Classic Audiobook Collection - (Volume 7) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous ~ Full Audiobook [folklore]

Episode Date: August 30, 2023

(Volume 7) Arabian Nights - The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night by Anonymous audiobook. Genre: folklore This is a collection of stories collected over thousands of years by various authors, translators and scholars. They are an amalgam of mythology and folk tales from the Indian sub-continent, Persia, and Arabia. No original manuscript has ever been found, 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 seventh of sixteen volumes translated by Richard Francis Burton. For ad-free listening try our premium subscription Chapters (Approximate) (00:00:00) Chapter 1 (00:21:24) Chapter 2 (00:46:00) Chapter 3 (01:04:42) Chapter 4 (01:30:13) Chapter 5 (01:50:49) Chapter 6 (02:08:44) Chapter 7 (02:28:50) Chapter 8 (02:47:03) Chapter 9 (03:05:10) Chapter 10 (03:20:16) Chapter 11 (03:38:58) Chapter 12 (03:54:18) Chapter 13 (04:06:01) Chapter 14 (04:18:22) Chapter 15 (04:38:27) Chapter 16 (05:02:22) Chapter 17 (05:20:03) Chapter 18 (05:37:48) Chapter 19 (05:59:05) Chapter 20 (06:19:11) Chapter 21 (06:39:12) Chapter 22 (06:56:20) Chapter 23 (07:17:47) Chapter 24 (07:37:04) Chapter 25 (07:59:21) Chapter 26 (08:20:32) Chapter 27 (08:55:06) Chapter 28 (09:19:52) Chapter 29 (09:53:11) Chapter 30 (10:28:15) Chapter 31 (10:50:17) Chapter 32 (11:13:55) Chapter 33 (11:34:47) Chapter 34 (11:57:08) Chapter 35 (12:19:11) Chapter 36 (12:41:10) Chapter 37 (13:00:36) Chapter 38 (13:18:52) Chapter 39 (13:35:41) Chapter 40 (14:03:03) Chapter 41 (14:28:41) Chapter 42 (14:56:51) Chapter 43 (15:19:05) Chapter 44 (15:40:35) Chapter 45 (16:07:19) Chapter 46 (16:30:19) Chapter 47 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. Section 1 When it was the 637th night, Shahrazad continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Sa'adan, having broken into the palace of King Jamak, and pounded to pieces those therein, the survivors cried out,

quarter, quarter! And Saadan said to them, Pinyin, your king. So they bound Jamak and took him up, and Sa'adan drove them before him like sheep, and brought them to Garib's presence, after the most part of the citizens had perished by the enemy's swords. When the king of Babel came to himself, he found himself bound, and heard Saadhan say, I will sup to-night off this king, Jamak. Whereupon he turned to Garib and cried to him,

I throw myself on thy mercy, replied Garib, become a Muslim, and thou shalt be safe from the gull, and from the vengeance of the living one who ceaseth not. So Jamak professed al-Islam with heart and tongue, and Garib bade loose his bonds. Then he expounded the faith to his people, and they all became true believers. after which Jamak returned to the city and dispatched thence Provant land henchmen to Garib

and whined to the camp before Babel where they passed the night. On the morrow Garib gave the signal for the march, and they fared on till they came to Maya Farikin, which they found empty, for its people had heard what had befallen Babel, and had fled to Kufa City, and told Ajib, When he heard the news, his doom-day appeared to him, and he assembled his braves, and informing them of the enemy's approach, ordered them make ready to do battle with his brother's host, after which he numbered them, and found them thirty thousand horse and ten thousand

foot. So, needing more, he levied other fifty thousand men, cavalry and infantry, and taking horse amid a mighty host rode forwards till he came upon his brother's army and camped before Mosul and pitched his tents in face of their lines. Then Garib wrote a writ and said to his officers, Which of you will carry this letter to Ajib? Whereupon Sahim sprang to his feet and cried, O king of the age, I will bear thy missive and bring thee back an answer. So Garib gave him the epistle, and he repaired to the pavilion of Ajib, who, when informed of his coming, said, admit him, and when he stood in the presence, asked him, Whence comest thou?

Answered Sahim, from the king of the Arabs and the Persians, son-in-law of Kozroy, king of the world, who sendeth thee Arit, so do thou return him a reply. Quoth Ajib, give me the letter. Accordingly Sahim gave it to him, and he tore it open and found therein, In the name of Allah the compassionating, the compassionate, peace on Abraham the friend await. But afterwards, as soon as this letter shall come to thy hand, Do thou confess the unity of the bountiful king, causer of causes, and mover of the clouds,

and leave worshipping idols. And thou do this thing, thou art my brother and ruler over us, and I will pardon thee the deaths of my father and mother, nor will I reproach thee with what thou hast done. But, and thou obey not my bidding, behold, I will hasten to thee, and cut off thy head, and lay waste thy dominions.

Verily, I give thee good counsel, and the peace beyond those who pace the past the past, of salvation and obey the most high king. When Ajib read these words and knew the threat they contained, his eyes sank into the crown of his head, and he gnashed his teeth and flew into a furious rage. Then he tore the letter in pieces and threw it away, which vexed Sahim, and he cried out upon Ajib, saying, Allah wither thy hand for the deed thou hast done. With this Ajib cried out to his men, saying, Sees yonder hound, and hew him in pieces with your hangers.

So they ran at Sahim, but he bared blade and fell upon them, and slew of them more than fifty braves, after which he cut his way out, though bathed in blood, and one back to Garib who said, What is this case, O Sahim? And he told him what had passed, whereat he grew livid for rage and crying, Alahou Akbar, God is most great,

bade the battle drums beat. So the fighting men donned their howberks and coats of straight-woven male and baldriced themselves with their swords. The footmen drew out in battle array, whilst the horsemen mounted their prancing horses and dancing camels and levelled their long lances, and the champions rushed into the field. Ajib and his men also took horse,

and host charged down upon host. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say, her permitted say, when it was the six hundred and thirty-eighth night. She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Garib and his merry men took horse, Ajib and his troops also must be.

mounted, and host charged down upon host, then ruled the kazi of battle, in whose ordinance is no wrong, for a seal is on his lips, and he speaketh not, and the blood railed in rills, and purpled earth with curious embroidery. Heads grew gray, and hotter waxed battle, and fiercer. Feet slipped, and stood firm, the valiant, and pushed forwards, wilt. Will-thewed, turned the faint heart and fled. Nor did they leave fighting till the day darkened, and the night starkened. Then clashed the symbols of retreat, and the two hosts drew apart from each other, and returned to their tents where they rited. Next morning, as soon as it was day, the symbols beat to battle and deringdu, and the warriors donned their harness of fight,

and baldriced their blades the brightest bright, and with the brown, Lance Bidite, mounted a doughty steed every night, and cried out, saying, This day, no flight. And the two hosts drew out in battle array like the surging sea. The first to open the chapter of war was Sahim, who crave his destrier between the two lines, and played with swords and spears, and turned over all the capitula of combat, till men of choicest wits were confounded. Then he cried out, saying,

Who is for fighting? Who is for jousting? Let no sluggard come out, nor weakling. Whereupon there rushed at him, a horseman of the kafirs, as he were a flame of fire. But Sahim let him not stand long before him, ere he overthrew him with a thrust.

Then a second came forth, and he slew him also, and a third, and he tear him in twain, and a fourth, and he did him to death, nor did they cease salying out to him, and he left not slaying them till it was noon, by which time he had laid low two hundred braves. Then Ajib cried to his men, Charge once more, and sturdy host, on sturdy host, down bore, and great was the clash of arms and battle roar. The shining swords out rang, the blood in streams ran,

and footmen rushed upon footman. Death showed in van, and horse-hoof was shodden with skull of man, nor did they cease from sore smiting till waned the day, and the night came on in black array, when they drew apart, and returning to their tents,

past the night there. As soon as morning morrowed, the two hosts mounted and sought the field of fight, and the Muslims looked for Garib to back steed and ride under the standards, as was his want, but he came not. So Sahim sent to his brother's pavilion, a slave who, finding him not, asked the tent-pitchers, but they answered, We know not of him. whereat he was greatly concerned and went forth and told the troops who refrained from battle, saying, And Garib be absent, his foe will destroy us.

Now there was for Garib's absence a cause, strange but true, which we will set out in order due, and it was thus. When Ajib returned to his camp on the preceding night, he called one of his guardsmen by name, Sayar, and said to him, O Sayar, I have not treasured thee save for a day like this, and now I bid thee enter among Garib's host, and pushing into the marquis of their lord, bring him hither to me, and prove how wily thy cunning be. And Sayar said, I hear and I obey, so he repaired to the enemy's camp, and stealing into Garib's pavilion, under the darkness of the night, when all the men had gone to

their places of rest, stood up as though he were a slave to serve Garib, who, present, being a thirst, called to him for water. So he brought him a pitcher of water, drugged with bong, and Garib could not fulfill his need as he fell down with head, distancing heels, whereupon Sayar wrapped him in his cloak and carrying him to Ajib's tent, threw him down at his feet. Quoth Ajib, O Sayar, what is this? Quoth he, This be thy brother, Garib. Whereat Ajib rejoiced and said, The blessings of the idols light upon thee, loose him and wake him. So they made him sniff up vinegar, and he came to himself and opened his eyes, then finding himself bound in an intent, other than his own, exclaimed, There is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah,

the glorious, the great. Thereupon Ajib cried out at him, saying, dost thou draw on me, O dog, and seek to slay me, and take on me thy blood-reak of thy father and thy mother. I will send thee this very day to them, and rid the world of thee. Replied Garib, Kaffir hound, soon shalt thou see against whom the wheels of faith shall revolve, and who shall be overthrown by the wrath of the almighty king, who oughteth what is in hearts, and who shall leave thee in Gehenna, tormented and confounded. Have ruth on thyself, and say with me, There is no God but the God, and Abraham is the friend of God. When Ajib heard Garib's words, he sparked and snorted, and railed at his God, the stone,

and called for the sorder and the leather rug of blood. But his wazir, who was at heart a Muslim, though outwardly a miscreant, rose, and kissing ground before him said, Patience, O King, deal not hastily, but wait till we know the conquered from the conqueror. If we prove the victors, we shall have power to him, and if we be beaten, his being alive in our hands will be a strength to us. And the emir said, The minister speaketh sooth. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say,

when it was the six hundred and thirty-ninth night. She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when Ajib purposed to slay Garib, The wazir rose and said, Deal not hastily, for we have always power to kill him. So Ajib bade, Lay his brother Garib in irons,

And chain him up in his own tent, And set a thousand stout warriors to guard him. him. Meanwhile, Garib's host, when they awoke that morning and found not their king, whereas sheep sands a shepherd. But Sa'adan, the gull, cried out at them, saying, O folk, don your war-gear, and trust your lord to defend you. So Arabs and Ajams mounted horse, after clothing themselves in hobarks of iron, and skirting themselves in straight-knit male, and sallied forth to the field, the chiefs and the colors, moving in van, then dashed out the gall of the mountain, with a club on his shoulder, two hundred pounds in weight,

and wheeled and careered, saying, Ho, worshippers of idols, come ye out and renown it this day, for tis a day of onslaught, whoso knoweth me hath enough of my mischief, and who so knowethetheth So knoweth me not, I will make myself known to him. I am Sa'adan, servant of King Garib. Who is for jousting? Who is for fighting? Let no faint heart come forth to me today, nor weakling. And there rushed upon him a champion of the infidels,

as he were a flame of fire, and drove at him. But Saadan charged home at him, and dealt him with his club, a blow which broke his ribs and cast him lifeless to the earth. Then he called out to his sons and slaves, saying, Light the bonfire, and whoso falleth of the kafirs, Do ye dress him and roast him well in the flame? Then bring him to me that I may break my fast on him. So they kindle the fire, midmost the plain,

And laid thereon the slain, till he was cooked, when they brought him to Sa'adan, who gnawed his flesh and crunched his bones. When the miscreants saw the mountain gull do this deed, they were frighted with sore right, but Ajib cried out to his men, saying, Out on you, fall upon the ogre, and hew him in hunks with your scimitars.

So twenty thousand men ran at Sa'adan, whilst the footman circled round him and reigned upon him, and reigned upon him darts and shafts, so that he was wounded in four and twenty places, and his blood ran down upon the earth, and he was alone. Then the host of the Muslims crave at the heathenry, calling for help upon the Lord of the Three Worlds,

and they ceased not from fight and fray till the day came to an end, when they drew apart. But the infidels had captured Sa'dan, as he were a drunken man for loss of blood, and they bound him fast, and set him by Garib, who, seeing the gall, a prisoner, said, There is no majesty,

and there is no might, save in Allah, the glorious, the great. O Sa'dan, what case is this? O my lord, replied Saadan, it is Allah, extolled and exalted be he, who ordaineth joy, and annoy, and there is no help but this and that betide. And Garib rejoined, thou speakest sooth, O Sa'dan.

But Ajib passed the night in joy, and he said to his men, Mount ye on the morrow, and fall upon the Muslims, so shall not one of them be left alive. And they replied, Harkening and obedience. This is how it fared with them, but as regards the Muslims, they passed the night, dejected, and weeping for their king and Sa'an. But Sahim said to them, O folk, be not concerned, for the adence of Almighty Allah is nigh. Then he waited till midnight when he assumed the garb of a tent-pitcher.

And repairing to Ajib's camp made his way between the tents and pavilions till he came to the king's marquis, where he saw him seated on his side. throne, surrounded by his princes. So he entered, and going up to the candles which burnt in the tent, snuffed them, and sprinkled, levigated hen-bane on the wicks, after which he withdrew, and waited without the marquis, till the smoke of the burning hen-bane reached Ajib and his princes, and they fell to the ground like dead men. Then he left them, and went to the prison tent, where he found Garib and Sa'adan, guarded by a thousand braves who were overcome with sleep. So he cried out at the guards, saying,

Woe to you, sleep not, but watch your prisoners, and light the crescents. Presently he filled the crecess with firewood, on which he strewed henbane, and lighting it, went round about the tent with it, till the smoke entered the nostrils of the guards. and they all fell asleep, drowned by the drug. When he entered the tent, and finding Garib and Sa'dan also insensible, he aroused them by making them smell and sniff at a sponge full of vinegar he had with him.

Thereupon he loosed their bonds and collars, and when they saw him, they blessed him and rejoiced in him. After this they went forth and took all the arms of the guards, and Sahim said to them, Go to your own camp, while he re-entered Ajib's pavilion, and wrapping him in his cloak,

lifted him up and made for the Muslim encampment. And the Lord, compassionate, protected him so that he reached Garib's tent in safety and unrolled the cloak before him. Garib looked at its contents, and seeing his brother Ajib bound, cried out, Allah O Akbar, God is most great, Edans, victory.

And he blessed Sahim and bade him a rouse, Ajib. So he made him smell the vinegar, mixed with incense, and he opened his eyes, and finding himself bound and shackled, hung down his head earthwards. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say, End of Section 1. Section 2 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night,

Volume 7. This is a Libravox recording. All Libervox 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 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 2

When it was the 600 and 40th night, she said, It had reached me, O auspicious king, that after Sahim hath aroused Ajib, whom he had made insensible with Henbane, and had brought to his brother Garib, the captive opened his eyes, and feeling himself bound and shackled, hung down his head earthwards. Thereupon cried Sahim, O Akarsid, lift thy head.

So he raised his eyes, and found himself amongst Arabs and Ajamis, and saw his brother, seated on the throne of his estate, and the place of his power, wherefore he was silent, and spake not. Then Garib cried out and said, Strip me this hound. So they stripped him and came down upon him with whips till they weakened his body and subdued his pride after which Garib set over him a guard of an hundred knights.

And when this fraternal correction had been administered, they heard shouts of, There is no God but the God, and God is most great from the camp of the kafirs. Now the cause of this was that ten days after his nephew, King Al-Damig, Garib's uncle, had set out from Al Jazeera with twenty thousand horse and on nearing the field of battle

had dispatched one of his scouts to get news. The man was absent a whole day at the end of which time he returned and told al-Damig all that had happened to Garib with his brother. So he waited till the night when he fell upon the infidels, crying out Alahaw Akbar and put them to the edge of the biting scimitar. When Garib heard the takbbir, he said to Sahim, Go, find out the cause of these shouts and war cries.

So Sahim repaired to the field of battle. and questioned the slaves and camp followers who told him that king al damig had come up with twenty thousand men and had fallen upon the idolaters by night saying by the virtue of abraham the friend i will not forsake my brother's son but will play a brave man's part and beat back the host of miscreants and please the omnipotent king So Sahim returned and told his uncle's daring-due to Garib, who cried out to his men saying, Don your arms and mount your steeds, and let us succor my father's brother. So he took horse and fell upon the infidels, and put them to the edge of the sharp sword. By the morning they had killed Nye fifty thousand of the kafirs, and made other thirty thousand prisoners. And the rest of Ajib's army dispersed over the length and breath of earth. Then the Muslims returned in victory and triumph, and Garib rode out to meet his uncle, whom he saluted and thanked for his help.

Quoth al-Damig, I wonder if that dog Ajib fell in this day's affair. Quoth Garib, O uncle, be of good cheer, and keep thine eyes cool and clear, Know that he is with me in chains. When Aldamig heard this, he rejoiced with exceeding joy, and the two kings dismounted and entered the pavilion, but found no Ajib there, whereupon Garib exclaimed, O glory of Abraham, the friend, with whom be peace, adding, Alas, what an ill end is this to a glorious day!

And he cried out to the tent-pitchers, saying, Woe to you, where is my enemy who oweeth me so much? Quoth they, When thou mountest, and we went with thee, thou didst not bid us guard him. And Garib exclaimed, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. But al-Damig said to him, hasten not, nor be concerned, for where can he go and we in pursuit of him. Now the manner of Ajib's escape was in this wise. His page, Sayar, had been ambushed in the camp,

and when he saw Garib mount and ride forth, leaving none to guard his enemy Ajib, he could hardly credit his eyes. So he waited a while, and presently crept to the tent, and taking Ajib, who was senseless for the pain of the Bastinac. on his back, made off with him into the open country, and fared on at the top of his speed,

from early night to the next day, till he came to a spring of water under an apple-tree. There he sat down, Ajib, from his back, and washed his face, whereupon he opened his eyes, and seeing Sayar, said to him, O Sayar, carry me to Kufa, that I may recover there, and levy, horsemen and soldiers wherewith, to overthrow my foe, and know, O Sayar, that I am unhungered. So Sayar sprang up, and going out to the desert, caught an ostrich-pote, and brought it to his lord. Then he gathered fuel, and deftly, using the fire-sticks, kindled a fire. by which he roasted the bird which he had halald and fed ajib with its flesh and gave him to drink of the water of the spring till his strength returned to hits after which he went to one of the badawi tribal encampments and stealing thence a steed mounted ajib upon it and journeyed on with him for many days till they drew near the city of kufa the viceroy of the capital came out

to meet and salute the king, whom he found weak with the beating his brother had inflicted upon him. And Ajib entered the city and called his physicians. When they answered his summons, he bade them, heal him in less than ten days' time. They said, We hear, and we obey, and they tended him till he became whole of the sickness that was upon him, and of the punishment. Then he commanded his wazirs. to write letters to all his nabobs and vassals and he indicted one and twenty writs and despatched them to the governors who assembled their troops and set out for kufa by forced marches and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the six hundred and forty-first night she continued

it hath reached me o auspicious king that ajib sent orders to assemble the troops who marched forthright to kufa meanwhile garib being troubled for ajib's escape despatched in quest of him a thousand braves who dispersed on all sides and sought him a day and a night but found no trace of him so they returned and told Garib who called for his brother Sahim but found him not whereat he was sore concerned fearing for him from the shifts of fortune and lo Sahim entered and kissed ground before Garib who rose when he saw him and asked where hast thou been o sahin he answered o king i have been to kufa and there i find that the dog ajib hath made his way to his capital and is healed of his hearts eck he hath written letters to his vassals and sent them to his nebabs who have brought him troops when gharib heard this he gave the command to march so they struck tents and fared for kuf

When they came in sight of the city, they found it compassed about with a host like the surging main, having neither beginning nor end, so Garib with his troops encamped in face of the kaffirs and set up his standards, and darkness fell down upon the two hosts, whereupon they lighted campfires and kept watch till daybreak. Then King Garib rose, and making the woo-zou, Ablution, prayed a two-bow prayer, according to the right of our father, Abraham the friend, on whom be the peace, after which he commanded the battle-drums to sound the point of war. Accordingly, the kettle-drums beat to combat, and the standards fluttered, whilst the fighting

men armor donned, and their horses mounted, and themselves displayed, and to plain fared, Now the first to open the gate of war was King al-Damig, who urged his charger between the two opposing armies, and displayed himself, and played with the swords and the spears, till both hosts were confounded, and at him marvelled, after which he cried out, saying, Who is for jousting? Let no sluggard come out to me, nor weakling, for I am al-Damig, the king, brother of Kundamir, the king, brother of Kundamir, the king, the king. Then there rushed forth a horseman of the kaffirs, as he were a flame of fire, and crave at al-Damig, without word said. But the king received him with a lance thrust in the breast, so dower that the point issued from between his shoulders, and Allah hurried his soul to the fire, the abiding place dire. Then came forth a second he slew, and a third he slew, and a third he slew likewise, and they ceased not to come out to him and he to slay them till he had made an end of

six and seventy fighting men. Hereupon the miscreants and men of might hung back and would not encounter him. But Ajib cried out to his men and said, Fye on you, O folk, if you all go forth to him one by one, he will not leave any of you sitting or standing. Charge on him all at once, and cleanse of them are earthly woan, and strew their heads for your horse's hoofs like a plain of stone. So they waved the yew striking flag, and host was heaped upon host. Blood reigned in streams upon earth,

and railed, and the judge of battle ruled, in whose ordinance is no upright. The fearless stood firm on feet in the stead of fight, whilst the faint heart gave back and took to flight, thinking the day would never come to an end, nor the curtains of gloom would be drawn by the hand of night, and they cease not to battle with swords and to smite, till light darkened, and murk starkened.

Then the kettle-drums of the infidels beat the retreat, but Garib, refusing to stay his arms, crave at the Pynimri, and the believers in youth, the Muslims followed him. How many heads and hands they shore, how many necks and sinews they tore, how many knees and spines they mashed, and how many grown men and youths they to death bashed. With the first gleam of morning gray, the infidels broke and fled away, in disorder and disarray, and the Muslims followed them till middle day, and the Muslims followed them till middle day, and took over twenty thousand of them whom they brought to their tents in bonds to stay.

Then Garib sat down before the gate of Kufa, and commanded a herald to proclaim pardon and protection for every white who should leave the worship to idols dight, and professed the unity of his all might, the creator of mankind and of light and night. So was made proclamation, as he bade in the streets of Kufa, and all that were therein embraced the true faith, great and small. Then they issued forth in a body, and renewed their Islam before King Garib, who rejoiced in them with exceeding joy, and his breast broadened, and he threw off all annoy. Presently he inquired of Mardas and his daughter Madhiyah, and being told that he had taken up his abode behind the red mountain, he called Sahim, and said to him,

Find out for me what has become of thy father. Sahim mounted steed without stay or delay, and set his berry-brown spear in rest, and fared on in quest till he reached the red mountain, where he sought for his father, yet found no trace of him nor of his tribe. However, he saw in their stead an elder of the Arabs, a very old man, broken with excess of years, and asked him of the folk, and whither they were gone. Replied he,

Oh, my son, when Mardas heard of Gariv's descent upon Kufa, he feared with great fear, and taking his daughter and his folk, set out with his handmaids and negroes into the wild and word, and I wot not whither he went. So Sahim, hearing the Shaikh's words, returned to Garib and told him thereof, whereat he was greatly concerned. Then he sat down on his father's throne, and opening his treasuries, distributed largesse to each and every of his braves, and he took up his abode in Kufa, and saw,

sent out spies to get news of Ajib. He also summoned the grandees of the realm, who came and did him homage, as also did the citizens, and he bestowed on them sumptuous robes of honor, and commanded the riots to their care. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted stay, when it was the six hundred and forty-second night. She pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That Garib,

After giving robes of honor To the citizens of Kufa, And, commending the riots to their care, Went out on a day of the days to hunt With an honored horse, And fared on till he came to Awadi, Abounding in trees and fruits, And rich in rills and birds.

It was a pasturing place for rose and gazelle, to the spirit a delight whose sense reposed from the languor of fight. They encamped in the valley, for the day was dear and bright, and there passed the night. On the morrow, Garib made the wuzoo ablution, and prayed the two bough, dawn prayer, offering up praise and thanks to Almighty Allah, when, lo and behold, there arose a clamor, and confusion in the meadows, and he bade Sahim, go see what was to do. So Sahim mounted forthright, and rode till he espied goods being plundered, and horses haltered, and women carried off, and children crying out.

Whereupon he questioned one of the shepherds, saying, What be all this? And they replied, This is the harem of Mardas, chief of the Banu Katan and his good and that of his clan. For yesterday, Jamr Khan slew Mardas and made prize of his women and children and household stuff, and all the belonging of his tribe. It is his want to go a raiding and to cut off highways and waylay, wayfarers, and he is a furious tyrant. Neither Arabs nor kings can prevail against him. and he is the scourge and curse of the country.

Now when Sahim heard these news of his sire's slaughter and the looting of his harem and property, he returned to Garib and told him the case, wherefore fire was added to his fire, and his spirit chafed to wipe out his shame and his blood wit to claim. So he rode with his men after the robbers till he overtook them and fell upon them, crying out and saying,

Almighty Allah upon the rebel, the traitor, the infidel, and he slew in a single charge one and twenty fighting men. Then he halted in midfield with no coward's heart, and cried out, Where is Jamer Khan? Let him come out to me, that I may make him quaff the cup of disgrace, and rid of him earth's face. Hardly had he made an end of speaking when forth rushed Jammer Khan,

as he were a calamity of calamities or a piece of a mountain cased in steel. He was a mighty, huge, amalekite, and he crave at Garib without speech or salute, like the fierce tyrant he was, and he was armed with a mace of china steel so heavy, so potent, that had he smitten a hill he had smashed it. Now when he charged, Garib met him like a hungry lion,

and the brigand aimed a blow at his head with his mace, but he evaded it, and it smote the earth, and sank therein, half a cubit deep. Then Garib took his battle-flail, and, smiting Jamer Khan on the wrist, crushed his fingers, and the mace dropped from his grasp, whereupon Garib bent down from his seat in cell, and snatching it up, swiftlyer than the blinding leaven, smote him therewith, full on the flat of the ribs, and he fell to the earth like a long-stammed palm-tree.

So Sahim took him, and pinioning him, hailed him off with a rope, and Garib's horsemen fell on those of Jammer Khan and slew fifty of them. The rest fled, nor did they cease flying till they reached their tribal camp and raised their voices in clamor, whereupon all who were in the castle, came out to meet them and asked the news. They told the tribe what had passed, and when they heard that their chief was a prisoner, they set out for the valley, vying one.

with other in their haste to deliver him. Now when King Garib had captured Jammer Khan and had seen his braves take flight, he dismounted and called for Jamir Khan, who humbled himself before him, saying, I am under thy protection, O champion of the age. Replied Garib, O dog of the Arabs, dost thou cut the road for the servants of Almighty Allah,

and fearest thou not. the Lord of the Worlds. O my master, asked Jammar Khan, and who is the Lord of the Worlds? O dog, answered Garib, and what calamity dost thou worship? He said, O my Lord, I worship a God made of dates, needed with butter and honey, and at times I eat him, and make me another. When Garib heard this, he laughed till he fell backwards and said, O miserable, there is none worship worth, save Almighty Allah,

who created thee and created all things, and provideth all creatures with daily bread, from whom nothing is hid, and he, over all things, is omnipotent. Quoth Jammer Khan, And where is this great God that I may worship him? Quoth Garib, O fellow, Know that this God's name is Allah, the God, and it is he who fashioned the heavens and the earth, and guard the trees to grow, and the waters to flow.

He created wild beasts and birds, and paradise and hellfire, unveileth himself from all eyes seeing, and of none being seen. He, and he only, is the dweller on high, extolled, be ye. his perfection. There is no God but he. When Jamrakhan heard these words, the ears of his heart were opened, his skin shuddered with horipilation, and he said, O my lord, what shall I say, that I may become of you, and that this mighty Lord may accept of me? Replied Garib, say, there is no God but the God, and Abraham the friend is the apostle of God. So he pronounced the profession of the faith

and was written of the people of felicity. Then quoth Garib, Say me, hast thou tasted the sweetness of al-Islam, and quoth the other, yes. Whereupon Garib cried, Loose his buns, So they unbound him, And he kissed ground before Garib and his feet.

now whilst this was going on behold they espied a great cloud of dust that towered till it walled the word and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of Section 2. Section 3 of the bug of a thousand nights and a night, volume 7. This is a Librivox recording. All Librevox recording are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librivox.org. Recording by April Gonzalez. To a book of a thousand knights and a night, volume 7 by Anonymous,

translated by Richard Francis Burton When it was the six hundred in forty-third night She pursued It hath reached me as vicious king That Jamarcan is lamais and cast a gram between the hands of Garib And as you thus, behold, a great cloud of just chavreel till it war of the world And Garib said to Sahim Go and see first what it be

So he went forth like a burdenful flight and presently returned saying o king of the age this justice to banu amir the comrades of jermarcan whereupon koth garib to the new moslem ride out to thy people and offer to them al islam and they profess they shall be saved but and they refuse we will put them to the sword sir jamaurkan mounted and driving steed towards his tribesmen cried out to them and they knew him and dismounting came up to him on foot and said rejoice in thy safety o lord said he o folk who so obeyeth me shall be saved but he so gainsayeth me i will cut him in train with this cemeter and they made answer saying command is what thou wilt for we will not oppose their commandment quoth he then say with me there is no god but the god of abraham is your friend of god they ask o our lord whence had his day these words and he told them i had befallen him with garib adding o folk know ye not that i am your chief in battle-plain and were men of cut and frus afein and yet a man single-handed me to prison o hath tain and made me with a cow of shame and disgrace to drain who they heard the speech,

they spoke the word of unity, and Jamaican led them to Garib, at whose hands they renewed their profession of al-Islam, and wished him glory and victory. Archer they had kissed the earth before him. Garib rejoiced in them, and said to them, O folk, return to your people, and expand al-Islam to them. But all replied,

O our Lord, we will never leave thee, whilst we will live, but we will go and fetch our families and return to thee and Garib said, Govind join me at the city of Kufa. Sir Jamar Khan and his comrades returned to the tribal camp and of fatal Islam to the women and children, who all to a soul embraced true fate, after which he dismantled the abodes and struck the tents and set up for Kufa,

driving before them the steeds, camels and sheep. During this time, Garib returned to them. Kufa where the horseman met him in state. He entered his palace and sat down his sire's frame with his champions range on either hand. Then the spies came forward and informed him that his brother Ajib had made it escape and had taken refuge with Jalan bin Karkar, lord the city of Oman and land of Al Yaman. Upon Garib cried aloud to his host, O men, make you ready to march in three days. Then he expounded all Islam to the thirty thousand men he had captured in the first affair,

and exhorted them to profess and take service to him. Twenty thousand embraced the fate, but the rest refused and he slew them. Then came forward Jamar Khan and he striped and kissed the ground before Gariv, who bestowed on him a splendid robe of honour and made him captain of his vanguard, saying, O Jamar Khan, Man for the sheaves of thy kids, and kin and twenty thousand horse and fell on before us to the land of Jolan bin Karkar. Hearkening and obedience, answered Jamar Khan and, leaving the women and children of the tribe in Kufa,

he set forward. Then Garri passed in review, the Harim of Mardas, in his eye lit upon Madhiyah, who was among the women, wherewith he fell then fainting. They sprinkled rose water in his face, till he came to himself, when he embraced Madhiyah and carried her into a sitting chamber, where he sat with her, and the twain laid together that night with that funnication. Next morning he went out, and sitting down the throne of his kingship, robed his uncle, al-Damek, with a robe of honour,

and appointed him his viceroy over all al-Iraq, commanding Madhiyah to his care, till he should return from his petition against Ajib, and when the order was accepted he set out for the land of al-yaman and the city of oman with twenty thousand horse and then thousand feet now when a jeep and his defeated army drew in sight of oman king jalan saw the dust of the approach and sent to find out its meaning scats who returned and said verily this the desert one hides a jeep lord of al iraq and jealind wondered at his coming to his country and when he assured of his writings he said to his officers fair you for the father to meet him sir went out and met him and pitched tins for him at the city gate and adjib entered in to jalan weeping eyed and heavy-hearted now jelan's wife was the daughter of adjib's paternal uncle and he had children by her so when he saw his kinsman in his plight he asked for the truth of what ailed him and a chief told him all that befallen him first and last from his brother and said o king gary bithered the folk worship the lord of the heavens and forbither them from the services of the cimulacres and other of the gods when jaland heard of these words he rage and revolted and said by the virtue of the sun lord of life and light i will not leave one of their brothers folk in existence but where did they dare quit them

And how many men are they? Answered our sheep. I let them in Kufa and they'll be fifty thousand horse, where Bonjali called his wazir, Jabamah, saying, Take these seventy thousand horse and faired a Kofa and bring me the Muslims alive, that I may torture them with all manners of tortures.

Sir Jiamar departed with his host unfa fed through the first day and the second till the seventh day. When he came to a wadi, abounding in trees and rils and fruit, here he called a halt, and shahrazad perceived a jornad day, and ceased to say her permitted say, when it was a six hundred and forty-four night. She pursued it hath reached me, auspicious king, that Vangeland said Jemaman, with his army to Kufa, they came upon Awadi abounding in trees and rails, where a halt was called, and they rested till the middle of the night when the wazir gave a signal for departure and mounting

ray dawn before them till hard upon dawn at which time he descended into a wild-wooded valley whose flowers were fragrant and whose bed wobbled and bows as this swayed gracefully turned through and satan blew into his sides and puffed him up with bride and he improvised these couplets and cried I plunged with my braves into seething sea seized a foe in my shrink and my valiancy in the doughtiest knights ought me well to be friend to friend and first foe to mine enemy i will lord gumb with the captive's chains right soon and return in all joy and glee for i've durned my mail and my weapon's wheel and on all sides charged the chivalry hardly had joan-maid maiden end of his verses when they came out upon him from among the trees a horse when it truce treble mien, covered in cladden's cheerly sheen, who cried out to him, saying, Stand, O'Rifra of the Arabs, Doth thy dress and grant thine arms, care, and dismount thy dastria,

and be off with thy life. When Jermat heard this, the light in his eyes became the darkest night, and he drew his sabre, and drove at Jermarkan, for he it was, saying, El Tif of the Arabs, look of thou caught the road for me, whom captain of the host of Jolon, bin Karkar and am come to bring Garib and his men in Bonn when Jamar Khan heard these words he said her cooling is this to my heart and liver and he made the Jamar vastifying of these coulots under noted night in a field of fight whose sabre and spare every foe of fright jimarkar and am i to my foe's affair with the lens lunch known unto every night garib is my lord and i'm a pontiff my prince with The two hosts dashed very lion of might, and among the fate, pious, striking awe, on a plain where his face like the fawn take flight, whose voice bids vague to the fate of the

friend, fools, troubling idols, and gods despite. Nojima cannot fare done, with this tribesman ten days' journey from Cuvarsity and called a halt on the 11th day till midnight, when he ordered the march and rode on advancing them. till he descended into the valley of a foresaid and heard jo-ma residing his verses so he crave at him as the driving of a ravening lion and smithing him with his sword clove him in train and waited till his captains came up when he told them i had passed and said to them take each of you five thousand men and his pairs ran about the wadi whilst i and the banu amir fall upon the enemy's van shouting allah o'abar god is most great when ye hear my slogan to ye charge them crying like me upon the lord and smite them with the sword we hear and we obey answered they and churning back to the braves did his bidding and spread themselves about the sides of the valley in the twilight four running to join presently lo and behold up came the army of old yamon like a flock of sheep falling plight in a steep and jemad kan in banuma meir fell upon them shouting alhah ala aubber till all heard it muslims and miscreants whereupon the true believers ambush in the valley answered from every side in the hills and mountains responsive cried and all things replied green and dried saying god is most great

adens and victory to us from own high shame to the miscreants who his name deny and the kaffiris were confounded and some at one another with sabers keen whilst a true belief and pious fell upon them like flames of fiery sheen and nor was seen, but heads flying and blood-getting and faint hearts hiring. By the time they could see one of those faces, two thirds of the infidels had perished, and Allah hastened their souls through the fire and abiding-place dire. The rest of them fled, and to the desert, spent whilst the Muslims pursued them, to slay and take captives till middle day. when they returned in triumph with seven thousand prisoners and but six and twenty thousand of de infidels escaped and the most of him wounded then to muslims collected the horses and arms the loads and tens of the enemy and despatched them to cool fire with an escort of a thousand horse and shedersat beseeched at dawn of day and seized say who permitted say when it was to six hundred and four to fifth night she said it had reached me o auspicious king that jermarkin in his battle with joamah marl slew him and slew his men and after taking many prisoners and much money and many horses and loads set them with an escort of a thousand riders to cover city then he and the army of all islam this mountain expounded the saving fate to the prisoners who made profession with heart and tongue whereupon they released them

from bonds and embraced them and rejoiced in them then jamaican made his troops who had swelled to a mighty money rested day and night and march of the dawn intending to attack jalan bin carcar in the city of oman whilst a thousand horse fed back to kufa with a lute when they reached the city they went into king garib and told him what had passed but he rejoiced and gave them joy and turning to the gulph of the mountain said, Take horse of twenty thousand and follow Jamaican. So, Sa'adan, and his sons mounted and set out amid twenty thousand horse for Amman. Meanwhile, the fugitives defeated Kaffirs, reached Oman, and went into Jalan, weeping and crying, Woe, and Run, where he was confounded and said to them, What calamity had befallen you. So they told him what had happened, and he said,

woe to you how many men were they replied o king there were twenty standards under each a thousand men when shall not hear this word he said may the son poor no blessing on you fear upon you what shall twenty thousand overcome you and your seventy thousand hauls in joamard able to withstand three thousand feel to fight then in the excess of his rage and mortification he bared his blade and cried out of those who were present, saying, "'Fall in them!' So the courtiers draw the swords, upon the fugitives, and like her late it though into the last man, and cast him to the dogs. Then Jalan cried out to his son, saying, "'Jake an hundred thousand horse and go to Al-Iraq, and lay it raised altogether. Now this son's name was Cujaran, and there were no daughter-night in all the force,

for he could charge single-handed three thousand riders, so he and his host made haste to equip themselves and march in a battle array, rank following rank, with the prince of the head, glorifying in himself and improvising these couplets. I'm Al-Kurajan, and my name is known to be all who in wall or in city won. How many soldiers my sword will strike down like a cow on a ground bestrone? How many a soldier are forced to fly, and have rolled their heads as a bowers frame? Now I'll drive and hurry the land, Iraq, and like rain I'll shower the blood the phone, and lay hands on Ghanib, and his men, whose doom to the wise a warning shall soon be shown.

The host fed on twelve days' journey, and, while they were still marching, behold the great just cloud arose before them, and walled the horizon, and the whole region. So could a John sent out scouts saying, go forward and bring me chiding so what he meaneth is just to vent till they pass under the enemy's standard and presently returning said o king verily this is to jest at the moslems brett he was gladden said did she count them and the yon said we counted the collars and the number twenty quoth he by my faith i will not send one man at arms against them but will go forth to them alone by myself and drew the heads on the other than the other men at arms against them but will go forth to them alone by myself and drew the heads on the the horses hooves. Now this was the army of Jammer Khan, who, spying the host of the kaffirs and seeing them as a surging sea, called the halt. So his troops pitched a tent and set of the standards, calling upon the no of the all-wise one, the creator of lights

and glue, Lord of all creatures, who seeth while him known see, the high to infinity, extroled and exalted be he, there is no goal but he, the miscreants, also hold it and pitch at the tents, and Kurajan said to them, Keep on your arms, and in arm asleep, for during the last watch of the night, we will mount and tremble yonder handful under feet. Now one of Jamaican spies were standing night, and heard what Karajan had contrived,

so he returned to the house and told his chief he said to them, arm yourselves, and as soon at its night, bring me all the mules and camels, and hang all the bells and clinkets and rattles he have about the necks. Now they had with them more than 20,000 camels and eels, so they waited to the infidels fell asleep, when Jamakhan commended them to mount, and they rose to ride, and on the lord of the wells still rely. Then said, Jamakhan, drive the camels and mules in a miscreant's camp, and push them

with yours pairs for goats. Deidus he bade, and beasts rushed up upon the enemy's tents, whilst the bells and clinkets and rattles jangled, and the Muslims followed at the heels, shouting, God is most great, till all the hills and mountains resounded, with the name of the highmost deity, tomb belong glory and majesty. The cattle, hearing of this turbled in, took fright and rushed upon its ends and trampled effect as she lay asleep. And Shalazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

End of section 3. Recording by April Gonzales in Cavita, Philippines Section 4 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 Lynn Thompson The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous.

by Richard Francis Burton Section 4 When it was the 646th night She continued It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when Jamracan fell upon them With his men and steeds and camels And the camp lay sleeping

The idolaters started up in confusion And snatching up their arms Fell upon one another With smiting Till the most part was slaughtered And when the day broke they looked and found no Muslim slain, but saw them all on horseback, armed and armoured,

wherefore they knew that this was a slight which had been played upon them, and Karujan cried out to the remnant of his folk, O sons of whores, what we had a mind to do with them, that have done with us, and their craft hath gotten the better of our cunning, and they were about to charge when, lo and behold, a cloud of dust rose high and walled the horizon sky, when the wind smote it, so that it spired aloft and spread pavilion-wise in the lift, and there it hung, and presently appeared beneath it the glint of helmet and gleam of Holberg,

and splendid warriors, boldericked with their tempered swords and holding in rest their supple spears. When the kaffirs saw this, they held back from the battle, and each army sent out, to know the meaning of this dust, scouts who returned with the news, that it was, an army of Muslims. Now this was the host of the Mountain Ghul, whom Garib had dispatched to Jamakan's aid, and Sadan himself rode in their van. So the two hosts of the true believers joined company, and rushing upon the peinemir, like a flame of fire, plied them with keen sword, and Rudinian spear and quivering lance, what while day was darkened, and eyes for the much dust starkened.

The valiant stood fast and the faint-hearted coward fled and to the wilds and the words swift sped, whilst the blood over earth was like torrent shed. Nor did they cease from flight, till the day took flight, and in gloom came the night. Then the Muslims drew apart from the miscreants, and returned to their tents, where they ate and slept, till the darkness fled away and gave place to smiling day.

Then they prayed the dawn prayer And mounted to battle Now Kurajan had said to his men As they drew off from fight For indeed two thirds of their number Had perished by sword and spear O folk tomorrow I will champion it In the stead of war

Where cut and thrust draw And where braves push and wheel I will take the field So as soon as light was seen And morn appeared with its shine and sheen took horse and the hosts twain, and shouted their slogans amain, and bared the browned and hent lace in hand,

and in ranks took stand. The first to open the door of war was Kourajan, who cried out, saying, let no coward come out to me this day, nor craven, whereupon Jammu and Sadan stood by the colours, but there ran at him a captain in the Banu Amir, and the two crave each other a while,

like two rams butting. Presently Kourajan seized the Muslim by the jerkin under his Hoburg, and, dragging him from his saddle, dashed him to the ground where he left him, upon which the kaffirs laid hands on him, and bound him and bore him off to their tents, whilst Kourajan wheeled about and careered and offered battle, till another captain came out, whom also he took prisoner.

Nor did he leave to do thus till he had made prize of seven, and captains before midday. Then Jamakan cried out with so mighty a cry that the whole field made reply and heard it the army's twain, and ran at Kurajan with a heart and rageful pain, improvising these couplets. Jamokan am I, and a man of might, whom the warriors fear with a sore of fright, I waste the forts and I leave the walls to wail and weep for the whites I smite. then, O Kurajan, tread the rightful road, And quit the paths of thy foul upright,

Own the one true God who dispelled the skies, And made founts to flow, and the hills pegged tight, And the slave embraced the true faith he'll skate, Hell pains, and in heaven be decks and dight. When Kurajan heard these words, he sparked and snorted, And foully abused the sun and the moon, and crave at Jamakan, versifying with these couplets. I'm Kurajan of this age the night,

and my shade to the lions of Shara is blight. I storm the forts and snare kings of beasts, and warriors fear me in field of fight. Then hark ye Jamokan, if thou doubt my word, come forth to the combat and try my might. When Jamakan heard these verses, he charged him with a stout heart, and they smote at each other with swords till the two hosts lamented for them and they lunged with lance and great was the clamour between them nor did they leave fighting till the time of mid-afternoon prayer was passed and the day began to wane

then jama can crave at kurajan and smiting him on the breast with his mace cast him to the ground as he were the trunk of a palm-tree and the muslims pinioned him and dragged him off with ropes like a camel now when the misquians saw their prince captive a hot fever fit of ignorance seized on them and they bore down upon the true believers thinking to rescue him but the muslim champions met them and left most of them prostrate on the earth whilst the rest turned and sought safety in flight seeking sure a sight while the clanking sabres their backsides smite the muslims ceased not pursuing them till they had scattered them over my own mount and word. When they returned from them to the spoil, whereof was great store of horses and tents and so forth, good look to it for a spoil. Then Jamakan went to Kurajan and expounded to him al-Islam,

threatening him with death unless he embraced the faith. But he refused, so they cut off his head and stuck it on a spear, after which they fared on towards Oman City. But as regards the kaffirs, the survivors returned to, Jaland, and made known to him the slaying of his son and the slaughter of his host, hearing which he cast his crown to the ground and buffeting his face, till the blood ran from his nostrils, fell fainting to the floor. They sprinkled rose-water on his head, till he came to himself and cried to his wazir, write letters to all my governors and nabobs, and bid them

leave not a smiter with the sword, nor a lunger with the lance, nor a bender of the bow, but bring them all to me in one body. So he wrote letters, and dispatched them by runners to the governors, who levered their power, and joined the king with a prevailing host, whose number was one hundred and eighty thousand men. Then they made ready tents and camels and noble steeds, and were about to march when, behold, up came Jamakan and Sadan the ghoul, with seventy thousand horse, as they were lions fierce-faced, all steeling cased. When John Jailan saw the Muslims trooping on, he rejoiced and said, By the virtue of the sun and her resplendent light,

I will not leave alive one of my foes. No, not one to carry the news. And I will lay waste the land of Alirac, that I may take my reek for my son, the havoc-making champion bold. Nor shall my fire be quenched or cooled. Then he turned to Ajib and said to him, O dog of Al-Iraq,

T'was thou broughtest this calamity on us, But by the virtue of that which I worship, except I avenge me of mine enemy, I will do thee die after foulest fashion. When Ajib heard these words he was troubled with sore trouble, and blamed himself, but he waited till nightfall, when the Muslims had pitched their tents for rest. Now he had been degraded and expelled the royal camp, together with those who were left to him of his suite.

So he said to them, O my kinsmen, know that Jaland and I are dismayed with, exceeding dismay at the coming of the Muslims, and I know that he will not avail to protect me from my brother, nor from any other. So it is my counsel that we make our escape whilst all eyes sleep, and flee to King Ya'arub bin Khatan, for that he hath more of men and is stronger of rain. They, hearing his advice, exclaimed, Right as thy read, whereupon he bade them kindle fires at their tent doors and march under cover of the night. They did his bidding and set out, so by daybreak they had already fared far away. As soon as it was morning, Jaland mounted with

260,000 fighting men, clad capapier in hobarts and cuirasses and straight-knit mail-coats. The kettle drums beat a point of war, and all drew out for cut and thrust and fight and fray. then Jamakan and Sadan rode out with 40,000 stalwart fighting men under each standard a thousand cavaliers, doughty champions foremost in champagne. The two hosts drew out in battles and bared their blades and levelled their limbalances for the drinking of the cup of death. The first to open the gate of strife with Sadan, as he were a mountain of cyanite or a marid of the gin,

Then dashed out to him A champion of the infidels And the ghoul slew him And casting him to the earth cried out to his sons And slaves, saying, Light the fire and roast me this dead one. They did as he bade and brought him the roast

And he ate it And crunched while the kaffir stood looking on From afar And they cried out, O for age from the light-giving sun And were affrighted at the thought Of being slain by Sadan. Then Jeylan shouted to his men saying,

slay me yonder loathsome beast whereupon another captain of his host drove at the gul but he slew him and he ceased not to slay horsemen after horsemen till he had made an end of thirty men with this the blamed kaffirs held back and feared to face him crying who shall cope with jinns and ghals but jayland raised his voice saying let a hundred horse charge him and bring him to me bound or slain so a hundred horse set upon saddam with swords and spears, and he met them with a heart firmer than flint, proclaiming the unity of the requiting king, whom no one thing diverted from another thing. Then he cried aloud, Alaho Akbar, and, smiting them with his sword, made their heads fly,

and in one onset he slew of them four and seventy, whereupon the rest took flight. Sir Jalen shouted aloud to ten of his captains, each commanding a thousand men, and said to them, shoot his horse with arrows till it fall under him, and then lay hands on him. Therewith ten thousand horse drove at Sadan,

who met them with a stout heart, and Jamakan's seigness bore down upon the miscreants with his Muslims crying out, God is most great! Before they could reach the ghoul, the enemy had slain his steed and taken him prisoner, but they ceased not to charge the infidels, till the day grew dark for dust and eyes were blinded,

and the sharp sword clanged while firm stood the valiant cavalier, and destruction overtook the faint heart in his fear, till the Muslims were amongst the panes like a white patch on a black's bull, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and forty-seventh night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that battle raged between the Muslims and the Panyams till the true believers were like a white patch on a black ball.

Nor did they stint from the melee till the darkness fell down, when they drew apart, after there had been slain of the infidels men without comte. Then Jamakan and his men returned to their tents, but they were in great grief for Saddam, so that neither meat nor sleep was sweet to them, and they counted their host and found that less than a thousand had been slain. But Jamokan said, O folk, tomorrow, I will go into the battle-plane,

and place where cut and thrust obtain, and slay their champions, and make prize of their families, after taking them captive, and I will ransom Saddam therewith by the leave of the requiting king, whom no one thing diverted from other thing, wherefore their hearts were heartened,

and they joyed as they separated to their tents. Meanwhile, Jaland entered his pavilion, and setting down on his sofa with his folk about him, called for Saddam, and forthright on his coming, said to him, O dog run wood and leased of the Arab brood and carrier of firewood, Who was it slew my son, Kurajan, the brave of the age, slayer of heroes, and cast a down of warriors? Quoth the ghoul, Jamakhan slew him,

Captain of the armies of King Garid, Prince of cavaliers, and I roasted and ate him, for i was unhungered when jayland heard these words his eyes sank into his head for rage and he bade his sword-bearer smite sir dan's neck so he came forward in that intent whereupon sadan stretched himself mightily and bursting his bonds snatched the sword from the headsman and hewed off his head then he made at jayland who threw himself down from the throne and fled, while Sadan fell on the bystanders and killed twenty of the king's chief officers, and all the rest took flight. Therewith loud rose the crying in the camp of the infidels, and the gall salied forth of the pavilion, and falling upon the troops, smote them with the sword, right and left, till they opened and left a lane for him to pass. Nor did he cease to press

forward, cutting at them on either side, till he won free of the miscreants' tents, and made for the Muslim camp. Now these had heard the uproar among the enemies and said, Happily some calamity have befallen them. And whilst they were in perplexity, behold, Saddam stood amongst them, and they rejoiced at his coming with exceeding joy, more especially Jamakan, who saluted him with the salaam, as did other true believers, and gave him joy of his escape. Such was the case with the Muslims, but as regards the miscreants, when, after the ghoul's departure, they and their king returned to their tents. Jailan said to them,

O folk, by the virtue of the sun's light-giving ray, and by the darkness of the night, and the light of the day, and the sars that stray, I thought not this day to have escaped death in melee, for had I fallen into Yondofela's hands, he had eaten me, as I were a kernel of wheat, or a barley-corn, or any other grain. They replied, O King, never saw we any do the like of this school, and he said, O folk, to-morrow do ye all don arms, and mount steed, and trample them under your horse's hooves.

Meanwhile the Muslims had ended their rejoicings, at Saddam's return, and Jamal Khan said to them, Tomorrow I will show you my daring do, and what behoveth the like of me, for, by the virtue of Abraham the friend, I will slay them with the foulest, of slaughters, and smite them with the bite of the sword, till all who have understanding, confounded at them, shall stand. But I mean to attack both right and left wings, so, when you see me drive at the king under the standards, do ye charge behind me with a resolute charge, and all as it is to decree what thing shall be. Accordingly, these two sides lay upon their

arms till the day broke through night and the sun appeared to sight. Then they mounted swiftlyer than the twinkling of the eyelid. The raven of the wold croaked and the two hosts, looking each at other with the eye of fascination, formed in-line array, and prepared for fight and fray. The first to open the chapter of war was Dramacan, who wheeled and careered and offered fight in field, and Jaland and his men were about to charge when, behold, A cloud of dust uprolled, till it walled the wold, and it overlaid the day. Then the four winds smote it, and away it floated, torn to rags, and there appeared beneath it cavaliers with helms black and garb white,

and many a princely knight and lances that bite and swords that smite, and footmen who lion-like knew no affright. Seeing this, both armies left fighting, and sent out scouts to reconnoiter and report who thus had come in main and might. So they went and within the dust-cloud disappeared from sight and returned after a while with the news aright that the approaching host was one of the Muslims under the command of King Garib.

When the true believers heard from the scouts of the coming of the king, they rejoiced, and driving out to meet him dismounted and kissed the earth between his hands. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and forty-eighth night, she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the muslims saw the presence of their king garib they joyed with exceeding joy and kissing the earth between his hands saluted him and get around him whilst he welcomed them and rejoiced in their safety

then they escorted him to their camp and pitched pavilions for him and set up standards and garib set down on his couch of estate with his grandees about him and they related to him and they related to him him all that had befallen, especially to Saddam. Meanwhile the kaffir's sought for Ajib, and finding him not among them, nor in their tents, told Jaland of his flight, whereat his doomsday rose, and he bit his fingers, saying, By the sun's light giving round, he is a perfidious hound, and has fled with his rascal route to desert ground. But naught save force of hard fighting will serve us to repeal these foes, so fortify your resolves and harden your heart and beware of the Muslims. And Garib also said to the true believers,

Strengthen your courage and fortify your hearts, and seek aid of your lord, beseeching him to vouchsafe you in victory over your enemies. They replied, O king, thou shalt see what we will do in battle-plane, where men cut and thrust amain. So the two hosts slept till the day arose with its sheen, and Sean and the rising sun rained light upon hill and down when Garib prayed the two-bow prayer

after the right of Abraham the friend on whom be the peace and wrote a letter which he dispatched by his brother Sahim to the king of the Cafes when Sahim reached the enemy's camp the guards asked him what he wanted and he answered them I want your ruler

quoth they wait till we consult him anent thee and he waited whilst they went to their sovereign and told him of the coming of a messenger and he cried, Hither with him to me. So they brought Sahim before Jaland, who said to him,

Who hath sent thee? Quoth he, King Garib sends me, whom Allah hath made ruler over Arab and Ajam, receive his letter and return its reply. Jailan took the writ and opening it read as follows. In the name of Allah, the compassionating and compassionate,

the one the all-knowing the supremely great the immemorial the lord of noah and saleh and hud and abraham and of all things he made the peace be on him who followeth in the way of righteousness and feareth the issues of forwardness who obeyeth the almighty king and followeth the faith saving and prefereth the next world to any present king but afterwards o jland none is worthy of worship save Allah alone, the victorious, the one, creator of night and day, and the sphere revolving orway, who sendeth the holy prophets, and garreth the streams to flow and the trees to grow, who vaulted the heavens, and spread out the earth like a carpet below, who feedeth the birds in the nests, and the wild beasts in the deserts, for he is Allah, the all-powerful, the forgiving, the long-suffering, the protector, whom I comprehendeth on no wise, and who maketh night on day arise he who sent down the apostles and their holy writ know old jaland that there is no faith but the faith of abraham the friend so cleave to the creed of salvation and be saved from the biting glave and the fire which followeth the grave

but and thou refused al islam look for ruin to haste and thy reign to be waste and thy traces untraced and lastly send me the dog ajib hide that i may take from him my father's and mother's bloodwit when jaland had read this letter he said to sahim tell thy lord that ajib hath fled he and his folk and i know not whither he is gone but as for jaland he will not forswear his faith and to-morrow there shall be battle between us and the sun shall give us the victory so sahim returned to his brother with this reply and when the morning morrowed the muslims donned their arms and armour and bestrode their stout steeds calling aloud on the name of the all-conquering king creator of bodies and souls and magnifying him with alaho akbar then the kettle-drums of battle beat until the earth trembled and sought the first and sought the field all the lordly warriors and doughty champions the first to open the gate of battle was jama khan who craved his charger into mid-plain and played with sword and javelin till the understanding was amazed after which he cried out saying ho who is for tilting ho who is for fighting let no sluggard come out to me to-day nor weakling i am the slayer of curajan bin jaland who will come forth to avenge him when jaland heard the name of his son he cried out to his men o horse sons bring me yonder horsemen who slew my son that i may eat his flesh and drink his blood so a hundred fighting men charged at jama khan but he slew the most part of them and put their chief to flight which feet when jalan saw he cried out to his folk at him all at once and assault him with one assault

accordingly they weaved the all-striking banners and host was heaped upon host garib rushed on with his men and jama khan did the same and the two sides met like two seas together clashing the yamani sword and spear wrought havoc and breaths and bellies were rent whilst both armies saw the angel of death face to face and the dust of the battle rose to the skirts of the sky ears went deaf and tongues went dumb and doom from every side came on whilst valiant stood fast and faint heart fled and they ceased not from fight and fray till ended the day when the drums beat the retreat and the two hosts drew apart and return each to its tents and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section four section five of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume seven this is the librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information are to volunteer please visit Librovox.org. Recording by Pam Castile. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 5. When it was the 649th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that when King Garib ended the battle, and the two hosts drew apart, and each had returned to his own tents. He sat down on the throne of his realm and the place of his reign, whilst his chief officers ranged themselves about him, and he said, I am sore concerned for the flight of the Kerr Ajib, and I know not whither he has gone, except I overtake him and take my wreck of him, I shall die of despite. Whereupon Sahim came forward, and kissing the earth before him, said, O king, I will go to the army of the kaffirs and find out what has come of the perfidious dog Ajib. Quoth Garib, go and learn the truth anent the hog.

So Sahim disguised himself in the habit of the infidels and became as he were of them. Then making for the enemy's camp, he found them all asleep, drunken with war and battle, and none were on wake save only the guards. He passed on and presently came to the king's pavilion, where he found King Jaland asleep unattended. So he crept up and made him smell and sniff up, levigated bang, and he became as one dead. Then Sahim went out and took a male mule, and wrapping the king in the coverlet of his bed, laid him on its back, after which he threw a mat over him and led the beast to the Muslim camp. Now when he came to Gareeb's pavilion and would have entered, the guards knew him not, and prevented him saying,

Who art thou? He laughed and uncovered his face, and they knew him and admitted him. When Gareeb saw him, he said, What bearest there, O Sahim? And he replied, O king, this is Jaland bin Karkar. Then he uncovered him, and Gareb knew him and said, arouse him, O Sahim. So he made him smell vinegar and frankincense, and he cast the bang from his nostrils, and opening his eyes, found himself among the Muslims, whereupon quoth he, What is this foul dream? And closing his eyelids again would have slept. But Sahim dealt him a

kick, saying, Open thine eyes, O accursed. So he opened them and asked, where am I? And Sahim answered, Thou art in the presence of King Garib bin Kundamir, king of Iraq. When Jaland heard this, he said, O king, I am under thy protection, know that I am not at fault, but that who led us forth to fight thee was thy brother, and the same cast enmity between us and then fled. Quoth Garib, knowest thou whether he is gone, And quoth Jaland, No, by the light-giving sun I know not whither. Then Garib bade him lay in bonds, and set guards over him, whilst each captain returned to his own tent, and Jamrican went winding said to his men, O sons of my uncle, I purposed this night

to do a deed wherewith I may whiten my face with King Garib. Quoth they, Do as thou wilt, we hearken to, to thy commandment and obey it. Quoth he, arm yourselves, and muffling your steps while I go with you, let us fare softly and disperse about the infidel's camp, so that the very ants shall not beware of you. And when you hear me cry, Allahubar, do ye the like, and cry out saying, God is most great. And hold back and make for the city gate, and we seek aid from the most high. so the folk armed themselves capa p and waited till the noon of night when they dispersed about the enemy's camp and tarried awhile when lo and behold jammerkhan smote shield with sword and shouted allah thereupon they all cried out the like till rang again valley and mountain hills sands and ruins the miscreants awoke in dismay and fell one upon other and the sword went round a-mountain

amongst them the Muslims drew back and made for the city gates where they slew the waters and entering made themselves masters of the town with all that was therein of treasure and women thus it befell with Jamerkan but as regards King Garib hearing the noise and clamor of God is most great he mounted with his troops to the last man and sent on in advance Sahim who when he came near the field of fight saw that Jamrican had fallen upon the kaffirs with the Banu Amir by night, and made them drink the cup of death. So he returned and told all to his brother, who called down blessings on Jamir Khan. And the infidels ceased not to smite one another with the biting sword,

and expending their strength till the day rose and lighted up the land. When Garib cried out to his men, charge, O ye noble, and do a deed, to please the all-knowing king. So the true believers fell upon the idolaters, and plied upon every false hypocritical breast the keen sword and the quivering spear. They sought to take refuge in the city, but Jamrican came forth upon them with his kinsmen, who hemmed them in between two mountain ranges, and slew an innumerable host of them, and the rest fled into the waste and words. and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 650th night, she continued,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Muslim hosts charged upon their miscreants, they hewed them in pieces with the biting scimitar, and the rest fled to the waste and words. Nor did the Muslim cease pursuing them with the sword, till they had scattered them abroad in the plains and stony places. Then they returned to Oman City, and King Garib entered the palace of the king, and sitting down on the throne of his kingship, with his grandees and officers ranged right and left, sent for Jaland. They brought him in haste, and Garib expounded to him al-Islam, but he rejected it. Wherefore Garib begged crucify him on the gate of the city, and they shot at him with shafts till he was like unto a porcupine.

Then Garib honorably robed Jamerkan and said to him, Thou shalt be lord of the city, arid ruler thereof with power to loose and to bind therein, for it was thou didst open it with thy sword and thy folk. And Jamerkin kissed the king's feet, thanked him, and wished him abiding victory, and glory, and every blessing. Moreover, Garib opened Jalan's treasuries, and saw what was therein of coin, whereof he gave largesse to his captains and standard bearers and fighting men, yea, even to the girls and children, and thus he lavished his gifts ten days long. After this one night he dreamt a terrible dream, and awoke, troubled and trembling, So he roused his brother Sahim and said to him, I saw in my vision that we were in a wide valley,

when there pounced down on us two ravening birds of prey, never in my life saw I greater than they. Their legs were like lances, and as they swooped we were in sore fear of them. Replied Sahim, O king, this be some great enemy, so stand on thy guard against him. Gareeb slept not the rest of the night, and when the day broke he called for his

courser and mounted. Quoth Sahim, Whither goest thou, my brother? And quoth Garibe, I awoke heavy at heart, so I mean to ride abroad ten days and broaden my breast. Said Sahim, take with thee a thousand braves, but Gareeb replied, I will not go forth, but with thee and only thee. So the two brothers mounted, and seeking the dales and leesos, fared on from wadi to wadi, and from meadow to meadow, till they came to a valley abounding in streams and sweet-smelling

flowers, and trees laden with all manner edible fruits, two of each kind. Birds warbled on the branches, their various strains. The mocking-bird trilled out her sweet notes of fain, and the turtle filled with her voice, The plain. There sang the nightingale, whose chant arouses the sleeper, and the mural with his note like the voice of man, and the Cushat and the ring-dove, whilst the parrot with its eloquent tongue answered the twain. The valley pleased them, and they ate of its fruits, and drank of its waters, after which

they sat under the shadow of its trees, till drowsiness overcame them, and they slept. be to him who sleepeth not. As they lay asleep, low, two fierce marids, swooped down on them, and taking each one on his shoulders, towered with them high in air, till they were above the clouds. So Garib and Sahim awoke and found themselves betwixt heaven and earth, whereupon they looked at those who bore them, and saw that they were two marids. The head of the one, being as that of a dog, and the head of the other as that of an ape, with hair like horses' tails, and claws like lion's claws, and both were big as great palm trees. When they espied this case, they exclaimed, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great.

Now the cause of this was that a certain king of the kings of the gen, Hise Mura Ash, had a son called Saikh, who loved a damsel of the gin named Najma, and the twain used to foregather in that wadi under the semblance of two birds. Garib and Sahim saw them thus, and deeming them birds, shot at them with shafts, but wounding only Saikh whose blood flowed. Najma mourned over him, then, fearing lest the like calamity befall herself, snatched up her lover and flew with him to his father's palace, where she cast him down at the gate. The warders bore him in, and laid him before his sire, who, seeing the pile, sticking in his rib, exclaimed, "'Alas, my son, who hath done with thee this thing, that I may lay waste his

abiding place, and hurry on his destruction, though he were the greatest of the kings of the Jin. Thereupon Sa'ik opened his eyes and said, O my father, none slew me save a mortal in the valley of springs. Hardly had he made an end of these words when his soul departed, whereupon his father buffeted his face till the blood streamed from his mouth and cried out to two merids, saying, Hi, ye to the valley of springs, and bring me all who are therein. so they betook themselves to the wadi in question where they found garib and sahim asleep and snatching them up carried them to king murra ash and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the six hundred and fifty-first night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that the two merids after snatching up garib and sahim in their sleep carry them to Murrah Ash, king of the gen, whom they saw seated on the throne of his kinship

as he were a huge mountain with four heads on his body, the first that of a lion, the second that of an elephant, the third that of a panther, and the fourth that of a lynx. The merids set them down before Murrah Ash, and said to him, O king, these twain be they we found in the valley of springs. Thereupon he looked at them with wrathful eyes and sparked and snorted and shot sparks from his nostrils, so that all who stood by feared him. Then said he, O dogs of mankind, ye have slain my son and lighted fire in my liver. Quoth Garib, Who is, thy son and who hath seen him. Quoth Mura Ash, were ye not in the valley of springs, and did ye not see my son there in the guise of a bird, and did ye not shoot at him with

wooden bolts that he died? replied Garib, I know not who slew him, and by the virtue of the great God, the one, the immemorial who knoweth things awe, and of Abraham the friend. We saw no bird, neither slew we bird or beast. Now when Muraash heard Garib swear by Allah and his greatness, and by Abraham the friend, he knew him for a Muslim. He himself being a worshipper of fire, not of the all-powerful sire. So he cried out to his folk, Bring me my goddess.

Accordingly they brought a brazier of gold, and setting it before him, kindled therein fire, and cast on drugs, whereupon there arose therefrom, green and blue and yellow flames, and the king and all who were present prostrated themselves before the bracer, whilst Garid and Sahim ceased not to attest the unity of Allah Almighty to cry out, God is most great, and to bear witness to his omnipotence. Presently Muraash raised his head, and seeing the two princes standing in lieu of falling down to worship, said to them, O dogs, why do ye not prostrate yourselves?

Replied Garib, out on you, O ye accursed, prostration befitteth not man save to the worshipful king, who bringeth forth all creatures into beingness from nothingness, and maketh water too well from the barren Rockwell, him who inclineth heart of sire unto newborn Sion, and who may not be described as sitting or standing, the God of Noah and Salli and Hud and Abraham the friend, who created heaven and hell, and trees and fruit as well, for he is Allah the one the all-powerful. When Muraash heard this, his eyes sank into his head, and he cried out to his guards saying,

pinion me these two dogs and sacrifice them to my goddess. So they bound them and were about to cast them into the fire when, behold, one of the crannels of the palace parapet fell down upon the bracer, and break it and put out the fire, which became ashes flying in air. Then quoth Garib, God is most great, He giveth aid and victory, and he forsaketh those who deny him, worshipping fire and not the Almighty King. Presently quoth Murraash, Thou art a sorcerer and hast bewitched my goddess, so that this thing hath befallen her.

Garib replied, O man man, and the fire had soul or sense, it would have warded off from self all that hurteth it. When Muratheash heard these words, he roared and bellowed and reviled the fire, saying, By my faith, I will not kill you, save by the fire. Then he bade, cast them into jail, and, calling an hundred merids, made them bring much fuel and set fire there too. So they brought great plenty of wood, and made a huge blaze which flamed up mightily till the morning, When Mura Ash mounted an elephant, bearing on its back a throne of gold dubbed with jewels, and the tribes of the gen gathered about him in their various kinds.

Presently they brought in Garibin Saim, who, seeing the flaming of the fire, sought help of the one and all-conquering creator of night and day, him of all might, whom no sight comprehendeth, but who comprehendeth all sights, he is the subtle, the all-knowing, and they ceased not humbly beseeching him, till behold, a cloud arose from west to east, pouring down showers of rain like the swollen sea quenched the fire. When the king saw this he was affrighted, he and his troops, and entered the palace, where he turned to the wazirs and grandees, and said to them, How say ye of these two men?

They replied, O king, had they not been in the right, This thing had not befallen the fire, Wherefore we say that they be true men, which speak sooth. Rejoined Murathe, verily the truth hath been displayed to me, I and the manifest way, And I am certified that the worship of the fire is false, For were it goddess, it had warded off from itself the rain, which quenched it, and the stone which broke its brazier, and beat it into ashes.

Wherefore I believe in him, who created the fire and the light, and the shade, and the heat, and ye, what say ye? They answered, O king, we also hear and follow and obey. So the king called for Garib, and embraced him, and kissed him, and kissed him, between the eyes and then summoned Sahim, whereupon the bystanders all crowded to kiss their hands and heads. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 5. Recording by Pam Castile. Section 6 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is the Librevox recording.

All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Pam Castile. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 6 When it was the 652nd night, she pursued. It hath reached me, O. suspicious king, that when Muraash and his men found salvation in the saving faith al-Islam,

he called for Garib and Sahim, and kissed them between the eyes, and so did all the grandees who crowded to bust their hands and heads. Then Murathe Asch sat down on the throne of his kingship, and seating Garib on his right, and Sahim on his left hand, said to them, O mortals, what shall we say that we may become Muslims? Replied Garib, say, there is no God but the God, and Abraham is the friend of God. So the king and his folk professed al-Islam with heart and tongue, and Garib abode with them a while, teaching them the ritual of prayer. But presently he called to mind his people and sighed,

whereupon quoth Muraash, Verily trouble is gone, and joy and gladness are come. Quoth Garib, O king, I have many foes, and I fear for my folk from them. Then he related to him his history with his brother Ajib from first to last, and the king of the Jens said, O king of men, I will send one who shall bring thee news of thy people. people, for I will not let thee go till I have had my fill of thy face. Then he called two doughty Marids by name Calajan and Curajan, and after they had done him homage, he bade them repair to Al-Yaman, and bring him news of Garib's army. They replied, To here is to obey, and departed, thus far concerning the brothers, but as

guards the Muslims, they arose in the morning, and led by their captains, rode to King Gareeb's palace, to do their service to him. But the eunuchs told them that the king had mounted with his brother, and had ridden forth at Pippa Day. So they made for the valleys and mountains, and followed the track of the princes, till they came to the valley of springs, where they found their arms cast down, and their two gallant steeds grazing and said, The king is missing from this place, by the glory of Abraham the friend. Then they mounted and sought in the valley and the mountains three days, but found no trace of them. Whereupon they began the morning ceremonies, and sending for couriers, said to them,

Do ye disperse yourselves about the cities and sconces and castles, and seek ye news of our king. Harkening and obedience, cried the couriers, who dispersed hither and thither each over one of the seven climes, and sought everywhere for Garib, but found no trace of him. Now when the tidings came to Ajib by his spies, that his brother was lost, and there was no news of the missing. He rejoiced, and going in to King Yaarub bin Khatan sought of him aid, which he granted and gave him two hundred thousand Amalekites, wherewith he set out for Ayyaman, and sat down before the city of Oman. Jamrikhan and Sa'adans sallied forth and offered him battle, and there were slain of the Muslims much folk. So the true believers

retired into the city and shut the gates and manned the walls. At this moment came up the two merids, Kalajan and Kirajan, and seeing the Muslims beleaguered waited till nightfall, when they fell upon the miscreants, and plied them with sharp swords of the swords of the gen, each twelve cubits long. If a man smote there with a rock, verily he would cleave it in sunder. They charged the ardoliter's shouting,

Allah Akbar, God is most great. He giveth aid and victory, and forsaketh those who deny the faith of Abraham the friend. And whilst they raged amongst the foes, fire issued from their mouths and nostrils, and they made great slaughter amongst them. Thereupon the infidels ran out of their tents, offering battle, but seeing these strange things were confounded, and their hair stood on in, and their reason fled. So they snatched up their arms and fell one upon other, whilst the marids sure off their heads, as a reaper heareth grain, crying, God is most great, we are the lads of King Garib, the friend of Murrahash, king of the gen.

The sword ceased not to go round amongst them till the night was half spent, when the misbelievers, imagining that the mountains were all iffrets, loaded their tents and treasure and baggage upon camels and made off, and the first to fly was Ajib. And Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and fifty-third night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the misbelievers made off, and the first to fly was Ajib. Thereupon the Muslims gathered together, marvelling at this that had betided the infidels, and fearing the tribesmen of the gen. But the marids ceased not from pursuit till they had driven them far away into the hills and woods.

and but fifty thousand rebels of two hundred thousand escaped with their lives and made for their own land wounded and sore discomforted then the two gens returned and said to them o host of the muslims your lord king gharib and his brother sahim salute you they are the guest of murra ash king of the gen and will be with you anon When Garib's men heard that he was safe and well, they joyed with exceeding joy, and said to the Marids, Allah gladden you twain with good news, O noble spirits. So Kirajan and Kalajan returned to Murathe Ash and Garib and acquainted them with that which had happened, whereat Garib finding the two sitting together felt heart at ease and said, Allah abundantly requite you. Then, quoth King Muraash,

O my brother, I am minded to show thee our country and the city of Japheth, son of Noah, on whom be peace. Quoth Garib, O king, do what seemeth good to thee. So he called for three noble steeds, and mounting, he and Garib and Sahim, set out with a thousand marids, as they were a piece of a mountain cloven lengthwise.

They fared on, solacing themselves with the sight of valleys and mountains, till they came to Jabarsah, the city of Japheth, son of Noah, on whom be peace, where the townsfolk, all great and small, came forth to meet King Muraash, and brought them into the city in great state. Then Mura Ash went up to the palace of Japheth, son of Noah, and sat down on the throne of his kingship, which was of alabaster, ten stages high, and latticed with wands of gold, wherefrom hung all manner colored silks. The people of the city stood before him, and he said to them, O seed of Yaffis binna, What did your father's and grandfather's worship? They replied.

We found them worshipping fire, and followed their example as thou well knowest. O folk rejoined Muraash, we have been shown that the fire is but one of the creatures of Almighty Allah, creator of all things, and when we knew this we submitted ourselves to God, the one, the all-powerful maker of night and day, and the sphere revolving all way, whom comprehendeth no sight, but who comprehendeth all sights,

for he is the subtle, the all-wise. So seek ye salvation, and ye shall be saved from the wrath of the Almighty One, and from the fiery doom in the world to come. And they embraced al-Islam with heart and tongue. Then Muraash took Garib by the hand and showed him the palace and its ordinance and all the marvels it contained, till they came to the armory, wherein were the arms of Japheth's son of Noah. Here Garib saw a sword hanging to a pin of gold and asked, O king, whose is that? Murarash answered, Tis the sword of Yaffis Vennu, where, Therewith he was wont to do battle against men and gin. The sage, Jardom, forged it and graved on its back names of might.

It is named Al-Mahik, the annihilator, for that it never descendeth upon a man, but it annihilateth him, nor upon a genie, but it crusheth him, and if one smote therewith a mountain to it overthrow it. And Garib heard tell of the virtues of the sword, he said, I desire to look on this blade, and Murrah as said, do as thou wilt. So Garib put out his hand, and, hending the sword, drew it from its sheath, whereupon it flashed, and death crept on its edge and glittered, and it was twelve spans long and three broad. Now Garib wished to become owner of it, and King Murat,

Ash said, And thou canst smite with it, take it. Tis well, Garib replied, and took it up, and it was in his hand, as a staff, wherefore all who were present men and gin marvelled and said, Well done, O prince of knights. Then said Murrahash, lay thy hand on this horde for which the kings of the earth sigh in vain and mount, that I may show thee the city. Then they took horse and rode forth the palace, with men and gens attending them on foot, and Shahazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 654th night she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

That when Garib and King Muraash rode forth the palace of Japheth, with men and gins attending them on foot, they passed through the streets and thoroughfares of the town, by palaces and deserted mansions, and gilded doorways, till they issued from the gates and entered gardens full of trees, fruit-bearing, and waters welling, and birds speaking and celebrating the praises of him to whom belong majesty and eternity. Nor did they cease to solace themselves in the land till nightfall, when they returned to the palace of Japheth, son of Noah, and they brought them the table of food, so they ate, and Garib turned to the king of the gen, and said to him, O king, I would fain return to my folk and my force, for I know not their plight after me. replied Mura Ash, by Allah, O my brother, I will not part with thee for a full month till I have had my fill of thy sight. Now Gareeb could not say nay, so he abode with him in the

city of Japheth, eating and drinking and making merry, till the month ended, when Mura Ash gave him great store of gems and precious oars, emeralds, and balas rubies, dine, diamonds and other jewels, ingots of gold and silver, and likewise ambriges and musk, and brocated silks, and else of rarities, and things of price. Moreover, he clad him and Sahim in silken robes of honor, gold inwoven, and set on Garib's head a crown jeweled with pearls and diamonds of an estimable value. All these treasures he made up into even loads for him, and calling five hundred marids, said to them, get ye ready to travel on the morrow, that we may bring King Garib and Sahim back to their own country, and they answered, we hear and we obey. So they passed the night

in the city, purposing to depart on the morrow, but next morning, as they were about to set forth behold, they espied a great host advancing upon the city, with horses neighing and kettle-drums beating, and trumpets braying, and riders filling the earth, for they numbered three score and ten thousand marids, flying and diving under a king called Barkan. Now this Barcon was Lord of the city of Cornelian and the castle of gold, and under his rule were five hill strong. in each 500,000 marids, and he and his tribe worshipped the fire, not the omnipotent sire. He was a cousin of Murathe, the son of his father's brother, and the cause of his coming was that there had been among the subjects of King Murathe, a misbelieving marid, who professed

al-Isam hypocritically, and he stole away from his people, and made for the valley of Cornelian. where he went in to King Barkan, and kissing the earth before him, wished him abiding glory and prosperity. Then he told him of Mira Ash being converted to al-Islam, and Barkan said, How came he to tear himself away from his faith? So the rebel told him what had passed, and when Barkon heard it, he snorted and sparked and railed at sun and moon and sparkling fire, saying, by the virtue of my faith, I will surely slay mine uncle's son, and his people, and this mortal, nor will I leave one of them alive. Then he cried out to the legions of the gen, and choosing of them seventy thousand marids, set out and fared on till he came to Jabarsa,

the city of Jaffet, and encamped before its gates. When Muraash saw this, he, he had, He dispatched a mered, saying, Go to this host and learn all that it wanteth, and return hither in haste. So the messenger rushed away to Barkon's camp, where the Marids flocked to meet him and said to him, Who art thou? Replied he,

An envoy from King Murrahash, whereupon they carried him in to Barcon, before whom he prostrated himself, saying, O my lord, my master have sent me to thee, to learn tidings of thee. Quoth, Barcan, return to thy lord, and say to him, This is thy cousin, Barcan, who is come to salute thee. And Shaharsad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of Section 6.

