, where they rested three days from the fatigues of their wayfar. after which Marzawan carried Kamar al-Zaman to the bath and, clothing him in merchant's gear, provided him with a geomantic tablet of gold, with a set of astrological instruments,

and with an astrolabe of silver plated with gold. Then he said to him, Arise, O my lord, and take thy stand under the walls of the king's palace and cry out, I am the ready reckoner, I am the scriveneer, I am he who weateth the sought and the seeker. I am the finished man of science. I am the astrologer accomplished in experience. Where then is he that seeketh?

As soon as the king heareth this, he will send after thee, and carry thee in to his daughter the Princess Padua, thy lover. But when about going in to her, do thou say to him, grant me three days to lay, and if she recover, give her to me to wife. and if not, deal with me as thou dealest with those who forewent me. He will assuredly agree to this, so as soon as thou art alone with her, discover thyself to her, and when she seeth thee, she will recover strength, and her madness will cease from her, and she will be made whole in one night.

Then do thou give her to eat and drink, and her father, rejoicing in her recovery, will marry thee to her and share his kingdom with thee. for he hath imposed on himself this condition, and so peace be upon thee. Now when Kumar Al-Zaman heard these words, he exclaimed, May I never lack thy benefits, and, taking the set of instruments for said, sallied forth from the caravanseri in the dress of his order. He walked on till he stood under the walls of King Gahayur's palace, where he began to cry out saying,

I am the scribe, I am the ready reconer, I am he who knoweth the sought and the seeker, I am he who openeth the volume, and summeth up the sums, who dreams can expound whereby the sought is found. Where then is the seeker? Now when the city people heard this, they flocked to him, for it was long since they had seen scribe or astrologer, and they stood round him, and, looking upon him, they saw one in the prime of beauty and grace and perfect elegance, and they marvelled at his loveliness and his fine stature and symmetry.

Presently, one of them accosted him and said, Allah upon thee, O thou fair and young, with the eloquent tongue, incur not this affray, nor throw thy life away in thine ambition to marry the Princess Boudur. only cast thine eyes upon yonder heads hung up all their owners have lost their lives in this same venture yet kamar alzaman paid no heed to them but cried out at the top of his voice saying i am the doctor the scriveneer i am the astrologer the calculator and all the townsfolk forbade him from this but he regarded them not at all saying in his mind none knoweth desire save whoso suffereth it. Then he began to again to cry his loudest, shouting, I'm the scriveneer, I am the astrologer. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 31 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3.

Section 32, Volume 3 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. Recording by Catherine. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 32. When it was the 203rd night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Camar al-Zaman, in no wise, heeded the words of the citizens, but continued to cry out,

I am the calculator, I am the astrologer. Thereupon all the townsfolk were wroth with him, and said to him, Thou art nothing but an imbecile, silly, self-willed lad, have pity on thine own youth, and tender years, and beauty and loveliness. But he cried all the more,

I am the astrologer, I am the calculator, is there anyone that seeketh? As he was thus crying, and the people forbidding him, behold, King Gaiur heard his voice and the clamour of the lieges, and said to his wazir, go down and bring me yon astrologer.

So the wazir went down in haste, and, taking Kamar al-Zaman from the midst of the crowd, led him up to the wazir. to the king, and when in the presence, he kissed the ground and began versifying. Eight glories meet, all all conjoined in thee, whereby may fortune I thy servant be. Lair, lordliness, grace, generosity, plain words, deep meaning, honor, victory. When the king looked upon him, he seated him by his side, and said to him, by Allah my son

And thou be not an astrologer Venture not thy life Nor comply with my condition For I have bound myself That whoso goeth into my daughter And healeth her not Of that which hath befallen her I will strike off his head

But whoso heeleth her Him I will marry to her So let not thy beauty and loveliness delude thee For by Allah and again by Allah, if thou cure her not, I will assuredly cut off thy head. And Kumar al-Zaman replied, This is thy right, and I consent, for I wot of this heir came I hither.

Then King Gaiur took the kazis to witness against him, and delivered him to the eunuch, saying, carry this one to the Lady Budur. So the eunuch took him by the hand, and led him along the passage. But Kamar al-Zaman outstripped him and pushed on before, whilst the eunuch ran after him, saying, Woe to thee! Hasten not to thine own ruin! Never yet saw I astrologers so eager for his proper destruction, but thou weatest not what calamities are before thee. Thereupon Kamar al-Zaman turned away his face from the eunuch, and Shah Razed perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and fourth night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the eunuch thus addressed Kamar al-Zaman, patience and no indecent hurry! The prince turned away his face, and began repeating these couplets. A sage, I feel a fool before thy charms, distraught, I wot not what the words I say, if I say son, away thou dost not pass, from eyes of me, while sons go down with day, thou hast completed beauty, in whose praise speech-makers fail, and talkers lose their way. Then the eunuch stationed Camar al-Zamon, behind the curtain of the princess's door, and the prince said to him, which of the two ways will please thee more, treat and cure thy lady from here, or go in and heal her, with her.

the curtain. The eunuch marveled at his words and answered, Unthou heal her from here, it were better proof of thy skill. Upon this, Kamar al-Zaman sat down behind the curtain, and, taking out ink-case, pen, and paper, wrote the following. This is the writ of one whom passion swayeth, and whom longing way layeth, and wakeful misery slayeth, one who despaireth of living, and looketh for not but dying, with whose morning heart, nor comforter nor helper, taketh part, one whose sleepless eyes, none succoreth from anxieties, whose day is passed in fire, and his night in torturing desire, whose body is wasted for much emaciation, and no messenger from his beloved bringeth him

consolation. And after this he indicted the following couplets. I write with heart, devoted to thy thought, and eyelids chafed by tears of blood they bled, and body-clad, by loving pine and pain, in shirt of leanness, and worn down to thread. To thee complain I of love's tormentory, which ousted hapless patience from her stead. At twas, show favour, and some might, mercy, Dane, for passion's cruel hands, my vital shred. And beneath his lines, he wrote these cadenced sentences. The heart's pain is removed by union with the beloved, and whom so his lover paineth, only Allah assaineth.

If we or you have wrought deceit, may the deceiver win defeat. There is not goodlier than a lover who keeps faith with the beloved who works him scave. Then, by way of subscription, he wrote, From the distracted and despairing man, whom love and longing Tripan, From the lover under Passion's ban, The prisoner of transport and distraction,

From this Kamar al-Zaman, son of Shah Riemann, To the peerless one of the fair Aouris, the Pearl Union, To the Lady Boudur, daughter of King Al-Gayur. Know thou that by night I am sleepless, and by day in distress, consumed with increasing wasting in pain, and longing in love unfain,

abounding in sighs, with tear-flooded eyes, by passion captive ta'en, of desire the slain, with heart seared by the parting of us twain, the debtor of longing bane, of sickness cup companion, I am the sleepless one

who never closeth I, the slave of love, whose tears run never dry, for the fire of my heart is still burning, and never hidden is the flame of my yearning. Then on the margin, Kamar Alzaman wrote this admired verse, Salem from graces,

hordid by my lord, to her who holds my heart, and soul in hoard. And also these. Pray ye grant me some words from your lips be like, such mercy may comfort and cool these aine. From the stress of my love and my pine for you, I make light of what makes me despis'd in dine. Allah, guard of folk whose abode was far, and whose secret I kept in the holiest shrine. Now fortune in kindness have favoured me, thrown on the threshold dust of this love of mine. By me bedded I looked on Budur,

whose sun, the moon of my fortunes, hath made to shine. Then, having affixed his seal ring to the missive, he wrote these couplets in the place of a dress. Ask of my writ what wrote my pen in dole, and hear my tale of misery from this scroll. My hand is writing while my tears down flow, and to the paper plains my longing soul.

My tears cease not to roll upon this sheet, and if they stopped, I'd cause blood gouts to roll. And at the end he added this other verse, I've sent the ring off from thy finger bore, I, when we met, now deign my ring restore! Then Kamar al-Zaman set the lady Budur's ring inside the letter, and sealed it, and gave it to the eunuch, who took it and went in with it to his mistress.

And Shah Razzad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and fifth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Kamar al-Zaman, after setting the seal ring inside the epistle, gave it to the eunuch,

who took it and went in with it to his mistress. And, when the Lady Budur opened it, it, she found therein her own very ring. Then she read the paper, and when she understood its purport, and knew that it was from her beloved, and that he in person stood behind the curtain, her reason began to fly, and her breasts swelled for joy and rose high, and she repeated these couplets.

Long, long have I bewailed the severance of our loves, with tears that from my lids streamed down like burning rain, and vowed that, if the days deign reunite us too, my lips should never speak of severance again. Joy hath overwhelmed me so, that for the very stress of that which gladdens me to weeping, I am fain. Tears are become to you a habit, O my eyes,

so that ye weep as well for gladness as for pain. And having finished her verse, the Lady Budur stood up forthwith, and firmly setting her feet to the wall, strained with all her might upon the collar of iron, till she break it from her neck and snapped the chains. Then going forth from behind the curtain, she threw herself on Kamar al-Zaman,

and kissed him on the mouth, like a pigeon feeding its young. And she embraced him, with all the stress of her love and longing, and said to him, Oh, my lord, do I wake or sleep, and hath the Almighty indeed vouchsafe, us reunion after disunion.

Laud be to Allah, who hath our loves repaired, even after we despaired. Now when the eunuch saw her in this case, he went off running to King Gaiyur, and, kissing the ground before him, said, O my lord, know that this astrologer is indeed the shake of all astrologers, who are fools to him, all of them. For verily he hath cured thy daughter while standing behind the curse. and without going into her. Quoth the king, Look well to it, is this news true?

Answered the eunuch, O my lord, rise and come and see for thyself how she hath found strength to break the iron chains, and is come forth to the astrologer, kissing and embracing him. Thereupon the king arose and went into his daughter, who, when she saw him, stood up in haste and covered her head, and recited these two couplets. The toothstick, love I not, for when I say, siwak, I miss thee, for it sounds siwaka,

the caper tree I love, for when I say, Arak, it sounds, I look on thee, Aracha. Thereupon the king was so transported for joy at her recovery, that he felt like to fly and kissed her between the eyes, for he loved her with dearest love. Then, turning to Kamar al-Zaman, he asked him who he was, and said, What countrymen art thou? So the prince told him his name and rank, and informed him that he was the son of King Shah Riman, and pleasantly related to him, the whole story from beginning to end, and acquainted him with what happened between himself and the Lady Budur,

and how he had taken her seal-ring from her finger, and had placed it on his own, whereat Gaiu are marvelled and said, Verily, your story deserveth in books to be chronicled, and when you are dead and gone, age after age to be read. Then he summoned causies and witnesses forthright and married the Lady Budur to Prince Kamar al-Zaman, after which he bade decorate the city seven days long.

So they spread the tables with all manner of meats, whilst the drums beat and the criers announced glad tidings, and all the troops donned their richest clothes, and they illuminated the city and held high festival. Then Kamar al-Zaman went in to the Lady Budur, and the king rejoiced in her recovery and in her marriage, and praised Allah, for that he had made her to fall in love with a goodly youth of the sons of kings. So they unveiled her, and displayed the bride before the bridegroom, and both were the living likeness of each other in beauty and comeliness and grace and love allurement. Then Kamar al-Zaman lay with her that night and took his will of her,

while she in like manner fulfilled her desire of him and enjoyed his charms and grace, and they slept in each other's arms till the morning. On the morrow the king made a wedding feast, to which he gathered all comers from the islands of the inner and outer seas, and he spread the tables with choice-established. beyonds, nor ceased the banqueting for a whole month. Now when Kamar al-Zaman had thus fulfilled his will and attained his inmost desire, and when as he had tarried a while with the Princess Budur, he bethought him of his father, King Shariman, and saw him in a dream, saying,

Oh, my son, is it thus thou dealest with me? And recited in the vision these two couplets. Indeed, to watch the darkness moon he blighted me, And to stargaze through longsome night he plighted me, Easy my heart, for happily he'll unite with thee, And patience sprite, with what so ills he dight to thee. Now, after seeing his father in the dream, And hearing his reproaches, Kamar al-Zaman woke in the morning, afflicted and troubled,

Whereupon the Lady Budur questioned him, And he told her what he had seen. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased, saying her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and sixth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Kamar al-Zaman acquainted the lady Budur with what he had seen in his dream, she and he went into her sire, and, telling him what had passed, besought his leave to travel. He gave the prince the permission he sought, but the princess said,

Oh, my father, I cannot bear to be parted from him. Quoth the Gaiur, her sire, then go thou with him, and gave her leave to be absent a whole twelve-month, and afterwards to visit him in every year once. So she kissed his hand, and Kamar al-Zaman did the like. Thereupon King Gaiur proceeded to equip his daughter and her bridegroom for the journey,

and furnished them with outfit and appointments for the march, and brought out of his stables horses, marked with his own brand, blood dromedaries which can journey ten days without water, and prepared a litter for his daughter, besides loading mules and camels with victual. Moreover, he gave them slaves and eunuchs to serve them and all manner of traveling gear, and on the day of departure, when King Gaiyur took leave of Kamar al-Zaman,

he bestowed on him ten splendid suits of cloth, of gold, embroidered with stones of price, together with ten riding-horses and ten she-cammels, and a treasury of money. And he charged him to love and cherish his daughter, the Lady Budur. Then the king accompanied them to the farthest limits of his islands, where, going into his daughter, Budur and the litter, he kissed her and strained her to his bosom, weeping and repeating, O thou who wooest severance, easy fair, for love embrace belongs to lover friend. Fair softly, fortune's nature falsehood is, and parting shall love's every meeting end. Then, leaving his daughter, he went to her husband and bade him farewell and kissed him,

after which he parted from them, and, giving the order for the march, he returned to his capital with the troops. The prince and princess, and their suite, fared on without stopping, through the first day and the second, and the third and the fourth, nor did they cease faring for a whole month till they came to a spacious champagne abounding in pasturage, where they pitched their tents, and they ate and drank and rested,

and the Princess Budur lay down to sleep. Presently, Kamar al-Zamon went into her, and found her lying asleep, clad in a shift of apricot-colored silk, that showed all and everything, and on her head was a coiff of gold cloth, embroidered with pearls and jewels. The breeze raised her shift, which laid bare her navel, and showed her breasts, and displayed a stomach whiter than snow, each one of whose dimples would

contain an ounce of benzoh anointment. At this sight, his love and longing redoubled, and he began repeating, "'On word asked me when, by hellfire burnt, when flames of heart my vitals hold and hem, which wouldst thou chose? Say, wouldst thou rather, Them? Or drink sweet cooling draft? I'd answer, them. Then he put his hand to the band of her petticoat trousers, and drew it and loosed it, for his soul lusted after her, when he saw a jewel, red as dye-wood, made fast to the band. He untied it and examined it, and, seeing two lines of writing graven thereon, in a character not to be read, marvelled, and said in his mind, were not this Bezell something to her very dear

she had not bound it to her trousers band nor hidden it in the most privy and precious place about her person that she might not be parted from it would I knew what she clothed with this and what is the secret that is in it so saying he took it and went outside the tent to look at it in the light and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say

End of Section 32 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Recording by Catherine, Hong Kong, March 2010. Section 33, Volume 3 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 dot org the book of a thousand knights and a knight volume three section thirty three when it was the two hundred and seventh night she said it has reached me o auspicious king that when he took the bezel to look at it in the light the while he was holding it behold a bird swooped down on him and snatching the same from his hand flew off with it and then lighted on the ground.