Recording by Pam Castile. 7 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is the Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Pam Castile. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 7.

when it was the six hundred and fifty-fifth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the married envoy of murrahash was born before barcon and said to him o my lord my master hath sent me to thee to learn tidings of thee barcon replied return to thy lord and say to him this is thy cousin barcon who is cousin barcon who is come to salute thee. So the messenger went back and told Murrah Ash, who said to Garib, Sit thou on thy throne whilst I go and salute my cousin and return to thee. Then he mounted and rode to the camp of his uncle's son. Now this was a trick of Barcon to bring Murrahash out and seize upon him, and he said to his merits whom he had stationed about him, When ye see me embrace him, lay hold of him and pinion him.

And they replied, To here is to obey. So when King Muraash came up and entered Barkan's pavilion, the owner rose to him and threw his arms round his neck, whereat the gen fell upon Muraash and pinioned him and chained him. Murrah Ash looked at Barkan and said, What manner of thing is this? Quoth Barkan, O dog of the gen, wilt thou leave the faith of thy fathers and grandfathers

and enter a faith thou knowest not? Rejoined Murahash. O son of my uncle, indeed I have found the faith of Abraham the friend to be the true faith and all other than it vain. Asked Barkon, And who told thee of this?

And Muraash answered, Garib, king of Iraq, whom I hold in the highest honor. By the right of the fire and the light And the shade and the heat, cried Barkon, I will assuredly slay both thee and him. And he cast him into jail.

Now when Muraash's henchman saw what had befallen his lord, he fled back to the city and told the king's legionaires who cried out and mounted. Quoth Garib, What is the matter? And they told him all that had passed, whereupon he cried out to Sahim. Saddle me one of the chargers that King Muraash gave me. Said Sahim, O my brother, wilt thou do battle with the gen? Gary replied, Yes, I will fight them with the sword of Japheth, son of Noah, seeking help of the Lord of Abraham, the friend, on whom be the peace. For he is the Lord of all things and soul creator.

So Sahim saddled him a sorrel horse of the horses of the gen, as he were a castle strong among castles, and he armed and mounting rode out with the legions of the gen, halbered Kappa P. Then Barkon and his hosts mounted also, and the two hosts drew out in lines facing each other. The first to open the gate of war was Sgarib, who crave his steed into the midfield

and barred the enchanted blade, whence issued a glittering light that dazzled the eyes of all the gin, and struck terror to their hearts. Then he played with the sword till their wits were wieldered and cried out saying, Allah Akbar, I am Garib, king of Iraq.

There is no faith save the faith of Abraham the friend. Now when Barcon heard Garif's words, he said, This is he who seduced my cousin from his religion. So by the virtue of my faith, I will not sit down on my throne till I have decapitated this garib and suppressed his breath of life, and forced my cousin and his people back to their belief, and whoso balketh me, him will I destroy. Then he mounted an elephant paper white, as he were a tower plastered with gypsum, and goaded him with a spike of steel which ran deep into his flesh,

whereupon the elephant trumpeted and made for the battle-plane were cut and thrust obtained. And when he drew near Garib, he cried out to him, saying, O dog of mankind, what made thee come into our land, to debauch my cousin and his folk, and pervert them from one faith to other faith? Know that this day is the last of thy worldly days. Garebe replied, Avant, O vilest of the gen! Therewith, Barkin, drew a javelin,

and making it quiver in his hand, cast it at Garebe, but it missed him. So he hurled a second javelin at him, but Garib caught it in mid-air, and after poising it, launched it at the elephant. It smote him on the flank, and came out on the other side, whereupon the beast,

fell to the earth dead, and Barkan was thrown to the ground like a great palm tree. Before he could stir, Garib smote him with the flak of Japheth's blade on the nape of the neck, and he fell upon the earth in a fainting fit, whereupon the merits swooped down on him, and surrounding him pinioned his elbows. When Barkan's people saw their king a prisoner, they drove at the others, seeking to rescue him. But Garib and the Islamized Jin fell upon them, and gloriously done for Garib. Indeed, that day he pleased the Lord who answereth prayer, and slaked his vengeance with the talisman sword. Whomsoever he smote, he clove him in sunder, and before his soul could depart, he became a heap of ashes in the fire.

Whilst the two hosts of the Jin shot each other with flaming meteors till the battlefield was wrapped in smoke, and Garib turned right and left among the kaffirs, who gave way before him, till he came to King Barkhan's pavilion, with Kayla John and Curajan on his either hand, and cried out to them, "'Lose, your lord!' so they unbound Murrahash and broke his fetters and—' and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the six hundred and fifty-sixth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when king garib cried out to kala jane and kirajan saying loose your lord they unbound murraash and broke his fetters and he said to them bring me my arms and my wreaths and my wreaths and my wreaths and he said to them bring me my arms and my winged horse. Now he had two flying steeds, one of which he had given to Garib and the other he had kept for himself, and this he mounted after he had donned his battle harness. Then he and Garib fell

upon the enemy, flying through the air on their winged horses, and the true believing Jen followed them shouting, Allahwakbar, God is most great. Till plains and hills, valleys and mountains reworded the cry. The infidels fled before them and they returned after having slain more than 30,000 marids and satans to the city of Japheth, where the two kings sat down on their couches of estate and sought Barkan, but found him not, for after capturing him, they were diverted from him by stress of battle, where an effort of his servants made his way to him, and loosing him, carried him to his folk, of whom he found parts slain, and the rest in full flight. So he flew up with the king, high in air and sat him down in the city of Cornelian and Castle of Gold, where Barcon seated himself

on the throne of his kingship. Presently, those of his people who had survived the affair came into him and gave him joy of his safety, and he said, O folk, where is safety? My army is slain, and they took me prisoner, and have rent in pieces mine honor among the tribe, of the gen quoth they o king tis ever thus that kings still afflict and are afflicted quoth he there is no help but i take my reek and wipe out my shame else shall i be forever disgraced among the tribes of the gen then he wrote letters to the governors of his fortresses who came to him right loyally and when he received them he found three hundred and twenty thousand fierce merits and satan's who said to him what is thy need and he replied get ye ready to set out in three days time where to they rejoined hearkening and obedience on this wise it befell king barcon but as regards Mura Ash when he discovered his prisoners escape it was was grievous to him, and he said, had we set a hundred merits to guard him, he had not fled, but whither shall he go from us? Then said he to Garib, know, oh, my brother, that Barcon is perfidious, and will never rest from wreaking blood revenge on us, but will assuredly assemble his legions,

and return to attack us. Wherefore I am minded to forestall him, and follow the trail of his defeat, whilst he is yet weakened thereby. Replied Garib, This is the right read, and it will best serve our need. And Murrahash said, O my brother, let the merits bear thee back to thine own country, and leave me to fight the battles of the faith against the infidels, that I may be lightened of my sin-load. But Garib rejoined, By the virtue of the Clement, the bountiful, the veiler, I will not go hence till I do to death all the misbelieving

gen, and Allah hasten their souls to the fire and dwelling-place dire, and none shall be saved, but those who worship Allah the one the victorious. But do thou send Sahim back to the city of Oman, so happily he may be healed of his ailment? For Sahim was sick, so Muraash cried to the marriage, saying, Take ye of Sahim and these treasures, and bear them to Oman City. And after replying, We hear and we obey, they took them and made for the land of men. Then Mura Ash wrote letters to all his governors and captains of fortresses, and they came to him, with one hundred and sixty thousand warriors. So they made them ready and departed for the city of Cornelian and the castle of gold, covering in one day a year's journey and halted in a valley

where they encamped and passed the night. Next morning, as they were about to set forth, behold, the vanguard of Borkan's army appeared, whereupon the gen cried out, and the two hosts met and fell each upon other in that valley. Then the engagement was dight, and there befell a sore fight, as though an earthquake shook the sight, and fair plight waxed foul plight. Ernest came and jest took flight, and Parley ceased twixt white and white, whilst long lives were cut short in a trice, and the unbelievers fell into disgrace and despite. For Gariv charged them, proclaiming the unity of the worshipful, the all might, and shore through necks and left heads rolling in the dust, nor did night be tied before nigh.

Seventy thousand of the miscreants were slain, and of the moslemized over ten thousand marids had fallen, then the kettle-drums beat the retreat, and the two hosts drew apart. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say, when it was the six hundred and fifty-seventh night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the two hosts drew apart, Garib and Mura Ash returned to their tents after wiping their weapons and supper being set before them.

They ate and gave each other joy of their safety, and the loss of their marriage being so small. As for Barcaan, he returned to his tent, grieving for the slaughter of his champions, and said to his officers, O folk, and we tarry here and do battle with them on this wise, In three days' time we shall be cut off to the last white, Quoth they, and how shall we do, O king? Quoth Barcon, We will fall upon them under cover of night, whilst they are deep in sleep, and not one of them shall be left to tell the tale. So take your arms, and when I give the word of command, attack and fall on your enemies as one.

Now there was amongst them a Mairead named Jandall, whose heart inclined to al-Islam. So when he heard the Kaffir's plot, he stole away from them, and going into King Murrahash and King Garib told the twain what Burkhan had devised, whereupon Mirra Ash turned to Garib and said to him, O my brother, what shall we do? Garib replied, To-night we will fall upon the miscreants, and chase them into the wilds and the woods, if it be the will of the omnipotent king. Then he summoned the captains of the genn and said to them, Arm yourselves, you and yours, and as soon as tis dark, steal out of your tents on foot,

hundreds after hundreds, and lie in ambush among the mountains, and when ye see the enemy engaged among the tents, do ye fall upon them from all quarters? Hearten your hearts, and rely on your lord, and ye shall certainly conquer, and behold, I am with you. So as soon as it was dark night, the infidels attacked the camp, invoking aid of the fire and light. But when they came among the tents, the Muslims fell upon them, calling for help on the Lord of the worlds and saying, O most merciful of mercifuls, O creator of all creatives, till they left them like moan grass, cut down and dead. Nor did morning dawn before the most poor,

part of the unbelievers were species without souls, and the rest made for the waste and marshes, while Sgarib and Mura Ash returned triumphant and victorious, and making prize of the enemy's baggage they rested till the morrow, when they set out for the city of Cornelian and Castle of Gold. As for Barcon, when the battle had turned against him and most of his legions were slain, he He fled through the dark with the remnant of his power, to his capital, where he entered his palace, and assembling his legionaries, said to them, O folk, whoso hath ought of price, let him take it and follow me to the mountain kaff, to the Blue King, Lord of the Pied Palace,

for he it is who shall avenge us. So they took their women and children and goods, and made for the Caucasus mountains, Presently, Muraash and Garib arrived at the city of Cornelian and Castle of Gold, to find the gates open, and none left to give them news. Whereupon they entered, and Muraash led Garib that he might show him the city, whose walls were built of emeralds and its gates of red Cornelian, with studs of silver, and the terrace roofs of its houses and mansions reposed upon beams of line aloes and sandalwood. So they took their pleasure in its streets and alleys, till they came

to the palace of gold, and entering passed through seven vestibules, when they drew near to a building, whose walls were of royal ballast rubies, and its pavement of emerald and jacinth. The two kings were astounded at the goodliness of the place, and fared on from vestibule to vestibule, till they They had passed through the seventh, and happened upon the inner court of the palace, wherein they saw four daisies, each different from the others, and in the midst a jetting font of red gold, compassed about with golden lions, from whose mouths issued water. These were things to daze man's wit. The estrade at the upper end was hung and carpeted with brocated silks of various colors, and thereon stood two thrones of red gold, inlaid with pearls and jewels.

So Murrah Ash and Garib sat down on Burkhan's thrones and held high state in the palace of gold. And Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 7. Recording by Pam Castile. of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume seven this is a libravox recording all libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox dot org recording by pam castile the book of a thousand nights and a night volume seven by anonymous translated by richard francis burton section eight when it was the six hundred and fifty-eighth night she pursued. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Mira-Ash and Garib took seat on Barkon's thrones and held high state.

Then said Garib to Mira-ash, What thinkest thou to do? And Mira-ash replied, O king of mankind, have dispatched a hundred horse to learn where Barcon is that we may pursue him. Then they abode three days in the palace. The scouting merits returned with the news that Burkan had fled to the mountain cough and craved protection of the blue king who granted it, whereupon quoth Mura Ash to Garib. What sayeth thou, O my brother? And quoth Garib, except we attack them, they will attack us. So they bade the host make ready for departure, and after three days they were about

to set out with their troops, when the Merids who had carried Sahim and the presence back to Oman returned, and kissed ground before Garib. He questioned them of his people, and they replied, After the last affair, thy brother Ajib, leaving Ya'arub bin Khatan, fled to the king of Hind, and submitting his case sought his protection. The king granted his prayer, and writing letters to all his governors, levied an army as it were the surging sea, having neither beginning nor end, wherewith he purposeth to invade al-Iraq and lay it waste. When Garib heard this, he said, Perish the misbelievers. Verily Allah Almighty shall give the victory to Allah Islam, and I will soon show them Hugh and

Foyne. Said Mira-ash, O king of the humans, by the virtue of the mighty name, I must need go with thee to thy kingdom, and destroy thy foes, and bring thee to thy wish. Garib thanked him, and they rested on this resolve till the morrow, when they set out, intending for Mount Caucasus, and marched many days till they reached the city of Alabaster and the Pied palace. Now this city was fashioned of alabaster and precious stones by Barik Benfaki, father of the gen, and he also founded the Pied Palace, which was slid. so named because he edified with one brick of gold, alternating with one of silver, nor was

their builded ought like it in all the world. When they came within half a day's journey of the city, they halted to take their rest, and Murrah Ash sent out to reconnoiter a scout who returned and said, O King, within the city of Alabaster are legions of the gen, for number as the leaves of the trees, or as the drops of rain. So Murrah Ash said, said to Garib, how shall we do, O king of mankind? He replied, O king, divide your men into four bodies, and encompass with them the camp of the infidels. Then in the middle of the night, let them cry out, saying, God is most great, and withdraw, and watch what happeneth among the tribes of the gen. So Mira Ash did as Garib counseled, and the troops waited till midnight, when they encircled the

foe and shouted, Allahu Akbar, ho for the faith of Abraham the friend, on whom be the peace. The misbelievers at this cry awoke in a fright, and snatching up their arms fell one upon other till the morning, when most part of them were dead bodies, and but few remained. Then Gareeb cried out to the true believers, saying, Up and at the remnant of the kafirs, behold, I am with you, and Allah is your heart. helper. So the Muslims crave at the enemy, and Garri bared his magical blade al-Mahik, and fell upon the foe, lopping off noses and making heads wax hoary and whole ranks turned tail. At last he came up with Barcon, and he smote him and bereft him of life, and he fell down,

drenched in his blood. On likewise he did with the Blue King, and by under an hour not one of the Khafirs was left alive to tell the tale. Then Gareb and Mira Ash entered the Pied Palace, and found its walls built of alternate courses of gold and silver, with door-sills of crystal and keystones of greenest emerald. In its midst was a fountain adorned with bells and pendants, and figures of birds and beasts spouting forth water, and thereby a daze, furnished with gold-brocated silk, bordered or embroidered with jewels, and they found the treasures of the palace, past count or description.

Then they entered the women's court, where they came upon a magnificent seraglio, and Garib saw among the blue kins womenfolk a girl clad in a dress worth a thousand dinars, never had he beheld a goodlier. About her were a hundred slave-girls, upholding her train with golden hooks, and she was in their midst as the moon among stars. When he saw her, his reason was confounded, and he said to one of the waiting women, who may be yonder made, quote they, This is the Blue King's daughter, Star of Morn. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and fifty-ninth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Garib asked the slave women, saying,

Who may be yonder maid? They replied, This is star of morn, daughter to the blue king. Then Garib turned to Mirra Ash and said to him, O king of the gin, I have a mind to take yonder damsel to wife, replied Murra Ash. The palace and all that therein is, livestock and dead, are the prize of thy right hand, for hadst thou not devised a stratagem to destroy the blue king and Barcahn, they had cut us off to the last one. Wherefore the treasure is thy treasure, and the folk thy thralls. Garib thanked him for his fair speech, and going up to the girl, gazed steadfastly upon her, and

loved her with exceeding love, forgetting Fakir Taj, the princess, and even Madhiyah. Now her mother was the Chinese king's daughter, whom the blue king had carried off from her palace, and perforced deflowered, and she conceived by him and bare this girl, whom he named Star of Morn, by reason of her beauty and loveliness, for she was the very princess of the fair. Her mother died when she was a babe of forty days, and the nurses and eunuchs reared her till she reached the age of seventeen. But she hated her sire, and rejoiced in his slaughter. So Garib put his palm to hers, and went in unto her that night, and found her a virgin. Then he bade pulled down the pied palace, and divided the spoil with the true-believing gin,

and there fell to his share one and twenty thousand bricks of gold and silver, and money and treasure beyond speech and count. Then Mira-ash took Garib and showed him the mountain-cough and all its marvels, after which they returned to Burkhan's fortress, and dismantled it, and shared the spoil thereof. Then they repaired to Mira-ash's capital, where they tarried five days, when Garib sought to revisit his native country, and Mirra-ash said, O king of mankind, I will ride at thy stirrup and bring thee to thine own land. Replied Garib, No, by the virtue of Abraham the friend, I will not suffer thee to weary thyself thus, nor will I take any of the gin, save Kalajan and Kurajan. Quoth the king, take with thee ten thousand horsemen of the gin to serve thee. But quoth Garib, I will take only as I said to thee.

So Mira-ash bade a thousand Merids carry him to his native land, with his share of the spoil, and he commanded Kalajan and Kurajan to follow him and obey him, and they answered, hearkening and obedience. Then said Garib to the Merids, do ye carry the treasure and star abhorne, for he himself thought to ride his flying steed. But Mira-ash said to him, This horse, O my brother, will live only in our region, and if it come upon man's earth twill die. But I have in my stables a sea-horse, whose fellow is not found in Al-Iraq, no, nor in all the world is its like. So he caused, bring forth the horse, and when Garib saw it,

it interposed between him and his wits. Then they bound it, and Kalajan bore it on his shoulders, and Kurajan took what he could carry. And Mirash embraced Garib and wept, for parting from him, saying, O my brother, if aught befall thee wherein thou art powerless, send for me, and I will come to thine aid with an army able to lay waste the whole earth and what is there on. Garib thanked him for his kindness and zeal for the true faith, and took leave of him. Whereupon the merits set out with Garib and his goods,

and after traversing fifty years' journey in two days and a night, alighted near the city of Oman and halted to take rest. Then Garib sent out Kalajan to learn news of his people, and he returned and said, O King, the city is beleaguered by a host of infidels, as they were the surging sea, and thy people are fighting them. The drums beat to battle, and Jamrikhan goeth forth as champion in the field. When Garib heard this he cried aloud, God is most great, and said to Kela Jan, saddle me the steed, and bring me my arms and spear, for today the valiant shall be known from the coward in the place of war and battle-steed. So Kela Jan brought him all he sought, and Garib armed and belting in Baldrick al-Mahik, mounted the seahorse, and made toward the host.

Quoth Kailajan and Kurajan to him, set thy heart at rest, and let us go to the kaffirs, and scatter them abroad in the waste and wiles, till, by the help of Allah, the all-powerful, we leave not a soul alive, no, not a blower of the fire. But Garib said, By the virtue of Abraham the friend, I will not let you fight them without me, and behold, I mount. Now the cause of the coming of that great host was right marvelous. And Shaharasa I perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say.

When it was the six hundred and sixty-th night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Garib had bidden Kayla Jan go and learn news of his people, the Jen fared forth and presently returning said, Verily around thy city is a mighty host. Now the cause of its coming was that Ajib, having fled the field after Ya'arub's army had been put to the root, said to his people, O folk, if we return to Ya'arub bin Khatan, he will say to us,

but for you, my son and my people had not been slain, and he will put us to death, even to the last man. Wherefore methinks we were better go to Tarkhanon, king of Hind, and beseech him to avenge us. Replied they, come, let us go thither, and the blessing of the fire be upon thee. So they fared days and nights till they reached King Tarkhanon's capital city, and after asking and obtaining permission to present himself, Ajib went into him, and kissed ground before him.

Then he wished him what men used to wish to monarchy, and said to him, O king, protect me, so may protect thee the sparkling fire and the night with its thick darkness. Tarkana looked at Ajib and asked, Who art thou, and what dost thou want? to which the other answered, I am Ajib, king of Al-Iraq, my brother hath wronged me, and gotten the mastery of the land, and the subjects have submitted themselves to him.

Moreover, he hath embraced the faith of al-Islam, and he ceaseth not to chase me from country to country, and behold, I am come to seek protection of thee and thy power. When Tarkhanon heard Ajib's words, he rose and sat down and cried, by the virtue of the fire, I will assuredly avenge thee, and will let none serve other than my goddess the fire. And he called aloud to his son, saying, O my son, make ready to go to Alirac and lay it waste, and bind all who serve aught but the fire, and torment them and make example of them. Yet slay them not, but bring them to me, that I may ply them with various tortures, and make them taste the bitterness of humiliation, and leave them a warning to whoso will be warned in this our while. Then he chose out to accompany him,

80,000 fighting men on horseback, and the like number on giraffes, besides ten thousand elephants, bearing on their backs seats of sandalwood, latticed with golden rods, plated and studded with gold and silver, and shielded with pevoices of golden emerald. Moreover, he sent good store of war chariots,

in each eight men fighting with all kinds of weapons. Now the prince's name was Ra'ad Shah, and he was the champion of his time, for prowess having no peer. So he and his army equipped them in ten days' time, then set out, as they were a bank of clouds, and fared on two months' journey till they came upon Oman City and encompassed it to the joy of Ajib, who thought himself assured of victory. Jamer Khan and Sa'adhan and all their fighting men sallied forth into the field of fight whilst the kettle drums beat to battle and the horses neighed. At this moment up came King Garib, who, as we have said, had been warned by Kalajan, and he urged on his destrier and entered among the infidels waiting to see who should come forth and open the chapter of war.

Then out rushed Sa'adhan the ghoul and offered combat, whereupon there issued forth to him One of the champions of Hind, but Saadon scarce let him take stand in front, ere he smote him with his mace, and crushed his bones, and stretched him on the ground, and so did he with a second and a third till he had slain thirty fighting men. Then there dashed out at him an Indian cavalier by name Batash al-Acran, uncle to King Tarkhanon, and of his day the doughtiest man reckoned worth five thousand horse in battle-plane, and cried out to Sa'adon saying, O thief of the Arabs, hath thy daring reached that degree that thou should slay the kings of Hind, and their champions, and capture their horsemen, but this day is the last of the warren. thy worldly days. When Sa'adhan heard these words, his eyes waxed blood-red, and he crave at

Batash, and aimed a stroke at him with his club. But he evaded it, and the force of the blow bore Sa'adan to the ground, and before he could recover himself, the Indians pinioned him, and hailed him off to their tents. Now when Jamer Khan saw his comrade, a prisoner, he cried out, saying, "'Ho for the faith of Abraham the friend, and clapping heel to his horse, ran at Batash. They wheeled about a while till Batash charged Jamakan, and catching him by his jerkin, tear him from his saddle, and cast him to the ground, whereupon the Indians bound him and dragged him away to their tents. And Batash ceased not to overcome all who came out to him, captain after captain till he had made prisoners of four-and-twenty chiefs of the Muslims,

whereat the true believers were sore dismayed. When Garib saw what had befallen his braves, he drew from beneath his knee a mace of gold, weighing six-score pounds, which had belonged to Barkan, king of the gen. And Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 8. Recording by Pam Castile.

7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 9 When it was the 661st night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Karib beheld what had befallen his braves, he drew forth a golden mace which had belonged to Barkan, king of the gin, and clapped heel to his seahorse, which bore him like the wind gust in midfield.

Then he let drive at Batash crying out, God is most great, he giveth aid and victory, and he abateth whoso reject the faith of Abraham the friend, and smote him with the mace, whereupon he fell to the ground, and Karib, turning to the Muslims, saw his brother Sahim and said to him, pinion me this hound.

When Sahim heard his brother's words, he ran to Batash and bound him hard and fast and bore him off, whilst the Muslim braves wondered who this knight could be, and the Indians said one to other, Who is this horseman, which came out from among them and hath taken our chief prisoner? Meanwhile, Karib continued to offer battle, and there issued forth to him a king,

captain of the Hindis, whom he fell to earth with his mace, and Kalajan and Kurajan pinioned him and delivered him over to Sahim. Nor did Karib leave to do thus till he had taken prisoner two and fifty of the doughtiest captains of the army of Hind. Then the day came to an end, and the kettle drums beat the retreat. Whereupon Karib left the field and rode toward the Muslim camp. The first to meet him was Sahim, who kissed his feet in the stirrups and said, May thy hand never wither, O champion of the age, tell us who thou art among the braves. So, Karib raised his visor of male, and Sahim knew him, and cried out, saying, this is your king and your lord Karib, who has come back from the land of the Jin. When the Muslims heard

Kharib's name, they threw themselves off their horses' backs and, crowding about him, kissed his feet in the stirrups and saluted him, rejoicing in his safe return. Then they carried him into the city of Oman, where he entered his palace and sat down on the throne of his kingship, whilst his officers stood around him in the utmost joy. Food was set on, and they ate. which Karib related to them all that had betided him with the gin in Mount Kaff, and they marvelled thereat with exceeding marvel, and praised Allah for his safety. Then he dismissed them to their sleeping places, so they withdrew to their several lodgings,

and when none abode with him but Keelajan and Kurajan, who never left him, he said to them, can ye carry me to Kufa that I may take my pleasure in my harem and bring me back before the end of the night? They replied, Oh, our lord, this thou askest, is easy. Now the distance between Kufa and Oman is sixty days' journey for a diligent horseman, and Keelyan said to Kulajan, I will carry him going and thou coming back.

So he took up Karib and flew off with him in company with Kurajan. Nor was an hour passed before they set him down at the gate of his palace in Kufa. He went into his uncle Al-Damih, who rose to him and saluted him, after which quoth Karib, How is it with my wives Fakir Taj and Mahdiya? Al-Damih answered, They are both well and in good case. Then the eunuch went in and acquainted the women of the Harim with Karib's coming, whereat they rejoiced and raised the trill of joy and gave him the reward for good news.

Presently in came King Karib, and they rose and saluting him conversed with him till al-Demih entered. When Karib related to them all that had befallen him in the world, the land of the Jin, whereat they all marvelled. Then he lay with Vekir Taj till near daybreak, when he took leave of his wives and his uncle, and mounted Kurajan's back, nor was the darkness dispelled before the two marids set him down in the city of Oman. Then he and his men armed, and he bade open the gates when, behold, up came a horseman from the host of the Indians, with Jamrakhan and Sa'adan and the rest of the captive captains whom he had delivered and committed them to Karib. The Muslims rejoicing in their safety donned their mails and took horse,

while the kettle-drums beat a point of war, and the miscreants also drew up in line. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and sixty-second night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the Muslim host mounted, and rode to the plain of cut and thrust, The first to open the door of war was King Karib, who, Drawing his sword El-Mahik, Drove his charger between the two ranks, and cried out, saying,

Whoso knoweth me hath enough of my mischief, and whoso unknoweth me, to him I will make myself known. I am Karib, king of al-Iraq and al-Yaman, brother of Ajib. When Ra'ad Shah, son of the king of Hind, heard this, he shouted to his captains, Bring me Ajib! So they brought him, and Ra'ad Shah said to him, Thou wottest that this quarrel is thy quarrel, And thou art the cause of all this slaughter.

Now yonder standeth thy brother Karib, Amidermost the fight-field and steed, Where sword and spear we shall wield. Go thou to him, and bring him to me a prisoner, That I may set him on a camel, arsi-versi, And make a show of him, and carry him to the land of Hind. answered Ajib, O king, send out to him other than I, for I am in ill health this morning. But Ra'ad Shah sparked and snorted and cried, by the virtue of the sparkling fire and the light

and the shade and the heat, unless thou fare forth to thy brother and bring him to me in haste, I will cut off thy head and make an end of thee. So Ajib took heart, and urging his horse up to his brother in midfield, said to him, O dog of the Arabs, and vilest of all who hammer down tent pegs, wilt thou contend with kings? Take what to thee cometh, and receive the glad tidings of thy death? When Karib heard this, he said to him, Who art thou among the kings? And Ajib answered, saying, I am thy brother, and this day is the last of thy worldly days.

Now, when Karib was assured that he was indeed his brother Ajib, he cried out and said, Ho! to avenge my father and mother! Then, giving his sword to Kalajan, he craved at Ajib, and smote him with his mace a smashing blow, and a swashing, that went nigh to beaten his ribs, and seizing him by the male gorges, tore him from the saddle and cast him to the ground, whereupon the two marids pounced upon him, and binding him fast, dragged him off dejected and abject, whilst Karib rejoiced in the capture of his enemy, and repeated these couplets of the poet.

I have won my wish and my need have scored, unto thee be praise, and the thanks, O our Lord. I grew up dejected and abject, poor, but Allah vouchsafed me all boons implored. I have conquered countries and mastered men, but for thee were I naught, O thou Lord adored. When Ra'ad Shah saw how evilly a jeep fared with his brother,

He called for his charger, and donning his harness and Haberjan, mounted and dashed out a field. As soon as he drew near King Karib, he cried out at him, saying, O basest of Arabs and bearer of scrubs, who art thou that thou shouldest capture kings and braves? Down from thy horse, and put elbows behind back, and kiss my feet, and set my warrior, as free, and go with me in bonds of chains to my reign, that I may pardon thee, and make thee a sheath in our own land, so mayest thou eat their abitok of bread? When Karib heard these words, he laughed till he fell backwards, and answered saying, Oh, mad hound and mangy wolf, soon shall thou see against whom the shifts of fortune will turn.

Then he cried out to Sahim, saying, Bring me the prisoners! So he brought them, and Karib smote off their heads, whereupon Ra'ad Shah craved at him, with the driving of a lordly champion and the onslaught of a fierce slaughterer, and they falsed and fainted and fought till nightfall, when the kettle-drums beat the retreat. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted, day, when it was the six hundred and sixty-third night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the kettle-drums beat the retreat, the two kings parted and returned, each to his own place, where his people gave him joy of his safety.

And the Muslim said the Qarib, tis not thy want, O king, to prolong a fight? And he replied, O folk, I have a-haw-haw-furt, I have. done battle with many royalties and champions, but never saw I a harder hitter than this one. Had I chosen to draw al-Mahik upon him, I had mashed his bones and made an end of his days, but I delayed with him, thinking to take him prisoner and give him part enjoyment in al-Islam. Thus far concerning Karib, but as regards Ra'ad Shah, he returned to his marquis and sat upon his throne. When his chiefs came into him and asked him of his adversary, and he answered, By the truth of thy sparkling fire, never in my life saw I the like

of yonder brave. But tomorrow I will take him prisoner and lead him away, dejected and abject. Then they slept till daybreak, when the battle drums beat to fight, and the sword. Lords in Baldrick were dight, and war-cries were cried amain, and all mounted their horses of generous strain, and drew out into the field, filling every wide place and hill and plain. The first to open the door of war was the rider outrageous and the lion-rageous King Karib, who crave his steed between the two hosts, and wheeled and careered over the field, crying, Who is for fray, who is for fight? Let no sluggard come out to me this day, nor dullard. Before he had made an end of speaking, outrushed Ra'ad Shah, riding on an elephant as he were a vast tower,

in a seat girthed with silken bands, and between the same. the elephant's ears at the driver, bearing in hand a hook, wherewith he goaded the beast and directed him right and left. When the elephant drew near Karib's horse, and the steed saw a creature it had never before set eyes on, it took fright, wherefore Karib dismounted and gave the horse to Kealajan. Then he drew al-Mahik, and advanced to meet Ra'ad Shah afoot, walking on till he faced the elephant. Now it was Raj Shah's want, when he found himself overmatched by any brave, to mount an elephant, taken with him an implement called the lassoe, which was in the shape of a net, wide at base and narrow at top, with a running cord of silk passed through rings along its edges.

With this he would attack horsemen and casting the meshes over them, draw the running noose, dragged the rider off his horse and make him prisoner, and thus had he conquered many cavaliers. So as Karib came up to him, he raised his hand, and, dispreading the net over him, pulled him onto the back of the elephant, and cried out to the beast to return to the Indian camp. But Kalajan and Kurajan had not left Karib, and, when they beheld what had befallen their lord, They laid hold of the elephant, whilst Karib strove with the net, till he rent it in sunder. Upon this the two marids seized Raj Shah and bound him with a cord of palm fibre. Then the two armies drove each at other and met with a shock like two seas crashing,

or two mountains together dashing, whilst the dust rose to the confines of the sky, and blinded was every eye. The battle waxed fierce and fell, the blood ran in rills, nor did they cease to wage war with lunge of lance and sway of sword in lustiest way, till the day darkened and the night starkened when the drums beat the retreat, and the two hosts drew asunder. Now the Muslims were evilly entreated that day by reason of the riders of the riders of, on elephants and giraffes. And many of them were killed,

and most of the rest were wounded. This was grievous to Khareeb, who commanded the hurt to be medicine, and turning to his chief officers, asked them what they counseled. Answered they, O king, tis only the elephants and giraffes that irk us. Were we but quit of them,

we should overcome the enemy? Quoth Kail, Rajaan and Kurajan. We twain will unsheath our swords and fall on them and slay the most part of them. But there came forward a man of Oman who had been privy counsellor to Jalan and said, O king, I will be surety for the host, and thou wilt but hearken to me and follow my counsel. Aarib turned to his captains and said to them, Whatsoever this wise man shall say to you, that do?

And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, And ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 9. Recording by P.J. Hurry. Section 10 of the book of a thousand knights and a night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox recording, or Librevox. recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librovox.org.

Recording by P.J. Hurie The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 10 When it was the 664th Night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Karib said to his captains, Whatsoever this wise man shall say to you, that do? They replied,

Hearing and obeying. So the Amani chose out ten captains and asked them, How many braves have ye under your hands? And they answered, Ten thousand fighting men. Then he carried them into the army. armory and armed 5,000 of them with harkabuses and other 5,000 with crossbows, and taught them to shoot with these new weapons. Now, as soon as it was day, the Indians came out to the field,

armed Kappapee with the elephants, giraffes, and champions in their van, and both hosts drew out and the big drums beat to battle. Then the man of Oman cried out to the archers, and Hargabussias to shoot, and they plied the elephants and giraffes with shafts and leaden bullets, which entered the beast's flanks, whereat they roared out, and turning upon their own ranks, trod them down with their hooves. Presently, the Muslims charged the misbelievers and outflanked them right and left, whilst the elephants and giraffes trampled them and drove them into the hills and woods, whither the Muslims followed hard upon them with a keen-aged sword, and but few of the giraffes and elephants escaped. Then King Kharib and his folk returned, rejoicing in their

victory, and on the morrow they divided the loot and rested five days, after which King Kharib sat down on the throne of his kingship, and, sending for his brother Ajib, said to him, O dog, why hast thou assembled the kings against us? But he who hath power over all things hath given us the victory over thee. So embrace the saving faith, and thou shalt be saved, and I will forbear to avenge my father and mother on thee, therefore,

and I will make thee king again, as thou wast placing myself under thy hand. But Ajib said, I will not leave my faith. So, Karib bade lay him in irons, and appointed an hundred stalwart slaves to guard him, after which he turned to Ra'ad Shah and said to him, How sayest thou of the faith of al-Islam? Replied he, O my lord, I will enter thy faith, for were it not a true faith and a goodly, thou hadst not conquered us.

Put forth thy hand and I will testify that there is no God but the God, and that Abraham the friend is the apostle of God. At this, Kareeb rejoiced and said to him, Is thy heart indeed established in the sweetness of this belief? And he answered, saying, Yes, O my lord. Then quoth Kareeb, O Ra'ad Shah, wilt thou go to thy country and thy kingdom?

And quoth he, O my lord, my father will put me to death for that I have left his faith. Karib rejoined, I will go with thee and make thee king of the country and constrain the folk to obey thee by the help of Allah, the bountiful, the beneficent. And Ra'ad Shah kissed his hands and feet Then Karib rewarded the counsellor who had caused the rout of the foe and gave him great wealth.

After which he turned to Keelajan and Kurajan and said to them, Hark ye, chief of the Jin. Tis my will that ye carry me, together with Ra'ad Shah and Jamrakhan and Sa'adan to the land of Hind. We hear and we obey, answered they. So, Kurajan took up Jamla Khan and Sa'adhan, whilst Keela Jan took Kharib and Ra'ad Shah and made for the land of Hind. And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and sixty-fifth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the two murids had taken up Karib and Jamrakan,

Sahadan Nakhul and Ra'ad Shah. They flew on with them from sundown till the last of the night, when they set them down on the terrace of King Tarkhanan's palace at Kashmir. Now news was brought to Tarkhanan by the remnants of his host of what had befallen his son, whereat he slept not, neither took delight in aught, and he was troubled with sore trouble. As he sat in his harem, Pondering his case, Behold, Karib and his company descended the stairways of the palace, and came in to him, and when he saw his son and those who were with him, he was confused and fear took him of the marids.

Then Ra'ad Shah turned to him and said, How long wilt thou persist in thy forwardness, O traitor, and worshipper of the fire? Woe to thee! leave worshipping the fire and serve the magnanimous sire, creator of day and night, whom attaineth no sight. When Tarkanan heard his son's speech, he cast at him an iron club he had by him, but it missed him and fell upon a buttress of the palace and smote out three stones. Then cried the king,

O dog, thou hast destroyed my lord. army and hast forsaken thy faith, and cometh now to make me do likewise? With this, Karib went up to him and dealt him a cuff on the neck which knocked him down, whereupon the marids bound him fast, and all the Harim women fled. Then Karib sat down on the throne of kingship and said to Ra'ad Shah, Do thou justice upon thy father. So, Ra'ad Shah turned to him. him and said, O perverse old man, become one of the saved, and thou shalt be saved from the fire

and the wrath of the all-powerful. But Takanan cried, I will not die save in my own faith. Whereupon Karib drew Al-Mahih and smote him therewith, and he fell to the earth in two pieces. and Allah hurried his soul to the fire and abiding place dire. Then Karib bade hang his body over the palace gate, and they hung one half on the right hand and the other on the left, and waited till day. When Karib caused Ra'ad Shah donned the royal habit and sit down on his father's throne,

with himself on his dexter hand, and Jamla Khan and Sa'adan and the marids standing right and left. And he said to Kealajan and Kurojan, Who so entereth of the princes and officers, seize him and bind him, and let not a single captain escape you? And they answered, Harkening and obedience.

Presently, the officers made for the palace to do their service to the king, and the first to appear was this. the chief captain, who, seeing King Tarkhanan's dead body cut in half and hanging on either side of the gate, was seized with terror and amazement. Then Kedajan laid hold of him by the collar and threw him and intoned him, after which he dragged him into the palace, and before sunrise they had bound three hundred and fifty captains, and set them before Karib, who said to them, O folk, have you seen your king hanging at the palace gate? Asked they, Who hath done this deed? And he answered, I did it by the help of Allah Almighty,

and who so opposeth me I will do with him likewise. Then quoth they, what is thy will will with us, and quoth he, I am Karib, king of Al-Iraq, he who slew your warriors, and now Ra'ad Shah hath embraced the faith of salvation, and is become a mighty king and ruler over you. So do ye become true believers, and all shall be well with you. But if ye refuse, you shall repent it. So they pronounced the profession of the faith and were enrolled among the people of Felicity. Then said Karib, Are your hearts indeed established in the sweetness of the belief?

And they replied, Yes! Whereupon he bade release them and clad them in robes of honour, saying, Go to your people and expound al-Islam to them. Whoso accepteth the faith, spare him. him, but if he refuse, slay him. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the six hundred and sixty-sixth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that King Kharib said to the troops of Ra'ad Shah, Go to your people and offer al-Islam to them. Whoso accepteth the faith, spare him. But if he refuse, slay him. So they went out, and, assembling the men under their command, explained what had taken place and expounded al-Islam to them, and they all professed, except a few whom they put to death.

After which they returned and told Kharib, who blessed Allah and glorified him, saying, Praise'd be the Almighty who hath made this thing easy to us without strife. Then he abode in Kashmir of India forty days, till he had ordered the affairs of the country and cast down the shrines and temples of the fire and built in their stead, mosques and cathedrals, whilst Ra'ad Shah made ready for him rarities and treasures beyond count and dispatched them to Al-Iraq in ships. Then Karib mounted on Kealajan's back,

and Jamla Khan and Sa'adan on that of Kurajan, after they had taken leave of Ra'ad Shah, and journeyed through the night till break of day, when they reached Oman city, where their troops met them and saluted them and rejoiced in them. Then they set out for Kufa, where Karib called for his brother Ajib, and commanded to hang him. So Sahim brought hooks of iron and driving them into the tendons of Ajib's heels,

hung him over the gate, and Karib bade them shoot him, so they riddled him with arrows till he was like unto a porcupine. Then Karib entered his palace and sitting down on the throne of his kingship, past the day in ordering the affairs of the state. At nightfall he went into his harem, where Star O'morn came to meet him, and embraced him and gave him joy, she and her women, of his safety. He spent that day and lay that night with her, and on the morrow, after he had made the chusel ablution and prayed the dawn prayer, he sat down on his throne and commanded preparation to be made for his marriage with Mahdiha. accordingly they slaughtered 3,000 head of sheep and 2,000 oxen and a thousand he goats and 500 camels and the like number of horses beside 4,000 fowls and great store of geese. Never was such a wedding in al-Islam to that day.

Then he went into Mahdiya and took her maidenhead and bowed with her ten days, after which he committed the kingdom to his uncle al-Dimih, charging him to rule the lieges justly and journeyed with his women and warriors till he came to the ships laden with the treasures and rarities which Ra'ad Shah had sent him and divided the monies among his men who from poor became rich.

Then they fared on till they reached the city of Babel where he bestowed on Sahim al-Ale a robe of honour and appointed him sultan of the city. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 10. Recording by P.J. Hurie. Section 11 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 Daniel Fomont. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 11. When it was the 667th night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that, Charibe, after robing his brother Sakhim and appointing him Sultan, abode with him ten days,

after which he set out again and journeyed nor stinted travel till he reached the castle of Sa'an the Khul, where they rested five days. Then quoth Charibe to Kailajan and Kurajan, pass over to Ispaniar al-Madayin, to the palace of the Khosro, and find what is come of Fakhartage, and bring me one of the king's kinsmen, who shall acquaint me with what hath passed. Quoth they, We hear, and we obey, and set out forthright for Ispaniar.

As they flew between heaven and earth, behold, they caught sight of a mighty army, as it were the surging sea, and Kalajan said to Kurajan, let us descend and determine what be this host. So they alighted, and walking among the troops, found them Persians, and questioned the soldiers whose men they were, and whither they were bound, where too they made answer.

We are on route for Al-Iraq, to slay Harib, and all who company him. When the marids heard these words, they repaired to the pavilion of the Persian general, whose name was Rustam, and waited to the soldiers slept. When they took up Rustam, bed and all, and made for the castle where Harib lay. They arrived there by midnight, and going to the door of the king's pavilion cried, Permission! Which, when he heard, he sat up and said, Come in!

So they entered and sat down the couch with Rustam asleep thereon. Charibe asked, Who be this? And they answered, This be a Persian prince, whom we met coming with a great host, thinking to slay thee and thine, and we have brought him to thee,

that he may tell thee what thou hast a mind to know. Fetch me an hundred braves, cried Charibe, and they fetched them, whereupon he bade them, draw your swords, and stand at the head of this Persian Karl. Then they awoke him, and he opened his eyes, and, finding an arch of steel over his head, shut them again, crying, What be this foul dream? But Kailajan pricked him with his sword point. and he sat up and said,

Where am I? Quoth Sahim, Thou art in the presence of King Kharib, son-in-law of the king of the Persians. What is thy name, and whither goest thou? When Rustam heard Kharib's name, he bethought himself and said in his mind,

Am I asleep or awake? Whereupon Sahim dealt him a buffet, saying, Why dost thou not answer? And he raised his head and asked, Who brought me from my tent? Out of the midst of my men, Harib answered, These two Marids brought thee.

So he looked at Kalajan and Kurajan and skited in his bag trousers. Then the Marids fell upon him, bearing their tusks and brandishing their blades, and said to him, Will thou not rise and kiss ground before King Harib? And he trembled at them, and was assured that he was not asleep.

So he stood up and kissed the ground between the hands of Harib, saying, The blessing of the fireb, saying, the blessing of the fire. Fire beyond thee, and long life be thy life, O king. Harib cried, O dog of the Persians, fire is not worshipful, for that it is harmful and profitedth not, save in cooking food. Asked Rustam, who then is worshipful? And Harib answered, alone worship worth is God, who formed thee and fashioned thee and created the heavens and the earth. Quoth the Ajami.

What shall I say that I may become of the party of this Lord and enter thy faith? And quoth, Charibe, say, there is no God but thee God, and Abraham is the friend of God. So Rustam pronounced the profession of the faith, and was enrolled among the people of Felicity. Then said he to Charibe, know, O my lord, that thy father-in-law, King Sabur, seeketh to slay thee. and indeed he has sent me with an hundred thousand men, charging me to spare none of you. Harib rejoined. Is this my reward for having delivered his daughter from death and dishonor?

Allah will requite him his ill-intent. But what is thy name? The Persian answered. My name is Rustam, General of Sabur, and Harib. Thou shalt have the like rank in my army, adding. But tell me. O Rustam, how is it with the princess, Fakhartage? May thy head live, O king of the age.

What was the cause of her death? Rustam replied, Oh, my lord, no sooner hadst thou left us than one of the princess's women went into King Sabur and said to him, Oh, my master, didst thou give Harib leave to lie with the princess my mistress? Whereto he answered, No, by the virtue of the fire. And drawing his sword, went into his daughter and said to her,

O foul baggage, why didst thou suffer yonder Badawi to sleep with thee without dower or even wedding? She replied, O my papa, twas thou gayest him leave to sleep with me. Then he asked, did the fellow have thee? But she was silent and hung down her head. Hereupon he cried out to the midwives and slave girls saying, Pinyon me this harlot's elbows behind her, and look at her privy parts. So they did as he bade them, and after inspecting her slit, said to him, O king, she had lost her maidenhead.

Whereupon he ran at her, and would have slain her, but her mother rose up and threw herself between them, crying, O king, slay her not, lest thou be forever dishonest. but shut her in a cell till she die. So he cast her into prison till nightfall, when he called two of his courtiers and said to them, carry her afar off and throw her into the river Ja'i-hun and tell none. They did his commandment, and indeed her memory is forgotten,

and her time is past. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and sixty-eighth night, she pursued. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Charibe asked news of Fakhertage, Rustam informed him that she had been drowned in the river by her sire's command. And when Charibe heard this, the world waxed wan before his eyes, and he cried, By the virtue of Abraham the friend, I will assuredly go to Yon.

thunder-dog and overwhelm him and lay waste to his realm. Then he sent letters to Jammerkan and to the governors of Mosul and Maya Farikin. And turning to Rustam, said to him, How many men hadst thou in thine army? He replied, An hundred thousand Persian horse, and Haribri joined. Take ten thousand horse, and go to thy people, and occupy them with war. I will follow on thy trail.

So Rustam mounted, and taking ten thousand Arab horse made for his tribe, saying in himself, I will do a deed shall whiten my face with King Kharib. So he fared on seven days, till there remained but half a day's journey between him and the Persian camp. When dividing his host into four divisions, he said to his men, Surround the Persians on all sides and fall upon them with a sword. They rode on from eventide till midnight, when they had compassed the camp of the Ajamis, who were asleep in security, and fell upon them, shouting, God is most great!

Whereupon the Persians started up from sleep, and their feet slipped, and the saber went round amongst them, for the all-knowing king was wroth with them, and Rustam wrought amongst them as fire in dry fuel, till by the end of the night the whole of the Persian host was slain or wounded or fled, and the Muslims made prize of their tents and baggage, horses, camels, and treasure chests.

Then they alighted and rested in the tents of the Ajamis till King Charibe came up, and, seeing what Rustam had done, and how he had gained by stratagem a great and complete victory, he invested him with a robe of honor and said to him, O Rustam, it was thou didst put the Persians to the route,

wherefore all the spoil is thine. So he kissed Karib's hand and thanked him, and they rested till the end of the day, when they set out for King Sabur's capital. Meanwhile, the fugitives of the defeated force reached Ispaniar, and went into Sabur, crying out and saying, Alas, and well away, and woe, worth the day! quoth he,

What hath befallen you, And who with his mischief hath smitten you? So they told him all that had passed And said, Not befell us, except that thy general Rustam fell upon us in the darkness of the night

Because he had turned Moslem, Nor did Harib come near us. When the king heard this, he cast his crown to the ground and said, There is no worth left us. Then he turned to his son, Ward Shaw, and said to him,

Oh, my son, There is none for this affair save thou, answered Ward Shaw. By thy life, oh my father, I will assuredly bring Harib and his chiefs of the people in chains and slay all who are with him. Then he numbered his army and found it two hundred and twenty thousand men. So they slept, intending to set forth on the morrow. But next morning, as they were about to march, behold, a cloud of dust arose and spread till it. it walled the world and baffled the sight of the farthest seeing white. Now Sabur had mounted to farewell his son, and when he saw this mighty great dust,

he let call a runner and said to him, Go find me out the cause of this dust cloud. The scout went and returned saying, Oh, my lord, Harib and his braves are upon you, whereupon they unloaded their bot beasts and drew out in line of battle. When Harib came up and saw the Persians range of, in row, he cried out to his men saying, Charge with the blessing of Allah! So they waved the flags,

and the Arabs and the Ajamis crave one at other, and folk were heaped upon folk. Blood ran like water, and all souls saw death face to face. The brave advanced and pressed forward to a sail, and the coward hung back and turned tail, and they ceased not from fight and fray till ended day, when the kettle drums beat the retreat,

and the two hosts drew apart. Then Sabur commanded to pitch his camp hard over the city gate, and Harib set up his pavilions in front of theirs, and every one went to his tent. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say, when it was the six hundred and sixty-ninth night. She said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the two hosts drew apart, everyone went to his tent until the morning. As soon as it was day, the two hosts mounted their strong steeds and leveled their lances and wore their harness of war. Then they raised their slogan cries and drew out in battle array, whilst came forth all the lordly knights and the lions of fights. Now the first to open the gate of battle was Rustam, who urged his charger into midfield

and cried out, God is most great! I am Rustam, champion in chief of the Arabs and Ajamis. Who is for tilting? Who is for fighting? Let no sluggard come out to me this day nor weakling. Then there rushed forth to him a champion of the Persians. The two charged each other, and there befell between them a sore fight, till Rustam sprang upon his adversary and smote him with a mace he had with him,

seventy pounds in weight, and beat his head down upon his breast, and he fell to the earth dead and in his blood drowned this was no light matter to sabur and he commanded his men to charge so they crave at the moslems invoking the aid of the light-giving sun whilst the true believers called for help upon the magnanimous king but the ajamis the miscreants outnumbered the arabs the moslems and made them drain the cup of death which when charyb saw he drew his sword al-mahik and cried Drying out his war cry fell upon the Persians, with Kailajan and Kurajan at either stirrup. Nor did he leave playing upon them with blade till he hued his way to the standard-bearer and smote him on the head with the flat of his sword, whereupon he fell down in a fainting fit, and the two marids bore him off to their camp. When the Persians saw the standard fall, they turned and fled, and for the city gates made.

But the Muslims followed them with the blade, and they crowded together to enter them. the city, so that they could not shut the gates, and there died of them much people. Then, Rustah and Saadan, Jamirkan and Sahim, al-Damich, Kailajan, and Kurajan, and all the braves Mohamedan, and the champions of Faith Unitarian, fell upon the misbelieving Persians in the gates, and the blood of the kafirs ran in the streets like a torrent till they threw down their arms and harness and called out for quarter, whereupon the Muslims stayed their swords from the slaughter, and drove them to their tents, as one driveth a flock of sheep.

Meanwhile, Harib returned to his pavilion, where he doffed his gear and washed himself of the blood of the infidels, after which he donned his royal robes and sat down on his chair of estate. Then he called for the king of the Persians and said to him, O dog of the Ajams, what moved thee to deal thus with thy daughter? How seest thou me unworthy to be her barren? And Sabur answered, saying, O king, punish me not because of that deed which I did, for I repent me and confronted thee not in fight, but in my fear of thee. When Harib heard these words, he bade throw him flat and beat him. So they bastinadoed him till he could no longer groan and cast him among the prisoners. Then Harib expounded al-Islam to the Persians and 120,000 of them embraced the faith, and the rest he put to the sword.

Moreover, all the citizens professed al-Islam, and Harib mounted and entered in great state the city Isbanir al-Madayin. Then he went into the king's palace, and sitting down on Sabur's throne, gave robes and largesse, and distributed the booty and treasure among the Arabs and Persians, wherefore they loved him, and wished him victory and honor and endurance of days. But Fakhertaj's mother remembered her daughter, and raised the voice of mourning for her, and the palace was filled with wails and cries. "'Harib heard this, and entering the harim, "'asked the women what ailed them?

"'Whereupon the princess's mother came forward and said, "'Oh, my lord, thy presence put me in mind of my daughter, "'and how she would have joyed in thy coming, "'had she been alive and well.' "'Kharib wept for her, "'and sitting down on his throne, called for Sabur, "'and they brought him stumbling in his shackles. "'Quoth Harib to him,

O dog of the Persians, what didst thou do with thy daughter? I gave her to such an one, then such an one, quote the king, saying, drown her in the river Ja'un. Soharib sent for the two men and asked them. Is what he sayeth true? Answered they. Yes, but, O king, we did not drown her. Nay, we took pity on her and left her on the bank of the Ja'un.

saying, save thyself and return not to the city, lest the king slay thee and slay us with thee. This is all we know of her. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 11. Recording by Daniel Vermont in Osaka, Japan. Section 12 of The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 Daniel Vermont. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 12 when it was the six hundred and seventy-th night. She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

That the two men ended the tale of Fakhirtage with these words. And we left her upon the bank of the river Jaihun. Now, when Chharib heard this, He bade bring the astrologers and said to them, Strike me aboard of geomancy, And find out what is come of Fakhertage, and whether she is still in the bonds of life or dead. They did so, and said,

O king of the age, it is manifest to us that the princess is alive and hath born a male child, but she is with the tribe of the jean, and will be parted from the twenty years. Count, therefore, how many years thou hast been absent in travel. So he reckoned.

up the years of his absence, and found them eight years, and said, There is no majesty, and there is no might, save an Allah, the glorious, the great. Then he sent for all Sabur's governors of towns and strongholds, and they came and did him homage. Now one day after this, as he sat in his palace, behold, a cloud of dust appeared in the distance, and spread, till it walled the whole land, and darkened. the horizon. So he summoned the two marids and bade them reconnoiter, and they went forth under the dust cloud, and snatching up a horseman of the advancing host, returned, and set him down before Charibe, saying, ask this fellow, for he is of the army. Quote Charibe,

whose power is this? And the man answered, Oh, king, tis the army of Hirachah, King of Shiraz, who has come forth to fight thee. Now the cause of Hiradha's coming was this. When Harib defeated Sabur's army, as hath been related, and took him prisoner, the king's son fled with a handful of his father's force and ceased not flying till he reached the city of Shiraz, where he went in to King Hiradha and kissed ground before him, whilst the tears ran down his cheeks. When the king saw him in this case, he said to him, Lift thy head, O youth, and tell me, what maketh thee weep? He replied,

O king, a king of the Arabs, by name Charibe, hath fallen on us and captured the king my sire, and slain the Persians, making them drain the cup of death. And he told him all that had passed from first to last. Quoth Hirajah, is my wife well? And quoth the prince, Harib, hath taken her, cried the king. As my head liveth, I will not leave a Badawi or a Muslim on the face of the earth. So he wrote letters to his viceroy who levied their troops and joined him with an army, which, when reviewed, numbered 85,000 men. Then he opened his armories and distributed arms and armor to the troops, after which he set out with them and journeyed till he came to Ispanir, and all encamped before the city gate. Hereupon,

Kailajan and Kurajan came in to Charibe and, kissing his knee, said to him, O our lord, heal our hearts and give us this host to our share. And he said, Up and at them! So the two marids flew aloft high in the, lift and lighting down in the pavilion of the King of Shiraz, found him seated on his chair of estate, with the Prince of Persia, Ward Shaw, son of Sabur, sitting on his right hand, and about him his captains, with whom he was taking counsel for the slaughter of the Muslims. Kailajan came forward and caught up the prince, and Kurajan snatched up the king, and the twain flew back with them to Harib, who caused beat them till they fainted.

Then the Marids returned to the Shirazian camp, and drawing their swords, which no mortal man had strength to wield, fell upon the misbelievers, and Allah hurried their souls to the fire, and abiding-place dire, whilst they saw no one and nothing, save two swords flashing and reaping men, as a husbandman reaps corn. So they left their tents, and mounting their horses barebacked, fled, and the Marids pursued them two days and slew of them much people, after which they returned and kissed Karib's hand. He thanked them for the deed they had done and said to them, The spoil of the infidels is yours alone. None shall share with you therein.

So they called down blessings on him, and going forth gathered the booty together and abode in their own homes. on this wise it fared with them. But as regards Charibe and his lieges, and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say, When it was the six hundred and seventy-first night, She resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

That after Charibe had put to flight the host of Hirajah, He bade Kailajan and Kourajan take the spoil to their own possession, nor share it with any. So they gathered the booty and abode in their own homes. Meanwhile, the remains of the beaten force ceased not flying till they reached the city of Shiraz, and there lifted up the voice of weeping and began the ceremonial lamentations for those of them that had been slain. Now King Shirajah had a brother, Siran the sorcerer, highs, than whom there was no greater wizard in his day, and he lived apart from his brother in a certain stronghold called the fortless of fruits, in a place abounding in trees and streams,

and birds and blooms, half a day's journey from Shiraz. So the fugitives betook them thither, and went in to Siron the sorcerer, weeping and wailing aloud, quoth he, "'Oh, folk, what gareth you weep?' And they told him all that had happened, especially how the two marids had carried off his brother, Hirajar, whereupon the light of his eyes became night, and he said, "'By the virtue of my faith,

I will certainly slay Harib and all his men, and leave not one alive to tell the tale.' Then he pronounced certain magical words, and summoned the red king, who appeared, and Siran said to him, Fair for Isbanir, and fallen Harib, as he sitteth upon his throne, replied he, hearkening and obedience, and gathering his troops, repaired to Ispaniar, and assailed Karib, who, seeing him, drew his sword Al-Mahik, and he, and Kailajan and Kurajan, fell upon the army of the Red-Eyip.

king and slew of them five hundred and thirty, and wounded the king himself with a grievous wound, whereupon he and his people fled and stayed not in their flight till they reached the fortiless of fruits and went into Ceyran, crying

out and exclaiming, whoa, and ruin! And the red king said to Serran, O sage, Harib hath with him, the enchanted sword of Japheth, son of Noah. and whomesoever he smiteth therewith, he severeth him in sunder.

And with him also are two marids from Mount Caucasus, given to him by King Murash. He it is who slew the blue king and barkin-lord of the Cornelian city, and did to death much people of the gene. When the enchanter heard this, he said to the Red King, Go! And he went his ways, whereupon he resumed his conjurations, and calling up a marid by name Zuzia, gave him a dram of levigated bong, and said to him, Go thou to Isbanir, and enter King Kharib's palace, and assume the form of a sparrow. Wait till he fall asleep, and there

be none with him, then put the bong up his nostrils, and bring him. Bring him to me. To hear is to obey, replied the marid, and flew to Ispaniar, where, changing himself into a sparrow, he perched on the window of the palace and waited till all Harib's attendants retired to their rooms, and the king himself slept. Then he flew down, and going up to Harib, blew the powdered bong into his nostrils, till he lost his senses, whereupon he wrapped him in the bed coverlet and flew off with him, like the storm wind, to the fortiless of fruits, where he arrived at midnight and laid his prize before Siran.

The sorcerer thanked him, and would have put Harib to death as he lay senseless under Bang. But a man of his people withheld him, saying, O sage, and thou slay him, his friend King Murash, will fall on us, with all his If hefritz and lay waste our realm. How then shall we do with him? asked Siran. And the other answered, Cast him into the Ja'un while he is still in Bang, and he shall be drowned, and none will know who threw him in.

And Siran bade the Marid, take Charibe, and cast him into Jaihun River. And Shara'ad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and seventy-second night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the marid took Kharib and carried him to the Ja'i-hun, purposing to cast him therein, but it was grievous to him to drown him, wherefore he made a raft of wood, and binding it with cords, pushed it out, and Karib thereon, into the current, which carried it away.

Thus fared it with Harib, but as regards his people, when they awoke in the morning and went in to do their service to their king, they found him not, and seeing his rosary on the throne, awaited him a while, but he came not. So they sought out the head Chamberlain and said to him, Go into the Harim and look for the king, for it is not his habit to tarry till this time. accordingly the Chamberlain entered the Saraglio and inquired for the king, but the women said,

Since yesterday we have not seen him. Thereupon he returned and told the officers who were confounded and said, Let us see if he have gone to take his pleasure in the gardens. Then they went out and questioned the gardeners if they had seen the king, and they answered, No! Whereat they were sore concerned and searched all the garths till the end of the day, when they returned in tears. Moreover, the two Marids sought for him all round the city,

but came back after three days, without having happened on any tidings of him. So the people dawned black, and made their complaint to the Lord of all worshipping men who clawed as he is fain. Meanwhile, the current bore the raft along for five days till it brought it to the salt sea, where the waves disported with Karib,

and his stomach, being troubled, threw up the bong. Then he opened his eyes, and finding himself in the midst of the main, a plaything of the billows, said, There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. Would to heaven I wot, who hath done this deed by me? Presently as he lay, perplexed concerning his case, lo! He caught sight of a ship sailing by, and signalled with his sleeve to the sailors,

who came to him and took him up, saying, Who art thou, and whence comest thou? He replied, Do ye feed me and give me to drink till I recover myself, and after I will tell you who I am? So they brought him water and victual, and he ate and drank, and Allah restored to him his reason.

Then he asked them, O folk, what countrymen are ye? And what is your faith? And they answered, We are from Karaj, and we worship an idol called Mincash, cried Kharib, Perdition to you and your idol. Oh, dogs, none is worthy of worship, save Allah,

who created all things, who saith to a thing, be, and it becometh. When they heard this, they rose up and fell upon him in great wrath, and would have seized him. Now he was without weapons, but whomesoever he struck he smote down and deprived of life, till he had felled forty men, after which they overcame him by force of numbers,

and bound him fast, saying, We will not slay him save in our own land, that we may first show him to our king. Then they sailed on till they came to the city of Karaj. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. End of Section 12.

Recording by Daniel Vamant in Osaka, Japan. Section 13 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visitlibrivox.org. Recording by Jeff Kluckner. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 13. When it was the six hundred and seventy-third night, she pursued,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the ship's crew seized Harib, and bound him fast, they said, We will not slay him, save in our own land. Then they sailed on till they came to the city of Karaj. The builder whereof was an Amalekite, fierce and furious, and, and, and they sailed, and he had set up at each gate of the city, a magical figure of copper which, whenever a stranger entered, blew a blast on a trumpet, that all in the city heard it, and fell upon the stranger and slew him, except they embraced their creed. When Harib entered the city, the figure stationed at the gate blew such a horrible blast, that the king was affrighted, and going into his idol, found fire and smoke issuing from its

mouth, nose and eyes. Now a Satan had entered the belly of the idol, and speaking as with its tongue, said, O king, there is come to thy city one high's Harib, king of Al-Iraq, who bideth the folk quit their belief and worship his lord. Wherefore, when they bring him before thee, look thou spare him not. So the king went out and sat down on his throne, and presently the sailors brought in Harib, and set before the presence, saying, O king, we found this youth shipwrecked in the midst of the sea, and he is a kafir, and believeth not in our gods. Then they told him all that had passed, and the king said,

carry him to the house of the great idol and cut his throat before him so haply our god may look lovingly upon us but the wazir said o king it befitteth not to slaughter him thus for he would die in a moment better we imprison him and build a pyre of fuel and burn him with fire thereupon the king commanded to cast harib into jail and caused wood to be brought and they made a mighty pyre and set fire to it and it burnt till the morning then the king and the people of the city came forth and the ruler sent to fetch but his lieges found him not so they returned and told their king who said and how made he his escape quoth they we found the chains and shackles cast down and the doors fast locked whereat the king marveled and asked hath this fellow to heaven upflown or into the earth gone down? And they answered, We know not. Then said the king, I will go and question my God, and he will inform me whither he is gone. So he rose and went in, to prostrate himself to his idol, but found it not, and began to rub his eyes and say, Am I in sleep or on wake? Then he turned to his wazir and said to him, Where is my God, and where is my prisoner? By my faith, O dog of wazirs,

hadst thou not counseled me to burn him? I had slaughtered him. for it is he who hath stolen my god and fled and there is no help but i take brood reek of him then he drew his sword and struck off the wazir's head now there was far harib's escape with the idol a strange cause and it was on this wise when they had shut him up in the cell adjoining the doomed shrine under which stood the idol he rose to pray calling upon the name of almighty allah and seeking deliverance of him to whom be honor and glory the marid who had charge of the idol and spoken its name heard him and feared him and fear got hold upon his heart, and he said, O shame upon me, Who is this seeth me while I see him not? So he went into Harib, and throwing himself at his feet,

said to him, O my lord, what must I say that I may become of thy company and enter thy religion? Replied Harib, Say there is no God but thee God, and Abraham is the friend of God. So the Marid pronounced the profession of faith

and was enrolled among the people of Felicity. Now his name was Zalzal, son of al-Muz-Azil, one of the chiefs of the kings of the Jin. Then he unbound Harib, and taking him and the idol, made for the higher air. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and seventy-fourth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the Marid took up Harib, and the idol, and made for the higher air.

Such was his case, but as regards the king, when his soldier saw what had befallen, and the slaughter of the wazir, they renounced the worship of the idol, and, drawing their swords, slew the king, after which they fell on one another, and the sword went round amongst them three days, till their abode alive but two men, one of whom prevailed over the other, and killed him. Then the boys attacked the survivor, and slew him, and fell to fighting amongst themselves, till they were all killed, and the women and girls fled to the hamlets and forted villages, wherefore the city became desert, and none dwelt therein but the owl. Meanwhile, the Marid Zawzal flew with Harib towards his own country,

the island of camphor, and the castle of crystal, and the land of the enchanted calf, so called because its king Al-Mur-Zalil had a pied calf, which he had clad and housings brocated with red gold, and worshipped as a god. One day the king and his people went into the calf, and found him trembling, so the king said, O my God, what hath troubled thee? Whereupon the Satan in the calf's belly cried out and said, O Musazil, verily thy son hath deserted to the faith of Abraham the friend at the hands of Harib,

Lord of Al-Iraq, and went on to tell him all that had passed from first to last. When the king heard the words of his calf, he was confounded, and going forth sat down upon his throne. Then he summoned his grandees, who came in a body, and he told them what he had heard from the idol, whereat they marveled and said, What shall we do, O king? Quoth he, when my son cometh and ye see him, embrace him, do ye lay hold of him. And they said, Harkening and obedience. After two days came Zal-Zal and Harib, with the king's idol of Karaj, but no sooner had they entered the palace gate than the Jin seized on them, and carried them

before Al-Mu-Zal, who looked at his son with eyes of ire and said to him, O dog of the Jan, hast thou left thy faith and that of thy fathers and grandfathers? Quoth Zalzal, I have embraced the true faith, and unlike wise do thou, woe be to thee. Seek salvation, and thou shalt be saved from the wrath of the king Almighty in sway, creator of night and day. Therewith his father waxed wrath and said, O son of adultery, dost confront me with these words? Then he bade clap him in prison, and turning to Harib, said to him, O wretch of a mortal, how hast thou abused my son's wit and seduced him from his faith? Quoth Harib, indeed I have brought him out of wrongness into the way of righteousness,

out of hell into heaven, and out of unfaith to the true faith. Whereupon the king cried out to Amarid called Sayaar, saying, Take this dog and cast him into the wadi of fire, that he may perish. Now this valley was in the waste quarter, and was thus named from the excess of its heat and the flaming of its fire, which was so fierce that none who went down therein could live an hour, but was destroyed, and it was compassed about by mountains high and slippery, wherein was no opening.

So Sayyahar took up Harib and flew with him towards the valley of fire, till he came within an hour's journey thereof. When being weary, he alighted in a valley full of trees and streams and fruits, and setting down from his back Harib, chained as he was, fell asleep for fatigue. When Harib heard him snore, he strove with his bonds till he burst them, then, taking up a heavy stone, he cast it down on the Marid's head and crushed his bones so that he died on the spot. Then he fared on into the valley.

and Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and seventy-fifth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Harib, after killing the Marid, fared on into the valley, and found himself in a great island in mid-ocean, full of all fruits that lips and tongue could desire. So he abode alone on the island, drinking of its waters and eating of its fruits and of fish that he caught, and days and years passed over him, till he had sojourned. there in his solitude seven years. One day, as he sat, behold, there came down on him from the air two marids, each carrying a man, and seeing him they said, Who art thou, O fellow, and of which of the

tribes art thou? Now they took him for a jinny, because his hair was grown long, and he replied saying, I am not of the Jan, whereupon they questioned him, and he told them all that had befallen him. They grieve for him, and one of the Iffrests said, Abide thou here till we bear these two lambs to our king, that he may break his fast on the one and sup on the other, and after we will come back and carry thee to thine own country. He thanked them and said, Where be the lambs? Quoth they, these two mortals are the lambs.

And Harib said, I take refuge with Allah, the god of Abraham the friend, the lord of all creatures, who hath power over everything. Then the Marids flew away, and Harib abode awaiting them two days, when one of them returned, bringing with him a suit of clothes wherewith he clad him. Then he took him up and flew with him sky high out of sight of earth, till Harib heard the angels glorifying God in heaven, and a flaming shaft issued from amongst them and made for the Marid,

who fled from it towards the earth. The meteor pursued him till he came within a spears cast of the ground, when Harib leaped from his shoulders, and the fiery shaft overtook the Marid, who became a heap of ashes. As for Harib, he fell into the sea and said, sank two fathoms deep, after which he rose to the surface and swam for two days and two nights, till his strength failed him and he made certain of death. But, on the third day, as he was despairing, he caught sight of an island steep and mountainous, so he swam for it and landing,

walked on inland, where he rested a day and a night, feeding on the growth of the ground. Then he climbed to the mountain-top, and, descending the opposite slope, fared on two days till he came in sight of a walled and bulwarked city, abounding in trees and wring. He walked up to it, but, when he reached the gate, the warder seized on him, and carried him to their queen, whose name was Jahan Shaha. Now she was five hundred years old, and every man who entered the city they brought to her, and she made him sleep with her, and when he had done his work she slew him, and so had she slain many men. When she saw Harib, he pleased her mightily, so she asked him, What be thy name and faith, and whence comest thou? And he answered,

my name is Harib, king of Iraq, and I am a Moslem. Said she, Leave this creed, and enter mine, and I will marry thee and make thee king. But he looked at her with eyes of ire and cried, Terrish thou in thy faith. cried she, dost thou blaspheme my idol, which is of red Cornelian set with pearls and gems? And she called out to her men, saying,

Imprison him in the house of the idol, happily it will soften his heart. So they shut him up in the dome. shrine and locking the doors upon him went their way. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 13. Recording by Jeff Kluckner, Plymouth, UK. Section 14 of a book of a thousand nights and a night, volume seven.

This is a Librevox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. recording by jeff cluckner the book of a thousand knights and a night volume seven by anonymous translated by richard francis burton section fourteen when it was the six hundred and seventy-sixth night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that when they took harib they jailed him in the idol's domed shrine and locking the doors upon him went their way as soon as they were gone harib gazed at the idol which was of red carnelian with collars of pearls and precious stones about its neck and presently he went close to it and lifting it up dashed it on the ground and break it in bits after which he lay down and slept till daybreak when morning morrowed the queen took seat on her throne and said o men bring me the prisoner So they opened the temple doors, and entering, found the idol broken in pieces, whereupon they buffeted their faces till the blood ran from the corners of their eyes.

Then they made at Harib to seize him, but he smote one of them with his fist and slew him, and so did he with another, and yet another, till he had slain five and twenty of them, and the rest fled, and went into Queen Jahan Shaha, shrieking loudly. Quoth she, What is the matter? And quoth they, the prisoner hath broken thine idol and slain thy men, and told her all that had passed. When she heard this, she cast her crown to the ground and said, There is no worth left in idols. Then she mounted amid a thousand fighting men at road to the temple,

where she found Harib had gotten him a sword, and come forth, and was slaying men and overthrowing warriors. When she saw his prowess, her heart was drowned in the love of him, and she said to herself, I have no need of the idol, and care for not save this Harib. that he may lie in my bosom the rest of my life. Then she cried to her men, Hold aloof from him and leave him to himself.

Then, going up to him, she muttered certain magical words, whereupon his arm became benumbed, his forearm relaxed, and the sword dropped from his hand. So they seized him and pinioned him, as he stood confounded, stupefied. Then the queen returned to her palace, and seating herself on her seat of estate, bade her people withdraw and leave Harib with her.

when they were alone she said to him o dog of the arabs wilt thou shiver my idol and slay my people he replied o a cursed woman had he been a god he had defended himself quoth she stroke me and i will forgive thee all thou hast done but he replied saying i will do not of this and she said by the virtue of my faith i will torture thee with grievous torture So she took water, and conjuring over it, sprinkled it upon him, and he became an ape. And she used to feed and water, and keep him in alozes, appointing one to care for him, and in this plight he abode two years. Then she called him to her one day, and said to him, wilt thou he hearken to me? And he signed to her with his head, yes. So she rejoiced and freed him from the enchantment. Then she brought him food, and he ate and toyed with her, and kissed her, so that she trusted in him. When it was night she lay down, and said,

said to him, come, do thy business. He replied, Tis well, and, mounting on her breast, seized her by the neck and break it, nor did he arise from her till life had left to her. Then, seeing an open cabinet, he went in and found there a sword of damascene steel and a targe of Chinese iron, so he armed himself cape up high, and waited till the day. As soon as it was morning he went forth and stood at the gate of the palace. When the emirs came and would have gone in to do their service to the queen, they found Harib standing at the gate, clad in complete war-gear, and he said to them, O folk, leave the service of idols, and worship the all-wise king, creator of night and day, the lord of men, the quickener of

dry bones, for he made all things and hath dominion over all. When the kafirs heard this, they ran at him, but he fell on them like a rending lion, and charged through them again and again, slaying of them much people. and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the six hundred and seventy seventh night she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the kaffirs fell upon harib he slew of them much people but when the night came they overcame him by dint of numbers and would have taken him by strenuous effort when behold there descended upon the infidels a thousand marids under the command of zalzal who plied them with the keen sabre and made them drink the cup of destruction whilst allah hurried their souls to hell-fire till but few were left of the people of jehan shah to tell the tale and the rest cried out quarter quarter and believed in their requiting king whom no one thing diverteth from other thing, the destroyer of the Jabbar Ira, an exterminator of the Akas-Ira, Lord of this world and of the next. Then Zalzal saluted Harib, and gave him joy of his safety, and Harib said to him,

How knowest thou of my case? And he replied, O my lord, my father kept me in prison two years, after sending thee to the valley of fire. Then he released me, and I abode with him another year till I was restored to favor with him, when I slew him and his troops submitted to me. I ruled them for a year's space till, one night, I lay down to sleep, having thee in thought, and saw thee in a dream, fighting against the people of Ja'an Shaha, wherefore I took these thousand Marids and came to thee. And Harib marvelled at this happy conjuncture. Then he seized upon Jan Shah's treasures and those of the slain, and appointed a ruler over the city, after which the Marids took up Harib and the Monis,

and he lay the same night in the castle of Crystal. He abode Zal Zal Zsaal's guest six months, when he desired to depart, so Zalzal gave him rich presents, and dispatched three thousand marids, who brought the spoils of Karaj city, and added them to those of Jahan Shah. Then Zalzal loaded forty thousand marids with the treasure,

and himself taking up Harib, flew with his host toward the city of Isbanir al-Madain, where they arrived at midnight. But as Harib glanced around, he saw the walls invested on all sides by a conquering army, as it were the surging sea. So he said to Zalzaal, O my brother, what is the cause of this siege,

and whence came this army? Then he alighted on the terrace roof of his palace and cried out, saying, Ho Star O Morn! Ho my dear! Whereupon the twain started up from sleep in amazement, and said, Who calleth us at this hour? Quoth he,

"'Tis I, your Lord Harib, The marvellous one of the deeds wondrous. When the princesses heard their lord's voice, They rejoiced, and so did the women and the eunuchs. Then Harib went down to them, And they threw themselves upon him, And lullilud with cries of joy, So that all the palace rang again,

And the captains of the army awoke and said, What is to do? So they made for the palace, and asked the eunuchs. Hath one of the king's women given birth to a child? And they answered, No, but rejoice ye, for King Harib hath returned to you. So they rejoiced, and Harib, after salaams to the women, came forth amongst his comrades, who threw themselves upon him and kissed his hands and feet, returning thanks to Almighty Allah, and praising him.