Thereupon, Kamar al-Zaman, fearing to lose the jewel, ran after the bird, but it flew on before him, keeping just out of his reach, and ceased not to draw him on from dale to dale and from hill to hill till the night starkened, and the firmament darkened when it roosted on a high tree. So Kamar al-Zaman stopped under the tree, confounded in thought and faint for famine and fatigue, and giving himself up for lost, would have turned back, but knew not the way whereby he came, for that darkness had overtaken him. Then he exclaimed, there is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. and laying him down under the tree whereon was the bird slept till the morning when he awoke and saw the bird also wake up and fly away

he arose and walked after it and it flew on little by little before him after the measure of his faring at which he smiled and said by allah a strange thing yesterday this bird flew before me as fast as i could run And today, knowing that I have awoke tired and cannot run, he flies after the measure of my faring. By Allah, this is wonderful. But I must needs follow this bird whether it lead me to death or to life, and I will go wherever it goeth. For at all events it will not abide, save in some inhabited land. So he continued to follow the bird, which roosted every night upon a tree, and he ceased not pursuing it for a space of ten days, feeding on the fruits of the earth and drinking of its waters.

At the end of this time he came in sight of an inhabited city, whereupon the bird darted off like the glance of the eye, and entering the town disappeared. from Kamar Azaman, who knew not what it meant or whither it was gone. So he marvelled at this, and exclaimed, Praise be to Allah, who hath brought me in safety to this city. Then he sat down by a stream and washed his hands and feet and face, and rested a while. And recalling his late, easy and pleasant life of union with his beloved,

and contrasting it with his present plight of trouble and fatigue and distress, and strangerhood and famine and severance, the tears streamed from his eyes, and he began repeating these synchains. Fain had I hid thy handwork, but it showed. Changed sleep for wake, and wake with me abode. When thou did spurn my heart, I cried aloud, Fate, Hold thy hand, And cease to gird and goad, In dole and danger I, my sprite I spy.

And but the lord of love were just to me, Sleep from my eyelids, Nair were forced to flee. Pity, my lady, one for love thee, From his tribe's darling brought to low degree. Love came And doomed wealth Beger death to die The railers chide at thee I ne'er gain say But stop my ears

And dumbly sign them nay Thou loves de slender may Say they I say I've picked her out And cast the rest away Enough When fate descends She blinds man's eye

and as soon as he had finished his poetry and had taken his rest, he rose and walked on little by little till he entered the city, and Sharazard perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. Now when it was the two hundred and eight night, she said, It has reached me, O auspicious king, that as soon as Kamar al-Zaman had finished his poetry, and had taken his rest, he arose and entered the city gate, not knowing whether he should wend. He crossed the city from end to end, entering by the land gate, and ceased not faring

on till he came out at the sea-gate, for the city stood on the seashore. Yet he met not a single one of its citizens. And after issuing from the land-gate he fared forwards, and ceased not faring till he found himself among the orchards and gardens of the place, and passing among the trees presently came to a garden, and he stopped before its door, whereupon the keeper came out to him and saluted him. The prince returned his greeting, and the gardener bade him welcome, saying, "'Praised be Allah, that thou hast come off safe from the dwellers of this city. come into the garth ere any of the town folk see thee thereupon Khama al-Zaman entered that garden

wandering in mind and asked the keeper what may be the history of the people of this city and who may they be the other answered know that the people of this city are all magians but allah upon thee tell me how thou cameest to this city and what caused thy coming to our capital. Accordingly, Kamar al-Zaman told the gardener all that had befallen him from beginning to end, whereat he marvelled with great marvel and said, No, O my son, that the cities of al-Islam lie far from us, and between us and them is a four-months voyage by sea, and a whole twelve-months journey by land. We have a ship which, which, saileth every year with merchandise to the nearest Moslem country, and which entereth the

seas of the Ebony Islands, and thence maketh the Kalidun Islands, the dominions of King Shari-man. Thereupon Kamar al-Zaman considered a while, and concluded that he could not do better than abide in the garden with the gardener, and become his assistant, receiving for pay one-fourth of the produce. So he said to him, wilt thou take me into thy service to help thee in this garden? Answered the gardener, to here is to consent, and began teaching him to lead the water to the roots of the trees. So Kamar Azaman abode with him, watering the trees and hoeing up the weeds, and wearing a short blue frock which reached to his knees. And he was, Wept floods at tears, for he had no rest day or night by reason of his strangerhood,

and he ceased not to repeat verses upon his beloved, amongst others the following couplets. Ye promised us, and will you not keep plight, ye said a say, and shall not deed be dight. We wake for passion while ye slumber and sleep, watchers and wakers claim not, equal right. We vowed to keep our loves in secrecy, but spake the meddler, and you spoke forthright. O friend in pain and pleasure, joy and grief, in all case you, you only claim my sprite. Midfolk is one who holds my prisoned heart. Would he but show some ruth for me to sight? Not every eye like mine is wounded sore, Not every heart like mine love pining's blight.

Ye wronged me, saying love is wrong us, aye, Yea, ye were right, events have proved that quite. Forget they one love thawed, whose faith the world robs not, Though burn the fires in heart alight. If Anne Mine Phomann shall become my judge, Whom shall I sue to remedy his despite. Had not I need of love, nor love had sought, My heart for sure were not thus love distraught.

Such was the case with Kama al-Zaman, But as regards his wife, the Lady Budur, When she awoke, she sought her husband and found him not. Then she saw her petticoat trousers undone, for the band had been loosed and the bezel lost, whereupon she said to herself, By Allah, this is strange, where is my husband? It would seem as if he had taken the talisman and gone away, knowing not the secret which is in it.

Would to heaven I knew whither can he have wended? But it must needs have been some extraordinary matter that drew him away, for he cannot brook to leave me a moment. Allah cursed the stone, and damn it's hour. Then she considered a while, and said in her mind, If I go out and tell the varlets, and let them learn that my husband is lost, they will lust after me.

There is no help for it, but that I use stratagem. So she rose and donned some of her husband's clothes, and riding boots, and a turbaned like his, drawing one corner of it across her face for a mouth-vale. Then, setting a slave-girl in her litter, she went forth from the tent, and called to the pages who brought her Kamar al-Zaman's steed. And she mounted, and bade them load the beasts and resume the march. So they bound on the burdens and departed. And she concealed her trick, none doubting but she was Kamar al-Zaman, for she favoured him in face and form. Nor did she cease journeying, she and her sweet, days and nights, till they came in sight of a city overlooking the salt sea,

where they pitched their tents without the walls and halted to rest. The princess asked the name of the town, and was told, it is called the city of the city of the city. of ebony, its king is named Armanud's, and he hath a daughter Hayat al-Nufus height, and Sharazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. Now when it was the two hundred and ninth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Lady Budur halted within sight of the Ebony City to take her rest, King Armanus sent her messenger to learn what king it was who had encamped without his capital. So the messenger, coming to the tents, made inquiry anent their king,

and was told that she was a king's son who had lost the way, being bound for the Caledan Islands. Whereupon he returned to King Armanus with the tidings, and when the king heard them, he straightway rode out with the lords of his land to greet the stranger on arrival. As he drew near the tents, the Lady Boudur came to meet him on foot, whereupon the king alighted, and they saluted each other. Then he took her to the city, and bringing her up to the palace, Baddam spread the tables and trays of food, and commanded them to transport her company and baggage to the guest-house.

so they abode there three days at the end of which time the king came in to the lady budur now she had that day gone to the humum and her face shone as the moon at its full a seduction to the world and a rending of the veil of shame to mankind and armanus found her clad in a suit of silk embroidered with gold and jewels so he said to her oh my son know that i am a very old man decrepit with all and allah hath blessed me with no child save one daughter who resemblet thee in beauty and grace and i am now waxed unfit for the conduct of the state she is thine o my son and if this my land please thee and thou be willing to abide and make thy home here i will marry thee to her and give thee my kingdom and so be at rest when princess budur heard this she bowed her head and her forehead sweated for shame and she said to herself how shall i do and i a woman if i refuse and depart from him i cannot be safe but that happily he send after me troops to slay me and if i consent belike i shall be put to shame i have lost my beloved kamar al zaman and know not what is become of him nor can i escape from this scrape save by holding my peace and consenting and abiding here till allah bring about what is to be So she raised her head and made submission to King Armanus, saying,

Harkening and obedience. Whereat he rejoiced, and bade the Herald make proclamation throughout the Ebony Islands, to hold high festival and decorate the houses. Then he assembled his chamberlains and Nabobs and emirs and wazirs, and his offices of state, the kazis of the city, and formerly abdicating his sultanate, endowed Boudur therewith, and invested her in all the vestments of royalty. The emirs and grandees went into her and did her homage, nothing doubting but that she was a young man, and all who looked on her be pissed their bag trousers for the excess of her beauty and loveliness. Then after the lady Baudur

made sultan, and the drums had been beaten in announcement of the glad event, and she had been ceremoniously enthroned, King Armanus proceeded to equip his daughter Hayat al-Nufus for marriage, and in a few days they brought the Lady Budur into her, when they seemed as it were two moons risen at one time, or two sons in conjunction. So they entered the bridal chain, chamber, and the doors were shut, and the curtains let down upon them after the attendants had lighted the wax candles and spread for them the carpet bed. When Budur found herself alone with the Princess Hayata Nufus, she called to mind her beloved Kamar al-Zaman, and grief was sore upon her.

So she wept for his absence and distrangement, and she began repeating, O ye who fled and left my heart in pain, lowly in, No breath of life is found within this frame of mine. I have an eye which air complains of wake, but lo! Tears occupy it, would that wake content these iron? After ye marched forth the lover bowed behind, Question of him what pains your absence could design, But for the floods of tears

Mine eyelids rail and rain My fires would flame on high And every land calcine To Allah make I moan of loved ones Lost for I Who for my pine and pain No more shall pain and pine I never wronged them

Save that over love I nursed But love depot hearts us lovers into blessed and cursed. And when she had finished her repeating, the Lady Boudur sat down beside the Princess Hyatt Al Nufus and kissed her on the mouth, after which, rising abruptly, she made the minor ablution and betook herself to her devotion.

Nor did she leave praying till Hyatt Al Nufus fell asleep, when she slipped into bed and lay with her back to her till morning. And when day had broken, the king and queen came into their daughter, and asked her how she did, whereupon she told them what she had seen, and repeated to them the verses she had heard. Thus far concerning Hayat al-Nulfus and her father, but as regards Queen Boudur, she went forth and ceased,

herself upon the royal throne, and all the amiers and captains and officers of state came up to her and wished her joy of the kingship, kissing earth before her, and calling down blessings upon her, and she accosted them with smiling face, and clad them in robes of honour, augmenting the feasts of the high officials, and giving largesse to the levees. Therefore all the people loved her and offered up prayers for the long endurance of her reign, doubting not but that she was a man. And she ceased not sitting all day in the hall of audience, bidding and forbidding, dispensing justice, releasing prisoners and remitting the customers' dues till nightfall, when she withdrew

to the apartment prepared for her. she found Hyatt Al Nufus seated, so she sat down by her side, and clapping her on the back, coaxed and caressed her, and kissed her between the eyes, and fell toversifying in these couplets. What secret kept I these my tears have told, and my waist body must my love unfold, Though hid my pine, My plight on parting day, To every envious eye My secret sold. O ye who broke up camp, You've left behind, My spirit wearied, And my heart are cold. In my heart's core ye dwell, And now these iron-roll blood-drops with the tears they whileum rolled. The absent will I ransom with my soul

All can my yearning for their sight behold I have an eye Whose babe for love of thee Rejected sleep Nor hath its tears controlled The foeman bids me patient bear his loss Ne'er may mine ears accept the ruth he doled I tricked their deem of me and won my wish, of Kamar al-Zaman's joys manifold.

He joins all perfect gifts, like none before, boasted such might and main no king of old. Seeing his gifts, Bin Zahida's largesse, forgettwe and Muayua mildest sold. Were verse not feeble and or short the time, I had in Lord of him used all of rhyme. Then Queen Boudur stood up, and wiped away her tears, and, making the lesser ablution, applied her to pray. Nor did she give over praying till drowsiness overcame the Lady Hayat al-Nufus, and she slept. whereupon the Lady Boudur came and lay by her till the morning. At daybreak she arose and prayed the dawn prayer, and presently seated herself on the royal throne,

and passed a day in ordering and counter-ordering, and giving laws and administering justice. This is how it fared with her. But as regards King Armanus, he went into his daughter, and asked her how she did. So she told him all that had befallen her, and repeated to him the verses which Queen Boudur had recited, adding,

Oh, my father, never saw I one more abounding in sound sense and modesty than my husband, save that he doth nothing but weep and sigh. He answered, Oh, my daughter, have patience with him yet this third night. and if he go not in unto thee and do away thy maidenhead we shall know how to proceed with him and oust him from the throne and banish him the country and on this wise he agreed with his daughter what course he would take and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of Section 33. Section 34, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night,

translated by Richard Burton. This is a Librevox recording. All Libre of Ox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Leonard Wilson. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3, Section 34.

When it was the 210th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when King Armanus had agreed with his daughter on this wise, and had determined what course he would take, and night came on, Queen Boudur arose from the throne of her kingdom, and betaking herself to the palace, entered the apartment prepared for her. There she found the wax canning. lighted, and the Princess Hyatt Al Nufus seated and awaiting her.

Whereupon she bethought her of her husband, and what had betided them, both of sorrow and severance, in so short a space, she wept and sighed and groaned, groan upon grown, and began improvising these couplets. News of my love fill all the land, I swear, as sons on Gaza wold, rain heat and glare. Speaketh his jest but hard its sense to say, Thus never cease to grow my Cark and care. I hate fair patience since I loved thee. Air sawest lover hate for love to bear. A glance that dealt love sickness dealt me death. Glances are deadliest things with torments rare. He shook his love locks down and buried his chest.

whereby I spied his beauties dark and fair. My care, my cure, are in his hands, And he who cause their dolor, can their dull repair. His belt went daft for softness of his waist, His hips for envy to uprise forbear. His brow curl-diademed is murky night. Unvail it, and low, bright morn shows the brightest light. when she had finished her versifying she would have risen to pray but lo and behold haiat alnufus caught her by the skirt and clung to her saying o my lord art thou not ashamed before my father after all his favor to neglect me at such a time as this

when queen budor heard her words she sat down in the same place and said oh my beloved what is this thou sayest she replied, What I say is that I never saw any so proud of himself as thou. Is every fair one so disdainful? I say not this to incline thee to me. I say it only of my fear for thee from King Armandus, because he purposeth, unless thou go in unto me this very night

and do away my maidenhead, to strip thee of the kingship on the morrow and banish thee his king. kingdom, and peradventure his excessive anger may lead him to slay thee. But I, O my lord, have ruth on thee, and give thee fair warning, and it is thy right to wreck. Now when Queen Boudor heard her speak these words, she bowed her head groundwards a while in sore perplexity, and said in herself, If I refuse, I'm lost, and if I obey, I'm shamed. but i am now queen of all the ebony islands and they are under my rule nor shall i ever again meet my kamar al-zaman save in this place for there is no way for him to his native land but through the ebony islands

verily i know not what to do in my present case but i commit my care to allah who directeth all for the best for i am no man that i should arise and open this virgin girl Then quoth Queen Budur to Hyat Alnufus, O my beloved that I have neglected thee and abstained from thee is in my own despite. And she told her her whole story from beginning to end, and showed her person to her, saying, I conjure thee by Allah to keep my counsel, for I have concealed my case, only that Allah may reunite me with my beloved Kamar al-Zaman.

and then Kamhwat Bay. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 211th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Lady Budur acquainted Hayat al-Nufus with her history and bade her keep it secret, the princess heard her with extreme wonderment,

and was moved to pity. and prayed Allah to reunite her with her beloved, saying, Fear nothing, O my sister, But have patience till Allah bring to pass that which must come to pass. And she began repeating, None but the men of worth a secret keep, With worthy men a secrets hidden deep, As in a room, so secrets lie with me,

Whose door is sealed, locked shot, and lost the key. And when Hyat Alnufus had ended her verses, she said, O my sister, verily the breasts of the noble and brave, are of secrets, the grave. And I will not discover thine. Then they toyed and embraced and kissed, and slept till near the Muesin's call to dawn prayer, when Hyat Alnufus arose and took a pigeon-pote and cut its throat over her smock and besmeared herself with its blood. Then she pulled off her petticoat trousers

and cried aloud, whereupon her people hastened to her and raised the usual looly-luing and outcries of joy and gladness. Presently her mother came into her and asked her how she did, and busied herself about her, and abode with her till evening.