Then he sat down on his throne, with his officers sitting about him, and questioned them of the beleaguering army. They replied, O King, these troops sat down before the city three days ago, and there are amongst them, and Jins as well as men, but we know not what they want, for we have had with them neither battle nor speech. And presently they added, The name of the commander of the besieging army is Murad Shah, and he hath with him a hundred thousand horse and three thousand foot, besides two hundred tribesmen of the Jin. Now the manner of his coming was wondrous, and Shah Razade perceived the dawn of day,

and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and seventy-eighth night, She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the cause of this army Coming upon Isbanir city was wondrous. When the two men, Whom Sabur had charged to drown

His daughter Facher Tage, Let her go, bidding her flee for her life, She went forth distracted, Unknowing whither to turn, And saying, Where is thine eye, O Harib, That thou mayest see my case And the misery I am in,

And wandered on from country to country And valley to valley, till she came to a wadi abounding in trees and streams, in whose midst stood a strong-based castle, and a lofty-builded, as it were, one of the pavilions of paradise. So she betook herself thither, and entering the fortiless, found it hung and carpeted with stuffs of silk and great plenty of gold and silver vessels,

and therein were a hundred beautiful damsels. When the maidens saw Facher-Tage, they came up to her and saluted her, deeming her of the virgins of the gin, and asked her of her case. she, I am daughter to the Persians king, and told them all that had befallen her, which, when they heard, they wept over her, and condoled with her, and comforted her, saying, Be of good cheer, and keep thine eyes cool and clear, for here shalt thou have meat and drink and raiment, and we are all thy handmaids. She called down blessings on them, and they

brought her food, of which she ate till she was satisfied. Then quoth she to them, Who is the owner of this palace, and lord over you girls? And quoth they, King Sal Sahal, son of Dal, is our master. He passeth a night here once in every month, and fareth in the morning to rule over the tribes of the Jan. So Fakhartage took up her abode with them, and after five days she gave birth to a male child, as he were the moon. They cut his naval cord and cold his eyes,

then they named him Murad Shah, and he grew up in his mother's lap. After a while came King Sal Saal, riding on a paper-white elephant, as he were a tower plastered with lime and attended by the troops of the gin. He entered the palace, where the hundred damsels met him and kissed ground before him, and amongst them Fakhartage. When the king saw her, he looked at her and said to the others,

Who is yonder damsel? And they replied, She is the daughter of Sabur, king of the Persians, and Turks and Dalamites. Quoth he, Who brought her hither? So they repeated to him her story, whereat he was moved to pity with her, and said to her, Grieve not, but take patience till thy son be grown a man, when I will go to the land of the Ajamis,

and strike off thy father's head from between his shoulders, and seat thy son on the throne in his stead. So she rose and kissed his hands and blessed him. Then she abode in the castle, and her son grew up, and was reared with the children of the king. They used to ride forth together a-hunting and birding, and he became skilled in the chase of wild beasts, and ravening lions, and ate of their flesh, till his heart became harder than the rock.

When he reached the age of fifteen, his spirit waxed big in him, and he said to Fakhartage, O my mama, who is my papa? She replied, O my son, Harib, king of Iraq, is thy father, and I am the king's daughter of the Persians, and she told him her story. Foth he, did my grandfather indeed give orders to slay thee, and my father Harib? and quoth she, Yes, whereupon he, By the claim thou hast on me for rearing me, I will assuredly go to thy father's city

And cut off his head, And bring it to thy presence. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, And ceased saying her permitted say. End of section 14. Recording by Jeff Cluckner, Plymouth, UK. Section 15 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7.

This is a Libravox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Jeff Kluckner. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 15. When it was the 679th night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Murad Shah, son of Hakartage, thus bespake his mother, she rejoiced in his speech. Now he used to go a-riding with two hundred marids till he grew to man's estate, when he and they fell to making raids and cutting off the roads, and they pushed the Razia's farther till one day he attacked the city of Shiraz and took it. Then he proceeded to the palace, and cut off the king's head, as he sat on his throne, and slew many of his troops, whereupon the rest cried, quarter, quarter, and kissed his stirrups.

finding that they numbered ten thousand horse he led them to balk where he slew the king of the city and put his men to the rout and made himself master of the riches of the place thence he passed to nureen at the head of an army of thirty thousand horse and the lord of nureen came out to him with treasure and tribute and did him homage then he went on to samarkand of the persians and took the city and after that to achlahat and took that town also nor was there any city he came to but he can't captured it. Thus Murad Shah became the head of a mighty host, and all the booty he made, and spoils in the sundry cities he divided among his soldiery, who loved him for his valour and munificence. At last he came to Isbanir Al-Madain, and sat down before it, saying, Let us wait till the rest of my army come up, when I will seize on my grandfather, and solace my mother's heart by smiting his neck in her presence. So he sent for her, and by reason of this there was no battle for three days,

when Harib and Zalzal arrived with the forty thousand marids laden with treasure and presents. They asked concerning the besiegers, but none could enlighten them beyond saying that the host had been there encamped for three days without a fight taking place. Presently came Fakhartage, and her son Murad Shah, embraced her, saying, Sit in thy tent till I bring thy father to thee.

And she sought succor for him of the lord of the worlds, the Lord of the Heavens, and the Lord of the Earths. Next morning, as soon as it was day, Murad Shah mounted and rode forth, with the 200 Marids on his right hand, and the kings of men on his left, whilst the kettle-drums beat to battle. When Harib heard this, he also took to horse,

and, calling his people to the combat, rode out, with the Jin on his dexter hand, and the men on his sinister. Then came forth Murad-Shah, armed Kepe-Pai, and crave his charger right and, and left, crying, O folk, let none come forth to me but your king. If he conquer me, he shall be lord of both armies, and if I conquer him, I will slay him, as I have slain others. When Harib heard his speech, he said, Avant, O dog of the Arabs! And they charged at each

other, and lunged with lances till they broke, then hewed at each other with swords, till the blades were notched. Nor did they cease to advance and retire and wheel and career, till the day was half spent, and their horses fell down under them, when they dismounted and gripped each other. Then Murad Shah, seizing Harib, lifted him up, and strove to dash him to the ground, but Harib caught him by the ears and pulled him with his might, till it seemed to the youth as if the heavens were falling on the earth, and he cried out, with his heart in his mouth, saying, I yield myself to thy mercy, O night of the age! So Harib bound him. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted.

it say. When it was the six hundred and eighty-th night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Harib caught Murad Shah by the ears, and well-nigh tore them off, he cried, I yield myself to thy mercy, O night of the age. So Harib bound him, and the marids his comrades would have charged and rescued him, but Harib fell on them with a thousand marids, and was about to smite them down, when they cried out, quarter, quarter, and threw away their arms. Then Harib returned to his Shah Mayana, which was of green silk, embroidered with red gold and set with pearls and gems, and, seating himself on his throne, called for Murad Shah. So they brought him, shuffling in his manacles and shackles.

When the prisoner saw him, he hung down his head for shame, and Harib said to him, O dog of the Arabs, who art thou that thou shouldst ride forth and measure thyself against kings? replied Murad Shah, O my lord, reproach me not, for indeed I have excuse. Quoth Harib, what manner of excuse hast thou? And quoth he, know, O my lord, that I came out to avenge my mother and my father on Sabur, king of the Persians, for he would have slain them, but my mother escaped, and I know not whether he killed my father or not. When Harib heard these words, he replied,

By Allah, thou art indeed excusable. but who were thy father and mother and what are their names? Murad Shah said, My sire was Harib, king of Al-Iraq, and my mother Fakhirtaj, daughter of King Sabur of Persia. When Harib heard this, he gave a great cry and fell down fainting. They sprinkled rose-water on him, till he came to himself, when he said to Murad-Shah,

art thou indeed Harib's son by Fakhertaj? And he replied, yes. cried Harib, thou art a champion, the son of a champion, loose my child. And Sahim and Kalajan went up to Murad Shah and set him free. Then Harib embraced his son, and, seating him beside himself, said to him, Where is thy mother? She is with me in my tent, answered Murad Shah, and Harib said,

Bring her to me. So Murad Shah mounted and repaired to his camp, where his comrades met him, rejoicing in his safety, and asked him of his case. But he answered, This is no time for questions. Then he went into his mother and told her what had passed, whereat she was gladdened with exceeding gladness. So he carried her to Harib, and they two embraced and rejoiced in each other.

Then Fakhertage and Murad Shah Islamized and expounded the faith to their troops, who all made profession with heart and tongue. After this, Harib sent for Sabur and his son Ward Shah, and upbraided them for their evil dealing, and expounded al-Islam to them. But they refused to profess, wherefore he crucified them, on the gate of the city, and the people decorated the town and held high festival. Then Harib crowned Murad Shah with the crown of the Hosros, and made him king of the Persians, and Turks and Medes.

Moreover, he made his uncle Al-Demai, king over Al-Iraq, and all the peoples and lands submitted themselves to Harib. Then he abode in his kingship, doing justice among his lieges, wherefore all the people loved him, and he and his wives and comrades ceased not from all solace of life, till there came to them the destroyer of delights and sundererer of societies, and extolled be the perfection of him whose glory endureth for ever and I, and whose boons embrace all his creatures. This is everything that hath come down to us of the history of Harib and Ajib. And Abdullah bin Ma Amar Al-Kazi hath thus related the tale of Otba and Raya.

I went one year on the pilgrimage to the Holy House of Allah, and when I had accomplished my pilgrimage, I turned back for visitation of the tomb of the prophet whom Allah bless and keep. One night, as I sat in the garden, between the tomb and the pulpit, I heard a low moaning and a soft voice, so I listened to it, and it said, Have the doves that moan in the lotus tree, woke grief in thy heart and bred misery, or doth memory of maiden in beauty decked, cause this doubt in thee, this despondency. O night thou art longsome for love-sick sprite, complaining a-o, of love and its ecstasy. Thou makest him wakeful who burns with fire, of a love like the

live coals' ardency. The moon is witness, my heart is held, by a moonlight brow of the brightest blee. I wrecked not to see me by love ensnared, till ensnared before I could wreck or see. Then the voice ceased, and not knowing whence it came to me, I abode perplexed, but lo! It again took up its lament, and recited. came Raya's phantom to grieve thy sight In the thickest gloom of the black-haired night And hath love of slumber deprive those eyes And the phantom vision vexed thy sprite

I cried to the knight Whose glooms were like Seas that surge and billow with might With might O night thou art longsome to lover who Hath no aid nor help save the morning light She replied Complain not that I am long

Tis love is the cause of thy long longsome plight. Now, at the first of the couplets, I sprang up and made for the quarter whence the sound came, nor had the voice ended repeating them, ere I was with the speaker, and saw a youth of the utmost beauty, the hair of whose side face had not sprouted, and in whose cheeks tears had worn twin trenches. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and eighty-first night, she continued, it hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that Abdullah bin Ma'amar Al-Kazi thus continued. So I sprang up and made for the quarter whence the sound came, nor had the voice ended repeating the verses. Ere I was with the speaker, and saw a youth on whose side face the hair had not sprouted, and in whose cheeks tears had worn twin trenches. Quoth I to him, Fair befall thee for a youth, and quoth he, And thee also, who art thou?

I replied, bin Ma'amar al-Kazi, and he said, Dost thou want aught? I rejoined. I was sitting in the garden, and naught hath troubled me this night but thy voice. With my life would I ransom thee. What aileth thee?

He said, sit thee down. So I sat down, and he continued, I am Otba bin al-Hubab, bin al-Mun-Hir, bin al-Jamu, the Ansari. I went out in the morning to the mosque al-Zahab, and occupied myself there a while with prayer-boughs and prostrations, after which I withdrew apart to worship privately. But lo, up came women, as they were moons,

walking with a swaying gate, and surrounding a damsel of passing loveliness, perfect and beauty and grace, who stopped before me and said, O Atba, what sayest thou of union with one who seeketh union with thee? Then she left me and went away, and since that time I have had no tidings of her, nor come upon any trace of her,

and behold, I am distracted and do not but remove from place to place. Then he cried out and fell to the ground fainting. When he came to himself, it was as if the damask of his cheeks were dyed with safflower, and he recited these couplets. I see you with my heart from far country. Would heaven you also me from far could see? My heart and eyes for you are sorrowing. My soul with you abides and you with me.

I take no joy in life when you are unseen. or heaven or garden of eternity said i o otba o son of my uncle repent to thy lord and crave pardon for thy sin for before thee is the terror of standing up to judgment he replied far be it from me so to do i shall never leave to love till the two mimosa gatherers return i abode with him till daybreak when i said to him come let us go to the mosque al a zahab so we went thither and sat there till we had prayed the midday prayers when lo up came the women but the damsel was not among them quoth they to him o otba what thinkest thou of her who seeketh union with thee he said and what of her and they replied her father hath taken her and departed to al samoa i asked them the name of the damsel and they said she is called raya daughter of al hitrif al silami whereupon otba raised his head his head and they said she is called whereupon otba raised his head and recited these verses my friends riah hath mounted soon as morning shone and to samoa's wilds her caravan is gone my friends i've wept till i can weep no more o say hath any one a tear that i can take on loan then i said to him o otba i have brought with me great wealth wherewith i desire to succour generous men and by allah i will lavish it before thee so thou mayest attain thy desire and more than thy desire come with me to the assembly of the ansari's so we rose and went till we entered their assembly when i salaamed to them and they returned my greeting civilly then quoth i o assembly what say ye of otba and his father and they replied they are of the princes of the arabs

i continued know that he is smitten with the calamity of love and i desire your furtherance to al samawa and they said to hear is to obey so they mounted with us the whole party and we rode till we drew near the palace of the banu's Salim. Now when Hittreth heard of our being near, he hastened forth to meet us, saying, Long life to you, O nobles, whereto we replied, and to thee also, behold we are thy guests. Quoth he, ye have lighted down at a most hospitable abode and ample, and alighting he cried out, Ho, all ye slaves, come down! So they came down, and spread skin rugs and cushions and slaughtered sheep and cattle, but we said, We will not taste of thy food. till thou have accomplished our need. He asked,

And what is your need? And we answered, We demand thy noble daughter in marriage For Otba bin Hubab bin Mundhir The illustrious and well-born. O my brethren said he, She whom you demand is owner of herself, And I will go into her and tell her.

So he rose in wrath and went into Raya, Who said to him, O my papa, why do I see these show anger? And he replied, saying, Certain of the Ansaris of Kamasuris of Kamas, upon me to demand thy hand of me in marriage. Quoth she, they are noble chiefs, the prophet on whom be the choicest blessings and peace, intercedeth for them with Allah. For whom among them do they ask me? Quoth he, for a youth known as Otba bin al-Hubab, and she said,

I have heard of Otba that he performeth what he promised, and findeth what he seeketh. Hittres cried, I swear that I will never marry thee to him. No, never, for there hath reported to me somewhat of thy converse with him, said she, What was that? But in any case, I swear that the Ansari shall not be uncivilly rejected, wherefore do thou offer them a fair excuse. How so? Make the dowry heavy to them, and they will desist.

Thou sayest well, said he, and going out in haste, told the Ansari's, The damsel of the tribe consenteth, but she requireth a dowry worthy herself. Who engageth for this? i answered i then said he i require for her a thousand bracelets of red gold and five thousand dirhams of the coinage of hajar and a hundred pieces of woolen cloth and striped stuffs of al yamon and five bladders of ambergris said i thou shalt have that much dost thou consent and he said i do consent so i despatched to almedina the ilumind a party of the ansari's who brought all for which i had become surety whereupon they slaughtered sheep and cattle and the folk assembled to eat of the food we abode thus forty days when hittriff said to us take your bride so we sat her in a dromedary litter and her father equipped her with thirty camel-loads of things of price after which we farewelled him and journeyed till we came within a day's journey of almedina the illumind when there fell upon us horsemen with intent to plunder and methinks they were of the banu sylime otbad drove at them and slew of them much people but fell back wounded by a lance-thrust and presently dropped to the earth.

Then there came to a sucker of the country people, who drove away the highwaymen, but Otba's days were ended. So we said, Alas for Otba, oh! And the damsel hearing it cast herself down from the camel, and throwing herself upon him, cried out grievously, and repeated these couplets.

Patient I seemed, yet patience shown by me, was but self-guiling till thy sight I see. had my soul done as do my life had gone, had fled before mankind for stalling thee, then after me and thee none shall to friend, be just nor any soul with soul agree. Then she sobbed a single sob, and gave up the ghost. We dug one grave for them, and laid them in the earth,

and I returned to the dwellings of my people, where I abode seven years. Then I betook me again to Al-Hajaz, and entering Almadina the Illumind for pious visitation, said in my mind, By Allah, I will go again to Atba's tomb. So I repaired thither, and behold, Over the grave was a tall tree,

On which hung fillets of red and green and yellow stuffs. So I asked the people of the place, How be this tree called? And they answered, The tree of the bride and the bridegroom. I abode by the tomb a day and a night, Then went my way, And this is all I know of Atba.

Almighty Allah have mercy upon him. And they also tell him, this tale of Hind, daughter of Al-Numann and Al-Hajai. It is related that Hind, daughter of Al-Numan, was the fairest woman of her day, and her beauty and loveliness were reported to Al-Hajai, who sought her in marriage and lavished much treasure on her. So he took her to wife, engaging to give her a dowry of two hundred thousand dirhams in case of divorce, and when he went into her, he abode with her a long time. One day after this he went into her and found her looking at her face in the mirror

and saying, Hind is an Arab filly, purest bread, which hath been covered by a mongrel mule. And colt of horse she throw by Allah, well, if mule, it but results from muleish rule. When Al-Hajai heard this, he turned back and went his way, unseen of Hind,

and, being minded to put her away, he sent Abdullah bin Tahr to her, to divorce her. So Abdullah went into her and said to her, Al-Hajai Abu Muhammad saith to thee, here be the two hundred thousand dear-hams of thy contingent dowry he oweeth thee, and he hath deputed me to divorce thee. Replied she, O Ibn Tahr, I gladly agree to this,

for know that I never for one day took pleasure in him, so, if we separate by Allah, I shall never regret him, and these two hundred thousand dear-hams I give to thee as a reward for the glad tidings thou bringest me of my release from yonder dog of the Thacophites. After this, the commander of the faithful, Abed al-Malik bin Marwan, heard of her beauty and loveliness, her stature and symmetry, her sweet speech, and the amorous grace of her glances, and sent to her in marriage. And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

End of Section 15. Recording by Jeff Cluckner, Plymouth, UK. Section 16 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is the Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Pam Castile. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous,

translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 16. When it was the 682nd night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the prince of true believers, Abid al-Malik bin Mourwan, hearing of the lady's beauty and loveliness, sent to ask her in marriage, and she wrote him in reply a letter, in which, after the glorification of Allah and benediction of his prophet, she said, But afterwards, know, O commander of the faithful, that the dog hath lapped in the vase. When the Caliph read her answer, he laughed and wrote to her, citing his saying, Whom may Allah bless and keep.

If a dog lap in the vessel of one of you, let him wash seven times, once thereof with earth, in adding, wash the affront from the place of use. With this she could not gainsay him, so she replied to him, saying, after praise and blessing, O commander of the faithful, I will not consent save on one condition, and if thou ask me what it is, I reply that al-Hajai lead my camel to the town where thou tarriest, barefoot, and clad as he is. When the Caliph read her letter, he laughed long and loudly, and sent to him. Al-Hajai, bidding him to do as she wished. He dared not disobey the order, so he submitted to the Caliph's commandment, and sent to Hind, telling her to make ready for the journey. So she made ready

and mounted her litter. When Al-Hajai, with his suite, came up to Hens' door, and as she mounted and her damsels and eunuchs rode around her, he dismounted and took the halter of her camel, and let it along, barefooted, whilst she and her damsels and tirewomen, laughed and jeered at him, and made mock of him. Then she said to her tirewomen, draw back the curtain of the litter, and she drew back the curtain till Hind was face to face with Al-Hajai, whereupon she laughed at him, and he improvised this couplet. Though now thou jeer, O Hind, how many a knight, I've left thee way, wakful, sighing for the light. And she answered him with these two. We wreck not, and our life escape from bane, for waste of wealth and gear that went in vain. Money may be regained,

and rank re-won, when one is cured of malady and pain. And she ceased not to laugh at him and make sport of him, till they drew near the city of the Caliph, when she threw down a dinar with her own hand, and said to Al-Hajai, O camel-driver, I have dropped a Durham, look for it, and give it to me. So he looked and seen naught but the dinar said, This is a dinar. She replied, nay, tis a durham. But he said, This is a dinar. Then quoth she, Praise be Allah, who hath given us an exchange for a paltry Durham, Adinar, give it us. And Al-Hashai was abashed at this. Then he carried her to the palace of the commander of the faithful, and she went into him and became his favorite. And Shaharazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 683rd night she pursued,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that men also tell a tale, a tale, annit. Kashima bin Bishir and Iqram al-Fuyaz. There lived once in the days of the Caliph Suleiman bin Abid al-Malik, a man of the Banu Assad by name Qajima bin Bishir, who was famed for bounty and abundant wealth and excellence and righteous dealing with his brethren. He continued thus till times grew straight with him, and he became in need of the aid of those Muslim brethren. on whom he had lavished favor and kindness. So they succored him a while, and then grew weary of him, which when he saw he went into his wife,

who was the daughter of his father's brother, and said to her, O my cousin, I find a change in my brethren, wherefore I am resolved to keep my house till death come to me. So he shut his door and abode in his home, living on that which he had by him, till it was spent, and he knew not what to do. Now Icrom al-Rabai, surnamed Al-Fuyaz, governor of Mesopotamia, had known him,

and one day, as he sat in his audience chamber, mention was made of Kashima, whereupon, quoth Icrum, how is it with him? And quoth they, he is in a plight past telling, and hath shut his door and keepeth the house. Icrumb rejoined, This cometh but of his excessive generosity, But how is it that Qasuma bin Bishir findeth nor comforter nor requiter?

And they replied, He hath found naught of this. So when it was night, Icrumb took four thousand dinars and laid them in one purse. Then bidding saddle his beast, he mounted and rode privily to Qasuma's house, attended only by one of his pages carrying the money. When he came to the door, he alighted, and, taking the purse from the page, made him withdraw afar off, after which he went up to the door, and knocked. Kazuma came out to him, and he gave him the purse, saying, Better thy case herewith.

He took it, and finding it heavy, put it from his hand, and laying hold of the bridle of Icram's horse, asked, Who art thou? My soul be thy ransom, answered Icram. O man, I come not to thee at a time like this, desiring that thou shouldst know me. Kazima rejoined, I will not let thee go till thou make thyself known to me. Whereupon I am Hight Jaber Atharet al-Quram. Quoth Qasuma, tell me more, but Ikram cried, no, and fared forth, whilst Kazima went into his cousin and said to her, Rejoice, for Allah hath sent of speedy relief and wealth,

if these be but durham's, yet they are many, arise and light the lamp, she said, I have not wherewithal to light it. So he spent the night handling the coins, and felt by their roughness that they were dinars, but could not credit it. Meanwhile, Iqron returned to his own house, and found that his wife had missed him and asked for him,

and when they told her of his riding forth she misdoubted of him and said to him verily the wali of al jasira rideth not abroad after such an hour of the night unattended and secretly save to a wife or a mistress He answered, Allah knoweth that I went not forth to either of these. Tell me then, wherefore thou wentest forth? I went not forth at this hour, save that none should know it. I must needs be told. Will thou keep the matter secret if I tell thee? Yes.

So he told her the state of the case, adding, Will thou have me swear to thee? Answered she. No, no, my heart is set at ease, and trusteth in that which thou hast told me. As for Kashima, soon as it was day he made his peace with his creditors, and set his affairs in order, after which he got him ready, and set out for the court of Suleiman bin Abid al-Malek, who was then sojourning in Palestine. When he came to the royal gate he sought admission of the Chamberlain, who went in and

told the Caliph of his presence. Now he was renowned for his beneficence, and Suleiman knew of him, so he bade admit him. When he entered he saluted the Caliph after the usual fashion of saluting, and the king asked, O Qajima, what hath kept thee so long from us? Answered he, evil case, and quoth the Caliph, what hindered thee from having recourse to us? Quoth he, My infirmity, O commander of the faithful! why, said Salomon, comeest thou to us now?

Kazima replied, know, O commander of the faithful, that I was sitting one night late in my house, when a man knocked at the door and did thus and thus, and he went on to tell him of all that had passed between Icromb and himself from first to last. Salomon asked, knowest thou the man? And Qasima answered, No, O commander of the faithful, he was reserved, and would say not save, I am Haid Jabir Atherat al-Quram. When Suleiman heard this, his heart burned within him for anxiety to discover the man, and he said, If we knew him, truly we would requite him for his generosity. Then he bound for Qajima a banner, and made him governor of Mesopotamia, in the stead of

Icrumb al-Fuyaz, and he set out for Al Jazeera. When he drew near the city, Icrum and the people of the place came forth to meet him, and they saluted each other and went on into the town, where Qajima took up his lodging in the government house, and bade take security for Iqram, and that he should be called to account. So an account was taken against him, and he was found to be in default for much money. Whereupon Cushcheon, Cusholm, and that he should be taken against him, and he was found, Qasuma required of him payment, but he said, I have no means of paying ought. Quoth, Qasuma, it must be paid, and quoth I have it not, do what thou hast to do. So Qajuma ordered him to jail, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the 684th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Kashima, having ordered the imprisonment of Icram al-Fuyaz, sent to him again to demand payment of the debt, but he replied, I am not of those who preserve their wealth at the expense of their honor. Do what thou wilt. Then Kashima bade load him with irons, and kept him in prison a month or more, till confinement began to tell upon him, and he became wasted. After this, tidings of his plight travelled to the daughter of his uncle, who was troubled with sore concern thereat, and sending for a freedwoman of hers, a woman of abundant judgment and experience, said to her, Go forthwith to the Emir Kojima's gate, and say, I have a counsel for the emir. If they ask what it is,

I will not tell it save to himself. And when thou interest to him, beg to see him in private, and when private ask him, What be this deed thou hast done? Hath Jabir Atherat al-Kiram deserved of thee no better reward than to be cast into straight prison And hard bond of irons? The woman did as she was bid,

And when Qajuma heard her words, He cried out at the top of his voice, saying, Alas, the baseness of it, was it indeed he? And she answered, yes. Then he bade saddle his beast forthwith, and summoning the honorable men of the city, repaired with them to the prison, and opening the door went in with them to Icromb, whom they found sitting in evil case, worn out and wasted with blows and misery. When he looked at Kazimah, he was abashed, and hung his head. But the other bent down to him and kissed his face, whereupon he raised his head and asked, What make it thee do this? answered Kajima, the generosity of thy dealing and the vileness of my requital.

And Iqram said, Allah, pardon us and thee. Then Kajima commanded the jailer to strike off Icrans fetters and clap them on his own feet. But Iqram said, What is this that will do? Quoth the other, I have a mind to suffer what thou hast suffered. Quoth I-cromb, I conjure thee by Allah, do not so. Then they went out together and returned to Kazima's house, where Icromb would have farewelled him and winded his way, but he forbade him, and Icromb said,

What is thy will of me? replied Kashima, I wish to change thy case, for my shame before the daughter of thine uncle, is yet greater than my shame before thee. So he bade clear the bath and entering with Icrom, served him there in person, and when they went forth he bestowed on him a splendid robe of honor, and mounted him and gave him much money. Then he carried him to his house, and asked his leave to make his excuses to his wife,

and obtained her pardon. After this he besought him to accompany him to the Caliph, who was then abiding at Ramla, and he agreed. So they journeyed thither, and when they reached the royal quarters, the Chamberlain went in, and acquainted the Caliph Suleiman bin Abid al-Malik with Qajuma's arrival, whereat he was troubled and said, What? Is the governor of Mesopotamia come without our command? This can be only on some grave occasion. Then he bade admit him, and said, before saluting him, What is behind thee, O Kashima, replied he. Good, O commander of the faithful, asked Solomon, what bringeth thee?

And he answered, saying, I have discovered Jabir Atharat al-Kuram, and thought to gladden thee with him, knowing thine excessive desire to know him, and thy longing to see him. Who is he? Quoth the Caliph, and quoth Kazima, he is Icram al-Fuyaz, So Solomon called for Icram, who approached and saluted him as Caliph, and the king welcomed him, and making him draw near his sitting place, said to him, O Icram, thy good deed to him hath brought thee naught but evil, adding, Now write down and an note thy needs each and every, and that which thou desirest. He did so, and the Caliph commanded to do all that he required, and that forthwith. Moreover, he gave him ten thousand dinars more than he asked for, and twenty chests of clothes over and above that he sought, and calling for a spear, bound him a banner, and made him

governor over Armenia and Azerbaijan and Mesopotamia, saying, Qajima's case is in thy hands, and thou wilt continue him in his office, and if thou wilt degrade him. And Icrumb said, Nay, but I restore him to his office, O commander of the faithful. Then they went out from him and ceased not to be governors under Salaman bin Abid al-Malik all the days of his caliphate. And they also tell a tale of, Eunice the scribe and the Caliph Walid bin Sal. There lived in the reign of the Caliph Hisham, son of Abid al-Malik, a man called Eunice the scribe, well known to the general, and he set out one day on a journey to Damascus, having with him a slave-girl of surpassing beauty and loveliness, whom he had taught all that was needful to her,

and whose price was a hundred thousand dirhams. When they drew near to Damascus, the caravan halted by the side of a lake, and Eunice went down to a quiet place with his damsel, and took out some victual he had with him, and a leather bottle of wine. As he sat at meat, behold, came up a young man of goodly favor and dignified presence, mounted on a sorrel horse, and followed by two eunuchs, and said to him, What thou accept me to guess? Yes, replied Eunice, so the stranger alighted and said, Give me to drink of thy wine. Eunice gave him to drink, and he said, If it pleased thee, sing us a song. So, Eunice, sang this couplet extempore. She joineth charms were never seen conjoined in mortal dress,

and for her love she makes me love my tears and wakefulness, at which the stranger rejoiced with exceeding joy, and Eunice gave him to drink again and again till the wine got the better of him, and he said, bid thy slave-girl sing, so she improvised this couplet. A harry, by whose charms my heart is moved to sore distress, nor wand of tree, nor sun, nor moon, her rivals I confess. The stranger was overjoyed with this, and they sat drinking till nightfall, when they prayed the evening prayer, and the youth said to Eunice, What bringeth thee to our city? He replied, Quest of wherewithal to pay my debts and better my case, Quote the other

Will thou sell me this slave-girl for thirty thousand dirhams? Where to quoth Eunice, I must have more than that, he asked. Will forty thousand content thee? But Eunice answered, That would only settle my debts, and I should remain empty-handed. Rejoined the stranger. We will take her of thee of fifty thousand dirhams,

and give thee a suit of clothes to boot, and the expenses of thy journey, and make thee a sharer in my condition as long as thou livest, cried Eunice, I sell her to thee on these terms. Then said the young man, wilt thou trust me to bring thee the money to-morrow, and let me take her with me, or shall she abide with thee till I pay down her price? Where to whine and shame and awe of the stranger led Eunice to reply, I will trust thee, take her, and Allah bless thee if. her. Whereupon the visitor bade one of his pages, sit her before him on his beast, and mounting his own

horse, farewelled of Eunice, and rode away out of sight. Hardly had he left him, when the seller bethought himself, and knew that he had erred in selling her, and said to himself, What have I done? I have delivered my slave-girl to a man with whom I am unacquainted, neither know I who he is, and grant that I were acquainted with him, how am I to get at him? So he abode and thought till the morning, when he pray the dawned prayers, and his companions entered Damascus, whilst he sat, perplexed, and wadding not what to do, till the sun scorched him, and it irked him to abide there. He thought to enter the city, but said in his mind, If I enter Damascus, I cannot be sure but that the messenger will come and find me not,

in which case I shall have sinned against myself a second sin. Accordingly, he sat down in the shade of a wall that was there, and towards the wane of day, up came one of the eunuchs, whom he had seen with the young man, whereat great joy possessed Eunice, and he said to himself, I know not that aught hath ever given me more delight than the sight of this castrato. When the eunuch reached him, he said to him, O my lord, we have kept thee long waiting, but Eunice disclosed nothing to him of the torments of anxiety he had suffered. Then quoth the castrato,

knowest thou the man who bought the girl of thee? And quoth Eunus, no, to which the other rejoined. "'Twas Walid bin Sal, the air apparent, and Eunice was silent. Then said the eunuch, ride, and made him mount a horse he had with him, and they rode till they came to a mansion, where they dismounted and entered. Here Eunice found the damsel, who sprang up at his sight and saluted him. He asked her how she had fared with him who had bought her, and she answered. He lodged me in this apartment, and ordered me all I needed. Then he sat with her a while, till suddenly one of the servants of the house-owner came in,

and bade him rise and follow him. So he followed the man into the presence of his master, and found him yester-night's guest, whom he saw seated on his couch, and who said to him, Who art thou? I am Eunice, the scribe. Welcome to thee, O Eunice, by Allah, I have long wished to look on thee, for I have heard of thy report. How didst thou pass the night? Well, may Almighty Allah advance thee. Peradventured thou repentedest thee of that thou didst yesterday, and sets to thyself,

I have delivered my slave-girl to a man with whom I am not acquainted, neither know I his name nor whence he cometh. Allah forbid, O Emir, that I should repent over her. Had I made gift of her, of her to the prince, she were the least of the gifts that are given unto him. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 16. Recording by Pam Castile. Section number 17 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. information or to volunteer, please visit librivox.org.

Recording by Lauren Jane. The Book of a Thousand Nights at a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. When it was the six hundred and eighty-fifth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Eunice the scribe said to Alid, Allah forbid I should repent over her. Had I made gift of her to the prince, she were the least of gifts that are given to him, nor indeed is she worthy of his rank. Walid rejoined, by Allah, but I repented me of having carried her away from thee, and said to myself, This man is a stranger, and knoweth me not, and I have taken him by surprise, and acted inconsiderately by him in my haste to take the damsel.

Dost thou recall what passed between us? Quoth Eunus, yes. And quoth Walid, dost thou sell this damsel to me, for fifty thousand dirhams? and Eunice said, I do. Then the prince called to one of his servants to bring him fifty thousand dirhams, and a thousand and five hundred dinars to boot,

and gave them all to Eunice, saying, Take the slaves' price. The thousand dinars are for thy fair opinion of us, and the five hundred are for thy viaticum, and for what present thou shalt buy for thy people. Art thou content? I am content, answered Eunice,

and kissed his hands, saying, By Allah, thou hast filled my eyes and my hands and my heart. Quoth Walid, by Allah, I have as yet had no privacy of her, nor have I taken my fill of her singing. Bring her to me. So she came, and he bade her sit. Then said to her, sing. And she sang these verses.

O thou who dost comprise all beauty's boons, O sweet of nature, feign of coquetry! In Turks and Arabs many beauties dwell, but, O my fawn, in none thy charms I see. Turn to thy lover, O my fair, And keep thy word, though but envisioned fantasy, Shame and disgrace are lawful for thy sake, And wakeful nights, full-filled with joy and glee.

I'm not the first for thee who fare distraught, Slain by thy love, how many a many be. I am content with thee for worldly share, Deer than life and good art thou to me. When he heard this, he was delighted exceedingly, and praised Eunice for his excellent teaching of her and her fair education. Then he bade his servants bring him a roadster with saddle and housings for his riding, and a mule to carry his gear, and said to him, O Eunus, when it shall reach thee that command hath come to me, do thou join me, and by Allah I will fill thy hands with good, and advance thee to honour,

and make thee rich as long as thou livest. So Eunice said, I took his goods and went my ways, and when Walid succeeded to the Caliphate, I repaired to him, and by Allah he kept his promise and entreated me with high honour and munificence. Then I abode with him in all content of case and rise of rank, and my affairs prospered, and my wealth increased, and goods and farms became mine, such as sufficed me and will suffice my heirs after me. nor did I cease to abide with Walid till he was slain, the mercy of Almighty Allah beyond him. And men tell a tale concerning. Harun al-Rashid and the Arab girl.

The Caliph Harun al-Rashid was walking one day with Jha'afar the barmecide, when he espied a company of girls drawing water and went up to them having a mind to drink. As he drew near, one of them turned to her fellows and improvised these lines. Thy phantom bid thou fleet, And fly, Far from the couch whereon I lie, So I may rest and quench the fire, Bonfire in bones, I flaming high. My lovesick form loves restless palm,

Rolls o'er the rug whereon I sigh. How tis with me thou wottest well, How long then union will deny. The Caliph marvelled at her elegance and eloquence, And Sharazad perceived the dawn of, of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and eighty-sixth night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the Caliph, hearing the girls' verses,

marveled at her elegance and eloquence, and said to her, O daughter of nobles, are these thine own, or a quotation? Replied she, They are my very own, and he rejoined, And thou say sooth, keep the sense, and change the rhyme. So she said, bid thou thy phantom distance keep, And quit this couch the while I sleep, So I may rest and quench the flames,

Through all my body rageful creep, In love-sick one whom passion's palms Roll o'er the bed where grief I weep, How tis with me thou wottest well, All but thy union hold I cheap. Quoth the Caliph, this also is stolen, And quoth she, nay, tis my very own. He said,

if it be indeed thine own change the rhyme again and keep the sense so she recited the following unto thy phantom deal behest to shun my couch the while i rest so i repose and quench the fire that burns what lieeth in my breast my weary form loves restless palm rolls o'er with boon of sleep unblest how tis with me thou wottest well when unions bought tis haply best Quoth al-Rashid, this too is stolen, and quoth she, Not so, tis mine. He said, If thy words be true, change the rhyme once more. And she recited, Drive off the ghost that ever shows beside my couch when I'd repose, So I may rest and quench the fire beneath my ribs air flames and blows.

In lovesick one whom passion's palms, Roll o'er the couch where weeping flows. How tis with me thou wottest well. will union come as union goes then said the caliph of what part of this camp art thou and she replied of its middle in dwelling and of its highest in tent poles wherefore he knew that she was the daughter of the tribal chief and thou quoth she of what art thou among the guardians of the horses and quoth he of the highest in tree and of the ripest in fruit allah protect thee o commander of the faithful said she and kissing the ground called down blessings on him. Then she went away with the maidens of the Arabs, and the caliph said to Jafar,

There is no help for it, but I take her to wife. So Jafar repaired to her father and said to him, The commander of the faithful hath a mind to thy daughter. He replied, With love and goodwill, she is a gift as a handmaid to His Highness our Lord, the commander of the faithful. So he equipped her and carried her to the caliph, who took her to wife and went into her,

and she became of the dearest of his women to him. Furthermore, he bestowed on her father largesse such as succored him among Arabs, till he was transported to the mercy of Almighty Allah. The caliph, hearing of his death, went into her greatly troubled, and when she saw him looking afflicted, she entered her chamber,

and doffing all that was upon her of rich raiment, donned mourning apparel, and raised lament for her father. It was said to her, What is the reason of this? And she replied, My father is dead. So they repaired to the Caliph and told him,

and he rose, and going into her, asked her who had informed her of her father's death. And she answered, It was thy face, O commander of the faithful. Said he, how so? And she said, Since I have been with thee, I never saw thee on such wise till this time.

And there was none for whom I feared save my father by reason of his great age. but may thy head live, O commander of the faithful. The Caliph's eyes filled with tears and he condoled with her, but she ceased not to mourn for her father till she followed him. Allah have mercy on the twain. And a tale is also told of Al-Azmaie and the three girls of Basara.

The commander of the faithful Harun al-Rashid was exceeding restless one night and rising from his bed, paced from chamber to chamber, but could not compose himself to sleep. As soon as it was day, he said, Fetch me Al-Azma'i. So the eunuch went out and told the doorkeepers, These sent for the poet, and when he came, informed the caliph, who bade admit him, and said to him, O Asmae, I wish thee to tell me the best thou hast heard of stories of women and their verses. Answered Al-Azmae, hearkening and obedience.

I have heard great store of women's verses, but none pleased me save three sets of couplets I once heard. from three girls, and Shara'ad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and eighty-seventh night, she pursued. It hath reached me, o auspicious king, that al-Azmae, said to the prince of true believers, Verily I have heard much, but nothing pleased me save three sets of couplets improvised by as many girls. Quoth the caliph, tell me of them, and quoth he, know then, O commander, of the faithful, that I once abode in Basura. And one day as I was walking, the heat was sore upon me, and I sought for a siesta place, but found none. However, by looking right and left, I came upon a

porch, swept and sprinkled. At the upper end whereof was a wooden bench under an open lattice window, whence exhaled a scent of musk. I entered the porch, and sitting down on the bench, would have stretched me at full length, when I heard from within a girl's sweet, sweet, voice, talking, and saying, O my sisters, we are here seated to spend our day in friendly converse, so come, let us each put down an hundred dinars, and recite a line of verse, and whoso extemporiseth the goodliest and sweetest line, the three hundred dinars shall be hers. With love and gladness, said the others, and the eldest recited the first couplet, which is thus.

Would he come to my bed during sleep twere delight? But a visit on wake were delightsome our sight. quoth the second nought came to salute me in sleep save his shade but welcome fair welcome i cried to the sprite then said the youngest my soul and my folk i engage for the youth musk scented i see in my bed every night quoth i and she be fair as her verse hath grace the thing is complete in every case then i came down from my bench and was about to go away when behold the door opened and out came a slave-girl who said to me sit o sheikh so i climbed up and sat down again when she gave me a scroll wherein was written in characters of the utmost beauty with straight aliffs big bellied haze and rounded waws the following we would have the sheikh allah lengthen his days to know that we are three maidens sisters sitting in friendly converse who have laid down each a hundred dinars conditioning that whoso recite the goodliest and sweetest couplet shall have the whole three hundred dinars, and we appoint thee umpire between us. So decide as thou seest best, and the peace beyond thee, quoth I to the girl, here to me ink-case and paper. So she went in,

and returning after a little, brought me a silvered ink-case and gilded pens, with which I wrote these couplets. They talked of three beauties, whose converse was quite like the talk of a man with experienced dike, three maidens who borrowed the bloom of the dawn, making hearts of their lovers in sorriest plight. They were hidden from eyes of the prior and spy, who slept, and their modesty moat not a fright. So they opened whatever lay hid in their hearts, and in frolicsome fun, began verse to indict. Quoth one fair coquette with her amorous grace, whose teeth for the sweet of her speech flashed bright, would he come to my bed during sleep twere delight, But a visit on wake were delightsomer sight

When she ended her verse by her smiling was guilt, Then the second again singing as nightingale might, Nought came to salute me in sleep save his shade, But welcome, fair welcome, I cried to the sprite. But the third I preferred, for she said in reply, With expression most apposite, exquisite, My soul and my folk I engage for the youth, musk scented i see in my bed every night so when i considered their words to decide and not make me the mock of the cynical white i pronounced for the youngest declaring her verse of all verses be that which is nearest the right

then i gave scroll to the slave-girl who went upstairs with it and behold i heard a noise of dancing and clapping of hands and doomsday astir quoth i to myself tis no time of me to stay here so i came down from the platform and was about to go away when the damsel cried out to me sit down o azmaie asked i who gave thee to know that i was al azmaie and she answered o sheik and thy name be unknown to us thy poetry is not so i sat down again and suddenly the door opened and out came the first damsel with a dish of fruits and another of sweetmeats i ate of both and praised their fashion and would have ganged my gate but she cried out sit down o azmaie wherewith i raised my eyes to her and saw a rosy palm in a saffron sleeve me seem it was the full moon rising splendid in the cloudy east then she threw me a purse containing three hundred dinars and said to me this is mine and i give it to thee by way of du sir in requital of thy judgment quoth the caliph why didst thou decide for the youngest and quoth al azmae o commander of the faithful whose life allow prolong the eldest said i should delight in him if he visited my couch in sleep now this is restricted and dependent upon a condition which may befall or may not befall, whilst for the second, an image of dreams came to her in sleep,

and she saluted it. But the youngest's couplet said that she actually lay with her lover, and smelt his breath sweeter than musk, and she engaged her soul and her folk for him, which she had not done, were he not dearer to her than her sprite, said the caliph,

that didst dwell, Oazmaie, and gave him other three hundred ducats in payment of Istori. And I have heard a tale concerning, Ibrahim of Mosul and the devil. Quoth Abu Ishak Ibrahim al-Masili, I asked Thaw Rashid once to give me a day's leave, that I might be private with the people of my household and my brethren, and he gave me leave for Saturday the Sabbath.

So I went home and betook myself to making ready meat and drink and other necessaries, and bade the doorkeepers, shut the doors, and let none come into me. However, presently, as I sat in my sitting chamber with my women, who were looking after my wants. Behold, there appeared an old man of comely and reverend aspect, clad in white clothes and a shirt of fine stuff with a doctor's turbaned on his head, and a silver-handled staff in his hand, and the house and porch were full of the perfumes wherewith he was scented. I was greatly vexed at his coming into me, and thought to turn away the doorkeepers, but he saluted me after the goodliest fashion, and I returned his greeting and bade him be seated.

So he sat down and began entertaining me with stories of the Arabs and their verses, till my anger left me, and methought my servants had sought to pleasure me, by admitting a man of such good breeding and fine culture. Then I asked him, art thou for meat, and he answered, I have no need of it. And for drink, quoth I. And quoth he, that is as thou wilt. So I drank off a pint of wine, and poured him out the like. Then he said, O Abu is Shak, wilt thou.

wilt thou sing us somewhat, so we may hear of thine art, that wherein thou excelest high and low. His words angered me, but I swallowed my anger, and taking the lute, played and sang. Well done, O Abu Ishak, said he. Whereat my wrath redoubled, and I said to myself, Is it not enough that he should intrude upon me without my leave, and importune me thus? But that he must call me by name, as though he knew not the right way to address me. Quoth he, and thou wilt sing something more, we will requite thee. I dissembled my annoyance and took the lute and sang again,

taking pains with what I sang, and rising thereto altogether, in consideration of his saying, we will requite thee, and Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of section 17. Recording by Lauren Jane, Dublin, Ireland.

Section 18 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox 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 and a Night, Volume 7, Buy Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 18. When it was the 688th night, she continued, It hath reached me, O, a Spirton. king that when the sheikh said to Abu Ishach if thou wilt sing something more we will requite thee i dissembled my annoyance continued Ibrahim and taking the lute sang again with great attention to my singing and rising altogether thereto in consideration of his saying we will requite thee he was delighted and cried well done o my lord presently adding dost thou give me leave to sing as thou wilt answered I deeming him weak of wit in that he should think to sing in my presence after that which he had heard from me so he took the lute and swept the strings and by allah i fancy they spoke in arabic tongue with a sweet and liquid and murmurous voice then he began and sang these couplets i bear a hurt heart who will sell me for this a heart whole and free from all canker and smart nay none will consent or to barter or buy such law

ne'er from sorrow and sickness to part i groan with the groaning of wine-wounded men and pine for the pining ne'er faith my heart and by allah misceemed the doors and the walls and all that was in the house answered and sang with him for the beauty of his voice so that i fancied my very limbs and clothes replied to him and i abode amazed and unable to speak or move for the trouble of my heart then he sent me these couplets culvers of liwa to your nests return your mournful voices shrill is heart of mine then bacca cops they flew and well-night took my life and made me tell my secret pine with cooing call they one who's gone as though their breasts were maddened with the rage of wine ne'er did mine eyes there like for culver sea who weep yet teardrops ne'er die their e'en and also these couplets O Zephyr of Nage! When from Nage, thou blow, Thy breathing's heap only knew woe, on woe! The turtle bespeak me in bloom of morn From the cassia twig and a willow-bow.

She moaned with a moaning of love-sick youth And exposed love's secret I ne'er would show. They say, Love are wearies of love when near, And is cured of love and afar he go. I tried either cure which ne'er cured my love, But that nearness is better than far-ness. I know, yet the nearness of love shall no vantage prove, and whoso thou lovest deny thee of love.

Then said he, O Ibrahim, sing this song after me, and preserving the more thereof in thy singing, teach it to thy slave-girls. Quoth I, repeat it to me. But he answered, there needs no repetition. Thou hast it by heart, nor is there more to learn. Then he suddenly vanished from my sight, at this i was amazed and running to my sword drew it and made for the door of the harem but found it closed and said to the women what have ye heard quoth they we have heard the sweetest of singing and the gulliest then i went forth amazed to the house-door and finding it locked questioned the door-keepers of the old man they replied what old man by allah no one hath gone in to thee this day so i returned pondering the matter when behold there arose from one of the corners of the house a vaux at preterea nihil saying o abuishak no harm shall befall thee tis i abumura who have been thy cup companion this day so fear nothing then i mounted and rode to the palace where i told al-rashid what had passed and he said repeat to me the heirs thou heardest from him so i took the lute and played and sang them to him for behold they were rooted in my heart the caliph was charmed with them and drank there too albeit he was no confirmed wine-bibber saying would he would some day pleasure us with his company as he hath pleasure thee then he ordered me a present and i took it and went away and men relate this story an aunt the lovers of the banu usra quoth masr the yunuch the caliph harun al-rashid was very wakeful one night and said to me see which of the poets is at the door to

night. So I went out and finding Jamil bin Ma'amah al-Uzri in the ante-chamber, said to him, answer the commander of the faithful. Quoth he, I hear and I obey. And going in with me, saluted the caliph, who returned his greeting and bade him sit down. Then he said to him, O Jamil, hast thou any of thy wonderful new stories to tell us? He replied, Yes, so commander of the faithful, wouldst thou feanor here that which I have seen? with mine eyes or that which I have only heard quoth the caliph tell me something thou hast actually beheld quoth Jamil tis well o prince of true believers incline thy heart to me and lend me thy ears the caliph took a bolster of red brocade purfled with gold and stuffed with

ostrich feathers and laying it under his thighs propped up both elbows thereon then he said to Jamil now for thy tale o Jamil thereupon he began no o commander of the faithful that i was once desperately enumoured of a certain girl and used to pay her frequent visits and shahrazad received the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the six hundred and eighty-ninth night she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the caliph had propped his elbows upon the brocaded cushion he said out with thy tail o jamel and the poet began no o commander of the faithful i was desperately in love with a girl and used often to visit her because she was my desire and delight of all the things of this world after a while her people removed with her by reason of scarcity of pasture and i abode some time without seeing her till i grew restless for desire and longed for her sight and the flesh urged me to journey to her one night i could hold out no longer so i rose and saddling my she camus bound on my turban and donned my oldest dress then i buljicked myself with my sword and slinging my spear behind me mounted and rode forth in quest of her i fared on fast till one night it was pitch dark and exceeding black yet i persisted in the hard task of climbing down wadis and up hills hearing on all sides

the roaring of lions and howling of woes and the cries of the wild beasts my reason was troubled thereat and my heart sank within me but for all that my tongue ceased not to call on the name of almighty allah as i went along thus sleep overtook me and the camel carried me aside out of my road till presently something smote me on the head and i woke startled and alarmed and found myself in a pasturage full of trees and streams and birds on the branches, warbling their various speech and notes. As the trees were tangled, I alighted, and taking my camel's halter in hand, fared on softly with her, till I got clear of the thick growth and came out into the open country, where I adjusted her saddle and mounted again, knowing not where to go, nor whither the fates should lead me.

but presently, peering afar into the desert, I espied a fire in its middle death, so I smote my camel and made for the fire. When I drew near, I saw a tent pitched, enfronted by a spear stuck in the ground, with a pen on flying, and horses tethered and camels feeding, and said in myself,

Doubtless there hangeth some grave matter by this tent, for I see none other than it in the desert. So I went up there too, and said, Peace be with you, O people of the tent, and the mercy of Allah and his blessing. Whereupon there came forth to me, a young man as youths are when nineteen years old, Who was like the full moon shining in the east, with valor written between his eyes, and answered, saying, And with thee be the peace and Allah's mercy and his blessing, O brother of the Arabs, methinks thou hast lost thy way? replied I even so direct me right allah have mercy on thee he rejoined oh brother of the Arabs of a truth this our land is infested with lions and the night is exceeding dark and

dreary beyond measure cold and gloomy and I fear lest the wild beasts rend thee in pieces wherefore do thou alight and abide with me this night in ease and comfort and tomorrow I will put thee in the right way accordingly I dismounted and hobbled my she camo with the end of her halter. Then I put off my heavy upper clothes and sat down. Presently the young man took a sheep and slaughtered it and kindled a brisk fire, after which he went into the tent, and bringing out finely powdered salt and spices, fell to cutting off pieces of mutton and roasting them over the fire and feeding me therewith, weeping at one while and sighing at another. Then he groaned heavily and wept sore and improvised these couplets.

there remains to him naught save a flitting breath and an eye whose babe ever wandereth there remains not a joint in his limbs but what disease firm fix it ever tortureeth his tears are flowing his vitals burning yet for all his tongue still he silences all foemen in pity beweep his woes ah for freak whom the foemen pityeth by this i knew o commander of the faithful that a youth was a distracted lover for none knoweth passion save he who hath tasted the passion saver and quoth i to myself shall i ask him but i consulted my judgment and said how shall i assail him with questioning an eye in his abode so i restrained myself and ate my sufficiency of the meat when we had made an end of eating the young man arose and entering the tent brought out a handsome basin and ywer and a silken napkin whose ends were purfled with red gold and a sprinkling bottle full of rose-water mingled with musk i marvelled at his dainty delicate ways and said in my mind never wotai of delicacy in the desert then we washed our hands and talked awhile after which he went into the tent and making a partition between himself and me with a piece of red brocade said to me enter or chief of the arabs and take thy rest for thou hast suffered more of toil and travel than suffice it this night and in this thy journey so i entered and finding her bed of green brocade doffed my dress and passed a night such as i had never passed in my life and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the six hundred and ninety-yth night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious

king that Jamil spoke, saying, Never in my life passed I a night like that. I pondered the young man's case, till the world was dark in all I slept. When I was aroused by the sound of a low voice, never heard I a softer or sweeter. I raised the curtain which hung between us, and saw a damsel, never beheld I a fairer of face.

By the young man's side, and they were both weeping and complaining, one to other of the pangs of passion and desire and of the excess of their longing for union quoth i by allah i wonder who may be this second one when i entered this tent there was none therein save this young man and after reflection i added doubtless this damsel is of the daughters of the jinn and is enamored of this youth so they have secluded themselves with each other in this solitary place place. Then I considered her closely and behold, she was a mortal and an Arab girl whose face, when she unveiled, shamed the shining sun, and the tent was lit up by the light of her countenance. When I was assured that she was his beloved, I bethought me of lover jealousy. So I let drop the curtain, and covering my face, fell asleep. As soon as it was dawn, I arose, and donning my clothes,

made the wuzoo ablution and prayed such prayers as are obligatory in which I had deferred. Then I said, O brother of the Arabs, wilt thou direct me into the right road, and thus add to thy favours? He replied, At thy leisure, O chief of the Arabs, the term of the guest-right is three days, and I am not one to let thee go before that time. So I abode with him three days, and on the fourth day, as we sat talking, I asked him of his name and lineage. Coth he, as for my lineage, I am of the Banu Odra. My name is Sachan one, son of such an one, and my father's brother is called Sachan one. And behold, O commander of the faithful, he was the son of my paternal uncle, and of the noblest house of the Banu Zra.

said i o my cousin what moved thee to act on this wise secluding thyself in the waste and leaving thy fair estate and that of thy father and thy slaves and handmaids when he heard my words his eyes filled with tears and he replied no o cousin that i fell madly in love of the daughter of my father's brother fascinated by her distracted for her passion possessed as by a gin wholly unable to let her out of my sight so i sought her in marriage of her sire but he refused and married her to a man of the banu odra who went into her and carried her to his abiding place this last year when she was thus far removed from me and i was prevented from looking on her the fiery pangs of passion and excess of love longing and desire drove me to forsake my clan and friends and fortune and take up my abode in this desert where i have grown use to my solitude i asked where are their dwellings and he answered they are hard by on the crest of yonder hill and every night at the dead time when all eyes sleep, she sealeth secretly out of the camp, unseen of anyone, and I satisfy my desire of her converse, and she of mine. So I abide thus, solacing myself with her, a part of the night, till Allah work out that which is to be wrought, either I shall compass my desire, in spite of the

envious, or Allah will determine for me, and he is the best of determinators. Now when the youth told me his case, O commander of the faithful, I was concerned for him and perplexed by reason of my jealousy for his honour. So I said to him, O son of my uncle, willth thou, that I point out to thee a plan and suggest to thee a project whereby, please Allah, thou shalt find perfect welfare in the way of right and successful issue, whereby the almighty shall do away from thee, that thou dreadest? He replied, Say on, O my cousin. and quoth I, When it is night and the girl cometh, Set her on my she-camile, which is swift of pace, And mouth thou thy steed, Wils thy bestried one of these dromedaries, So we will fare on all night,

And when the morrow mourns, We shall have traversed wolds and wastes, and thou wilt have attained thy desire, And won the beloved of thy heart. The Almighty's earth is wide, and by Allah, I will back thee with heart and well, and sword. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 18. Recording by Mariselle Quay. Section 19 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Libervox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. The book of a thousand night and the night volume seven by anonymous translated by richard francis burton section nineteen when it was the six hundred and ninety-first night she said

it hath reached me o auspicious king that when jamel advised the elopement and night journey promising his aid as long as he lived the youth accepted and said o cousin wait till i take counsel with her for she's quick-witted and prudent and prudent and hath insight into affairs so continued jemil when the night darkened and the hour of her coming arrived and he awaiting her at the appointed tide she delayed beyond her usual time and i saw him go forth the door of the tent and opening his mouth inhale the wafts of breeze that blew from her quarter as if to snuff her perfume and he repeated these two couplets breeze of east who bringest me gentle air from the place of sojourn where dwells my fair o breeze of the lover thou barest not of her coming some signal bear then he entered the tent and sat weeping awhile after which he said to me o my cousin some mischance must have betided the daughter of mine uncle or some accident must have hindered her from coming to me this night presently adding but abide where thou art till i bring thee the news and he took sword and shield and was absent awhile of the night after which he returned carrying something in hand and called aloud to me so i hastened to him and he said o my cousin knowest thou what hath happened i replied no by allah quoth he verily i am distraught concerning my cousin this night for as she was coming to me a lion met her in the way and devoured her and there remaineth of her but what thou seest so saying he threw down what he had in his hand and behold it was the damsel's turband and what was left of her bones

then he wept sore and casting down his bow took a bag and went forth again saying stir not hence till i return to thee if it please almighty allah he was absent awhile and presently returned bearing in his hand hand, a lion's head, which he threw on the ground, and called for water. So I brought him water, with which he washed the lion's mouth, and fell to kissing it and weeping, and he mourned for her exceedingly, and recited these couplets. O, thy lion, who broughtest thyself to woe, thou wert slain, and worse sorrows my bosom rend. Thou hast left me of fairest companionship, made her whole. earth's womb till the world shall end to time who hath wrought me such grief I say Allah grant in her stead never show a friend then he said to me O cousin I conjure thee by Allah and the

claims of kindred and consanguinity between us keep thou my charge thou wilt presently see me dead before thee whereupon do thou wash me and shroud me and these that remain of my cousin's bones in this robe and bury us both in one grave and right thereon these two couplets on earth's surface we lived in rare ease and joy by fellowship joined in one house and home but fate with her changes departed us and the shroud conjoins us in earth's cold womb then he wept with sore weeping and entering the tent was absent awhile after which he came forth groaning and groaning and crying out. Then he gave one sob and departed this world. When I saw that he was indeed dead, it was grievous to me, and so sore was my sorrow for him that I had well-nigh followed him for excess of mourning over him. Then I laid him out and did as he had enjoined me,

shrouding his cousin's remains with him in one robe, and laying the twain in one grave. i abode by their tomb three days after which i departed and continued to pay frequent pious visits to the place for two years this then is their story o commander of the faithful al-rashid was pleased with jamil's story and rewarded him with a robe of honour and a handsome present and men also tell a tale concerning the badawi and his wife caliph Muawiya was sitting one day in his palace at Damascus, in a room whose windows were open on all four sides, that the breeze might enter from every quarter. Now it was a day of excessive heat, with no breeze from the hills staring, in the middle of the day, when the heat was at its height, and the caliph saw a man coming along, scorched by the heat of the ground and limping as he fared on barefoot. Muawiyah considered him a while, and said to him,

his courtiers hath allah may he be extolled and exalted created any miserabler than he who need must high abroad at such an hour and in such sultry tideth this quoth one of them haply he seeketh the commander of the faithful and quoth the caliph by allah if he seek me i will assuredly give to him and if he be wronged i will certainly succour him ho boy stand at the door and if yonder a while Arab seek to come in to me, forbid him not therefrom. So the page went out and presently the Arab came up to him and he said, What dost thou want? Answer the other, I want the commander of the faithful. And the page said, enter. So he entered and saluted the caliph. And Shaharazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and ninety-second night, she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the page allowed him to enter the Badawi saluted the caliph who said to him who art thou reply the arab i am a man of the banu camin and what bringeth thee here at this season asked and the arab answered i come to thee complaining and thy protection imploring against whom against marwan bin al haqam

thy deputy replied he and began reciting mu awea thou generous lord and best of men that be and o thou lord of learning grace and fair humanity thee words i come because my way of life is straight to me o help and let me not despair thy inequity to see deign thou redress the wrong that dealt the tyrant whim of him who better had my life destroyed than made such wrong to drie he robbed me of my wife and proved him worst of foes stealing mine honour mid my folk with foul iniquity and went about to take my life before the pointed day hath dawned which allah made my lot by destiny's decree now when muawiyah heard him recite these verses with a fire flashing from his mouth he said to him welcome and fair welcome o brother of the arabs tell me thy tale and acquaint me with thy case replied the arab o commander of the faithful i had a wife whom i loved passing dear with love none came near and she was the coolth of mine eyes and the joy of my heart and i had a herd of camels whose produce enabled me to maintain my condition but there came upon us a bad year which killed off hoof and horn and left me naught when what was in my hand failed me and wealth fell from me and i lapsed into evil case i at once became abject and a burden to those who erewhile wished to visit me and when her father knew it he took her from me and abjured me and drove me forth without ruth so i repaired to thy deputy marwan bin al haqam and asked his aid he summoned her sire and questioned him of my case when he denied any knowledge of me quoth i allah assign the emir and it please him to send for the woman and question her of my case when he denied any knowledge of me quoth i allah assign the emir and it please him to send for the woman and question her of

her father's saying, the truth will appear. So he sent for her and brought her, but no sooner had he set eyes on her, then he fell in love with her. So, becoming my rival, he denied me succor and was wroth with me, and sent me to prison, where I became, as I had fallen from heaven, and the wind had cast me down in a far land. Then, said Marwan to her father, with thy give her to me to wife, on a present settlement of a thousand dinars and a contingent dowry of ten thousand dirhams and i will engage to freer from yonder wild arab her father was seduced by the bribe and agreed to the bargain whereupon marwan sent for me and looking at me like an angry lion said to me oh arab divorced suad i replied i will not put her away but he sent on me a company of his servants who tortured me with all manner of tortures till i found no help for it

but to divorce her. I did so, and he sent me back to prison, where I abode till the days of her purification were accomplished, when he married her and let me go, so now I come hither in thee hoping, and thy succour imploring, and myself on thy protection froing, and he spoke these couplets. Within my heart is fire, whichever flameeth higher, within my frame are pains, for skill of leech too dire. Live coals in vitals burn, and sparks from coal up spire. Tears flood mine eyes and down, coursing my cheek ne'er tire. Only God's aid and thine I crave for my desire. Then he was convulsed, and his teeth chattered, and he fell down in a fit, squirming like a scotched snake. When Muawiyah heard his story in his verse, he said, Marwan bin al-hakam hath transgressed, against the

laws of the faith and hath violated the harim of true believers and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted when it was the six hundred and ninety third night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the caliph muawiya heard the wild arab's words he said the son of al haqam hath indeed transgressed against the laws of the faith and hath violated the haraqiahs against the law of the faith and hath violated the hara'i'ahir's words he said he said the son of al ha'am hath indeed transgressed the harriet of true believers presently adding o arab thou comest to me with a story the like whereof I never heard then he called for ink-case and paper and wrote to Marwan as follows verily it hath reached me that thou transgresseth the laws of the faith with regard to thy liegis now it behoveth the wali who governeth the folk to keep his eyes from their lusts and stay his flesh from its delights and after he wrote many words which quoth he who told me the tale i omit for brevity's sake and amongst them these couplets thou wast invested woe to thee with rule for the unfit craved thou of allah pardon for thy foul adultery

the unhappy youth to us is come complaining mid his groans and asks for redress for parting grief and sadden me through thee an oath have i to allah sworn shall never be forsworn, nay, for I'll do what faith and creed command me to decree. And thou dare cross me in whate'er to thee I now indict, I of thy flesh assuredly will make the vulture free. Divorce Suad, equipped her well, and in the hottest haste, with Alcumait and Ziban's son, Haid, Nasr, sent to me. Then he folded the letter, and sealing it with his seal, delivered it to Al-Qumite and Nassir bin Ziban, whom he was wont to employ on weighty matters, because of their trustiness. Who took the missive and carried it to Al-Medina, where they went into Marwan, and saluting him,

delivered to him the writ, and told him how the case stood. He read the letter and fell a weeping, but he went in to Suad. As t was not in his power to refuse obedience to the Caliph, and, acquainting her with the case, divorced her in the presence of alchemite and Nasser, after which he equipped her and delivered her to them, together with a letter to the Caliph, wherein he versified as follows. Hurry not, prince of faithful men,

with best of grace thy vow, I will accomplish as twas vowed, and with the gladdest gree. I sinned not adulterous sin when I loved her, I, then how, canst charge me with a vulture's deed or any villainy? soon comes to thee that splendid sun which hath no living peer on earth nor aught in mortal men of jinns her like shalt see this he sealed with his own signet and gave to the messengers who returned with suad to damascus and delivered to muawiyah the letter and when he had read it he cried verily he hath obeyed handsomely but he exceedeth in his praise of the woman then he called for her and saw beauty such as he had never seen for comeliness and loveliness stature and symmetrical grace moreover he talked with her and found her fluent of speech and choicine words quoth he bring me the arab

so they fetched a man who came sore disordered for shifts and changes of fortune and mu awea said to him o arab and thou wilt freely give her up to me i will bestow upon thee in her stead three slave-girls high bosomed maids like moons with each a thousand dinars and i will assign thee on the treasury such an annual sum as shall content thee and enrich thee when the arab heard this he groaned one grown and swooned away, so that Muawiyah thought he was dead, and as soon as he revived, the Caliph said to him, What aileth thee? The Arab answered, When heavy heart and in sore need have I appealed to thee from the injustice of Marwan bin al-Hakam, but to whom shall I appeal from thine injustice, and he versified in these couplets. Make me not, Allah save the Caliph, one of the betrayed, who from the fire, fiery sands to fire must sue for help and aid deign thou restores so ad to this afflicted heart distraught with every morn and eve by sorest sorrow is waylaid lose thou my bonds and grudge me not and give her back to me

and if thou do so ne'er thou shalt for lack of thanks upbraid then said he by allah o commander of the faithful worth thou to give me all the riches contained in the caliphate yet would i not take them without suad and he recited this couplet i love suad and unto all but hers my love is dead each morn i feel her love to me is drink and daily bread quoth the caliph thou confessest to having divorced her and marwan owned the like so now we will give her free choice and she choose other than thee we will marry her to him and if she choose thee we will restore her to thee replied the arab do so so muawaias said to her what sayest thou o suad which dost thou choose the commander of the faithful with his honour and glory and dominion and palaces and treasures and all else thou seest at this command or marwin bin al hakan with his violence and tyranny or this arab with his hunger and poverty so she improvised these couplets this one whom hunger plagues and rags unfold dearer than tribe and kith and kin i hold than crowned head or deputy marwan or all who boast of silver coins and gold thence said she by allah o commander of the faithful i will not forsake him for the shifts of fortune or the perfidies of fate there being between us old companionship we may not forget and love beyond day and let and and indeed tis but just that i bear with him in his adversity even as i shared with him in prosperity the caliph marvelled at her wit and love and constancy and ordering her ten thousand dirhams delivered her to the arab who took his wife and went away

and they likewise tell a tale of the lovers of bassohah the caliph harun al-rashid was sleepless one night so he sent for al-a-smae and hussein al-caliah and said to them tell me a story you twain and do thou begin o hussein he said tis well o commander of the faithful and thus began some years ago i dropped down-stream to bas-sorah to present to mohammed bin suleiman al-rabi a a casida or elegy i had composed in his praise and he accepted it and bade me abide with him one day i went out to al mirbad and by way of al muhalia and being oppressed by the excessive heat went up to a great door to ask for drink when i was suddenly aware of a damsel as shewara branch swaying with eyes languishing eyebrows arched and finely pencilled and smooth cheeks rounded clad in a shift the colour of a pomegranate flower and the mantilla of sannaa work but the perfect whiteness of her body overcame the redness of her shift through which glittered two breasts like twin granados and a waist as it were a roll of fine coptic linen with creases like scrolls of pure white paper stuffed with musk moreover o prince of true believers round her neck was slung an amulet of red gold that fell down between her breasts and on the plane of her forehead were browlocks like jet. Her eyebrows joined, and her eyes were like lakes.

She had an aquiline nose, and thereunder, shell-like lips showing teeth like pearls. Pleasantness prevailed in every part of her, but she seemed dejected, disturbed, distracted, and in the vestibule came and went, walking upon the hearts of her lovers, whilst her legs, made mute the voices of their ankle rings, and indeed she was as Seth the poet.

Each portion of her charms we see seems of the whole a simile. I was overawed by her, O commander of the faithful, and drew near her to greet her. And behold, the house and vestibule and highways breathe fragrant with mask. So I saluted her and she returned my salaam, with a voice dejected and heart depressed, and with the order of passion consumed. Then I said to her,

oh my lady i am an old man and a stranger and sore troubled by thirst wilt thou order me a draught of water and win reward in heaven she cried away o shake from me i am distracted from all thought of meat and drink and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section nineteen recording by mariselle quay section twenty of the book of a A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Libervox 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 and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton.

Section 20 When it was the 694th Night, she pursued, it hath reached me o auspicious king that the damsel said o shake i am distracted from all thought of meat and drink quoth i continued hussein by what ailment o my lady and quoth she i love one who dealeth not justly by me and i desire one who of me will none wherefore i am afflicted with a wakefulness of those who wakes stargazing i asked o my lady is there on the wide expanse of earth one to whom thou hast a mind and who to thee hath no mind answered she yes and this for the perfection of beauty and loveliness and goodliness wherewith he is endowed and why standeth thou in this porch inquired i this is his road replied she and the hour of his passing by i said o my lady have ye ever foregathered and had such comers and converse as might cause this passion at this she heaved a deep sigh the tears rained down her cheeks as they were jew falling upon roses and she versified with these couplets we were like willow-bows in garden shining and scented joys in happiest life combining when as one bow from other self would rend and o thou seest this for that repining

quoth i o maid and what betideth thee of thy love for this man and quoth she i see the sun upon the walls of his folk and i think the sun is he or haply i catch sight of him unexpectedly and am confounded and the blood and the life fly my body and i abide in unreasoning plight a week or euncineate said i excuse me for i also have suffered that which is upon thee of love-longing and distraction of soul and wasting of frame and loss of strength and i see in thee pallor of complexion and emaciation such as testify of the fever fits of desire but how shouldst thou be unsmitten of passion and thou a sojourner in the land of basura said she by allah before i fell in love of this youth i was perfect in beauty and loveliness and amorous grace which ravish all the princess of Basura till he fell in love with me. I asked, O maid, and who parted you? And she answered, The vicissitudes of fortune, but the manner of our separation was strange, and was on this wise. One New Year's Day I had invited the damsels of Basura, and amongst them a girl belonging to Siran, who had bought her out of Oman for four-score thousand dirhams. She loved me and loved me to

madness and when she entered she threw herself upon me and well nigh tore me in pieces with bites and pinches then we withdrew apart to drink wine at our ease till our meat was ready and our delight was complete and she toyed with me and i with her and now i was upon her and now she was upon me presently the fumes of the wine moved her to strike her hand on the ankle of my pettico trousers whereby it became loosened unknown of either of us and my trousers fell down in our play at this moment he came in unobserved and seeing me thus was wroth at the sight and made off as the arab filly hearing the tinkle of her bridle and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the six hundred and ninety-fifth night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that the maiden said to hussein al cala when my lover saw me playing as i described to thee with syran's girl he went forth in anger and tis now o sheik three years ago and since then i have never ceased to excuse myself to him and coax him and crave his indulgence but he will neither cast a look at me from the corner of his eye nor write me a word nor speak to me by messenger nor hear from me aught quoth i hark ye made is he an arab or an ajam and quoth she out on thee he is of the princess of basora is he old or young asked i and she looked at me laughingly and answered thou art certainly a simpleton he is like the moon on the night of its full smooth-cheeked and beardless nor is there any defect in him except his aversion to me then i put the question what is his name and she replied what wilt thou do with him i rejoined i will do my best to come at him that i may bring about reunion between you said she

i will tell thee on condition that thou carry him a note and i said i have no objection to that then calls she his name is zamra bin al mugaira hight abu al saka and he his palace is in the mirbad therewith she called to those within for ink-case and paper and tucking up her sleeves showed two wrists like broad rings of silver she then wrote after the basmala as follows my lord the omission of blessings at the head of this my letter shows my insufficiency and know that had my prayer been answered thou hast never left me for how often have i prayed that thou shouldst not leave me and yet thou didst leave me were it not that distress with me exceeded the bounds of restraint that which thy servant hath forced herself to do in writing this writ were in aedence to her despite her despair of thee because of her knowledge of thee that thou wilt fail to answer do thou fulfil her desire my lord for a sight of thee from the porch as thou passest in the street wherewith thou wilt quicken the dead soul in her or far better for her still than this do thou write her a letter with thine own hand allah endow it with all excellence and appoint it in requital of the intimacy that was between us in the nights of time past whereof thou must preserve the memory my lord was i not to thee a lover sick with passion and thou answer my prayer i will give to thee thanks and to allah praise and sow the peace then she gave me the letter and i went away next morning i repaired to the door of the viceroy mohammed bin suleiman where i found an assembly of the notables of basura and amongst them a youth who adorned the gathering and surpassed in beauty and brightness all who were there And indeed, the emir Muhammad set him above himself.

I asked who he was, and behold, it was Zambra himself. So I said in my mind, Verily there hath befallen yonder unhappy one that which hath befallen her. Then I betook myself to the mirbad, and stood waiting at the door of his house, till he came riding up in state, when I accosted him, and invoking more than usual blessings on him, handed him the missive. When he read it and understood it, he said to me, O Sheikh, we have taken other in her stead.

Say me, wilt thou see the substitute? I answered, yes. Whereupon he called out a woman's name, and there came forth a damsel who shamed the two greater lights, swelling breasted, walking the gate of one who hasteneth without fear, to whom he gave the note, saying, Do thou answer it. When she read it, she turned pale at the contents and said to me,

O old man, crave pardon of Allah for this that thou hast brought. So I went out, O commander of the faithful, dragging my feet and returning to her, asked leave to enter. When she saw me, she asked, What is behind thee? And I answered, Evil and despair. Quoth she, have thou no concern of him? Where are Allah and his power? Then she ordered me five hundred dinars, and I took them and went away.

Some days after I passed by the place and saw there, horsemen and footmen so i went in and lo these were the companions of zamra who were begging her to return to him but she said no by allah i will not look him in the face and she prostrated herself in gratitude to allah and exultation over samra's defeat then i drew near her and she pulled out to me a letter wherein was written after the bismilla my lady but for my forbearance towards thee whose life allah lengthen i would relate somewhat of what betided from thee and set out my excuse in that thou transgresses against me when as thou wast manifestly a sinner against thyself and myself in breach of vows and lack of constancy and preference of another over us for by allah on whom we call for help against that which was of thy free will thou dis transgress against the love of me and so the peace then she showed me the presents and rarities he had sent her which was were of the value of thirty thousand dinars. I saw her again after this, and Zamra had married her. Quoth al-Rashid, had not Zamra been beforehand with us, I should certainly have had to do with her myself. And men tell the tale of Ishak of Musul and his mistress and the devil. Quoth Ishaq bin Ibrahim al-Masili. I was in my house one night in the wintertime when the clouds had disbred

themselves, and the rains poured down in torrents, as from the mouths of water-skins, and the folk forbore to come and go about the ways for that which was therein of rain and slough. Now I was straightened in breast, because none of my brethren came to me, nor could I go to them by reason of the mud and mire, so I said to my servant, bring me wherewithal I may divert myself. Accordingly he brought me meat and drink, but I had no heart to eat without some one, one to keep me company and i ceased not to look out of window and watch the ways till nightfall when i bethought myself of a damsel belonging to one of the sons of al-madi whom i loved and who was skilled in singing and playing upon instruments of music and said to myself were she here with us to-night my joy would be complete and my night would be abridged of the melancholy and restlessness which are upon me at this moment one knocked at the door saying shall a beloved enter in who standeth at the door quoth I to myself me seems the plant of my desire hath rooted so I went to the door and found my mistress with a long green skirt wrapped about her and a kerchief of brocade on her head to fend her from the rain she was covered with mud to her knees and all that was upon her was drenched with water from gargoyles and house-spouts in short she was in sorry plight so I said to her

oh my mistress what bringeth thee hither through all this mud replied she thy messenger came and set forth to me that which was with thee of love and longing so that i could not choose but yield and hasten to thee i marveled at this and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the six hundred and ninety-sixth night she said it hath reached me o was king, that when the damsel came and knocked at Ishak's door, he went forth to her and cried, O my lady, what bringeth thee hither through all this mud? And she replied, Thy messenger came and set forth to me, that which was with thee of love and longing, so that I could not choose but yield and hasten to thee. I marvelled at this, but did not like to tell her that I had sent no messenger, wherefore I said, praised Biala for that he had, he hath brought us together after all i have suffered by the mortification of patience verily hast thou delayed an hour longer i must have run to thee because of my much love for thee and longing for thy presence

then i called to my boy for water that i might better her plight and he brought a kettle full of hot water such as she wanted i bade pour it over her feet whilst i set to work to wash them myself after which i called for one of my richest dresses and clad her therein after she had doffed the muddy clothes then as soon as we were comfortably seated i would have called for food but she refused and i said to her art thou for wine and she replied yes so i fetched cups and she asked me who shall sing i o my princess i care not for that one of my damsels i have no mind to that either then sing thyself not i who then shall sing for thee i inquired and she rejoined go out and seek some one to sing for me so i went out in obedience to her though i despaired of finding any one in such weather and fared on till i came to the main street where i suddenly saw a blind man striking the earth with his staff and saying may allah not requite with will those with whom i was when i sang they listened not and when i was silent they made light of me so i said to him are thou a singer and he replied yes quoth i wilt thou finish thy night with us and cheer us with thy company and quoth he if it be thy will take my hand so i took his hand and leading him to my house said to the damsel o my mistress i have brought a blind singer with whom we may take our pleasure and he will not see us she said bring him to me so i brought him in and invited him to eat he ate

but very little and washed his hands, after which I brought him wine, and he drank three cups full. Then he said to me, Who are thou? And I replied, I am Ishaq bin Ibrahim al-Mausili. Quoth he, I have heard of thee, and now I rejoice in thy company, and I, O my lord, I am glad in thy gladness, he said, O Ishaq, sing to me. So I took the lute by way of jest and cried, I hear and I obey When I had made an end of my song He said to me

O Ishak thou comest night to be a singer His words belittled me in my own eyes And I threw the lute from my hand Whereupon he said Hast thou not with thee Someone who is skilled in singing Quoth I I have a damsel with me

And quoth he bid her sing I ask him Wilt thou sing when thou hast had enough of her singing And he answered yes. So she sang, and he said, Nay, thou hast shown no art. Whereupon she flung the loot from her hand in wrath, and cried, We have done our best, if thou have aught, favour us with it by way of an alms. Quoth he, Bring me a lute, hand hath not touched. So I bade the servant, bring him a new lute, and he tuned it, and, preluding in a mode I knew not, began to sing, improvising,

these couplets clove through the shades and came to me in nights so dark and sore the lover weeting of herself twas tristing tied once more naught startled us but her salam and first of words she said may a beloved enter in who standeth at the door when the girl heard this she looked at me as kansen said what secret was between us could not thy breast hold for one hour but thou must must discover it to this man. However, I swore to her that I had not told him, and excused myself to her, and fell to kissing her hands, and tickling her breasts, and biting her cheeks, till she laughed, and, turning to the blind man, said to him,

Sing, O my lord. So he took the lute and sang these two couplets. Ah, often have I sought the fare, how often, thief and fain. My palming felt the finger ends that bear the varied stain, and tickled pouting breast that stand firm as pomegranate's twain and bit the apple of her cheek kissed over and over again so i said to her oh my princess who can have told him what we were about replied she true and we moved away from him presently quoth he i must make water and quoth i oh boy take the candle and go before him then he went out and tarried a long while so we went in search of him but could not find him and behold the doors were locked and the keys in the closet and we knew not whether to heaven he had flown or into earth had sunk wherefore i knew that he was i bliss and that he had done me pimps duty and i returned recalling to myself the words of abu no was in these couplets

i marvel in i bliss such pride to see beside his low intent and villainy his sinned to adam who to ba refused yet pimps for all of adam's progeny and they tell a tale concerning the lovers of almedina quoth ibrahim the father of ishak i was ever a devoted friend to the barmecidi family and it so happened to me one day as i sat at home quite alone a knock was heard at the door so my servant went out and returned saying a comely youth is at the door asking admission i bade admit him and there came into me a young man on whom were signs of sickness and he said i have long wished to meet thee for i have need of thine aid what is it thou requirest asked i whereupon he pulled out three hundred dinars and laying them before me said i beseech thee to accept these and compose me an air to two couplets i have made said i repeat them to me to me and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section twenty recording by maricel section twenty one of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume seven this is a libravox recording all libervox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libervox dot org the book of a thousand nights and a night volume seven by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 21. When it was the six hundred and ninety-seventh night, she continued, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the youth came in to Ibrahim and

placed the gold in his hands, saying, Prithee, accept it and compose me and aired two couplets, he replied, recite them to me. Whereupon he recited, by Allah, glance of mine. thou hast oppressed my heart so quench the fire that burns my breast blames me the world because in him i live yet cannot see him till in shroud i rest accordingly quoth ibrahim i set the verses to an air plaintive as a dirge and sang it to him whereupon he swooned away and i thought that he was dead however after a while he came to himself and said to me repeat the air But I conjured him by Allah to excuse me, saying, I fear lest thou die. Would heaven it were so, replied he, and ceased not humbly to importune me,

till I had pity on him and repeated it. Whereupon he cried out with a grievous cry, and fell into a fit worse than before, and I doubted not but that he was dead, but I sprinkled rose water on him till he revived and sat up. I praised Allah for his recovery, and laying the dukats before him said, Take thy money and depart from me.