Whilst the Lady Badur arose with the dawn and repaired to the bath, and after washing herself pure, proceeded to the hall of audience, where she sat down on her throne and dispensed justice among the folk. Now when King Armandus heard the loud cries of joy, he asked what was the matter, and was informed of the consummation of his daughter's marriage, whereat he rejoiced and his breath swelled with gladness, and he made a great marriage feast, whereof the merry-making lasted a long time. Such was their case,

but as regards King Shardaman, it was on this wise. After his son had fared forth to the chase, accompanied by Marzawan, as before related, he tarried, patiently awaiting their return at nightfall. But when his son did not appear, he passed a sleepless night, and the dark hours were long, some upon him. His restlessness was excessive. His excitement grew upon him, and he thought the morning

would never dawn. But when day broke, he sat expecting his son and waited till noon. But he came not, whereat his heart forebode separation and was fired with fears for Kamar al-Zaman, and he cried, Alas, my son! And he wept till his clothes were drenched with. And he wept till his clothes were drenched with tears, and repeated with a beating heart. Love's votaries I ceased not to oppose, till doomed to taste love's bitter and love's sweet. I drained his rigor cup to very dregs, self-humbled at its slaves and freemen's feet. Fortune had sworn to part the loves of us. She kept her word how truly well I weat.

And when he ended his verse, he wiped away his tears. and bad his troops make ready for a march and prepare for a long expedition. So they all mounted and set forth, headed by the sultan, whose heart burnt with grief and was fired with anxiety for his son, Kamar al-Zaman. And they advanced by forced marches. Now the king divided his host into six divisions, a right wing and a left wing, a vanguard and a rearguard, and bade them rendezvous for the morrow at the crossroads.

Accordingly they separated and scoured the country all the rest of that day till night, and they marched through the night, and at noon of the ensuing day they joined company at the place where four roads met. But they knew not which the prince followed, till they saw the sign of torn clothes, incited shreds of flesh, and beheld blood still sprinkled by the way, and they noted every piece of the clothes and fragment of mangled flesh scattered on all sides. Now when King Charlemann saw this, he cried from his heartcore a loud cry, saying,

Alas, my son! And buffeted his face and plucked his beard and rent his raiment, doubting not, but his son was dead. Then he gave himself up to excessive weeping and wailing, and the troops also wept for his weeping, all being assured that Prince Camar al-Zaman had perished. They threw dust on their heads, and the knights surprised them shedding tears and lamenting till they were like to die. Then the king, with a heart on fire and with burning sighs, spoke these couplets. Chide not the mourner for be mourning woe, enough is.

yearning every ill to show. He weeps for stress of sorrow and of pain, and these to thee best evidence his low. Happy, of whom love sickness swore that ne'er should cease his eyelids, loving tears to flow. He mourns the loss of fairest, fullest moon, shining o'er all his peers and glorious glow. But death made drink a brimming cup. what day he fared from natal country feigned to go his home left he and went from us to grief nor to his brethren could he say adieu yea his loss wounded me with parting pangs and separation cost me many a throw he fared farewelling as he fared our eyes when as his lord vouchsafed him paradise And when King Shariman had ended his verses, he returned with the troops to his capital. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the two hundred and twelfth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when King Sharaman had ended his verses, he returned with the troops to his capital, giving up his son for lost, and deeming that wild beasts a banditti had set upon him and torn him to pieces, and made proclamation that all in the Caledan Islands should dawn black in mourning for him. Moreover, he built in his memory a pavilion, naming it House of Lamentations, and on Mondays and Thursdays he devoted himself to the business of the state, and ordering the affairs of his levies and lieges,

and the rest of the week he was wont to spend in the house of lamentations mourning for his son and bewailing him with elegiacic verses of which the following are some my day of bliss is that when thou appearest my day of bale is that where on thou fairest though through the night i quake in dread of death union with thee is of all bliss the day is of all bliss the And again he said, My soul be sacrifice for one Whose going afflicted hearts With suffering sore and dread Let joy her widowed term fulfill For I divorced joy

With the divorce thrice said Such was the case with King Sharaman But as regards Queen Boudor Daughter of King Gaior She abode as ruler in the Ebony Islands, whilst the folk would point to her with their fingers and say, Yandri is the son-in-law of King Armanus. And every night she lay with Hayat Al-Nufus, to whom she lamented her desolate state

and longing for her husband, Kamar al-Zaman, weeping and describing to her his beauty and loveliness, and yearning to enjoy him, though but in a dream. And at times she would repeat, Well, Allah, Watts, that since my severance from thee, I wept till forced to borrow tears at usury. Patience, by blamer, cried, Heartsees right soon shall see. Quoth I, say, blamer, where may home of patience be?

This is how it fared with Queen Boudur. But as regards Kamar al-Zaman, he abode with the gardener in the garden for no short, time, weeping night and day and repeating verses bewailing the past time of enjoyment and delight, whilst the gardener kept comforting him and assuring him that the ship would set sail for the land of the Muslims at the end of the year. And in this condition he continued, till one day he saw the folk crowding together and wondered at this. But the gardener came into him and said, O my son give overwork for this day

Nor lead water to the trees For it is a festival day Whereon folk visit one another So take thy rest And only keep thine eye on the garden Whilst I go look after the ship for thee For yet but a little while And I send thee to the land of the Muslims

Upon this he went forth from the garden Leaving to himself Kamar al-Zaman Who fell to music upon his his case till his heart was like to break and the tears streamed from his eyes. So he wept with excessive weeping till he swooned away. And when he recovered, he rose and walked about the garden, pondering what time had done with him and bewailing the long endurance of his estrangement and separation from those he loved. As he was thus absorbed in melancholy thought,

His foot stumbled and he fell on his face, his forehead striking against the projecting root of a tree, and the blow cut it open, and his blood ran down and mingled with his tears. Then he rose and wiping away the blood, dried his tears, and bound his brow with a piece of rag, then continued his walk about the garden, engrossed by sad reverie.

Presently he looked up at a tree, and saw two birds quarrelling thereon, and one of them rose up and smote the other with its beak on the neck and severed from its body its head, wherewith it flew away, whilst the slain bird fell to the ground before Kamar al-Zaman. As it lay, behold, two great birds swooped down upon it, alighting one at the head and the other at the tail,

and both drooped their wings and bowed their bills over, it and extending their necks towards it wept kamar al-zaman also wept when seeing the birds thus bewail their mate and call to mind his wife and father and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the two hundred and thirteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that Kamar al-Zaman wept and lamented his separation from spouse and sire when he beheld those two birds weeping over their mate. Then he looked at the twain and saw them dig a grave and therein bury the slain bird, after which they flew away far into the firmament and disappeared for a while. But presently they returned with the murderer bird and alighting on the grave of the murdered, stamped on the slayer till they had done him to death.

Then they rent his belly and tearing out his entrails, poured the blood on the grave of the slain. Moreover, they stripped off his skin and tear his flesh in pieces, pulling out the rest of the bowels and scattering them hither and thither. All this while, Kamar al-Zaman was watching them wonderingly, but presently, chancing to look at the place where the two birds had slain the third, he saw therein something gleaming, so he drew near to it and noted that it was the crop of the dead bird.

Whereupon he took it and opened it and found the talisman which had been the cause of his separation from his wife. But when he saw it and knew it, he fell to the ground a fainting for joy. And when he revived, he said, Praise to be Allah! This is a foretaste of good and a presage of reshage of reunion with my beloved.

Then he examined the jewel and passed it over his eyes, after which he bound it to his forearm, rejoicing and coming wheel, and walked about till nightfall, awaiting the gardener's return. And when he came not, he lay down and slept in his wanted place. At daybreak he rose to his work,

and girding his middle with a cord of palm fiber, took hatchet and basket and walked down the length of the garden till he came to a carob tree and struck the axe into its roots. The blow rang and resounded, so he cleared away the soil from the place and discovered a trap-door and raised it. And Shara-Zad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and fourteenth night, she said, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that when Kamar al-Zaman raised the trap-door, he found a winding stair, which he descended, and came to an ancient vault of the time of Ad and Tamud, hewn out of the rock. Round the vault stood

many brazen vessels of the bigness of a great oil-jar, which he found full of gleaming red gold, whereupon he said to himself, verily sorrow is gone and solace is come. Then he

mounted from the suitorraine to the garden and replacing the trap-doors as it was before busied himself in conducting water to the trees till the last of the day. When the gardener came back and said to him, O my son rejoice that the good tidings

have a speedy return to thy native land. The merchants are ready equipped for the voyage and the ship in three days' time will set sail for the city of Ebony which is the first of the cities of the Muslims, and after making it, thou must travel by land a six-months march

till thou come to the islands of Caledan, the dominions of King Sharriman. At this, Kamar al-Zaman rejoiced and began repeating, part not from one whose want is not to part from you, nor with your cruel taunts and innocent mortify. Another so long parted, had taken heart from you, and had his whole condition changed. But not so I.

Then he kissed the gardener's hand and said, Oh, my father, even as thou hast brought me glad tidings, so I also have great good news for thee, and told him anent his discovery of the vault, whereat the gardener rejoiced and said, Oh, my son, fourscore years have I dwelt in this garden, and have never hit on aught, while thou, who hast not sojourned with me a year,

has discovered this thing. Wherefore it is heaven's gift to thee, which shall end thy crosses, and aid thee to rejoin thy folk and foregather with her thou lovest. Quoth Kamar al-Zaman, there is no help but it must be shared between me and thee. Then he carried him to the underground chamber

and showed him the gold, which was in twenty jars. He took ten, and the gardener ten, and the old man said to him, O my son, fill thyself leather bottles with the sparrow olives which grow in this garden, for they are not found except in our land, and the merchants carry them to all parts. Lay the gold in the bottles, and strew it over with olives, then stop them and cover them, and take them with thee, the ship. So Kamar al-Zaman arose without stay or delay and took 50 leather bottles and stored in each somewhat of the gold and closed each one after placing a layer of olives over the gold, and at the bottom of

one of the bottles he laid the talisman. Then sat he down to talk with the gardener, confident of speedy reunion with his own people, and saying to himself, When I come to the evidence, the islands I will journey thence to my father's country and inquire for my beloved Budur. Would to heaven I knew whether she returned to her own land or journeyed on to my father's country, or whether there be felt her any accident by the way. And he began versifying, Love in my breast they lit and fared away, and far the land wherein my love is pent. Far lies the camp And those who camp therein

Far is her tent shrine Where I ne'er shall tent Patience far deaf me When from me they fled Sleep failed mine eyes Endurance was forspent They left and with them Left my every joy

Winding with them Nor find I peace that went They made these eyes roll down Love tears in flood, and lacking them design with tears are drent. When my taste spins once again would see them, When pine and expectation but augment, In my heart's core, their counterfeits I trace,

With love and yearning, to behold their grace. Then, while he awaited the end of the term of days, He told the gardener the tale of the birds, And what had passed between them, whereat the hearer wondered, and they both lay down and slept till the morning. The gardener awoke sick and abode thus two days, but on the third day his sickness increased on him till they despaired of his life, and Kamar al-Zaman grieved with sore grief for him.

Meanwhile, behold, the master and his crew came and inquired for the gardener, and when Kamar al-Zaman told him that he was sick, they asked, "'Where be the youth "'who is minded to go with us "'to the Ebony Islands?' "'He is your servant "'and standeth before you,'

"'answered the prince, "'and bade them carry the bottles "'of olives to the ship. "'So they transported them, "'say, make haste thou, "'for the wind is fair.' "'And he replied, "'I hear and obey.'

"'Then he carried his provant "'on board, "'and returning to bid the gardener farewell, found him in the agonies of death. So he sat down at his head and closed his eyes and his soul departed his body. Whereupon he laid him out

and committed him to the earth unto the mercy of Allah Almighty. Then he made for the ship but found that she had already weighed anchor and set sail. Nor did she cease to cleave the seas till she disappeared from his sight. So he went back to whence he came

heavy-hearted with whirling head, and neither would he address a soul nor return a reply. And reaching the garden and sitting down in carc and care, he threw dust on his head and buffeted his cheeks. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day

and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of Section 34 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Recording by Leonard Wilson, Springfield, Ohio. Section 35, Volume 3 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libravox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org.

recording by linda moro the book of a thousand knights and a night volume three section thirty five when it was the two hundred and fifteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the ship sped on her course kamar al-zaman returned to the garden in kark and care but anon he rent the place of its owner and hired a man to help him in irrigating the trees moreover he repaired the trap-door and he went to the underground chamber and bringing the rest of the gold to grass stowed it in other fifty bottles which he filled up with a layer of olives then he inquired of the ship and they told him that it sailed but once a year at which his trouble of mind redoubled and he cried sore for that which had betided him above all for the loss of the princess budur's talism and he spent his nights and days weeping and repeating verses. Such was his case, but as regards the ship, she sailed with a favoring wind till she reached the Ebony Islands. Now by decree of destiny, Queen Boudur was sitting at a lattice window overlooking the sea and saw the galley-cast anchor upon the strand.

At this sight her heart throbbed and she took horse with the Chamberlains and Nabobs and riding down to the shore halted by the ship, whilst the sailors broke bulk and bore the bales to the storehouses. After which she called the captain to her presence and asked what he had with him. He answered, Oh, king, I have with me in this ship, aromatic drugs and cosmetics and healing powders and ointments and plasters and precious metals and rich stuffs,

and rugs of Yemen leather, not to be born of mule or camel, and all manner of otters and spices and perfumes, in ambergris and camphor and sumatra aloeswood and tamarins and sparrow olives to boot such as are rare to find in this country when she heard talk of sparrow olives her heart longed for them and she said to the shipmaster how much of olives hast thou he replied fifty bottles full but their owner is not with us so the king shall take what he will of them quoth she bring them ashore that i may see them thereupon he called to the sail who brought her the fifty bottles, and she opened one, and looking at the olive, said to the captain, I will take the whole fifty and pay you their value, what so it be. He answered, by Allah, oh my lord, they have no value in our country. Moreover, their shipper tarried behind us, and he is a poor man. asked she, and what are they worth here? And he answered, a thousand dirhams.

I will take them at a thousand, she said, and bade them carry the fifty bottles to the palace. when it was night she called for a bottle of olives and opened it there being none in the room but herself in the princess hyatt al nufus then placing a dish before her she turned into it the contents of the jar when there fell out into the dish with the olives a heap of red gold and she said to the lady hyatt al nufus this is not but gold so she sent for the rest of the bottles and found them all full of precious metal and scarce enough olives to fill a single jar moreover she sought among the gold and found therein the talisman which she took and examined and behold it was that which kamar al-zaman had taken from off the band of her petticoat trousers thereupon she cried out for joy and slipped down in a swoon and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the two hundred and sixteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when king boudur saw the time talisman, she cried out for joy and slipped down in a swoon. And when she recovered, she said to herself, Verily, this talisman was the cause of my separation from my beloved Kamar al-Zaman, but now it is an omen of good. Then she showed it to Hayat al-Nufus, and said to her, this was the cause of disunion, and now,

please Allah, it shall be the cause of reunion. As soon as the day dawned, she seated herself on the royal throne and sent for the shipmaster, who came into the presence and kissed the ground before her. Quoth she, where didst thou leave the owner of these olives? Quoth he, O king of the age, we left him in the land of the Magians, and he is a gardener there. She rejoined, except thou bring him to me, thou knowest not the harm which awaiteth thee and thy ship. Then she bade them seal up the magazines of the merchants, and she said to them, verily the owner of these olives hath borrowed of me and i have a claim upon him for debt and unless ye bring him to me i will without fail do you all die and seize your goods so they went to the captain and promised him the hire of the ship if he would go and return a second time saying deliver us from this masterful tyrant accordingly the skipper embarked and set sail and allah decreed him a prosperous voyage till he came to the island of the magians and lighting by night went up to the garden

now the night was long upon kamar al-zaman and he sat bethinking him of his beloved and bewailing what had befallen him and versifying a knight whose stars refused to run their course a night of those which never seem outworn like resurrection day of longsome length to him that watched and waited for the morn now at this moment the captain knocked at the garden gate and kamar al-zaman opened and went out to him whereupon the crews seized him and went down with him on board the ship and set sail forthright and they ceased not voyaging days and nights whilst kamar al-zaman knew not why they dealt thus with him but when he questioned them they replied thou hast defended against the lord of the ebony islands the son-in-law of king armanus and thou hast stolen his monies miserable that thou art said he by allah i never entered that country nor do i know where it is however they fared on with him till they made the abenia islands and landing carried him up to the lady budur who knew him at sight and said leave him with the eunuchs that they may take him to the bath then she relieved the merchants of the embargo and gave the captain a robe of honor worth ten thousand pieces of gold and after returning to the palace she went in that night to the princess hyatt al nufus and told her what had passed saying keep thou my counsel till i accomplish my purpose and do a deed which shall be recorded and shall be read by kings and commoners after we be dead and gone and when she gave orders that they bear kamar al-zaman to the bath they did so and clad him in a royal habit so that when he came forth he resembled a willow bough or a star which shamed the greater and lesser light and its glow and his life and soul returned to his frame then he repaired to the palace and went into the princess budur

and when she saw him she schooled her heart to patience till she should have accomplished her purpose and she bestowed on him mamelukes and eunuchs camels and mules moreover she gave him a treasury of money and she ceased not advancing him from dignity to dignity till she made him lord high treasurer and committed to his charge all the treasures of the state and she admitted him to familiar favor and acquainted the emirs with his rank and dignity and all loved him for queen budur did not cease day by day to increase his allowances as for kamar al-zaman he was at a loss anent to the reason of her thus honoring him and he gave gifts of largesse out of the abundance of the wealth and he devoted himself to the service of king armanus so that the king and all the emirs and people great and small adored him and were wont to swear by his life nevertheless he ever marveled at the honor and favor shown him by queen boudur and said to himself By Allah, there needs must be a reason for this affection. Peradventure this king favoureth me not with these immoderate favors, save for some ill purpose, and therefore there is no help but that I crave leave of him to depart his realm.

So he went into Queen Boudur and said to her, O king, thou hast overwhelmed me with favors, but it will fulfill the measure of thy bounties if thou take from me all thou hast been pleased to bestow upon me, and permit me to depart. She smiled and asked, What maketh thee seek to depart and plunge into new perils, whereas thou art in the enjoyment of the highest favor and greatest prosperity?

Answered Kamar al-Zaman, O king, verily this favor, if there be no reason for it, is indeed a wonder of wonders, more by token that thou hast advanced me to dignities such as befit men of age and experience, albeit I am as it were a young child. And Queen Boudur rejoined, The reason is that I love thee for thine exceeding loveliness and thy surpassing beauty,

And if thou wilt but grant me my desire of thy body, I will advance thee yet farther in honor and favor and largesse, And I will make thee wazir, for all thy tender age, Even as the folk made me sultan over them, And I no older than thou. So that nowadays there is nothing strange when children take the head, and by Allah he was a gifted man who said, It seems as though of Lot's tribe were our days,

and crave with love to advance the young and years. When Camaral Zaman heard these words, he was abashed, and his cheeks flushed till they seemed aflame, and he said, I need not these favors which lead to the commission of sin. I will live poor in wealth, but wealthy in virtue and honor. Quoth she, I am not to be duped by thy scruples,

arising from prudery and coquettish ways. And Allah bless him, who saith, To him I spake of coupling, But he said to me, How long this noiest long persistency. But when gold-piece I showed him, he cried, Who from the almighty sovereign heir shall flee? Now when Camar al-Zaman heard these words

And understood her verses in their import, he said, O king, I have not the habit of these doings, nor have i the strength to bear these heavy burthens for which elder than i have proved unable then how will it be with my tender age but she smiled at his speech and retorted indeed it is a matter right marvellous how error springeth from the disorder of man's intendment since thou art a boy why standest thou in fear of sin or the doing of things forbidden seeing that thou art not yet come to years of canonical responsibility and the offences of a child incur neither punishment nor reproof verily thou hast committed thyself to a quibble for the sake of contention and it is thy duty to bow before a proposal of fruition so henceforward cease from denial and coyness for the commandment of allah is a decree foreordained indeed i have more reason than thou to fear falling and by sin to be misled and well inspired was he who said my prickle is big and the little one said thrust boldly in vitals with lion like stroke then i tis a sin and he no sin to me so i had him at once with a counterfeit poke when kamar al-zaman heard these words the light became darkness in his sight and he said o king thou hast in thy house household fair women and female slaves who have not their like in this age, shall not these suffice

thee without me? Do thy will with them, and let me go, she replied, thou sayest sooth, but it is not with them that one who loveth thee can heal himself of torment, and can abate his fever. For when taste and inclinations are corrupted by vice, they hear and obey other than good advice. So leave arguing and listen to what the poet saith. Seeest not the bazaar with its fruit in rows. These men are for figs and for sycamore those. And what another sayeth? Many whose anklet rings are dumb have tinkling belts, and this hath all content while that from want must wail. Thou biddest me be a fool and quit thee for her charms. Allah forfend I leave the faith, turn infidel, nay, by rights of side-bearded mocking all her curls,

nor mott nor made from thee my heart shall spell. And yet another, O beauty's union, love for these my creed, Free choice of faith and eke my best desire. Women I have for sworn for thee, So may deem me all men this day a shavelling friar. And yet another, even not beardless one with girl nor heed the spy who saith to thee tis an amiss far different as the girl whose feet one kisses and that gazelle whose feet the earth must kiss and yet another a boy of twice ten is fit for a king and yet another the penis smooth and round was made with anus best to match it had it been made for cunus's sake it had been formed like a hatchet

and yet another said my soul thy sacrifice i chose thee out who art thou not menstruous nor o'iparous did i with women mel i should beget brats till the wide wide world grew straight for us and yet another she saith sore hurt in the sense most acute for she had proffered what did not besute unless thou stroke as man should swive his wife blame not when horns thy brow shall incornute Thy wand seems waxen, to a limpo-grown, And more I palm it, Softer grows the brute. And yet another, quoth she, For I to lie with her for bore, O folly-following fool, O fool to the core,

If thou my cointa for Kibla to thy quenya reject, We'll shall please thee more. And yet another. She proffered me her tender cointy, Quoth I, I will not roger thee. she drew back saying from the faith he turns whose turn by heaven's decree and frontwise fluttering in one day as obsolete persistency then she swung round and shining rump like silver and lump she showed me i cried well done o mistress mine no more am i in pain for thee o thou of all that allah opid show me fairest victory and yet another men craving pardon will uplift their hands women pray pardon with their legs on high. Out on it for a pious, prayerful work, the Lord shall raise it in the

depths to lie. When Kamar al-Zaman heard this poetry, and was certified that there was no escaping compliance with what willed she, he said, O king of the age, if thou must needs have it so, make covenant with me that thou will do this thing with me but once, though it avail not to correct thy depraved appetite, and thou will never again require this thing of me to the end of time, so perchance Allah may purge me of the sin. She replied, I promise thee this thing, hoping that Allah of his favor will relent toward us both and blot out our mortal offense. For the girdle of heaven's forgiveness is not indeed so straight, but it may compass us around and absolve us of the excess of our heinous sins, and bring us to the light of salvation

out of the darkness of error, and indeed excellently well sayeth the poet, Of evil thing the folks suspect us twain, and to this thought their hearts and souls are bent. Come, dear, let's justify and free their souls that wrong us. One good bout, and then repent. Thereupon she made him a solid agreement and a covenant, and swore a solemn oath by him who is self-existent,

that this thing should befall betwixt them but once, and never again for all time, and that the desire of him was driving her to death and perdition. So he rose up with her on this condition and went with her to her own boudoir, that she might quench the low of her lust, saying, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. This is the faded decree of Allah powerful, Allah wise, and he doffed his bag-trousers, shameful and abashed, with the tears running, from his eyes for stress of a fright. Thereat she smiled, and making him mount upon a couch

with her, said to him, After this night thou shalt see naught that will offend thee. Then she turned to him, busing and bussoming, and bending calf over calf, and said to him, Put thy hand between my thighs to the accustomed place, so happily it may stand up to prayer after prostration. He wept and cried, I am not good at aught of this, but she said, But my life and thou do as I. I bid thee, it shall profit thee." So he put out his hand with vitals of fire for confusion, and found her thighs cooler than cream and softer than silk. The touching of them pleasured him, and he moved his hand hither and thither, till it came

to a dome abounding in good gifts, and movements and shifts, and said in himself, Perhaps this king is a hermaphrodite, neither man nor woman quite. So he said to her, O king, I cannot find that. that thou hast a tool like the tools of men. What then moved thee to do this deed? Then loudly laughed the Queen Boudur till she fell on her back and said, Oh, my dearling, how quickly thou hast forgotten the knights we have lain together. Then she made herself known to him, and he knew her for his wife, the Lady Boudur, daughter of King Al-Gayur, Lord of the Isles and the seas.

So he embraced her and she embraced him, and he kissed her and she kissed him. then they lay down on the bed of pleasure voluptuous, repeating the words of the poet. When his softly bending shape bit him close to my embrace, which clips him all about like tendrils of the vine, and shed a flood of softness on the hardness of his heart. He yielded, though at first he was minded to decline, and dreading lest the railer's eyes should light upon his form,

came armored with caution to baffle his design. His waist makes moan of hinder cheeks that weigh upon his, feet, like heavy load of merchandise upon young camel-lion. Gert with his glances, scimitar, which seemed a thirst for blood, and clad and male of dusky curls that show the sheeniest shine. His fragrance wafted happy news of footstep coming nigh, and to him like a bird uncaged I flew in the straightest line. I spread my cheek upon his path beneath his sandal shun, and lo the stibium of their dust healed all my hurt of mine. with one embrace again i bound the banner of our loves and loose the knot of my delight that bound in bonds malign then bade i make high festival and straight come flocking in

pure joys know not of grizzled age nor aught of pain and pine the full moon dotted with the stars the lips and pearly teeth that dance right joyously upon the bubbling face of wine so in the prayer-niche of their joys i yielded me to what would make the humblest penitent of sinners most in dine. I swear by all the signs of those glories in his face, I'll ne'er forget the chapter entitled Aliclas. Then Queen Boudor told Camar al-Zaman all that had befallen her from beginning to end, and he did likewise, after which he began to upbraid her, saying, What moved thee to deal with me as thou hast done this night? She replied, pardon me, for I did this by way of jest, and that pleasure and gladness might be increased. And when dawned the morn and day arose with its sheen and shone, she went to King Armanus, sire of the lady Hayat al-Nufus,

and acquainted him with the truth of the case, and that she was wife to Kamar al-Zaman. Moreover, she told him their tale and the cause of their separation, and how his daughter was a virgin, pure as when she was born. He marveled at their story with exceeding marvel, and bade them chronicle it in letters of gold. Then he turned to Kamar al-Aman and said, O king's son, art thou minded to become my son-in-law by marrying my daughter? Replied he, I must consult the Queen Boudur, as she hath a claim upon me for benefits without stint. And when he took counsel with her, she said,

Right is thy reckoning, marry her and I will be her handmaid, for I am her debtor for kindness and favor and good offices, and obligations manifold, especially as we are here in her place, and as the king her father hath whelmed us with benefits. Now when he saw that she inclined to this and was not jealous of Hayat al-Nufus, he agreed with her upon this matter, and Shad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 35 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3 Section 36, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Linda Moro. The Book of a Thousand Nights in a Night, Volume 3, Section 36. When it was the two hundred and seventeenth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Camar al-Zaman agreed with his wife, Queen Boudur upon this matter, and told King Armanus what she had said, whereat he rejoiced with great joy.

Then he went out, and seating himself upon his chair of estate, assembled all the wazirs, emirs, chamberlains, and grandees, to whom he related the whole story of Kamar al-Zaman and his wife, Queen Boudur, from first to last, and acquainted them with his desire to marry his daughter, Hayat al-Nufus, to the prince, and make him king instead of Queen Boudur. Whereupon said they all, since he is the husband of Queen Boudur, who hath been our king till now whilst we deemed her son-in-law to King Armanus, we are all content to have him to Sultan over us, and we will be his servants, nor will we swerve from his allegiance.

so armanus rejoiced hereat and summoning khazis and witnesses and the chief officers of state bade draw up the contract of marriage between kamar al-zaman and his daughter the princess hayat al nufus then he held high festival giving sumptuous marriage feasts and bestowing costly dresses of honor upon all the emirs and captains of the host moreover he distributed alms to the poor and needy and set free all the prisoners the whole world rejoiced in the coming of kamar alzaman to the throne blessing him and wishing him endurance of glory and prosperity renown and felicity and as soon as he became king he remitted the customs dues and released all men who remained in jail thus he abode a long while ordering himself worthily toward his lieges and he lived with his two wives in peace happiness constancy and content lying the night with each of them in turn he ceased not after this fashion during many years for indeed all his troubles and afflictions were blotted out from him and he forgot his father king shahriman in his former estate of honor and favor with him after a while almighty allah blessed him with two boy-children as they were two shining moons through his two wives the elder whose name was prince amjad by queen budur and the younger whose name was prince assad by queen hyattalnufus and this one was comelier than his brother they were reared in splendor and tender affection in respectful bearing and in the perfection of training and they were instructed in penmanship and science and the arts of government and horsemanship till they attained the extreme accomplishments at the utmost limit of beauty and loveliness both men and women being ravished by their charms they grew up side by side till they reached the age of seventeen eating and drinking together and sleeping in one bed nor ever parting at any time or tide wherefore all the people envied them now when they came to a man's estate and were endowed with every perfection their father was wont as often he went on a journey to make them sit in his stead by turns in the hall of judgment and each did justice among the folk one day at a time

But it came to pass by confirmed fate and determined lot that love for Assad, son of Queen Hayat al-Nufus, rose in the heart of Queen Boudur, and that affection for Amjad, son of Queen Boudur, rose in the heart of Queen Hayat al-Nufus. Hence it was that each of the women used to sport and play with the son of her sister-wife, kissing him and straining him to her bosom, while each mother thought that the other's behavior arose from maternal affection. on this wise passion got the mastery of the two young women's hearts, and they became madly in love with the two youths, so that when the other son came into either of them she would press him to her breast

and long for him never to be parted from her, till at last when waiting grew longsome to them, and they found no path to enjoyment, they refused meat and drink, and banished the solace of sleep. Presently the king fared forth to course and chase, bidding his two sons sit to do justice in his stead, each one day in his turn as was their want. And Shah-Hasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and eighteenth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the king fared forth to sport and hunt, bidding his two sons sit to do justice in his stead, each one day by turn, as was their want.