Coth he, I have no need of the money, and thou shalt have the like of it, if thou wilt repeat the air. My breast broadened at the mention of the money, and I said, I will repeat it, but on three conditions. The first, that thou tarry with me and eat of my victual,

till thou regains strength. The second, that thou drink wine enough to harden thy heart, and the third, that thou tell me thy tale. He agreed to this and ate and drank, after which he said, I am of the citizens of Al-Medina, and I went forth one day, a pleasuring with my friends, and following the road to Al-a-Kik. So a company of girls, and amongst them, a damsel, as she were a branch,

purled with Jew, with eyes, whose side-long glances were never withdrawn till they had stolen away his soul who looked on them. The maidens rested in the shade till the end of the day, when they went away, leaving in my heart, wounds slow to heal. I returned next morning to sent out news of her, but found none who could tell me of her. So I sought her in the streets and markets, but could come on no trace of her. Wherefore I fell ill of grief, and told my case to one of my kinsmen who said to me, No harm shall befall thee, the days of spring are not yet past, and the skies show signs

of rain whereupon she will go forth and I will go out with thee and do thou thy will his words comforted my heart and I waited till Al-Aik ran with water when I went forth with my friends and kinsmen and sat in the very same place where I first saw her we had not been seated long before up came the women like horses running for a wager and I whispered to a girl of my kindred say to yonder damsel quote this man to thee he did well who spoke this couplet she shot my heart with shaft then turned on heel and flying dealt fresh wound and scarring weal so she went to her and repeated my words to which she replied saying tell him that he said well who answered in this couplet the like of what so feelest thou we feel patience perchance swift cure our hearts shall heal i refrain from further speech for fear of scandal and rose to go away she rose at my rising and I followed and she looked back at me till she saw I had noted her abode then she began

to come to me and I to go to her so that we foregathered and met often till the case was noised abroad and grew notorious and her sire came to know of it however I ceased not to meet her most assiduously and complained of my condition to my father who assembled our kindred and repaired to ask her in marriage for me of her sire who cried had this been proposed to me before he gave her a bad name by his assignations i would have consented but now the thing is notorious and i am loath to verify the saying of the folk then continued i repeated the air to him and he went away after having acquainted me with his abode and we became friends now i was devoted to

the barmecidas so next time jaffar bin yaya sat to give audience i attended as was my want and sang to him the young man's verses they pleased him and he drank some cups of wine and said fai upon thee whose song is this so i told him the young man's tale and he bade me ride over to him and give him assurances of the winning of this wish accordingly i fetched him to jaffar who asked him to repeat his story He did so and Jafar said, Thou art now under my protection. Trust me to marry thee to her. So his heart was comforted, and he abode with us. When the morning morrowed, Jafar mounted and went in to Al Rashid, to whom he related the story, the Caliph was pleased with it, and sending for the young man in myself,

commanded me to repeat the air and drank thereto. Then he wrote to the governor of Al-Hijas, bidding him despatched the girl's father in his household in honorable fashion to his presence, and spare no expense for their outfit. So in a little while they came, and the caliph, sending for the man, commanded him to marry his daughter to her lover, after which he gave him a hundred thousand dinars, and the father went back to his folk. As for the young man, he abode one of Jafar's cup companions, till there happened what happened,

whereupon he returned with his household to al-Medina may almighty Allah have mercy upon their souls one and all and they also tell o auspicious king a tale of al-malik al-Nasur and his wazir there was given to abu amir bin marwa a boy of the christians than whom never fell eyes on a handsomer al-Nasir the conquering sultan saw him and said to abu amir who was his wazir, whence come this boy? replied he, from Allah, whereupon the other, wilt thou terrify us with stars and make us prisoner with moons? Abou Amir excused himself to him, and preparing a present, sent it to him with the boy to whom he said, Be thou part of the gift. Were it not of necessity, my soul had not consented to give thee away. And he wrote with him these two couplets. My lord, this full moon takes in heaven of thee new birth, nor can deny we heaven excelleth humble earth. The with my soul I please, and oh, the pleasant

case, no man error saw I, who to give his soul prefereth. The thing pleased Al Nassar, and he requited him with much treasure, and the minister became high in favor with him. after this there was presented to the wazir a slave-girl one of the loveliest women in the world and he feared lest this should come to the king's ear and he desire her and the like should happen as with a boy so he made up a present still costlier than the first and sent it with her to the king and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the six hundred and 98th night. She pursued, it hath reached me, O waspicious king, that the wazir Abu Amil, when presented with the beautiful slave-girl, feared lest it come to the conquering king's ears, and that the like should happen as with the boy, so he made up a present still costlier than the first, and sent it with her to his master, accompanying it with these couplets. My lord, this be the sun, the moon thou hadst before.

So the two greater lights now in thy heaven unite, Conjunction promising to me prosperity, And Kalsar draw'd to thee, And Eden's long delight. Earth shows no charms. By Allah, ranking as their third, Nor king, whose second death are conquering king in might. Wherefore his credit redoubled with Al-Nasur,

But after a while, one of his enemies maligned him to the king, alleging that there still lurked in him, a hot lust for the boy, and that he ceased not to desire him, whenever the cool northern breezes moved him, and to gnash his teeth for having given him away, cried the king, wag not thou thy tongue at him, or I will shear off thy head. However, he wrote Abu Amir a letter, as from the boy, to the following effect. O my lord, thou knowest that thou wast all and one to me, and that I never ceased from delight with thee, albeit i am with the sultan yet would i choose rather solitude with thee but that i fear the king's majesty wherefore devise thou to demand me of him

this letter he sent to abu amil by a little foot-page whom he enjoined to say this is from such a one the king never speaketh to him when the wazer read the letter and heard the cheating message he noted the poison draught and wrote on the back of the note these couplets shall man experience lectured ever care fool like to thrust his head in lion's lair i'm none of those whose wits to love succumb nor witless of the snares my foes prepare worth thou my sprite I'd give thee loyally shall sprite from body sundered backwards fair when al nasser knew of this answer he marveled at the wasair's quickness of wit and would never again lend ear to aught of insinuations against him. Then said he to him, how didst thou escape falling into the net? And he replied, because my reason is unentangled in the toils of passion. And they also tell a tale of

the rogueries of Dalila the Crafty and her daughter Zainab, the conny catcher. There lived in the time of Harun al-Rashid, a man named Ahmad al-Danaf, and another Hassan Shuman, height, between past masters in fraud and faints who had done rare things in their day, wherefore the Caliph invested them with captains of honor and made them captains of the watch for Baghdad, Ahmad of the right hand and Hassan of the left hand, and appointed to each of them a stipend of a thousand dinars a month and forty stalwart men to be at their bidding. Moreover to Calamity Ahmad was committed the watch of the district outside the walls. So Ahmad and Hassan went in company of the Emir Khalid, the Wali, or chief of police, attended each by his 40 followers

on horseback, and preceded by the crier, crying aloud and saying, By command of the Caliph, none is captain of the watch of the right hand but Ahmad al-Danaf, and none is captain of the watch of the left hand, but Hassan Shuman, and both are to be obeyed when they bid, and are to be held in all honor and worship. Now there was in the city an old woman called Dalila the Waili who had a daughter named Zaynab the Connie Catcher. They heard the proclamation made and Zaynav said to Dalila, See, oh my mother, this fellow Ahmad al-Danaf, he came hither from Cairo, a fugitive, and played the double dealer in Baghdad till he got into the Caliph's company and is now become captain of the right hand.

whilst that mangy chap hassan shuman is captain of the left hand and each hath a table spread morning and evening and a monthly wage of a thousand dinars whereas we abide unemployed and neglected in this house without estate and without honour and have none to ask of us now the lila's husband had been town captain of baghdad with a monthly wage of one thousand dinars but he died leaving two daughters one married and with a son by name Ahmad al-Lakit, or Ahmad the abortion, and the other called Zynab, a spinster. And this Dalila was a past mistress in all manner of craft and trickery and double-dealing. She could wild the very dragon out of his den, and Iblis himself might have learned deceit of her. Her father had also been governor of the carrier pigeons to the Caliph, with a sold of one thousand dinars a month. He used to rear the birds to carry letters and messages, wherefore in time of need, each was dearer to the Caliph than one of his own sons. So Zainab said to her mother,

Up and play off some faint and fraud that may happily make us notorious. And Shara Zad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the six hundred and ninety-ninth night, she resumed. It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Dinah thus addressed her damn. Up and play off some faint and fraud, which may happily make us notorious in Baghdad, so perchance we shall win our father's stipend for ourselves. Replied the old trot, As thy head liveth, O my daughter, I will play off higher-class rogueries in Baghdad

than ever played Calamity Ahmad or Hassan the pestilent. So saying, she rose and threw over her face, the Lissam veil and Don's clothes, such as the poorer Sufis wear, petticoed trousers falling over her heels, and a gown of white wool with a broad girdle. She also took a picture and filled it with water to the neck, after which she set three dinars in the mouth and stopped it up with a plug of palm fiber. Then she threw round her shoulder, bulgic-wise, a rosary as big as a load of firewoods, and taking in her hand a flag made of party-colored rags red and yellow and green went out crying allah allah with tongue celebrating the praises of the lord whilst her heart galloped in the devil's race-course seeking how she might play some sharping trick upon town

she walked from street to street till she came to an alley swept and watered and marble paved where she saw a vaulted gateway with a threshold of alabaster and a moorish porter standing at the door which was of sandalwood plated with brass and furnished with a ring of silver for knocker now this house belonged to the chief of the caliph's sergeant ushers a man of great wealth in fields houses and allowances called the emir hasan shahar al tarik or evil of the way and therefore called because his blow for went his word he was married to a fair damsel, Katun Haidt, whom he loves, and who had made him swear on the night of his going in unto her, that he would take none other to wife over her, nor lie abroad for a single night. And so things went on till one day, he went to the divan and saw that each emir

had with him a son or two. Then he entered the Hammam Bath, and looking at his face in the mirror, noted that the white hairs in his beard overlay its black, and he said in himself, will not he who took thy sire bless thee with the son? So he went into his wife in angry mood, and she said to him, Good evening to thee. But he replied, Get thee out of my sight.

From the day I saw thee, I have seen naught of good. How so, quoth she? Coth he, On the night of my going in unto thee, thou madest me swear to take no other wife over thee. And this very day I have seen each emir with a son and some with two. So I minded me of death, and also that to me hath been vouchsafed,

neither son nor daughter, and that whoso leaveth no male, hath no memory. This, then, is the reason of my anger, for thou art barren, and knowing thee is like planing a rock, cried she, Allah's name upon thee, indeed I have worn out the mortars with beating wool and pounding drugs, and I am not to blame, the barrenness is with thee, for that thou art a snub-nosed mule, and thy sperm is weak and watery, and impregneth not neither geteth children, said he, when I return from my journey, I will take another wife, and she, my luck is with Allah. Then he went out from her, and both repented of the sharp words spoken to each other. Now as the emir's wife looked forth of her lattice, as she were a bride of the hordes, for the jewelry upon her, behold, there stood Dalila, espying her, and seeing her clad in costly clothes and ornaments, said to herself,

"'Tud be a rare trick, O Dalila, to entice younger young lady from her husband's house, and strip her of all her jewels and clothes, and make off with the whole lot.' So she took up her stand under the windows of the emir's house, and fell to calling aloud upon Allah's name and saying, Be present, O ye walesis, ye friends of the Lord, whereupon every woman in the street looked from her lattice, and seeing a matron clad after Sufi fashion, in clothes of white wool as she were a pavilion of light said, Allah bring us a blessing by the agents of this pious old person, from whose face issue with light. And Katun, the wife of the Emir Hassan, burst into tears and said to her handmaid, Get thee down, O Makbullah, and kissed the hand of Sheikh Abu Ali, the porter, and say to him, Let yon the religious enter to my lady, so happily she may get a blessing of her.

So she went down to the porter, and kissing his hand, said to him, my mistress telleth thee, Let yonder pious old woman come in to me, So may I get a blessing of her, And belike her benediction may extend to us likewise. And Sharazad perceived the dawn of day, And ceased to say her permitted say. End of section 21.

Recording by Maricel Cui. Section 22 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Jeff Kluckner The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous,

translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 22. When it was the 700th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the handmaid went down and said to the porter, Suffer yonder religious, enter to my lady, so happily she may get a blessing of her, and we too may be blessed, one and all. The gatekeeper went up to Delilah, and kissed her hand, but she forbade him, saying,

Away from me, lest my ablution be made null and void. Thou also art of the attracted god wards, and kindly looked upon by Allah's saints, and under his especial guardianship. May he deliver thee from this servitude, O Abu Ali. Now the emir owed three months' wage to the porter, who was straightened thereby, but knew not how to recover his due from his lord. So he said to the old woman,

O my mother, give me to drink from thy pitcher, so I may win a blessing through thee. She took the ewer from her shoulder, and whirled it about in air, so that the plug flew out of its mouth, and the three dinars fell to the ground. The porter saw them and picked them up, saying in his mind,

Glory to God, this old woman is one of the saints that have hordes at their command. It hath been revealed to her of me that I am in want of money for daily expenses. so she hath conjured me these three dinars out of the air. Then said he to her, Take, O my aunt,

These three dinars which fell from thy pitcher. And she replied, Away with them from me. I am of the folk who occupy not themselves with the things of the world, No never. Take them and use them for thine own benefit, In lieu of those the emir oweeth thee. Quoth he,

Thanks to Allah for succour, This is of the chapter of revelation. Thereupon the maid Acoste, her, and kissing her hand, carried her up to her mistress. She found the lady as she were a treasure, whose guardian talisman had been loosed, and Catoon bade her welcome and kissed her hand. Quoth she, O my daughter, I come not to thee save for thy wheel, and by Allah's will. Then Catoon set food before her, but she said, O my daughter, I eat not except of the food of paradise, and I keep continual fast, breaking it but five days in the year. But O my daughter, I eat not, except of the food of

paradise, and I keep continual fast, breaking it but five days in the year. But, oh, my child, I see thee chagrined, and desire that thou tell me the cause of thy concern. O my mother, replied Catoon, I made my husband swear, on my wedding-night, that he would wive none but me, and he saw others with children, and longed for them, and said to me, Thou art a barren thing. I answered, thou art a mule which begetteth not. So he left me in anger, saying, When I come back from my journey, I will take another wife, for he hath villages and lands and large allowances, and if he begat children by another, they will possess the money and take the estates from me. Said Dalaila, O my daughter, knowest thou not of my master, the Shaikh Abu al-hamlahat,

whom if any debtor visit, Allah quitteth him his debt, and if a barren woman she conceiveth. Catoon replied, O my mother, since the day of my way, I have not gone forth the house, no, not even to pay visits of condolence or congratulation. The old woman rejoined, O my child, I will carry thee to him, and do thou cast thy burden on him, and make a vow to him. Happily when thy husband shall return from his journey, and lie with thee, thou shalt conceive by him, and bear a girl or a boy, but, be it female or male, it shall be a dervish of the Shaikh Abul al-hamlahat. Thereupon Catoon rose and arrayed herself in her richest raiment,

and dawning all her jewelry said, Keep thou and I on the house to her maid, Who replied, I hear and obey, O my lady. Then she went down, and the porter Abu Ali, met her and asked her, Wither away, O my lady. I go to visit the Shaikh Abu al-Hamlahat, answered she, And he, be a year's fast incumbent on me.

Verily yon religious is of Allah's saints, and full of holiness, O my lady, and she hath hidden treasure at her command, for she gave me three dinars of red gold, and divined my case, without my asking her, and knew that I was in want. Then the old woman went out with the young lady Khatun,

saying to her, Inshallah, O my daughter, when thou hast visited the Shaikh Abu al-Ham, there shall betide thee solace of soul, and by leave of almighty Allah thou shalt conceive, and thy husband the emir shall love thee by the blessing of the Shaikh, and shall never again let me,

thee hear a despiteful word. Quoth Catoon, I will go with thee to visit him, O my mother. But Delilah said to herself, Where shall I strip her and take her clothes and jewelry, With the folk coming and going? Then she said to her, O my daughter, walk thou behind me, Within sight of me, for this thy mother is a woman sorely burdened. Everyone who hath a burden casteth it on me, and all who have pious offerings to make, give them to me and kiss my hand. So the young lady followed her at a distance, whilst her enclets tinkled and her hair coins clinked as she went, till they reached the bazaar of the merchants. Presently they came to the shop of a young merchant, by name Siddy Hassan, who was very handsome and had no hair on his face. He saw the lady approaching, and fell to casting stolen glances at her, which when the old woman saw, she beckoned to her and said,

sit down in this shop till I return to thee. Katoon obeyed her and sat down in the shop-front of the young merchant, who cast at her one glance of eyes that cost him a thousand sighs. Then the old woman accosted him, and saluted him, saying, Tell me, is not thy name Sidi Hassan, son of the merchant Mosen? He replied, Yes, who told thee my name? Quoth she,

Fol of good repute direct me to thee. Know that this young lady is my daughter, and her father was a merchant who died and left her much money. She is come of marriageable age, and the wise say, Offer thy daughter in marriage and not thy son, And all her life she hath not come forth the house till this day. Now a divine warning and a command given in secret, Bid me wed her to thee,

So, if thou art poor, I will give thee capital, And will open for thee instead of one shop, two shops. Thereupon quoth the young merchant to himself, I asked Allah for a bride, and he hath given me three things, to wit, coin, clothing, and cunt. Then he continued to the old trot, O my mother, that where to thou directest me as well, but this long while my mother saith to me,

I wish to marry thee, but I object, replying, I will not marry except on the sight of my own eyes. Said Delilah, rise and follow my steps, and I will show her to thee, naked. So he rose and took a thousand dinars, saying in himself, Happily we may need to buy somewhat. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and first night, she continued,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the old woman said to Hassan, son of Mosen the merchant, Rise up and follow me, and I will show her naked to thee. So he rose, and took with him a thousand dinars, saying in himself, Happily we may need to buy somewhat, or pay the fees for drawing up the marriage contract. The old woman bade him walk behind the young lady at a distance, but within shot of sight, and said to herself, Where wilt thou carry the young lady and the merchant, That thou mayest strip them both whilst his shop is still shut?

Then she walked on, and Katoon after her, followed by the young merchant, till she came to a diary, kept by a master dyer, by name Haj Mahamad, a man of ill-reput, like the Colacasia cellar's knife cutting male and female, and loving to eat both figs and pomegranates. He heard the tinkle of the ankle-rings, and, raising his head, saw the lady on the young man. Presently the old woman came up to him,

and, after salaming to him, and sitting down opposite him, asked him, art thou not Haj Mahamad the dire? He answered, Yes, I am he. What dost thou want? Quoth she,

Verily, folks of fair repute have directed me to thee. Look at yonder handsome girl, my daughter, and that comely beardless youth, my son, I brought them both up, and spent much money on both of them. Now thou must know that I have a big old ruinous house which I have shored up with wood,

and the builder saith to me, Go and live in some other place, lest belike it fall upon thee, And when this is repaired, return hither. So I went forth to seek me a lodging, And people of worth directed me to thee, And I wish to lodge my son and daughter with thee. Quoth the dyer in his mind,

verily, here is fresh butter upon cake come to thee. But he said to the old woman, "'Tis true I have a house and saloon and upper floor, "'but I cannot spare any part thereof, "'for I want it all for guests and for the indigo-growers, my clients.' "'She replied, "'O my son, twill be only for a month or two at the most, "'till our house be repaired, and we are strange folk.

"'Let the guest-chamber be shared between us and thee, "'and by thy life, O my son, and thou desire that thy guests be ours, we will welcome them, and eat with them, and sleep with them. Then he gave her the keys, one big and one small and one crooked, saying to her, The big key is that of the house, The crooked one that of the saloon,

And the little one that of the upper floor. So Delilah took the keys and fared on, followed by the lady who forewent the young merchant, till she came to the lane wherein was the house. She opened the door and entered, Introducing the damsel to whom said she, "'Oh, my daughter, this,' pointing to the saloon, "'is the lodging of the Shaikh Abul al-Ham,

"'but go thou into the upper floor, "'and loose thy outer veil, and wait till I come to thee.' "'So she went up and sat down. "'Presently appeared the young merchant, "'whom Delilah carried into the saloon, "'saying, sit down whilst I fetch my daughter and show her to thee.' "'So he sat down, and the old trot went up to Khatoun, who said to her, "'I wish to visit the Shaikh before the folk come.'

replied the Baldame, O my daughter, we fear for thee. Asked Catoon, why so? And Delilah answered, Because here is a son of mine, a natural who knoweth not summer from winter, but goeth ever naked. He is the Shaikh's deputy,

and if he saw a girl like thee come to visit his chief, he would snatch her earrings and tear her ears and rend her silken robes. So do thou doth thy jewelry and clothes, and I will keep them for thee, till thou hast made thy pious visitation. accordingly the damsel did off her outer dress and jewels and gave them to the old woman who said i will lay them for thee on the shahick's curtain that a blessing may betide thee then she went out leaving the lady in her shift and petticoat trousers and hid the clothes and jewels in a place on the staircase after which she betook herself to the young merchant whom she found impatiently awaiting the girl and he cried where is thy daughter that i may see her

but she smote palm on breast and he said what aileth thee quoth she would there were no such thing as the ill neighbour and the envious they saw thee enter the house with me and asked me of thee and i said this is a bridegroom i have found for my daughter so they envied me on thine account and said to my girl is thy mother tired of keeping thee that she marrieth thee to a leper thereupon i swore to her that she should not see thee save naked quoth he i take refuge with allah from the envious and bearing his forearm showed her that it was like silver said she have no fear thou shalt see her naked even as she shall see thee naked and he said let her come and look at me then he put off his pelis and sables and his girdle and dagger and the rest of his raiment except his shirt and bag trousers and would have laid the purse of a thousand dinars with them but delilah cried give them to me that i may take care of them so she took them and fetching the girls clothes and jewellery shouldered the hole and locking the door upon them went her ways and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and second night she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the old woman had taken the property of the young merchant and the damsel and wended her ways having locked the door upon them she deposited her spoils with a druggist of her acquaintance and returned to the dyer whom she found sitting away waiting her. Quoth he, Inshallah, the house pleaseth thee? And quoth she, There is a blessing in it, and I go now to fetch porters to carry hither our goods and

furniture. But my children would have me bring them a panad with meat, so do thou take this dinar, and buy the dish, and go and eat the morning meal with them? Ask the dyer, Who shall guard the diary, meanwhile, and the people's goods that be therein? And the old woman answered, Thigh lad. So be it, rejoined he, and taking a dish and cover went out to do her bidding. So far concerning the dyer who will again be mentioned in the tale, but as regards the old woman, she fetched the clothes and jewels she had left with the druggist, and going back to the diary, said to the lad, "'Run after thy master, and I will not stir hence till you both return.'

"'To hear is to obey,' answered he, and went away, while she began to collect all the customer's goods. Presently there came up an ass-driver, a scavenger, who had been out of work for a week, and who was a hashish eater to boot, and she called him saying, Hither, O donkey boy. So he came to her, and she asked, Knowest thou my son the dyer? Whereto he answered,

Yes, I know him. Then she said, The poor fellow is insolvent and loaded with debts, and as often as he is put in prison, I set him free. Now we wish to see him declare bankrupt, and I am going to return the goods to their owners, so do thou lend me thine ass to carry the load,

and receive this dinar to its hire. When I am gone, take the handsaw and empty out the vats and jars and break them, so that if there come an officer from the Caziz court, he may find nothing in the diary. Quoth he, I owe the haj a kindness, and will do something for Allah's love. So she laid the things on the ass, and, the protector protecting her, made for her own house, so that she arrived there in safety and went into her daughter Zainab, who said to her, O my mother, my heart hath been with thee, what hast thou done by way of roguery? Delilah replied,

I have played off four tricks on four whites, the wife of the sergeant usher, a young merchant, a dyer, and an ass-driver, and have brought thee all their spoil on the donkey-boys beast. cried Zainab, O my mother, thou will never more be able to go about the town for fear of the sergeant usher, whose wife's raiment and jewelry thou hast taken,

and the merchant whom thou hast stripped naked, and the dyer whose customer's goods thou hast stolen, and the owner of the ass. Rejoined the old woman. Poo, my girl, I wreck not of them, save the donkey-boy who knoweth me. Meanwhile, the dyer bought the meat panad and set out for the house, followed by his servant with the food on head. On his way thither he passed his shop,

where he found the donkey-boy breaking the vats and jars, and saw that there was neither stuff nor liquor left in them, and that the diary was in ruins. So he said to him, Hold thy hand, O ass-driver, and the donkey-boy desisted and cried, "'Praise be Allah for thy safety, O master. "'Varily my heart was with thee. "'Why so?

"'Thou art become bankrupt, "'and they have filed a docket of thy insolvency. "'Who told thee this? "'Thy mother told me, "'and bade me break the jars and empty the vats, "'that the Kazee's officers might find nothing in the shop "'if they should come. "'Alla confound the far one,' cried the dyer.

"'My mother died long ago.' "'And he beat his breast, exclaiming, "'alas, for the loss of my goods and those of the folk. The donkey-boy also wept and ejaculated, Alas! for the loss of my ass! And he said to the dyer, Give me back my beast which thy mother stole for me. The dyer laid hold of him by the throat and fell to buffeting him, saying, Bring me the old woman, while the other buffeted him in return, saying, Give me back my beast. So they beat and cursed each other till the folk

collected around them. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 22. Recording by Jeff Kluckner, Plymouth, UK. Section 23 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 Jeff Cluckner. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 23. When it was the 703rd night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the dyer caught hold of the donkey-boy,

and the donkey-boy caught hold of the dyer, and they beat and cursed each other, till the folk collected round them, and one of them asked, What is the matter, O Master Muhammad? The as-driver answered, I will tell thee the tale, and related to them his story, saying, I deemed I was doing the dyer a good turn, but, When he saw me, he beat his breast and said, My mother is dead. And now I, for one, require my ass of him,

it being he who hath put this trick on me, that he might make me lose my beast. Then said the folk to the dyer, O Master Muhammad, dost thou know this matron, that thou didst entrust her with the diary and all therein? And he replied, I know her not, but she took lodgings with me to-day, she and her son and daughter.

Quoth one, in my judgment, the dyer is bound to indebted, demnify the ass-driver. Quoth another, Why so? Because, replied the first, He trusted not the old woman, nor gave her his ass, save only because he saw that the Dyer had entrusted her with the diary and its contents. And a third said, O Master, since thou hast lodged her with thee, it behoveth thee to get the man back his ass. Then they made for the house, and the tail will come round to them again. Meanwhile, the young merchant remained awaiting the old woman's coming with her daughter,

but she came not, nor did her daughter. Whilst the young lady in like manner sat expecting her return with leave from her son, the God attended one, the Shaikh's deputy, to go into the holy presence. So, weary of waiting, she rose to visit the Shaikh by herself

and went down into the saloon, where she found the young merchant, who said to her, Come hither, where is thy mother who brought me to marry thee? She replied, My mother is dead. Art thou the old woman's son,

the ecstatic, the deputy of the Shaikh Abu al-hamlahat? Quoth he, The swindling old trot is no mother of mine. She hath cheated me and taken my clothes and a thousand dinars. Quoth Catoon, and me also hath she swindled, for she brought me to see the Shaik Abu al-ham-Lahat, and in lieu of doing so she hath stripped me. Thereupon he, I look to thee to make good my clothes and my thousand dinars.

And she, I look to thee to make good my clothes and my clothes and jewelry. And behold, at this moment, in came the dyer, and seeing them both stripped of their raiment, said to them, tell me where your mother is. So the young lady related all that had befallen her, and the young merchant related all that had betided him, and the master dyer exclaimed, Alas, for the loss of my goods and those of the folk. And the ass-driver ejaculated, Alas, for my ass! Give me, O Dyer, my ass. Then said the dyer, this old woman is a sharper, come forth that I may lock the door, quoth the young merchant. "'T'er a disgrace to thee that we should enter thy house dressed, and go forth from it undressed.

So the dyer clad him and the damsel, and sent her back to her house, where we shall find her after the return of her husband. Then he shut the diary, and said to the young merchant, "'Come, let us go and search for the old woman, and hand her over to the Wally, the chief of police.' So they and the ass-man repaired to the house of the master of police and made their complaint to him, quoth he o folk what want ye and when they told him he rejoined how many old women are there not in the town go ye and seek for her and lay hands on her and bring her to me and i will torture her for you and make her confess so they sought for her all round the town and an account of them will presently be given as for old delilah the wily she said i have a mind to play off another trick to her daughter who answered o my mother i fear for thee but the baldame cried I am like the bean husks which fall, proof against fire and water. So she rose, and donning a slave-girl's dress of such as serve people of condition,

went out to look for someone to defraud. Presently she came to a by-street, spread with carpets and lighted with hanging lamps, and heard a noise of singing women and drumming of tamarines. Here she saw a handmaid bearing on her shoulder a boy, clad in trousers laced with silver, and a little Abba cloak of velvet, with a pearl embroidered tarbush cap on his head, and about his neck a collar of gold set with jewels. Now the house belonged to the provost of the merchants of Baghdad,

and the boy was his son. He had a virgin daughter to boot, who was promised in marriage, and it was her betrothal they were celebrating that day. There was with her mother a company of noble dames and singing women, and whenever she went upstairs or down, the boy clung to her. So she called the slave-girl, and said to her, take thy young master and play with him till the company break up.

Seeing this, Delilah asked the handmaid, What festivities are these in your mistress's house? And was answered, She celebrates her daughter's betrothal this day, And she hath singing women with her. Quoth the old woman to herself, O Delilah, the thing to do is to spirit away this boy from the maid. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day,

and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and fourth night, She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the old trot said to herself, O Delilah, the thing to do is to spirit away this boy from the maid, She began crying out, O disgrace, oh ill luck!

Then pulling out a brass token, resembling a dinar, She said to the maid, who was a simpleton, Take this ducaat and go into thy mistress and say to her, Oum al-Kaire rejoiceth with thee, And is beholden to thee for thy favours, And on the day of assembly, she and her daughters will visit thee, and hansel the tiring women with the usual gifts, said the girl, O my mother, my young master here catcheth hold of his mama whenever he seeth her,

and she replied, Give him to me, while thou goest in and comest back. So she gave her the child, and taking the token, went in, whereupon Delilah made off with a boy to a by-lane, where she stripped him of his clothes and jewels, saying to herself, O Delilah, T'would indeed be the finest of tricks, even as thou hast cheated the maid and taken the boy from her, so now to carry on the game and pawn him for a thousand dinars. So she repaired to the jewel bazaar, where she saw a Jew goldsmiths, seated with a cage full of jewelry before him, and said to herself,

"'T would be a rare trick to chouse this Jew fellow, and get a thousand gold pieces worth of jewelry from him, and leave the boy in pledge for it. presently the jew looked at them and seeing the boy with the old woman knew him for the son of the provost of the merchants now the israeliite was a man of great wealth but would envy his neighbor if he sold and himself did not sell so espying delilah he said to her what seekest thou o my mistress she asked art thou master azariah the jew having first inquired his name of others and he answered yes quoth she this boy's sister daughter of her daughter of her husband of the Shah Bandar of the merchants, is a promised bride, and today they celebrate her betrothal, and she hath need of jewelry. So give me two pair of gold ankle-rings, a brace of gold bracelets, and pearl ear-drops, with a girdle, a poignard, and a seal-ring. He brought them out,

and she took of him a thousand dinars worth of jewelry, saying, I will take these ornaments on approval, and what so pleaseth them they will keep, and I will bring thee the price, and leave this boy with thee till then. He said, be it as thou wilt. So she took the jewelry and made off to her own house, where her daughter asked her how the trick had sped. She told her how she had taken and stripped the Shabandar's boy, and Zainab said, Thou wilt never be able to walk abroad again in the town. Meanwhile, the maid went into her mistress and said to her, O my lady, Umal Khairir saluteth thee and rejoiceth with thee, and on assembly day she will come, she and her daughters, and give the customary presents. Quoth her mistress, where is thy young master quoth the slave-girl i left him with her lest he cling to thee and she gave me this as largesse for the singing women so the lady said to the chief of the singers take thy money and she took it and found it a brass counter whereupon the lady cried to the maid get thee down o whore and look to thy young master accordingly she went down and finding neither boy nor old woman shrieked aloud and fell on her face their joy was changed into annoy and behold the provost came in when his wife told him all that had befallen and he went out in quest of the child whilst the other merchants also fared forth and each sought his own road presently the shah bondar who had looked everywhere espied his son seated naked in the jew's shop and said to tile owner this is my son tis well answered the jew so he took him up without asking for his clothes of the excess of his joy at finding him

But the Jew laid hold of him, saying, Allah succor the Caliph against thee. The provost asked, What aileth thee, O Jew? And he answered, Verily the old woman took of me a thousand dinars worth of jewelry for thy daughter, and left this lad in pledge for the price,

and I had not trusted her, but that she offered to leave the child whom I knew for thy son. Said the provost, My daughter needeth no jewelry. Give me the boy's clothes. Thereupon the Jew shrieked out, Come to my aid, O Muslims!

but at that moment up came the dyer and the ass-man and the young merchant who were going about seeking the old woman and inquired the cause of their jangle so they told them the case and they said this old woman is a cheat who hath cheated us before you then they recounted to them how she had dealt with them and the provost said since i have found my son be his clothes his ransom if i come upon the old woman i will require them of her and he carried the child home to his mother who rejoiced in his safety then the jew said to the child to the woman who rejoiced in his safety then the jew said to the three others, "'Wither go ye?' and they answered, "'We go to look for her.' Quoth the Jew, take me with you, presently adding, "'Is there any one of you knoweth her?' The donkey-boy cried, "'I know her,' and the Jew said, "'If we all go forth together we shall never catch her,

for she will flee from us. Let each take a different road, and be our rendezvous at the shop of Haj Masoud, the Moorish barber.' They agreed to this and set off, each in a different direction. presently Delilah sallied forth again to play her tricks, and the ass-driver met her and knew her. So he caught hold of her and said to her, Woe to thee! Hast thou been long at this trade? She asked, What aileth thee?

And he answered, Give me back my ass. Quoth she, Cover what Allah covereth, O my son. Thus thou seek thine ass in the people's things? Quoth he, I want my ass, that's all. And quoth she, I saw that thou wast poor, so I deposited the, thine ass for thee with the Moorish barber. Stand off whilst I speak him fair, that he may give thee

the beast. So she went up to the Magrabi, and kissed his hand and shed tears. He asked her what ailed her, and she said, O my son, look at my boy who standeth yonder. He was ill and exposed himself to the air, which injured his intellect. He used to buy asses, and now, if he stand he saith nothing but, my ass. If he sit, he crieth, my ass. And if he walk, he crieth, my ass. Now I have been a-a-s-mast. Now I have been told by a certain physician that his mind is disordered, and that nothing will cure him but drawing two of his grinders, and cauterizing him twice on either temple. So do thou take this dinar and call him to thee, saying, Thine ass is with me, said the barber. May I fast for a year

if I do not give him his ass in his fist. Now he had with him two journeymen, so he said to one of them, go, heat the irons. Then the old woman went her way, and the barber called to the donkey-boy, saying, "'Thine ass is with me, good fellow. Come and take him, and as thou livest, I will give him into thy palm.' So he came to him, and the barber carried him into a dark room, where he knocked him down, and the journeyman bound him hand and foot. Then the Mugabe arose, and pulled out two of his grinders, and fired him on either temple, after which he let him go, and he rose and said, "'O, Moor, why hast thou used me with this usage?' quoth the barber. "'Thy mother told me that thou hadst taken cold whilst ill, and hast lost thy reason, so that whether sitting or standing or walking thou wouldst say nothing but my ass so here is thine ass in thy fist said the other allah requite thee for pulling out my teeth

Then the barber told him all that the old woman had related, and he exclaimed, Allah torment her! And the twain left the shop and went out, disputing. When the barber returned, he found his booth empty, for, whilst he was absent, the old woman had taken all that was therein, and made off with it to her daughter, whom she acquainted with all that had befallen and all she had done. The barber, seeing his place plundered, caught hold of the donkey-boy, and said to him, Bring me thy mother! But he answered, saying,

she is not my mother, she is a sharper who hath cousined much people and stolen my ass. And lo, at this moment up came the dyer and the Jew and the young merchant, and seeing the Moorish barber holding on to the ass-driver who was fired on both temples, they said to him, What hath befallen thee, O donkey-boy? So he told them all that had betided him, and the barber did the like, and the others in turn related to the more the tricks the old woman had played them. Then he shut up his shop, and went with them to the office of the police-master, to whom they said,

We look to thee for our case and our coin. Quoth the Wally, And how many old women are there not in Baghdad? Say me, doth any of you know her? Quoth the ass man. I do, so give me ten of thine officers. He gave them half a score archers, and they all five went out,

followed by the sergeants, and patrolled the city till they met the old woman, when they laid hands on her and carrying her to the house of the chief of police, stood waiting under his office windows till he should come forth. Presently the warders fell asleep, for excess of watching with their chief, and old Delilah feigned to follow their example, till the ass-man and his fellows slept likewise, when she stole away from them, and, going into the Wally's Harim, kissed the hand of the mistress of the house, and asked her, where is the chief of police? The lady answered, He is asleep. What wits thou with him? Quoth Delilah, My husband is a merchant of chattels, and gave me five mamelukes to sell, whilst he went on a journey.

the master of police met me and bought them of me for a thousand dinars and two hundred for myself saying bring them to my house so i have brought them and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say When it was the seven hundred and fifth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the old woman, entering the harem of the police-master, said to his wife, Verily the Wally bought of me five slaves for one thousand dukots and two hundred from myself, saying, bring them to my quarters, so I have brought them. Hearing the old woman's story, she believed it, and asked her,

Where are the slaves? Delilah replied, Oh, my lady, they are asleep under the palace window. whereupon the dame looked out and seeing the moorish barber clad in a mameluke habit and the young merchant as he were a drunken mameluke and the jew and the dyer and the ass-driver as they were shaven mamelukes said in herself each of these white slaves is worth more than a thousand dinars so she opened her chest and gave the old woman the thousand ducats saying fare thee forth now and come back anon when my husband waketh i will get thee the other two hundred dinars from him answered the old woman O my lady, and hundred of them are thine, under the sherbert Guglet whereof thou drinkest, and the other hundred do thou keep for me against thy come back, presently adding, Now let me out by the private door.

So she let her out, and the protector protected her, and she made her way home to her daughter, to whom she related how she had gotten a thousand gold-pieces, and sold her five pursuers into slavery, ending with, O my daughter, the one who troubleth me most is the ass-driver, for he knoweth me, said Zainab. O my mother, Abide quiet a while, and let what thou hast done suffice thee, for the crock shall not always escape the shock.

When the chief of police awoke, his wife said to him, I give thee joy of the five slaves thou hast bought of the old woman. Asked he, What slaves? And she answered, Why dost thou deny it to me?

Allah willing, they shall become like thee people of condition. Quoth he, As my head liveth, I have bought no slaves, Who sayeth this? Quoth she, The old woman, the brokeress, from who thou boughtest them, and thou didst promise her a thousand dinars for them, and two hundred for herself?

cried he, Didst thou give her the money? And she replied, Yes, for I saw the slaves with my own eyes, and on each is a suit of clothes worth a thousand dinars, so I sent out to bid the sergeants have an eye to them. The Wally went out, and, seeing the five plaintiffs, said to the officers, "'Where are the five slaves we bought for a thousand dinars of the old woman?' said they. "'There are no slaves here, only these five men, who found the old woman, and seized her and brought her hither. We fell asleep whilst waiting for thee, and she stole away and entered the harem.

Presently out came a maid and asked us, "'Are the five with you with whom the old woman came?' And we answered, yes,' cried the master of police. "'By Allah, this is the biggest of swindles!' and the five men said, We look to thee for our goods." Quoth the Wally, The old woman, your mistress, sold you to me for a thousand gold pieces.

Quoth they, That were not allowed of Allah. We are free-born men and may not be sold, and we appeal from thee to the Caliph. Rejoined the master of police. None showed her the way to the house save you, and I will sell you to the galleys for two hundred dinars apiece. Just then, behold, up came the emir Hassan-Shar al-Tarik,

who, on his return from his return from, his journey, had found his wife stripped of her clothes and jewelry, and heard from her all that had passed. Whereupon quoth he, The master of police shall answer me this, and repairing to him, said, dost thou suffer old women to go round about the town and cousin-folk of their goods? This is thy duty, and I look to thee for my wife's property. Then said he to the five men, what is the case with you? So they told him their stories, and he said, ye are wronged men, and turning to the master of police, asked him, Why dost thou arrest them?

Answered he, None brought the old wretch to my house save these five, so that she took a thousand dinars of my money and sold them to my women. Whereupon the five cried, O Emir Hassan, be thou our advocate in this cause. Then said the master of police to the emir, thy wife's goods are at my charge, and I will be surety for the old woman.

But which of you knoweth her? They cried, We all know her. Send ten apparitors with us, and we will take her. So he gave them ten men, and the ass-driver said to them, Follow me, for I should know her with blue eyes. Then they fared forth, and lo! They meet old Delilah coming out of a by-street.

So they at once laid hands on her, and brought her to the office of the Wali, who asked her, Where are the people's goods? But she answered, saying, I have neither gotten them nor seen them. Then he cried to the jailer, take her with thee and clap her in jail till the morning but he replied i will not take her nor will i imprison her lest she play a trick on me and i be answerable for her so the master of police mounted and rode out with delilah and the rest to the bank of the tigress where he bade the lamplighter crucify her by her hair he drew her up by the pulley and bound her on the cross after which the master of police set ten men to guard her and went home presently the night fell down and sleep overcame the watchman

Now a certain Badawi had heard one man say to a friend, Praise be to Allah for thy safe return. Where hast thou been all this time? Replied the other, In Baghdad, where I broke my fast on honey fritters. Quoth the Badawi to himself. Needs must I go to Baghdad and eat honey fritters therein. For in all his life he had never entered Baghdad, nor seen fritters of the sort.

So he mounted his stallion and rode on towards Baghdad, saying in his mind, "'Tis a fine thing to eat honey-fritters. On the honor of an Arab, I will break my fast with honey-fritters and not else.' And Shahrazad perceive the dawn of day, and cease to say her permitted say. End of Section 23. Recording by Jeff Cluckner, Plymouth, UK. Section 24 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox recording.

All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librevox.org. Recording by Jeff Kluckner The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 24. When it was the 706th night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the wild Arab mounted horse, and made for Baghdad, saying in his mind,

"'Tis a fine thing to eat honey fritters, On the honor of an Arab, I will break my fast with honey-fritters and not else. And he rode on till he came to the place where Delilah was crucified, and she heard him utter these words. So he went up to her, and said to her, What art thou? Quoth she, I throw myself on thy protection, O Shaikh of the Arabs. And quoth he,

Allah indeed protect thee, but what is the cause of thy crucifixion? Said she, I have an enemy, an oilman, who frieth fritters, and I stopped to buy some of him, when I chanced to spit, and my spittle fell on the fritters. So he complained of me to the governor, who commanded to crucify me, saying, I adjudge that ye take ten pounds of honey-fritters, and feed her therewith upon the cross. If she eat them, let her go, but if not leave her hanging. And my stomach will not brook sweet things, cried the Badawi.

By the honour of the Arabs, I departed not the camp, but that I might taste of honey-fritters. I will eat them for thee." Quoth she, None may eat them, except he be hung up in my place. So he fell into the trap and unbound her, whereupon she bound him in her stead, after she had stripped him of his clothes and turbaned, and put them on.

Then covering herself with his burnoose and mounting his horse, she wrote to her house, where Zayna Ab asked her, What meaneth this plight? And she answered, They crucified me, and told her all that had befallen her with a Badawi. This is how it fair.

with her, but as regards the watchman, the first who woke roused his companions, and they saw that the day had broken. So one of them raised his eyes and cried, Delilah, replied the Badawi. By Allah, I have not eaten all night. Have you brought the honey-fritters? All exclaimed, This is a man and a Badawi, and one of them asked him. O Badawi, where is Delilah, and who loosed her? He answered, "'Twas I. She shall not eat the honey-fritters against her will, for her soul abhorreth them. So they knew that the Arab was ignorant of her case, whom she had cousined, and said to one another, Shall we flee, or abide the accomplishment of that which Allah hath

written for us? As they were talking, up came the chief of police, with all the folk whom the old woman had cheated, and said to the guards, Arise, loose Delilah! Quoth the Badawi, We have not eaten to-night, hast thou brought the honey-fritters? Whereupon the Wally raised his eyes to the cross, and seeing the Badawi hung up in the stead of the old woman, said to the watchman, What is this? Pardon, O our Lord! Tell me what hath happened. We were weary with watching with thee on guard, and Delilah is crucified. So we fell asleep, and when we awoke, we found the Badawi hung up in her room, and we were at thy mercy. O folk, Allah's pardon be upon you, she is indeed a clever cheat. Then they unbound the Badawi, who laid hold of the master of police,

saying, Allah succor the caliph against thee, I look to none but thee for my horse and clothes. So the Wally questioned him, and he told them what had passed between Delilah and himself. The magistrate marvelled, and asked him, Why didst thou release her? And the Badawi answered, I knew not that she was a felon. Then said the others, O chief of police, we look to thee in the matter of our goods,

for we deliver the old woman into thy hands, and she was in thy guard, and we sight thee before the divan, of the Caliph. Now the Emir Hassan had gone up to the divan, when in came the Wally with the Badawi and the five others, saying, Verily, we are wronged men. Who hath wronged you? asked the Caliph. So each came forward in turn and told his story, after which said the master of police, O commander of the faithful, the old woman cheated me also, and sold me these five men as slaves for a thousand dinars, albeit they are freeborn, quoth the prince of true believers, I take upon myself all that you have lost,

adding to the master of police, I charge thee with the old woman. But he shook his collar, saying, O commander of the faithful, I will not answer for her, for, after I had hung her on the cross, she tricked this Badawi, and, when he loosed her, she tied him up in her room, and made off with his clothes and horse. Quoth the Caliph,

Whom but thee shall I charge with her? And quoth the Wali, Charge Ahmad al-Danaf, for he hath a thousand dinars a-mah, month and one and forty followers, at a monthly wage of a hundred dinars each. So the Caliph said, Hark ye, Captain Amad. At thy service, O commander of the faithful, said he, and the Caliph cried, I charge thee to bring the old woman before us, replied Amad, I will answer for her. Then the Caliph kept the Badawi and the five with him, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of

day, and ceased saying her permitted say. when it was the seven hundred and seventh night. She resumed, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the caliph said to Calamity Ahmad, I charge thee to bring the old woman before us. He said, I will answer for her, O commander of the faithful. Then the caliph kept the Badawi and the five with him, whilst Amad and his men went down to their hall,

saying to one another, How shall we lay hands on her, seeing that there are many old women in the town? And quoth Amad to Hassan Shuman, What counselest thou? Whereupon quoth one of them, by name Ali Ketif al-Jamal, to Aldanaf, Of what dost thou take counsel with Hassan Shuman? Is the pestilent one any great sheikhs? Said Hassan, O Ali, why dost thou disparage me?

By the most great name I will not company with thee at this time, And he rose and went out in wrath. Then said Amad, O my braves, Let every sergeant take ten men, each to his own quarter, and search for Delilah. all did his bidding ali included and they said ere we disperse let us agree to rendezvous in the quarter al kalk it was noised abroad in the city that calamity ahmaad had undertaken to lay hands on delilah the wily and zenaab said to her O my mother, and thou be indeed a trickstress, do thou befool Ahmad al-Danaf and his company? Answered Delilah, I fear none save Hassan Shuman.

And Zenaab said, By the life of my brow-lock, I will assuredly get thee the clothes of all the one and forty. Then she dressed and veiled herself, and going to a certain druggist, who had a saloon with two doors, Salam to him, and gave him an Ashrafi, and said to him,

Take this gold-piece as a du-sur for thy saloon, and let it to me till the end. end of the day. So he gave her the keys, and she fetched carpets and so forth, on the stolen ass, and furnishing the place, set on each raised pavement a tray of meat and wine. Then she went out and stood at the door, with her face unveiled, and behold, up came Ali Kattif al-Jamal and his men. She kissed his hand, and he fell in love with her, seeing her to be a handsome girl, and said to her, What dost thou want? Quoth she, Art thou Captain Amad al-Danaf? And quoth he, No, but I am of his company, and my name is Ali Camel's shoulder.

Asked she, Whither fair you? And he answered, We go about in quest of a sharkish old woman, who hath stolen folks good, and we mean to lay hands on her. But who art thou, and what is thy business? She replied, My father was a tavernor at Mosul, and he died and left me much money. So I came hither, for fear of the dignities, and asked the people who would protect me, to which they replied, none but Ahmad al-Danaf.

Said the men, From this day forth thou art under his protection, and she replied, Heartened me by eating a bit, and drinking a sup of water. They consented, and entering, ate and drank till they were drunken, when she drugged them with bang,

and stripped them of their clothes and arms, and on likewise she did with the three other companions. Presently, Calamity Ahmad went out to look for Delilah, but found her not, neither set eyes on any of his followers, and went on till he came to the door where Zena Ab was standing. She kissed his hand, and he looked on her, and fell in love with her. Quoth she, art thou Captain Amad al-Danaf?

And quoth he, Yes, who art thou? She replied, I am a stranger from Mosul. My father was a vintner at that place, and he died and left me much money, wherewith I came to this city, for fear of the powers that be, and opened this tavern. The master of police hath imposed attacks on me, but is my desire to put myself under thy protection, and pay thee what the police would take of me, for thou hast the better right to it.

Quoth he, Do not pay him aught, thou shalt have my protection and welcome. Then quoth she, Pleased to heal my heart and eat of my victual. So he entered and ate and drank wine, till he could not sit upright, when she drugged him and took his clothes and arms. Then she loaded her purchase on the Badawi's horse

and the donkey boy's ass and made off with it, after she had aroused Ali Katif al-Jamal. Camel's shoulder awoke and found himself naked, and saw Ahmad and his men drugged and stripped, so he revived them with the counter-drug, and they awoke and found themselves naked. Quoth calamity Ahmad, O lads, what is this?

We were going to catch her, and lo, this strumpet hath caught us! How Hassan Shuman will rejoice over us! But we will wait till it is dark, and then go away. Meanwhile, Pestilence Hassan said to the hall, where are the men? And as he asked, up they came naked, and he recited these two couplets. Men and their purposes are much alike, but in their issues difference comes to light.

Of men some wise are, others simple souls, as of the stars some dull, some pearly bright. Then he looked at them and asked, Who hath played you this trick and made you naked? And they answered, We went in quest of an old woman, and a pretty girl stripped us. Quoth Hassan, she hath done right well. They asked, Dost thou know her? And he answered, Yes, I know her, and the old trot, too.

Quoth they, What shall we say to the Caliph? And quoth he, O Danaf, do thou shake thy collar before him, And he will say, Who is answerable for her? And if he ask why thou hast not caught her, Say thou,

We know her not, But charge Hassan Shuman with her. And if he give her into my charge, I will lay hands on her. So they slept that night, and on the morrow they went up to the Calaf's divan and kissed ground before him. Quoth he, Where is the old woman, O Captain Ahmad? But he shook his collar.

The Caliph asked him why he did so, and he answered, I know her not, but do thou charge Hassan Shuman to lay hands on her, for he knoweth her and her daughter also. Then Hassan interceded for her with the Caliph, saying, Indeed, she hath not played off these tricks, because she coveted the folk's stuff, but to show her cleverness and that of her daughter, to the intent that thou shouldst continue her husband's stipend to her,

and that of her father to her daughter. So an thou wilt spare her life, I will fetch her to thee, cried the Caliph. By the life of my ancestors, if she restore the people's goods, I will pardon her on thine intercession. And said the pestilence, Give me a pledge, O prince of true believers.

Whereupon Al Rashid gave him the kerchief of pardon. So Hassan repaired to Delilah's house and called to her, her daughter zena ab answered him and he asked her where is thy mother upstairs she answered and he said bid her take the people's goods and come with me to the presence of the caliph for i have brought her the kerchief of pardon and if she will not come with a good grace let her blame only herself so delilah came down and tying the kerchief about her neck gave him the people's goods on the donkey boy's ass and the badawi's horse quoth he there remain the clothes of my chief and his men and quoth she by the most great name twas not i who stripped them rejoin hassan thou sayest sooth it was thy daughter zena ab's doing and this was a good turn she did they then he carried her to the divan and laying the people's goods and stuff before the caliph set the old trot in his presence As soon as he saw her, he bade throw her down on the carpet of blood, whereat she cried, I cast myself on thy protection, O Shuman.

So he rose, and kissing the callous hands, said, Pardon, O commander of the faithful, Indeed thou gavest me the kerchief of pardon, said the prince of true believers. I pardon her for thy sake. Come hither, O old woman, what is thy name? My name is Wiley Delilah, answered she, and the caliph said,

thou art indeed crafty and full of guile. Whence she was dubbed Delilah the wily one. Then quoth he, Why hast thou played all these tricks on the folk and wearied our hearts? And quoth she, I did it not of lust for their goods, but because I had heard of the tricks which Amad al-Danaf and Hassan Shuman played in Baghdad,

and said to myself, I too will do the like. And now I ever turned the folk their goods. But the ass-driver rose and said, I invoke Allah's law between me and her, for it sufficed her not to take my ass, but she must needs egg on the Moorish barber to tear out my eye teeth and fire me on both temples.

And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and eighth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the donkey-boy rose and cried out, I invoke Allah's law between me and her, for it sufficed her not to take my ass,

but she must-needs egg on the barber to tear out my eye-teeth and fire me on both temples. Thereupon the Caliph bade give him a hundred dinars, and ordered the dyer the like, saying, Go, set up thy diary again. So they called down blessings on his head and went away. The Badawe also took his clothes and horse, and departed, saying, Tis henceforth unlawful and forbidden me to enter Baghdad and eat honey-fritters. And the others took their goods and went away. Then said the Caliph, Ask a boon of me, O Delilah.

And she said, Verily, my father was governor of the carrier pigeons to thee, and I know how to rear the birds, and my husband was town captain of Baghdad. Now I wished to have the reversion of my husband, and my daughter wishes to have that of her father. The Caliph granted both their requests, and she said, I ask of thee that I may be portress of thy Khan. Now he had built a Khan of three stories, for the merchants to lodge in, and had assigned to its service forty slaves, and also forty dogs he had brought from the king of Sulamanaya when he deposed him, and there was in the Khan a cook-slave, who cooked for the chattels and fed the hounds for which he let make callers.

Said the Caliph, O Delilah, I will write thee a patent of guardianship of the Khan, and if aught be lost therefrom thou shalt be answerable for it. Tis well, replied she, but do thou lodge my daughter in the bavilion over the door of the Khan, for it hath terraced roofs, and carrier-pigeon. may not be reared to advantage, save in an open space. The Caliph granted her this also, and she and her daughter removed to the pavilion in question, where Zena Ab hung up the one and forty dresses of Calamity Ahmad and his company. Moreover, they delivered to Delilah the forty pigeons which carried the royal messages,

and the Caliph appointed the wily one mistress over the forty slaves, and charged them to obey her. She made the place of her sitting behind the door of the Khan, and every day she used to go up to the Caliph's divan, lest he should need to send a message by pigeon post, and stay there till even-tide whilst the forty slaves stood on guard at the Khan. And when darkness came on, they loosed the forty dogs that they might keep watch over the place by night. Such were the doings of Delilah the Wily one in Baghdad. And much like them were the adventures of Mercury Ali of Cairo. Now as regards the works of Mercury Ali, there lived once at

Cairo in the days of Salah the Egyptian, who was chief of the Cairo police and had forty men under him, a sharper named Ali, for whom the master of police used to set snares, and think that he had fallen therein. But, when they sought for him, they found that he had fled like Zabak, or Quicksilver, wherefore they dubbed him Ali Zabak, or Mercury Ali of Cairo. Now one day, as he sat with his men in his hall, his heart became heavy within him, and his breast was straightened. The hallkeeper saw him sitting with frowning face, and said to him, what aileth thee, O my chief, If thy breast be straightened,

Take a turn in the streets of Cairo, For assuredly walking in her markets Will do away with thy irk. So he rose up and went out, And threaded the streets a while, But only increased in kark and care. Presently he came to a wine-shop and said to himself, I will go in and drink myself drunken.

So he entered, and seeing seven rows of people in the shop, said, Hark ye, tavernor, I will not sit except by myself. Accordingly, the vintner placed him in a chamber alone, and set strong pure wine before him, whereof he drank till he lost his senses. Then he sallied forth again, and walked till he came to the road called Red, whilst the people left the street clear before him, out of fear of him. Presently he turned and saw a water-carrier trudging along, with his skin and gugglet,

crying out and saying, Oh, exchange! There is no drink but what raisins make! There is no love delight but what of the lover we take, and none sitteth in the place of honour save the sensible freak. So he said to him, Here, give me to drink. The water-carrier looked at him, and gave him the gugglet which he took,

and gazing into it, shook it up, and lastly poured it out on the ground. Asked the water-carrier, why dost thou not drink? And he answered, saying, give me to drink. So the man filled the cup a second time, and he took it, and shook it, and emptied it on the ground, and thus he did a third time. Quoth the water-carrier. And thou wilt not drink, I will be off. And Ali said,

Give me to drink. So he filled the cup a fourth time, and gave it to him, And he drank and gave the man a dinar. The water-carrier looked at him with disdain, and said, belittling him, Good luck to thee, good luck to thee, my lad. Little folk are one thing, and great folk another. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day,

and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 24. Recording by Jeff Kluckner, Plymouth, UK. Section 25 of The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 Jeff Cluckner.

The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 25. when it was the seven hundred and ninth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that the water-carrier receiving the dinar looked at the giver with disdain and said good luck to thee good luck to thee little folk are one thing and great folk another now when mercury ali heard this he caught hold of the man's gabardine and drawing on him a poignard of price such an one as that whereof the poet speaketh in these two couplets watered steel blade the man The world perfection calls, drunk with the viper poison foes appalls. Cuts lively, burns the blood whenever it falls, and picks up gems from pave of marble halls. Cried to him,

O Shaikh, speak reasonably to me. Thy water-skin is worth, if dear, three dirhams, and the gugglets I emptied on the ground held a pint or so of water. Replied the water-carrier, Tis well, and Ali rejoined. I gave thee a golden ducat. "'Then dost thou belittle me? "'Say me, hast thou ever seen any more valiant than I,

"'or more generous than I?' "'answered the water-carrier. "'I have indeed seen one more valiant than thou, "'and eke more generous than thou, "'for never, since women bare children, "'was there on earth's face a brave man who was not generous.' "'Quoth Ali, "'and who is he thou deemest braver and more generous than I?'

"'Quoth the other. "'Thou must know that I have had a strange adventure. My father was a Shaikh of the water-carriers Who give drink in Cairo, And when he died, He left me five male camels, A he-mule, a shop, and a house. But the poor man is never satisfied,

Or, if he be satisfied, he dieth. So I said to myself, I will go up to Al-Hijaz, And, taking a string of camels, bought goods on tick, till I had run in debt for five hundred dukats, All of which I lost in the pilgrimage. Then I said in my mind,

If I return to Cairo, the folk will clap me in jail for their goods. So I fared with the pilgrim's caravan of Damascus to Aleppo, and thence I went on to Baghdad, where I sought out the Shaikh of the water-carriers of the city, and finding his house I went in and repeated the opening chapter of the Koran to him. He questioned me of my case, and I told him all that had betided me, whereupon he assigned me a shop and gave me a water-skin and gear. So I sallied forth Amorn, trusting in Allah to provide, and went round about the city.

I offered the gugglet to one, that he might drink, but he cried, I have eaten not whereon to drink, for a niggered invited me this day, and set two gugglets before me. So I said to him, O son of the sordid, hast thou given me ought to eat,

that thou offerst me drink after it? Wherefore, when thy ways, O water-carrier, till I have eaten somewhat, then come and give me to drink. Thereupon I accosted another, and he said, Allah provide thee.

And so I went on till noon, without taking Hansel, and I said to myself, Would heaven I had never come to Baghdad. Presently I saw the folk running as fast as they could, So I followed them, and behold, a long file of men riding two and two, and clad in steel, with double neck-rings and felt bonnets and burnooses and swords and bucklers. I asked one of those folk whose sweet this was, and he answered, That of Captain Ahmad al-Danaf, Quoth I, and what is he? And quoth the other,

He is town-captain of Baghdad and her divan, and to him is committed the care of the suburbs. He geteth a thousand dinars a month from the Caliph, and Hassan Shuman hath the like. Moreover, each of his men draweth an hundred dinars a month, and they are now returning to their barrack from the divan. And lo! Calamini Ahmad saw me, and cried out, Come give me drink. So I filled the cup and gave it it. him, and he shook it and emptied it out, like unto thee, and thus he did a second time.

Then I filled the cup a third time, and he took a draught as thou didest, after which he asked me, O water-carrier, whence comest thou? And I answered, from Cairo, and he, Allah keep Cairo and her citizens, what may bring thee thither? So I told him my story, and gave him to understand that I was a debtor fleeing from debt and distress. He cried, thou art welcome to Baghdad. Then he gave me five dinars and said to his men, For the love of Allah, be generous to him. So each of them gave me a dinar, and Ahmad said to me,

O Shaikh, what while thou abidest in Baghdad, thou shalt have of us the like every time thou givest us to drink. Accordingly, I paid them frequent visits, and goods ceased not to come to me from the folk, till one day, reckoning up the profit I had made of them, I found it a thousand dinars, and said to myself, the best thing thou canst do is to return to Egypt. So I went to Ahmad's house and kissed his hand,

and he said, What seekest thou? Quoth I, I have a mind to depart, And I repeated these two couplets. Sojourn of stranger in whatever land Is like castle based upon the wind. The breaths of breezes level all he raised, And so on homeward ways the stranger's mind.

I added, The caravan is about to start for Cairo, and I wished to return to my people. So he gave me a she-mule and a hundred dinars, and said to me, I desire to send somewhat by thee, O Shaikh. Does thou know the people of Cairo? Yes, answered I. And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and tenth night, she pursued, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Ahmad al-Danaf had given the water-carrier a she-mule and a hundred dinars, and said to him, I desire to send a trust by thee.

Dost thou know the people of Cairo? I answered, quoth the water-carrier. Yes. And he said, Take this letter and carry it to Ali Zabak of Cairo, and say to him, Thy captain saluteth thee, and he is now with the Caliph. So I took the letter and journeyed back to Cairo, where I paid my debts and plied my water-carrying trade, but I have not delivered the letter because I know not the abode of Mercury-Ali.

Quoth Ali, O elder, be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear. I am that, Ali, the first of the lads of Captain Ahmad. Here with a letter! So he gave him the missive, and he opened it, and read these two couplets. O adornment of beauties to thee right eye, on a paper that flies as the winds go by. Could I fly, I had flown to their arms and desire? But a bird with cut wings, how shall ever he fly? But after salutation from Captain Ahmad al-Danaf to the eldest of his sons Mercury Ali of Cairo,

Thou knowest that I tormented Salah al-Din the Kareen, and befooled him till I buried him alive, and reduced his lads to obey me, and amongst them Ali Kittif al-Jamal, and I now become town-captain of Baghdad, in the divan of the Caliph, who hath made me overseer of the suburbs, and thou be still mindful of our covenant, come to me, Happily thou shalt play some trick in Baghdad which may promote thee to the Caliph's service, so he may appoint thee stipends and allowances, and assign thee a lodging, which is what thou would see, and so peace beyond thee. When Ali read this letter, he kissed it, and laying it on his head, gave the water-carrier

ten dinars, after which he returned to his barracks and told his comrades, and said to them, I commend you one to other. Then he changed all his clothes, and, donning a travelling cloak and a tarboot, took a case containing a spear of bamboo cane, four and twenty cubits long, made in several pieces, to fit into one another. Quoth his lieutenant, "'Wilt thou go a journey when the treasury is empty?' And quoth, Ali, when I reach Damascus, I will send you what shall suffice you. Then he set out and fared on, till he overtook a caravan about to start,

whereof were the Chabandar, or provost of the merchants, and forty other traders. They had all loaded their beasts, except the provost, whose loads lay upon the ground, and Ali heard his caravan leader, who is a Syrian, say to the muleteers, Bear a hand, one of you! But they reviled him and abused him. Quoth Ali in himself, None will suit me so well to travel with all as this leader. Now Ali was beardless and well-favored, so he went up to and saluted the leader,

who welcomed him, and said, What seekest thou? replied ali o my uncle i see thee alone with forty mule loads of goods but why hast thou not brought hands to help thee rejoined the other o my son i hired two lads and clothed them and put in each one's pocket two hundred dinars and they helped me till we came to the dervishes convent when they ran away quoth ali whither are you bound and quoth the syrian to aleppo when ali said i will lend thee a hand accordingly they loaded the beasts and the provost mounted his she-mule and they set out he rejoicing in ali and presently he loved him and made much of him and on this wise they fared on till nightfall when they dismounted and ate and drank then came the time of sleep and ali lay down on his side and made as if he slept whereupon the syrian stretched himself near him and ali rose from his stead and sat down at the door of the merchant's pavilion presently the syrian turned over and would have taken ali in his arms but found him not and said to himself happily he hath promised another and he hath taken him but i have the first right and another night i will keep him now ali continued sitting at the door of the tent till nigh upon daybreak when he returned and lay down near the syrian who found him by his side when he awoke and said to himself if i ask him where he hath been he will leave me and go away so he dissembled with him and they went on till they came to a forest in which was a cave where dwelt a rending lion now whenever a caravan passed they would draw lots among themselves and him on whom the lot fell they would throw to the beast

so they drew lots and the lot fell not save upon the provost of the merchants and lo the lion cut off their way awaiting his prey wherefore the provost was sore distressed and said to the leader allah disappoint the fortunes of the far one and bring his journey to naught i charge thee after my death give my loads to my children quoth ali the clever one what meaneth all this so they told him the case and he said why do ye run from the tom-cat of the desert I warrant you, I will kill him. So the Syrian went to the provost and told them of this, and he said, If he slay him, I will give him a thousand dinars, and said the other merchants, We will reward him likewise, one and all. With this Ali put off his mantle, and there appeared upon him a suit of steel. Then he took a chopper of steel, and opening it turned the screw,

after which he went forth alone, and standing in the road before the lion, cried out to him. The lion ran at him, but Ali of Cairo, smote him between the eyes with his chopper and cut him in sunder, whilst the caravan leader and the merchants looked on. Then said he to the leader, Have no fear, O Nunkle, and the Syrian answered, saying, O my son, I am thy servant for all future time. Then the provost embraced him and kissed him between the eyes, and gave him the thousand dinars, and each of the other merchants gave him twenty dinars. He deposited all the coin with the provost, and they slept that night till the morning, when they set out again, intending for Baghdad,

and fared on till they came to the lion's clump and the wadi of dogs, where lay a villain Badawi, a brigand in his tribe, who sallied forth on them. The folk fled from the highwaymen, and the provost said, My monies are lost. When low, up came Ali and a buff coat hung with bells, and bringing out his long lance, fitted the pieces together. Then he seized one of the Arabs' horses, and mounting it, cried out to the Badawi chief, saying,

Come out to fight me with spears. Moreover, he shook his bells, and the Arab's mare took fright at the noise, and Ali struck the chief's spear and broke it. Then he smote him on the neck and cut off his head. When the Badawan saw their chief fall, they ran at Ali, but he cried out, saying, Allaho Akbar, God is most great,

and, falling on them, broke them and put them to flight. Then he raised the chief's head on his spear-point. and returned to the merchants, who rewarded him liberally and continued their journey, till they reached Baghdad. Thereupon, Ali took his money from the provost, and committed it to the Syrian caravan leader, saying, When thou returnest to Cairo, ask for my barracks and give these monies to my deputy. Then he slept that night, and on the morrow, he entered the city, and threading the streets inquired for Calamity Ahmad's quarters, but none would direct him there too.

So he walked on, till he came to the square Al-Nafs, where he saw children at play and amongst them a lad called ahmaad al lakit and said to himself o my ali thou shalt not get news of them but from their little ones Then he turned, and, seeing a sweet meat-seller, bought halba-a of him, and called to the children. But Ahmad al-Lakit drove the rest away, and coming up to him said, What seekest thou? Quoth Ali, I had a son, and he died, and I saw him in a dream asking for sweet meats, wherefore I have bought them, and wished to give each child a bit. So saying, he gave Ahmad a slice, and he looked at it, and seeing a dinar sticking to it, said,

Begone! I am no catamite. seek another than I, Quoth Ali, O my son, none but a sharp fellow takeeth the higher, even as he is a sharp one who giveth it. I have sought all day for Ahmad al-Danaf's barrack, but none would direct me there too, so this dinar is thine, and thou wilt guide me thither, quoth the lad.

I will run before thee, and do thou keep up with me, till I come to the place, when I will catch up a pebble with my foot, and kick it against the door, and so shalt thou know it. accordingly he ran on and Ali after him till they came to the place when the boy caught up a pebble between his toes and kicked it against the door so as to make the place known and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and eleventh night she resumed it hath reached me o auspicious king that when ahad the abortion had made known the place ali laid hold of him and would have taken the dinar from him but could not so he said to him Go, thou deservest largesse, for thou art a sharp fellow,

Whole of wit and stout of heart. Inshallah, if I become a captain to the Caliph, I will make thee one of my lads. Then the boy made off, and Ali Zabak went up to the door and knocked, Whereupon quoth Ahmad al-Danaf, O doorkeeper, open the door! That is the knock of quicksilver Ali, the kairine. So he opened the door, and Ali entered,

and saluted with the Salam Ahmad who embraced him, and the forty greeted him. then calamity ahmaid gave him a suit of clothes saying when the caliph made me captain he clothed my lads and i kept this suit for thee then they seated him in the place of honor and setting on meat they ate well and drink they drank hard and made merry till the morning when ahmaud said to ali beware thou walk not about the streets of bagdad but sit thee still in this barrack asked ali why so have i come hither to be shut up no i came to look about me and divert myself replied amad o my son think not that bagdad be like cairo bagdad is the seat of the caliphate sharpers abound therein and rogueries spring therefrom as warts spring out of earth So Ali abode in the barrack three days, when Ahmad said to him, I wish to present thee to the caliph, that he may assign thee an allowance. But he replied, when the time cometh.

So he let him go his own way. One day, as Ali sat in the barrack, his breast became straightened, and his soul troubled, and he said to himself, Come, let us up and thread the ways of Baghdad and broaden my bosom. So he went out and walked from street to street, till he came to the middle bazaar, where he entered a cook-shop and dined, after which he went out to wash his hands. Presently he saw forty slaves,

with felt bonnets and steel cutlasses, come walking two by two, and last of all came Delilah the Wiley, mounted on a she-mule, with a gilded helmet which bore a ball of polished steel, and clad in a coat of mail and such like. Now she was returning from the divan to the con, of which she was portress, and when she espied Ali, she looked at him fixedly,

and saw that he resembled Kalam Klam. Ahmad in height and breadth. Moreover, he was clad in a striped Abba-A cloak and a burnoose, with a steel cutlass by his side and similar gear, while valor shone from his eyes, testifying in favor of him and not in disfavor of him. So she returned to the Khan, and going into her daughter, fetched a table of sand, and struck a geomantic figure,

whereby she discovered that the stranger's name was Ali of Cairo, and that his fortune overcame her fortune and that of her daughter. Asked Zainab, O my mother, what hath befallen thee that thou hast recourse to the sand-table? Answered Delilah. O my daughter, I have seen this day a young man who resembleth calamity Ahmad, and I fear lest he come to hear how thou didst strip Amad and his men, and enter the Khan and play us a trick, in revenge for what we did with his chief and the forty, for methinks he has taken up his lodging in Aldenov's barrack. Zenaab rejoined.

What is this? Me thinks thou hast taken his measure. Then she donned her fine clothes and went out into the streets. When the people saw her, they all made love to her, and she promised and swear and listened and coquetted, and passed from market to market, till she saw Ali the Kareen coming, when she went up to him and rubbed her shoulder against him.

Then she turned and said, Allah give long life to folk of discrimination. Quoth he, How goodly is thy form? To whom dost thou belong? And quoth she, To the gallant like thee, And he said,

art thou wife or spinster married said she asked ali shall it be in my lodging or thine and she answered i am a merchant's daughter and a merchant's wife and in all my life i have never been out of doors till to-day and my only reason was that when i made ready food and thought to eat i had no mind thereto without company when i saw thee love of thee entered my heart so wilt thou deign solace my soul and eat a mouthful with me quoth he whoso is invited let me let him accept. Thereupon she went on, and he followed her from street to street, but presently he bethought himself, and said, What wilt thou do, and thou a stranger? Verily tis said, Whoso doth hordom in his strangerhood, Allah will send him back disappointed. But I will put her off from thee with fair words. So he said to her, Take this dinar and appoint me a day other than this,

and she said, By the mighty name, it may not be but thou shalt go home with me as my guest this very day, and I will take thee to fast friend. So he followed her till she came to a house with a lofty porch and a wooden bolt on the door, and said to him, Open this lock. Asked he, Where is the key? And she answered, Tis lost. Quoth he, Whoso openeth a lock without a key, is a knave whom it behoveth the ruler to punish, and I know not how to open doors without keys. With this she raised her veil and showed him her face,

whereat he took one glance of eyes that cost him a thousand sighs. Then she let fall her veil on the lock, and repeating over it the names of the mother of Moses, opened it without a key, and entered. He followed her, and saw swords and steel weapons hanging up, and she put off her veil and sat down with him. Quoth he to himself, Accomplish what Allah hath decreed to thee,

and bent over her to take a kiss of her cheek, but she caught the kiss upon her palm, saying, This besiemeth not but my knight. Then she brought a tray of food and wine, and they ate and drank, after which she rose, and drawing water from the well, poured it from the ewer over his hands, whilst he watched them. Now whilst they were on this wise, she cried out and beat upon her breast, saying, My husband had a signet ring of ruby, which was pledged to him for five hundred dinars,

and I put it on, but twas too large for me, so I straightened it with wax, and when I let down the bucket that ring must have dropped into the well. So turn thy face to the door, The while I doff my dress And go down into the well and fetch it, Quoth Ali, "'T'were shame on me that thou shouldst go down there, I being present,

None shall do it save I. So he put off his clothes, And tied the rope about himself, And she let him down into the well. Now there was much water therein, And she said to him, The rope is too short, Loose thyself and drop down.

So he did himself loose from the rope, And dropped into the water, in which he sank fathoms deep without touching bottom, whilst she donned her mantilla, and taking his clothes, returned to her mother. And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 25. Recording by Jeff Cluckner, Plymouth, UK.

Section 26 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox recording. All Librevox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to voluble. volunteer, please visit Libervox.org. Recording by Jeff Kluckner The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night,

Volume 7, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 26. When it was the 712th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Ali of Cairo was in the well, Zena Ab donned her mantilla,

and, taking his clothes, returned to her mother and said, I have stripped Ali the Egyptian and cast him into the Emir Hassan's well Whence alas for his chance of escaping Presently the Emir Hassan, the master of the house Who had been absent at the divan Came home and, finding the door open, said to his sise

Why didst thou not draw the bolt? O my lord, replied the groom, Indeed I locked it with my own hand. The emir cried, As my head liveth, some robber hath entered my house. Then he went in and searched, but found none, and said to the groom, "'Fill the ewer that I may make the wuzoo ablution.' So the man lowered the bucket into the well, but, when he drew it up, he found it heavy,

and looking down, saw something therein sitting, whereupon he let it fall into the water, and cried out, saying, "'Oh, my lord, and Ifrit came up to me out of the well,' replied the emir. "'Go and fetch four doctors of the law, that they may read the Koran over him, till he go away.' So he fetched the doctors, and the emir said to them, Sit round this well and exorcise me this ephrit. They did as he bade them, after which the groom and another servant lowered the bucket again, and Ali clung to it, and hid himself under it patiently till he came near the top, when he sprang out and landed among the doctors,

who fell acuffing one another and crying out, Ifrit! Ephrit! Ephrit! The emir looked at Ali, and seeing him a young man, said to him, Art thou a thief? No, replied Al-a-friet! Ali. "'Then what dost thou in the well?' asked the emir. And Ali answered, "'I was asleep and dreamt a wet dream, so I went down to the tigress to wash myself, and dived, whereupon the current carried me under the earth, and I came up in this well.'

Quoth the other, "'Tell the truth.' So Ali told him all that had befallen him, and the emir gave him an old gown, and let him go. He returned to calamity Ahmad's lodging, and related to him all that had passed. Quoth Ahmad, "'Did I not warn thee that Baghdad is full of women who play tricks upon men? And quoth Ali Ketif al-Jamal, I conjure thee by the mighty name. Tell me how it is that thou art the chief of the lads of Cairo, and yet hast been stripped by a girl.

This was grievous to Ali, and he repented him of not having followed Amad's of vice. Then the calamity gave him another suit of clothes, and Hassan Shuman said to him, Dost thou know the young person? No, replied Ali, and Hassan rejoined. T'was Zena Ab, Ab, the daughter of D'Shah! Delilah the wily, the portress of the Caliph's Khan, and hast thou fallen into her toils, O Ali?

Quoth he, yes, and quoth Hassan, O Ali, t was she who took thy chief's clothes and those of all his men. This is a disgrace to you all. And what thinkest thou to do? I purpose to marry her. Put away that thought far from thee, and console thy heart of her. Oh, Hassan, do thou counsel me how I shall do to marry her? With all my heart, if thou wilt drink from my hand and march under my banner, I will bring thee to thy will of her. I will well. So Hassan made Ali put off his clothes, and, taking a cauldron heated therein somewhat as if it were pitch, wherewith he anointed him, and he became like unto a blackamore slave. Moreover, he smeared his lips and cheeks, and penciled his eyes with red coal. Then he clad him in a slave's habit, and giving him a tray of cababs and wine, said to him, there is a black cook in a Khan who requires from the bazaar only meat,

and thou art now become his like, so go thou to him civilly, and accost him in friendly fashion, and speak to him in the black's lingo, and salute him, saying, Tis long since we met in the beer ken. He will answer thee, I have been too busy, on my hands be forty slaves, for whom I cook dinner and supper, besides making ready a tray for Delilah and the like,

for her daughter Zena Abbe, and the dog's food. And do thou say to him, Come, let us eat kebabs and lush swipes. Then go with him into the saloon, and make him drunken, and question him of his service, how many dishes, and what dishes he hath to cook, and ask him of the dog's food, and the keys of the kitchen and the larder, and he will tell thee, for a man, when he is drunken, telleth all he would conceal were he sober. When thou hast done this, drug him and don his clothes, and sticking the two nyes in thy girdle, take the vegetable-basket, and go to the market and buy meat and greens, with which do thou return to the Khan,

and enter the kitchen and the larder, and cook the food. Dish it up and put Bang in it, so as to drug the dogs and the slaves, and Delilah and Zena Ab, and lastly serve up. When all are asleep, hide thee to the upper chamber, and bring away every suit of clothes thou wilt find hanging there. And if thou have a mind to marry Zena Ab,

bring with thee also the forty carrier pigeons. So Ali went to the Khan, and going into the cook, Saluted him and said, "'Tis long since I have met thee in the beer can.' The slave replied, "'I have been busy cooking for the slaves and the dogs.' Then he took him, and making him drunken,

question him of his work. Quoth the Kitchener, "'Every day I cook five dishes for dinner, and the like for supper, and yesterday they sought of me a sixth dish, yellow rice, and a seventh, a mess of cooked pomegranate seed,' Ali asked,

"'and what is the order of thy service?' service, and the slave answered, First I serve up Zayana Ab's tray, next Delilah's. Then I feed the slaves, and give the dogs their sufficiency of meat, and the lease that satisfies them is a pound each. But, as fate would have it, he forgot to ask him of the keys. Then he drugged him and donned his clothes, after which he took the basket and went to the market. There he bought meat and greens.

And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and thirteenth night. She continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That Ali of Cairo, after drugging the cook-slave with Bang, Took the two knives which he stuck in his belt, And, carrying the vegetable basket, Went to the market where he bought meat and greens,

And, presently returning to the Khan, He saw Delilah seated at the gate, Watching those who went in and came out, And the forty slaves with her, armed. So he hardened his heart and entered, But Delilah knew him and said to him, back, O Captain of Thieves, wilt thou play a trick on me in the Khan? Thereupon he, dressed as a slave, turned and said to her,

What sayest thou, O Portris? She asked, What hast thou done with the slave, our cook? Say me if thou hast killed or drugged him. He answered, What cook? Is there here another slave cook than I? She rejoined. Thou liest, thou art Mercury Ali, the Kyrine. And he said to her, enslaved.

his patois. O Portris, are the Kyrene's black or white, I will slave for you no longer. Then said the slaves to him, What is the matter with thee, O our cousin? cried Delilah. This is none of your uncle's children, but Ali Zabak, the Egyptian, and misseems he hath either drugged your cousin or killed him. But they said, Indeed, this is our cousin, Sa'adula, the cook. And she said, Not so, tis Mercury Ali, and he hath dyed his skin. Quoth the sharper. And who is Ali? I am Sa'adula.

Then she fetched ungoent of proof, with which she anointed Ali's forearm and rubbed it, but the black did not come off. Whereupon quoth the slaves, Let him go and dress us our dinner, quoth Delilah. If he be indeed your cousin, he knoweth what you sought of him yesternight, and how many dishes he cooketh every day. So they asked him of this, and he said, Every day I cook you five dishes for the morning, and the like for the evening meal, lentils and rice and broth and stew and sherbet of roses. And yesternight

ye sought of me a sixth dish, and a seventh, to wit yellow rice and cooked pomegranate seed. And the slave said, Right, then quoth Delilah. In with him, and if he know the kitchen and the larder, he is indeed your cousin, but if not, kill him. Now the cook had a cat which he had brought up, and whenever he entered the kitchen it would stand at the door and spring to his back, as soon as he went in. So, when Ali entered, the cat saw him and jumped on his shoulders, but he threw it off, and it ran before him to the door of the kitchen and stopped there. He guessed that this was the kitchen door, so he took the keys, and seeing one with traces of feathers thereon, knew it for the kitchen key, and therewith opened the door.

Then he entered, and setting down the greens, went out again, led by the cat, which ran before him and stopped at another door. He guessed that this was the larder, and seeing one of the keys marked with Greece, knew it for the key, and opened the door therewith, whereupon quoth the slaves, O Delilah, were he a stranger, he had not known the kitchen on the larder, nor had he been able to distinguish the keys thereof from the rest. Fairly he is our cousin, Sa'adula. Quoth she, He learned the places from the cat, and distinguished the keys one from the other by the appearance, but this cleverness imposes not upon me. Then he returned to the kitchen where he cooked the dinner, and, carrying Zena Ab's tray up to her room, saw all the stolen clothes hanging

up, after which he went down, and took Delilah her tray, and gave the slaves and the dogs their rations. The like he did at sundown, and drugged Delilah's food, and that of Zena Ab, and the slaves. Now the doors of the Khan were opened, and shut with the sun. So Ali went forth and cried out, saying, O dwellers in the Khan, the watch is set, and we have loosed the dogs. "'whoso stirroth out after this can blame none save himself.' But he had delayed the dog's supper and put poison therein. Consequently, when he said it before them, they ate of it and died, while the slaves and Delilah and Zayna Ab still slept under Bang.

Then he went up and took all the clothes and the carrier pigeons, and, opening the gate made off to the barrack of the forty, where he found Hassan Shuman the pestilence, who said to him, How hast thou fared? Thereupon he told him what had passed, and he praised him. Then he caused him to put off his clothes, and boiled the decoction of herbs wherewith he washed him, and his skin became white as it was, after which he donned his own dress, and going back to the con, clad the cook in the habit he had taken from him, and made him smell to the counter-drug,

upon which the slave awoke, and going forth to the green grocers, bought vegetables and returned to the con. Such was the case with Al Zabak of Cairo, but as regards Delilah the Wiley, when the day broke, one of the lodgers in the con came out of his chamber, and, seeing the gate open and the slaves drugged and the dogs dead, he went into her and found her lying drugged, with a scroll on her neck, and at her head a sponge steeped in the counter-drug. He set the sponge to her nostrils, and she awoke, and asked,

Where am I? The merchant answered, When I came down from my chamber, I saw the gate of the con open, and the dogs dead, and found the slaves and thee drugged. So she took up the paper and read therein these words, None did this deed, save Ali the Egyptian. Then she awoke the slaves and Zena Ab by making them smell the counter-bong, and said to them, Did I not tell you that this was Ali of Cairo, presently adding to the slaves,

But do ye conceal the matter? Then she said to her daughter, How often have I warned thee to Ali would not forego his revenge? He hath done this deed and requital of that which thou didest with him, and he had it in his power to do with the other than this thing, but he refrained therefrom out of courtesy and a desire that there should be love and friendship between us. So saying, she doffed her man's gear and donned woman's attire, and, tying the kerchief of peace about her neck, repair to Ahmad al-Danaf's barrack. Now when Ali entered with the clothes and the carrier pigeons, Hassan Shuman gave the hallkeeper the price of forty pigeons, and he bought them and cooked them amongst the men.

Presently there came a knock at the door, and Amad said, that is Delilah's knock, rise and open to her, O hallkeeper. So he admitted her, and— And Shah Razad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and fourteenth night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Delilah was admitted, Hassan asked her, What bringeth thee hither, O ill-omened old woman?

Verily thou and thy brother Zurek the fishmonger, or of a peace! And she answered, O Captain, I am in the wrong, and this my neck is at thy mercy. But tell me which of you it was that played me this trick. Quoth Calamity Ahmad, twas the first of my lads. Rejoined Delilah, for the sake of Allah, intercede with him to give me back the carrier pigeons and what not, and thou wilt lay me under great obligation. When Hassan heard this, he said, Allah requite thee, O Ali, why didst thou cook the pigeons?

And Ali answered, I knew not that they were. carrier pigeons. Then said Amad, O hallkeeper, bring us the cooked pigeons. So he brought them, and Delilah took a piece, and tasting it, said, This is none of the carrier pigeon's flesh, for I fed them on grains of musk, and their meat has become even as musk. Quoth Shaman, And thou desire to have the carrier pigeons, comply with Ali's will. Asked she, what is that? And Hassan answered, He would have thee marry him to thy daughter, Zena Ab. She said, I have not command over her except of affection.

And Hassan said to Ali the Chirin, Give her the pigeons. So he gave them to her, And she took them and rejoiced in them. Then quoth Hassan to her. There is no help, but thou return us a sufficient reply. And Delilah rejoined, If it be indeed his wish to marry her,

it availed nothing to play this clever trick upon us. It behoveth him rather to demand her in marriage Of her mother's brother, And her guardian, Captain Zarek, him who crieth out, saying, Ho! a pound of fish for two farthings! And who hangeth up in his shop a purse containing two thousand dinars?

When the forty heard this, they all rose and cried out, saying, What manner of blather is this, O harlot? Dost thou wish to bereave us of our brother Ali of Cairo? Then she returned to the Khan and said to her daughter, Ali the Egyptian, seeketh thee in marriage. Whereat Zanaab rejoiced,

for she loved him because of his chaste forbearance towards her, and asked her mother what had passed. So she told her, adding, I made it a condition that he should demand thy hand of thine uncle, so I might make him fall into destruction. Meanwhile, Ali turned to his fellows and asked them, What manner of man is this Zurek? And they answered, He was chief of the sharpers of Al-Iraq land, and could all but pierce mountains and lay hold upon the stars. He would steal the coal from the eye, and in brief he had not his match for roguery, but he hath repented his sins, and forsworn his old way of life, and opened him a fish-monger's shop. And now he hath amassed two thousand dinars by the sale of fish, and laid

them in a purse with strings of silk, to which he hath tied bells and rings and rattles of brass, hung on a peg within the doorway. Every time he openeth his shop, he suspendeth the said purse, and crieth out, saying, Where are ye, O sharpers of Egypt, O prigs of Al-Iraq, O tricksters of Ajam land. Behold, Zorik the fishmonger hath hung up a purse in front of his shop, and whoso pretendeth to craft and cunning, and can take it by slight, it is his. So the long-fingered and greedy-minded come and try to take the purse, but cannot, for, whilst he frieth his fish and tendeth the fire, he layeth at his feet scone-like circles of lead, and whenever a thief thinketh to take him unawares, and maketh a snatch at the purse,

He casteth at him a load of lead And slayeth him, or doeth him a damage. So, O, Ali, wert thou to tackle him, thou wits be as one who jostleth a funeral cortege, unknowing who is dead, For thou art no match for him, And we fear his mischief for thee. Indeed, thou hast no call to marry Zena Ab,

And he who leaveth a thing alone, Liveth without it, cried Ali. This were shame, O comrades, Needs must I take the purse, But bring me a young lady's habit. So they brought him women's clothes, and he clad himself therein, and stained his hands with Hena, and modestly hung down his veil. Then he took a lamb, and, killing it, cut out the long intestine, which he cleaned and tied up below. Moreover, he filled it with the blood, and bound it between his thighs,

after which he donned petticoat trousers and walking boots. He also made himself a pair of false breasts with bird crops, and filled them with thickened milk, and tied round his hips and over his belly a piece of linen, which he stuffed with cotton, girding himself overall with a kerchief of silk well-starched. Then he went out, whilst all who saw him exclaimed, "'What a fine pair of hind cheeks!' Presently he saw an ass-driver coming, so he gave him a dinar and mounting, rode till he came to Zurich's shop,

where he saw the purse hung up and the gold glittering through it. Now Zerak was frying fish, and Ali said, oh ass man what is that smell replied he it's the smell of zurek's fish quoth ali i am a woman with child and the smell harmeth me go fetch me a slice of the fish so the donkey-boy said to zirake what aileth thee to fry fish so early and annoy pregnant women with the smell i have here the wife of the emir hassan shah al-tarik and she is with child so give her a bit of fish for the bab stirr stirrth in her womb O protector, O my God, avert from us the mischief of this day. Thereupon Zurich took a piece of fish and would have fried it, but the fire had gone out, and he went in to rekindle it. Meanwhile, Ali dismounted and sitting down,

pressed upon the lamb's intestine till it burst, and the blood ran out from between his legs. Then he cried aloud, saying, Oh, my back! Oh, my side! Whereupon the driver turned, and seeing the blood running, said, What aileth thee, O my lady? replied Ali, I have miscarried, whereupon Zerak looked out, and seeing the blood, fled affrighted into the inner shop. Quoth the donkey-driver, Allah torment thee, O Zurek, the lady hath miscarried,

and thou art no match for her husband. Why must thou make a stench so early in the morning? I said to thee, bring her a slice, but thou wits not. Thereupon he took his ass and went his way, and, as Zerak still did not appear, Ali put out his hand to the purse, but no sooner had he touched it, then the bells and rattles and rings began to jingle, and the gold to chink. Quoth Zurek, who returned at the sound, thy perfidy hath come to light, O gallows bird, wilt thou put a cheat on me, and thou in a woman's habit? Now take what cometh to thee. And he threw a cake of lead at him, but it went aglae, and lighted on another, whereupon the people rose against Zurek, and said to him, art thou a tradesman or a swashbuckler? And thou be a tradesman, take down thy purse,

and spare the folk thy mischief. He replied, Bismilla, in the name of Allah, on my head be it. As for Ali, he made off to the barrack and told Hassan Shuman what had happened, after which he put off his woman's gear, and, dawning a groom's habit,

which was brought to him by his chief, took a dish in five dirhams. Then he returned to Zurek's shop, and the fishmonger said to him, What dost thou want, O my master? He showed him the dirhams, and Zurek would have given him of the fish and the tray, but he said i will have none save hot fish so he set fish in the earthen pan and finding the fire dead went in to relight it whereupon ali put out his hand to the purse and caught hold of the end of it

the rattles and rings and bells jingled and zurek said thy trick hath not deceived me i knew thee for all thou art disguised as a groom by the grip of thy hand on the dish and the deer-hams and shah rizade perceive the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say End of Section 26. Recording by Jeff Kluckner, Plymouth, UK. Section 27 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a LibraWox recording. All LibraWalk's recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librawks.org. Recording by TechSavie.

The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7, by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton. section twenty seven seven hundred and fifteenth knight to seven hundred and seventeenth night when it was seven hundred and fifteenth night she resumed it had reached me auspicious king that when ali of egypt put out his hand to the purse the bells and rings jingled and zurek said thy trick hath not deceived me for all thou com's disguise as a groove i knew me by the grip of thy hand on the dish and the dish and the dish hear-hams. So saying, he threw the lead at him, but he avoided it, and it fell into the pan full of hot fish, and broke it and overturned it, fat and all, upon the breast and shoulders of the kazi, who was passing. The oil ran down inside his clothes to his private pots, and he cried out, "'Oh, my privatees! What a sad pickle you're in! Alas! Unhappy I! Who had played me

this trick? Answered the people. Oh, but Lord, it was some small boy that threw a stone into the pan, but for Allah's word, it had been worse. Then they turned and sing the loaf of lead, and that it was Zarek who had thrown it, rose against him, and said to him, O Zerake, this is not allowed of Allah, take down the purse, or it shall go ill for thee, answered he, I will take it down, inshallah.

meanwhile ali returned to the barrack and told his comrades who cried where is the purse all that had passed away and they said thou hast exhausted two-thirds of his cunning then he changed his group's dress for the garb of a merchant and going out met a snake charmer with a bag of serpents and a wallet containing his kit to whom he said o charmer come and amuse my lads and thou shall have lodges. So he accompanied him to the barrack, where he fed him and drugging him with bong, doffed him his clothes, and put them on.

Then he took the bags, and repairing to Zerak's shop, began to play the reed pipe. Cote Zerake. Allah provoked thee. But Ali pulled out the serpents and cast them down before him, whereat the fish-cellar,

who was afraid of snakes, fled from them. into the inner shop. Thereupon, Ali picked up the reptiles, and, thrusting them back into the bag, stretched out his hand, and caught hold of the end of the purse. The rings rang again,

and the bells and rattles jangled, and Zeret cried, "'Weth thou never ceased to play me tricks. Now thou fearest thyself a serpent-chammer.' So saying, he took up a piece of land and hurled it at Ollie. but it missed him and fell on the head of the groom who was passing by following his master a trooper and knocked him down coat the soldier who felled him and the folk said twa a stone fell from the room so the soldier passed on and the people seeing the piece of lead went to the rake and cried to him take down the berse and he said

and he said inshallah i will take it down this very night alice ceased not to practise upon the rake till he had made seven different attempts but without taking the purse then he returned the snake charmer his clothes and kit and gave him due benevolence after which he went back to zorake's shop and heard him say if i leave the purse here to-night he will dig through the shop wall and take it. I will carry it home with me. So he arose and shut the shop. Then he took down the purse and putting it in his bosom set out home till he came near his house when he saw a wedding in a neighbor's lodging and said to himself, I will hide home and give my wife the purse and don't my fine clothes and return to the marriage. And Ali followed him. now zarek had married a black girl one of the freedwoman of the vizier zafar and she had borne him a son whom he had named abdallah

and he had promised her to spend the money in the purse on the occasion of the boy's circumcision and of his marriage procession so he went into his house and as he entered his wife saw that his face was overcast and asked him what had caused thy sadness quoth he allah had afflicted me this day with a rascal who had made seven attempts to get the purse but without avail and code she give it to me that i may lay it up against the boys festival day now ali who had followed him lay hidden in the closet whence he could see and hear all So he gave her the purse and changed his clothes, saying, Keep the purse safely, O M. Abdallah, for I am going to the wedding. But she said, Take thy sleep a while. So he lay down and fell asleep.

Presently Ali rose and going on tiptoe to the purse took it and went to the house of the wedding and stood there, looking on at the fun. Now, meanwhile, Zarek dreamt that he saw a bird fly. lie away with the purse, and, awaking in affright, said to his wife, "'Rise! Look for the purse!' So she looked, and, finding it gone, buffeted her face and said, "'Alas, the blackness of thy fortune! Oh, Oma Abdallah!

Ashaka had taken the purse!' Codes a rake. By all law, it can be none other than that rascal Ali, who had plagued me all day he had followed me home and seized the purse and there is no help but that i go and get it back coachie except thou bring it i will lock on thee the door and leave thee to pass the night in the street so he went up to the house of the wedding and seeing ali looking on said to himself this is he who took the purse but he lodged with ahmed al-denaf so he forewent him to the barrack and climbing up at the back dropped down into the saloon where he found every one asleep presently there came a rap at the door and zurek asked who is there ali of cairov answered the knocker and to rake said has thou brought the purse sir ali thought it was hassan shuman and replied i have brought it open the door quote zurek impossible that i open to thee till i see the purse for thy chief and i have laid a wager about it said ali put out thy hand

so he put out his hand through the hole in the side door and ali laid the purse in it whereupon zurek took it and going forth as he had come in returned to the wedding ali stood for a long while at the door but none opened to him and at last he gave a thundering knock that awoke all the men and he said that is ali of cairo's peculiar rap So the hall-keeper opened to him, and Hassan Schumann said to him, "'Has thou brought the purse?' replied Ali. "'Enough of jesting, O Schumann, didst thou not swear that thou wouldst not open to me till I showed thee the purse, and did I not give it to thee through the hole in the side door? And didst thou not say to me, I am sworn never to open the door till thou show me the purse?' coat hasan by allah twa'rt not i who took it but the rake quote ali needs must i get it again and repaired to the house of the wedding where he heard the buffoon say

bravo o abdallah good luck to thee with thy son said ali my luck is an ascendant and going to the fishmonger's lodging climbed to the fishmonger's lodging climbed over the back wall of the house and found his wife asleep. So he drugged with bong and clad himself in the clothes. Then he took the child in his arms and went round searching till he found a palm-leaf basket containing buns, with Zerak of his niggardliness had kept from the greater feast. Presently the fishmonger returned and knocked at the door, whereupon Ali imitated his wife's voice and asked, Who is at the door?

Abu Abdullah, answered Zerik, and Ali said, I swore that I would not open the door to thee, except thou brought us back the first. Code the fishmonger, I have brought it, cried all. Here with it into my hand before I opened the door. And Zerick answered saying, Let down the baskets and take it therein. So shall you? sharper ali let down the basket and the other put the purse therein whereupon ali took it and drugged the child then he aroused the woman and

making off by the back way as he had entered returned with the child and the purse and the basket of cakes to the barrack and showed them all to the forty who praised his dexterity thereupon he gave them cakes which they ate and made over the boy to hassan shuman saying this is the reeks child hid it by thee so he hid it and fetching a lamp gave it to the hawkeeper who cooked it whole wrapped in a cloth and laid it out shrouded as it were a dead body meanwhile the rake stood awhile waiting at the door then gave a knock like thunder and his wife said to him has thou brought the purse he replied didst thou not take it up in the basket thou didst let down but now and she rejoined i let no basket down to thee nor have i set eyes on the purse coat he by allah the sharper had been beforehand with me and had taken the purse again then he searched the house and found the basket of cakes gone and the child missing and cried out saying a loss my child my child whereupon the woman beat her breast and said i am thee to the vizier for none had killed my son save the sharper and all because of thee cried the rake i will answer for him so he tied the handkerchief of truce about his neck and going to ehmid al-denaf's lodging knocked at the door the hall-keeper admitted him and as he entered hessan shuman asked him what bringeth thee here he answered do ye insucid with ali the kareen to restore me my child and i will yield to him the purse of gold

coat hasan allah required thee o ali why didst thou not tell me he was his child who had befallen him cried the reek and hasan replied We gave him raisins to eat, and he choked and died, and this is he, called the rake. Allah's, my son, what shall I say to his mother? Then he rose, and, opening the shroud, saw it was a lamb barbecued, and said, Thou make sport of me, O Ali. Then they gave him the child, and Calamari Ahmed said to him, Thou didst hang up the purse,

for claiming that it should be the property of any sharpener who should be able to take it, and Ali had taken it. So this is the very property of our Kyrine. Zerak answered. I make him a present of it, but Ali said to him, Do thou accept it on account of thy knees, Zainab?

And Zerak replied, I accept it. then code the forty we demand of thee zanem in marriage for ali of cairo but quote he i have no control over her save of kindness hasan asked dost thou grant our suit and he answered yes i will grant her in marriage to him who can avail to her maher or merit settlement and what is her dowry inquired hasan and zorake replied she had sworn that none shall mount her breast save the man who bringeth her the robe of kamar daughter of azaria the jew and the rest of her gear and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was seven hundred and sixteenth night she said it had reached me o auspicious king that when zorake replied to sherman she had sworn that none shall ride a straddle upon her breast save the man who bring it her clothes of kama daughter of azaria the jew and her crown and girdle and pantomful of gold holly cried if i do not bring her the clothes this very night i renounce my claim to her

rejoined ziree oh ali thou art a dead man if thou play any of thy pranks on kamar why so asked ali and the other answered her father jew aziria is a skillful villi perfidious magician who had the gin at his service he owneth without the city a castle whose walls are one brick of gold and one of silver and which is visible to the folk only walls he is therein where he goes forth it disappears he brought his daughter this dress i speak of from an enchanted treasure and every day he layeth in a charger of gold and opening the windows of the palace crieth out where are the shoppers of cairo the pricks of al irak the master thaves of ajum land who so prevaileth to take the this dress tis his. So all the long-fingered ones essayed the adventure but failed to take it, and he turned them by his magic into apes and asses. But Ali said, I will assuredly take it, and Zainab shall be displayed therein. So he went to the shop of the Jew and found him a man of stern and forbidding aspect, seated with scales and stone weights,

and gold and silver, and nests of drawers, and so forth before him. and a she-mule tethered hard by presently he rose and shutting his shop laid the gold and silver in two purses which he placed in a pair of saddle-bags and set on the she-mules back then he mounted and rode till he reached the city outskirts followed without his knowledge by ali when he took out some dust from a pocket-purs and muttering over it sprinkled it upon the air no sooner had he done this than shopper ali saw a castle which had not done its light and the jew mounted the steps upon his beast which was a subject journey after which he dismounted and taking the saddle-bags off her back dismissed the she-mule and she vanished then he entered the castle and sat down presently he arose and opening the lattices took a van of gold which he set up in the open window and hanging thereto a golden charger by chains of the same metal laid it in the dress while ali watched him from behind the the door and presently he cried out saying where are the sharpers of Cairo where are the prigs of all Iraq the master thieves of adjum land whoso can take this dress by his sleigh this is then he pronounced certain magical words and a tray of food spread itself before him he ate and conjured a second time whereupon the tray disappeared and yet a third time when a table of wine was placed between his hands and he drank. Quote Ali. I know not how I am to take the dress, except if he be drunken. Then he

stole up behind the Jew, winger and grip, but the other turned and conjured, saying to his hand, Hold with the sword, whereupon Ali's right arm was held, an abode halfway in the air, handing the hanger. He put out his left hand to the weapon, but it also stood fixed in the air. and so with his right foot, leaving him standing on one foot. Then the Jew dispelled the charm from him, and Ali became as before. Presently, Assyria struck a table of sand and found that the thief's name was Mercury Ali of Cairo. So he turned to him and said, Come near, who are thou, and what do thou here?

He replied, I am Ali of Cairo, of the band of Ahmed Aldanaf. i sought the hand of zanab daughter of dalila the villa and she demanded thy daughter's dress to her dowry so do thou give it to me and become a muslin and thou would save thy life rejoined the jew after my death many have gone about to steal the dress but fail to take it from me wherefore and thou deign be advised thou wilt be gone and save thyself for they only seek the dress of thee that thou may fall into destruction and indeed had i not seen by germancy that thy fortune overrided my fortunes i had smitten thy neck Ali rejoiced to hear that his luck overcame that of the Jew and said to him, There is no help for it, but I must have the dress, and thou must become a true believer, asked the Jew. Is this thy will and last word? And Ali answered, yes. So the Jew took a cup and filling it with water, conjured over it, and said to Ali,

come forth from this shape of man into form of an ass then he sprinkled him with the water and straight away he became a donkey with hoofs and long ears and fell to braying after the manner of asinines the jew drew round him a circle which became a wall over against him and drank on till the morning when he said to Ali I will ride thee today and give the she-mule a rest so he locked up the dress, the charger, the rod, and the charms in a cupboard, and conjured over Ali, he followed him.

Then he set the saddle-bags on his back, and mounting, fared forth of the castle, whereupon it disappeared from sight and rode into Baghdad, till he came to his shop, where he alighted and emptied the bags of gold and silver into trays before him. As for Ali, he was tied up by the shop door, where he stood in his asinine form, hearing and understanding all that passed without being able to speak. And behold, up came a young merchant from whom fortune had played the tyrant,

and who could find no easier way of earning his livelihood than water-carrying. So he brought his wife's bracelets to the Jew and said to him, "'Give me the price of these bracelets that I may buy me an ass,' asked the Jew. "'What will thou do with him?' and the other answered. oh master i mean to fetch water from the river on his back and earn by living thereby coat the jew take this ass of mine so he sold him the bracelets and received the ass-shaped ali of cairo in part payment and carried him home coat ali to himself if the ass man clapped the panel on thee and load thee with water skins and go with thee half a score journeys a day he will ruin thy health and thou will die so when the water-carrier's wife came to bring him his fodder he buttered her with his head and she fell on her back whereupon he sprang on her and spitting her brow with his mouth foot out and displayed that which his begetter left him she cried aloud and the neighbors came to her assistance and beat him and raised him off her breast when her husband the intended water-carrier came home she said to him

now either divorce me or return the ass to his owner he asked what had happened and she answered this is the devil in the guise of a donkey he sprang upon me and had not the neighbours beaten him off my bosom he had done with me a foul thing so he carried the ass back to the jew who said to him wherefore hast thou brought him back and he replied he did a foul thing with my wife so the jew gave him his money again and went away and azaria said to ali has thou recourse to knavery unlucky wretch that thou art in order that and shahrazad perceived the dawn of the day and ceased saying her bedstay when he was 717th night. She continued, It had reached me, O auspicious king, that when the water-carrier brought back the ass, its due owner returned to him the monies, and turning to Ali of Cairo said, Has thou recourse to navery, unlucky wretch that thou art, in order that he may return thee to me?

But since it pleaseth thee to be an ass, I will make thee a spectacle, and a laughing-stock to great and small. then he mounted him and rode till he came without the city when he brought out the ashes in powder and conjuring over it sprinkled it upon the air and immediately the castle appeared he entered and taking the settled-bags off the asses back set up the rod and hung it to the charger wherein were the clothes proclaiming aloud where be the clever ones of all quarters who may avail to take this dress then he conjured as before and meet was set before him and he ate and then wine he drank after which he took a cup of water and muttering certain words thereover sprinkled it on the ass ali saying quit this form and return to thy former shape ali straightway became a man once more and azaria said to him o'allie take good advice and be content with my mischief thou hast no call to mary zanup nor'n to take my daughter's dress for this no easy matter for thee so leave greed and it will be better for e'ee else will i turn thee into a bear or an ape or set on thee an infret who will cast thee behind the mountain calf

he replied i have engaged to take the dress and needs must i have it and thou must slamsize or i will slay thee rejoin the jew o ali thou art like a walnut unless it be broken it cannot be eaten then he took a cup of water and conjuring over it sprinkled ali with somewhat thereof saying take thy shape of bear whereupon he instantly became a bear and the jew put a collar about his neck muzzled him and chained him to a picket of iron then he sat down and ate and drank now and then throwing him a morrow of his oats and emptying the dregs of the cup over him till the morning when he rose and laid by the tray and dress and conjured over the bear which followed him to the shop there the jew sat down and emptied the gold and silver into the trays before aly after binding him by the chain and the bear there abode seeing and comprehending but not able to speak presently up came a man and a merchant who accosted the jew and said to him O master, will thou sell me yonder bear? I have a wife who is my cousin and is sick, and they have prescribed for her to eat bear's flesh,

and anoint herself with bear's grease. At this the Jew rejoiced, and said to himself, I will sell him to this merchant, so he slaughter him, and we be at peace from him. And Ali also said in his mind, By Allah, this fellow meaneth to slaughter, but deliverance is with the Almighty. Then said the Jew,

He's a present from me thee. So the merchant took him and carried him into the butcher, to whom he said, Bring thy tools and company me. The butcher took his knives and followed the merchant to his house, where he bound the beast and fell to sharpening his blade. But when he went up to him to slaughter him, the bear escaped from his hands,

and rising into the air disappeared from sight, between heaven and earth, no did he cease flying till he alighted at the Jew's castle. Now the reason thereof was on this wise. When the Jew returned home, his daughter questioned him of Ali, and he told her what had happened. Whereupon she said, summon a Jenny, and ask him of the youth, whether he be indeed. Mercury, Ali, or another who seeketh to put a cheat on thee. Sir Azaria called the jinny by conjurations and questioned him of Ali, and he replied, This is Ali of Cairo himself.

The butcher had pinioned him and whetted his knife to slaughter him. Code the Jew, go snatch him! And bring him hither, here the butcher cut his throat. So the jinny flew off, and snatching Ali out of the butcher's hands, bore him to the palace, and set him down before the Jew. who took a cup of water and conjuring over it sprinkled him therewith saying return on thine own shape and he straightway became a man again as before the jew's daughter comor seeing him to be a handsome young man fell in love with him and he fell in love with her and she said to him oh unlucky one why do thou go about to take my dress enforcing my father to deal thus with thee cote he i have engaged to get it for zanab and the coney-catcher that i may wed her therewith and she said others than thou have played pranks with my father to get my dress but could not win to it presently adding so put away this thought from thee

But he answered, Needs must I have it, and thy father must become a Muslim, else I will slay him. And then, said the Jew, See, oh my daughter, how this unlucky fellow seeketh his own destruction, adding, Now I will turn thee into a dog. So he took a cup, gravened with characters,

and full of water, and conjuring over it, sprinkled some of it upon Ali, saying take thou form of dog whereupon he straight away became a dog and the jew and his daughters drank together till the morning when the father laid up the dress and charger and mounted his mule then he conjured over the dog which followed him as he rode towards the town and all dogs barked at ali as he passed till he came to the shop of a broker a seller of the second-hand goods who rose and drove away the dogs and and ali lay down before him the jew turned and looked for him but finding him not passed onwards presently the broker shut up his shop and went home followed by the dog which when his daughter saw enter the house she veiled her face and said oh my papa do thou bring a strange man into me he replied oh my daughter this is a dog coat she not so this ali the karene whom the jew ozeria had enchanted and she turned to the dog and said to him atna ali of cairo and he signed to her with his head yes then her father asked her why did the jew enchant him and she answered because of his daughter comor's dress but i can release him

said the broker and thou canst indeed do him this good office now is the time and she if he will marry me i will release him and he signed to her with his head yes so she took a cup of water graven with certain signs and conjuring over it was about to sprinkle ali therewith when lo and behold she heard a great cry and the cup fell for her from her hand. She turned and found that it was her father's handmaid who had cried out, and she said to her, O my mistress, it's thus thou keepest the covenant between me and thee. None taught thee this art, save I, and thou disagree with me that thou wouldst do not without consulting me, and that whoso married thee should marry me also, and that one night should be mine, and one night thine.

And the broker's daughter said, Dishwell. When the broker heard the maid's words, he asked his daughter, who taught the maid? And she answered, Oh, my papa, inquire of herself. So he put the question, and she replied.

No, oh my lord, that when I was with Azaria, the Jew, I used to spy upon him and listen to him when he performed his gram-earth and when he went forth to his shop in Baghdad I opened his books and read in them till I became skilled in the cabala signs one day he was warm with wine and would have me lie with him by objected saying I may not grant thee this except thou become a Muslim he refused and I said to him now for the sultan's market so he sold me to thee and i taught my young mistress making it a condition with her that she should do not without my counsel and that whoso might wed her should wed me also one night for me and one night for her then she took a cup of water and conjuring over it sprinkled a dog therewith saying return thou to form of a man

and he straight away was restored to his former shape whereupon the broker saluted him with the salam and asked him the reason for his enchantment sir ali told him all that had passed and shahrazat perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say End of Section 27. Recording by TechSavvy. www.com Section 28 of the Book of a Thousand Nights Undernight, Volume 7. 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 Ali Chingi. The Book of A Thousand Nights Undernight, volume seven by anonymous translated by richard francis purton section twenty eight when it was the seven hundred and eighteen's night she resumed it hath reached me auspicious king that the broker having saluted ali of cairo with a salam asked him the reason of his enchantment and what had befallen him and he answered by telling him all that had passed when the broker said to him will not my daughter and the handmaid suffice thee. But he answered, Needs mightst thy half Zainab also? Now, certainly, there came a rap at the door,

and the maid said, Who is at the door? The knocker replied, Kama, daughter of Azariah, the Jew. Say me, is Ali of Cairo with you? Replied the broker's daughter, O thou daughter of a dog, if he be with us,

what will thou with him? Go down, O maid, and open to her. So the maid let her in, and when she looked upon Ali and he upon her, he said, What bringeth thee hither, old dog's daughter? Quoth she, I testify that there is no God but the God, and I testify that Muhammad is the apostle of God. And having thus Islamized, she asked him, Two men in the faith of al-Islam give marriage portions to women,

or do women and our men. Quoth he, men and our women. Then, said she, I come and dower myself for thee, bringing thee as my marriage portion, my dress, together with the rod and charger and chains, and the head of my father, the enemy of thee and the foeman of Allah. And she threw down the Jew's head before him. Now the cause of her slaying her sire was as follows. On the night of his story, Turning Ali into a dog, she saw in a dream a speaker who said to her, Become a Muslimal. She did so, and as soon as she awoke next morning, she expounded al-Islam to her father, who refused to embrace the faith.

So she drugged him with bang and killed him. As for Ali, he took the gear and said to the broker, Me to eat tomorrow at the caliph's divan. The time may take their daughter and a handmaid's wife. Then he set out rejoicing to return to the baroque of the forty. On his way he met a sweetmead cellar who was beating hand upon hand and saying, There is no majesty and there is no might saving Allah, the glorious, the great. Folks labour hath wax sinful and man is active only in fraud.

Then said he to Ali, I conjure thee by Allah, taste of this confection. So Ali took a piece and ate it and fell down senseless, for there was bang therein, whereupon the sweetmeat seller seized the dress and the charger and the rest of the gear, and thrusting them into the box where he kept his sweetmeats, hoisted it up and made off. Presently he met Akasi, who called to him, saying, Come hither, or sweetmeat seller! So he went up to him and setting down his sack, laid a tray of sweetmeats upon it, and asked, What does thou want?'

Halwa and Draghais, answered the Kazi, and taking some in his hand said, Both of these are adulterated. Then he brought out sweetmeats from his breast pocket and gave them to the sweetmeat cellar, saying, Look at this fashion, how excellent it is, eat of it, and make the like of it. So he ate and fell down senseless, for the sweet meats were drugged with bang, whereupon the Qazi bundled him into the sack and made off with him, charger and chest and all, to the barric of the forty. Now the judging question was Hassan Shuman,

and the reason of this was as follows. When Ali had been gone some days in quest of the dress, and they heard no news of him, Kalamity Ahmad said to his men, Oh lads, go and seek for your brother Ali of Cairo. So they salied forth in quest of him, and among the rest Hassan Shuman the pestilence disguised in Akasi's gear. He came upon the sweet mid-seller and, knowing him for Ahmad al-Aqit,

suspected him of having played some trick upon Ali. So he drugged them, and did, as we have seen. Meanwhile, the other forty fed about the streets and highways making search in different directions, and amongst them, Ali Kitt Fal-Jamal, who espying a crowd made towards the people, and found the Kyrene Ali lying drugged and senseless in their midst. So he revived him and he came to himself, and seeing the folk flocking around him, asked, Where am I?

Answered Ali Camel's shoulder and his comrade. We found thee lying hair drugged, but know not who drug thee. Quoth Ali, "'Twas a certain sweetmeatseller who drugged me and took the gear from me, but where is he gone?' Quothings, comrades,

We have seen nothing of him, but come, rise and go home with us. So they returned to the barrack, where they found Ahmad al-Danaf, who greeted Ali and inquired if he had brought the dress. He replied, I was coming hither with it and other matters, included a Jew's head, when a sweetmeat cellar met me and drugged me with Bang, and took them from me.

Then he told him the whole tale, ending with, If I come across that man of goodies again, I will require him. Presently Hassan Shuman came out of a closet and said to him, Has thou gotten the gear, O Ali? So he told him what had befallen him, and added, if I know whether the rascal is gone, and where to find the knave, I would pay him out.

Knowest thou whither he went? Answered Hassan, I know where he is, and opening the door of the closet, showed him the sweetmead cellar within, drugged and senseless. Then he aroused them, and he opened his eyes, and finding himself in presence of Mercury Ali and Kalamity Ahmad and the Forty, started up and said, Where am I, and who hath laid hands on me?

Replied Shuman, T'was I laid hands on thee. And Ali cried, O perfidious wretch! Will thou play thy pranks on me? And he would have slain him, but Hassan said to him, hold thy hand for this fellow is become thy kinsman. How, my kinsman, Quoth Ali, and quotes Hassan, This is Ahmad al-Aqid, son of Zainab's sister.

Then said Ali to the prisoner, Why didst thou thus, O Lakit? And he replied, My grandmother, Delilah the Wiley, bade me do it. Only because Zureik, the fishmonger, four gathered with the old woman and said, Mercury Ali of Cairo is a sharper

and a past master in knavery, and he would certainly slay the Jew and bring hither the dress. So she sent for me and said to me, O Ahmad, does thou know Ali of Cairo? Answered I, indeed I do, and twas I directed him to Ahmad al-Danaf's lodging when he first came to Baghdad. Quoth she,

Go and set thineats for him, and if you have brought back the gear, put a cheat on him, and take it from him. So I went round about the highways of the city, till I met a sweetmeat seller, and buying his clothes and stock in trade and gear for ten dinars, did what was done. Thereupon, Quoth Ali, Go back to thy grandmother and Zuraik, and tell them that I have brought the gear and the Jews' head, and tell them to meet me tomorrow at the Caliph's divan, there to receive Zainab's dowry.

And Kalamit Ahmad rejoiced in this and said, We have not wasted our pains in rearing thee, O Ali. Next morning Ali took the dress, the charger, the rod and the chains of gold, together with the head of Azariah, the Jew, mounted on a pike, and went up, accompanied by Ahmad al-Danaf and the 40, to the divan, with a kissed ground before the Caliph. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and nineteenth night, she said, It hath reached me, oh, spacious king, that when Ali the Kyrine went up to the Caliph's divan, accompanied by his uncle Ahmad al-Danaf and his lads, they kissed ground before the Caliph, who turned and seeing a youth of the most valiant aspect and quiet of Calamity Ahmad concerning him, and he replied,

O commander of the faithful, this is Mercury Ali, the Egyptian captain of the brave boys of Cairo, and he is the first of my lads. And the Caliph loved him for the valor that shone from between his eyes. testifying for him and not against him. Then Ali rose and casting the Jew's head down before him said, May thine every enemy be like this one, O prince of true believers. Quothar Rashid, whose head is this? And quoth Ali, tis the head of Azariah the Jew.

Who slew him? asked the Caliph. So Ali related to him all that passed from first to last, and the Caliph said, I had not thought thou wouldst kill him, for that he was a sorcerer. Ali replied, O commander of the faithful, My lord made me prevail to his slaughter.

Then the Caliph sent the chief of police to the Jew's palace, where he found him lying headless, so he laid the body on a beer, and carried it to Arashid, who commanded to burn it. Whereat, behold, up came Kamar, and kissing the ground before the ground, the Caliph informed him that she was the daughter of Jew Azariah and that she had become a Muslimar. Then she renewed her profession of faith before the commander of the faithful and

said to him, Be thou my intercessor with Sharper Ali that he take me to wife. She also appointed him to her guardian to consent to her marriage with the Kyrene, to whom he gave the Jews palace and all its content saying, Ask a boon of me. Quoth Ali, I beg of thee to let me stand on their carpet and eat of thy table, and quoth the Caliph, O Ali, hast thou any lads? He replied, I have forty lads, but they are in Cairo. Rejoined the Caliph, sent to Cairo, and fetch them hither. Presently adding, but, oh Ali, hast thou a baroque for them?

No, answered Ali. And Hassan Shuman said, I make him a present of my barrack with all that is therein, O commander of the faithful. However, the Caliph retorted saying, Thy lodging is thine own, O Hassan. And he bade his treasurer give the court architect ten thousand dinars that he might build Ali a hall with four dazes and forty sleeping closets for his lads. Then said he,

O Ali, hast thou any further wish that we may command its fulfilment? And said Ali, O king of the age, be thou my intercessor with Dalaiola Wiley that she gave me her daughter Zainab to wife and take the dress and gear of Azariah's girl in lieu of Dawa. Talila accepted the Caliph's intercession and accepted the Charger and dress and what not, and they drew up the marriage contracts between Ali and Zainab and Kamar, the Jew's daughter and the broker's daughter and the handmaid. Moreover, the Caliph assigned him as sold with a table morning and evening and stipends and allowances for father.

all of the most liberal. Then Ali the Karene fell to make him ready for the wedding festivities, and after thirty days he sent a letter to his comrades in Cairo, wherein he gave them to know the favours and honours which the Caliph had bestowed upon him, and said, I have married four maidens, and needs must ye come to the wedding. So, after a reasonable time, the forty lads arrived, and they held high festival. He homed them in his barrack and entreated them with the evening. utmost regard and presented them to the Caliph who bestowed on them robes of honour and largesse.

Then the tiring women displayed Zayna before Ali in the dress of the Jew's daughter, and he went in unto her and found her a pearl unthridden and a filly by all save himself unridden. Then he went in unto the three other maidens and found them accomplished in beauty and loveliness. this it befell that Ali of Cairo was one night on guard by the Caliph who said to him, I wish thee, O Ali, to tell me all that hath befallen thee from first to last with Dalai'la the Wiley and Zainab the Konecatcher and Zarek the fishmonger. So Ali related to him all his adventures and the commander of the faithful bade recalled them and laid them up in the royal monument rooms. So they wrote down all that had befallen him and kept it in his. store with other histories for the people of Muhammad the best of men. And Ali and his wives and

comrades abode in all solace of life and its joyance, till they came to them the destroyer of delights and sunderer of societies, and Allah, be he extolled and exalted, is all-knowing. And also men relate the tale of Adashir and Hayat al-Nufus. There was once in the city of Shiraz a mighty king called Saifal Ahazam Shah, who had grown old without being blessed with the son. So he summoned the physicists and physicians, and said to them, I am now in years, and ye know my case and the state of the kingdom and its ordinance, and I fear for my subjects after me, for that up to this present I have not been vouchsafed a son. Thereupon they replied,

we will compound thee as somewhat of drugs wherein shall be efficacy, if it please Almighty Allah. So they mixed them drugs which he used and knew his wife carnally, and she conceived by leave of the most high lord, who saith to a thing be, and it becomings. When her months were accomplished, she gave birth to a male child like the moon, whom his father named Adashir. and he grew up and throve and applied himself to the study of learning and letters till he attained the age of 15. Now there was in Al-Iraq a king called Abd al-Qadir, who had a daughter by name Hayat al-Nufus,

and she was like the rising full moon, but she had a hatred for men and the folk very hardly dead name mankind in a presence. The kings of the Cosroyce had sought her in marriage of a science, but when he spoke with her thereof she said never will I do this and if thou force me there to I will slay myself now Prince Adashir heard of her fame and fell in love with her and told his father who seeing his case took pity on him and promised him day by day that he should marry her so he dispatched his wazir to demand her in wedglock but King Abdul Qadir refused and when they the minister returned to King Saif ala-Azaham and acquainted him with what had befallen his

mission and the failure thereof, he was wroth with exceeding wrath, and cried, shall the like of me send to one of the kings on a requisition, and he accomplish it not? Then he bade a herald to make proclamation to his troops, bidding them bring out the tents, and equip them for war with all diligence, though they should borrow money for the necessary expenses, And he said, I will on no wise turn back till I have late ways King Abdul Qaddaer's dominions and slain his men and plundered his treasures and blotted out his traces. When the report of this reached at the shear, he rose from his carpet bed and going into his father, kissed ground between his hands and said, Oh mighty king, trouble not

thyself with allt of this thing. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and seized the dawn of day and seized. to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and twentieth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that one report of this reached the prince, he went in to his sire the king, and kissing ground between his hands, said, O mighty king, Trouble not thy soul with ought of this thing, and levy not thy champions and armies, neither spend thy monies. Thou art stronger than he. and if thou lose upon him this thy host thou wilt lay waste his cities and dominions and spoil his good and slay his strong man and himself.

But when his daughter shall come to know what hath befallen her father and his people by reason of her, she will slay herself and I shall die on her account, for I can never live after her, no, never. asked the king, And what then thinkest thou to do, oh my son? And the prince answered, I will don a merchant's habit and cast about how I may win to the princess, encompass my desire of her. Quoth Saifala, Asam,

art thou determined upon this? And quoth the prince, Yes, O my sire. Whatupon the king, called to his wazir and said to him, do thou journey with my son the core of my heart and help him to win his well and watch over him and guide him with thy sound judgment for thou standest to him even in my stead I hear and obey answered the minister and the king gave his son 300,000 dinars in gold and great store of jewels and precious stones and goldsmiths wear and stuffs and other things of price. Then Prince Adershire went in to his mother and kissed the hands and asked the blessing. She blessed him and, forthright opening her treasures, brought out to him necklaces and trinkets and apparel,

and all manner of other costly objects hoarded up from the time of the bygone kings, whose price might not be evened with coin. Moreover, he took with him of his mamelukes and negro slaves and cattle all that he needed for the road, and clad himself in the wazir and the company in trader's gear. Then he farewelled his parents and kinsfolk and friends, and setting out, fair dawn over walls and wastes of the day and watches of the night. And when as the way was longsome upon him, he provides these couplets. My longing, bread of love, with mine and ease forever grows.

Nor against all the wrongs of time, one saccharolour, arose. When players and the fishes show in the sky the rise I watch, as worshipper within whose breast a pious burning close. For star or morn I spear until at last when it is seen. I madded with my passion and my fancy swows and throws. I swear by you that never from your love have I been loosed. Nor am I, save a watcher who have slumber nothing knows. Though hard appear my hope to win, though languor I increase, and after thee my patience fails, and ne'er a helper shows, yet will I wait, till Allah shall be pleased to join our loves, I'll mortify the jealous, and I'll mock me of my foes. When he ended his verse, he swooned

away, and the wazier sprinkled rose-water on him, till the prince came to himself, when the minister said to him, O king's son, possess thy soul impatience, for the consequence of patience his consolation, and behold, thou art on the way to what so thou wishest. And he ceased not to be speaking fair and comfort him till his trouble subsided, and they continued their journey with all diligence. Presently the prince again became impatient of the length of the way, and bethought him of his beloved, and recited this. couplets. Longsome is absence, restlessness increaseth and despite, and bird my vitals in the blaze my love and longing's light. Grows my hair grey from pains and pangs which I am doomed

bare, for pine, while tear-flirts stream from my eyes, and sore offend my sight. I swear, O hope of me, O end of every wish and will, by him who made mankind and every branch with leafage died. A passion loat for thee, O my desire, I must endure. And boast I that to bear such load, No lover hath the might. Question the knight of me, and nigh thy soul shall satisfy, Mine eyelids never close in sleep throughout the lifelong night. Then he wept, with sore weeping, Implained of that he suffered for stress of love-longing, but the wazir comforted him and spoke him fair, promising him the winning of his wish,

after which they fared on again for a few days, when they drew near to the White City, the capital of King Abdul Tadir, soon after sunrise. Then said the minister to the prince, Rejoice, O king's son, in all good, for see, yonder is the white city, that which thou seekest. Whereat the prince rejoiced with exceeding joy,

and recited these couplets. My friends, a yearning heart distraught for him. Longing abides and with sore pains and brim. I mourned like childless mother, nor can find one to console me when the light grows dim. Yet when the breezes blow from off thy land, I feel the freshness shed on heart and limb, and rail mine eyes like water-laden clouds, while in a tear sea shed by heart I swim.

Now when they entered the white city, they asked for the merchant's can, a place of money's men, and when shown the hostelry, they had three magazines, and on receiving the keys, they laid up therein all the goods and gear. They abode in the can till they were arrested,

when the wazir applied himself to devise a device for the prince, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 28. Recording by Ali Chingi, Riska, South Wales, United Kingdom. Section 29 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, volume 7. 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 Aliwxx. The Book of a Thousand Nights Undernight, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 29. When it was the 721st Knight, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the prince and the minister allighted at the Khan and lodged the goods in the ground-floor magazines, and there settled their servants. Then they tarried a while, till they had rested, when the wazir arose and applied himself to devise a device for the prince, and said to him, I have bethought me of somewhat wherein methinks will be successful thee, so it please Almighty Allah.

Quothar the shear, O thou wazir of good counsel, do what cometh to thy mind, and may the Lord direct thy read or write. Quoth the minister, I purpose to hide thee a shop in the market street of the stuff sellers, and set thee therein, for that tall, great and small, have records to their bazaar, and me seems, when the folk see thee with their own eyes sitting in the shop, the hearts will incline to thee, and thou wilt thus be enabled to attain thy desire, for thou art fair of favour, and souls inclined to thee, and sight rejoiceth in thee. The other replied, Do what seemeth good to thee. So the wazir forthright began to robe the prince and himself in the richest raiment, and putting a purse of a thousand dinars in his breast pocket, went forth and walked about the city, whilst all who looked upon them marveled at the beauty of the king's son, saying, Glory be to him who created this youth of vile water. blessed be allah excellent test of creators great was the tour can end him and some said this is no mortal this is not save a noble angel and others hath riswan the door-keeper of the eaten garden left the gate of paradise unguarded that this youth hath come forth

the people followed them to the stuff market where they entered and stood till they came up to them an old man of dignified presence and venerable appearance who saluted them and they returned his salam then the sheikh said to them o my lords have ye any need that we may have the honour of accomplishing and the wazir asked him who art thou o elder he answered i am the overseer of the market. Quoth the wazir, know then, oh Sheikh, that this youth is my son, and I wish to hire him a shop in the bazaar that he may sit therein and learn to sell and buy and take and give, and come to Ken merchant's ways and habits. I hear and are you obey, replied the overseer, and brought them without stay or delay the key of a shop, which he caused the broker's sweep and clean. and they did his bidding.

Then the wazir sent for a high mattress, stuffed with ostrich down, and set it up in the shop, spreading upon it a small prayer carpet, and a cushion fringed with embroidery of red gold. Moreover, he brought pillars and transported thither so much of the goods and stuffs that he had brought with him as filled the shop. Next morning the young prince came, and opening the shop, seat himself on the divan and stationed two Mamilukes clad in the richest of raiment before him and two black slaves of the goodliest of the Abyssinians in the lower part of the shop.

The wazir enjoined him to keep his secret from the folk, so the bar he might find aid in the winning of his wishes. Then he left him and charging him to acquaint him with what befell him in the shop, day by day, returned to the Khan. The prince sat in the shop till night, as he were the moon at its fullest, whereas the folk, hearing tell of his comeliness, flocked to the place, without errand, to gaze on his beauty and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace, and glorify the Almighty who created and shaped him, till none could pass through that bazaar for the excessive crowding of the folk about him. The king's son turned right and left, abashed at the throng of people that stared at him, hoping to make acquaintance with someone about the court, of whom he might get news of the princess, but he found no way to this, wherefore his breast was straightened. Meanwhile, the wazir daily promised him the attainment of his desire,

and the case so continued for a time, till one morning, As the youth sat in the shop, they came up an old woman of respectable semblance and dignified presence, clad in raiment of devotees, and followed by two slave-girls like moons. She stopped before the shop, and having considered the prince a while, cried, Glory be to God who fashioned that face and perfected that figure! Then she saluted him, and he returned her salam, and seated her. her by his side. Quoth she, Whence cometh thou, O fair of favour? And quoth he, from the parts of Hind, O my mother, and I have come to this city to see the world and look about me.

Honour to thee for a visitor, What goods and stuffs hast thou? Show me something handsome, fit for kings. If thou wish for handsome stuffs, I will show them to thee, for I have wares the beseem persons of every condition. O my son, I want somewhat costly of price and seemly to sight, brief, the best thou hast. Thou must needs tell me for whom thou seekest it, there may show thee goods according to the rank of the requaita.

Thou speak a sooth, oh my son, said she, I want somewhat for my mistress, Hayat al-Nufus, daughter of Abd al-Qaddaa Lord of this land and king of this country Now when Adashir heard his mistress's name His reason flew for joy and his heart fluttered And he gave no order to slave or servant But putting his hand behind him

Pulled out the purse of a hundred dinars And offered it to the old woman saying This is for the washing of thy clothes Then he again put forth his hand and brought out of a wrapper a dress worth ten thousand dinars or more, and said to her, This is of that which I have brought to your country. When the old woman saw it, it pleased her, and she asked, What is the price of this dress, oh, perfect in qualities?

Answered he, I will take no price for it. Whereupon she thanked him, and repeated a question, but he said, by Allah, I will take no prize for it. I make thee a present of it, and the princess will not accept it, and tis a guest gave from me to thee. Alhamtolillah, glory be to God, who hath brought us together, so that, if one day I have a want, I shall find in thee a helper to me in winning it. She marvelled at the goodliness of his speech, and the excess of his generosity, and the perfection of his courtesy and said to him,

What is thy name, oh my lord? He replied, My name is Adashir, and she cried, By Allah, this is a rare name. There were the king's sons named, and thou art in a guise of the sons of the merchants. Quoth he,

Of the love my father bore me, he gave me this name, but a name signifieth naught. And quoth she in wonder, O my son, take the price of thy goods. But he swore that he would not take ought. Then the old lady said to him, O my dear one, truth, I would have thee know,

is the greatest of all things, and thou hadst not dealt thus generously by me, but for a special reason. So tell me thy case, and thy secret thought, be like, thou had some wish to whose winning I may help thee. Thereupon he laid his hand in hers, and after exacting an oath of secrecy, told her the whole story of his passion for the princess, and his condition by reason thereof. The old woman shook ahead and said, True, but, O my son, the wise say in the current adage, and thou wouldest be obeyed, abstain from ordering what may not be made. and thou my son thy name is merchant and though thou hadst the keys of the hidden horde yet would thou be called naught but merchant

and thou wouldst rise to high rank according to thy station then seek the hand of a Kazi's daughter or even an amirs but why oh my son as far as thou to none but the daughter or the king of the age and the time and she a clean maid, who knoweth nothing of the things of the world, and hath never in her life seen anything but her palace wherein she dwelleth. Yet, for all her tender age, she is intelligent, shrewd, vivacious, penetrating, quick of wit, sharp of act and rare of reed. Her father hath no other child, and she is dearer to him than his life and soul. Every morning he cometh to her, and giveth her good morrow, and all who dwell in the palace stand in dread of her. Think not, O my son, that any dare be speaker with ought of these words, nor is there any way for me there too. By Allah, O my son, my heart and vitals love thee, and worthy my power to give thee access to her, I would assuredly do it.

but I will tell thee somewhat, wherein Allah may happily appoint the healing of the heart, and will risk life and good for thee, till I win thy will for thee. He asked, And what is that, O my mother? And she answered, seek of me the daughter of our wazir, or an emir, and I will grant thy request. But it may not be that one should mound from earth to heaven at one bound. when the prince heard this he replied to her with courtesy and sense o my mother thou art a woman of wit and knowest how things go say me doth a man when his head ucketh him bind up his hand

quoth she no by allah or my son and quoth he even so my heart seeketh none but her and naught slayeth me but love of her By Allah, I am a dead man, and I find not one to counsel me aright and succour me. Allah upon thee, oh my mother, take pity on my strangerhood and a streaming of my tears. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 722nd night, she resumed, It hath reached me. O auspicious king, the Adashir, the king's son, said to the old woman, Allah upon thee, O my mother, take pity on my strangerhood and the streaming of my tears, replied she, By Allah, O my son, thy words rent my heart, but my hand hath no cunning wherewith to help thee.

Quoth he, I beseech thee of thy favour. carry her a letter and kiss her hands for me. So she had compassion on him and said, Write what thou wilt, and I will bear it to her. When he heard this, he was ready to fly for joy and calling for in case and paper, wrote these couplets. O Hayat al-Nufus, be generous and inclined to one who loving thee for parting's doom to pine.

I was in all delight, in gladsomeest of life, but now I am distraught with sufferings condine. To wakefulness I cling through longsomeness of night, and with me sorrow chats through each sad eye of mine. Pity, a lover sad, a sore afflicted wretch, whose eyelids ever also die with tear for brine, And when the morning comes at last, the real morn, he finds him drunken and distraught with passion's wine. Then he folded the scroll and kissing it gave it to the old woman, after which he put his hand to a chest and took out a second purse containing a hundred dinars which he presented to her saying, Divide this among the slave girls. She refused it and cried,

By Allah, my son, I am. not with thee for aught of this. However, he thanked her and answered, there is no help but that thou accept of it. So she took it, and kissing his hands, returned home, and going into the princess, cried, Oh, my lady, I have brought thee somewhat, the like whereof is not with the people of our city. And it cometh from a handsome young man. That womb, there is not a goodlier on earth's face. She asked, O my nurse, And whence cometh the youth?

And the old woman answered, From the parts of Hind, And he hath given me this dress of gold brocade embroidered with pearls and gems, And worth the kingdom of cross-rays and Caesar. Thereupon she opened the dress, And the whole palace was illuminated by its brightness Because of the beauty of its fashion

And a wealth of unions and jewels wherewith he was broidered, and all who were present marvelled at it. The princess examined it, and judging it to be worth no less than the whole year's revenue of her father's kingdom, said to the old woman, Oh, my nurse, cometh this dress from him or from another, replied she, from him. And Hyatt and Lufus asked, is this trader of our town or a stranger? The old woman answered, he's a foreigner. oh my lady, newly come hither, and by Allah he has servants and slaves, and he's fair of face, symmetrical of form, well-mannered, open-handed and open-hearted, never so are you googlier than he, save thyself.

The king's daughter rejoined, Indeed, this is an extraordinary thing, that a dress like this, which money cannot buy, should be in the hands of a merchant. What price did he set on it, O my nurse? Quilt she, by Allah, he would set no price on it, but gave me back the money thou sentest by me, and swore that he would take naught thereof, saying, tis a gift from me to the king's daughter, for it be seemeth none by her, and if she will not accept it,

I make thee a present of it, cried the princess, by Allah, this is indeed marvellous, generosity and wondrous munificence but I fear the issue of his affair lest happily he be brought to necessity why didst thou not ask him oh my nurse if he had any desire that we might fulfil it for him the nurse replied oh my lady I did ask him and he said to me I have indeed a desire but he would not tell me what it was. However, he gave me this letter and said, carry it to the princess. So, Hyatl Nufus

took the letter and opened and read it to the end. Whereupon she was so chafed and lost temper, and changing colour for anger, she cried out to the old woman, saying, woe to thee, oh, nurse! What is the name of this dog who durst write this language to a king's daughter? what affinity is there between me and this hound that he should address me thus by almighty allah lord of the well zem zem-zim and off the hathim wall but that i fear the omnipotent the most high i would send and bind the curse hands behind him and slit his nostrils and cheer off his nose and ears and after by way of example crucify him on the gate of the bazaar wherein his his booth When the old woman heard these words, she waxed yellow. Her side muscles quivered and her tongue claved to her mouth. But she hardened her heart and said,

"'Softly, oh, my lady, what is there in his letter to trouble thee thus?' "'Is it ought but a memorial containing his complaint to thee of poverty or oppression, from which he hopeth to be relieved by thy favour?' replied she no by Allah oh my nurse tis naught of this but verses and shameful words however oh my nurse this dog must be in one of three cases either he is gin-mad and hath no wit or he seeketh his own slaughter or else he is assisted to his wish of me but someone of exceeding puissance and a mighty Sultan. O'Hath he heard that I am one of the baggagees of the city, who lie a knight or two with whosoever seek at them, that he writeeth me in modest verses to debauch my reason by talking of such matters. Rejoined the old woman. By Allah, O my lady, thou say'st sooth. But reck not thou of yonder ignorant hound, for thou art seated in thy lofty, firm-built and unapproachable palace, to which the very birds cannot soar, neither the wind pass over it, and as for him, he is clean distraught.

Wherefore do thou write him a letter, and chide him angrily, and spare him no manner of reproof, but threaten him with dreadful threats, and menace him with death, and say to him, whence hast thou knowledge of me That thou doest right to me O dog of a merchant O thou who trojus far and wide All thy days in wilds and wolds For the sake of gaining a durham

Or a dinar By Allah Except thou awake from thy sleep And put off thine intoxication I will assuredly crucify thee On the gate of the market street Wherein is thy shop Quote the princess

I fear lest you presume if I write to him, and quoth the nurse, and pray what is he, and what is his rank that he should presume to us? Indeed, we write him but to the intent that his presumption may be cut off, and his fear magnified. And she seized not craftily to persuade her, till she called for in case and paper, and wrote him these couplets. who claimest to be prey of love and ecstasy. Thou, who for passion spend its nights in grief and saddest grie, say, dost thou, haughty one, desire enjoyment of the moon? Did man e'er sue the moon for grace whate'er his lunacy? I verily will counsel thee with read the best to hear. Cut short this course, ere come thou nigh sore risk,

nay death to dream If thou to this request return Surely on thee shall fall Saw punishment For vile offence a grievous penalty Be reasonable then Be wise Hark back unto thy wits

Behold in very truth I speak With best advice to thee By him who did all things That be create from nothingness Who dress the face of heaven with style in bright as radiancy, if in the like of this thy speech thou dare to sin again, I'll surely have thee crucified upon a trunk of tree.

Then she rolled up the letter and gave it to the old woman, who took it, and repairing to other shea's shop, delivered it to him. And Charazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and twenty-third night, She said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the old woman took that letter from Hayatl Nufus, She fed forth till she found the youth who was sitting in his shop,

And gave it to him, saying, Read thine answer, and know that when she perused thy paper, She was wroth with exceeding wrath, But I soothed her and spake a fare, Till she consented to write thee a reply. He took the letter joyfully, but, When he had read it and understood its drift, he wept sore, whereat the old woman's heart ached, and she cried, Oh, my son, Allah never caused thy nice to weep nor thy heart to mourn.

What can be more gracious than that she should answer thy letter when thou hast done what thou didest? He replied, O my mother, what shall I do for a subtle device? behold she writes to me threatening me with death and crucifixion and forbidding me from writing to her and I by Allah see my death to be better in my life pay back thee of thy grace to carry her another letter from me she said write and I warrant I'll bring thee an answer by Allah I will assuredly vent to my life to win for thee thy wish, though I die to pleasure thee. He thanked her and kissing her hands, wrote these verses. Do you threaten me with death for my loving you so well?

When death to me will rest, and all dying is by fate. And man's death is but a boon, when so longsome to him grows his life, and rejected he lives in a lowness state. Then visit ye a lover, who hath ne'er a sword to aid, For on pious works of men, Heaven's blessing shall await. But an ye be resolved on this deed, then up and on, I am in bonds to you, a bondsman confined within your gate. What path have I, whose patience without you is no more? How is this when a lover's heart in stress of love is straight? Oh, my lady, show me Ruth, who by passion am misused, for all who loved the noble stand

forever more excused. He then folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, together with two purses of two hundred dinars, which she would have refused, but he conjured her by oath to accept of them. So she took them both, and said, needs must they bring thee to thy desire despite the noses of thy foes then she repaired to the palace and gave the letter to hyatt alnufus who said what is this o my nurse here are we in a correspondence and thou coming and going indeed i fear lest the matter get wind and we be disgraced rejoined the old woman how so o my lady who dares speak such word So she took the letter, and after reading and understanding it, she smote hand on hand, saying, Very late, this is a calamity which is falling upon us, and I know not whence this young man came to us.

Quoth the old woman, O my lady, Allah upon thee, write him another letter, but be rough with him this time and say to him, and thou write me another word after this, I will have thy head struck off. Quoth the princess, Oh, my nurse, I am assured that the matter will not end on such wise. To better to break off this exchange of letters, and accept the puppy it take warning by my previous threats, and will strike off his head. The old woman said, Then write him a letter and give him to know this condition. So Hayat al-Nufus called for pen case and paper and wrote these couplets.

O, thou heedless of time, and his sore despite! O thou heart, whom hopes of my favours excite! Think, O prideful! What'st win for thy self-discise? What's that taint to the moon shining clear and bright? I will burn thee with fire that shall now be quenched, or we slay thee with scymit as sharp as bite. Leave it, friend, and scaped tormenting pains,

such as stern hair partings from black to white. Take my warning and fly from the road of love. Draw thee back from a course nor seemly nor right. Then she folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, who was puzzled and perplexed by the matter. She carried it to her the ship And the prince read the letter And bowed his head to the earth

Making as if he wrote with his finger And speaking not a word Quoth the old woman How is it I see thee silent stay And not say thy say And quoth he Oh my mother, what shall I say Seeing that she doth but threaten me

And redoublet in hard-heartedness and aversion Rejoined the nurse write a letter of what thou wilt i will protect thee nor let thy heart be cast down for needs must they bring you twain together he thanked her for her kindness and kissing her hand wrote these couplets a heart by allah never soft to love a white whose sighs for union only with his friends his pride who with tyrols and eyelids ever more must buy When falleth upon earth first darkness of the night. Be just, be generous, lend thy ruth, and deign give arms, To love molested lover, parted, forced to flight. He spends the length of longsome night without a dose,

Firebrand and drent in tear-flood flowing infinite. Ah, cut not half the longing of my fowse, of my fowse, fondest heart, now disappointed, wasted, fluttering for its blight. Then he folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, together with three hundred dinars, saying, this is for the washing of thy hands. She thanked him and kissed his hands, after which she returned to the palace and gave the letter to the princess, who took it and read it, and throwing it from her fingers, sprang to her feet.

Then she walked, shot as she was with patterns of gold, set with pearls and jewels, till she came to Osir's palace, whilst the vein of anger started out between her eyes, and none dared ask her of her case. When she reached the palace, she inquired for the king, and the slave-girls and concubines replied to her, Oh my lady, he's gone forth, a-hunting and sporting. So she returned as she were a rending lioness, and bespake none for the space of three hours, when her brow cleared, and her wrath called. As soon as the old woman saw that her irk and anger were passed, she went up to her, and kissing ground between her hands, asked her, Oh, my lady, whither went those noble steps? The princess answered, to the palace of the king my side. and could no one do thine errand?

inquired the nurse, replied the princess, no, for I went to acquaint him of that which hath befallen me with yonder care of a merchant, so he might lay hands on him and on all the merchant of his bazaar

and crucify them over the shops, nor suffer a single foreign merchant to tarry in our town. Quoth the old woman, and was this thine only reason oh my lady for going to thy sire? Unquoth, Hayat al-Nufos. Yes, but I found him absent,

a-hunting and sporting, and now I await his return. cried the old nurse, I take refuge with Allah, the all-hearing, the all-knowing. Praise be he. Oh, my lady, thou are the most sensible of women,

and how could thou think of telling the king these fond words, which it behoveth none to publish? asked the princess and why so and the nurse answered suppose thou had found the king in his palace and told him all this tale and he had sent after the merchants and commanded to hang them over the shops the folk would have seen them hanging and asked the reason and it would have been answered them they sought to seduce the king's daughter and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say End of Section 29 Recording by Ali Chingey Riska, South Wales

United Kingdom Section 30 Of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night Volume 7 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 in a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton Section 30 When it was the 724th Knight, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old woman said to the Princess,

Suppose thou had told this to the king, and he had ordered the merchants to be hanged. Would not folk have seen them, and have asked the cause of the execution, when the answer would have been they sought to seduce the king's daughter? Then they would have spread diverse reports concerning thee, some saying, She abode with them ten days away from her palace till they had taken their fill of her, and other, some in other guise, for woman's honour, oh my lady, is like ordered milk, the least dust fowleth it. and like glass, which, if it be cracked, may not be mended. So beware of telling thy sire, or any other of this matter,

lest thy fair name be smirched, O mistress mine. For twill never profit thee to tell folk aught. No, never. Weigh what I say with thy keen wit. And if thou find it not just, do what so thou will. The princess pondered her words. and seeing them to be altogether profitable and right said thou speakest sooth o my nurse but anger had blinded my judgment quoth the old woman thou resolved to tell no one is pleasing to the almighty but something remaineth to be done we must not let the shamelessness of yonder vile dog of a merchant pass without notice write him a letter and

and say to him, O vilest of traders, but that I found the king my father absent, I had straightway commanded to hang thee, and all thy neighbours. But thou shalt gain nothing by this, for I swear to thee, by Allah the Most High, that, and thou return to the like of this talk, I will blot out the trace of thee from the face of the earth,

and deal thou roughly with him in words. So shall thou discourage him in this attempt, and arouse him from his heedlessness, And will these words cause him to abstain from his offending? asked the princess. And the old woman answered, How should he not abstain? Besides, I will talk with him, and tell him what hath passed.

So the princess called for ink-case and paper, and wrote these couplets. To win our favours, still thy hopes are bent, and still to win thy will art confident. Nought save his prideful aim, shall slay a man, and he by us shall die of his intent. Thou art no lord of might, no chief of men, nay, Bob or Prince, or Sultan heaven sent. And were this deed of one who is our peer, he had returned with hair for fear white sprint.

Yet, will I deign once more to excuse thy sin, so from this time thou prove thee penitent. Then she gave the missive to the old woman, saying, O my nurse, do thou admonish this puppy, lest I be forced to cut off his head, and sin on his account. Replied the old woman, By Allah, O my lady, I will not leave him aside to turn on.

Then she returned to the youth, and when Salams had been exchanged, she gave him the letter. He read it and shook his head, saying, Verily we are alas, and unto him shall we return. adding, Oh my mother, what shall I do? My fortitude faileth me

And my patience palleth upon me. She replied, O my son, be long-suffering. Peradventure after this, Alice shall bring somewhat to pass. Write that which is in thy mind, and I will fetch thee in answer. And be of good cheer and keep thine eyes. cool and clear, for needs must I bring about union between thee and her, insula. He blessed

her, and wrote to the princess, a note containing these couplets, since none will lend my love a helping hand, and I by passions bale in death low lane. I bear a flaming fire within my heart, by day and night, nor place of rest attain. How cease to hope in thee, my wishes term, or with my loggings to be glad and feign. The Lord of highest heaven to grant my prayer, pray I, whom love of lady fareth slain, And as I'm clean or thrown by love and fear, To grant me speedy union, Dane, O Dane.

Then he folded the scroll, and gave it to the old woman, Bringing out the same time a purse of four hundred dinars. She took the hole And returning to the palace Sought the princess To whom she gave the letter But the king's daughter refused to take it and cried

What is this? Replied the old woman Oh my lady This is only the answer to the letter That thou sent us to that merchant dog Quoth Hyatt al-Nufus Didst thou forbid him as I told thee And quoth she

Yes And this is his reply So the princess took the letter and read it to the end. Then she turned to the old woman and exclaimed, Where is the result of thy promise? O my lady saith he not in his letter that he repenteth, and will not again offend, excusing himself for the past. Not so, by Allah.

On the contrary, he increaseth. Oh, my lady, write him a letter, and thou shalt presently see what I will do with him. there needeth nor letter nor answer. I must have a letter that I may rebuke him roughly and cut off his hopes. Thou canst do that without a letter. I cannot do it without the letter. Sir Hyattel Nufus called for pen case and paper,

and wrote these verses, Long have I chid thee, but by chiding hindroth thee not. How often would my verse, with rich o'hand ensnare thee, then keep thy passion hidden deep and ever unrevealed and if thou dare gainsay me earth shall no more bear thee are and if despite my warning thou dost to such words return death's messenger shall go his rounds and dead declare thee ah soon shall the world's fierce chilling blast or blow that course of thine and birds of the wild with rabble "'Avening bills and beaks shall tear thee. Ah! "'Return to righteous course, perchance that same will profit thee. "'If bent on willful aims and lude, I fainful swear thee. "'Ah!' When she had made an end of her writing this,

"'she cast the writ from her hand in wrath, "'and the old woman picked it up, and went with it to Adashia. "'When he read it to the last, "'he knew that she had not softened to him, "'but only redoubled in rage. against him and that he would never win to meet her. So he bethought himself to write her an answer, invoking Allah's help against her. Thereupon he indicted these couplets. O Lord, by the five sheikhs I pray deliver me from love, which gars me bear such grief

and misery. Thou knowest what I bear for passion's fiery flame, what stress of sickness for that merciless maid I dree. She hath no pity on the pangs to me decreed. How long on weekly white shall last her tyranny? I am distraught for her with passing agonies, And find no friend, O folk, to hear my plaint and plea. How long, when night hath drooped her opinions all the world, Shall I lament in public as imprivacy?

For love of you, I cannot find forgetfulness. And how forget when patience take caretfulness? when patience taketh wings to flee. O thou wild parting bird, say she is safe and sure, from shift and change of time and the world's cruelty. Then he folded the scroll and gave it to the old woman, adding a purse of five hundred dinars. And she took it and carried it to the princess, who read it to the end and learnt its purport. Then casting it from her hand, she cried, tell me, O wicked old woman, the cause of all that hath befallen me, from thee and from thy cunning and thine advocacy of him, so that thou hast made me write letter after letter,

and thou ceasest not to carry messages going and coming between us, Twain, till thou hast brought about a correspondence and a connection. Thou leave us not to say, I will ensure thee against his mischief and cut off from thee his speech, but thou speakest not thus, save over only to the true intent that I may continue to write thee letters, and thou to fetch and carry between us, evening and mourning, till thou ruin my repute. Woe to thee! Ho! Eunuchs! seize her! Then Hyattel Nufus commanded them to beat her, and they lashed her till her whole body flowed

with blood, and she fainted away. Whereupon the king's daughter caused her slave-women to drag her forth by the feet, and cast her without the palace, and bade one of them stand by her head till she recovered, and say to her, The princess hath sworn an oath that thou shalt never return to, and re-enter the palace. The princess hath sworn an oath that thou shalt never return to and re-enter this palace, and she hath commanded to slay thee without mercy, and thou dare return hither. So when she came to herself, the damsel told her what the king's daughter said, and she answered, hearkening in obedience. Presently, the slave-girls fetched a basket and a porter whom they caused

to carry her to her own house, and they sent after her a physician, bidding him tend her assidiously till she recovered. He did what he was told to do, and as soon as she was whole, she mounted and rode to the shop of Adashia, who was concerned with sore concern for her absence, and was longing for news of her. As soon as he saw her, he sprang up, and coming to meet her saluted her. Then he noticed that she was weak and ailing.