Now Prince Amjad sat in judgment the first day, bidding and forbidding, appointing and deposing, giving and refusing and queen hyatt al nufus the mother of assad wrote to him a letter suing for his favor and discovering to him her passion and devotion altogether put tiny off the mask and giving him to know that she desired to enjoy him so she took a scroll and thereon indicted these cadences from the love deranged the sorrowful and estranged whose torment is prolonged for the longing of thee were i to recount to thee the extent of my care and what of sadness i bear the passion which my heart-cloth tear and all that i endure for weeping and unrest and the rending of my sorrowful breast my unremitting grief and my woe without relief and all my suffering for severance of thee and sadness and love's ardency no letter could contain it nor calculation could compass it indeed earth and heaven upon me are straight and i have no hope and no trust but what from thee i await upon death i am come nigh and the horrors of dissolution i abide burning upon me is sore with parting pangs and estrangement galore were i to set forth the yearnings that possess me more and more no scrolls would suffice to hold such store and of the excess of my pain and pine i have made the following lines were i to dwell on heart-consuming heat unease and transports in my spins meet nothing were left of ink and read and pen nor ought of paper no not e'en a sheet then queen hyatt al nufus wrapped up her letter in a niece of costly silk scented with musk and ambergris and folded it up with her silken hair-strings whose costs swallowed down treasures laid it in a handkerchief and gave it to a eunuch bidding him bear it to prince

and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the two hundred and nineteenth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that she gave her missive to the eunuch in waiting and bade him bear it to prince and that eunuch went forth ignoring what the future hid for him for the omniscient ordereth event even as he willeth and going into the prince kissed the ground between his hands and handed him the letter On receiving the kerchief he opened it, and reading the epistle and recognizing its gist, he was aware that his father's wife was essentially an adulteress, and a traitress at heart to her husband, King Camar al-Zamon. So he waxed wroth with exceeding wrath and railed at women in their work, saying, Allah curse women, the traitress, the imperfect in reason and religion. Then he drew his sword and said to the eunuch,

Out on thee, thou wicked slave! dost thou carry messages of disloyalty for thy lord's wife? By a law there is no good in thee, O black of hue and heart, O foul of face in nature's forming. So he smote him on the neck and severed his head from his body. Then folding the kerchief over its contents, he thrust it into his breast pocket, and went into his own mother and told her what had passed, reviling and reproaching her, and saying, each one of you is viler than the other, and by a law the great and glorious, did I not fear ill-manneredly to transgress against the rights of my father, Kamar al-Zaman, and my brother, Prince Assad, I would assuredly go into her and cut off her head,

even as I cut off that of her eunuch. Then he went forth from his mother in a mighty rage, and when the news reached Queen Hayat al-Nufus of what he had done to her eunuch, she abused him and cursed him and plotted perfidy against him. He passed the night sick with rage, wrath, and concern, nor found he pleasure and meet drink or sleep. And when the next morning dawned Prince Assad fared forth in his turn to rule the folk in his father's stead, whilst Tis mother, Hayat al-Nufus, awoke in feeble plight because of what she had heard from Prince Amjad concerning the slaughter of her eunuch.

So Prince Assad sat in the audience chamber that day, judging and administering justice, appointing and deposing, bidding and forbidding, giving and bestowing. And he ceased not thus till near the time of afternoon prayer, when Queen Boudur sent forth a crafty old woman and discovering to her what was in her heart wrote a letter to Prince Assad complaining of the excess of her affection and desire for him in these cadenced lines. From her who perisheth for passion and love forlorn, to him who in nature and culture is goodliest born, to him who is conceited of his own loveliness and glories in his amorous grace, who from those that seek to enjoy him averteth his face, and refuseth to show

favor unto the self-abasing and base, him who is cruel and of disdainful mood, from the lover despairing of good, to Prince Assad with passing beauty endowed, and of excelling grace proud of the face moon-bright, and the brow-flower white, and dazzling splendid light. This is my letter to him whose love melteth my body, and rendeth my skin and bones. Know that my patience faileth me quite, and I am perplexed in my plight, longing and restless, weary me, and sleep and patience deny themselves to me. But mourning and watching stick fast to me, and desire and passion torment me, and the extremes of languor and sickness have sheet me. Yet may my life be a ransom for thee, albeit thy pleasure be to slay her who loveth thee,

and the law prolong the life of thee, and preserve thee for you. from all infirmity. And after these cadences she wrote these couplets. Fate hath commanded I become thy fear. Oh, shining like full moon when clearest clear. All beauty dost embrace, all eloquence, brighter than aught within our worldly sphere. Content am I, my torturer thou be. Happily shalt alms me with one lovely leer. Happy her death who dieth for thy love, No good in her who holdeth the unclear. And also the following couplets.

Unto the Asad, I of passion pangs complain, Have Ruth on slave of love so burnt with flaming pain. How long I ask shall hands of love disport with me, With longings, dolor, sleeplessness, and bale and bane? Anon I plain of sea and heart, Anon of fire. In vitals, O strange case, dear wish, My fairest feign. O blamer, cease thy blame, And seek thyself to fly from love, Which makes these e'en a rill of tears to reign.

How oft I cry for absence and desire, Ah, grief! But all my crying naught of gain for me shall gain. Thy rigors dealt me sickness passing power to bear. Thou art my only leech, assain me, and thou dain. O chider, chide me not in caution, for I doubt that plague-y love to thee shall also deal about. Then Queen Boudure perfumed the letter-paper with a profusion of odiferous musk,

and winding it in her hairstrings which were of Iraqi silk with pendants of oblong emeralds, set with pearls and stones of price, delivered it to the old woman, bidding her carry it to Prince Assad. She did so in order to pleasure her, and going into the prince straightway and without stead, found him in his own rooms and delivered to him the letter in privacy,

after which she stood waiting for an hour or so for an answer. When Assad had read the paper and knew its purport, he wrapped it up again in the ribbons and put it in his bosom pocket. Then he, for he was wrath beyond all measure of wrath, he cursed false women and sprang up, and drawing his sword smote the old trot on the neck and cut off her pate. Thereupon he went into his mother, Queen Hayat al-Nufus, whom he found lying on her bed in feeble case, for that which hath betided her with Prince Amjad,

and railed at her and cursed her, after which he left her and foregathered with his brother, to whom he related all that had befallen him with Queen Boudur, adding, by Allah, oh my brother, but that I was ashamed before thee I had gone into her forthright and had smitten her head off her shoulders, replied Prince Amjad, by Allah o my brother, yesterday when I was sitting upon the seat of judgment, the like of what hath befallen thee this day befell me also with thy mother, who sent me a letter of similar purport. And he told him all that had passed, adding, By Allah, my brother, naught but respect for thee withheld me from going into her and dealing with her even as I dealt with the eunuch. They passed the rest of the night conversing and cursing

womankind, and agreed to keep the matter secret lest their father should hear of it and kill the two women. Yet they ceased not to suffer trouble and foresee affliction. and when the morrow dawned the king returned with his suite from hunting and sat awhile in his chair of estate after which he sent the emirs about their business and went up to his palace where he found his two wives lying a bed and both exceeding sick and weak now they had made a plot against their two sons and concerted to do away with their lives for that they had exposed themselves before them and feared to be at their mercy and dependent upon their forbearance when kamar al-zaman saw them on this wise he said to them What aileth you? Whereupon they rose to him and kissing his hands, answered, Perverting the case and saying, Know, O king, that thy two sons who have been reared in thy bounty, have played thee false, and have dishonored thee in the persons of thy wives.

Know that when he heard this the light became darkness in his sight, and he raged with such wrath that his reason fled. Then he said to them, explain me this matter, replied Queen Boudur, O king of the age, know that the first that the same, know that the same. these many days past thy son Assad hath been in the persistent habit of sending me letters and messages to solicit me to lewdness and adultery,

while I still forbade him from this, but he would not be forbidden, and when thou wentest forth to hunt, he rushed in on me, drunk and with a drawn sword in his hand, and smiting my eunuch slew him. Then he mounted on my breast, still holding the sword, and I feared

lest he should slay me if I gainsayed him, even as he had slain my eunuch. So he took his wicked, at will of me by force and now if thou do me not justice on him o king i will slay him myself with my own hand for i have no need of life in the world after this foul deed and queen hyatt al nufus choking with tears told him respecting prince amjad a story like that of her sister-wife and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the two hundred and twentieth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious King, that Queen Hayat al-Nufus told her husband, King Camar al-Zaman, a story like that of her sister in wedlock, Budur, and quoth she, The same thing befell me with thy son Amjad, after which she took to weeping and wailing and said, Except thou do me justice on him,

I will tell my father, King Armanus. Then both women wept with sore weeping before King Camar al-Zaman, who, when he saw their tears and heard their words, concluded that their story was true, and waxing wrath, beyond measure of wrath, went forth thinking to fall upon his two sons and put them to death. On his way he met his father-in-law, King Armanus, who hearing of his return from the chase had come to salute him at that very hour, and seeing him with naked brand in hand and blood dripping from his nostrils, for excess of rage, asked what ailed him. So Kamar al-Zaman told him all that his sons Amjad and Assad had done, and added, And here I am, now going in to them to slay them in the foulest way, and make of them the most shameful of examples.

Quoth King Armanus, and indeed he too was wroth with them. Thou dost well, O my son, and may Allah not bless them, nor any sons that do such deed against their father's honour. But, O my son, the sayer of the old saw, saith, who so looketh not to the end hath not fortune to friend. In any case they are thy sons, and it befitteth not that thou kill them with thine own hand, lest, thou drink of their death agony, and anon repent of having slain them, when as repentance availeth thee naught, rather do thou send them with one of thy mamelukes into the desert, and let him kill them there, out of thy sight, for as saith the adage, out of sight of my friend is better and

pleasanter. And when Kamar al-Zaman heard his father-in-law's words, he knew them to be just, so he sheathed his sword, and turning back, sat down upon the throne of his realm. There he summoned his treasurer. A very old man burst in affairs and in fortunes vicissitudes, to whom he said, Go into my sons, Amjad and Assad, bind their hands behind them with strong bonds, lay them in two chests and load them upon a mule. Then take horse thou and carry them into mid-desert, where do thou kill them both, and fill two vials with their blood, and bring the same to me in haste, replied the treasurer, I hear and I obey, and he rose up hurriedly and went out. forthright to seek the princes. And on his road he met them coming out of the palace

vestibule, for they had donned their best clothes and their richest, and they were on their way to salute their sire and give him joy of safe return from his going forth to hunt. Now when he saw them he laid hands on them, saying, O my sons, know ye that I am but a slave commanded, and that your father hath laid a commandment on me. Will ye obey his commandment? They said yes, whereupon he went to them, and, after pinioning their arms, laid them in the chests which he loaded on the back of a mule he had taken from the city. And he ceased not carrying them into open country till near noon, when he halted in a waste and desolate place, and dismounting from his mare, let down the two

chests from the mule's back. Then he opened them and took out Amjad and Asad, and when he looked upon them he wept sore for their beauty and loveliness. Then drawing his sword, he said to them, by Allah, O my lords, indeed it is hard for me to deal so evilly by you. But I am to be excused in this matter, being but a slave commanded, for that your father, King Camar al-Zaman, hath bidden me, strike off your heads. They replied, O Amir, do the king's bidding, for we bear with patience that which Allah, to whom be honor might and glory, has decreed to us, and thou art quit of our blood.

Then they embraced and bade each other farewell, and Assad said to the treasurer, upon thee, O uncle, spare me the sight of my brother's death agony, and make me not drink of his anguish, but kill me first, for that were easier for me. And Amjad said the like, and entreated the treasurer to kill him before Assad, saying, My brother is younger than I, so make me not taste of his anguish. And they both wept bitter tears, whilst the treasurer wept for their weeping. 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 3. Section 37, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Linda Moro. The Book of a Thousand Nights into Night, Volume 3, Section 37

When it was the 221st night, she said, It hath reached me, a auspicious king, That the treasurer wept for their weeping. Then the two brothers embraced and bade farewell, And one said to the other, All this cometh of the malice of those traitresses, My mother and thy mother, And this is the reward of my forbearance toward thy mother,

and of thy forbearance toward my mother. But there is no might, and there is no majesty save in Allah, the glorious, the great. Verily, we are Allah's, and unto him we are returning. And Assad embraced his brother, sobbing and repeating these couplets. O thou to whom sad, trembling whites in fear complain, O ever ready whatso cometh to sustain,

The sole resource for me is at thy door to knock. and whose door knock and thou to open wilt not deign. O thou whose grace is treasured in the one word, B, favor me I beseech, and thee all wheels contain. Now when Amjad heard his brother's weeping, he wept also, and pressing him to his bosom repeated these two couplets. O thou whose boons to me are more than one, whose gifts and favors have nor count nor bound. No stroke of all fate's strokes Ere fell on me But thee to take me by the hand I found

Then said Amjad to the treasurer I conjure thee by the one omnipotent The lord of mercy the beneficent Slay me before my brother Asad So happily shall the fire be quenched in my heart's core And in this life burn no more But Asad wept and exclaimed Not so, I will die first

Whereupon quoth Amjouth it were best that I embraced thee and thou embrace me so the sword may fall upon us and slay us both at a single stroke. Thereupon they embraced face to face and clung to each other straightly, whilst the treasurer tied up the twain and bound them fast with cords, weeping the while. Then he drew his blade and said to them, by Allah, O my lords, it is indeed hard to me to slay you. But have ye no last wishes that I may fulfill, or charges which I may carry out, or messages which I may may deliver? replied Amjad. We have no wish, and my only charge to thee is that thou set my brother below, and me above him, that the blow may fall on me first. And when thou hast killed us and returned us to the king, and he asketh thee, what hurtest thou from them before their death? Do thou answer? Verily,

thy son salute thee and say to thee, thou knewest not if we were innocent or guilty, yet hast thou put us to death and hast not certified thyself of our sin nor looked into our case then do thou repeat to him these two couplets women are Satan's made for woe men I fly to Allah from their devilish

save source of whatever bail befell our kind in worldly matters and in things of faith continued Amjad we desire of thee not but that thou repeat to our sire these two couplets And Shad Hasad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 22nd night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Amjad added, speaking to the treasurer, We desire of thee not, but that thou repeat to our sire these two couplets which thou hast just now heard, And I conjure thee by a lot to have patience with us, whilst I cite to my brother this other pair of couplets. Then he wept with sore weeping and began. The kings who fared before us Showed of instances full many a show Of great and small and high and low How many this one road have trod

Now when the treasurer heard these words from Amjad He wept till his beard was wet Whilst Assad's eyes brimmed with tears And he in turn repeated these couplets Fate frights us when the thing is past and gone Weeping is not for form or face alone What ails the knights? Allah blot out our sin

And be the knights by other hand undone Ere this Zubayir son Felt their spiteful hate Who fled for refuge to the house and stone Would that when Karija was for Amru slain They had ransomed Ali with all men they own Then with cheeks stained by tears down railing He recited also these verses

In sooth the knights and days Are characterized by traitor falsehood and as knaves they lie, the desert reek recalls their teeth that shine. All horrid blackness is their k of eye. My sin anent the world which I abhor, in sin of sword when sworders fighting high. Then his sobs waxed louder, and he said, O thou who wooest a world unworthy, Learn, tis house of evils, tis perditions net,

A house where whor laughs this day shall weep the next. then perish-house of fume and fret, Endless its frays and fories, And its thralls are ne'er redeemed, While endless risks be set! How many gloried in its pumps and prides, Till proud and pompous did all bounds forget! Then showing back of shield she made them swill, full draught,

And claimed all her vengeance debt. For no her strokes fall swift and sure, Although long she bide and for slow the course of fate, so look thou on the days lest life go by idly, And meet thou more than thou hast met, And cut all chains of world love and desire, And save thy soul, and rise to secret tire. Now when Assad made an end of these verses,

He strained his brother Amjad in his arms, Till they twain were one body, And the treasurer, drawing his sword, Was about to strike them, when behold, His steed took fright at the wind of his upraised hand, And breaking its tether fled into the desert, Now the horse had cost a thousand gold pieces, and on its back was a splendid saddle worth much money, so the treasurer threw down his sword and ran after the beast.