So he questioned her of her case, and she told him of all that had perfallen her from her nursling. When he heard this, he found it grievous, and smote hands. upon hand saying, By allah, O my mother, that this hath betided thee, straightenedeth my heart. But what, O my mother, is the reason of the princess's hatred to men? Replied the old woman, Thou must know, O my son, that she hath a beautiful garden, than which there is naught goodlier on earth's face, and it chanced that she lay there one night.

In the joyance of sleep she dreamt to dream, and twas this. that she went down into the garden where she saw a fowler set up his net and strew corn thereabout. After which he withdrew and sat down afar off to await what games should fall into it. Air an hour had passed, the birds flocked to pick up the corn, and a male pigeon fell into the net and struggled in it, whereat all the others took fright and fled from him. His mate was amongst them, but she returned to him after the shortest delay, and coming up to the net, sought out the mesh wherein his foot was entangled, and ceased not to peck at it with her bill, till she severed it and released her husband, with whom she flew away.

All this while the fowlers sat dozing, and when he awoke he looked at the net and found it spoiled. So he mended it, and strewed fresh grain, then withdrew to a distance and sat down to watch it again. The birds soon returned and began to pick up the corn, and among the rest the pair of pigeons. Presently the she-pigeon fell into the net, and struggled to get free, whereupon all the other birds flew away, and her mate, whom she had saved, fled with the rest, and did not return to her. meantime sleep it again overcome the fowler and when he awoke after long slumbering he saw the she-pigeon caught in the net so he went up to her and freeing her feet from the meshes cut her throat the princess startled by the dream awoke troubled and said thus do men with women for women have pity on men and throw away their lives for them when they are in difficulties but if the first they are in the children but if the first of the women of the women who are in difficulties but if the

Lord decree against a woman, and she fall into calamity, her male deserteth her, and rescueth her not, and wasted is that which she did with him of kindness. Alla curse her who puteth her trust in men, for they ill requite the fair offices which women do them. And from that day she conceived in hatred to men, said the king's son, O my mother, Doth she never go out into the highways? And the old woman replied, Nay, O my son.

But I will tell thee somewhat wherein, Anna willing, there shall be profit for thee. She hath a garden, which is of the goodliest pleasances of the age. And every year, at the time of the opening of the fruits, she goeth thither, and taketh her pleasure therein

only one day, nor layeth night, but in her pavilion. She entereth the garden by the private wicket of the palace, which leadeth there too. And thou must know that it wanteth now but a month to the time of her going forth. So take my advice,

and hide thee this very day to the keeper of that garden, and make acquaintance with him, and gain his good graces. For he admiteth not one of Allah's creatures into the garth because of its communication with the princess's palace. I will let thee know two days beforehand of the day fixed for her coming forth, when do thou repair to the garden, as of thy word, and make shift to night there. When the king's daughter cometh, be thou hidden in some place or other.

And Charazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and twenty-fifth night she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the old woman charged the King's son, saying, I will let thee know two days beforehand of the King's daughter going down to the garden. Do thou hide thee in some place or other, and, when thou aspires to her, come forth and show thyself to her. When she seeth thee, she will fall in love with thee, for thou art fair to look upon, and love covereth all things. So keep thine eyes cool and clear. and be of good cheer o my son for needs must i bring about union between thee and her the young prince kissed her hand and thanked her and gave her three pieces of alexandrian silk and three of satin of various colours

and with each piece linen for shifts and stuffed for trousers and a kerchief for the turban and fine white cotton cloth of baalbach for the linings so as to make her six complete suits each handsomer than its sister Moreover, he gave her a purse containing six hundred gold pieces, and said to her, This is for the tailoring. She took the hole and said to him, Oh, my son, art thou not pleased to acquaint me with thine abiding place, and I also will show thee the way to my lodging. Yes, answered he, and sent a Marbleauke with her to note her home, and show her his own house.

Then he rose, and bidding his slaves, shut up. the shop, went back to the wazir, to whom he related all that had passed between him and the old woman, from first to last, quoth the minister, O my son, should the Princess Hyattel-Nufus come out and look upon thee, and thou find no favour with her, what will thou do? Quoth Adashia, there will be nothing left but to pass from words to deeds and risk my life with her. For I will snatch her up from amongst her attendants, and set her behind me on a swift horse, and make for the wildest of the world. If I escape, I shall have won my wish, and if I perish, I shall be at rest for this hateful life. Rejoined the minister,

Oh, my son, dost thou think to do this thing and live? How shall we make our escape, seeing that our country is far distant. And how wilt thou deal thus with a king of the kings of the age, who hath under his hand an hundred thousand horse? Nor can we be sure, but that he will dispatch some of his troops

to cut off our way. Verily there is no good in this project which no wise man would attempt. Asked Adashia. And how then shall we do, O wazir of good counsel? for unless I win her I am a dead man without a chance The minister answered

Wait till tomorrow when we will visit this garden And note its condition And see what betideth us with the caretaker So when the morning morrowed They took a thousand dinars in a poke And repairing to the garden Found it compassed about with high walls and strong Rich in trees

And ruleful leaves and goodly fruitries And indeed it's flowers breathed perfume, and its birds warbled amid the bloom, as if it were a garden of the gardens of paradise. Within the door sat a shake, an old man on a stone bench, and they saluted him. When he saw them, and noted the fairness of their favour, he rose to his feet after returning their salute, and said, O my lords, perchance thee have a wish, which we may have the honour of satisfying? replied the wazir, know, O'Welter, that we are strangers, and the heat hath overcome us. Our lodging is afar off at the other end of the city.

So we desire of thy courtesy that thou take these two dinars and buy us somewhat of Provont, and open us, meanwhile, the door of this flower-garden, and seat us in some shaded place, where there is cold water, that we may cool ourselves there, against thy return with the provision when we will eat, and thou with us? And then, rested and refreshed, we shall wend our ways. So saying, he pulled out of his pouch a couple of dinars, and put them into the keeper's hand.

Now this caretaker was a man aged three score and ten, who had never in all his life possessed so much money. So when he saw the two dinars in his hand, he was like to fly for joy, and rising forthwith opened the garden gate to the prince and the wazir, and made them enter and sit down under a widespread, fruit-laden, shade affording tree, saying, City here, and go no further into the garden.

Frith Hath a privy door communicating with the palace of the Princess Hyattel Nufus. They replied, We will not stir hence. Whereupon he went out to buy what they had ordered, and returned after a while with a porter bearing on his head a roasted lamb and bread. They ate and drank together and talked a while till presently,

the wazir. Looking about him in all corners right and left, caught sight of a lofty pavilion at the farther end of the garden, but it was old, and the plaster was peeled from its walls and its buttresses were broken down. So he said to the garden,

O Sheikh, is this garden thine own, or dost thou hire it? And he replied, I am neither owner nor tenant of the garden, only its caretaker. Ask the minister, and what is thy wage? Whereupon the old man answered, Adina a month. And quoth the wazir, verily they wrong thee, especially and thou have a family. Quoth the elder. by Allah, O my lord, I have eight children, and I... The Wusia broke in.

There is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. Thou makest me bear thy grief, my poor fellow. What wouldst thou say of him, who should do thee a good turn on account of this family of thine? Replied the old man, O my lord, whatsoever good thou dost shall be garnered up for thee with God the most high. Thereupon, said the wazir, O Sheikh, Thou know'st this garden of thine to be a goodly place, but the pavilion yonder is old and ruinous.

Now I mean to repair it and stucco it anew, and paint it handsomely, so that it will be the finest thing in the garth. And when the owner comes and finds the pavilion restored and beautified, he will not fail to question thee concerning it. Then thou dost say, O my lord, at great expense, I set it in repair. For that I saw it in ruins, and none could make use of it, nor could anyone sit therein.

If he says, whence hadst thou money for this? Reply, I spent of my own money upon the stucco, thereby thinking to whiten my face with thee, and hoping for thy bounties. And needs must he recompense thee fairly, over the extent of thine expenses. tomorrow I will bring builders and plasterers and painters to repair this pavilion and will give thee what I promised thee then he pulled out of his poke

a purse of five hundred dinars and gave it to the gardener saying take these gold pieces and expend them upon thy family and let them pray for me and my son thereupon the prince asked the wuzia what is the meaning of this and he answered

thou shalt presently see the issue issue thereof, and Charazard perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and twenty-sixth night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the Uwazir gave five hundred ducats to the old gardener, saying, Take these gold pieces, and expend them upon thy family, and let them pray for this my son. The old man looked at the gold, and his wits fled. So he fell down at the Wazir's feet, kissing them and invoking blessings on him and his son. And when they went away he said to them,

I shall expect you to-morrow, for by Allah Almighty there must be no parting between us, night or day. Next morning the Wazir went to the prince's shop and sent for the syndic of the builders. Then he carried him and his men to the garth, where the gardener rejoiced in their sight. he gave them the price of rations, and what was needful to the work, men for the restoration of the pavilion, and they repaired it and stuccoed it, and decorated it. Then said the minister to the painters, hark ye, my masters, listen to my words, and apprehend my wish and my aim. Know that I have a garden like this, where I was sleeping one night among the nights, and saw in a dream of fowler set up nets and sprinkle corn thereabout.

The birds flocked to pick up the grain, and a cockbird fell into the net, whereupon the others took fright and flew away, and among the rest his mate, but after a while she returned alone and picked at the mesh that held his feet, till she set him free and they flew away together. Now the fowler had fallen asleep, and when he awoke he found the net empty. So he mended it, and strewing fresh grains sat down afar off,

waiting for game to fall into that snare. Presently the birds assembled again to pick up the grains, and among the rest the two pigeons. By and by the hen-bird fell into the net, when all the other birds took fright at her and flew away, and her husband flew with them and did not return. whereupon the fowler came up, and taking the quarry, cut her throat. Now when her mate flew away with the others, a bird of raven seized him and slew him and ate his flesh and drank his blood.

And I would have you portray me the presentment of this my dream, even as I have related it to you, in the liveliest colours, laying the fair scene in this rare garden, with its walls and trees, and rills, and dwell especially on the fowler and the falcon. If ye do this I have set forth to you, and the work please me, I will give thee what shall gladden your hearts over and above your wage. The painters, hearing these words, applied themselves with all diligent to do what he required of them, and wrought it out in masterly style.

And when they had made an end of the work, they showed it to the wazir, who seeing his so-called dreams set forth as it was, was, was pleased, and thanked them and rewarded them munificently. Presently the prince came in, according to his custom, and entered the pavilion, unweeting what the wazir had done. So when he saw the portraiture of the fowler and the birds and the net, and beheld the male pigeon in the clutches of the hawk which had slain him and was drinking his blood and eating his flesh, his understanding was confounded,

and he returned to the minister and said, "'Oh, wazir of good counsel, I have seen this day a marvel witch, were it graven with needle gravers on the eye corners, would be a warner to whoso will be warned.' Ask the minister, "'And what is that, oh, my lord?' And the prince answered, "'Did I not tell thee of the dream the princess had?

And how it was the cause of her hatred for men?' "'Yes,' replied the wazir. and Adashia rejoined By Allah O Minister I have seen the whole dream portrayed in painting as I had eyed it with mine own eyes

But I found therein A circumstance which was hidden From the princess So that she saw it not And tis upon this that I rely For the winning of my wish Quote the Muzia And what is that, oh my son

And quoth the prince I saw that when the male bird flew away, and, leaving his mate entangled in the net, failed to return and save her, a falcon pounced on him, and slaying him, at his flesh, and drank his blood. Wood to heaven the princess had seen the whole of the dream, and beheld the cause of his failure to return and rescue her. Replied the wazir, by Allah, oh auspicious king, this is indeed a rare thing and a wonderful. and the king's son ceased not to marvel at the picture, and lament that the king's daughter had not beheld the dream to its end, saying to himself, would she had seen it to the last, or might see the whole over again, though but in the embrillo of sleep, then quothal the wazir to him,

Thou said to me, why will thou repair the pavilion? And I replied, Thou shall presently see the issue thereof. And behold, now its issue thou seest. For it was I did this deed, And bade the painters portray the princess's dream thus, And paint the male bird in the pounces of the falcon, Which eateth his flesh and drinketh his blood, So that when she cometh to the pavilion,

She will behold her dream depicted, And see how the cock-pigeon was slain, And excuse him, And turned from her hate for men. When the prince heard the wazir's words, He kissed his hands and thanked him. saying, Verily, the like of thee is fit to be ministered to the most mighty king, and, by Allah, and I win my wish and return to my sire rejoicing,

I will assuredly acquaint him with this, that he may redouble in honouring thee, and advance thee in dignity, and hearken to thine every word. So the wazir kissed his hand, and they both went to the old gardener and said, Look at yonder pavilion and see how fine it is. and he replied, This is all of your happy thought. Then said they, O elder, when the owners of the palace

questioned thee concerning the restoration of the pavilion, say thou, t'was I did it of my own monies, to the intent that there may betide thee fair favour and good fortune. He said, I hear and I obey. And the prince continued to pay him frequent visits, Such was the case with the Prince and the Wazir, but as regards Hightol Nufus, when she ceased to receive the Prince's letters and messages, and when the old woman was absent from her, she rejoiced with joy exceeding, and concluded that the young man had returned to his own country. One day there came to her a covered tray from her father. So she uncovered it, and finding therein fine fruits, asked her waiting women,

Is the season of these fruits come? Answered they, yes. Thereupon she cried, Would we might make ready to take our pleasure in the flower garden? And Chorazard perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 30. Section 31

Of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Librevox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton Section 31

When it was the 727th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that the princess, after receiving the fruit from her sire, asked, is the season of these fruits set in? And they answered, yes! Thereupon she cried, Would we might make ready to take our pleasure in the flower garden? Oh, my lady, they replied,

thou sayest well, and by Allah, we also long for the garden. So she inquired, how shall we do, seeing that every year it is none, save my nurse, who taketh us to walk in the garden, and who pointeth out to us the various trees and plants, and I have beaten her, and forbidden her from me. Indeed, I repent me of what was done by me to her, for that, in any case, she is my nurse, and hath over me the right of fosterage. But here there is no majesty, and there is no might save in Anna, the glorious, the great.

When her handmaids heard this, they all sprang up, and, kissing the ground between her hands, exclaimed, "'Alla upon thee, O my lady, do thou pardon her, and bid her to the presence.' And quoth she, By Allah, I am resolved upon this. But which of you will go to her, for I have prepared her a splendid robe of honour? Hereupon two damsels came forward, by name Bulbul and Seward Elaine, who, were comely and graceful, and the principles among the princesses women and her favourites. And they said, We will go to her, O King's daughter. And she said, Do what see with good to you. So they went to the house of the nurse, and knocked at the door

and entered. And she, recognising the twain, received them with open arms and welcome to them. When they had sat a while with her, they said to her, "'Oh, nurse, the princess pardoneth thee "'and desirth to take thee back into favour,' she replied, "'this may never be, though I drink the cup of ruin. "'Hast thou forgotten how she put me to shame before those who love me, "'and those who hate me, where my clothes were dyed with my blood, "'and I well-nigh died for stress of beating?

"'And after this they dragged me forth by the feet, "'like a dead dog, and cast me without the door, so by Anna I will never return to her, nor fill my eyes with her sight. Quoth the two girls, Disappoint not our pains in coming to thee, nor send us away unsuccessful. Where is thy courtesy uswards? Think but who is it that cometh in to visit thee? Canst thou wish for any higher of standing than me with the king's daughter? She replied, I take refuge with Anna. Well, I watch that my self. station is less than yours.

Were it not that the princess's favour exalted me above all her women, so that, were I wrothed were the greatest of them, she had died in his skin of fright. They rejoined, All is as it was, and naught is in any wise changed. Indeed, it is better than before, for the princess

humbleth herself to thee, and seeketh a reconciliation without intermediary. Said the old woman, By Allah, were it not for your presence and intercession with me, I had never returned to her. No, not those she had commanded to slay me. They thanked her for this, and she rose,

and dressing herself, accompanied them to the palace. Now when the king's daughter saw her, she sprang to her feet in honour, and the old woman said, Allah, Allah! Oh, King's daughter, say me, whose was the fault, mine or thine. Hyattel Nufus replied, the fault was mine, and tis thine to pardon and forgive.

By Allah, O my nurse, they rank is high with me, and thou hast over me the right of fosterage. But thou knowest that Anna, extolled and exalted be he, hath allotted to his creatures four things, disposition, life, daily bread, and death, nor is it in man's power to avert that which is decreed. Verily, I was beside my word. herself and could not recover my senses. But, oh my nurse, I repent of what deed I did. With this, the Crohn's anger ceased from her, and she rose and kissed the ground before the princess, who called for a costly robe of honour, and threw it over her, whereat she rejoiced with exceeding joy in the presence of the princess's slaves and women. When all ended thus happily,

how atul Nufis said to the old woman, "'Oh, my nurse! How go the fruits and growths of our garth?' And she replied, "'Oh, my lady, I see excellent fruits in the town, but I will inquire of this matter, and return the in answer this very day. Then she withdrew, honoured with all honour, and betook herself to Adashia, who received her with open arms, and embraced her, and rejoiced in her coming,

for that he had expected her long and longingly. she told him all that had passed between herself and the princess and how her mistress was minded to go down to the garden on such a day and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and twenty eighth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that the old woman betook herself to the prince and told him all that had passed between herself and the princess hyatt el nufus and how her mistress was minded to go down into the garden on such a day, and said to him, Hast thou done as I bade thee with the warder of the garden, and hast thou made him taste of thy bounties? He replied, Yes, and the oldster is become my good friend.

My way is his way. And he would well I had need of him. Then he told her all that had happened, and of the dream paintings which the wazir had caused to be limned in the pavilion. especially of the fowler the net and the falcon whereat she joyed with great joy and said allah upon thee do thou set thy minister midmost thy heart for this that he hath done pointeth to the keenness of his wit and he hath helped thee to the winning thy wish so rise forthright o my son and go to the hammond bath and don thy daintiest dress wherein may be our success then fare thou to the gardener and make shift to pass the night in the garden for though he should give the earth full of gold none may win to pass into it whilst the king's daughter is therein when thou hast entered hide thee where no i may espy thee and keep concealed till thou hear me cry O thou whose boons are hidden, save us from that we fear.

Then come forth from thine ambush, and walk among the trees, and show thy beauty and loveliness which put the moons to shame, to the intent that Princess Hyattel Nufus may see thee, and that her heart and soul may be filled with love of thee. So shalt thou attain to thy wish, and thy grief be gone. To hear us to obey, replied the young prince, and gave her a purse of a thousand dinars, which she took, and went away. Thereupon Adasio fed straight for the bath and washed, after which he arrayed himself in the richest of robes of the apparel of the kings of the Hosrose, and girt his middle with a girdle wherein were conjured all manner precious stones, and donned a turban, enwoven with red gold, and purpled with pearls and gems. His cheeks shone rosy red, and his lips were scarlet. His eyelids, like the gazelles,

wanton'd, like a wine-struck white in his gate he swayed. Beauty and loveliness garbed him, and his shape shamed the bowing of the bow. Then he put in his pocket a purse containing a thousand dinars, and repairing to the flower garden, knocked at the door. The gardener opened to him, and rejoicing with great joy, salaamed to him in most worshipable fashion. Then observing that his face was overcast, he asked him how he did. The king's son answered, No, O elder, that I am dear to my father, and he never laid his hand on me till this day.

When words arose between us, and he abused me and smote me on the face, and struck me with his staff and drave me away, now I have no friend to turn to, and I fear the perfidy of fortune, for thou knowest that the wrath of parents is no like thing. Wherefore I come to thee, O uncle, seeing that to my father thou art known, and I desire of thy favour that thou suffer me abide in the

garden till the end of the day, or pass the night there till Allah grant good understanding between myself and my sire. When the old man heard these words, he was concerned an end to what had occurred, and said, O my lord, dost thou give me leave to go to thy sire, and be the means of reconciliation between thee and him? replied Adascia, O uncle, thou must know that my father is of impatient nature and irascible, so an thou proffer him reconciliation in his heat of temper, he will make thee no answer.

But when a day or two shall have passed, his heat will soften. Then go thou into him, and thereupon he will relent. Harkening in obedience, quoth the gardener. But, O my lord, do thou come with me to my house, where thou shalt night with my children and my family, and none shall reproach this to us. Quoth Adashia, O'uncle, I must be alone when I am angry.

The old man said, It irketh me that thou shouldst lie solitary in the garden, when I have a house. But Ardashia said, O uncle, I have an aim in this, that the trouble of my mind may be dispelled from me, and I know that in this lies the means of regaining his favour, and softening his heart to me.

Rejoined the gardener, I will fetch thee a carpet to sleep on, and a coverlet wherewith to cover thee. And the prince said, There is no harm in that, O uncle. So the keeper rose, and opened the garden to him, and brought him the carpet and coverlet,

knowing not that the king's daughter was minded to visit the garth. On this wise it fared with the prince, but as regards to the nurse, she returned to the princess and told her that the fruits were kindly ripe on the garden trees whereupon she said

oh my nurse go down with me tomorrow into the garden that we may walk about in it and take our pleasure inshallah and send meanwhile to the gardener to let him know what we purpose so she sent to the gardener to say the princess will visit the partair

tomorrow so leave neither water carry us nor tree tend as there is nor let one of Allah's creatures enter the garth. When word came to him, he set his waterways and channels in order, and going to Adashia said to him, O my lord, the king's daughter is mistress of this garden, and I have only to crave thy pardon, for the place is thy place, and I live only in thy favours.

Except that my tongue is under thy feet. I must tell thee that the Princess Hyattel Nufus hath a mind to visit it tomorrow at the first of the day, and hath bidden me to be to my time, and hath bidden me to leave none therein who might look upon her. So I would have thee of thy favour go forth of the garden this day, for the queen will abide only in it till the time of mid-afternoon prayer, and after it shall be at thy service for send-nights and fort nights, months and years.

Adashia asked, O Welder, happily we have caused thee some mishap. And the other answered, By allah, O my lord, "'Nought hath betided me from thee, but honour.' "'Rejoined the prince, "'And it be so, nothing but all good shall befall thee through us, "'for I will hide in the garden,

"'and none shall espy me till the king's daughter "'h gone back to her palace.' "'Said the gardener, "'Oh, my lord, and she espy the shadow of her man in the garden, "'or any of Anna's male or creatures, "'she will strike off my head.' "'And Charazard perceived the dawn of death. day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the seven hundred and twenty-ninth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious King, that when the garden has said to the Prince, and the King's daughter espy the shadow of her man in her garden, she will strike off my head. The youth replied, Have no fear. I will on no wise let any see me. But doubtless to-day thou lackest of spending money for thy family. he put his hand to his purse and pulled out five hundred ducats, which he gave to him, saying, Take this gold, and lay it out on thy family, that their heart may be at ease concerning them.

When the sheikh looked upon the gold, his life seemed a light thing to him, and he suffered the prince to tarry where he was, charging him straightly not to show himself in the garden. Then he left him loitering about. Meanwhile, when the eunuchs went into the princess at break of day, she bade open the private wicket, leading from the palace to the partairs, and donned a royal robe, embroidered with pearls and jewels and gems, over a shift of fine silk purpled with rubies. Under the hole was that which the tongue refuseth to explain, whereup was confounded the brain whose love would embraved the craven strain.

On her head she set a crown of red gold, inlaid with pearls and gems. And she tripped in patterns of cloth of gold, embroidered with fresh pearls, and adorned with all manner precious stones. Then she put her hand upon the old woman's shoulder, and commanded to go forth by the privy door. But the nurse looked at the garden, and seeing it full of eunuchs and handmaids walking about, eating the fruits and troubling the streams, and taking their ease of sport and pleasure in the water, said to the princess,

O my lady, is this a garden or a madhouse? Quoth the princess, what meaneth thy speech, O nurse? And quoth the old woman, verily, the garden is full of slave girls and eunuchs, eating of the fruits and troubling the streams and scaring the birds, and hindering us from taking our ease and sporting and laughing and what not else. And thou hast no need of them. Weren't thou going forth for thy palace into the highway,

this would be fitting, as an honour and award to thee. But now, O my lady, thou goest forth of the wicket into the garden, where none of almighty Allah's creatures may look on thee. Rejoined the princess, By Allah, O nurse mine, thou say sooth. But how shall we do?

And the old woman said, "'Bid the eunuchs send them all away, "'and keep only two of the slave-girls "'that we may make merry with them. "'So she dismissed them all, "'with the exception of two of her handmaids "'who were most in favour with her. "'But when the old woman saw that her heart was light

"'and that the season was pleasant to her, "'she said to her, "'Now we can enjoy ourselves aright, "'so up and let us take our pleasant in the garden. The princess put her hand upon her shoulder and went out by the private door. The two waiting-women walked in front, and she followed them, laughing at them, and swaying gracefully to and fro in her ample robes, while the nurse forewent her, showing her the trees, and feeding her with fruits.

And so they fared on from place to place, till they came to the pavilion, which, when the king's daughter beheld and saw that it had been restored, She asked the old woman, "'O my nurse! Seest thou yonder pavilion? It hath been repaired, and its walls whitened.' She answered, "'My Allah, O my lady,

I heard say that the keeper of the garden had taken stuffs of a company of merchants, and sold them and bought bricks with lime and plaster and stones, and so forth with the price. So I asked him what he had done with all this, and he said, I have repaired the pavilion which lay in ruins, presently adding,

And when the merchants sought their due of me, I said to them, Wait till the princess visit the garden And see the repairs, and they satisfy her. Then I will take her for what she is pleased to bestow on me, And pay you what is due. Quoth I, what moved thee to do this thing? And quoth he, I saw the pavilion in ruins,

The coins thrown down, and the stucco pealed from the walls, And none had the grace to repair it. so I borrowed the coin on my own account and restored the place, and I trust in the king's daughter to deal with me as befitteth her dignity, and I said the princess is all goodness and generosity, and will no doubt requite thee, and he did all this, but in hopes of thy bounty. Replied the princess,

By Allah, he hath dealt nobly in rebuilding it, and hath done the deed of generous men. call me my purse-keeperess. The old woman, accordingly, fetched the purse-keeperess, whom the princess bade gave the gardener two thousand dinars, whereupon the nurse said to him, bidding him to the presence of the king's daughter. But when the messenger said to him, obey the queen's order, the gardener felt feeble,

and trembling in every trojointed said in himself, Doubtless the princess hath seen the young man, and this day will be the most unlucky of days for me. So he went home and told his wife and children what had happened, and gave them his last charges and farewell to them, while they wept for and with him. Then he presented himself before the princess, with a face the colour of turmeric,

and ready to fall flat at full length. The old woman remarked his plight, and hastened to forestall him, saying, Oh, shake, kiss the earth in thanksgiving to Almighty Anna, and be constant in prayer to him for the princess. I told her what thou didst in the manner of repairing the ruined pavilion, and she rejoiteth in this, and bestoweth on thee two thousand dinars in requital of thy pains.

So take them from the purse-keeperess, and kiss the earth before the king's daughter, and bless her, and wend thy way. Hearing these words, he took the gold, and kissed the ground before Hyattel Nufus, calling down blessings on her. Then he returned to his house, and his family rejoiced in him, and blessed him who had been the prime cause of this business.

And Churazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 31. Section 32 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 7, by Anonymous.

Translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 32. When it was the 730th night, she pursued it has reached me, O auspicious king, that when the caretaker took the two thousand ducats from the princess and returned to the house, all his family rejoiced in him, and blessed him who had been the prime cause of this business. Thus it fared with these,

but as regards to the old woman, she said to the princess, Oh, my lady, this is indeed become a fine place. Never saw I a purer of white than its plastering, nor properer than its painting. I wonder if he have also repaired it within. Else hath he made the outside white and left the inside black. Come, let us enter and inspect.

So they went in, the nurse preceding, and found the interior painted and gilded in the goodliest way. The princess looked right and left, till she came to the upper end of the astray, when she fixed her eyes upon the wall, and gazed long and earnestly thereat, whereupon the old woman knew that her glance had lighted upon the presentment of her dream, and took the two waiting women away with her that they might not divert her mind.

When the King's daughter had made an end of examining the painting, she turned to the old woman, wondering, and beating hand on hand, and said to her, "'Oh, my nurse, come, see a wondrous thing, which were it graven with needle gravers on the eye-corner, would be a warner, to who so will be warned.' She replied, "'And what is that, oh, my lady?' When the princess rejoined, "'Go, look at the upper end of the estuary's and tell me what thou seest there. So she went up and considered the dream-drawing, and then she came down wondering, and said,

By Allah, O my lady, here is depicted the garden, and the fowler, and his net and the birds, and all thou sawest in thy dream, and verily, nothing but urgent need, withheld the male pigeon from returning to free his mate after he had fled her, for I see him in the talons of a bird of raven, which hath slaughtered him, and is drinking his blood, and rending his flesh and eating it, and this, O my lady,

caused his tarrying to return and rescue her from the net. But, O my mistress, the wonder is how thy dream came to be thus depicted. For, wert thou minded to set it forth in painter? Thou hadst not availed to portray it. By Allah, this is a marvel which should be recorded in histories. Surely, O my lady, the angels appointed to attend upon the sons of Adam, knew that the cock-pigeon was wronged of us,

because we blamed him for deserting his mate. So they embraced his cause, and made manifest his excuse, and now, for the first time, we see him in the hawk's pounces a dead bird. Quoth the princess, O my nurse, verily, fate and fourteen had cause against this bird, and we did him wrong.

Quoth the nurse, O my mistress, foes shall meet before Allah the most high, but, O my lady, verily, the truth hath been made manifest, and the male pigeon's excuse certified to us, for had the hawk not seized him and drunk his blood and rent his flesh, he had not held aloof from his mate,

but had returned to her, and set her free from the net, but against death there is no recourse, nor, oh, my lady, is there aught in the world more tenderly solicitous than the male for the female, among all creatures which Almighty Allah hath created, and especially tis thus with man,

for he starveth himself to feed his wife, strippeth himself to clothe her, angereth his family to please her, and disobeys and denieth his parents to endow her. She knoweth his secrets, and conceiveth them, and she cannot endure from him a single hour, and he be absent from her one night, her eyes sleep not, nor is there a dearer to her than he. She loveth him more than her parents, and they lie down to sleep in each other's arms, with his hand under her neck, and her hand under his neck. even as saith the poet, I make my wrist her pillow,

And I lay with her in litter. And I said to-night be long, While the full moon showed glitter. Ah, me, it was a knight, Aller never made its like, Whose first was sweetest sweet, And whose last bitterest bitter. Then he kisseth her,

And she kisseth him, And I have heard of a certain king That, when his wife fell sick and died, He buried himself alive with her, Submitting himself to death for the love of her and the straight companionship which was between them. Moreover, a certain king sickened and died, and when they were about to bury him, his wife said to her people, Let me bury myself alive with him, else will I slay myself, and my blood shall be

on your hands. So when they saw that she would not be turned from this thing, they left her, and she cast herself into the grave with her dead husband, of the greatness of her love and tenderness for him, and the old woman ceased not to ply the princess with anecdotes of conjugal love between men and women, till there ceased that which was in her heart of hatred for the sex masculine. And when she felt that she had succeeded in renewing in her the natural inclination of woman to man, she said to her, it is time to go and walk in the garden, so they fared forth from the pavilion and paced among the trees. Presently the prince chanted to turn

And his eyes fell on Hayet al-Nufus And when he saw the symmetry of her shape And the rosy clearness of her cheeks And the blackness of her eyes And her exceeding grace And her passing loveliness And her excelling beauty And her prevailing elegance

And her abounding perfection His reason was confounded And he could not take his face eyes off her. Passion annihilated his right judgment, and love overpassed all limits in him. His vitals were occupied with her service, and his heart was aflame with fire of repine, so that he swooned away and fell to the ground. When he came to himself, she had passed from his sight, and was hidden from him among the trees, and Scheherazard perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and thirty-first

night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Prince Ardashia, who lay hidden the garden, saw the princess and her nurse walking among the trees, he swooned away for very love-logging. When he came to himself, Hyatt al-Nufus had passed from his sight and was hidden from him among the trees. So he sighed from his heart, and improvised these couplets. When as mine eyes behold her loveliness, My heart is torn with love's own ecstasy. I wake, all thrown, cast down on face of earth.

Nor can the princess my soul torment see. She turned, and ravished this sad, love-thrawled sprite. Mercy, by allah, Ruth, nay, sympathy. O Lord, afford me union, deign thou soothe my soul, ere grave niche house this course of me, I'll kiss her ten times ten times, and times ten, for lover's wasted cheek the kisses be. The woman ceased not to lead the princess a pleasuring about the garden, till they reach the place where the prince lay ambushed, when, behold,

she said, O thou whose bounties are hidden, vouchsafe us assurance from that we fear. The king's son, hearing the signal, left his lurking place, and surprised by the summons walked among the trees, swaying to and fro with a proud and graceful gait, and a shape that shamed the branches. His brow was crowned with pearly drops, and his cheeks, red as the afterglow, extolled be allah the almighty in that he hath created. When the king's daughter caught sight of him, she gazed a long while on him, and notice his beauty and grace and loveliness, and his eyes that was, wanton like the gazelles, and his shape that outfired the branches of the Marubalan,

wherefore her wits were confounded, and her soul captivated, and her heart transfixed with the arrows of his glances. Then she said to the old woman, O my nurse, whence came yonder handsome youth? And the nurse asked, Where is he, O my lady? There he is, answered Hyattal-Nufus, near hand among the trees. The old woman turned right and left As if she knew not of his presence And cried, And pray, who can have taught this youth the way into the garden?

Quoth Hyatt Al Nufus, Who shall give us news of the young man? Glory be to him who created men. But say me, Dost thou know him, O my nurse? Quoth the old woman, O my lady, He is the young merchant who wrote to thee by me.

The princess, and indeed she was drowned in the sea of, of her desire and the fire of her passion and love-longing, broke out, Oh, my nurse, how goodly is this youth? Indeed he is fair of favour. Methinks there is not on the face of the earth a goodlier than he. Now when the old woman was assured that the love of him had gotten possession of the princess, she said to her, did I not tell the O my lady that he was a comely youth with a burning favour? replied Hyatt Al Nufus.

Oh, my nurse, King's daughters know not the ways of the world, nor the manners of those that be therein. For they company with none, neither give nor take they. Oh, my nurse, how shall I do to bring about a meeting and present myself to him? And what shall I say to him? And what will he say to me? Said the old woman, What devices left me? indeed we were confounded in this matter by thy behaviour and the princess said oh my nurse know thou that if any ever died of passion i shall do so and behold i look for nothing but death on the spot by reason of the fire of my love-longing when the old woman heard her words and saw the transport of her desire for him she answered o my lady now as for his coming to thee there is no way therein and indeed thou art

excuse from going to him because of thy tender age, but rise with me, and follow me. I will accost him, so shalt thou not be put to shame, and in the twinkling of an eye, affection shall ensue between you. The king's daughter cried, Go thou before me, for the decree of Allah may not be rejected. Accordingly, they went up to the place where Adashir sat, as he were the full moon at its fullest, and the old woman said to him, see, O youth, who is present before thee, tis the daughter of our king of the age, Hyatt al-Nufus. Bethink thee of her rank, and appreciate the honour she doth thee in coming to thee,

and rise out of respect to her, and stand before her. The prince sprang to his feet in an instant, and his eyes met her eyes, whereupon they both became, as they were drunken without wine. Then the love of him and desire redoubled upon the princess And she opened her arms And he his And they embraced

But love-longing and passion Overcame them And they swooned away And fell to the ground And lay a long while without sense The old woman Fearing scandalous exposure Carried them both into the pavilion

And sitting down at the doors Said to the two waiting women Seize the occasion to take pleasure in the garden, for the princess sleepeth. So they returned to their diversion. Presently the lovers revived from their swoon, and found themselves in the pavilion, whereat quoth the prince, Allah upon thee, O princess of fair ones. Is this vision or sleep illusion?

Then the twain embraced, and intoxicated themselves without wine, complaining to each other of the anguish of passion, and the prince improvised these couplets. Sun riseth sheen from her brilliant brow, and her cheek shows the rosiest afterglow, And when both appear to the looker-on, The sky-line star, Nair for shame will show. And the leaven flashed from those smiling lips, mourn breaks, and the rays dusk and gloom or throw. And when, with her graceful shape she sways, droop's leafiest band-tree for envy low. Me, her sight suffices, Nought crave I more, Lord of men and morn, Be her guard from foe.

The full moon borrows a part of her charms. The sun would rival, but fails his low. Whence could Sol aspire to that bending grace? Whence should Luna see such wit, And such mind gifts know? Who shall blame me for being all love to her? Twixt accord and discord, I, doomed to woe. Tis she won my heart with those forms that bend. What shall lover's heart, from such charms defend? And Charisades perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and thirty-second night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the prince had made an end of his verses, the princess strained him to her bosom, and kissed him on the mouth, and between the eyes,

whereupon his soul returned to him, and he fell to complaining to her, that he had endured for stress of love and tyranny of longing, and excess of transport and distraction, and all he had suffered for the hardness of her heart. Hearing these words, she kissed his hands and feet, and bared her head, whereupon the gloom gathered, and the full moons dawned therein. Then said she to him, O my beloved, and term of all my wishes,

would the day of estrangement had never been, and Allah grant that it may never return between us? And they embraced, and wept together, while she recited these couplets. O who shamed the moon and the sunny glow, thou whose slaughtering tyranny lays me low! With a sword of a look thou hast shorn my heart. How escape thy sword glance fatal of blow!

Thus eke are thine eyebrows, a bow that shone, my bosom with shafts of fiercest low. From thy cheek's rich crop cometh paradise. How then shall my heart the rich crop forego? Thy graceful shape is a blooming branch, And shall pluck the fruit, who shall bear that bow. Perforce thou draw'st me, robs to my sleep. In thy love I strip me, and shameless show.

Allah lend thee the rays of most righteous light. draw the farthest near and a trist bestow Then have Ruth And the vitals thy love hath seared And the heart that flies to thy side The mo And when she ended her recitation

Passion overcame her And she was distraught for love And wept copious tears Rain-like streaming down This burnt to the prince's heart And he in turn became troubled And distracted for love of her So he drew nearer

to her, and kissed her hands, and wept with sore weeping, and they ceased not from lover approaches, and converse and versifying, until the call to mid-afternoon prayer. Nor was there aught between them other than this. When they bethought them of parting, and she said to him, O light of mine eyes, and core of my heart, the time for severance has come between us, Twain, when shall we meet again? Byalla, replied he, and indeed her words shot him as with sharp. to mention of parting I am never fain. Then she went forth of the pavilion, and he turned,

and saw her, sighing sighs that would melt the rock, and weeping shower-like tears, whereupon he for love was sunken in the sea of desolation, and improvised these couplets. O my heart's desire grows my misery from the stress of love, and what cure for me! By thy face like dawn when it lights the dark, and thy hair whose hue

Beareth night-tide's blee And thy form Like the branch which in grace inclines To Zephy's breath Blowing feign and free By the glance of thine eyes Like the fawn's soft gaze When she fuse pursuer of high degree

And thy waist Down-born by the weight of hips These so heavy And that lacking gravity By the wine of thy lip dew The sweetest of drink fresh water and musk in its purity, O gazelle of the tribe, Ease my soul of grief, And grant me thy phantom in sleep to see.

Now when she heard his verses in praise of her, She turned back to him, and embracing him, with a heart and fire for the anguish of severance, Fire which noughtsafe kisses and embraces might quench, cried, Soothe the byword safe, patience is for a lover, and not the lack thereof. there is no help for it but I contrived a means for our reunion. Then she farewelled him and fared forth, knowing not where she set her feet for stress of her laugh. Nor did she stay her steps till she found herself in her own chamber.

When she was gone, passion and love-longing redoubled upon the young prince, and the delight of sleep was forbidden him, and the princess in her turn tasted not food, and her patience failed and she sickened for desire. As soon as dawned the day, she sent for the nurse who came, and found her condition changed, and she cried, "'Question me not of my case, for all I suffer is due to thy handiwork. Where is the beloved of my heart?' "'O my lady, when did he leave thee? Hath he been absent for thee more than this night?' "'Can I endure absence from him an hour? Come, find some means to bring us together speedily, for my soul is like to flee my body.'

O my lady, have patience, till I contrive thee some subtle device, whereof none shall beware. By the great God, except thou bring him to me this very day, I will tell the king that thou hast corrupted me, and he will cut off thy head. I conjure thee by Allah, have patience with me, for this is a dangerous matter. And the nurse humbled herself to her, till she granted her three days delay, saying, "'Oh, my nurse, the three days shall be three years to me, "'and if the fourth day passed and thou bring him not, "'I will go about to slay thee.' "'So the old woman left her,

"'and returned to her lodging, "'where she abode till the morning of the fourth day, "'when she summoned the Thai woman of the town, "'and sought of them fine dyes and rouge "'for the painting of a virgin girl and adorning, "'and they brought her cosmetics of the best. "'Then she sent for the prince, "'and opening her chest,

brought out a bundle containing a suit of woman's apparel worth five thousand dinars and a headkerchief frinned with all manner gems then she said to him oh my son hast thou a mind to foregather with hyatt alnufus and he replied yes so she took a pair of tweezers and pulled out the hairs of his face and penciled his eyes with core then she stripped him and painted him with hen from his nails to his shoulders, and from his in-steps to his thighs, and tattooed him about the body, till he was like red roses upon alabaster slabs. After a little she washed him and dried him, and bringing out a shift and a pair of petticoat trousers made him put them on. Then she clad him in the royal suit aforesaid, and binding the kchief about his head, veiled him, and taught him how to walk, saying, "'A advance thy left, and draw back thy right.' He did her bidding, and forewent her, as he were a hoary, faring abroad from Paradise. Then she said to him, "'Fortify thy heart, for thou art going to the king's palace,

where there will, without fail, be guards and eunuchs at the gate, and if thou be startled at them, and show doubt or dread, they will suspect thee, and examine thee, and we shall both get into grievous trouble and happily lose our lives. Wherefore, and thou feel thyself unable to this, tell me. He answered, in very so soon this thing hath no terrors for me, so be of good cheer, and keep thine eyes cool and clear. Then she went out, preceding him, till the twain came to the palace gate, which was full of eunuchs. She turned and looked at him, as much as to say, art thou troubled or no, and finding him all unchanged, went on. The chief eunuch glanced at the nurse and knew her,

but seeing a damsel following her, whose charms confoundeth the reason, he said in his mind, As for the old woman, she is the nurse. But as for the girl who is with her, there is none in our land resembleth her in favour, or reproacheth her in fairness, save the princess Hyatt al-Nufus, who is secluded and never goes out.

Would I knew how she came into the streets, and would heaven I wot, whether or no, t'was by leave of the king, Then he rose to learn somewhat concerning her, and well-nigh thirty castratos followed him, which, when the old woman saw, her reason fled for fear, and she said, Verily, we are alas, and to him we shall return. Without recourse we are dead folk this time. And Charazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say.

End of Section 32. Section 33 Of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 This is a Librevox 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 7 by Anonymous Translated by Richard Francis Burton Section 33

When it was the 733rd night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That when the old nurse saw the head of the unicry, And his assistance, making for her, She was in exceeding fear, and cried, There is no majesty, and there is no might, Save in Allah, the glorious, the great. Verily we are gods, and unto him we shall return.

Without recourse we be dead folk this time. When the head eunuch heard her speak thus, fear got hold upon him, by reason of that which he knew of the princess's violence, and that her father was ruled by her, and he said to himself, Belike the king hath commanded the nurse to carry his daughter forth, upon some occasion of hers, whereof she would have none know, and if I oppose her she will be wroth with me, and will say, This eunuch fellow stopped me, that he might pry into my affairs. so she will do her best to kill me, and I have no call to meddle in this matter. So saying, he turned back, and with him the thirty assistants who drove the people from the

door of the palace, whereupon the nurse entered and saluted the eunuchs with her head, whilst all the thirty stood to do her honour, and returned her salam. She led in the prince, and he ceased not following her from door to door, and the protector protected him so that they passed all the guards till they came to the seventh door. It was that of the great pavilion wherein was the king's throne

and it communicated with the chambers of his women and the saloons of the harem as well as with his daughter's pavilion. So the old woman halted and said, Here we are, O my son, and glory be to him who hath brought us thus far in safety. but o my son we cannot foregather with the princess except by night for night invaleth the fearful he replied true but what is to be done quoth she

hide thee in this black hole showing him behind the door a dark and deep cistern with a cover thereto so he entered the cistern and she went away and left him there till ended day when she returned and carried him into the palace till they came to the door of hyatt al nufus's apartment The old woman knocked, and a little maid came out and said, Who is at the door? Said the nurse, tis I, Whereupon the maid returned, and craved permission of her lady, who said, Open to her, and let her come in with any who may accompany her. So they entered, and the nurse, casting a glance around, perceived that the princess had made ready the sitting-chamber,

and ranged the lamps in row, and lighted candles of wax in chandeliers of gold and silver, and spread the divans and estrades with carpets and cushions. Moreover, she had set on trays of food and fruits and confections, and she had perfumed the place with musk, and aloeswood and ambergris. She was seated among the lamps and the tapers, and the light of her face outshone the lustre of them all. When she saw the old woman, she said to her,

"'Oh, nurse, where is the beloved of my heart?' And the other replied, "'O my lady, I cannot find him, nor have mine eyes espied him. But I have brought thee his own sister, and here she is.' "'Cried the princess, art thou gin, mad? What need have I of his sister? Say me, and a man's head irk him, doth he bind up his hand?'

The old woman answered, no, by Allah, oh my lady, but look on her, and if she pleases thee, let her be with thee. Then she uncovered the prince's face, whereupon Hyattal Nufus knew him, and running to him pressed him to her bosom, and he pressed her to his breast. Then they both fell down in his swoon,

and lay without sense a long while. The old woman sprinkled rose-water upon them until they came to themselves, when she kissed them on the mouth more than a thousand times, and improvised these couplets. Sought me this heart, dear love, at gloom of night. I rose in honour till he sat forthright, and said, O aim of mine, O sole desire, in such night visit hast of guard no fright, replied he, Yes, I feared much, but love, robbed me of all my wits, and reft my spright. clipped with kisses, and a while clung we,

For here twas safe, nor feared we watchman white, Then rose we parting, without doubtful deed, And shook out skirts where none a stain could sight. And Charazade perceived the dawn of day, And ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and thirty-fourth night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when her lover visited Hyatt Al Nufet in her palace,

the Twain embraced, and she improvised some happy couplets, beseeming the occasion. And when she had ended her extemporary lines, she said, Is it indeed true, that I see thee in my abode? And that thou art my cut-mate and my familiar? Then passion grew on her, and love was grievous to her, so that her reason was well-nigh fled for joy, and she improvised these couplets.

With all my soul I'll ransom him who came to me in gloom, of night, whilst I had waited long to see his figure loom. And naught aroused me, save his weeping voice of tender tone, and whispered I, Fairfall thy foot, and welcome, and well come. His cheek I kissed a thousand times, and yet a thousand more, then clipped and clung about his breast, Enveiled in darkling room,

And cried, Now verily I've won the aim of every wish, So praise and prayers to Allah For this grace now best become. Then slept we even as we would The goodliest of nights, Till morning came to end our night, And light a berth with bloom.

As soon as it was day, She made him enter a place in her apartment, unknown to any, and he abode there till nightfall, when she brought him out, and they sat in converse and carouse. Presently he said to her, I wish to return to my own country, and tell my father what hath passed between us, that he may equip his wazir to demand thee in marriage of thy sire. She replied, O my love, I fear, and thou return to thy country and kingdom, thou will be distracted from me, and forget the love of me. or that thy father will not further thy wishes in this matter, and I shall die.

Me seems the better read were that thou abide with me, and in my hand-grasp, I looking on thy face, and thou on mine, till I devise some plan, whereby we may escape together some night, and flee to thy country, for I have cut off my hopes from my own people, and I despair of them. He rejoined, I hear and obey, and they fell again to their carousal and conversing. He tarried with her thus for some time till one night. The wine was pleasant to them,

and they lay not down, nor did they sleep till a break of day. Now it chanced that one of the kings sent her father a present, and among other things a necklace of union jewels, nine and twenty grains, to whose price a king's treasures might not suffice. Quoth abt al-Qadir, this Riviere Meseemeth none but my daughter Hyatt Al Nufus

And turning to a eunuch Whose draw-teeth the princess had knocked out for reasons Best known to herself He called to him And said, Carry the necklace to thy lady And say to her One of the kings hath sent thy father this

As a present, And its price may not be paid with money, Put it on thy neck. The slave took the necklace Saying in himself, Allah Almighty make it the last thing she will put on in this world, for that she deprived me of the benefit of my grinder teeth. And repairing to the princess's apartment, found the door locked and the old woman asleep before

the threshold. He shook her, and she awoke and of fright and asked, What dost thou want? To which he answered, The king hath sent me on an errand to his daughter. Quoth the nurse, The key is not here. Go away whilst I fetch it. But quoth he, I cannot go back to the king. without having done his commandment. So she went away, as if to fetch the key, but fear overtook her, and she sought safety in flight.

Then the eunuch awaited her a while, then finding she did not return, he feared that the king would be angry at his delay, so he rattled at the door, and shook it, where upon the bolt gave way and the leaf opened. He entered and passed on, till he came to the seventh door, and walking into the princess's chamber, found the place splendidly furnished, and saw candles and flaggons there. At this spectacle he marvelled,

and going up close to the bed, which was curtained by a hanging of silk, embroidered with a network of jewels, drew back the curtain from before the princess, and saw her sleeping, with her arms about the neck of a young man, handsomer than herself, whereat he magnified Allah Almighty, who had created such a youth of vile water, and said, How couldly be this fashion for one who hateth men? How came she by this fellow? Methinks twas on his account that she knocked out my back teeth. Then he drew the curtain, and made for the door.

But the king's daughter awoke in a fright, and seeing the eunuch whose name was Kaffa, called to him. He made her no answer, so she came down from the bed on the astrade, and catching hold of his skirt laid it on her head and kissed his feet saying, "'Vail what Allah veileth.' "'Quoth he, may Allah not veil thee, nor him who would veil thee. "'Thou didst knock out my grinders, and saidst to me, let none make mention to me ought of men in their ways.' So saying, he disengaged himself from her grasp, and running out, locked the door on them,

and set another eunuch to guard it. Then he went into the king, who said to him, "'Hast thou given the necklace to Hyatt al-Nufus?' The eunuchre replied, By Allah, thou deservest altogether a better fate. And the king asked, What hath happened? Tell me quickly. Where too he answered,

I will not tell thee, save in private and between our eyes. But the king retorted, saying, Tell me at once and in public. cried the eunuch, then grant me immunity. So the king threw him the kache of immunity, and he said, O king, I went into the

Princess Hyatt al-Nufus, and found her asleep in a carpeted chamber, and on her bosom was a young man, so I locked the door upon the two and came back to thee. When the king heard these words, he started up, and taking a sword in his hand, cried out to the race of the eunuchs, saying, Take thy lads and go to the princess's chamber, and bring me her, and him who is with her,

as they twain lie on the bed, but cover them both up, and Shurazard perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying, her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and thirty-fifth night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the king commanded the head eunuch to take his lads, and to fetch and set before him, Hyatt al-Nufus, and him who, who was with her. The chief and his men entered the princess's apartment, where he found her standing up, dissolved in railing tears, and the prince by her side. So he said to them, lie down on the bed, as thou wast and let him do likewise. The king's daughter feared for

her lover, and said to him, This is no time for resistance. So they both lay down, and the eunuchs covered them up and carried the twain into the king's presence. thereupon abd al-Qadir pulled off the coverings and the princess sprang to her feet he looked at her and would have smitten her neck but the prince threw himself on the father's breast saying the fault was not hers but mine only kill me before thou killest her the king made it him to cut him down but hightel nufus cast herself on her father and said kill me not him for he is the son of a great king lord of all the land in its length and breadth. When the king heard this, he turned to the chief wazir, who was a gathering place of all that is evil, and said to him, What say'st thou of this matter, O minister? Quoth his wazir, What I say is that all who find themselves in such case of this have need of lying, and there is nothing for it but to cut off both their heads, after torturing them with all manner of

tortures. Hereupon the king called his sorda of vend. who came with his lads and said to him, Take this gallows-bird and strike off his head, And after do the like with this harlot, And burn their bodies, and consult me not about them a second time. So the headsman put his hand to her back to take her. But the king cried out at him, And cast at him somewhat he hent in hand,

Which he had well nigh killed him, saying, O dog, how durst thou show Ruth to those with whom I am wroth? Put thy hand to her hair, and drag her along by it, so that she may fall on her face. Accordingly, he hailed her by her hair, and the prince in like manner to the place of blood, where he tore up a piece of his skirt, and therewith bound the prince's eyes, putting the princess last, in the hope that someone would intercede for her. Then having made ready the prince, he swung his sharp sword three times, whilst all the troops wept

and prayed Alan to send them deliverance by some intercessor, and raised his hand to cut off our dashier's head when behold there arose a cloud of dust that spread and flew till it veils the view. Now the cause thereof was that when the young prince had delayed beyond measure

the king, his sire, had levied a mighty host and had marched with it in person to get tidings of his son. Such was his case, But as regards King Abt al-Qadir, when he saw this, he said, O whites, what is the meaning of yonder dust that dimmeth sights? The Grand Wazir sprang up, and went out to Reconoitra,

and found behind the cloud men like locusts, of whom no count could be made, nor ought to veil of aid, filling the hills and plains and valleys. So he returned with the report to the king, who said to him, go down and learn for us what may be this host and the cause of its marching upon our country. Ask also of their commander, and salute him for me, and inquire the reason of his coming. And he come in quest of aught, we will aid him. And if he have a blood feud with one of the kings, we will ride with him. Or if he desire a gift, we will hand-sell him.

For this is indeed a numerous host, and a power uttermost, and we fear for a fear for our land from its mischief. So the minister went forth, and walked among the tents and troopers and bodyguards, and ceased not faring on from the first of the day till near sundown, when he came to the warders with gilded swords in tents, star-studied. Passing these, he made his way through emirs and wazirs and Nabob's and chamberlains to the pavilion of the Sultan, and found him a mighty king. When the king's officers saw him, they cried out to him saying, Kiss ground! Kiss ground! He did so, and would have risen, but they cried out at him a second and a third time. So he kissed the earth again and again, and raised his head, and would have stood up,

but fell down at full length for excess of awe. When at last he was set between the hands of the king, he said to him, Allah prolong thy days, and increase thy sovereignty, and exalt thy rank, O thou auspicious king. And furthermore, of a truth, King Abt al-Qadir saluted thee, and kisseth the earth before thee,

and asketh on what weighty business thou art come. And thou seek to avenge thee for blood on any king, he will take horse in thy service. Or, And thou come in quest of aught, wherein it is in his power to help thee, he standeth up at thy service on account thereof. So Adashya's father replied to the wazir, saying,

O messenger, return to thy lord, and tell him that the most mighty king, Saif al-Azam Shah, Lord of Shiraz, had a son who hath been long absent from him, and news of him have not come, and all traces of him have been cut off. and he be in this city he will take him and depart from you but if aught have befallen him or any mischief have ensued to him from you his father will lay waste your land and make spoil of your goods and slay your men and seize your women return therefore to thy lord in haste and tell him this ere evil befall him answered the minister to hear is to obey and turn to go away when the chamberlains

cried out to him saying, "'Kiss ground! Kiss ground!' So he kissed the ground a score of times, and rose not, till his life-breadth was in his nostrils. Then he left the king's high court and returned to the city, full of anxious thought concerning the affair of this king and the multitude of his troops. And going into King Abt al-Qadir, pale with fear and trembling in his side muscles, acquainted him with that had befallen him,

and Sharazard perceived the dawn of death. and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 33. Section 34 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 7, by Anonymous.

Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 34. When it was the 736th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That the wazir returned from the court of the great king, Pale with fear, and with side muscles quivering for dread exceeding, And acquainted his lord with what had befallen him. Hereat disquietude and terror for himself,

And for his people laid hold upon him, And he said to the minister, O wazir, and who is this king's son? Replied the other, Tis even he whom thou badeest put to death, but praised be Allah who hastened not his slaughter, else had his father wasted our lands and spoiled our good. Quoth the king,

See now thy corrupt judgment, and that thou didst counsel us to slay him? Where is the young man, the son of yonder magnanimous king? and quote the wazir, O mighty king, Thou didst command him be put to death. When the king heard this, he was clean distraught, and cried out from his heart's core and in most of heads, saying, Woe to you! Fetch me the headsman forthright, lest death fall on him. So they fetch the swatter, and he said, O king of the age, I have spidden off his head even as thou

abatest me. cried Abd al-Qadir, O dog, and this be true, I will assuredly send thee after him. The headsman replied, O king, thou didst command me to slay him without consulting thee a second time, said the king, I was in my wrath, but speak the true, ere thou lose thy life, and said this order, O king, he is yet in the chains of life. At this, Abd al-Qadir rejoiced, and his heart was set at rest. Then he called for Ardashir, and when he came, he stood up to receive him, and kissed his mouth, saying, O my son, I ask pardon of Allah Almighty for the wrong I have done thee, and say thou not aught that may

lower my credit with thy sire, the great king. The prince asked, O king of the age, and where is my father? And the other answered, He has come hither on thine account. Thereupon, quoth Ardashir, By thy worship, I will not stir from before thee till I have cleared my honour, and the honour of thy daughter from that which thou laid is to our charge,

for she is a pure virgin. Send for the midwives, and let them examine her before thee. And they find her maidenhead gone, I give thee leave to shed my blood. And if they find her a clean maid, her innocence of dishonor and mine also will be made manifest. So he summoned the midwives, who examined the princess, and found her a pure virgin, and so told the king, seeking largesse of him.

He gave them what they sought, putting off his royal robes to bestow on them, and in like manner he was bountiful to all who were in the harem. And they brought forth the scent cups and perfumed all the lords of estate and grandees, and not one but rejoiced with exceeding joy. Then the king threw his arms about Ardashir's neck, and entreated him with all worship and honor, bidding his chief eunuchs bear him to the bath. When he came out, he cast over his shoulders a costly robe,

and crowned him with a coronet of jewels. He also girt him with the girdle of silk, purfled with red gold, and set with pearls and gems, and mounted him on one of his noblest mares, with celli and trappings of gold inlaid with pearls and jewels. Then he bade his grandees and captains mount on his service and escort him to his father's presence, and charged him tell his sire that King Abd al-Qadir was at his disposal,

hockering to and obeying him in whatso he should bid or forbid. I will not fail of this, answered Adashir, and farewelling him, prepared to his father, who, at sight of him, was transported for delight and springing up, advanced to meet him, and embraced him, whilst joy and gladness spread among all the host of the great king. Then came the wazirs and chamberlains and captains and guards, and kissed the ground before the prince, and rejoiced in his coming. And it was a great day with them for enjoyment,

for the king's son gave leave to those of King Abdel Al-Qadir's officers, who had accompanied him and others of the townsfolk, to view the ordinance of his father's host without let or stay, so they might know the multitude of the great king's troops and the might of his empire. And all who had seen him selling stuffs in the linen-draper's bazaar, marveled how his soul could have consented thereto, considering the nobility of his spirit and the loftiness of his dignity. But it was his love in inclination to the king's daughter that to this had constrained him.

Meanwhile, news of the multitude of her lover's troops came to Hayat al-Nufis, who was still jailed by her sire's commandment, till they knew what he should order respecting her, whether pardon and release or death and burning. And she looked down from the terrace roof of the palace, and turning towards the mountains, saw even these covered with armed men. When she beheld all those warriors, and knew that they were the army of Ardashir's father,

she feared lest he should be diverted from her by his sire and forget her and depart from her whereupon her father would slay her so she called a handmaid that was with her in her apartment by way of service and said to her go to ardashir son of the great king and fear not when thou comest into his presence kiss the ground before him and tell him what thou art and say to him my lady saluted thee and would have thee to know that she is a prisoner in her father's palace awaiting his sentence whether he be minded to pardon her or put her to death And she beseecheth thee not to forget her or forsake her. For today thou art all-powerful, And in whatso thou commandest no man dare cross thee. Wherefore, and it seem good to thee to rescue her from her sire, and take her with thee, it were of thy bounty. For indeed she endureth all these trials for thy sake.

But, and this seem not good to thee, for that thy desire of her is at an end, still speak to thy sire, so happily he may intercede for her with her father, and he depart not, till he have made him set her free, and taken surety from, and made covenant with him, that he will not go about to put her to death, nor work her ought of harm. This is her last word to thee. May Allah not desolate her of thee, and so the peace. And Shahrazad perceived at the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say,

When it was the seven hundred and thirty-seventh night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the bond-maid sent by Hayat al-Nufis, made her way to Ardashir, and delivered him her lady's message, which when he heard, he wept with sore weeping, and said to her, Know that Hayat al-Nufis is my mistress, and that I am her slave, and the captive of her love. I have not forgotten what was between us, nor the bitterness of the parting day. So do thou say to her, after thou hast kissed her feet, that I will speak with my father of her, and he shall send his wazir, who sought her a foretime in marriage for me, to demand her hand

once more of her sire, for he dare not refuse. So if he send to her to consult her, let her make no opposition, for I will not return to my country without her. Then the handmaid returned to Hayat al-Nufis, and, kissing her hands, delivered to her the message, which when she heard, she wept for very joy, and returned thanks to Almighty Allah. Such was her case, but as regards Ardashir,

he was alone with his father that night, and the great king questioned him of his case, whereupon he told him all that had befallen him, first and last, Then quoth the king, What will thou have me do for thee, O my son? And thou desire Al-Qadir's ruined, I will lay waste his lands, and spoil his hordes and dishonor his house.

Replied Ardashir, I do not desire that, O my father, for he hath done nothing to me deserving thereof. But I wish for union with her, wherefore I beseech thee of thy favor to make ready a present for her father, but let it be a magnificent gift, and send it to him by thy minister,

the man of just judgment. Quoth the king, I hear and consent. And sending for the treasures he had laid up from time past, brought out all manner of precious things, and showed them to his son, who was pleased with them. Then he called his wazir, and bade him bear the present with him

to King Albed Al-Cladir, and demand his daughter. daughter in marriage for Ardashir, saying, Except to the present, and return him a reply. Now from the time of Ardashir's departure, King Abd al-Qadir had been troubled, and ceased not to be heavy at heart, fearing the laying waste of his reign and the spoiling of his realm. When behold the wazir came into him, and saluting him, kissed ground before him.

He rose up standing and received him with honor. But the minister made haste to fall at his feet, and kissing them, cried, Pardon, O king of the age. The like of thee should not rise to the like of me, for I am the least of servant slaves. No, O king, that Prince Ardashir hath acquainted his father, with some of the favors and kindnesses thou hast done him. Wherefore he thanketh thee, and sendeth thee in company of thy servant, who standeth before thee, a present, saluting thee,

and wishing the especial blessings and prosperities. Abd al-Qadir could not believe what he had heard of the excess of his fear, till the wazir laid the present before him, when he saw it to be such gift as no money could purchase, nor could one of the kings of the earth availed to the like thereof. Wherefore he's belittled in his own eyes, and springing to his feet, praised Almighty Allah, and glorified him, and thanked the prince. Then the ministers said to him, O noble king, give ear to my word,

and know that the great king sendeth to thee, desiring thine alliance, and I to come thee, seeking and craving the hand of thy daughter, the chaste dame and a treasured gem, Hyatt al-Nufis, in wedlock for his son Ardashir. Wherefore, if thou consent to this proposal, and accept of him, do thou agree with me for her, marriage portion. Abd al-Qadir, hearing these words, replied, I hear and obey. For my part I make no objection, and nothing can be more pleasurable to me. But the girl is of full age and reason, and her affair is in her own hand.

So be assured that I will refer it to her, and she shall choose for herself. Then he turned to the chief eunuch, and bade him go and acquaint the prince. with this event. So he repaired to the Harim, in kissing the princess's hands, acquainted her with the great king's offer, adding, What sayest thou an answer? I hear and obey, replied she, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and thirty-eighth night, she pursued, it hath reached me, O auspicious king,

That the chief eunuch of the Harim, having informed the princess how she had been demanded in marriage by the great king, and having heard her reply, I hear and obey, returned therewith to the king, and gave him this answer,

whereat he rejoiced with exceeding joy, and calling for a costly robe of honor, threw it over the wazir's shoulders. Furthermore, he ordered him ten thousand dinars, and bade him carry the answer to the great king and crave leave for him to pay him a visit. Hearing and obeying, answered the minister, and returning to his master,

delivered him the reply and abd al-Qadir's message. And repeated all their talk, whereat he rejoiced greatly, and Ardashir was transported for delight, and his breast broadened, and he was a most happy man. King Saif al-Azam also gave King Abkhadir leave to come forth to visit him. So, on the morrow, he took horse and rode to the camp of the great king.

He came to meet him, and saluting him, seated him in the place of honor, and gave him welcome. And they two sat whilst Adashir stood before them. Then arose an orator of the King Abd al-Qadir's court, and pronounced an eloquent discourse, giving the prince's joy of the attainment of his desire and of his marriage with the princess, a queen among king's daughters. When he sat down, the great king caused bring a chest full of pearls and gems, together with fifty thousand dinars, and said to King Abd al-Qadir, I am my son's deputy and all that concern at this matter. So Abd al-Qadir acknowledged receipt of the marriage portion, and amongst the rest, 50,000 dinars for the nuptial festivities.

After which they fetched the Caziz and the witnesses, who wrote out the contract of marriage between the prince and princess, and it was a notable day, wherein all lovers made merry, and all haters and enviers were mortified. They spread the marriage feats and banquets, and lastly Ardashir went in unto the princess, and found, her a jewel which which had been hidden, an union pearl, unthridden, and a filly that none but he had ridden, so he notified this to his sire. Then King Saif al-Azam asked his son, Hast thou any wish thou wouldst have fulfilled ere we depart?

And he answered, Yes, O king, know that I would fain take my reek of the wazir, who entreated us an evil, wise, and the eunuch who forged a lie against us. So the king sent forthright to Abde al-Qadir, demanding of him the minister and the castrato, whereupon he dispatched them both to him, and commanded to hang them over the city gate. After this they abode a little while,

and then sought of Abd al-Qadir leave for his daughter to equip her for departure. So he equipped her, and mounted her in Atok-Trawan, a traveling litter of red gold, inlaid with pearls and gems and drawn by noble steeds. She carried with her all her waiting women and eunuchs, as well as the nurse, who had returned after her flight and resumed her office. Then King Saif al-Azam and his son mounted, and Ab al-Qadir mounted also, with all the lords of his land, to take leave of his son-in-law and daughter. and it was a great day to be reckoned of the goodliest of days.

After they had gone some distance, the great king conjured Abd al-Qadir to turn back. So he farewelled him and his son, after he had strained him to his breast, and kissed him between the eyes, and thanked him for his grace and favors, and commended his daughter to his care. Then he went into the princess and embraced her,

and she kissed his hands, and they wept in the standing place of parting. After this he returned to his capital, and Ardashir and his company fared on, till they reached Shiraz, where they celebrated the marriage festivities anew, and they abode in all comfort and solace and jollants of life, till there came to them the destroyer of delights and severer of societies,

the depopulator of palaces, and the goner of graveyards, and men also read late, the tale of Jolnar the Seaborn and her son, King Badar Basim of Persia. There was once in days of yore, and in ages and times long before, in Ajamland, a king Sharaman Haidt, whose abiding place was Khorasan. He owned a hundred concubines, but by none of them had he been blessed with boon of child, male or female, all the days of his life. One day, among the days, he bethought him of this, and fell lamenting for that the most part of his existence was past, and he had not been vouchsafe to son, to inherit the kingdom after him.

Even as he had inherited from his fathers and forebears, by reason whereof there betided him sore kark and care and chagrin exceeding. As he sat thus, one of his mamelukes came into him and said, O my lord, at the door is a slave-girl with her merchant, and fairer than she I hath never seen. Quote the king, hither to me with merchant and maid, and both came into him. Now when Sharamon beheld the girl, he saw that she was like a Rudinian lance,

and she was wrapped in a veil of gold-purfled silk. The merchant uncovered her face, whereupon the place was illuminated. by her beauty, and her seven tresses hung down to her anklets, like horses' tails. She had nature-cold eyes, heavy hips and thighs, and waist of slenderous guise. Her sight healed all maladies, and quenched the fire of sighs. For she was even as the poet cries, I love her madly, for she is perfect fair, complete in gravity and gracious way, no over-tall

nor overshort, the wild, too full for trousers, are those hips that sway. Her shape is midmost twixt o'er small and tall, nor long to blame, nor little the gainsay. Or fall her anklets tress as black as night, yet in her face resplends eternal day. The king seeing her marveled at her beauty and loveliness, her symmetry and perfect race, and said to the merchant, O Sheikh, how much for this maiden? Replied the merchant, O my lord, I bought her for two thousand dinars of the merchant who owned her before myself,

since when I have travelled with her three years, and she hath cost me, up to the tongue of my coming hither, other three thousand gold pieces, but she is a gift from me to thee. The king robed him with a splendid robe of honor, and ordered him ten thousand ducats, or upon he kissed his hands, thanking him for his bounty and beneficence,

and went his ways. And then the king committed the damsel to the tirewomen, saying, amend ye the case of this maiden, and adorn her and furnish her a bower, and set her therein. And he bade his chamberlains carry her everything she needed, and shut all the doors upon her.

Now his capital wherein he dwelt was called the White City and was seated on the sea shore. And so they lodged her in a chamber, whose latticed casements overlooked the main, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 34. Recording by Terry Torres. Section 35 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is the Libravox recording. All Libravox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Pam Castile. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 35.

When it was the 739th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the king, after taking the maiden, committed her to the tirewomen, bidding them amend her case, and set her in a bower, and ordered his chamberlains to shut all the doors upon her when they had lodged her in a chamber, whose lattice casements overlooked the main. Then Shataman went in to her, but she spake not to him, neither took any note of him. Quoth he, To it seem she hath been with folk who have not taught her manners. Then he looked at the damsel and saw her surpassing beauty and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace,

with a face like the rondeur of the moon at its full or the sun shining in the sheeny sky. So he marveled at her charms of favor and figure, and he praised Allah the Creator, magnified be his might, after which he, he marveled at her charms of favor and figure, and he praised Allah the Creator, magnified be his might, after which he walked up to her and sat him down by her side, then he pressed her to his bosom, and seating her on his thighs, sucked the dew of her lips, which he found sweeter than honey. Presently he called for trays, spread with richest phions of all kinds, and ate and fed her by mouthfuls till she had enough, yet she spoke not one word. The king began to talk to her and asked her of her name, but she abode her.

still silent, and uttered not a syllable, nor made him any answer, neither ceased to hang down her head groundwards, and it was the excess of her beauty and loveliness, and the amorous grace that saved her from the royal wrath. Quoth he to himself, Glory be to God, the creator of this girl. How charming she is, save that she speaketh not, but perfection belongeth only to Allah the most high. And he asked, and he asked, and he asked the slave-girls whether she had spoken, and they said, From the time of her coming until now she hath not uttered a word, nor have we heard her address us. Then he summoned some of his women and concubines, and bade them sing to her, and make merry with her, so happily she might speak.

Accordingly, they played before her all manner instruments of music and sports and whatnot, and sang, till the whole company was moved to mirth, except the damsel, who looked at them in silence, but neither laughed nor spoke. The king's breast was straightened, thereupon he dismissed the women, and abode alone with that damsel. After which he doffed his clothes, and disrobing her with his own hand, looked upon her body, and saw it as it were a silver ingot. So he loved her with exceeding love, and falling upon her, took her maidenhead, and found her a pure virgin, whereat he resumed. Whereat he rejoiced with excessive joy and said to himself, By Allah, tis a wonder, that a girl so fair of form and face, should have been left by the merchants a clean maid as she is. Then he devoted himself altogether to her,

heeding none other and forsaking all his concubines and favorites, and tarried with her a whole year as it were a single day. Still she spoke not till one morning he said to her, and indeed the of her and longing waxed upon him. O desire of souls, verily passion for thee is great with me, and I have forsaken for thy sake all my slave-girls and concubines and women and favorites, and I have made thee my portion of the world, and had patience with thee a whole year, and now I beseech all Maria Allah of his favor to soften thy heart to me, so thou mayst speak to me, or in my God.

And thou be dumb, tell me by a sign, that I may give up hope of thy speech. I pray the Lord, extolled be he, to vouchsafe me by thee a son-child, who shall inherit the kingdom after me, for I am old and lone, and have none to be my heir. Wherefore Allah upon thee, and thou love me, return me a reply. The damsel bowed her head a while in thought, and presently raising it, smiled in his face, whereat it seemed to him as if lightning filled the chamber. Then she said, O magnanimous liege, Lord, and valorous lion,

Allah hath answered thy prayer, for I am with child by thee, and the time of my delivery is near at hand, though I know not if the unborn bay be male or female. But had I not conceived by thee, I had not spoken to thee one word. When the king heard her speech, His face shone with joy and gladness,

and he kissed her head and hands for excess of delight, saying, Alhamdolala, laud to Lord, who have vouchsafed me the things I desired, first thy speech, and secondly thy tidings that thou art with child by me. Then he rose up and went forth from her, and seating himself, on the throne of his kingship,

in an ecstasy of happiness, bade his wazir distribute to the poor and needy, and widows and others a hundred thousand dinars by way of thank offering to Allah most high and alms on his own account. The minister did as bidden by the king, who, returning to the damsel, sat with her and embraced and pressed her to his breast, saying, O my lady, my queen, whose slave I am, prithee, what was the cause of this thy silence? Thou hast been with me a whole year, night and day, waking and sleeping, yet hast not spoken to me till this day. She replied, Harken, O king of the age, and know that I am a wretched exile, broken-hearted, and far-parted from my mother and my family and my brother. When the king heard her words, he knew her desire and said,

As for thy saying that thou art wretched, there is for such speech no ground. round, inasmuch as my kingdom and good and all I possess, are at thy service, and I also am become thy bondman. But as for thy saying, I am parted from my mother and brother and family, tell me where they are, and I will send and fetch them to thee. Thereupon she answered, know then, O auspicious king, that I am called Junar the seaborn, and that my father was of the kings of the main. He died and left us his reign, but while we were yet unsettled, behold, one of the other kings arose against us and took the realm from our hands. I have a brother called Sally, and my mother also is a woman of the sea, but I fell out with my brother, the pious, and swore

that I would throw myself into the hands of a man of the folk of the land. So I came forth of the sea, and sat down on the edge of an island in the moonshine, where a passer-by found me, and carrying me to his house, besought me of love lyes, but I smote him on the head, so that he all but died. Whereupon he carried me forth, and sold me to the merchant from whom thou hadst me, and this was a good man, and a virtuous, pious, loyal, and generous. Were it not that thy heart loved me, and thou promoteth me, over all thy concubes, I had not remained with thee a single hour, but had cast myself from this window into the sea, and gone to my mother and family. But I was ashamed to fare them words, being with child by thee,

for they would have deemed evilly of me, and would not have credited me, even although I swore to them, and I told them that a king had bought me with his gold, and made me his portion of the world, and preferred me over all his wives, and everything that his right hand possessed. This then is my story and the peace. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and forty-th night she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Joulnar the seaborn, answering the question of King Shadamon,

told him her past from first to last, the king thanked her and kissed her between the eyes, saying, By Allah, O my lady, in light of mine eyes, I cannot bear to be parted from thee one hour, and given thou leave me, I shall die forthright. What then is to be done? replied she. O my lord, the time of my delivery is at hand, and my family needs must be present, that they may tend me, for the women of the land, know not the manner of child-bearing of the women of the sea, nor do the daughters of the ocean know the manner of the daughters of the earth, and when my people come I shall be reconciled to them, and they will be reconciled to me, quoth the king. How do the people of the sea walk

therein without being wedded? And quoth she, O king of the age, we walk in the waters with their eyes open, as do ye on the ground. By the blessing of the name scraven upon the seal ring of Solomon Davidson, on whom be peace. But, O King, when my kith and kin come, I will tell them how thou boughtest me with thy gold, and hast entreated me with kindness and benevolence. It behooveth that thou confirm my words to them, and that they witness thine estate with their own eyes, and they learn that thou art a king, son of a king. He rejoined, O my lady, do what seemeth good to thee, and would pleaseeth thee, and I will consent to thee, and all thou wouldst do. The damsel continued, Yes, we walk in the sea, and see what is therein, and behold the sun, moon, stars, and sky, as it were on the surface of earth, and this irketh us not.

Know also that there be many peoples in the main, and various forms and creatures of all kinds that are on the land, and that all that all, that is on the land, compared with that which is in the main, is but a very small matter. And the king marveled at her words. Then she pulled out from her bosom two bits of cormorin-line aloes, and kindling fire in a chafing-dish, chose somewhat of them, and threw it in. Then she whistled a loud whistle, and spake words none understood. Thereupon arose a great smoke, and she said to the king who was looking on, O my lord, Arise! and hide thyself in a closet, that I may show thee my brother and mother and family, whilst they see thee not, for I desire to bung them hither, and thou shalt presently

espy a wondrous thing, and shalt marvel at the several creatures and strange shapes which Almighty Allah hath created. So he arose without stay or delay, and entering a closet, fell awatching what she should do. She continued her fumigations and conjurations, till the sea foamed and frothed turbid, and there rose from it a handsome young man of a bright favour, as he were the moon at its full, with brow-flower-white, cheeks of ruddy light, and teeth like the marguerite. He was the likest of all creatures to his sister, and the tongue of the case spoke in his praise these two couplets. The full moon groweth perfect once a month, but thy face each day we see

perfected, and the full moon dwelleth in single sign, but to thee all hearts be a dwelling stead. After him there came forth of the sea, an ancient dame with hairs speckled gray, and five maidens, as they were moons, bearing a likeness to the damsel height Julnard. The king looked upon them as they all walked upon the face of the water, till they drew near the window, and saw Julnor whereupon they knew her and went into her. She rose to them and met them with joy and gladness, and they embraced her and wept with sore weeping. Then said they to her, O Junor, how couldst thou leave us four years, and we unknowing of thine abiding place, by Allah the world hath been straightened upon us, for stress of severance from thee, and we have had no delight of food or drink, no, not for one

day, but have wept with sore weeping night and day for the excess of our longing after thee. Then she fell to kissing the hands of the youth, her brother, and her mother and cousins, and they sat with her a while, questioning her of her case, and of what had betided her, as well as of her present estate. No, replied she, that when I left you, I issued from the sea, and sat down on the shore of an island, where a man found me and sold me to a merchant. who brought me to the city, and sold me for ten thousand dinars to the king of the country, who entreated me with honor and forsook all his concubines and women and favorites for my sake, and was distracted by me from all he had and all that was in his city.

Quoth her brother, Praise be Allah, who hath reunited us with thee, but now, O my sister, tis my purpose that thou arise, and go with us to our country and people. When the king heard these words, his wits fled him, for fear lest the damsel accept her brother's words, and he himself avail not to stay her, albeit he loved her passionately, and he became distracted with fear of losing her. But Jolnar answered, By Allah, O my brother, the mortal who bought me is lord of this city, and he is a mighty king and a wise man, good and generous with extreme generosity. Moreover, he is a personage of great worth and wealth, and hath neither son nor daughter. He hath entreated me with honour, and done me all manner of favour and kindness.

Nor, from the day of his buying me to this time, have I heard from him an ill word to hurt my heart. But he hath never ceased to use me courteously, doing nothing save with my counsel, and I am in the best of case with him, and in the perfection of fair fortune. Furthermore, were I to leave him, he would perish, for he cannot endure to be parted from me an hour, and if I left him I also should die, for the excess of the love I bear him. By reason of his great goodness to me during the time of my sojourn with him, for were my father alive, my estate with him would not be like my estate with this great and glorious and puissant potentate. And verily ye see me with child by him, and praise be to Allah,

who hath made me a daughter of the kings of the sea, and my husband the mightiest of the kings of the land, and Allah in very sooth he hath compensated me for whatso I lost, and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and forty-first night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Julesor the seaborn told her brother all her tale, adding, Allah hath not cut me off, but hath compensated me for what so I lost. Now this king hath no issue, male or female, so I pray the Almighty to vouchsafe me a son, who shall inherit of this mighty sovereign, that which the Lord hath bestowed upon him of lands and palaces and

possessions. Now when her brother and the daughters of her uncle heard this her speech, Their eyes were cooled thereby, and they said, O Julnar, thou knowest thy value with us, and thou wottest the affection we bear thee, and thou art certified that thou art to us the dearest of all creatures, and thou art assured that we seek but ease for thee, without travail or trouble. Wherefore, and thou be in unease, arise and go with us to our land and our folk, but, and thou be at thine ease here, in honor and happiness, this is our wish. and our will, for we desire not save thy welfare in any case. Quoth she, by Allah, I am here in the utmost ease and solace and honor and grace. When the king heard what she said, he joyed with the

heart set at rest and thanked her silently for this. The love of her redoubled on him, and entered his heart-core, and he knew that she loved him as he loved her, and that she desired to abide with him, that she might see his child by her. Then Joulnor bade her women, lay the tables, and set on all sorts of vions, which had been cooked in kitchen under her own eyes, and fruits and sweetmeats, whereof she ate, she and her kinsfolk. But presently they said to her, O Julnar, thy lord is a stranger to us, and we have entered his house, without his leave or weeding, thou hast extoll to us his excellence, and eke thou hast set before us of his victual, whereof we have eaten, yet have we not accompanied with him, nor seen him, neither hath he seen us, nor come to our presence, and eaten with us,

so there might be between us bread and salt. And they all left eating, and were wroth with her, and fire issued from their mouths, as from crescents, which when the king saw, his wits fled for excess of fear of them. But Julesnor arose and saw, and said, sooth them, and going to the closet where was the king her lord, said to him, O my lord, hast thou seen and heard how I praised thee, and extoll thee to my people, and hast thou noted what they said to me of their desire to carry me away with them? Quoth he, I both heard and saw, may the Almighty abundantly requite thee from me. By Allah, I knew not the full measure of thy fondness until this blessed hour,

and now I doubt not of thy love to me. Quoth she, O my Lord, is the reward of kindness ought but kindness? Verily thou hast dealt generously with me, and hast entreated me with worship, and I have seen that thou lovest me with the utmost love, and thou hast done me all manner of honor and kindness, and preferred me above all thou lovest and desirest. So how should my heart be content to leave thee, and depart from thee? and how should I do thus after all thy goodness to me? But now I desire of thy courtesy, that thou come and salute my family, so thou may see them and they thee,

and pure love and friendship may be between you, for know, O king of the age, that my brother and mother and cousins love thee with exceeding love, by reason of my praises of thee to them, and they say, We will not depart from thee, nor go to our homes,

till we have foregathered with the king and saluted him, for indeed they desire to see thee and make acquaintance with thee. The king replied, To hear is to obey, for this is my very own wish. So saying he rose and went into them, and saluted them with the goodliest salutation. And they sprang up to him and received him with the utmost worship, after which he sat down in the palace and ate with them,

and he entertained them thus for the space of thirty days. Then being desirous of returning home, they took leave of the king and queen, and departed with due permission to their own land, after he had done them all possible honor. A while after this, Joulnor completed the days of her pregnancy, and the time of her delivery being come, she bore a boy, as he were the moon at its full, where at the utmost joy betided the king, for that he had never in his own. his life been vouchsafed son or daughter, so they held high festival and decorated the city seven days in the extreme of joy and jollity, and on the seventh day came Queen Junor's mother,

Farrasha Haidt and brother and cousins, when as they knew of her delivery. And Shahadazad perceived the light of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 35. Recording by Pam Castile. Section 36 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 Ravi Shankar.

The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous. Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 36. When it was the 742nd night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Jolna was brought to bed and was visited by her people, the king received them with joy at their coming, and said to them, I said that I would not give my son a name till you should come and name him of your knowledge.

So they named him Badir Basin, and all agreed upon his name. Then they showed the child to his uncle Salé, who took him in his arms, and arising began to walk about the chamber with him in all directions right and left. Presently he carried him forth of the palace, and going down to the salt sea, fared on with him till he was hidden from the king's sight. Now when Sharaman saw him take his son and disappear with him in the depth of the sea He gave the child up for lost and felt weeping and wailing But Julna said to him O king of the age fear not Neither grieve for thy son for I love my child more than thou and he is with my brother

So wreck thou not of the sea neither fear for him drowning had my brother known that aught of harm would betide the little one he had not done this deed and he will presently bring thee thy son safe inshallah and it please the almighty nor was an hour passed before the sea became turbid and troubled and king saleh came forth and flew from the sea till he came up to them with the child lying quiet and showing a face like the moon on a night of fulness then looking at the king he said happily thou fearest harm for thy son when as i plunged into the sea with him replied the father yes o my lord i did indeed fear for him and thought he would never be saved therefrom rejoined saleh o king of the land we penciled his eyes with an eye-powder we know of and recited over him the names graven upon the seal-ring of solomon David's son, on whom be peace. For this is what we used to do with children newly born among us. And now thou needst not fear for him drowning, or suffocation, in all the oceans of the world if he should go down into them. For, even as you walk on the land, so we walk in the sea.

Then he pulled out of his pocket, a casket, graven and sealed, and, breaking open the seals, did whereupon they fell from it strings of all manner jacinths and other jewels besides three hundred bugles of emerald and other three hundred hollow gems as big as ostrich eggs whose light dimmed that of sun and moon quoth saleh o king of the age these jewels and jacinths are a present from me to thee we never yet brought thee a gift for that we never yet brought thee a gift for that we knew not Julna's abiding place, neither had we of her any tidings or trace, but now that we see thee to be united with her, and we are all become one thing, we have brought thee this present. And every little while we will bring thee the like thereof, inshallah, for that these jewels and jacinths are more plentiful with us than pebbles on the beach, and we know the good and the bad of them, and their whereabouts, and the way to them, and they are easy to us.

When the king saw the jewels, his wits were bewildered, and his sense was astounded, and he said, By Allah, one single gem of these jewels is worth my realm. Then he thanked for his bounty, Saleh the seaborn, and, looking towards Queen Jolnar said, I am abashed before thy brother, for he hath dealt munificently by me, and bestowed on me this splendid gift which the folk of the land were unable to present. So she thanked her brother for his deed, and he said, O king of the age, thou hast the prior claim on us, and it behoves us to thank thee, for thou hast entreated our sister with kindness, and we have entered thy dwelling and eaten of thy vittle, and the poet saith had I wept before she did in my passion for sa'da I had healed my soul before repentance came but she wept before I did her tears drew mine and I said the merit belongs to the precedent and resumed Saladapaius if we stood on our faces in thy service o king of the age a thousand years yet we had not the

a might to requite thee. And this were but a scantling of thy due. The king thanked him, with heartiest thanks, and the mer-man and mer-women abode with him forty days' space. At the end of which Saleh arose, and kissed the ground before his brother-in-law, who asked, What wantest thou, O Saleh? He answered, O king of the age. Indeed, thou hast done us overabundant, favors, and we crave of thy bounties that thou deal charitably with us, and grant us permission to depart, for we yearn after our people and country, and our kinsfolk, and our homes. So we will never forsake thy service, nor that of my sister and my nephew. And by Allah, O king of the age, tis not pleasant to my heart depart from thee.

But how shall we do, seeing that we have been reared in the sea, and that the the sojourn of the shore liketh us not. When the king heard these words, he rose to his feet and farewelled Saleh the seaborn, and his mother and his cousins, and all wept together because of parting, and presently they said to him, "'Anon we will be with thee again, nor will we forsake thee, but we'll visit thee every few days.' Then they flew off, and descending into the sea disappeared from sight and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of the day

and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and forty-third night she continued it hath reached me O auspicious king that the relations of Jolna the seaborn farewelled the king and her weeping together because of parting then they flew off and descending

into the depths disappeared from sight. After this, King Shariman showed more kindness to Jolna and honoured her with increase of honour, and the little one grew up and flourished, whilst his maternal uncle and grandam and cousins visited the king every few days and abode with him, a month or two months at a time. The boy ceased not to increase in beauty and loveliness with increase of years till he attained the age of 15 and was unique in his perfection and symmetry. He learnt writing and Quran reading, history, syntax and lexicography, archery, spearplay, and horsemanship, and what not else behooveth the sons of kings, nor was there one of the children of the folk of the city, men or women, but would talk of the youth's charms.

for he was of surpassing beauty and perfection, even such an one as is praised in the saying of the poet, the whiskers write upon his cheek, with ambrigious on pearl, two lines, as twere with jet upon an apple, line for line. Death harbours in his languid eye, and slays with every glance, and in his cheek is drunkenness, and not in any wine. and in that of another up springs from the table of his lovely cheeks a growth like broidery my wonder is as twere a lamp that burns through night hung up beneath the gloom in chains of ambergris And indeed, the king loved him with exceeding love, and summoning his wazir and amirs,

and the chief officers of state and grandees of his realm, required of them a binding oath that they would make Badaabasim king over them after his sire, and they swear the oath gladly, for the sovereign was liberal to the legions, pleasant in Pali, and a very compend of goodness, saying naught but that wherein was advantage for the people. on the morrow shahreman mounted with all his troops and emirs and lords and went forth into the city and returned when they drew near the palace the king dismounted to wait upon his son who abode on horseback and he and all the amirs and grandees bore the saddle-cloth of honour before him each and every of them bearing it in his turn till they came to the vestibule of the palace where the prince alighted and his head of his his father and the Amirs embraced him and seated him on the throne of kingship, whilst they, including his sire, stood before him. Then Badir Basim judged the people, deposing the unjust and promoting the just,

and continuing so doing till near upon noon, when he descended from the throne and went in to his mother Jolna the seaborn, with the crown upon his head as he were the moon. When she saw him, with the king standing before him, she rose, and kissing him, gave him joy of the sultanate, and wished him and his sire length of life and victory over their foes. He sat with her, and rested till the hour of mid-afternoon prayer, when he took horse and repaired with the emirs before him, to the Maidan plain, where he played at arms with his father and his lords till nightfall, when he returned to the palace, preceded by all the folk. He rode forth thus every day to the tilting ground, returning to sit and judge the people and do justice between Earl and Chirl,

and thus he continued doing a whole year, and at the end of which he began to ride out a hunting and a chasing, and to go round about in the cities and countries under his rule, proclaiming security and satisfaction, and doing after the fashion of of kings. And he was unique among the people of his day for glory and valour and just dealing among the subjects. And it chanced one day the old king fell sick and his fluttering heart forbode him of translation to the mansion of eternity. His sickness grew upon him till he was nigh upon death. When he called his son and commended his mother and subjects to his care and caused all the Amirs and grandees once more to swear allegiance to the prince

and assured himself off them by strongest oaths, after which he lingered a few days and departed to the mercy of Almighty Allah, his son and widow and all the Amirs and wazirs and lords mourned over him, and they built him a tomb and buried him therein. They ceased not ceremoniously to mourn him for a whole month, till Sully and his mother and cousins arrived, and condoled with their grieving for the king, and said, O Jolna, though the king be dead, yet hath he left this noble and peerless youth, and not dead is whoso leaveth the like of him, the rending lion and the shining moon,

and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of the day, and ceased to say her permitted say. when it was the seven hundred and forty-fourth night she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that saleh brother of jolma and her mother and cousins said to her albeit the king be dead yet hath he left behind him as successor this noble and peerless youth the rending lion and the shining moon thereupon the grandees and notables of the empire went in to King Baleabasim, and said to him, O king, there is no harm in mourning for the late sovereign. But over-mourning besiemeth none, save women. Wherefore occupy thou not thy heart and our hearts with the mourning for thy sire, insomuch as he hath left thee behind him, and whoso leaveth the like of thee is not dead.

Then they comforted him, and diverted him, and lastly carried him, and lastly carried him, to the bath. When he came out of the Hamab, he donned a rich row, purfled with gold, and embroidered with jewels and jassets, and setting the royal crown upon his head, sat down on his throne of kingship, and ordered the affairs of the folk, doing equal justice between strong and weak, and exacting from the prince the dews of the pauper, wherefore the people loved him with exceeding love. Thus he continued doing for a full year, whilst every now and then his kinsfolk of the sea visited him, and his life was pleasant, and his eye was cool. Now it came to pass that his uncle Sully went in one night of the knights to Jolna and saluted her,

whereupon she rose, and embracing him seated him by her side and asked him, O my brother, how art thou, and my mother and my cousins? He answered, O my sister, They are well, and glad and in good case, Lacking naught, save a sight of thy face. Then she set somewhat of food before him, and he ate. After which talk ensued between the twain, and they speak of King Badir Basin,

and his beauty and loveliness, his symmetry and skill in cavalrous and cleverness and good breathing. Now Badir was propped upon his elbow hard by them, and, hearing his mother and uncle speak of him, he feigned sleep and listened to their talk. Presently, Salé said to his sister, Thy son is now seventeen years old, and is unmarried, and I fear less mishap before him and he have no son,

wherefore it is my desire to marry him to a princess of the princesses of the sea, who shall be a match for him in beauty and loveliness. Quoth Jolna, name them to me for I know them all. So Sallay proceeded to enumerate them to her one by one. But to each she said, I like not this one for my son, I will not marry him but to one who is his equal in beauty and loveliness and wit and piety, and good breeding, and magnanimity, and dominion, and rank, and lineage.

Quoth Sale, I know none other of the daughters of the kings of the sea, for I have numbered to thee more than an hundred girls, and not one of them pleaseth thee. But see, O my sister, whether thy son be asleep or no, so she felt badder, and finding on him the signs of slumber said to Salé, He is asleep. What hast thou to say, and what is thine object in making sure his sleeping?

Replied he, O my sister, know that I have bethought me of a mermaid of the mermaids who befitteth thy son. But I fear to name her, lest he be awake, and his heart be taken with her love,

and maybe we shall be unable to win her. So should he, and we and the grandees of the realm be wearied in vain and trouble betide us through this for as saith the poet love at first sight is a spurt of spray but a spreading sea when it gaineth sway when she heard these words she cried tell me the condition of this girl and her name for i know all the damsels of the sea king's daughters and others and if i judge her worthy of him i will demand her in marriage for him of her father, though I spend on her what so my hand possesseth, so recount to me all anenther, and fear not, for my son sleepeth. Cuth Sully, I fear lest he be awake, and the poet seeth. I loved him soon as his praise I heard, for ere oft loveth, ere I survey. But Jolner said, speak out and be brief and fear not oh my brother so he said by Allah oh my sister none is worthy of thy son save the princess

jaura daughter of king al samandal for that she is like unto him in beauty and loveliness and brilliancy and perfection nor is there found in sea or on land a sweeter or pleasanter of gifts than she for she is prime in comeliness and seemly head of face and symmetrical shape of perfect grace her cheek is ruddy dight her brow flower white her teeth gem bright her eyes blackest black and whitest white her hips of heavy weight her waist slight and her favour exquisite. When she turneth, she shameth the wild cattle and the gazelles, and when she walketh, she breedeth envy in the willow branch. When she unveileth her face, outshineth the sun and moon, and all those who look upon her, she enslaveth soon.

Sweet-lipped and soft-sided indeed is she. Now when Jolena heard what Sallay said, she replied, she replied. sighed. "'Thou sayest sooth, my brother. By Allah, I have seen her many and many a time, and she was my companion when we were little ones. But now we have no knowledge of each other for constraint of distance. Nor have I set eyes on her for eighteen years. By Allah, none is worthy of my son but she. Now Badr heard all they said, and mastered what had passed first and last of these praises bestowed on jawara daughter of the king al samandah so he fell in love with her on hearsay pretending sleep the while wherefore fire was kindled in his heart on her account full sore and he was drowned in a sea without bottom or shore and Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say.

End of Section 36. Recording by Ravi Shankar. Section 37 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. Volume 7. 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 ravi shanker the book of a thousand a knights and a knight volume seven by anonymous translated by richard francis burton section thirty seven when it was the seven hundred and forty-fifth night she resumed

it hath reached me o auspicious king that when king badir basim heard the words of his uncle saleh and his mother jolna praising the daughter of king al samandal a flame of fire built in his heart full sore, and he was drowned in a sea which hath nor bottom nor shore. Then Saleh, looking at his sister, exclaimed, By Allah, O my sister, there is no greater fool among the kings of the sea than her father, nor one more violent of temper than he. So, name thou not the girl to thy son, till we demand her in marriage of her father. If he favour us with his assent, we will praise Allah Almighty,

and if he refuse us and will not give her to thy son to wife, we will say no more about it, and seek another match. Answered Jolna, Right is thy read, and they parleyed no more, but Bader passed the night with a heart on fire with passion for Princess Jhaura. However, he concealed his case. and speak not of her to his mother or his uncle, albeit he was on coals of fire for love of her. Now, when it was morning, the king and his uncle went to the Hammam Bath and washed, after which they came forth and drank wine and the servants set food before them.

Whereof they, Angiolna, ate their sufficiency, and washed their hands. Then Sully rose and said to his nephew. and sister with your leave I would fain go to my mother and my folk for I have been with you some days and their hearts are troubled with awaiting me but badir Basim said to him tarry with us this day and he consented then quoth the king come oh my uncle let us go forth to the garden so they sallied forth and promenaded about the pasture and took their solace a while, after which King Badir lay down under a shady tree, thinking to rest and sleep. But he remembered his uncle's description of the maiden, and her beauty and loveliness, and shed railing tears, reciting these two couplets. Were it said to me, while the flame is burning within me, and the fire blazing in my heart and bowels, Wouldst thou ratherst that thou shouldst behold them, or a draught of pure water?

I would answer, then. Then he sighed, and wept and lamented, reciting these verses also. Who shall save me from the love of a lovely gazelle, brighter browed than the sunshine, my bobbin-ow? My heart, e'ersed free from her love, now burns with fire for the maid of owl, When Saleh heard what his nephew said, he smote hand upon hand and said, There is no God but the God. Muhammad is the apostle of God, and there is no majesty, and there is no might save in Allah the glorious, the great. Adding, O my son, heardest thou what passed between me and thy mother, respecting Princess Jaura? Replied Badir Basim.

Yes, O my uncle. and I fell in love with her by hearsay through what I heard you say. Indeed, my heart cleaveth to her, and I cannot live without her. Rejoined his uncle, O King, let us return to thy mother, and tell her how the case standeth, and crave her leave that I may take thee with me, and seek the princess in marriage of her sire, after which we will farewell her, and I and thou will return.

Indeed, I fear to take thee, and go without her leave lest she be wroth with me and verily the right would be on her side for i should be the cause of her separation from us moreover the city would be left without a king and there would be none to govern the citizens and look to their affairs so should the realm be disordered against thee and the kingship depart from thy hands but badeer basim hearing these words cried o my uncle if i return to my mother and consult her on such a matter, she will not suffer me to do this, wherefore I will not return to my mother, nor consult her. And he wept before him, and presently added, I will go with thee, and tell her not,

and after we'll return. When Sully heard what his nephew said, he was confused and entered his case and said, I crave help of the Almighty in any event. then seeing that badir basim was resolved to go with him whether his mother would let him or know he drew from his finger a seal ring whereon were graven certain of the names of allah the most high and gave it to him saying put this on thy finger and thou shalt be safe from drowning and other perils and from the mischief of sea-beasts and great fishes so king badir basim took the ring and set it on his finger then they dove into the deep and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say When it was the seven hundred and forty-sixth night, she said,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Bader Bassim and his uncle, after diving into the deep, fared on till they came to Sallay's palace, where they found Bader Bassim's grandmother, the mother of his mother, seated with her kinsfolk, and going into them kissed their hands.

When the old queen saw Bader, she rose to him, and embracing him, kissed him between the eyes, and said to him, "'A blessed coming, O my son! How didst thou leave thy mother Jolna?' he replied, "'She is well in health and fortune, and saluteth thee and her uncle's daughters.' Then Salé related to his mother what had occurred between him and his sister, and how King Badir Basim had fallen in love with the Princess Chowra,

daughter of Al Samandal by report, and told her the whole tale from beginning to end, adding, He hath not come, save to demand her in wedlock of her sire. Which when the old queen heard, she was wroth against her son with exceeding wrath, and sore troubled, and concerned, and said, O Sallay, O my son! In very sooth thou didst wrong to name the princess before thy nephew, knowing as thou dost her father is stupid and violent little of wit and tyrannical of temper grudging his daughter to every suitor for the monarchs of the main has sought her hand but he rejected them all nay he would none of them saying you are no match for her in beauty or in loveliness or in aught else wherefore we fear to demand her in wedlock of him lest he reject us even as he has he had yet he hath rejected others. And we are a folk of high spirit, and should return broken-hearted.

Hearing these words, Salé answered, O my mother, what is to do? For, King Badir Basim saith, there is no help, but that I seek her in marriage of her sire, though I expend my whole kingdom, and ye avouches, that I need take her not to wife, he will die off love for her and longing. And Sale continued, He is handsomer and goodlier than she. His father was king of all the Persians, whose king he now is,

and none is worthy of Jaura save Badir Basim. Wherefore, I purpose to carry her father a gift of Jassens and jewels befitting his dignity, and demand her of him in marriage. And he object to us that he is a king, Behold, our man also is a king, king and the son of a king or if he object to us her beauty behold our man is more beautiful than she or again if you object to us the vastness of his dominion

behold our man's dominion is vaster than hers and her father's and numbereth more troops and guards for that his kingdom is greater than that of al salmandal needs must I do my endeavor to further the desire of my sisters son, though it relieved me of my life, because I was the cause of what so hath betided, and, even as I plunged him into the ocean of her love, so will I go about to marry him to her, and may Almighty Allah help me thereto, rejoined his mother. Doest thou wilt, but beware of giving her father rough words whenest thou speaketh with him, for thou knowest his stupidity and violence, and I fear lest he do thee a mischief,

for he knoweth not respect for any." And Salé answered, hearkening and obedience. Then he sprang up, and taking two bags full of gems, such as rubies, and bugles of emerald, noble oars, and all manner of jewels, gave them to his servants to carry, and set out with his nephew for the palace of Al-Samandal. When they came thither, he sought audience of the king, and being admitted to his presence kissed ground before him and saluted him with the goodliest salaam the king rose to him and honouring him with the utmost honour bade him be seated so he sat down and presently the king said to him A blessed coming, indeed, thou hast desolated us, O Saleh, but what bringeth thee to us? Tell me thine errand that we may fulfil it to thee.

Whereupon, Sallay arose, and, kissing the ground a second time, said, O king of the age, my errand is to Allah, and the magnanimous liege-lord, and the valiant lion, the report of whose good qualities the caravans far and near have disbred, and whose renown for benefits and beneficence, and clemency and graciousness and liberality, to all climes and countries hath spared. Thenupon he opened the two bags, and displayed their contents before Al Samandal,

said to him, O king of the age, Happily wilt thou accept my gift, and by showing favour to me heal my heart. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of the day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 747th night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that when Saleh offered his gift to the king saying, My aim and the end is that the sovereign show favour to me, and heal my heart by accepting my present, King Samandal asked With what object dost thou gift me with this gift? Tell me thy tale and equate me with thy requirement And its accomplishment be in my power I will straight away accomplish it to thee

And spare thee toil and trouble And if I be unable thereunto Allah compeleth not any soul ought beyond its power So Sully rose And kissing ground three times said O king of the age, That which I desire Thou art indeed able to do

And it is in thy power And thou art master thereof And I impose Not on the king a difficulty Nor am I gin demented That I should crave of the king A thing where to he availeth not For one of the sages saith

And thou wouldst be complied With ask that which can be readily supplied. Whereupon, that of which I am come in quest, the king, whom Allah preserve, is able to grant. The king replied, Ask what thou wouldst have and state thy case and seek thy need. Then saith Saleh, Sallay, O king of the age, know that I come as a suitor, seeking the unique pearl and the hordest jewel. the princess jaura daughter of our lord the king wherefore o king disappoint thou not thy suitor now when the king heard this he laughed till he fell backwards in mockery of him and said oh sallay i have thought thee a man of worth and a youth of sense seeking naught save what was reasonable and speaking not save advisedly "'What then have befallen thy reason, and urged thee to this monstrous matter, and mighty hazard, that thou seekest in marriage, daughters of kings, lords of cities and climates?'

"'Say me, art thou of a rank to aspire to this great eminence, and hath thy wit failed thee to this extreme pass, that thou affrontest me with this demand?' replied Sully. Allah amend the king. I seek her not for myself, albeit that I did, and I am her match, and more than her match for thou knowest that my father was king of kings of the sea, for all thou art this day are king. But I seek her for King Badir Basim, Lord of the land of the Persians, and son of King Shariman, whose puissance thou knowest. and thou object that thou art a mighty great king, King Badir is greater, and if thou object thy daughter's beauty, King Badir is more beautiful than she, and fairer of form and more excellent of rank and lineage, and he is the champion of the people of his day.

Wherefore, if thou grant my request, O king of the age, thou wilt have set the thing in its stead, but, if thou deal arrogantly with us, thou wilt not use us justly nor travel with us, the road which is straight. Moreover, O king, thou knowest that the Princess Jawura, the daughter of our lord, the king, must needs be wedded and bedded, for the sage saith. A girl's lot is either in grace of marriage or the grave. Wherefore, and thou mean to marry her, my sister's son is worthy of her than any.

other man. Now, when King Al-Samandal heard Salé's words, he was wroth with exceeding wrath. His reason well nigh fled, and his soul was like to depart his body for rage, and he cried, "'Oh, dog! Shall the like of thee dare to bespeak me thus, and name my daughter in the assemblies, saying that the son of thy sister Jolna is a match for her? Who art thou, and who is this sister of thine, and who is her son, and who was his father, that thou durst say to me, such say, and address me with such address? What are you all in comparison to my daughter but dogs? And he cried out to his pages, saying,

Take ye on the gallow bird's head. So they drew their swords, and made for them. for Sallay, but he fled, and for the palace-gate sped. And reaching the entrance, he found, of his cousins and kinfolk and servants, more than a thousand horse, armed caper-pie and iron, and close-knitted male coats, hending in hand spears and naked swords glittering white. And these, when they saw Sallay come running out of the palace, they having been sent by his mother to his succour, questioned him.

he told them what was to do. Whereupon they knew that the king was a fool, and violent tempered to boot. So they dismounted, and bearing their blades, went in to the King Al-Samandal, whom they found seated upon the throne of his kingship, unaware of their coming, and enraged against Sully with furious rage, and they beheld his eunuchs, and pages and officers unprepared. When the king saw them enter, drawn brand in hand, he cried out to his people saying, "'Wow is you! Take me the heads off these hounds!' But ere an hour had sped, Al-Samandal's party were put to the route, and relied upon flight, and Sully and his kinsfolk seized upon the king and pinioned him.

And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and seized the day, and seized, to say her permitted say end of section 36 recording by ravishanka section 38 of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume 7 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 Ravi Shankar the book of a thousand nights and a night Volume 7 by Anonymous, Translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 38 When it was the 748th night, she pursued,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Sallay and his kinfog pinioned the king, Princess Jauhara awoke, and knew that her father was a captive and his guards slain. so she fled forth the palace to a certain island and climbing up into a high tree hid herself in its summit. Now, when the two parties came to blows, some of King Al-Samandal's pages fled, and Badir Basim meeting them questioned them of their case, and they told him what had happened. But when he heard that the king was a prisoner, Badir feared for himself, and fled, saying in his heart,

Verily, all this turmoil is on my account, and none is wanted but I. So he sought safety in flight, security to sight, knowing not whether he went, but destiny from eternity foreordained crave him to the very island where the princess had taken refuge, and he came to the very tree whereon she sat, and threw himself down like a dead man, thinking to lie and repose himself, and knowing not that, there is no rest for the pursued, for none knoweth what faith hith for him in the future. And as he lay down, he raised his eyes to the tree, and they met the eyes of the princess. So he looked at her, and seeing her to be like the moon rising in the east, cried,

Glory to him who fashioned yonder perfect form, him who is the creator of all things, and who over all things is almighty, Glory to the great God, the maker, the shaper, and fashioner. By Allah, if my pre-sentiments be true, this is Jahuara, daughter of King Al-Samandal. Methinks that when she heard of our coming to blows with her father, she fled to this island, and, happening upon this tree, hid herself on its head. But, if this be not the princess herself, tis one yet goodlier than she. then he bethought himself of her case and said in himself,

I will arise and lay hands on her and question her of her condition, and if she be indeed the she, I will demand her in wedlock of herself, and so win my wish. So he stood up and said to her, Oh, end of all desire! Who art thou, and what brought thee hither? She looked at Badiabasim, and seeing him to be as the full moon when it shineth from under the black cloud, slender of shape and sweet of smile, answered, O fair of fashion, I am Princess Jahuara, daughter of King Al-Samandal, and I took refuge in this place because Salé and his host came to blows with my sire and slew his troops, and took him prisoner with some of his men, wherefore I fled, fearing for my very life.

presently adding, and I weat not what fortune hath done with my father. When King Badir Basim heard these words, he marvelled with exceeding marvel at this strange chance, and thought, Doubtless I have won my wish by the capture of her sire. Then he looked at Jauhara and said to her, Come down, O my lady, for I am slain for love of thee and thine eyes have captivated me. on my account and thine are all these broils and battles for thou must know that I am King Badir Batsim, Lord of the Persians, and Sali is my mother's brother, and it is he who came to thy sire to demand thee of him in marriage. As for me I have quitted my kingdom for thy sake, and our meeting here is the rarest coincidence.

So come down to me, and let us twain fare for thy father's palace, that I may beseech Uncle Sallie to release him and I may make thee my lawful wife when Jauhara heard his words she said in herself twas on this miserable gallows-birds account then that all this hath befallen and that my father hath fallen prisoner and his chamberlains and sweet have been slain and I have been departed from my palace a miserable exile and have fled for refuge to this island but and I devised not against him some device to defend myself from him, he will possess himself of me, and take his will of me, for he is in love, and for aught that he doeth a lover is not blamed. Then she beguiled him, with winning words and soft speeches, while he knew not the perfidy against

him she purposed, and she asked him, "'For my lord, and light of my eyes, say me, art thou indeed King Badir Basim, son of Queen Jolna? And he replied, Yes, O my lady. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 749th night, she resumed,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Jowhara, daughter of King Al-Samandal, asked the youth, Art thou in very sooth, King Badir Batsim, son of Queen Jolna? And he answered, Yes, O my lady. Then she. May Allah cut off my father,

and gar his kingdom, cease from him, and heal not his heart, neither avert him from strangerhood. If he could desire accumlier than thou or ought goodlier than these fair qualities of thine.

By Allah, he is of little wit and judgment. Presently adding, But, O king of the age, punish him not for that he hath done, more by token that an thou love me a span, verily I love thee a cubit. Indeed, I have fallen into the net of thy love, and become of a number of thy slain. The love that was with thee hath transferred itself to me, and there is left thereof with thee, but a tithe of that,

which is with me. So saying, she came down from the tree, and drawing near him, strained him to her bosom, and fell to kissing him, whereat passion and desire for her redoubled on him, and doubting not but she loved him, he trusted in her, and returned her kisses and caresses. Presently he said to her, By Allah, O Princess, my uncle Sully set forth to me not a fortieth part of thy charms,

no, not a quarter-carrot of the four-and-twenty. Then Jowhara pressed him to her bosom, and pronounced some unintelligible words. Then spat on his face, saying, Quit this form of man and take shape of bird, the handsomest of birds white of robe, with red bill and legs. Hardly had she spoken,

when King Badir Basim found himself transformed into a bird, the handsomest of birds, who shook himself and stood looking at her. Now Jowhara had with her, one of her slave girls, by the name Marsinah. So she called her and said to her, By Allah, but I fear for the life of my father who is his uncle's prisoner, I would kill him.

Allah never requite him with good. How unlucky was his coming to us, for all this trouble is due to his hard-headedness. But do thou, O slave-girl, bear him to the thirsty island, and leave him there to die of thirst. So Marcina carried him to the island in question, and would have returned and left him there, but she said in herself, By Allah, the lord of such beauty and loveliness, deserveth not to die of thirst. So she went forth from that island, and brought him to another, abounding in trees and fruit and rills,

and setting him down there, returned to her mistress, and told her, I have left him on the thirsty island. Such was the case with Badir Basim, but as regards King Sali, he sought for Jahuara after capturing the king and killing his folk, but finding her not, returned it to his palace and said to his mother, Where is my sister's son, King Badir Vasim? By Allah, O my son, replied she, I know nothing of him, for when it reached him that you and King Al-Samandal had come to blows, and that strife and strife and slaughter had betided between you, he was affrighted and fled. When Salih heard this, he grieved for his nephew and said, O my mother, by Allah, we have dealt negligently by King Badir, and I fear lest he perish, or lest one of King Al-Samandal's soldiers, or his daughter Jahuara

fall in with him, so should we come to shame with his mother and no good betide us from her, for that I took him without her leave. Then he dispatched guards and scouts throughout the sea, and elsewhere to seek for Badir, but they could learn no tidings of him. So they returned and told King Saleh wherefore Kark and Ker redoubled on him, and his breast was straightened for King Badir Basim. So far concerning nephew and uncle, but as for Jolna, the seaborn, after their departure, she abode an expectation of them, but her son returned not, and she who,

heard no report of them. So when many days of fruitless waiting had gone by, she arose and going down into the sea repaired to her mother, who, citing her, rose to her and kissed her and embraced her, as did the mermaids her cousins. Then she questioned her mother of King Badir Basin, and she answered, saying, Oh my daughter, of a truth he came hither with his uncle who took jacinths and jewels, and carrying them to King Al-Samandal demanded his daughter in marriage for thy son, but he consented not, and was violent against thy brother in words. Now I had sent Salernay upon a thousand horse, and a battle befell between him and King Al-Samandal. But Allah hated thy brother against him, and he slew his guards and troops, and took himself prisoner.

Meanwhile, tidings of this reached thy son, and it would seem as if he feared for himself, Wherefore he fled forth from us without our will and returned not to us, nor have we heard any news of him. Then Julna inquired for King Sully, and his mother said, He is seated on the throne of his kingship in the stead of King Al-Samandal, and hath sent in all directions to seek thy son and Princess Jowhara. When Jolna heard the maternal words, she mourned for her son with sad mourning, and was highly incensed against her brother Sully, for that he had taken him and gone down with him into the sea without her leave,

and she said, O my mother, I fear for our realm, as I came to thee without letting any know, and I dread tarrying with thee, lest the state fall into disorder and the kingdom pass from our hands. Wherefore I deem it best to return and govern the reign till it please Allah to order our son's affair for us. But look ye forget him not.

not neither neglect his case for should he come to any harm it would infallibly kill me since I see not the world save in him and delight but in his life she replied with love and gladness oh my daughter ask not what we suffer by reason of his loss and absence then she sent to seek for her grandson whilst Jolna returned to her kingdom weeping eyed and heavy-hearted and indeed the gladness of the world was straightened upon her and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the 750th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that when Queen Jolna returned from her mother to her own realm, her breast was straightened, and she was in ill case. So it fared with her. But as regards King Bader Basim, after Prince Jowhara had ensorseled him, and had sent him with her handmaid to the thirsty island, saying, leave him there to die of thirst, and Mar Sina had set him down in a green islet. He abode days and nights in the semblance of a bird, eating of its fruits, and drinking of its waters, and knowing not whether to go nor how to fly, till one day they came a certain fowler to the island,

to catch somewhat wherewithal to get his living. He espied King Badir Basim in his form of a white-robed bird, with red bill and legs, captivating the sight and bewildering the thought and looked thereat said in himself. Thereily yonder is a beautiful bird. Never saw it's like in fairness or form. So he cast his net over Badir, and taking him, carried him to the town mentally resolved to sell him for a high price. On his way one of the town folk accosted him and said, For how much this foul?

who, Fowler. Quoth the Fowler, what wilt thou do with him and thou buy him? Answered the other, I will cut his throat and eat him. Whereupon said the murder, Who could have the heart to kill this bird and eat him? Verily I mean to present him to our king, who will give me more than thou wouldst give me, and will not kill him, but will divert himself by gazing upon his beauty and grace, for in all my life, since I have been a fowler I never saw his like among land game or waterfowl. The utmost thou wouldst give me for him, however much thou covet him, would be a diram, and by Allah Almighty I would not sell him. Then he carried the

bird up to the king's palace, and when the king saw it, its beauty and grace pleased him, and the red colour of its beak and legs. So he sent a eunuch to buy it, who accosted the fowler, and said to him, Will thou sell this bird? answered he. Nay, tis a gift from me to the king. So the eunuch carried to the bird to the king and told him what the man had said, and he took it and gave the fowler ten dinars, whereupon he kissed the ground and fared forth.

Then the eunuch carried the bird to the palace, and placing him in a fine cage, hung him up after setting meat and drink by him. When the king came down from the divan, he said to the eunuch, Where is the bird? Bring it to me, that I may look upon it, for by Allah it is beautiful. So the eunuch brought the cage and set it between the hands of the king, who looked, and seeing the food untouched, said,

By Allah, I wist not what it will eat, that I may nourish it. Then he called for food, and they laid at the tables and the king ate. Now, when the bird saw the flesh and meat and fruits and sweetmeats, he ate of all that was upon the trays before the king, whereat the sovereign and all the bystanders marvelled and the king said to his attendants eunuchs and marmalukes in all my life i never saw a bird eat as doth this bird then he sent a eunuch to fetch his wife that she might enjoy looking upon the bird and he went in to summon her and said o my lady the king desireth thy presence that thou mayst divert thyself with the sight of a bird he hath bought when we settle the food

it flew down from its cage and perching on the table, et of all that was on thereon. So arise, O my lady, and solaced thee with the sight, for it is goodly of aspect, and it is a wonder of the wonders of the age. Hearing these words, she came in haste, but when she noted the bird,

she veiled her face and turned to fare away. The king rose up, and looking at her, asked, Why dost thou veil thy face? when there is none in presence save the women and eunuchs who wait on thee and thy husband answered she o king this bird is not a bird but a man like thyself he rejoined thou liest this is too much of a jest how should he be other than a bird then she o king by allah i do not jest with thee nor do i tell thee aught but the truth for verily this bird is king badir basim son of King Shariman, Lord of the land of the Persians, and his mother is Julna the Seborn. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying their permitted say. End of Section 38, recording by Ravi Shankar.

Section 39 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 Pam Castile. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 39. When it was the 751st night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the king's wife said to the king,

Verily, this is no bird but a man like thyself. He is King Badir Basim's son of King Sharaman, and his mother is Jilnar the seaborn. Quoth the king, and how came he in this shape? And quoth she, Princess Jalhar, daughter of King Al-Salem, hath enchanted him, and told him all that had passed with King Badir Basim from first to last. The king marvelled exceedingly at his wife's words, and conjured her on his life to free Badir from his enchantment, for she was the notablest enchantress of her age, and not leave him in torment, saying, may Almighty Allah

cut off Jalhadah's hand for a foul witch as she is, how little is her faith and how great her craft and perfidy, said the queen, do thou say to him, O Badir Basim, enter yonder closet. So the king bade him into the closet, and he went in obediently. Then the queen veiled her face, and taking in her hand a cup of water, enter the closet where she pronounced over the water, certain incomprehensible words ending with, by the virtue of these mighty names and holy verses, and by the majesty of Allah Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, the quickener of the dead, and a pointer of the means of daily bread, and the power. and the terms determined, quit this thy form wherein thou art, and returned to the shape in which

the Lord created thee. Hardly had she made an end of her words, when the bird trembled once and became a man, and the king saw before him a handsome youth, then whom on earth's face was non-goodlier. But when King Badir Basim found himself thus restored to his own form he cried, There is no God but the God, and Muhammad is the Apostle of God. Glory be to the creator of all creatures, and provider of their provision, an ordainer of their life terms preordained. Then he kissed the king's hand and wished him long life, and the king kissed his head and said to him,

O Badir Basim, tell me thy history, from commencement to conclusion. So he told him his whole tale, concealing naught, and the king marveled thereat and said to him, O Badir Basim, Allah hath saved thee from the spell, but what hath thy judgment decided, and what thinkest thou to do? replied he, O king of the age, I desire thy bounty that thou equip me a ship with the company of thy servants, and all that is needful, for tis long since I have been absent, and I dread lest the kingdom depart from me, and I misdoubt me my mother is dead of grief for my loss, and this doubt is the stronger for that she knoweth not what has come of me, nor whether I am alive or dead.

Wherefore I beseech thee, O king, to crown thy favors to me by granting me what I seek. The king, after beholding the beauty and grace of Badir Basim, and listening to his sweet speech, said, I hear and obey. So he fitted him out a ship, to which he transported all that was needful, and which he manned with the company of his servants, and Badir Basim set sail in it, after having taken leave of the king. They sailed over the sea ten successive days with a favoring wind, but on the eleventh day the ocean became troubled with exceeding trouble. The ship rose and fell, and the sailors were powerless to govern her.

So they drifted at the mercy of the waves, till the craft near to the sea. a rock in mid-sea, which fell upon her and broke her up, and all on board were drowned, save King Badir by Seam, who got astride one of the planks of the vessel, after having been nigh upon destruction. The plank ceased not to be borne by the set of the sea, whilst he knew not whither he went, and had no means of directing its motion, as the wind and waves wrought for three whole days. But on the fourth the plank grounded with him on the seashore, where he sighted a white city, as it were a dove passing white, builded upon a tongue of land that jutted out into the deep, and it was goodly of ordinance, with high towers and lofty walls against which the waves beat.

When Badir Basim saw this he rejoiced with exceeding joy, for he was well-nigh dead of hunger and thirst, and dismounting from the plank, would have gone up the beach to the city, but there came down to him mules and asses and horses, in number as the sea sends, and fell to striking at him, and staying him from landing. So he swam round to the back of the city, where he waited to shore, and entering the place, found none therein, and marveled at this, saying, would I knew to whom cloth this city belong, wherein is no lord nor any liege, and whence came these mules and asses and horses that hindered me from landing? And he mused over his case.

Then he walked on at hazard till he espied an old man, a grocer. So he saluted him, and the other returned his salaam, and seeing him to be a handsome young man, said to him, O youth, whence cometh thou, and what brought thee, thee to the city. Badir told him his story, at which the old man marvelled and said, O my son, didst thou see any on thy way? He replied, Indeed, O my father, I wondered in good sooth to sight a city void of folk. Quoth the shike, My son, come up into the shop lest thou perish. So Badir Basim went up into the shop and sat down, whereupon the old man set before him somewhat to food, saying, O my son, enter the inner shop,

Glory be to him who hath preserved thee from yonder she, Satanus. King Badir Basim was sore affrighted at the grocer's words, but he ate his fill and washed his hands, then glanced at his host and said to him, O my lord, what is the meaning of these words? Verily thou hast made me fearful of this city and its folk. Reply the old man, Know, O my son, that this is the city of the

magicians, and its queen is as she were, she, Satan, a sorceress, and a mighty enchantress, passing crafty and perfidious exceedingly. All thou sawest of horses and mules and asses were once sons of Adam

like thee and me. They were also strangers, for whoever entreateth this city, being a young man like thyself, This miscreant witch taketh him, and hometh him for forty days, after which she enchanted him, and he becometh a mule or a horse or an ass of those animals thou sawest on the seashore. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and fifty-second night she pursued,

It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the old grocer related to King Badir Basim, the history of the enchantress ending with, All these people hath she spelled, and when it was thy intent to land, they feared lest thou be transmute like themselves, so they counseled thee by signs that said, land not of their solicitude for thee, fearing that happily she should do with thee like as she had done with them. She possessed herself of this city and seized it from its citizens by sorcery, and her name is Queen Lab, which being interpreted meaneth in Arabic, Almanac of the sun. When Badir Basim heard what the old man said, he was affrighted with sore affright, and trembled like reed in wind, saying in himself, hardly do I feel me free from the affliction wherein I was by reason of sorcery, when destiny casteth me into yet sorrier case, and he fell amusing over his condition, and that which had betided him. When the shike looked at him and saw the violence of his terror, he said to him, O my son, come, sit at the threshold of the shop, and look upon yonder creatures and upon their dress, and complex

and that wherein they are by reason of grammary and dread not for the queen and all in the city love and tender me and will not vex my heart or trouble my mind so king badir basim came out and sat at the shop door looking out upon the folk and there passed by him a world of creatures without number but when the people saw him they accosted the grocer and said to him oh elder is this Is thy captive and thy prey gotten in these days? The old man replied, He is my brother's son. I heard that his father was dead, so I sent for him, and brought him here that I might quench with him the fire of my homesickness. Quoth they, Verily he is a comely youth, but we fear for him from Queen Lab, lest she turn on thee with treachery, and take him from thee, for she loveth handsome young men. Quoth the shike, The queen will not gainsay my commandment, For she loveth and tendereth me, And when she shall know that he is my brother's son,

She will not molest him or afflict me in him, Neither trouble my heart on his account. Then King Badir Basim abode some months with the grocer, eating and drinking, and the old man loved him with exceeding love. One day, as he sat in the shop according to his custom, behold there came up a thousand eunuchs with drawn swords and clad in various kinds of raiment and girt with jeweled girdles all rode Arabian steeds and bore in Baldrick Indian blades they saluted the grocer as they passed to shop and were followed by a thousand damsels like moons clad in various raiments of silks and satins fringe with gold and embroidered with jewels of sorts and spears were slung to their shoulders shoulders. In their midst rode a damsel mounted on a rabbiate mare, saddle with the saddle of gold, set with various kinds of jewels and jocents, and they reached in a body, the shikes

shop. The damsel saluted him and passed on till, lo and behold, up came Queen Lab in great state, and seeing King Badir Basim sitting in the shop, as he were the moon at its full, was amazed at his beauty and loveliness, and became, came passionately enamored of him, and distraught with desire of him. So she alighted, and sitting down by King Badir Basim, said to the old man, "'Winst hast thou this handsome one?' And the sheik replied, "'He is my brother's son, and has lately come to me.' Quoth Lab, let him be with me this night, that I may talk with him, and quote the

old man, wilt thou take him from me and not enchant him? said she, yes, and said he, swear to me. So she swore to him that she would not do him any hurt or insorsel him, and bidding, bring him a fine horse, saddled and bridled with a golden bridle, and decked with trappings all of gold set with jewels, gave the old man a thousand dinars, saying, used this. Then she took Badir Basim and carried him off as he were the full moon on its fourteenth night whilst all the folk seeing his beauty were grieved for him and said by allah verily this youth deserveth not to be bewitched by yonder sorceress the accursed now king by d'ibrasim heard all they said but was silent committing his case to allah almighty till they came to and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and fifty-third night she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that King Badir Basim ceased not faring with Queen

Lab at her suite till they came to her palace gate, where the emirs and eunuchs and lords of the realm took foot, and she bade the chamberlains dismiss her officers and grandees, who kissed ground and went away, whilst she entered the palace with Bader Bacin. and her eunuchs and women. Here he found a place whose like he had never seen at all, for it was builded of gold, and in its midst was a great basin brim full of water, midmost of vast flower-garden. He looked at the garden and saw it abounding in birds of various kinds and colors, warbling in all manner tongues, and voices pleasurable and plaintive. And everywhere he beheld great state and dominion, and said,

Glory be to God, who of his bounty and long-suffering provideth those who serve other than himself. The queen sat down at a latticed window overlooking the garden on a couch of ivory, whereon was a high bed, and King Badir Basim seated himself by her side. She kissed him and pressing him to her breast, bade her women bring a tray of food. So they brought a tray of red gold, inlaid with pearls and jewels, and spread with all manner of vions, and he and she ate, till they were satisfied, and washed their hands, after which the waiting women set on flagons of gold and silver and glass, together with all kinds of flowers and dishes of dried fruits. Then the queen summoned the singing women, and there came

ten maidens as they were moons, bending all manner of musical instruments. Queen Lab crowned a cup, and drinking it off, filled another and passed it to, King Badir Basim, who took and drank, and they ceased not to drink till they had their sufficiency. Then she bade the damsels sing, and they sang all manner modes, till it seemed to Badir Basim as if the palace danced with him for joy. His sense was ecstasyed, and his breast broadened, and he forgot his strangerhood, and said in himself, Verily this queen is young and beautiful, and I will never leave her, for her kingdom

is vaster than my kingdom, and she is fairer than Princess Jalhara. So he ceased not to drink with her till even tide came, when they lighted the lamps and wax and candles, and diffused censer perfumes, nor did they leave drinking till they were both drunken, and the singing women sang the while. Then Queen Lab, being in liquor, rose from her seat and lay down on a bed, and dismissing her women called to Badir Basim to come and sleep, by her side. So he lay with her in all delight of life till the morning. And Shahrazai perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. End of Section 39. Recording by Pam Castile. Section 40 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Libervox recording.

All Librovoc's recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, here, please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Pam Castillo. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 40. When it was the 754th night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when the queen awoke, she repaired to the Hamun bath in the palace, King Badir Basim being with her, and they bathed and were purified, after which she clad him in the finest of raiment, and called for the service of wine. So the waiting-women brought the drinking-gear and they drank. Presently the queen arose, and taking Badir-Basim by the hand, sat down with him on chairs, and bade bring food, whereof they ate and washed their hands. then the damsels fetched the drinking gear and fruits and flowers and confections and they ceased not to eat and drink whilst the singing girls sang various airs till the evening they gave not over-eating and drinking and merry-making for a space of forty days when the queen said to him

o badir basim say me whether is the more pleasant this place or the shop of thine uncle the grocer he replied by allah o queen This is the pleasanter, for my uncle is but a beggarly man, who vendeth pot-urbs. She laughed at his words, and the twain lay together in the pleasantest of case till the morning. When King Badir Basim awoke from sleep, and found not Queen Lab by his side, so he said, Where in heaven I knew where can she have gone? And indeed he was troubled at her absence, and perplexed about the case, for she stayed away from him a great while and did not return. So he donned his dress and went seeking her, but not finding her, and he said to himself,

Happily she is gone to the flower-garden. Thereupon he went out into the garden and came to a running rill, beside which he saw a white she-bird, and on the stream bank a tree full of birds of various colors, and he stood and watched the birds without their seeing him, and behold a black bird flew down upon that white she-bird, and fell to billing her pigeon-fashioned, then he stood. he leapt on her and trod her three consecutive times, after which the bird changed and became a woman. But Deer looked at her, and lo, it was Queen Lab, so he knew that the black bird was a man transmute, and that she was enamored of him, and had transformed herself into a bird that he

might enjoy her, wherefore jealousy got hold upon him, and he was wrothed with the queen because of the black bird. Then he returned to his place and lay down on the carpet-bed, and after an hour or so she came back to him and fell to kissing him and jesting with him. But being sore incensed against her, he answered her not a word. She saw what was to do with him, and was assured that he had witnessed what befell her when she was a white bird, and was trodden by the blackbird, yet she discovered naught to him but concealed what ailed her. When he had done her need, he said to her,

O Queen, I would have thee give me leave to go to my uncle's shop, for I long after him, and have not seen him these forty days. She replied, Go to him, but tarry not from me, for I cannot brook to be parted from thee, nor can I endure without thee an hour. He said, I hear and I obey, and mounting, rode to the shop of the shike, the grocer, who welcomed him, and rose to him, and embracing him, said to him, How hast thou fared with yonder idolatrous? He replied, I was well in health and happiness till this last night, and told him what had passed in the garden with the black bird. Now when the old man heard his words, he said, Beware of her, for know that the birds upon the tree were all young men and strangers, whom she loved and enchanted and turned into birds. That black bird thou sawest was one of her mamelukes, whom she loved with exceeding love, till he cast his eyes upon one of her women, wherefore she changed him into a black bird. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the seven hundred and fifty-fifth night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Badir Basim acquainted the old grocer with all the doings of Queen Lab, and what he had seen of her proceedings, the shite gave him to know that all the birds upon the tree, were young men and strangers whom she had enchanted, and that the black bird was one of her mamelukes whom she had transmute, and continued the shike, when as she lusteth after him, she transformeth herself into a she-bird that he may enjoy her, for she still loveth him with passionate love. When she found that thou knewest of her case, she plotted evil against thee,

for she loveth thee not wholly, but no harm shall be tied thee from her, so long as I Therefore fear nothing, for I am a Muslim by name Abdallah, and there is none in my day more magical than I. Yet do I not make use of grammaries, save upon constraint. Many a time have I put to naught the sorceries of yonder are cursed, and delivered folk from her, and I care not for her, because she can do me no hurt, nay, she feareth me with exceeding fear, as do all in the city who, like her, are magicians, and serve the fire, not the omnipotent sire. So to-morrow come thou to me, and tell me what she doth with thee, for this very night she will cast about to destroy thee, and I will tell thee how thou shalt do with her, that thou mayest save thyself from her malice. Then King Badir Basim farewelled the shike, and returned to the queen whom he found awaiting him. When she saw him she rose, and seating him, and welcoming him, brought him meat and drink, and the two ate till they had enough and washed their hands, after which she called for wine, and they drank till the night was well nigh,

half spent, when she plied him with cup after cup, till he was drunken and lost sense and wit. When she saw him thus, she said to him, I conjure thee by Allah, and by what so thou worshippest, if I ask thee a question, wilt thou inform me rightly, and answer me truly? And he, being drunken, answered, Yes, O my lady, quoth she, O my lady, quoth she, O my lord, and light of mine eyes, when thou awokest last night, and foundest me not, thou soughtest me, till thou sawest me in the garden under the guise of a white she-bird, and also thou sawest the black-bird leap on me and tread me. Now I will tell the truth of this matter. That black bird was one of my mamelukes, whom I loved with exceeding love, but one day he cast his eyes upon a certain of my slave-girls.

wherefore jealousy got hold upon me, and I transformed him by my spells into a blackbird, and her I slew. But now I cannot endure without him a single hour, so whenever I lust after him, I change myself into a she-bird and go to him, that he may leap me and enjoy me, even as thou hast seen. Art thou not therefore incensed against me, because of this, albeit by the virtue of fire and light, shade and heat, I love thee more than ever, and have made thee my portion of the world? He answered, being drunken. Thy conjecture of the cause of my rage is correct, and it had no reason other than this. With this she embraced him and kissed him, and made great show of love to him.

Then she lay down to sleep, and he by her side. Presently, about midnight, she rose from the carpet-bed, and King Badir-Basim was awake, but he feigned sleep and watched stealthily to see what she would do. She took out of a red bag of something red, which she planted a middlemost chamber, and it became a stream running like the sea. After which she took a handful of barley, and strewing it on the ground, watered it with water from the river, whereupon it became wheat in the ear, and she gathered it and ground it into flower. Then she set it aside and returning to bed, lay down by Baderbassim, till morning, when he arose and washed his face, and asked her leave to visit the shite his uncle. She gave

him permission, and he repaired to Abdallah, and told him what had passed. The old man laughed and said, By Allah, this miscreant which ploteth mischief against thee, but wrecked thou not of her ever. Then he gave him a pound of parched corn, and said to him, him take this with thee and know that when she seeth it she will ask thee what is this and what wilt thou doeth it do thou answer abundance of good things is good and eat of it then will she bring forth to thee parched grain of her own and say to thee eat of this sawick and do thou feign to her that thou eatest thereof but eat of this instead and beware and have a care lest thou eat of hers even a grain for and thou eat so much as

a grain thereof, her spells will have power over thee, and she will enchant thee and say to thee, leave this form of a man, whereupon thou wilt quit thine own shape for what shape she will, but end thou eat not thereof, her enchantments will be null and void, and no harm will be tied thee therefrom, whereat she will be shamed with shame exceeding, and say to thee, I did but jest with thee, then she will make a show of love and find, to thee, but this will all be but hypocrisy in her and craft. And do thou also make a show of love to her, and say to her, O my lady, and light of mine eyes, eat of this parched barley, and see how delicious it is. And if she eat thereof, though it be but a grain, take water in thy hand, and throw it in her face,

saying, quit this human form. For what form soever thou wilt have her take, then leave her and come to me, and I will counsel thee what to do. So Badir Basim took leave of him, and returning to the palace, went into the queen, who said to him, Welcome, and welcome, and good cheer to thee, and she rose and kissed him, saying, Thou hast tarried long for me, O my lord. He replied, I have been with my uncle, and he gave me to eat of this sowick. Quoth she, We have better than that. Then she laid his parched sowick in one plate, and hers in another,

and said to him, Eat of this, for tis better than thine. So he feigned to eat of it, and when she thought he had done so, she took water in her hand, and sprinkled him therewith saying, Quit this form, O thou gallows-bird, thou miserable, and take that of a mule one-eyed and foul of favor. But he changed not, which when she saw, she arose and went up to him, and kissed him between the eyes, saying, O my beloved, I did but jest with thee, Bear me no malice because of this, Quoth he,

O my lady, I bear thee no wit of malice, nay, I am assured that thou lovest me, but eat of this, my parched barley. So she ate a mouthful of Abdallah Sawhak, but no sooner had it settled in her stomach than she was convulsed, and King Badir Basim took water in his palm and threw it in her face, saying, quit this human form and take that of a dapple mule. No sooner had he spoken than she found herself changed into a she-mule, whereupon the tears rolled down her cheeks, and she fell to rubbing her muzzle against his feet. Then he would have bridled her, but she would not take the bit, so he left her, and, growing to the grocer, told him would have passed.

Abdallah brought out for him a bridle, and bade him reign her forthwith, so he took it to the palace, and when she saw him, she came up to him, and he set the bit in her mouth, and mounting her rode forth to find the sheik. But when the old man saw her, he rose and said to her, Almighty Allah confound thee, O accursed woman, then quoth he to Badir, O my son, there is no more tarrying for thee in this city, so ride her and fare with her whither thou wilt, and beware lest thou commit the bridle to any. King Badir thanked him and farewelling him, fared on three days without ceasing, till he drew near another city, and there met him an old man, grey-headed and comely, who said to him, Whence comest thou, O my son? Badir replied, from the city of this witch, and the old man said,

Thou art my guest to-night. He consented and went with him, but by the way, behold, they met an old woman, who wept when she saw the mule, and said, There is no God but the God, verily, this mule resembleth my son's she-mule, which is dead, and my heart acheth for her. So Allah upon thee, O my lord, do thou sell her to me? He replied, by Allah, oh, my mother, I cannot sell her. But she cried, Allah upon thee, do not refuse my request, for my son will surely be a dead man except I buy him this mule, and she importuned him till he exclaimed,

I will not sell her save for a thousand dinars, saying in himself, whence should this o woman get a thousand gold pieces. Thereupon she brought out from her girdle a purse containing a thousand ducats, which when King Badir Basim saw, he said, Oh, my mother, I did but jest with thee, I cannot sell her. but the old man looked at him and said o my son in this city none may lie for whoso lieth they put to death so king by dear by seem lighted down from the mule and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and fifty-sixth night she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when by dear byseem dismounted from and delivered the mule to the old woman. She drew the bit from her mouth, and taking water in her hand, sprinkle the mule therewith, saying, O my daughter, quit this shape for that form wherein thou wast

aforetime. Upon this she was straightway restored to her original semblance, and the two women embraced and kissed each other. So King Badir Basim knew that the old woman was Queen Lab's mother, and that he had been tricked and would have fled, when low, the old woman whistled a loud whistle, and her call was obeyed by an Ifrit, as he were a great mountain, where at Badir was affrighted and stood still. Then the old woman mounted on the Ifret's back, taking her daughter behind her, and King Badir Basin before her, and the Ifret flew off with them. Nor was it a full hour ere they were in the palace of Queen Lab, who sat down on the throne of kingship and said to Badir, Gallows, bird, that thou art,

now am I come hither and have attained, to that I desired, and soon will I show thee, how I will do with thee, and with yonder old man the grocer. How many favors have I shown him, yet he clothed me forwardness, for thou hast not attained thine end but by means of him. Then she took water and sprinkled him therewith saying, quit the shape wherein thou art for the form of a foul-favored fowl the foulest of all fowls and she set him in a cage and cut off from him meat and drink

but one of her women seeing this cruelty took compassion on him and gave him food and water without her knowledge one day the damsel took her mistress at unawares and going forth the palace repaired to the old grocer to whom she told the whole case saying queen lab is minded to make an end of thy brother's son the shak thanked her and said there is no help but that i take the city from her and make thee queen thereof in her stead then he whistled a loud whistle and there came forth to him in ifret with four wings to whom he said take up this damsel and carry her to the city of julnar the sea-born and her mother farashah for they twain are the most powerful magicians on face of earth and he said to the damsel when thou comest thither tell them that king badirbassim is queen lab's captive then the effort took up his load and flying off with her in a little while set her down upon the terrace roof of queen julnur's palace So she descended, and, going into the queen, kissed the earth, and told her what had passed to her son, first and last, whereupon Julnor rose to her, and entreated her with honor and thanked her. Then she let beat the drums in the city and acquainted her legions, and the lords of her realm with the good news that King Badir Basin was found, after which she and her mother, Farisha,

and her brother Salih, assembled all the tribes of the gen and the troops of the main, for the kings of the gen obeyed them since the taking of King Al Salmandal. Presently they all flew up into the air, and lighting down on the city of the sorceress, sacked the town and the palace, and slew all the unbelievers therein in the twinkling of an eye. Then said Joulnar to the damsel, Where is my son? And the slave-girl brought her the cage, and signing to the bird within, cried, This is thy son. So Julnard took him forth from the cage and sprinkled him with water, saying, quit this shape for the form wherein thou wast aforetime. Nor had she made an end of her speech, ere he shook and became a man as before. Whereupon his mother, seeing him restored to human shape,

embraced him, and he wept with sore weeping. On likewise did his uncle Salie, and his grandmother, and the daughters of his uncle, and fell to kissing his hands and feet. Then Jolnar sent for Shaikh Abdallah, and thanking him for his kind dealing with her son, married him to the damsel, whom he had dispatched to her with news of him, and made him king of the city. Moreover, she summoned those who survived of the citizens, and they were Muslims, and made them swear fealty to him, and take the oath of loyalty, whereto they replied, hearkening and obedience. Then she and her company farewelled him, and returned to their own capital. The townsfolk came out to me, and, meet them, with drums beating, and decorated the place three days, and held high festival of the

greatness of their joy for the return of their king Badir Basim. After this Badir said to his mother, O my mother, naught remains but that I marry, and we be all united. She replied, Right is thy read, O my son, but wait till we ask who befitteth thee among the daughters of the kings, And his grandmother, Farah Shah, and the daughters of both his uncle said, O Badir Bysim, we will help thee to win thy wish forthright. Then each of them arose and fared forth, questing in the lands, whilst Jolnar sent out her waiting women on the necks of Iffretz, bidding them leave not a city nor a king's palace without noting all the handsome girls that were therein.

But when King Badirbysim saw the trouble they were taking in this matter, He said to Julnar, O my mother, leave this thing, for none will content me save Jahara, daughter of King Al-Samandal, for that she is indeed a jewel, according to her name. Replied Julnar, I know that which thou seekest, and bade forthright, bring Al-Samandal the king. As soon as he was present, she sent for Badir Basim and acquainted him with the king's coming, whereupon he went into him. Now when Al-Samandal was aware of his presence, he rose to him and saluted him, and bade him welcome, and King Badir Basim demanded of him his daughter, Jahara, in marriage.

Quoth he, she is thine handmaid and at thy service and disposition, and dispatched some of his suite bidding them seek her abode, and after telling her that her sire was in the hands of King Badir Basim to bring her forthright, so they flew up into the air and disappeared, and they returned after her. after a while, with the princess who, as soon as she saw her father, went up to him and threw her arms round his neck. Then looking at her, he said, O my daughter, know that I have given thee in wedlock to this magnanimous sovereign, and valiant lion, King Badir Basim, son of Queen Junar, the seaborn, for that he is the goodliest of the folk of his day,

and most powerful, and the most exalted of them in degree, and the noblest in rank. He befitteth none but thee, and thou none but him, answered she, I may not gainsay thee, O my sire, doest thou wilt, for indeed chagrin and despite, are at an end, and I am one of his handmaids. So they summoned the Kazi and the witnesses who drew up the marriage contract between King Badir Basim and the princess Jahara, and the citizens decorated the city and beat the drums of rejoicing, and they released all who were in the jails, whilst the king clothed the widows and orphans, and bestowed robes of honor upon the lords of the realm, and demiers and grandees, and they made bride feast, and held high festival night and mourn ten days, at the

end of which time they displayed the bride in nine different dresses before King Badir Basim, who bestowed an honorable robe upon King al-Samandal, and sent him back to his country and people and kinsfolk, and they ceased not from living the most delectable of life, and the most solaceful of days, eating and drinking and enjoying every luxury, till there came to them the destroyer of delights and the sunder of societies, and this is the end of their story. May Allah have mercy on them all. Moreover, O auspicious king, a tale is also told Annette, King Muhammad bin Sabike, and the merchant Hassan. There was once, in days of yore and in ages and times long gone before, a king of the kings of the Persians by name Muhammad bin Sabike, who ruled over Khorasan

land and used every year to go on Razia into the countries of the miscreants in Hind and Sind and China, and the lands of Maywar Anar beyond the oxus and other regions of the barbarians and what not else. He was a just king, a valiant and a generous, and loved table-talk and tales and verses and anecdotes, and histories, and entertaining stories, and legends of the ancients. Whoso knew a rare recital and related it to him, in such fashion as to please him, he would bestow on him a sumptuous robe of honor, and clothe him from head to foot, and give him a thousand dinars, and mount him on a horse, saddled and bridled, besides other great gifts, and the man would take all this and win his way.

Now it chanced that one day there came an old man before him, and related to him a rare story, which pleased the king, and made him marvel, so he ordered him a magnificent present, amongst other things a thousand dinars of Khorazan and a horse with its housings and trappings. After this the fruit of the king's munificence was blazed abroad in all countries, and there heard of him a man, Hassan the merchant height, who was a generous, open-handed and learned, a scholar and an accomplished poet. Now the king had an envious wazir, a maltaum in parvo of ill, loving no man, rich nor poor, and whoso came before the king, and he gave him aught, he envied him, and said, verily this fashion annihilateth wealth, and ruineth the land,

and such is the custom of the king. But this was naught save envy and despite in that minister. Presently the King heard talk of Hassan the merchant, and sending for him, said to him, as soon as he came into the presence, O merchant Hassan, this wazir of mine vexest and thwarteth me concerning the money I give to poets, and boon companions and storytellers, and gleam in, and I would have thee tell me a goodly history and a rare story, such as I have never before heard, and it pleased me I will give thee lands galore with their forts in free tenure in addition to thy fiefs and untaxed lands, besides which I will put my whole kingdom in thy hands, and make thee my chief wazir, so shalt thou sit on my right hand and rule my subjects.

But an thou bring me not that which I bid thee, I will take all that is thy hand, and banish thee my realm. Replied Hassan, hearkening and obedience to our lord the king, But thy slave beseechest thee, to have patience with him a year, Then will he tell thee a tale, Such as thou hast never in thy life heard, Neither hath other than thou heard its like, Not to say a better than it.

Quoth the king, I grant thee a whole year's delay, And he called for a costly robe of honour, wherein he robed Hassan, saying, Keep thy house and mount not horse, Neither go nor come for a year's time, till thou bring me that I seek of thee, and thou bring it a special favor awaiteth thee, and thou mayst count upon that which I have promised thee. But, and thou bring it not, thou art not of us, nor are we of thee.

And Shahazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 40. Recording by Pam Castile. Section No. 41 of the Book of a. A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 7, by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 41. but it was the seven hundred and fifty-seventh night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when king mohammed son of sabike said to asan the merchant and thou bring me that i seek of thee a special favour a way to thee and thou mayest now rejoice in that which i have promised thee but in thou bring it not thou art not of us nor are we of thee hasan kissed ground before the king and went out from the presents then he chose five of the best of his mamelukes who could all write and read and were learned intelligent accomplished and he gave each of them five thousand dinars saying i reared you not save for the like of this day so do ye help me to further the king's desire and deliver me from his hand quoth they what wilt thou have us do our lives be thy ransom quoth he i wish you to go each to a different country and seek out diligently the learned and erudite and literate and the tellers of wondrous stories and marvellous histories and do your endeavor to procure me the story of saifah maloom look if ye find it with any one pay him what price soever he asketh for it although he demand a thousand dinars give him what ye may and promise him the rest and bring me the story for whoso happeneth upon it and bringeth it to me

i will bestow on him a costly robe of honour and large escalor and there shall be to me none more worship than he then he said to one of them i vow to all hind and all seen and all their provinces and dependencies To another, high thou to the home of the Persians and to China and her climates. To the third, high thou to the land of Khorasan with its districts. To the fourth, high thou to Mauritania and all its regions, districts, provinces, and quarters. And to the fifth, high thou to Syria and Egypt and their outliers. Moreover, he chose them out an auspicious day and said to them, fare ye forth this day and be diligent in the accomplishment of my need, and be not slothful, though the case cost you your lives.

So they farewelled him, and departed, each taking the direction prescribed to him. Now four of them were absent four months, and searched but found nothing. So they returned and told their master, whose breast was straightened, that they had ransacked towns and cities and countries for the thing he sought, but had happened upon naught thereof. meanwhile the fifth servant journeyed till he came to the land of syria and entered damascus which he found a pleasant city and a secure abounding in trees and rills lees and fruiteries and birds chanting the praises of allah the one the all-powerful of sway creator of night and day here he tarried some time asking for his master's desire but none answered him wherefore he was on the point of departing thence to another place when he met a young man running and stumbling over his skirts so he asked of him wherefore runnest thou in such eagerness and wither dost thou press and he answered there is an elder here a man of learning who every day at this time taketh his seat on his stool and relaiteth tales and stories and delectable an anecdote

whereof never heard any the like, and I am running to get a place near him, and I fear I shall find no room because of the much folk. Quoth the Mamalook, take me with thee, and quote the youth, make haste in thy walking. So he shut his door and hastened with him to the place of recitation, where he saw an old man of bright favor seated on his stool, holding forth to the folk. he sat down near him and addressed himself to hear his story till the going down of the sun when the old man made an end of his tale and the people having heard it all dispersed from about him whereupon the mameluke accosted him and saluted him and he returned his salaam and greeted him with the utmost worship and courtesy then said the messenger to him o my lord shake thou art a comely and reverend man and thy discourse is goodly but i would fain ask of thee somewhat replied the old man ask of what thou wilt then said the mameluke hast thou heard the story of saif amaluk and badi al-jamal rejoined the elder and who told thee of this story and informed thee thereof answered the messenger none told me of it but i am come from a far country in quest of this tale and i will pay thee whatever thou asketh for its price if thou have it and wilt of thy bounty and charity impart it to me and make it an honour to me of the generosity of thy nature for had i my life in my hand and lavished it upon thee for this thing yet were it pleasing to my heart replied the old man be of good cheer and keep thine eye cool and clear thou shalt have it but this is no story that one telleth in the beaten highway nor do i give it to every one cried the other by allah o my lord do not grudge at me but ask of me what price thou wilt and the old man,

If thou wish for the history, give me a hundred dinars, and thou shalt have it, but upon five conditions. Now when the Mama Luke knew that the old man had the story and was willing to sell it to him, he joyed with exceeding joy,

and said, I will give thee the hundred dinars by way of price, and tend to boot as a gratuity, and take it on the conditions of which thou speaketh. Said the old man, then go and fetch the gold piece,

and take that thou seekest. So the messenger kissed his hands, and joyful and happy returned to his lodging, where he laid in 110 dinars, in a purse he had by him. As soon as morning morrowed, he donned his clothes and taking the dinars repaired to the storyteller, whom he found seated at the door of his house. So he saluted him, and the other returned his salam. Then he gave him the gold, and the old man took it, and carrying the messenger into his house, made him sit down in a convenient place when he set before him ink-case and read-pen and paper and giving him a book said to him write out what thou seekest of the night's story of saif al-muluk from this book accordingly the mameluk fell to work and wrote till he had made an end of his copy when he read it to the old man and he corrected it and presently said to him know o my son that my five conditions are as follows firstly that that thou tell not this story in the beaten high-road nor before women and slave-girls nor to black slaves nor feather-heads nor again to boys but read it only before kings and emirs and wazirs and men of learning such as expounders of the koran and others whereupon the messenger accepted the conditions and kissing the old man's hand took leave of him and fared forth

and chahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and fifty-eighth night she continued as hath reached me o auspicious king that when the mameluke of hasan the merchant had copied the tale out of the book belonging to the old man of damascus and had accepted his conditions and farewelled him he fared forth on the same day glad and joyful and journeyed on diligently of the excess of his contentment for that he had gotten the story of saif al-muluk till he came to his own country when he despatched his servant to bear the good news to his master and say to him thy mameluk has come back in safety and hath won his will and his aim now the term appointed between hasan and the king there wanted but ten days then after taking rest in his own quarters he himself went into the merchant and told him all that had befallen him and gave him the book containing the story of saif amuluk and Ballya al-Gemal. When Hassan joyed with exceeding joy at the sight, and bestowed on him all the clothes he had on, and gave him ten thoroughbred horses,

and the like number of camels, and mules and three negro chattels, and two white slaves. Then Hassan took the book, and copied out the story plainly in his own hand, after which he presented himself before the king, and said to him, O thou auspicious king,

I have brought thee a knight's strife, and a rarely pleasant relation who is like none ever heard at all. When these words reached the king's ear, he sent forthright for all the emirs who were men of understanding, and all the learned doctors and folk of erudition, and culture and poets and wits,

and Hassan sat down and read the history before the king, who marveled thereat and approved it, as did all who were present, and they showered gold and silver and jewels upon the merchant, Moreover, the king bestowed on him a costly robe of honor of the richest of his raiment, and gave him a great city with its castles and outliers. And he appointed him one of his chief wazirs, and seated him on his right hand. Then he caused the scribes write the story in letters of gold,

and lay it up in his privy treasures, and whenever his breast was straightened, he would summon Hassan, and he would read him the story, which was as follows. Story of Prince Saif Amaluk and the princess Buddy Al-Gimal. There was once in days of old, and in ages and times long told, a king in Egypt named Assim bin Safwan, who was a liberal and beneficent sovereign, venerable and majestic. He owned many cities and sconces and fortresses and troops and warriors

and had a wazir named Fares Ben-Sali, and he and all his subjects worshipped the sons, in the fire, instead of the old powerful sire, the glorious, the victorious. Now this king was become a very old man, weakened and wasted with age and sickness and decrepitude, for he had lived in hundred and four-score years, and had no child, male or female, by reason whereof he was ever in car and care from morning to night and from night to mourn. It so happened that one day of these days, he was sitting on the throne of his kingship with his amirs and wazirs and captains and grandees in attendance on him, according to their custom,

in their several stations, and whenever there came in an emir who had with him a son, or two sons, or happily three, who stood at the sides of their sires, the king envied him and said in himself, every one of these is happy and rejoiceth in his children, whilst thy, I have no child, and tomorrow I die and leave my reign and throne and lands and hordes, and strangers will take them, and none will bear me in memory, nor will there remain any mention of me in the world. Then he became drowned in the sea of thought, and for the much thronging of griefs and anxieties upon his here, like travellers faring for the well, he shed tears and descending from his throne, sat down upon the floor, weeping and humbling

himself before the Lord. Now when the wazir and notables of the realm and others who were present in the assembly, saw him do thus with his royal person. They feared for their lives, and let the poor suivants cry aloud to the liegees, saying, "'Hie to your homes and rest until the king recover from what aileth him.' So they went away, leaving none in the presence, save the minister, who, as soon as the king came to himself, kissed ground between his hands and said, "'O king of the age and the time, wherefore this weeping and wailing?' Tell me who hath transgressed against thee, of the kings or Castilians or emirs or grandees,

and inform me who hath thwarted thee, O my liege, Lord, that we may all fall on him and tear his soul from his two sides. But he spake not, neither raised his head. Whereupon the minister kissed ground before him a second time, and said to him, O master, I am even as thy son and thy slave, nay, I have reared thee, yet, know i not the cause of thy kark and chagrin and of this thy case and who should know but i who should stand in my stead between thy hands tell me therefore why this weeping and wherefore thine affliction nevertheless the king neither opened his mouth nor raised his head but ceased not to weep and cry with a loud crying and lament with exceeding lamentation and ejaculate alas the wazir took patience with him awhile after which he said to him except thou tell me the cause of this thine affliction i will set this sword to my heart and will slay myself before thine eyes rather than see thee thus distressed then king assim raised his head and wiping away his tears said o minister of good counsel and experience leave me to my care and my chagrin for that which is in my heart of sorrow so far

me. But Farah said, tell me, O king, the cause of this thy weeping. Happily Allah will appoint thee relief at my hands. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say, her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and fifty-ninth night, she pursued, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the wazir said to King Asim, tell me the cause of this thy weeping. Happily, shall appoint thee relief at my hands. Replied the king, O wazir, I weep not for monies nor horses nor kingdoms, nor aught else, but that I am become an old man, yea, very old, nigh upon an hundred and fourscore years of age, and I have not been blessed with a child, male or female.

So when I die, they will bury me, and my trace will be effaced, and my name cut off. The stranger will take my throne and reign And none will ever make mention of my being Rejoined the minister Ferris O king of the age I am older than thou by in hundred years Yet I have never been blessed with boon of child And seach not day and night

From carc and care and concern So how shall we do I am thou? Quoth Asim O wazir Thou hast no device or shift in this matter and quote the minister know O king that I have heard of a sovereign in the land

of Sabah by name Solomon Davidson upon the Twain be the peace who pretendeth through prophetship and avoucheth that he hath a mighty Lord who can do all things and whose kingdom is in the heavens and who hath dominion over

all mankind and birds and beasts and over the wind and the gin moreover he kenneth the speech of birds and the language of every other created thing, and with all he calleth all creatures to the worship of his Lord, and discourseth to them of their service. So let us send him a messenger on the king's name,

and seek of him our need, beseeching him to put up prayer to his Lord, that he vouchsaith each of us boon of issue. If his faith be sooth fast, and his Lord omnipotent, he will assuredly bless each of us with a child, male or female, and if the thing thus fall out, we will enter his faith and worship his lord. Else we will take patience and devise us another device.