And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 223rd night, she said, It hath reached me, a auspicious king, that when his horse ran away, the treasurer ran after it in huge concern, and ceased not running to catch the runaway till it entered a thicket. He followed it whilst it dashed through the wood, smiting the earth with its hoofs, till it raised a dust-cloud which towered high in the air, and snorting and puffing and neighing and waxing fierce and furious.

Now there happened to be in this thicket a lion of terrible might, hideous to sight with eyes sparkling light. His look was grim and his aspects struck fright into man's sprite. Presently, the treasurer turned and saw the lion making toward him, but found no way of escape, nor had he his sword with him. So he said to himself, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. This straight has come upon me for no other cause but because of Amjad and Assad.

And indeed this journey was unblessed from the first. Meanwhile, the two princes were grievously oppressed by the heat, and grew sore a thirst, so that their tongues hung out, and they cried for succour. But none came to their relief, and they said, "'Would to heaven we had been slain and were at peace from this pain. "'But we know not whither the horse hath fled, "'that the treasure is gone, and hath left us thus pinioned. "'If he would but come back and do us die,

"'it were easier to us than this torture to abide.' "'Said Asad, O my brother, be patient, "'and the relief of Allah, extolled and exalted be he, "'shall assuredly come to us, "'for the horse started not away save of his favour toward us, "'and naught irketh us but the thirst.' upon this he stretched and shook himself and straightened right and left till he burst his pinion bonds then he rose and unbound his brother and catching up the emir's sword said by allah we will not go hence till we look after him and learn what is become of him then they took to following on the trail till it led them to the thicket and they said to each other of a surety the horse and the treasurer have not passed out of this wood quoth assad stay thou here whilst i enter the thicket and search it

And Amjad replied, I will not let thee go in alone, nor will we enter it but together, so if we escape, we shall escape together, and if we perish, we shall perish together. Accordingly, both entered and found that the lion had sprang upon the treasurer, who lay like a sparrow in his grip,

calling upon Allah for aid and signing up with his hands to heaven. Now when Amjad saw this, he took the sword and rushing upon the lion, smote him between the eyes and laid him dead upon the ground. The emir sprang up, marveling at this escape, and seeing Amjad and Asad, his master's son, standing there, cast himself at their feet and exclaimed, "'By allah, oh my lords, it were intolerable wrong in me to do you to death.

May the man never be who would kill you. Indeed, with my very life I will ransom you.' And Shah Hazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and twenty-fourth night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that quoth the treasurer to Amjad and Assad, With my life I will ransom you both. Then he hastily rose, and at once embracing them,

inquired how they had loose their bonds and come thither, whereupon they told him how the bonds of one of them had fallen loose, and he had unbound the other, whereto they were helped by the purity of their intentions, and how they had tracked his trail till they came upon him. So he thanked them for their deed, and went with them forth of the thicket. and when they were in the open country they said to him o uncle do our father's bidding he replied allah forbid that i should draw near to you with hurt but know ye that i mean to take your clothes and clothe you with mine

then i will fill two vials with the lion's blood and go back to the king and tell him i have out you to death but as for you two fare ye forth into the lands for allah's earth is wide and know o my lords that it paineth me to part from you at this they all fell a-weeping then the two youths put off their clothes and the treasurer habited them with his own moreover he made two parcels of their dress and filling two vials with the lion's blood set the parcels before him on his horse's back presently he took leave of them and making his way to the city ceased not faring till he went into king kamar al-zaman and kissed the ground between his hands the king saw him changed in face and troubled which arose from his adventure with the lion and deeming this came from the slaughter of his two sons rejoiced and said to him hast thou done the work yes o our lord replied the treasurer and gave him the two parcels of clothes and the two vials full of blood asked the king what didst thou observe in them and did they give thee any charge answered the treasurer i found them patient and resigned to do what came down upon them and they said to me verily our father is excusable bear him our salutation and say to him thou art quit of our killing but we charge thee repeat to him these couplets verily women are devils created for us we seek refuge with god from the artifice of the devils they are the source of all the misfortunes that have appeared among mankind in the affairs of the world and of religion when the king heard these words of the treasurer he bowed his head earthward a long while and knew his son's words to mean that they had been wrongfully put to death then he bethought himself of the perfidy of women and the calamity is brought about by them and he took the two parcels and opened them and fell to turning over his son's clothes and weeping, and Shad Hasad perceived the dawn of day,

and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and twenty-fifth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when King Amar al-Zaman opened the two bundles and fell to turning over his son's clothes and weeping, it so came to pass that he found in the pocket of his son Asad's raiment a letter in the hand of his wife, enclosing her hairstrings. So he opened it and read it, and understanding the contents knew that the prince had been falsely accused and wronglessly. Then he searched Amjad's parcel of dress and found in his pocket a letter in the handwriting of Queen Hayat al-Nufus, enclosing also her hairstrings.

So he opened it and read it, and knew that Amjad too had been wronged. Whereupon he beat hand upon hand, and exclaimed, There is no majesty and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great, I have slain my sons unjustly. And he buffeted his face, crying out, Alas, my sons, alas, my long grief! Then he bade them build two tombs in one house, which he styled House of Lamentations,

and had graved thereupon his son's names, and threw himself on Amjad's tomb, weeping and groaning and lamenting, and improvised these couplets. O moon, forever set this earth below, loss bewail the stars which stud the sky. O wand which broken, ne'er with bend and wave, shall fascinate the ravished gazer's eyes. These a'n for jealousy I reft of thee, nor shall they till next life thy sight descry. I'm drowned and sea of tears for insomnia. Wherefore indeed,

in Sahira's stead I lie. Then he threw himself on Assad's tomb, groaning and weeping, lamenting and versifying with these couplets. Indeed I longed to share unwheel with thee, but Allah than my will willed otherwise. My grief all blackens twixt mine eyes and space, yet whitens all the blackness from mine eyes. Of tears they weep, these iron run never dry, and ulcerous flow, and vitals never dries. Right sore it irks me seeing thee instead where slave with sovereign for once leveled lies. And his weeping and wailing redoubled, and after he had ended his lamentations and his verse,

he forsook his friends and intimates, and denying himself to his women and his family, cut himself off from the world in the house of lamentations, where he passed his time in weeping for his sons. Such was his case, but as regards Amjad and Assad, they fared on into the desert, eating of the fruits of the earth and drinking of the remnants of the rain for a full month,

till their travel brought them to a mountain of black flint, whose further end was unknown. And here the road forked, one line lying along the midway height and the other leading to its head. They took the way trending to the top and gave not over following it five days, but saw no end to it, and they were overcome with weariness, being unused to walking upon the mountains or elsewhere. At last, despairing of coming of coming. coming to the last of the road, they retraced their steps, and taking the other that led over the Midway Heights, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and twenty-sixth night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious

king, that princes Amjad and Assad returned from the path leading to the mountain-head, and took that which ran along the Midway Heights, and walked through all that day till night-fifishishishish, all, when Assad, weary with much travel, said to Amjad, Oh, my brother, I can walk no farther, for I am exceeding weak, replied Amjad. Oh, my brother, take courage. Maybe Allah will send us relief. So they walked on part of the night till the darkness closed in upon them, when Assad became weary beyond measure of weariness and cried out, Oh, my brother, I am worn out and spent with walking, and threw himself upon the ground and

wept. took him in his arms and walked on with him, by time sitting down to rest till break of day, when they came to the mountain top and found there a stream of running water, and by it a pomegranate tree and a prayer-niche. They could hardly believe their eyes when they saw it, but sitting down by that spring drank of its water and ate of the fruit of that granado tree. After which they lay on the ground and slept till sunrise, when they washed and bathed in the spring, and eating of the pomegranate slept again till the time of mid-eastern. afternoon prayer. Then they thought to continue their journey, but Assad could not walk, for both

his feet were swollen. So they abode there three days till they were rested, after which they set out again and fared over the mountain days and nights, tortured by and liked to die of thirst, till they sighted a city gleaming afar off, at which they rejoiced and made toward it. When they drew near it, they thanked Allah, be his name exalted, and Amjad said to Asad, O my brother, sit here whilst I go to yonder city and see what it is and whose it is and where we are in Allah's wide world, that we may know through what lands we have passed in crossing this mountain, whose skirts had we followed,

we had not reached this city in a whole year. So praise be Allah for safety. Replied Assad, by Allah, my brother, none shall go down into that city save myself, and may I be thy ransom. If thou leave me alone, be it at all. only for an hour, I shall imagine a thousand things and be drowned in a torrent of anxiety on thine account, for I cannot brook thine absence from me. Amjad rejoined, Go then, and tarry not. So Asad took some gold pieces, and leaving his brother to await him, descended the mountain,

and ceased not faring on till he entered the city. As he threaded the streets he was met by an old man, aged decrepit, whose beard flowed down upon his breast and forked in twain. He bore a walking-staff in his hand and was richly clad, with a great red turban on his head. When Asad saw him, he wondered at his dress and his mane. Nevertheless, he went up to him, and saluting him, said, Where be the way to the market, O my master? Hearing these words, the Sheikh smiled in his face and replied, O my son, me seemest thou art a stranger. Asad rejoined, Yes, I am a stranger. And Shah Shahazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

End of Section 37 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Section 38, Volume 3 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, translated by Richard Burton. This is a Libravox recording. All LibraVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. recording by d wycoff the book of a thousand nights and a night volume three section thirty eight when it was the two hundred and twenty seventh night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the sheikh who met assad smiled in his face and said to him o my son me seemeth there art a stranger and assad replied yes i am a stranger

then rejoined the old man verily thou gladness to our country with thy presence on my son and desolatest thine own land by reason of thine absence what wantest thou of the market quoth assod o uncle i have a brother with whom i have come from a far land and with whom i have journeyed these three months and when we sighted this city i left him who is my elder brother who is my elder brother upon the mountain and came hither purposing to buy victual and what else and return therewith to him that we might feed thereon said the old man rejoice in all good o my son and know thou that to-day i give a marriage feast to which i have bidden many guests and i have made ready plenty of meats the best and most delicious that heart can desire so if thou wilt come with me to my place i will give thee freely all thou lackest without asking thee a price or aught else moreover i will teach thee the ways of this city and praised be allah o my son that i and none other have happened upon thee as thou wilt answer to sod do as thou art disposed but make haste for indeed my brother awaiteth me and his whole heart is with me the old man took a sod by the hand and carried him to a narrow lane smiling in his face and saying glory be to him who hath delivered thee from the people of this city and he ceased not walking till he entered a spacious house wherein was a saloon and behold in the middle of it were forty old men well stricken in years collected together and forming a single ring as they sat round about alighted fire to which they were doing worship and prostrating themselves when assad saw this he was confounded and the hair of his body stood on end though he knew not what they were

and the sheikh said to them, O elders of the fire, how blessed this day. Then he called aloud, saying, hello, Gaspen, whereupon there came out to him, a tall black slave, of frightful aspect, grim-visaged and flat-nosed as an ape, who, and the old man made a sign to him, bent Assad's arms behind his back, and pinioned them, after which the shake said to him, Let him down into the vault under the earth, and there leave him, and say to my slave-girl,

Such in one, torture him night and day, and give him a cake of bread to eat morning and evening, against the time come of the voyage to the blue sea in the mountain of fire, whereon we will slaughter him as a sacrifice. So the black carried him out at another door, and raising a flag in the, the floor discovered a flight of twenty steps leading to a chamber under the earth into which he descended with him and laying his feet in irons gave him over to the slave-girl and went away meanwhile the old men said to one another when the day of the festival of the fire cometh we will sacrifice him on the mountain as a propitatory offering whereby we shall pleasure the fire

presently the damsel went down to him and beat him a grievous beating till streams of blood flowed from his sides and he fainted after which he sat at his head a scone of bread and a croce of brackish water and went away and left him in the middle of the night he revived and found himself bound and beaten and sore with beating so he wept bitter tears and recalling his former condition of honour and prosperity lordship and dominion and his separation from his sire and his exile from his native land and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the two hundred and twenty eighth night she said to him it hath reached me o auspicious king that when assad found himself bound and beaten and sore with beating he recalled his while in condition of honor and prosperity and dominion and lordship, and he wept and groaned aloud, and recited these couplets. Stand by the ruined stead and ask of us, nor deem we dwell there, as was state of us, the world that parter hath departed us, yet soothed not hateful hearts the fate of us. With whips, a cursed slave-girl scourges.

us and teems her breast with rancorous hate of us. Alice shall happily deign to unpart our lives, chastise our foes, and in this strait of us. And when Assad had spoken his poetry, he put out his hands towards his head and finding there the crust and the cruxed full of brackish water he ate a bit of just enough to keep life in him and drank a little water, but could get no sleep till morning for the swarms of bugs and lice.

As soon as it was day, the slave girl came down to him and changed his clothes, which were drenched with blood and stuck to him so that his skin came off with the shirt. Wherefore he shrieked aloud and cried, alas, and said, Oh my God, if this is thy pleasure, increase it upon me, O Lord, verily thou art not unmindful of him that oppresseth me. Do thou then avenge me upon him? And he groaned and repeated the following verses. Patience, O Allah, to thy destiny.

I bow, suffice me what thou dine decree. Patient to bear thy will, O Lord of me. Patient to burn on coals of Gaza tree. they wrong me visit me with hurt and harm happily thy grace from them shall set me free far be's o lord from thee to spare the wronger o lord of destiny my hopes in thee and what another saitheth beth think thee not of worldly state leave everything to course of fate for oft a thing that irketh thee shall incontent eventuate. And oft what straight is shall expand, and what expand is waxed straight.

Allah will do what wills his will, so be not thou importunate. But joy the view of coming will shall make forget past bail and bait. And when he had ended his verse, the slave girl came down upon him with blows till he fainted again. and throwing him a flap of bread and a gouglet of saltish water went away and left him sad and lonely bound in chains of iron with the blood streaming from his sides and far from those he lived

so he wept and called to mind his brother and the honors he erst enjoyed and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the two hundred and twenty-ninth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that assod called to mind his brother and the honors he erst enjoyed so he wept and groaned and complained and poured forth tears in floods and improvised these couplets easy o fate how long this wrung this injury robbing each morn and eve my brotherhood from me is not time now thou deem this length sufficiency of woes and o thou heart of rock show clemency my friends thou wrongest when thou madst each enemy mock and exult me for thy wrongs thy tyranny my foeman's heart is solaced by the things he saw in me of strangerhood and lonely misery suffice thee not what came upon my head of dull friends lost for evermore eyes wane and pale of blea, but must in prison cast so narrow there is not, save hand to bite with bitten hand for company, and tears that tempest down like goodly gift of cloud, and longing thirst, whose fires we know satiety, regretful yearnings, singles, and inceasing sighs, repine,

remembrance, and pains very ecstasy, desire I suffer sore and melancholy deep, and I must buy to pray to endless frenzy. I find me ne'er a friend who looks with piteous eye, and seeks my presence to allay misery, say liveth any intimate with trusty love, who for mine ills will groan my sleepless malady, to whom moan I can make, and peradventure he shall pity eyes that sight of sleep can never see.

the flea and bugs suck up my blood as white that drinks wine from the proffering hand of fair virginity amid the lice my body a remindeth me of orphans good in cassie's claw of villainy my home's a sepulcher that measures cubits three where i pass i mourn and eve in chained agony my wines are tears my clank of chains take music stead cares my desert of fruit and sorrows are my bed and when he had versed his verse and prosed his prose he again groaned and complained and remembered he had been and how he had been parted from his brother thus far concerning him but as regards his brother ahmaud he awaited assad till midday yet he had not returned to him whereupon ahmaud's vitals flood the pangs of parting were sore upon him, and he poured forth abundant tears. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and thirtieth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Ahmaud awaited his brother Assad till midday,

and he returned not to him, Ahmaud's vitals fluttered, the pangs of parting were sore, upon him and he poured forth abundant tears, exclaiming, Alas, my brother, alas my friend, alas my grief. How I feared me we should be separated. Then he descended from the mountain top with the tears running down his cheeks, and entering the city ceased not walking till he made the market. He asked the folk the name of the place and concerning its people, and they said,

this is called the city of the magians and its citizens are mostly given to fire-worshipping in lieu of the omnipotent king then he inquired of the city of ebony and they answered of a truth it is a year's journey tither by land and six months by sea it was governed erst by a king called armanus but he tipped a son-in-law and made king in his stead a prince called kamar alas but he took to son-in-law and made king in his stead a prince called kamar al al-zaman distinguished for justice and munificence, equity and benevolence. When Amad heard tell of his father, he groaned and wept and lamented and knew not whether to go. However, he bought a something of food and carried it to a retired spot where he sat down thinking to eat. But, recalling his brother, he fell a weeping and swallowed a bit of morsel to keep

breath and body together, and that against his will. Then he rose and walked about the city, seeking news of his brother, till he saw a moslem tailor sitting in his shop, so he sat down by him and told him his story, whereupon quoth the tailor, if he have fallen into the hands of the Magians, thou shalt hardly see him again, yet it may be Allah will reanite you, Twain. But thou, thou, O my brother, he continued, wilt thou lodge with me? Ahmad answered, yes, and the tailor rejoiced at this. So he abode with him many days,

while the tailor comforted him, and exhorted him to patience, and taught him tailoring till he became expert in the craft. Now one day he went forth to the seashore and washed his clothes, after which he entered the bath and put on clean Raymond, then he walked about the city to divert himself with its sights, and presently there met him on the way a woman of passing beauty and loveliness, without pure for grace and comeliness. When she saw him, she raised her face veil and signed to him by moving her eyebrows and her eyes with luring glances and versified these couplets. I drooped my glance when seen thee on the way, as thou, O slim waste, felled by Saul's hot ray, thou art the fairest fairer that ere appeared, fair to-day than fair of yesterday, where beauty parted a fifth part of it, with Joseph or a part of fifth would stay, the rest would fly to thee, shine on a stone, be every soul thy sacrifice, I pray. When Ahmaud heard these her words, they glend his heart, which inclined to her, and his

bowels yearned towards her, and the hands of love sported with him, so he sighed to her in reply, and spoke these couplets. Above the rows of cheek is thorn of lance. Who dareth pluck it, rashous cheevence? Stretch not the hand towards it for night long. Those lances marred, cause we snatched a glance. Say her, who tyrant is and tempered to, though justice might her tempting power enhance. Thy face would add to errors where it veiled. Unveiled, I see its guard hath best of chance.

I cannot look upon Saul's naked face, but can when mist cloud dims his countenance. The honey hive is held by honey bee. Ask the tribe guards, what wants their vigilance, and they would slay me, let them in their ire, rancorous, and grant us freely to advance. They're not more murderous, and charge the whole, than charging glance of her who wears the mole. And hearing these lines from Amad, she sighed with the deepest sighs, and signed to him again, repeated these keplets. Tis thou hast trodden coinous path, not I, grant me thy favours for the time draws nigh, O thou who makest mourn with light of brow, and with loosed browlocks night in liftest thy, thine idle aspect made of me thy slave, tempting as temptest me in days gone by, tis just my liver fry with hottest love, who worship fire, for God must fire, for God must fire,

a buy, thou sellest like of me for worthless price. If thou must sell, ask high of those who buy. When Amad heard these her words, he said to her, will thou come to my lodging, or shall I go with thee to thine? So she hung her head in shame to the ground, and repeated the words of him whose name be exalted. Men shall have the preeminence above women, because of of those advantages, wherein Allah hath caused the one of them to excel the other. Upon this, Ahmaud took the hint, and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the two hundred and thirty-first night, she said, it hath reached me,

O auspicious king, that Amad took the woman's hint, and understood that she wished to go with him whether he was going. He felt himself bounder to find a place wherein to receive her, but was ashamed to carry her to the house of his host, the tailor. So he walked on, and she walked after him, and the two ceased not walking from street to street and place to place till she was tired, and said to him, O my lord, where is thy house? answered he, before us a little away. Then he turned aside into a handsome by-street, followed by the young woman, and walked on till he came to the end, when he found it was no thoroughfare, and exclaimed, There is no majesty and there is no might, save in Allah the glorious the great. Then raising his eyes, he saw,

at the upper end of the lane, a great door with two stone benches, but it was locked. So Ahmad sat down on one of the benches, and she on the other, and she said to him, O my lord, wherefore waitest thou? He bowed his head a while to the ground, and then raised it and answered, I am awaiting my mameluke, who hath the key, for I bade him make me ready meat and drink and flowers to deck the wine service against my return from the bath. But he said to himself, haply the time will be tedious to her and she will go about her business leaving me here when i will wind my own way however as soon as she was weary of the long waiting she said o my lord thy mameluk delayeth and here we are sitting in the street and she arose and took a stone and went up to the lock said amade be not in haste but have patience till the servant come home however she hearkened not to him but smote the wooden bolt with the stone and broke it in half whereupon the door opened quoth he what possessed thee to do this deed quoth she pooh my lord what matter it is not the house thy house and thy

place. He said there was no need to break the bolt. Then the damsel entered to the confusion of Ahmad who knew not what to do for fear of the people of the house. But she said to him, Why dost thou not enter, O light of mine eyes and core of my heart? replied he, I hear and obey, but my servant tarrieth long, and I know not if he have done odd of what I bade him, and specially enjoined upon him or not. Hereupon he entered, sore in fear of the people of the house, and found himself in a handsome saloon with four dazed recesses, each facing each other, and containing closets and raised seats,

all bespread with stuffs of silk and brocade, and in the midst was a jetting fountain of costly fashion, on whose margin rested a covered tray of meats with a leather tablecloth hanging up and gem-encrusted dishes full of fruits and sweet-scented flowers. Hard by stood drinking vessels and a candle stick with a single wax candle therein, and the place was full of precious stuffs and was ranged with chests and stools, and on each seat lay a parcel of clothes, upon which was a purse full of money's gold and silver. The floor was paved with marble, and the house bore witness in every part to its owner's fortune. When Ahmaid saw all this, he was confused at his case and said to himself,

I am a lost man. Rarely we are alas, and to Allah we are returning. As for the damsel, when she cited, the place, she rejoiced indeed, with a joy and nothing could exceed, and said to him, By Allah, O my lord, thy servant hath not failed of his duty, for see, he hath swept the place, and cook the meat, and set on the fruit, and indeed I come at the best of times, but he pay no heed to her, his heart being taken up with fear of the housefolk, and she said, defy, O my lord, O my heart, what aileth thee to stand thus?

Then she sighed, and, giving him a bus, which sounded like the cracking of a walnut, said, O my lord, and thou have made an appointment with other than thee, I will gird my middle and serve her in thee. Ahmaud laughed from a heart full of rage and wrath, and came forwards, and sat down, panting and saying to himself, alack, mine in him. death and doom when the owner of the place shall return. Then she seated herself by him and fell to toying and laughing, whilst Amad set careful and frowning, thinking a thousand thoughts and communing with himself.

Assuredly the master of the house cannot become, and then what shall I say to him? He needs must kill me and my life will be lost thus foolishly. presently she rose and tucking up her sleeves took a tray of food on which she laid the cloth and then set it before a mod and began to eat saying eat oh my lord so he came forward and ate but the food was not pleasant to him on the contrary he ceased not to look towards the door till the damsel had eaten her fill when she took away the tray of the meats and sitting on the dessert fell to eating of the dried fruits. Then she brought the wine service, and opening the jar, filled a cup, and handed it to Ahmad,

who took it from her hand, saying to himself, Ah, and well away, when the master of the house cometh and seeth me, and he kept his eyes fixed on the threshold, even with the cup in hand. While he was in this case, lo, in came the master of the house, who was a white slave,

one of the chief men of the city, being master of the horse to the king. He had fitted up this saloon for his pleasures that he might make merry therein, and be private with whom he would, and he had that day been a youth whom he loved and had made this entertainment for him. Now the name of this slave was Bahadur, and he was open of hand, generous, munificent, and fain of almsgiving and charitable work. and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of the day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 38 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Recording by D. Wyckoff.

Section 39, Volume 3 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 librivox dot org recording by christian plasburg the book of a thousand knights an ananite volume three section thirty nine when it was the two hundred and thirty-second night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when badur the master of the horse and the owner of the house came to the door of the saloon and found it open he entered slowly and softly and looking in with head advanced and outstretched neck, saw Amjad and the girl sitting before the dish of fruit and the wine jar in front of them. Now Amjad at that moment had the cup in his hand and his face turned to the door. And when his glance met Badur's eyes, his hue turned pale yellow and his

side muscles quivered. So seeing his trouble, Badur signed to him with his finger on his lips, as much as to say, Be silent and come hither to me. Whereupon he set down the cup and rose and the Damsel cried, Whither away? He shook his head, and signing to her that he wished to make water, went out into the passage barefoot. Now when he saw Badur, he knew him for the master of the house. So he hastened to him, and kissing his hand, said to him, Allah upon thee, O Lord, ere thou do me a hurt, hear what I have to say. Then he told him who he was from first to last, and acquainted him with what caused him to quit his native land and royal state, and how he had not entered his house of his free will, but that it was the girl who had broken the lock-bolt and done

all this. When Badur heard his story and knew that he was a king's son, he felt for him, and taking compassion on him said, Harken to me, O Amjad, and do what I bid thee, and I will guarantee thy safety from that thou fearest. But if thou cross me, I will kill thee. Amjad replied, command thee as thou wilt. I will not gainsay thee in aught, no, never, for I am the freedman of thy bounty. Rejoined Badur, then go back forthwith into the saloon, sit down in thy place, and be at peace and shine ease. I will presently come into thee, and when thou seest me, remember, my name is Badur, do thou revile me and rail at me, saying, what made thee tarry till so late, and accept no excuse from me, nay, so far from it, rise and beat me, and if thou spare me,

I will do away thy life. Enter now and make Marian whatsoever thou seekest of me at this time, I will bring thee forthwith, and do thou spend this night as thou wilt, and on the morrow when thy way. This I do in honor of the strangerhood, for I love the stranger, and hold myself bounder to him devour. So Amjad kissed his hand, and returning to the saloon with his face-clad in its natural white and red, at once said to the damsel, O my mistress, thy presence hath gladdened this shine-own place, and ours is indeed a blessed night.

Quoth the girl, Therily I see a wonder. change in thee that thou now welcomesest me so cordially. So, Amjad answered, By Allah, O my lady, methought my servant Badur had robbed me of some necklaces of jewels worth ten thousand diners each. However, when I went out but now in concern for this, I sought for them and found them in their place. I know not why the slave tarrieth so long and needs must I punish him for it. She was satisfied with his answer, and they sported and drank and made merry and ceased not to be so till near sundown. When Badur came into them, having changed his clothes and girt his middle and put on shoes, shoes as are worn of marmalukes. He saluted and kissed

the ground, then held his hands behind him and stood, with his head hanging down, as one who confesseth to a fault. So Amjad looked at him with angry eyes and asked, Why hast thou tarried till now, O most pestilent of slaves? answered Badur, O my lord, I was busy washing my clothes and knew not of my being there, for our appointed time was nightfall and not day-tide. But Amjad cried out of him, saying, Thou liest, O vilest of slaves, by Allah, I must needs beat thee. So he rose, and throwing Badur prone on the ground, took a stick and beat him gently. But the damsel sprang up, and snatching the stick from his hand, came down upon Badur so lustily, that in extreme pain the tears ran from his eyes,

and he ground his teeth together and called out for a succor. Whilst Amjad cried out to the girl, Don't! And she cried out, Let me satisfy my anger upon him. Till at last he pulled the stick out of her hand and pushed her away. So Badur rose, and wiping away his tears from his cheeks,

waited upon them the while, after which he swept the hall and lighted the lamps. But as often as he went in and out, the lady abused him and cursed him until Amjad was wroth with her and said, For almighty Allah's sake, leave my Mamaluk. He is not used to this. Then they sat and ceased not eating and drinking,

and Badur waiting upon them till midnight, when, being weary with service and beating, he fell asleep in the midst of the hall and snorted, whereupon the damsel who was drunk with wine, said to Amjad, Arise, take the sword hanging yonder, and cut me off the slave's head, and if thou do it not, I will be the death of thee.

What possesseth thee to slay my slave? asked Amjad. And she answered, Our joyance will not be complete but by his death. If thou wilt not kill him, I will do it myself. By Allah's rights to thee, do not this thing. Quoth she, it must perforce be, and taking down the sword, drew it and made it by d'ur to kill him. But Amjad said in his mind, This man hath entreated us courteously, and sheltered us, and done his kindness, and made himself my slave. Shall we requite him by slaughtering him? This shall never be. Then he said to the woman,

If my Mamaluk must be killed, better I should kill him than thou. So saying, he took the sword from her, and, raising his hand, smote her on the neck, and made her head fly from her body. It fell upon Badur who awoke and sat up and opened his eyes, when he saw Amjad standing by him and in his hand the sword died with blood and the damsel lying dead. He inquired, what had passed, and Amjad told him all she had said, adding, Nothing would satisfy her, but she must slay thee, and this is her reward. Then Bandura rose, and kissing the prince's hand, said to him, Would to heaven thou had spared her, but now there is nothing for it but to rid us of her

without stay or delay, before the daybreak. Then he girded his loins, and took the body, wrapped it in an Abba cloak, and laying it in a large basket of palm leaves, he shouldered it, saying, thou art a stranger here and knowest no one, so sit thou in this place and await my return till daybreak. If I come back to thee, I will assuredly do thee great good service and use my endeavors to have news of thy brother. But if by sunrise, I return not,

know that all is over with me, in peace beyond thee and the house, and all it containeth of stuffs and money are shine. Then he fared forth from the saloon, bearing the basket, and threading the streets he made for the salt sea, thinking to throw it therein. But as he drew near the shore, he turned and saw that the chief of police and his officers had ranged themselves around him. And on recognizing him, they wondered and opened the basket wherein they found the slain woman. So they seized him and laid him in

Bilbo's all that night till the morning, when they carried him and the basket, as it was, to the king and reported the case. The king was sore enraged when he looked upon the slain and said to Badur, Woe to thee! Thou art always so. O doing, thou killest folk and castest them into the sea and takest their goods. How many murders hast thou done ere this? Thereupon Badur hung his head, and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 233rd night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Badur hung down his head groundwards before the king, who cried out at him, saying, Woe to thee, who killed this girl! He replied, O my lord, I killed her, and there is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. So the king and his anger commanded to hang him, and the hangman went down with him by the king's commandment, and the chief of police accompanied him with a crier who called upon all the folk to witness the execution of Badur, the king's master of the horse, and on this wise they paraded him through the main streets and the market streets.

This is how it fared with Badur, but as regards Amjad, he waited his host's return till the day broke, and the sun rose. When he saw that he came not, he exclaimed, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. Would I know what this has become of him? And, as he set musing, behold, he heard the crier proclaiming Badura's sentence, and bidding the people to see the spectacle of his hanging at midday. whereat he wept and exclaimed, Verily we are Allah's, and to him we are returning.

He meaneth to sacrifice himself unjustly for my sake, when I it was who slew her. By Allah, this shall never be. Then he went from the saloon, and shutting the door after him, hurriedly threaded the streets till he overtook Badur, when he stood before the chief of police and said to him, O my lord, put not Badur to death, for he is innocent. by Allah none killed her but I now when the captain of police heard these words he took them both and carrying them before the king acquainted him with what amjad had said whereupon he looked at the prince and asked him didst thou kill the damsel he answered yes and the king said tell me why thou killedst her and speak the truth replied amjad o king it is indeed a marvelous event and a wondrous matter that hath befallen

me, were it graven with needles on the eye-corner, it would serve as a warner to whoso would be warned. Then he told him his whole story, and informed him of all that had befallen him and his brother, first and last, whereat the king was much startled and surprised, and said to him, know that now I find thee to be excusable, but list, O youth, wilt thou be my wazir? Harkening and obedience, answered Amjad, whereupon the king bestowed magnificent dresses of honor on him and Bador, and gave him a handsome house, with eunuchs and officers and all things needful, appointing him stipends and allowances, and bidding him make search for his brother Assad. So Amjad sat down, invested, and deposed, and took and gave. Moreover, he sent out a

crier to cry his brother throughout the city, and for many days made proclamation in the main streets and market streets, but heard no news of Assad, nor happened on any trace of him. Such was his case. But as regards his brother, the Magi ceased not to torture Assad night and day and even mourn for a whole year's space till their festival drew near when the old man Buram made ready for the voyage and fitted out a ship for himself. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 234th night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Baram, the Magiayan, having fitted out a ship for the voyage, took Assad and put him in a chest which he locked and had it transported on board. Now it so came to pass that, at the very time of shipping it, Amjad was standing to divert himself by looking upon the sea. And when he saw the men carrying the gear and shipping it, his heart throbbed and he called to his pages to bring him his beast. Then, mounting with a company of his officers, he rode down to the seaside and halted before the a giant ship, which he commended his men to board and search. They did his bidding, and boarded the vessel and rummaged in every part, but found nothing. So they returned and told Amjad,

who mounted again and rode back, but he felt troubled in mind, and when he reached his place and entered his palace, he cast his eyes on the wall and saw written thereon two lines which were these couplets. My friends, if ye are banished from mine eyes, from heart, and mine ye ne'er go wandering, but ye have left me in my woe, and rob, rest from my eyelids while ye are slumbering. And seeing them, Amjad thought of his brother and wept. Such was his case, but as for Baram, the Magayan, he embarked and shouted and bawled to his crew to make sail in all haste. So they shook out the sails and departed and ceased not to fare on many days and nights, and every other day, Baram took out Assad and gave him a bit of bread and made him drink a sup of water

till they drew near the mountain of fire. Then there came out on them a stormwind and the sea rose against them, so that the ship was driven out of her course till she shook a wrong line and fell into strange waters, and at last they came in sight of a city built upon the shore with a castle whose windows overlooked the main. Now the ruler of this city was a queen called Marjana, and the captain said, said to Baram, O my lord, we have strayed from our course and come to the island of Queen Marjana, who is a devout Moslama, and if she knew that we are Magians, she will take our ship and slay us to the last man. Yet needs must be put in here to rest and refit. Quoth Baram, Right is thy wrecking, what shall thou seest fit that I will do? Said the shipmaster,

if the queen summon us and question us, how shall we answer her? And Baram replied, Let us clothe this moslem we have with us in a Mamalook's habit and carry him ashore with us, so that when the queen sees him, she will suppose and say, this is a slave. As for me, I will tell her that I am a slave dealer who buys and sells white slaves, and that I had with me many but have sold all save this one,

whom I retain to keep my accounts, for he can read and write. And the captain said, This device should serve. Presently, they reached the city and slacken safe, and cast the anchors, and the ship lay still, when behold, Queen Marjana came down to them, attended by her guards, and halting before the vessel, called out to the captain, who landed and kissed the ground before her, quoth she, What is the lading of this thy ship, and who hast thou with thee?

Quoth he, O queen of the age, I have with me a merchant who dealeth in slaves. And she said, Hither with him to me, whereupon Baram came ashore to to her, and with Asad walking behind him in a slave's habit, and kissed the earth before her. She asked, What is thy condition? And he answered, I am a dealer in chattels. Then she looked at Asad, and taking him for a Mamaluk, asked him, What is thy name, O youth? He answered, dost thou ask my present or my former name? Hast thou then two names? inquired she, and he replied, and indeed his voice, was choked with tears. Yes. My name of foretime was Al-Assad, the most happy, but now it is Al-Mutar,

Misiramus. Her heart inclined to him, and she said, Canst thou write? Yes, answered he, and she gave him ink-case, and read-pen, and paper, and said to him, Write somewhat that I may see it. So he wrote these two couplets. What can the slave do when pursued by fate, O justice judge, whatever be his state, whom God throws hand bound into the depths and says, Beware, lest water should thy body wet. Now, when she read these lines, she had wrath upon him, and said to Baram, Sell me this slave. He replied, O my lady, I cannot sell him, for I have parted with all the rest, and none is left with me, but he, quoth the queen, I must need have him of thee, either by sale or way of gift.

But quoth Baram, I will neither sell him nor give him. Whereat she was wroth, and, taking Asad by the hand, carried him up to the castle and sent to Buram, saying, Except thou set sail and depart our city this very night, I will seize all thy goods and break up thy ship.

Now, when the message reached the Magian, he grieved with sore grief and cried. Verily this voyage is on no wise to be commended. Then he arose, made ready and took all he needed and awaited the coming of the night to resume his voyage, saying to the sailors, provide yourselves with your things and fill your water skins that we may set sail at the last of the night. So the sailors did their business and awaited the coming of darkness. Such was their case. But as regards Queen Marjana, when she had brought Asad into the

castle, she opened the casements overlooking the sea and bade her handmaids bring food. They set food before Assad and herself and both ate, after which the queen called for wine, and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 39 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Recording by Christian Plasberg of Winchester, Virginia, and Christianplasburg.com. Section 40, Volume 3 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Knight, translated by Richard Burton This is a Libravox recording

All Libravox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer Please visit Libravox.org Recording by Nicholas James Bridgewater The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 3, Section 40 When it was the 235th Night She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

That when Queen Marjana bade her handmaids bring wine, And they set it before her, she fell to drinking with Asad. Now, Allah, be he extolled and exalted, Filled her heart with love for the prince, And she kept filling his cup and handing it to him, till his reason fled, and presently he rose and left the hall to satisfy a call of nature. As he passed out of the saloon, he saw an open door, through which he went and walked on till his walk brought him to a vast garden full of all manner of fruits and flowers,

and sitting down under a tree he did his occasion. Then he rose and went up to a jetting fountain in the garden, And made the lesser ablution, And washed his hands and face, After which he would have risen to go away. But the air smote him, and he fell back, with his clothes undone, and slept. And night overcame him thus. So far concerning him. But as concerns Bahram, the night being come, he cried out to his crudely.

crew saying, set sail and let us away. And they answered, we hear and obey, but wait till we fill our water skins, and then we will set sail. So they landed with their water skins and went round about the castle and found nothing but garden walls, whereupon they climbed over into the garden and followed the track of feet, which led them to the fountain, and there they found Asad lying on his back. They knew him, and were glad to find him, and after filling their water-skins, they bore him off, and climbed the wall again with him, and carried him back in haste to Bahram, to whom they said, Hear the good tidings of thy winning thy wish, and gladden thy heart and beat thy drums and sound thy pipes, for thy prisoner, whom Queen Marjana took from thee by force, we have found and brought back to thee.

And they threw Asad down before him. When Bahram saw him, his heart leapt for joy, and his breast swelled with gladness. Then he bestowed largesse on the sailors, and bad them set sail in haste. So they sailed forthright, intending to make the mountain of fire, and stayed not their course till the morning. This is how it fared with them, but as regards Queen Marjana, she abode a word of while after Asad went down from her, awaiting his return in vain, for he came not. Thereupon she rose and sought him, yet found no trace of him. Then she bade her women like flambos and look for him. Whilst she went forth in person, and seeing the garden door open, knew that he

had gone thither. So she went out into the garden, and finding his sandals lying by the fountain, searched the place in every part, but came upon no sign of him. And yet she gave not over the search till morning. Then she inquired for the ship, and they told her, the vessel set sail in the first watch of the night, wherefore she knew that they had taken Asad with them, and this was grievous to her, and she was sore and angered. She bad equipped ten great ships forwith and making ready for fight, embarked in one of the ten with her mamelukes, and slave women, and men at arms, all splendidly accoutred and weaponed for war. They spread the sails, and she said to the captains, If you overtake the Magian's ship, ye shall have of me dresses of

honour and largesse of money, but if you fail so to do, I will slay you to the last man. Whereat fear and great hope animated the crews, and they sailed all that day and the night and the second day, and the third day, till, on the fourth, they sighted the ship of Bahram the Magian, and before evening fell, the queen's squadron had surrounded it on all sides, just as Bahram had taken Asad forth of the chest, and was beating and torturing him, whilst the prince cried out for help and deliverance. but found neither helper nor deliverer. And the grievous Bastinado sorely tormented him. Now while so occupied, Bahram chanced to look up, and seeing himself encompassed by the queen's ships, as the white of the eye encompasseth the black, he gave himself up for lost and groaned and said,

Woe to thee, O Asad, this is all out of thy head. Then taking him by the hand He bade his men Throw him overboard and cried By Allah I will slay thee before I die myself So they carried him along by the hands and feet And cast him into the sea And he sank

But Allah be he extolled and exalted Willed that his life be saved And that his doom be deferred So he caused him to sink and rise again and he struck out with his hands and feet till the Almighty gave him relief and sent him deliverance and the waves bore him far from the Magian ship and threw him ashore

He landed scarce crediting his escape And once more on land he doffed his clothes And wrung them and spread them out to dry Whilst he sat naked and weeping over his condition And bewailing his calamities and mawaleing his calamities and mrs, mortal dangers and captivity and strangerhood. And presently he repeated these two couplets. Allah, my patience fails, I have no ward.

My breast is straightened and clean cut my cord. To whom shall wretched slave of case complain, save to his lord, O thou of lords the lord. Then having ended his verse, he rose and donned his clothes, but he knew not whither to go or whence to come. So he fed on the herbs of the earth and the fruits of the trees, and he drank of the streams, and fared on night and day till he came in sight of a city, whereupon he rejoiced and hastened his pace,

but when he reached it, and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the 236th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when he reached the city, The shades of evening closed around him, And the gates were shut.

Now by the decrees of fate, and man's lot, This was the very city wherein he had been a prisoner, And to whose king his brother Amjad was minister. When Asad saw the gate was locked, he turned back and made for the burial ground, where finding a tomb without a door, he entered therein and lay down and fell asleep, with his face covered by his long sleeve. Meanwhile, Queen Marjana, coming up with Bahram's ship, questioned him of Asad. Now the Magian, when Queen Marjana overtook him with her ships, baffled her by his artifice and grammery,

swearing to her that he was not with him and that he knew nothing of him she searched the ship but found no trace of her friend so she took bahram and carrying him back to her castle would have him put to death but he ransomed himself from her with all his good and his ship and she released him and his men they went forth from her hardly believing in their deliverance and fared on ten days journey till they came to their own city and found the gate shut, it being even-tied. So they made for the burial ground, thinking to lie the night there, and going round about the tombs, as fate and fortune would have it, saw the building wherein Asad lay wide open, whereat Bahram marvelled and said, I must look into this sepulchre. Then he entered and found Asad lying in a corner fast asleep, with his head covered by, his sleeve so he raised his head and looking in his face knew him for the man on whose account he had lost his good and his ship and cried what art thou yet alive

then he bound him and gagged him without further parley and carried him to his house where he clapped heavy shackles on his feet and lowered him into the underground dungeon aforesaid prepared for the tormenting of muslims and he bade his daughter by name Bustan, torture him night and day, till the next year, when they would again visit the mountain of fire, and there offer him up as a sacrifice. Then he beat him grievously, and locking the dungeon door upon him, gave the keys to his daughter. By and by, Bustan opened the door, and went down to beat him, but finding him a comely youth and a sweet face with arched brows and eyes, is black with nature's call she fell in love with him and asked him what is thy name my name is assad answered he whereat she cried mayest thou indeed be happy as thy name and happy be thy days thou deservest not torture and blows and i see thou hast been injuriously entreated and she comforted him with kind words and loosed his bonds then she questioned him of the religion of Al-Islam, and he told her that it was the true and right faith, and that our Lord Muhammad had approved himself by surpassing miracles and signs manifest, and that fire worship is

harmful and not profitable, and he went on to expound to her the tenets of al-Islam, till she was persuaded, and the love of the true faith entered her heart. Then, as all Almighty Allah had mixed up with her being a fond affection for Asaad, she pronounced the two testimonies of the faith and became of the people of Felicity. After this she bought him meat and drink and talked with him and they prayed together. Moreover, she made him chicken stews and fed him therewith till he regained strength and his sickness left him and he was restored to his former health. Such things befell him with the daughter of Bahram, the Magian, and so it happened that one day she left him and stood at the house door, when behold,

she heard the crier crying aloud and saying, Whoso hath with him a handsome young man, whose favour is thus and thus, and bringeth him forth, shall have all he seeketh of money. But if any have him and deny it, He shall be hanged over his own door, and his property shall be plundered, and his blood go for naught. Now Asad had acquainted Boston, Bint Bahram, with his whole history. So when she heard the crier, she knew it was he who was sought for, and, going down to him, told him the news. Then he fared forth and made for the mansion of the wazir, whom, when Asad saw, exclaimed, by Allah! This minister is my brother Amjad. Then he went up, and the damsel walking behind him to the palace,

where he again saw his brother and threw himself upon him, whereupon Amjad also knew him, and fell upon his neck, and they embraced each other, whilst the wazirs Mamalooks dismounted and stood round them. They lay a while insensible, and when they came to themselves, Amjad took his brother and carried him to the Sultan, to whom he related the whole story, and the Sultan charged him to plunder Bahram's house. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 237th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that the Sultan ordered Amjad to plunder Bahram's house. and to hang its owner. So Amjad dispatched thither for that purpose, a company of men, who sacked the house and took Bahram and brought his daughter to the wazir, by whom she was received with all honour, for Asad had told his brother the torments he had suffered, and the kindness she had done him. Thereupon Amjad related in his turn to Asad, all that had passed between himself and the damsel, and how he had escaped hanging and had become wazir, and they made moan each to other of the anguish they had suffered for separation. Then the sultan summoned Bahram, and bad strike off his head, but he said, O most mighty king, art thou indeed resolved to put me to death?

replied the king, yes, except thou save thyself by becoming a Muslim. Quoth Bahram, O king, O king, bear with me a little while then he bowed his head groundwards and presently raising it again made profession of the faith and islamized at the hands of the sultan they all rejoiced at his conversion and amjad and assad told him all that had befallen them whereat he wondered and said o my lords make ready for the journey and i will depart with you and carry you back to your father's court in a ship at this they rejoiced and wept with sore weeping, but he said, O my lords, weep not for your departure, for it shall reunite you with those you love, even as were Nima and Naomi. And what befell Nima and Naomi?

Asked they. They tell, replied Bahram, but Allah alone is all knowing the following tale. End of Volume 3. End of Section 40 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 3. Three.