The king cried, This is well seen, and my breast is broadened by this thy speech, but where shall we find a messenger befitting this grave matter, for that the Solomon is no kinglet, and the approaching him is no light affair. Indeed, I will send him none on the like of this matter save thyself, for thou art ancient and versed in all manner affairs, and the like of thee is the like of myself, wherefore I desire that thou weary thyself and journey to him, and occupy thyself sedulously with accomplishing this matter, so happily, be solace may be at thy hand. The minister said, I hear and I obey, but rise thou forthwith and seek thee upon the throne, so the emirs and lords of the, of the menors of

the realm, and officers in the lieges may enter applying themselves to thy service, according to their custom, for they all went away from thee, troubled at heart on thine account. Then will I go out and set forth on the sovereign's errand. So the king arose forthright and sat down on the throne of his kingship, whilst the wazir went out and said to the chamberlain, bid the folk proceed to their service as of their want. Accordingly, the troops and captains and lords of the land entered, after they had spread the tables and ate and drank and withdrew as was their want, after which the wazir pharas went forth from King Assim, and repairing to his own house, equipped himself for travel, and returned to the king, who opened to him to treasuries and provided him with rarities and things of price,

and rich stuffs and gear without compare, such as nor Amir nor wazir hath power to possess. Moreover, King Haseem charged him to accost Solomon with reverence, foregoing him with the salam, but not exceeding in speech. And, continued he, then do thou ask of him thy need, and if he say tis granted, return to us in haste, for I shall be awaiting thee. accordingly the minister kissed hands and took the presents and setting out fared on night and day till he came within fifteen days journey of Sabah meanwhile Allah extolled and exalted be he inspired Solomon the son of David the peace be upon both and said to him O Solomon the king of Egypt sendeth unto thee his chief wazir with the present of rarities

and such and such things of price so do thou also dispatch thy counsellor, Asaf bin Barqhiyah, to meet him with honour and with victual at the halting places, and when he cometh to thy presence, say unto him, verily thy king hath sent thee in quest of this and that, and thy business is thus and thus. Then do thou propound to him the saving faith, whereupon Solomon bade his vizier make ready a company of his retainers, and go forth to meet the minister of Egypt with honor and sumptuous provision at the halting places. So a soft maid ready all that was needed for their entertainment, and setting out fared on till he fell in with Ferris and accosted him with a salam,

honoring him and his company with exceeding honor. Moreover, he brought them Provant and Provinder at the halting places, and said to them, Well, come and welcome, and fair welcome to the coming guests. rejoice in the certain winning of your wish be your souls of good cheer and your eyes cool and clear and your breasts be broadened quoth pharise in himself who hath acquainted him with this and he said to us off o my lord and who gave thee to know of us and our need It was Solomon, son of David, on whom be the peace, told us of this. And who told our Lord Solomon? The Lord of the heaven and the earth told him, the God of all creatures.

This is none other than a mighty God. And do ye not worship him? We worship the sun and prostrate ourselves there too. O Wazir Farras, the sun is but a star of the stars created by Allah, extolled and exalted be he and allah forbid that it should be a lord because wiles it riseth and whiles it setheth but our lord is ever present and never absent and he over all things is omnipotent then they journeyed on a little while till they came to the land sabah and drew near the throne of solomon davidson upon the twain be peace who commanded his hosts of men and gin and others to form lives on their road so the beasts of the sea and the elephants and leopards and lynxes and all beasts of the land ranged himself in a spaliere on either side of the way after their several kinds and similarly the gin drew out in two ranks appearing all to mortal lives without concealment in diverse forms grisly and gruesome so they lined the road on either hand and the birds be spread their wings over the host of creatures to shade

them, warbling one to other in all manner of voices and tongues. Now when the people of Egypt came to this terrible array, they dreaded it, and durst not proceed. But Asaph said to them, pass on amidst them and walk forward and fear them not, for they are slaves of Solomon, son of David, and none of them will harm you. So saying he entered between the ranks, followed by all the folk, and amongst them, the wazir of Egypt and his company, fearful, and they ceased not faring forwards

till they reached the city, where they lodged the embassy in the guest-house, and for the space of three days entertained them sumptuously, entreating them with the utmost honor. Then they carried them before Solomon, prophet of Allah, on whom be the peace, and when entering they would have kissed the earth before him,

but he forbade them, saying, it befitteth not a man to prostrate himself to earth save before Allah, to whom belong might and majesty, created of earth in heaven, and all other things. Wherefore, whosoever of you hath meant to sit, let him be seated in my service, or to stand, let him stand, but let none stand to do me worship. So they obeyed him, and the wazir Ferris and some of his intimates sat down, while certain of the lesser sort remained afoot to wait on him. When they had sat a while, the servants spread the tables, and they all, men and beasts, ate their sufficiency. Then Solomon bade Ferris expound his errand, that it might be accomplished,

saying, speak and hide not of that wherefore thou art come, for I know why he come, and what is your errand which is thus and thus. The king of Egypt who despatched thee, a simhite become a very old man, infirm, decrepit, and Allah whose name be exalted, hath not blessed him with offspring, male or female. So he abode in carcant, care, and chagrin, from morn to night, and from night to mourn. It so happened that one day of these days, as he sat upon the throne of his kingship with his emirs and wazirs, and captains, and grandees in attendance on him, he saw some of them with two sons others with one and others even three who came with their sires to do him service so he said in himself of the excess of his sorrow who shall get my kingdom after my death will any save a stranger take it and thus shall i pass out of being as though i had never been on this account he became drowned in the sea of thought until his eyes were flooded with tears and he covered his face with his kerchief

and wept with sore weeping. Then he rose from off his throne and sat down upon the floor, wailing and lamenting, and none knew what was in his heart as he gravelled in the ground, save Allah Almighty. And Cheherazade perceived the dawn of day,

and ceased to say, her permitted say. End of Section 41. Section 42 of the Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Libravox recorded. 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 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 42.

When it was the 760th night, she resumed, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Solomon David's son, upon both of whom be peace, after disclosing to the wazir Faris that which had passed between himself and his master, King Asim, said to him, Is this that I have told thee the truth, O wazir? replied Ferris, O prophet of Allah, this thou hast said is indeed sooth and verity. But when we discoursed of this matter, none was with the king and myself,

nor were any aware of our case. Who then told thee of all these things? Answered Solomon, They were told to me by my lord Who knoweth whatso is concealed from the eye And what is hidden in the breasts. Quoth Ferris, O prophet of Allah, Verily this is none other than a mighty Lord

And an omnipotent God, And he Islamized with all his many. Then said Solomon to him, Thou hast with thee such and such presence and rarities. And Ferris replied, yes. The prophet continued, I accept them all and give them in free gift unto thee. So do ye rest, thou and thy company, in the place where you have been lodging, until the fatigue of the journey shall cease from you. And tomorrow, inshallah, thine errands shall be accomplished to the uttermost,

if it be the well of Allah, the most high, Lord of heaven and earth, and the light which followeth the gloom, creator of all creatures. Sofaris returned to his quarters and passed the night in deep thought, but when the morning morrowed he presented himself before the Lord Solomon, who said to him, When thou returnest to King Asim Bean Safwan, and you twain are reunited, do ye both go forth some day, armed with bow, bolts, and brand, and fare to such a place where ye shall find a certain tree?

Mount upon it and sit silent until the mid-hour between noon prayer and that of mid-afternoon when the noontide heat hath cooled. Then descend and look at the foot of the tree. Once he will see two serpents come forth, one with a head like an apes, and the other with a head like an effreets. Shoot them, ye twain with bolts, and kill them both, then cut off a spans length from their heads, and the like from their tails, and throw it away. The rest of the flesh cook and cook well, and give it to your wives to eat. Then lie with them that night, and by Allah's leave they shall conceive and bear male children. Moreover, he gave them a seal ring, a sword,

and a wrapper containing two tunics embroidered with gold and jewels, saying, O Wazir Pharis, when your sons grow up to a man's estate, give to each of them one of these tunics. Then said he, in the name of Allah, may the Almighty accomplish your desire. And now nothing remaineth for thee but to depart, relying on the blessing of the Lord the most high, for the king looketh for thy return night and day, and his eye is ever gazing on the road.

So the wazir advanced to the prophet Solomon's son of David, upon both of whom be the peace, and farewelled him and fared forth from him after kissing his hands. Rejoicing in the accomplishment of Zarin, he traveled on with all diligence night and day, and ceased not wayfaring till he drew near to Cairo, when he dispatched one of his servants to acquaint King Assim with his approach and the successful issue of his journey, which when the king heard he rejoied with exceeding joy, he and his

grandees and officers and troops, especially in the wazir's safe return. When they met, the minister dismounted, and kissing ground before the king gave him the glad news and then the winning of his wish in fullest fashion, after which he expounded the true faith to him and the king and all his people embraced Ali-Slam with much joy and gladness. Then said Asim to his wazir, go home and rest this night and a week to boot, then go to the Habam Bath and come to me, that I may inform thee of what we shall have to consider.

So far as kissed ground and withdrew with his suite, pages and eunuchs, to his house where he rested eight days, after which he repaired to the king and related to him all that had passed between Solomon and himself, adding, Do thou rise and go forth with me alone? Then the king and the minister took two bows and two bolts, and repairing to the tree indicated by Solomon, clumb up into it, and there sat in silence

till the midday heat had passed away, and it was near upon the hour of mid-afternoon prayer, when they descended, and looking about them saw a serpent couple issue from the roots of the tree. The king gazed. at them, marveling to see them ringed with collars of gold about their necks, and said to Ferris, O wazir, verily these snakes have golden torques. By Allah, this is forsooth a rare thing.

Let us catch them and set them in a cage and keep them to look upon. But the minister said, These hath a lot created for profitable use. So do thou shoot one, and I will shoot the other with these are shafts. Accordingly, they shot at them with arrows and slew them. after which they cut off a span's length of their heads and tails and threw it away when they carried the rest of the king's palace where they called the kitchener and giving him the flesh said dress this meat daintily with onion sauce and spices and ladle it out into two saucers and bring them hither at such an hour without delay and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and sixty-first night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when the king and the wazir gave the serpent's flesh to the kitchener saying cook it and ladle it out into two saucers and bring them hither without delay the cook took the meat and went with it to the kitchen where he cooked it and dressed it in skilful fashion with a mighty fine onion sauce and hot spices after which he ladled it out into two saucers and set them before the king and the wazir who took each a dish and gave their wives to eat of the meat then they went in that night unto them and knew them carnally and by the good pleasure of allah extolled and exulted be he

and his all might and furtherance they both conceived on one and the same night the king abode three months troubled in mind and saying it himself i wonder whether this thing will prove true or untrue till one day as the lady his queen was sitting the child stirred in her womb and she felt a pain and her colour changed so she knew that she was with child and calling the chief of her eunuchs gave him the command go to the king wherever he may be and congratulate him saying o king of the age i bring thee the glad tidings that our lady's pregnancy has become manifest for the child stirreth in her womb so the eunuch went out in haste rejoicing and finding the king alone with cheek on palm pondering this thing kissed ground between his hands and acquainted him with his wife's pregnancy when the king heard his words he sprang to his feet and in the excess of his joy he kissed the eunuch's hands and head and doffing the clothes he had on gave them to him moreover he said to those who were present in his assembly whoso loveth me let them bestow largesse upon this man when they gave him of coin and jewels and jacksons and horses and mules and estates and gardens what was beyond counter calculation at that moment in came the Wazir Farris and said to Assim, O my master, but now I was sitting alone at home,

and absorbed in thought, pondering the matter of the pregnancy, and saying to myself, would I wot in this thing be true, and whether my wife Cautoon have conceived or not? When behold, an eunuch came into me and brought me the glad tidings that his lady was indeed pregnant, for that her colour was changed, and the child stirred in her womb.

whereupon in my joy i doffed all the clothes i had on and gave them to him together with a thousand dinars and made him chief of the eunuchs rejoined the king o minister allah extolled and exalted be he hath of his grace and bounty and goodness and beneficence made gift to us of the true faith and brought us out of the night into light and hath been bountiful to us of his favour and benevolence wherefore i am minded to solace the folk and cause them to rejoice. Quoth Pharis, do what thou wilt, and quote the king, O wazir, go down without stay or delay, and set free all who are in the prisons, both criminals and debtors, and whoso transgresseth after this, we will requite, as he deserved even to the striking off of his head. Moreover, we forgive the people, three years taxes, and do thou set up kitchens all around about the city walls. and bid the kitcheners hang over the fire all kinds of cooking pots and cook all manner of meats,

continuing their cooking night and day, and let all comers both of our citizens and of the neighboring countries, far and near, eat and drink and carry to their houses. And do thou command the people to make holiday, and decorate the city seven days, and shut not the taverns, night nor day, and if thou delay I will behead thee. So he did as the king bade him, and the folk decorated the city and citadel and bulwarks after the goodliest fashion,

and, donning their richest attire, passed their time in feasting and sporting and making merry, till the days of the queen's pregnancy were accomplished, and she was taken one night with labor pains hard before dawn. Then the king bade summon all the Olemma and astronomers, mathematicians, and men of learning, astrologers, scientists, and scribes in the city, and they assembled and sat awaiting to the throwing of a bead into the cup, which was to be the signal to the astrophiles, as well as to the nurses and attendants that the child was born. Presently, as they sat in expectation,

the queen gave birth to a boy like a slice of the moon when fullest, and the astrologers fell to calculating, and noted his star in nativity and drew his horace-scarer. then on being summoned they rose and kissing the earth before the king gave him the glad tidings saying in very sooth the new-born child is of happy augury and born under an auspicious aspect but they added in the first of his life there will befall him a thing which we fear to name before the king quoth asim speak and fear not so quoth they o king this boy will fare forth from this life and journey in strangerhood, and suffer shipwreck and hardship and prisonment and distress, and indeed he hath before him the sorest of sufferings, but he shall free him of them in the end, and win to his wish, and live the happiest of lives the rest of his days,

ruling over subjects with a strong hand, and having dominion in the land, despite enemies and enviers. Now when the king heard the astrologer's words, he said, the matter is a mystery, but all that Allah Almighty hath written for the creature of good and bad cometh to pass, and needs must be tied him from this day to that, a thousand solaces. So he paid no heed to their words or attention to their speeches, but bestowed on them robes of honour, as well upon all who were present, and dismissed them. When, behold, in came Farras the wazir, and kissed the earth before the king in huge joy, saying, Good tidings, O king, my wife hath but now given birth to a son, as he were a slice of the

moon. Replied Assim, O wazir, go, bring thy wife and child hither, that she may abide with my wife and my palace, and they shall bring up the two boys together. So Faris fetched his wife and son, and they committed the two children to the nurses wet and dry. And after seven days had passed over them, they brought them before the king and said to him, What wilt thou name the twain? Quoth he, do ye name them? But quoth they, none nameth the son save his sire. So he said, name my son Saif Amaluk, after my grandfather,

and the minister's son, Saeed. Then he bestowed robes of honor on the nurses wet and dry and said to them, Be wrathful over them, and rear them after the goodliest fashion. so they brought up the two boys diligently until they reached the age of five when the king committed them to a doctor of sciences who taught them to read the koran and write when they were ten years old king assim gave them in charge to masters who instructed them in cavalrois and shooting with shafts and lunging with lance and play of polo and the like till by the time they were fifteen years old they were clever in all manner of martial exercises, nor was there one to view with them in horsemanship, for each of them would do battle with a thousand men, and make head against them single-handed. So when they came to years of discretion, when King Asim looked upon them, he joyed in them

with exceeding joy, and when they attained their 25th year, he took Ferris his minister apart one day, and said to him, O wazir, I am minded to consult with thee concerning a thing I desire to do, replied he, whatever thou hast to mind to do, do it, for thy judgment is blessed. Quote the king, O wazir, I am become a very old and decrepit man, sore-stricken in years, and I desire to take up my abode in an oratory that I may worship Allah Almighty, and give my kingdom and sultanate to my son, Saifamaluk, for that he has grown a goodly youth, perfect in knightly exercises and intellectual attainments, polite letters, and gravity, dignity, and the art of government. What sayest thou a minister of this project? And quote the

counselor, right indeed as thy read. The idea is blessed and a fortunate, and if thou do this, I will do the like, and my son, Said, shall be the prince's wazir, for he is a comely young man and complete in knowledge and judgment. Thus will the true. two ewes be together, and we will order their affair and neglect not their case, but guide them to goodness, and in the way that is straight. Quote the king, write letters and send them by couriers to all the countries and cities and sconces and fortresses that be under our hands, bidding their chiefs be present on such as day at the horse-course of the elephant. So the wazir went out without stay or delay and dispatched letters of this purport to all

the deputies and governors of fortresses and others under King Assim, and he commanded also that all in the city should be present, far and near, high and low. When the appointed time drew nigh, King Assim bathed tent pitchers, plant pavilions in the midst of the Champ de Mars, and decorate them after the most sumptuous fashion, and set up the great throne whereon he sat not but on festivals. And they at once did his bidding. Then he and a little, all his nababs and Chamberlains and emirs sallied forth, and he commanded proclamation be made to the people, saying, in the name of Allah, come forth to the Maidan. So all the emirs and wazirs and governors of provinces and feudatories came forth to the place of assembly, and entering the royal pavilion,

addressed themselves to the service of the king, as was their want, and abode in their several stations, some sitting and other standing, till all the people were gathered together, when the king bade spread the tables, and they ate and drank and prayed for him. Then he commanded the Chamberlains to proclaim to the people that they should not depart, so they made proclamation to them, saying, let none of you fare hence until he have heard the king's words. So they withdrew the curtains of the royal pavilion, and the king said, Whoso loveth me, let him remain till he have heard my speech, whereupon all the folk sat down in mind tranquil, after they had been fearful,

saying, wherefore have we been summoned by the king? Then the sovereign rose to his feet, and making them swear that none would stir from his stead, said to them, O ye amirs and wazirs and the lords of the land, the great and the small of you, and all ye who are present of the people. say me what ye not that this kingdom was an inheritance to me from my father and forefathers answered they yes o king we all know that and he continued i and you we all worshiped the sun and moon till allah extolled and exalted be he vouchsafed us the knowledge of the true faith and brought us out of darkness into light and directed us to the religion of al-islam know that i have become a very old man, feeble and decrepit, and I desire to take up my abode and hermitage, there to worship Allah Almighty, and crave his pardon for past offenses, and make this my son Saifamaluk

ruler. You know full well that he is a comely youth, eloquent, liberal, learned, versed in affairs, intelligent, equitable, wherefore I am minded presently to resign to him my realm, and to make him ruler over you and seat him as sultan in my stead, whilst I give myself to solitude and to the worship of Allah in an oratory, and my son and heir shall judge between you. What ye say then, all of you? Thereupon they all rose, and kissing ground before him, made answer with, hearing and obedience, saying, O our king and our defender, and thou should set over us one of thy blackamore slaves we would obey him and hearken to thy word and accept thy command. How much more then with thy son, Saif Amaluk? Indeed we accept of him and approve him on our eyes and heads. So King

Asim bin Safuan arose and came down from his seat, and seating his son on the great throne, took the crown from his own head and set it on the head of Saif Amaluk and girt his middle with the royal girdle. Then he sat down beside his son on the throne of his kingship, whilst the emirs and wazirs and lords of the land and all the rest of the folk rose and kissed ground before him, saying, indeed he is worthy of the kingship, and hath better right to it than any other. Then the Chamberlains made proclamation crying, Amon, Amon, safety, safety, and offered up prayers for his victory and prosperity and saif al-muluk scattered gold and silver on the heads of the lieges one and all and cheherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and sixty-second night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that when king assim seated his son saif al-muluk upon the throne and all the people prayed for his victory and prosperity

The youth scattered gold and silver on the heads of the lieges, one and all, and conferred robes of honor and gave gifts and largesse. Then, after a moment, the Wazir Farris arose, and kissing ground said, O Amirs, O grandees, ye ken that I am wazir, and that my wazirate dateth from old, before the ascension of King Asim bin Safuan, who hath now divested himself in the kingship, and made his son king in his stingship. said, answered they, Yes, we know that thy wazirate is from sire after grandsire.

He continued, and now in my turn I divest myself of office, and invest this my son, Saeed, for he is intelligent, quick-witted, sagacious. What say ye all? And they replied, None is worthy to be wazir to King Saif al-Maluk, but thy son Saeed, and they benefit each other. with this pharis arose and taking off his wazirial turban set it on his son's head and ek laid his in case of office before him whilst the chamberlains and the emirs said indeed he is deserving of the wazirship and the heralds cried aloud Mubarak, Mubarak, Faelic Sitt at Faustus.

After this, King Asim and Farris the minister arose, and opening the royal treasuries, conferred magnificent robes of honor on all the viceroys and emirs, and wazirs, and lords of the land, and other folk, and gave salaries and benefactions, and wrote them new mandates and diplomas with the signatures of King Saif Amaluk and his wazir, Saeed. Moreover, he made distribution of money to the men at arms and gave Guerdans and the provincials abode in the city a full week ere they departed each to his own country and place.

Then King Assim carried his son and his wazir, Said, back to the palace, which was in the city and bade the treasurer bring the seal ring and signet, sword and wrapper. which being done he said to the two young men, O my sons, come hither and let each of you choose two of these things and take them. The first to make choice was Saifamuluk, who put out his hand and took the ring in the wrapper, while Saeed took the sword in the signet, after which they both kissed the king's hands and went away to their lodging. Now Saifamuluk opened not the wrapper to see what was therein,

but threw it on the couch where he and Saeed slept by none. for it was their habit to lie together. Presently they spread them the bed, and the two lay down with a pair of wax candles burning over them, and slept till midnight. When Saif Amaluk awoke and seeing the bundle out his head said in his mind, I wonder what thing of price is in this wrapper my father gave me.

So he took it together with a candle and descended from the couch, leaving Saeed sleeping, and carried the bundle into a closet, where he opened it and found within a tunic of the fabric of the john. He spread it out and saw in the lining of the back the portraiture rotten and gold of a girl and marvelous was her loveliness. And no sooner had he set eyes on the figure than his reason fled his head and he became gin mad for love thereof, so that he fell down in a swoon

and presently recovering, began to weep and lament, beating his face and breast and kissing her. Then he recited these verses. Love at the first is a spurt of spray, which doom disposes in fate's display, till when deep diveth youth and passion see, unbearable sorrows his soul way lay. And also these two couplets. Had I known of love in what fashion he, robeth heart and soul I had guarded me, but of malice prepense I threw self away, unwitting of love what his nature be. And Saif Amaluk seeks not to weep and wail and beat face and breast till Saeed awoke and missing him from the bed and seeing but a single candle

said to himself, Whither is Saif Amaluk gone? Then he took the other candle and went round about the palace till he came upon the closet where he saw the prince lying at full length, weeping with sore weeping and lamenting aloud. So he said to him, O my brother, for what cause are these tears, and what hath befallen thee? Speak to me and tell me the reason thereof.

But Saifamuluk spoke not, neither raised his head and continued to weep, and wail, and beat hand on breast. Seeing him in this case, Quoth Saeed, I am thy wazir and thy brother, and we were reared together, I and thou.

So, and thou do not unburden thy breast and discover thy secret, to me, to whom shalt thou reveal it and disclose its cause. And he went on to humble himself and kissed the ground before him a full hour, whilst Saif Amaluk paid no heed to him, nor answered him a word, but gave not over to weeping. At last, being affrightened at his case and weary of striving with him, he went out and fetched a sword with which he returned to the closet, and setting the point to his own breast, said to the prince, rouse thee, O my brother, and thou tell me not what aileth thee, I will slay myself,

and see thee no longer in this case. Whereupon Saifam al-Malook raised his head towards the wazir, and answered him, O my brother, I am ashamed to tell thee what hath betided me. But Saeed said, I conjure thee by Allah, Lord of Lords, liberator of necks, causer of causes, the one, the ruthless, the giftful, the bountiful, the bountiful, that thou tell me what aileth thee and be not abashed at me for i am thy slave and thy minister and counsellor in all thine affairs quoth saif amalook come and look at this likeness so sa'id looked at it a while and considering it straightly behold he saw written as a crown over its head in letters of pearl, these words. This is the counterfeit presentment of Badial Jamal, daughter of Shayao bin Sharuk,

a king of the kings of the true-believing John, who have taken up their abode in the city of Babel and sojourn in the Garden of Iram, son of Ad the greater, and Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say. End of Section 42. Section 43 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. 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 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 43 When it was the 763rd night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Saeed's son of the Wazir Farah had read to Saif Amuluk, son of King Asim, the writ on the tunic, which showed the portraiture of Badiah al-Gimal, daughter of Shayal bin Sharuk,

a king of the kings of the Muslim Jins, dwelling in Babel City, and in the Garden of Iram, son of Add the greater, he cried, O my brother, knowest thou of what woman this is the presentment that we may seek for her? Saif Amaluk replied, No, by Allah, oh my brother, I know her not. And Saeed rejoined, come, read this writing on the crown. So Saif Amaluk read it and cried out for, his heart's core and very vitals, saying, alas, alas, alas! Quote, Saeed, O my brother, an original of the portrait exists,

and her name be Balia al-Gamau, and she abide in the world. I will hasten to seek her, that thou mayest win thy will without delay. But, Allah upon thee, O my brother, leave the sweeping and ascend thy throne, that the officers of the state may come in to do their service to thee, and in the undurn, do thou summon the merchants and fakers and travelers, and pilgrims and paupers, and ask of them concerning this city and the garden of Iran. Happily, by the help and blessing of Allah, extolled and exalted be he, some one of them shall direct us thither.

So, when it was day, Saif al-Maluk went forth and mounted the throne, clasping the tunic in his arms, for he could neither stand nor sit without it, nor would sleep visit him, save it were with him, and the emirs and wazirs and lords and officers came into him. When the divan was complete, all being assembled in their places, he said to his minister, go forth to them and tell them that the king hath been suddenly struck by sickness, and he, by Allah, hath passed the night in ill case. So Said fared forth and told the folk what he said, which when old King Asim heard,

he was concerned for his son, and summoning the physicians and astrologers carried them into Saif Amaluk. They looked at him and prescribed him to Zanz and diet drinks, simples, and medicinal waters, and wrote him Carracks and incensed him with nod and aloes wood and ambergous three days' space. but his malady persisted three months till king assim was wrothed with the leeches and said to them woe to you o dogs what are all of you impotent to cure my son except ye heal him forthright i will put the whole of you to death the architer replied o king of the age in the very sooth we know that this is thy son and thou wottest that we fail not of diligence intending a stranger so how much more with medicineing thy son, but thy son is afflicted with a malady hard to heal, which, if thou desire to know, we will discover it to thee. Quoth the seam, what then find ye to be the malady of my son? And quoth the leech, O king of the age, thy son is in love, and he loveth one to whose enjoyment he hath no way of access. At this the king was wroth and asked,

how know ye that my son is in love and how came love to him? They answered, inquire of his wazir and brother Said, for he knoweth his case. The king rose and repaired to his private closet, and summoning Said to him, Tell me the truth of thy brother's melody. But Said replied, I know it not. So King Asim said to the sorter, take Said and bind his eyes and strike his neck. Whereupon Said feared for himself and cried, O king of the age, grant me immunity, replied the king, speak and thou shalt have it. Thy son is in love. With whom is he in love? With the king's daughter of the John, and where could he have spied a daughter of the jinns?

Her portrait is wroughton on the tunic that was in the bundle given thee by Solomon, prophet of Allah. When the king heard this, he rose and going into Saifamaluk, said to him, O my son, what hath afflicted thee? What is this portrait whereof thou art enamored? And why didst thou not tell me? He replied, O my sire, I was ashamed to name this to thee and could not bring myself to discover aught thereof to any one at all. But now thou thou knowest my case.

Look how thou mayest do to cure me. rejoined his father. What is to be done? For this one of the daughters of men we might devise a device for coming at her, but she is a king's daughter of the jinns, and who can woo and win her, save it be Solomon Davidson, and hardly he. However, O my son, do thou arise forthright, and harden thy heart, and take horse and ride out a hunting, or to weapon play in the maidon. divert thyself with eating and drinking and put away carc and care from thy heart and i will bring thee an hundred maids to the daughters of kings for thou hast no need to the daughters of the john over whom we lack control and of kind other than ours but he said i cannot renounce her nor will i seek other than her as king assim how then shall we do o my son and saifam luke answered bring us all the merchants and travelers and wanderers in the city that we may question them thereof.

Peradventure, Allah will lead us to the city of Babel and to the Garden of Iran. So King Asim bade summon all the merchants in the city, and strangers and sea captains, and as each came, inquired of him anent the city of Babel and its peninsula and the Garden of Iran. But none of them knew these places, nor could any give him tidings thereof. however when the seance broke up one of them said o king of the age and thou be minded to ken this thing up and high thee to the land of china for it hath a vast city and a safe wherein our store of rarities and things of price and folk of all kinds and thou shalt not come to the knowledge of this city and garden, but from its folk. It may be one of them will direct thee to that thou seekest.

Whereupon, Quos Saif Amaluk, O my sire, equip me a ship that I may fare to the China land, and do thou rule the reign in my stead? Replied the old king, O my son, abide thou on the throne of thy kingship, and govern thy commons, and I myself will make the voyage to China. and ask for thee of the city of Babel and the Garden of Iran. But Saif Amaluk rejoined, O my sire, in very suit this affair concerneth me, and none can search after it like myself.

So come what will, and thou give me leave to make the voyage, I will depart and wander a while. If I find trace or tidings of her, my wish will be one, and if not, be like the voyage will broaden my breast and recruit my courage, and happily by foreign travel my case will be made easy to me, and if I live, I shall return to thee safe and sound. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

When it was the 764th night, she pursued, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Saif Amaluk said to his sire, King Asim, equip me a ship that I may fare therein to the China land, and search for the object of my desire. If I live, I shall return to thee safe and sound. The old king looked at his son and saw nothing for it but to do what he desired. So he gave him the leave he wanted and fitted him forty ships, manned with twenty thousand armed mamalukes besides servants, and presented him with great plenty of money and necessaries

and warlike gear as much as he required. When the ships were laden with water and victual, weapons and troops, Saif Amaluk's father and mother farewelled him, and King Asim said, Depart o my son, and travel in wheel and health and safety. I commend thee to him with whom deposits are not lost. So the prince bade adieu to his parents and embarked with his brother Saeed, and they weighed anchor and sailed till they came to the city of China.

When the Chinaman heard of the coming of forty, ships, full of armed men in stores, weapons, and hordes, they made sure that these were enemies come to battle with them and siege them. So they bolted the gates of the town and made ready the manganals. But Saif Amaluk, hearing of this, sent two of his chief Mamalukes to the king of China, bidding them say to him, this is Saif Amaluk, son of King Asim of Egypt, who has come to thy city he is a guest to divert himself by viewing thy country a while, and not for conquest or contention. Wherefore, and thou wilt receive him, he will come ashore to thee, and if not he will return and will not disquiet thee, nor the people of thy capital.

They presented themselves at the city gates, and said, we are messengers from King Saif Amaluk, whereupon the townsfolk opened the gates and carried them to their king, whose name was Foggfu Shaw, and between whom and King Assim, there had erst been acquaintance. So, when he heard that the newcomer prince was the son of King Asim, he bestowed robes of honor on the messengers, and, bidding open the gates, made ready guest gifts, and went forth in person with the chief officers of his realm to meet Saif Amuluk, and the two kings embraced. Then Fogfor said to his guest, welcome and welcome and fair cheer to him who cometh to us. I am thy slave and the slave of thy sire. My city is between thy hands to command, and whatso thou seekest shall be brought before thee.

Then he presented him with the guest gifts and victual for the folk at their stations, and they took horse with the wazir, Said, and the chiefs of their officers, and the rest of their troops, and rode from the seashore to the city, which they entered with cymbals, clashing, and drums beating in token of rejoicing. There they abode in the enjoyment of fair entertainment for forty days, at the end of which, quote the king of China to Saif Amaluk, O son of my brother, how is thy case? Doth my country please thee?

And quote Saif Amaluk, may Allah Almighty long honor it with thee, O king, said Fagfor, naught hath brought thee hither save some need which hath occurred to thee. and whatso thou desirous of my country i will accomplish it to thee replied saif am luke o king my cases of wondrous and told him how he had fallen in love with the portrait of by thee al jemal men wept better tears when the king of china heard his story he wept for pity and solicitude for him and cried and what wouldst thou have now o saif amaluk and he rejoined i would have thee byroth thou bring me all the wanderers and travelers, the seafarers and sea captains, that I may question them of the original of this portrait. Perhaps one of them may give me tidings of her. So Fagfour Shah set out his nabobs and chamberlains and bodyguards to fetch all the wanderers and travelers in the land, and they brought them before the two kings, and they were a numerous company. Then Saif al-Maluk questioned them of the city of Babel and the garden of

Iran, but none of them returned him a reply, whereupon he was bewildered and wist not what to do. But one of the sea-captain said to him, O auspicious king, and thou wouldst know of this city and that garden up and high thee to the islands of the Indian realm. Thereupon Saif al-Maluk made bring the ships, which being done they freighted them with vivers and water and all that they needed, and the prince and his wazir re-embarked with all their men after they had farewelled King Fagforshaw. They sailed the seas four months with a fair wind in safety and satisfaction till a chance that one day of the days there came upon them a wind and the billows buffeted them from all quarters. The rain and hail descended on them, and during twenty days the sea was troubled

for the violence of the wind, wherefore the ships drave one against other and break up, as did the Kharaks, and all on board were drowned, except Saif Amaluk, and some of his servants, who saved themselves in a little cockboat. Then the wind fell by the decree of Allah Almighty, and the sun shone out, whereupon Saif Amaluk opened his eyes, and seeing no sign of the ships, nor aught, but sky and sea, said to the mamelukes who were with him, where are the caracks and cockboats, and where is my brother Saeed? They replied, O king of the age, there remain nor ships, nor boats, nor those who were therein, for they are all drowned and become food for fishes. Now when he heard this, he cried aloud, and repeated the saying,

which whoso sayeth shall not be confounded, and it is, there is no majesty and there is no might, save in Allah the glorious, the great. Then he fell to buffeting his face, and would have cast himself into the sea, but his mamelukes withheld him, saying, O king, what will this profit thee? Thou hast brought all this on thyself,

for hadst thou hearken to thy father's words, naught thereof had betided thee. But this was written, from all eternity by the will of the creator of souls. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the 765th night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king,

that when Saif Amaluk would have cast himself into the main, as Mamalukes withheld him saying, What will this profit thee? Thou hast done this deed by thyself, yet was it written from all eternity by the main? the will of the creator of souls, that the creature might accomplish that which Allah have decreed unto him. And indeed, at the time of thy birth, the astrologers assured thy sire that all man of trouble should befall thee, so there is naught for it but patience, till Allah

deliver us from this our strait. Replied the prince, there is no majesty and there is no might save in Allah, the glorious, the great. Neither is their refuge nor fleeing from that which he decreateth and he sighed and recited these couplets by the compassionate i'm dazed about my case for lo troubles and griefs beset me sore i know not whence they grow i will be patient so the folk that i against a thing bitterer than very alo's self endured have may know less bitter than my patience is the taste of alo's juice i've borne with patience what's more hot than holes with fire aglow. In this my trouble what resource have I, save to commit my case to him who orders all that is for wheel or woe. Then he became drowned in the depth of thoughts, and his tears ran down upon his cheeks like torrent rain, and he slept a while of the day, after which he awoke and sought a food somewhat. So they set meat before him, and he ate his sufficiency,

till they removed the food from before him whilst the boat drove on with them they knew not whither it was wandering it drifted with them at the will of the winds and the waves night and day a great while till their victual was spent and they saw themselves shent and were reduced to extreme hunger and thirst and exhaustion when behold suddenly they sighted an island from afar and the breezes wafted them on till they came thither then making the cock-boat fast to the coast and leaving one therein to guard it they fared on into the island where they found abundance of fruits of all colors and eight of them till they were satisfied presently they saw a person sitting among those trees and he was long-faced of strange favor and white of beard and body he called to one of the mamelukes by his name saying eat not of these fruits for they are unripe but come hither to me I may give thee to eat of the best and the ripest. The slave looked at him and thought that he was one of the shipwrecked, who had made his way to that island. So he joyed with exceeding joy at the sight of him, and went close up to him, knowing not what was decreed to him in the secret purpose, nor what was writ upon his brow. But when he drew near, the stranger in human shape leapt upon him, for he was a marid, and riding upon his shoulder-blades and twisting, one of his legs about his neck let the other hang down upon his back saying walk on fellow for there is no escape for thee from me and thou art become mine ass thereupon the mameluke fell a weeping and cried out to his comrades alas my lord flee ye forth of this wood and save yourselves for one of the dwellers therein hath mounted on my shoulders and the rest seek you desiring to ride you like me when they heard these words they all fled down to the boat and pushed off to sea whilst the islanders followed them into the water saying whither when ye come tarry with us and we will mount on your backs and give you meat and drink and you shall be our donkeys hearing this they hastened the more seawards till they left them in the distance and fared on trusting in allah almighty nor did they leave faring for a month till another island rose before them and they are on they landed here they found fruits of various kinds and busied themselves with eating of them when behold they saw from afar somewhat lying in the road a hideous creature as it were a column of silver so they went up to it and one of the men gave it a kick

when lo it was a thing of human semblance long of eyes and cloven of head and hidden under one of his ears for he was wont when as he lay down to sleep to spread one ear under his head and cover his face with the other ear he snatched up the mameluke who had kicked him and carried him off into the middle of the island and behold it was all full of ghouls who eat the sons of adam the man cried out to his fellows save yourself for this is the island of the man-eating ghouls, and they mean to tear me to bits and devour me. When they heard these words, they fled back to the boat, without gathering any store of the fruits and putting out to sea,

fared on some days till it so happened that they came to another island, where they found a high mountain. So they climbed to the top, and there saw thick copse. Now they were sore and hungered, so they took to eating of the fruits, but before they were aware,

there came upon them from among the trees, black men of terrible aspect, each fifty cubits high, with eye-teeth protruding from their mouths like elephants' tusks, and laying hands on Saif Amaluk and his company, carried them to their king, whom they found seated on a piece of black felt laid on a rock, and about him a great company of Zanzibar blacks, standing in his service. The blackamors who had captured the prince and his mamalukes set them before the king, and said to him, we found these birds among the trees, and the king was sharp set, so he took two of the servants and cut their throats and ate them. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say.

End of Section 43 Section 44 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7. This is a Libravox recording. All Libervox recordings are in the public domain. for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org recording by pam castile the book of a thousand knights and a night volume seven by anonymous translated by richard francis burton section forty four when it was the seven hundred and sixty-sixth night she said it hath reached me o auspicious king that the zanzibar black lax took Saif al-Maluk and his mamelukes and set them before the king saying, O king, we came upon these birds among the trees.

Thereupon the king seized two of the mamelukes and cut their throats and ate them, which when Saif al-Muluk saw, he feared for himself and wept and repeated these verses. Familiar with my heart are woes, and with them I, who shunned them, for familiar are great hearts and high. The woes I suffer are not all of single kind. I have, thank Allah, varied thousands to abide. Then he sighed and repeated these also. The world hath shot me with its sorrows till.

My heart is covered with shafts galore. And now when strike me other shafts must break, Against the old points the points that laid us poor. When the king heard his weeping and wailing, he said, verily these birds have sweet voices and their song pleaseth me put them in cages so they set them each in his own cage and hung them up at the king's head that he might listen to their warbling on this wise saif al-muluk and his mameluk's abode and the blackamores gave them to eat and drink and now they wept and now laughed now spake and now were hushed whilst the king of the blacks delighted in the sound of the black their voices and so they continued for a long time now this king had a daughter married in another island who hearing that her father had birds with sweet voices sent a messenger to him seeking of him some of them so he sent her by her cahid saif al-muluk and three of his men in four cages and when she saw them they pleased her and she bade hang them up in a place over her head the prince fell to some marveling at that which had befallen him, and calling to mine his former high and honorable

estate, and weeping for himself and the three servants wept for themselves, and the king's daughter deemed that they sang. Now it was her want, whenever any one from the land of Egypt or elsewhere, fell into her hands, and he pleased her, to advance him to great favor with her, and by the decree of Allah Almighty it befell that. When she saw Saif al-Muzzi, Luke, she was charmed by his beauty and loveliness and symmetry and perfect grace, and she commanded to entreat him and his companions with honor, and to loose them from their cages. Now one day she took the prince apart, and would have him enjoy her, but he refused, saying, O my lady, I am a banished white, and with passion for a beloved one in piteous plight,

nor with other will I consent to love delight. Then she coaxed him and importuned him, but he held aloft from her, and she could not approach him nor get her desire of him by any ways and means. At last, when she was weary of courting him in vain, she waxed wroth with him in his mamelukes, and commanded that they should serve her and fetch her wood and water. In such condition they abode four years till Saif Almuluk became weary of his life, and sent to intercede with the princess. so happily she might release them, and let them win their ways, and be at rest from that their hard labor. So she sent for him, and said to him, If thou wilt do my desire, I will free thee from this thy durance vile, and thou shalt go to thy country safe and sound. And she wept, and ceased not to humble herself to him, and wheedle him, but he would not hearken to her words,

whereupon she turned from him in anger, and he and his companions abode on the island in the same plight. The islanders knew them for it the princess's birds, and durst not work them any wrong, and her heart was at ease concerning them, being assured that they could not escape from the island. So they used to absent themselves from her two and three days at a time, and go round about the desert parts in all directions, gathering firewood which they brought to the princesses, his kitchen, and thus they abode five years. Now one day it so chanced that the prince and his men were sitting on the seashore, devising of what had befallen, and Saifal Moolook seeing himself and his men in such case, bethought him of his mother and father and his brother, Saeed, and

calling to mind what high degree he had been in, fell a weeping and lamenting passing sore, whilst his slaves wept likewise. Then said they, to him, O king of the age, how long shall we weep? Weeping availeth not, for this thing was written on our brows by the ordinance of Allah, to whom belong might and majesty. Indeed, the pen runneth with that he decreeth, and naught will serve us but patience. Happily Allah extolled and exalted be he, who hath saddened us, shall gladden us. Quoth he, O my brothers, how shall we win free from this accursed woman. I see no way of escape for us, save Allah of his grace, deliver us from her. But methinks we may flee and be at rest from this hard labor. And quoth they,

O king of the age, whither shall we flee, for the whole island is full of ghouls which devour the sons of Adam, and whithersoever we go, they will find us there, and either eat us or capture and carry us back to that accursed, the king's daughter, who will be wroth with us. Saif al-Muluk rejoined, I will contrive you somewhat, whereby, prayer-adventure Allah Almighty shall deliver us, and help us to escape from this island. They asked, and how wilt thou do? And he answered, Let us cut some of these long pieces of wood, and twist ropes of their bark and bind them one with another, and make of them a raft which we will launch and load with these fruits. Then we will fashion us paddles, and embark on the raft, after breaking our bonds

with the axe. It may be that Almighty Allah will make it the means of our deliverance from this accursed woman, and vouchsafe us a fair wind to bring us to the land of Hind, for he over all things is Almighty, said they, Right is thy read, and rejoice thereat with exceeding. seating joy. So they arose without stay or delay and cut with their axes, wood for the raft, and twisted ropes to bind the logs, and at this they worked a whole month. Every day about evening they gathered somewhat of fuel and bore it to the princess's kitchen, and employed the rest of the 24 hours working at the raft. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted said say. When it was the 767th night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious

king, that Saif al-Mulukin his mamelukes, having cut the wood and twisted the ropes for their raft, made an end of it, and launched it upon the sea. Then after breaking their bonds with the axe, and loading the craft with fruits plucked from the island trees, they embarked at close of day, nor did any wot of their intent. They put out to sea in their raft and paddled on four months, knowing not whither the craft carried them, till their provant failed them, and they were suffering the severest extreme of hunger and thirst. When behold, the sea waxed, troubled, and foamed, and rose in high waves, and there came forth upon them a frightful crocodile, which put out its claws, and catching up one of the Mamelukes swathing up one of the Mamelukes,

followed him. At the sight of this horror, Saif al-Muluk wept bitterly, and he and the two men that remained to him, pushed off from the place where they had seen the crocodile, sore affrighted. After this they continued drifting on till one day they espied a mountain, terrible tall, inspiring high in air, whereat they rejoiced, when presently an island appeared. They made towards it with all their might, congratulating one another on the prospect of making land, but hardly had they sighted the island on which was the mountain, when the sea changed face and boiled and rose in big waves, and a second crocodile raised its head, and putting out its claw, caught up the two remaining Mamalukes, and swallowed them. So Saif al-Maluk abode alone, and making his way to the island,

toiled till he reached the mountain top, where he looked about and found a copse, and walking among the trees fell to eating of the fruits. Presently he saw among the branches more than twenty great apes, each bigger than a he-mule, whereat he was seized with exceeding fear. The apes came down and surrounded him, then forewent him, signing to him to follow them, and walked on, and he too, till he came to a castle, tall of base and strong of build whose ordnance was one brick of gold and one of silver the apes entered and he after them and he saw in the castle all manner of rarities jewels and precious metals such as tongue faileth to describe here also he found a young man passing tall of stature with no hair on his cheeks and saif al maluk was cheered by the sight for there was no human being but he in the castle. The stranger marvelled exceedingly at sight of the prince, and asked him, What is thy name, and of what land art thou, and how camest thou hither? Tell me thy tale,

and hide from me not thereof. Answered the prince, By Allah, I came not hither of my own consent, nor is this place of my intent, yet I cannot but go from place to place till I win my wish. Quoth the youth, and what is thy object, and quoth the other. I am of the land of Egypt, and my name is Saif al-Muluk, son of King Asimbin Safwan, and told him all that had passed with him from first to last, whereupon the youth arose and stood in his service, saying, O king of the age, I was erst in Egypt, and heard that thou hadst gone to the land of China, but where is this land, and where is this land, and where is this land, and where is this land? Where lies China land? Verily, this is a wondrous thing and marvellous matter, answered the prince. Sooth thou speakest, but, when I left China land, I set out, intending for the land of Hind, and a stormy wind arose, and the sea boiled and broke all my ships. Brief he told him, all that had befallen him till he came thither.

Whereupon quoth the other, O king's son, thou hast had enough of strong, strangerhood and its sufferings. Alham Dalila, praise be Allah, who hath brought thee hither. So now do thou abide with me, that I may enjoy thy company till I die, when thou shalt become king over this land, to which no bound is known, and these apes thou seest, are indeed skilled in all manner of crafts, and whatso thou seekest here shalt thou find. Replied Saifa Amaluk, O my brother, I may not tarry in any place till my wish

be one. Albeit I compass the whole world in pursuit thereof, and make quest of everyone so peradventure Allah may bring me to my desire or my course lead me to the place wherein is the appointed term of my days, and I

shall die my death. Then the youth turned, with a sign to one of the apes, and he went out and was absent a while, after which he returned, with other apes, girt with silken zones. They brought the trays, and set on near a hundred chargers of gold and saucers of silver, containing all manner of meats. Then they stood after the manner of servants between the hands of kings, till the youth signaled to the chamberlains, who sat down,

and he whose wanted was to serve stood, whilst the two princes, ate their sufficiency. Then the apes cleared the table and brought basins and ewers of gold, and they washed their hands in rose water, after which they set on fine sugar and nigh forty

flagons in each a different kind of wine, and they drank and took their pleasure and made merry and had a fine time. And all the apes danced and gambled before them, what while the eaters sat at meat, which when Saif al-Mul

saw he marveled at them and forgot that which had befallen him of sufferings and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say when it was the seven hundred and sixty-eighth night she pursued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when saif al-muluk saw the gestures and gambols of the apes he marvelled thereat and forgot that which had betided him of strangers and its sufferings. At nightfall they lighted waxing candles and candlesticks of gold studded with gems and set on dishes of confections and fruits of sugar candy. So they ate, and when the hour of rest was come, the apes spread them bedding and they slept. And when morning morrowed, the young man arose, as was his want, before sunrise, and waking Saif al-Maluk said to him, Put thy head forth of this lattice, and see what standeth beneath it.

So he put out his head and saw the wide waist and all the wood filled with apes whose number none knew save Allah Almighty. Quoth he, here be great plenty of apes for they cover the whole country,

but why are they assembled at this hour? Quoth the youth, this is their custom. Every Sabbath, all the apes in the island come hither, some from two and three days distance, and stand here till I awake from sleep, and put forth my head from this lattice,

when they kiss ground before me, and go about their business. So saying, he put his head out of the window, and when the apes saw him, they kissed the earth before him, and went their way. Saif al-Muluka bowed with the young man a whole month, when he farewelled him and departed, escorted by a party of nigh a hundred apes, which the young man bade escort him. They journeyed with him seven days, till they came to the limits of their islands, when they took leave of him and returned to their places, while Saif Almuluk fared on alone over mountain hill, desert and plain, four months' journey. One day a hunger and the next satiated, now eating of the herbs of the earth,

and then of the fruits of the trees, till he repented him of the harm he had done himself by leaving the young man, and he was about to retrace his steps to him when he saw something black afar off and said to himself, Is this a city or trees? But I will not turn back till I see what it is. So he made towards it, and when he drew near, he saw that it was a palace tall of base. Now he who built it was Japheth, son of Noah, on whom be peace, and it is of this palace that God, the most high speaketh in his precious book, whenas he saith, and an abandoned well in a high-builted palace. Saif al-Muluk sat down at the gate, and said in his mind, would I knew what is within

yonder palace, and what king dwelleth there, and who shall acquaint me whether its folk are men or gin, who will tell me the truth of the case? He sat considering a while, but seeing none go in or come out, he rose and committing himself to Allah Almighty, entered the palace, and walked on, till he had counted seven vestibules, yet saw no one. Presently, looking to his right, he beheld three doors, while before him was a fourth, over which hung a curtain. So he went up to this, and, raising the curtain, found himself in a great hall, spread with silken carpets. At the upper end rose a throne of gold, whereon sat. a damsel, whose face was like the moon, arrayed in royal raiment, and beautified as she were a bride

on the night of her displaying, and at the foot of the throne was a table of forty trays, spread with golden and silvered dishes, full of dainty viands. The prince went up and saluted her, and she returned his salaam, saying, "'Art thou of mankind or of the gen?' replied he, I am a man of the best of mankind, for I am a king, son of a king. She rejoined, What seekest thou, up with thee, and eat of yonder food, and after tell me thy past from first to last, and how thou camest hither? So he sat down at the table, and removing the cover from a tray of meats, he being hungry, ate till he was full, then washed his right hand, and going up to the throne, sat down by the damsel who asked him,

Who art thou, and what is thy name, And whenst comest thou, and who brought thee hither? He answered, Indeed, my story is along, But do thou first tell me who and what, And whence thou art, and why thou dwellest in this place alone? She rejoined, My name is Dalut Katoon, and I am the daughter of the king of Hind. My father dwelleth in the capital city of Saratat.

And hath a great and goodly garden. There is no goodlier in all the land of Hend or its dependencies, and in this garden is a great tank. One day I went out into the garden with my slave-women, and I stripped me naked, and they likewise, and entering the tank, fell to sporting and solacing ourselves therein. Presently, before I could beware, a something as it were a cloud, swooped down on me, and snatching me up from amongst my handmaids, soared aloft with me, betwixt heaven and earth, saying, Fear not, O Dallocatoon, but be of good heart. Then he flew on with me a little while,

after which he set me down in this palace, and straightway without stay or delay, became a handsome young man, daintily apparelled, who said to me, Now dost thou know me? Replied I, No, O my lord, and he said, I am the blue king, sovereign of the gen, my father dwelleth in the castle Al-Kazum height,

and hath under his hand six hundred thousand gen, flyers and divers. It chanced that while passing on my way, I saw thee, and fell in love with thee for thy lovely form, so I swooped down on thee, and snatched thee up from among the slave-girls, and brought thee to this the high-builted castle, which is my dwelling-place. None may fare hither, be he man, or be he Jenny, and from hither is a journey of a hundred and twenty years. Wherefore do thou hold, that thou wilt never again behold the land of thy father and thy mother, so abide with me here, in contentment of heart and peace, and I will bring to thy hands whatso thou seekest. Then he embraced me and kissed me.

And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say end of section 44 recording by Pam Castile section 45 of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume 7 this is a librivox recording all Libravox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Libravox.org. Recording by Pam Castile. The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton, Section 45. When it was the 769th night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that the damsel said to Saif Amuluk, then the king of the gen, after he had acquainted me with his case, embraced me and kissed me, saying,

Abide here and fear nothing, whereupon he went away from me for an hour, and presently returned with these tables and carpets and furniture. He comes to me every third, and abideth with me three days, and on Friday, at the time of mid-afternoon prayer, he departeth, and is absent till the following third. he is here, he eateth and drinketh and kisseth and hugeth me, but doth not else with me, and I am a pure virgin, even as Allah Almighty created me. My father's name is Taj Almuluk, and he woteth not what has come of me, nor hath he hit upon any trace of me. This is my story. Now tell me thy tale. Answered the prince, my story is a long, and I fear, lest while I am telling it to thee, the Ifret come. Quoth she, he went out from me but an hour before thy entering, and will not

return till third, so sit thee down, and take thine ease, and hearken thy heart, and tell me what hath betided thee from beginning to end. And quoth he, I hear and I obey, so he fell to telling her all that had befallen him, from commencement to conclusion, but when she heard speak of by Di Al Jamal, Her eyes ran over with railing tears, and she cried, O, by Di Al-Jemal, I had not thought this of thee, al-A lack for our luck. O by Di Al-Jamal, dost thou not remember me, nor say, my sister, Daluk Khatun, whither is she gone, and her weeping redoubled, lamenting for that by Di Al-Jamal had forgotten her. Then said Saif Amuluk, O Dalukh-Tun, thou art a mortal, and she is a geniembal,

How then can she be thy sister?" replied the princess. She is my sister by fosterage, and this is how it came about. My mother went out to solace herself in the garden, when labor pains seized her, and she bare me. Now the mother of Baddiy al-Jamal chanced to be passing with her guards, when she also was taking with travail pains, so she alighted in a side of the garden, and there brought forth by Di Al Jamal. She dispatched one of her women to seek food and childbirth gear of my mother,

who sent her what she sought, and invited her to visit her. So she came to her with Baddial Jamal, and my mother suckle the child, who with her mother tarried with us in the garden two months, and before winding her ways the mother of Baddial Jamal gave my mother somewhat saying, When thou hast need of me, I will come to thee a middlemost third, garden and departed to her own land but she and her daughter used to visit us every year and abide with us a while before returning home wherefore and I were with my mother O Sa'i'i al-Maluk and if thou worked with me in my own country and by Di al-Jamal and I were together as of want I would devise some device with her to bring thee to thy

desire of her but I am here and they know not of me for that and they can What is become of me. They have power to deliver me from this place. However, the matter is in Allah's hands. Extoled and exalteth be he. And what can I do? Quoth Saif al-Muluk, rise, and let us flee and go whither the almighty willeth. But quoth she, we cannot do that, for by Allah, though we fled, hence a year's journey that accursed would overtake us in an hour and slaughter us. said the prince, I will hide myself in his way, and when he passeth by I will smite him with the sword and slay him. Dalit Khartoon replied, Thou canst not succeed in slaying him, save thou his soul. Asked he, and where is his soul? And she answered, many a time have I questioned him thereof, but he would not tell me, till one

day I pressed him, and he waxed wroth with me, and said to me, How often wilt thou ask me of my soul? What hast thou to do with my soul? I rejoined. O Hatim, there remaineth none to me but thou except Allah, and my life dependeth on thy life, and whilst thou livest, all is well for me. So except I care for thy soul,

and said in the apple of this mine eye, how shall I live in thine absence? And I knew where thy soul abideth, I would never cease whilst I live to hold it in mine embrace, and would keep it as my right eye. Whereupon said he to me, what time I was born, the astrologers predicted that I should lose my soul at the hands of the sun of a king of mankind. So I took it, and set it in the crop of a sparrow, and shut up the bird in a box. The box I set in a casket, and enclosing this in seven other casks, and seven chests lay the hole in an alabastrian coffer which I buried within the

marge of yon earth circling sea, for that these parts are far from the world of men, and none of them can win hither. So now see I have told thee what thou wouldst know, and do thou tell none thereof, for it is a secret between me and thee. And Scheherazade perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and seventy-th night, she said, it hath reached me, O auspicious king, that when Dahlad Khatun acquainted Saif al-Muluk with the whereabouts of the soul of the Jenny who had carried her off and repeated to him his speech, ending with, and this is a secret between me and thee, I rejoined, quoth she, to whom shall I tell it, seeing that none but thou

cometh hither with whom I may talk thereof, adding, by Allah, thou hast indeed set thy soul in the strongest of strongholds, to which none may gain access. How should a man win to it, unless the impossible be foreordained, and Allah decree like as the astrologers predicted? Thereupon the Jenny, per adventure one may come, having on his finger the seal-ring of Solomon's son of David on the Twain be peace, and lay his hand with the ring on the face of the water, saying, By the virtue of the names engraven upon this ring, let the soul of such and one come forth, whereupon the coffer will rise to the surface, and he will break it open, and do the like with the chest and caskets till he come to the little box, when he will take out the sparrow and

strangle it, and I shall die. Then said Sahif al-Maluk, I am the king's son of whom he spake, and this is the ring of Solomon David's son on my finger. So rise, let us go down to the seashore, and see if his words be leal or leasing. Thereupon the two walked down to the seashore, and the princess stood on the beach, whilst the prince waded into the water to his waist, and laying his hand with the ring, on the surface of the sea, said, By the virtue of the names and talismans engraven on this ring, and by the might of Suleiman bid dowd, on whom be the peace, let the soul of Hatim the Ginny, son of the blue king, come forth. Whereat the sea boiled in billows, and the coffer of alabaster rose to the surface,

Saif al-Mulhu took it and shattered it against the rock, and broke open the chest and caskets, came to the little box, and drew thereout the sparrow. Then the twain returned to the castle, and sat down on the throne, but hardly had they done this, when lo and behold, there arose a dust-cloud terrifying, and some huge thing came flying and crying, spare me, O king's son, and slay me not, but make me thy freedmen, and I will bring thee to thy desire. Quoth Dalut Katoon, The jinny cometh, slay the sparrow, lest this accursed enter the palace, and take it from thee, and slaughter me, and slaughter thee after me. So the prince wrung the sparrow's neck, and it died, whereupon the genie fell down at the palace door, and became a heap of black

ashes. Then said Daluk Katoon, we are delivered from the hand of yonder accursed, what shall we do now, and Saif Almuluk replied, It behooveth us to ask aid of Allah Almighty, who hath afflicted us, be like he will direct us and help us to escape from this our strait. So saying he arose, and pulling up half a score of the doors of the palace, which were of sandalwood, and line aloes, with nails of gold and silver, bound them together with ropes of silk and floss silk, and fine linen, and wrought of them a raft, which he and the princess aided each other to hail down to the sea-shore. They launched it upon the water till it floated, and making it fast to the beach, returned to the palace, whence they removed all the chargers of gold and saucers of silver

and jewels and precious stones and metals, and what else was light of load, and weighty of worth, and freighted the raft therewith. Then they embarked after fashioning two pieces of wood into the likeness of paddles, and casting off the rope moorings, let the raft drift out to sea with them, committing themselves to Allah the most high, who contenteth those that put their trust in him, and disappointeth not them who rely upon him. They ceased not faring on thus four months, until their victual was exhausted, and their sufferings waxed severe, and their souls were straightened. So they prayed Allah to vouchsafe them deliverance from that danger. But all this time when they lay down to sleep, Saif al-Muluk set Dalukatun behind him and laid a naked brand at his back,

so that when he turned in sleep the sword was between them. At last it chanced one night when Saif al-Maluk was asleep, and Dalut Katoon awake, that behold, the raft drifted landwards and entered a port wherein were ships. The princess saw the ships and heard a man, he being the chief and head of the captains, talking with the sailors, whereby she knew that this was the port of some city, and that they were come to an inhabited country. So she joyed with exceeding joy, and waking the prince, said to him, asked the captain the name of the city and harbor. Thereupon Saif al-Maluka rose and said to the captain, O my brother, how is this harbor height, and what be the names of yonder city and its king replied the captain.

O false face! O frosty beard! And thou knew not the name of this port and city? How cameest thou hither? Quoth Saif al-Maluk, I am a stranger and had taken passage in a merchant-ship which was wrecked and sank with all on board, but I saved myself on a plank and made my way hither,

wherefore I asked thee the name of the place, and an asking is no offense. Then said the captain, This is the city of Amaria, and this harbor is called Kamin al-Baran. When the princess heard this, she rejoice with exceeding joy, and said, Praise be Allah, he asked.

What is to do? And she answered, O Saif Amaluk, rejoice and succor near hand, for the king of this city is my uncle, my father's brother. And Shahrazad perceived the doubt, dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and seventy-first night, she continued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Dalit Katoon said to Saif al-Maluk,

rejoice in safety near hand, for the king of the city is my uncle, my father's brother, and his name is Ali al-Maluk, adding, Say thou then to the captain, Is the sultan of the city Ali al-Maluk well? He asked, but the captain was wroth with him, and cried, Thou sayest I am a stranger, and never in my life came hither, who then told thee the name of the lord of the city? When Dalut Katoon heard this, she rejoiced,

and knew him for Mouin al-Din, one of her father's captains. Now he had fared forth in search of her, after she was lost and finding her not he never ceased cruising till he came to her uncle city then she bade saif al-muluk say to him o captain mouin al dind come and speak with thy mistress So he called out to him as she bade, whereat he was wroth with exceeding wrath, and answered, O dog, O thief, O spy, who art thou, and how knowest thou me? Then he said to one of the sailors, Give me an ash dave that I may go to yonder plaguing Arab and break his head. So he took the stick and made for Saif Amaluk, but when he came to the raft he saw something wondrous,

beauteous which confounded his wits, and considering it straightly he made sure that it was Dalit Catoon sitting there, as she were a slice of the moon, whereat he said to the prince, Who is that with thee? replied he, a damsel by name, Dalut Catoon. When the captain heard the princess's name, and knew that she was his mistress and the daughter of his king, he fell down in a fainting fit, and when he came to himself, he left the rat, and he left the raft and what so was thereon, and riding up to the palace, craved an audience of the king, whereupon the Chamberlain went into the presence, and said, Captain Moina Arden has come to bring the good news, so bid he be brought in.

The king bade admit him. Accordingly he entered, and kissing grounds said to him, O king, thou oest me a gift for glad tidings, for thy brother's daughter, Dallat Catoon, hath reached our city safe and sound. and it is now on a raft in the harbor in company with a young man like the moon on the night of its full when the king heard this he rejoiced and conferred a costly robe of honor on the captain Then he straightway bade decorate the city in honor of the safe return of his brother's daughter, and sending for her and Saif al-Muluk, saluted the twain and gave them joy of their safety, after which he dispatched a messenger to his brother, to let him know that his daughter was found and was with him.

As soon as the news reached Tajalmuluk, he got him ready, and assembling his troops, set out for his brother's capital, where he found his daughter, and they rejoiced, with exceeding joy. He surgeoned with his brother a week, after which he took his daughter and Saif al-Muluk and returned to Saram-Dib, where the princess four gathered with her mother, and they rejoiced at her safe return, and held high festival, and that day was a great day, never was seen its like. As for Saif al-Maluk, the king entreated him with honor, and said to him, O Saif al-Maluk,

hast done me and my daughter all this good for which I cannot requite thee, nor can any requite thee save the Lord of the Three Worlds. But I wish thee to sit upon the throne in my stead, and rule the land of Hind, for I offer thee of my throne and kingdom and treasures and servants, all this in free gift to thee. Whereupon Saif Almuluk rose, and kissing the ground before the king, thanked him, and answered, O king of the age! I accept all thou givest me, and return it to thee in freest gift, for I, O king of the

age, covet not sovereignty, nor sultanate, nor desire aught but that Allah the most high bring me to my desire. Rejoin the king, O Saif al-Maluk, these my treasures are at thy disposal, take of them what thou wilt without consulting me, and Allah requite thee for me with all will. Quoth the prince, Allah advance. the king. There is no delight for me in money or in dominion till I win my wish. But now I have a mind to solace myself in the city, and view its thoroughfares and market streets. So the king bade bring him a mare of the thoroughbreds, saddled and bridled, and Saif al-Maluk mounted her, and rode through the streets and markets of the city. As he looked about him right and left,

lo, his eyes fell on a young man, who was carrying a tunic. and crying it for sale at fifteen dinars. So he considered him, and saw him to be like his brother, Saeed, and indeed it was his very self, but he was wan of blee, and changed for long strangerhood, and the travails of travel, so that he knew him not. However, he said to his attendants, Take yonder youth, and carry him to the palace where I lodge, and keep him with you till my return from the ride, when I will question him. But they understood him to say, Carry him to the prison, and said in themselves,

Happily this is some runaway Mamluk of his, so they took him and bore him to the bridewell, where they laid him in irons and left him seated in solitude, unremembered by any. Presently Saif al-Muluk returned to the palace, but he forgot his brother Saeed, and none made mention of him. So he abode in prison,

and when they brought out the prisoners to cut, Ashlar from the quarries, they took Saeed with them, and he wrought with the rest. He abode a month's space in the squalor and sore sorrow, pondering his case and saying in himself, What is the cause of my imprisonment? While Saif al-Maluk's mind was diverted from him by rejoicing in other things, but one day as he sat he bethought him of Saeed and said to his Mamluks, Where is the white slave I gave into your charge on such a day? Quoth they, didst thou not bid us bear him to the bride well? And quoth he, Nay, I said not so.

I bade you carry him to my palace after the ride. Then he sent his chamberlains and emirs for Saeed, and they fetched him in fetters, and loosing him from his irons, set him before the prince, who asked him, O young man, what countryman art thou? And he answered, I am from Egypt, and my name is Saeed, son of Ferris, the wazir. Now hearing these words, Saif al-Muluk sprang to his feet, and throwing himself off the throne, and upon his friend, hung on his neck, weeping aloud for very joy, and saying,

Oh, my brother, O Saeed, praise be Allah for King Asim. Then they embraced and shed tears together, and all who were present marveled at them. After this, Saif Almuluk bade his people bear Saeed to the Haman bath, and they did so. When he came out, they clad him in costly clothing and carried him back to Saif al-Muluk, who seated him on the throne beside himself. When King Taj Amuluk heard of the reunion of Saif al-Muluk and his brother Saeed, he joyed with you exceeding and came to them. And the three sat devising of all that had befallen them in the past from first

to last. Then said Said, O my brother, O Saif al-Maluk, when the ship sank with all on board, I saved myself on a plank with a company of Mamalukes, and it drifted with us a whole month, when the wind cast us by the ordinance of Allah Almighty upon an island. So we landed, and entering among the trees, took to eating of the fruits, for we were a-hungered. Whilst we were busy eating, there fell on us unawares, folk like Iffret's, and springing on our shoulders, rode us and said to us, go on with us, for ye are become our asses. So I said to him who had mounted me, what art thou, and why mountest thou me? At this he twisted one of his legs about my neck till I was all but dead, and beat upon my back the while with the other leg,

till I thought he had broken my backbone. So I fell to the ground. So I fell to the ground. on my face, having no strength left in me for famine and thirst. From my fall he knew that I was hungry, and taking me by the hand, led me to a tree laden with fruit, which was a pear-tree, and said to me, Eat thy fill of this tree. So I ate till I had enough, and rose to walk against my will, but ere I had fair to far the creature turned, and leaping on my shoulders again, drove me on, now walking, now running, and now trotting, and he the while mounted on me, laughing and saying, Never in my life saw I a donkey like unto thee. We abode thus for years till one day of the days it chanced that we saw there great plenty of vines covered with ripe fruit, so we gathered a

quantity of great bunches, and throwing them into a pit, trod them with our feet, till the pit became a great water-pool. Then we waited a while, and presently, returning thither, found that the sun had rotten on the grape-juice, and it was become wine. So we used to drink it till we were drunken, and our faces flushed, and we fell to singing and dancing, and running about in the merriment of drunkenness. Whereupon our master said to us, What is it that reddeneth your faces, and maketh you dance and sing? We replied, Ask us not, what is your quest in questioning us hereof but they insisted saying you must tell us so that we may know the truth of the case till we told them how we had pressed grapes and made wine quoth they give us to drink thereof but quoth we their grapes are spent so they brought us to a wadi whose length we knew not from its breath nor its beginning from its end wherein were vines each bunch of grapes on them weighing twenty pounds by the scale and all with an easy reach and they said gather of these so we gathered a

mighty great store of grapes and finding there a big trench bigger than the great tank in the king's garden we filled it full of fruit this we trod with our feet and did with the juice as before till it became strong wine which it did after a month whereupon we said to them tis come to perfection but in what will you drink it, and they replied, we had asses like unto you, but we ate them and kept their heads, so give us to drink in their skulls. We went to their caves, which we found, full of heads and bones of the sons of Adam, and we gave them to drink, when they became drunken and lay down, nigh two hundred of them. Then we said to one another, is it not enough that they should ride us, but they must eat us also?

There is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah the glorious the great. But we will ply them with wine, till they are overcome by drunkenness, when we will slay them and be at rest from them. Accordingly, we awoke them, and fell to filling the skulls, and gave them to drink. But they said, This is bitter. We replied, Why say, yea, tis bitter? Whoso sayeth us, except he drink of it ten times, he diethetheth same day. When they heard this, they feared death and cried to us, Give us to drink the whole ten times. So we gave them to drink, and when they swallowed the rest of the tin draughts, they waxed drunken exceedingly, and their strength failed them, and they availed not to mount us. Thereupon we dragged them together by their hands, and laying them one upon another, collected great plenty of dry vine stalks and branches and heaped it about and upon them then we set fire to the pile and stood afar off to see what became of them and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say end of section forty five recording by pam castile Section 46 of the Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7.

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 Pam Castile. The Book of A Thousand Nights and a Night, Volume 7 by Anonymous, translated by Richard Francis Burton. Section 46 When it was the 772

night she pursued It hath reached me, O auspicious king, That Said continued, When we set fire to the pile wherein were the ghouls, I with the mamelukes stood afar off To see what became of them,

And as soon the fire was burnt out, We came back and found them a heap of ashes, Wherefore we praised Allah, Almighty, who had delivered us from them. Then we went forth about the island and sought the seashore, where we parted, and I and two of the Mamalukes fared on, till we came to a thick copse full of fruit, and there busied ourselves with eating, and behold, presently up came a man tall of stature, long of beard, and lengthy of ear, with eyes like cressets, driving before him and feeding a great flock of sheep. When he saw us he rejoiced and said to us,

Welcome and fair welcome to you. Draw near me that I may slaughter you, And you of these sheep, And roast it and give you to eat. Quoth we, Where is thine abode? And quoth he, Hard by yonder mountain,

Go on towards it till ye come to a cave And enter therein, For you will see many guests like yourselves, And do ye sit with them, whilst we make ready for you the guest meal. We believed him so fared on as he bade us, till we came to the cavern, where we found many guests, sons of Adam, like ourselves,

but they were all blinded, and when we entered one said, I'm sick, and another I'm weak. So we cried to them, what is this you say, and what is the cause of your sickness and weakness? They asked, Who are ye?

And we answered, We are guessed. Then they said, What hath made you fall into the hands of yonder accursed? But there is no majesty, and there is no might, save in Allah the glorious, the great. This is a ghoul who devoureth the sons of Adam, and he hath blinded us, and meaneth to eat us. Said we, And how did he blind you? And they replied, even as he will blind yourselves anon quoth we and how so and quoth they he will bring you bowls of soured milk and will say to you ye are weary with wayfair take this milk and drink it and when ye have drunken thereof ye will become blind like us said i to myself there is no escape for us but by contrivance so i dug a hole in the ground and sat over it. After an hour or so, in came the accursed ghoul with bowls of milk, whereof he gave to each of us, saying, Ye come from the desert and are a thirst,

so take this milk and drink it, whilst I roast you the flesh. I took the cup and carried it to my mouth, but emptied it into the hole. Then I cried out, Alas, my sight is gone, and I am blind, and clapping my hand to my eyes, fell a weeping and a wailing, whilst the accursed laughed and said, Fear not, thou art now become like mine other guest. But as for my two comrades, they drank the milk and became blind. Thereupon the ghoul arose, and stopping up the mouth of the cavern, came to me and felt my ribs, but found me lean and with no flesh on my bones. So he tried another, and finding him fat, rejoiced.

Then he slaughtered three sheep and skinned them, and fetching iron spits, spitted the flesh thereon, and set them over the fire to roast. When the meat was done, he placed it before my comrades, who ate and he with them, after which he brought a leather bag full of wine, and drank thereof, and lay down prone and snorily. Lord, said I to myself, he's drowned in sleep. How shall I slay him? Then I bethought me of the

spits, and thrusting two of them into the fire, waited till they were as red-hot coals. Whereupon I arose and girded myself, and taking a spit in each hand, went up to the accursed ghoul, and thrust them into his eyes, pressing upon them with all my might. He sprang to his feet for sweet life, and would have laid hold of me, but he was blind. So I fled from him into the inner cavern whilst he ran after me, but I found no place of refuge from him, nor whence I might escape into the open country, for the cave was stopped up with stones. Wherefore I was bewildered and said to the blind men,

How shall I do with this accursed? replied one of them. O Said, with a run and a spring, mount up to yonder niche, and thou wilt find there a sharpened scimitar of copper. Bring it to me, and I will tell thee what to do. So I climbed to the niche, and taking the blade, returned to the blind man who said to me, smite him with the sword in his middle, and he will die forthright.

So I rushed after the ghoul who was weary with run, after me and felt for the blind men that he might kill them and coming up to him smote him with the sword a single stroke across his waist and he fell in twain then he screamed and cried out to me oh men and thou desire to slay me strike me a second stroke accordingly I was about to smite him another cut but he who had directed me to the niche and the cimitar said smite him not a second time, for then he will not die, but will live and destroy us. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased saying her permitted say.

When it was the seven hundred and seventy-third night, she resumed, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Saeed continued, Now when I struck the ghoul with the sword he cried out to me, O man, and thou desire to slid, me, strike me a second stroke. I was about so to do when he who had directed me to the scimitar said, smite him not a second time, for then he will not die but will live and destroy us. So I held my hand as he bade me and the ghoul died. Then said the blind man to me, open the mouth of the cave and let us fare forth. So happily Allah may help us and bring us to rest

from this place. And I said, No harm can come to us now. Let us rather abide here and repose and eat of these sheep and drink of this wine, for long is the land. Accordingly we tarried there two months, eating of the sheep and of the fruits of the island, and drinking the generous grape-juice till it so chanced one day as we sat upon the beach we caught sight of a ship looming large in the distance. So we made signs for the crew, and hollied to them. They feared to draw near, knowing that the island was inhabited by a ghoul, who ate Adamites, and would have sheared off, but we ran down to the marge of the sea, and made signs to them, with our turban ends, and shouted to them, whereupon one of the sailors, who was sharp of sight, said to the rest,

Hark ye comrades, I see these men formed like ourselves, for they have not the fashion of ghouls. So they made for us little by little till they drew near us in the dinghy, and were certified that we were indeed human beings, when they saluted us and we returned their salaam, and gave them the glad tidings of the slaying of the accursed. Wherefore they thanked us. Then we carried to the ship all that was in the cave of stuffs and sheep and tree. treasure, together with a viatacum of the island fruits, such as should serve us days and months, and embarking sailed on with the fair breeze three days, at the end of which the wind veered round

against us, and the air became exceedingly dark, nor had an hour passed before the wind drove the craft onto a rock, where it broke up and its planks were torn asunder. However, the great God decreed that I should lay hold of one of the world. of the planks, which I bestrode, and it bore me along two days, for the wind had fallen fair again, and I paddled with my feet a while, till Allah the most high brought me safe ashore, and I landed and came to this city, where I found myself a stranger, solitary, friendless, not knowing what to do, for hunger was sore upon me, and I was in great tribulation. Thereupon I, O my brother, hid myself, and pulling off this

my tunic, carried it to the market, saying in my mind, I will sell it and live on its price, till Allah accomplish to me what so he will accomplish. Then I took the tunic in my hand, and cried it for sale, and the folk were looking at it and bidding for it when, O my brother, thou camest by, and seeing me commandest me to the palace, but thy pages arrested and thrust me into the prison, and there I abode till thou be thought. And, thou't thou, Thottest thee of me, and bates to bring me before thee. So now I have told thee what befell me, and Halam Dolilah glorified be God, for reunion. Much marveled the two kings at Saeed's tale, and Taj al-Muluk, having made ready a goodly dwelling for Saif al-Muluk, and his wazir,

Dulut Katoon, used to visit the prince there and thank him for his favors, and talk with him. One day he met her and said to her, my lady, where is the promise thou madeest me in the palace of Japheth, son of Noah, saying, were I with my people, I would make shift to bring thee to thy desire? And Saeed said to her, O princess, I crave thine aid to enable him to win his will, answered she, yea verily, I will do my endeavor for him, that he may attain his aim, if it please Allah Almighty. And she turned to Saif al-Mulukin said to him,

be of good cheer and keep thine eyes cool and clear. Then she rose, and going into her mother, said to her, Come with me forthright, and let us purify ourselves, and make fumigations, that Badiah Jamal and her mother may come and see me and rejoice in me. Answered the queen, with love and goodly grie, and rising, betook herself to the garden, and burnt off these perfumes which she always had by her, nor was it long, before by D'al Jamal and her mother made their appearance. The queen of hen for gathered with the other queen and acquainted her with her daughter's safe return, whereat she rejoiced and rejoiced

in each other. Then they pitched the pavilions and dressed dainty viands, and made ready the place of entertainment, whilst the two princesses withdrew to a tent apart, and ate together and drank and made merry, after which they sat down to converse, and by D'Ale Jamal, said, What hath befallen thee in thy strangerhood? Replied, Dallat Catoon, O my sister, how sad is severance, and how gladsome is reunion. Ask me not what hath befallen me. O what hardships mortal suffer, cried she.

How so, and the other said to her. Oh, my sister, I was immured in the high-built castle of Jaffet's son of Noah, whither the son of the blue king carried me off, till saif al-muluk slew the jinny and brought me back to my sire and she told her to boot all that the prince had undergone of hardships and horrors before he came to the castle by di al-jamal marvelled at her tale and said by allah oh my sister this is the most wondrous of wonders this saif al-muluk is indeed a man but why did he leave his father and mother and betake himself to travel and expose himself to the these perils. Quoth Dalot-Catoun, I have a mind to tell thee the first part of his history, but shame of thee hindroth me therefrom. Quoth, by Dial Jamal, why shouldst thou have shame of me, seeing that thou art my sister and my bosom friend, and there is much a matter between thee and me,

and I know thou willest me not but well? Tell me then what thou hast to say, and be not abashed at me and hide nothing from me, and have no fear of consequences. Answered Dala Kattoon, by Allah all the calamities that have betided this unfortunate, have been on thine account, and because of thee. Asked by di Al-Jemal, how so, O my sister! And the other answered, Know that he saw thy portrait wrought on a tunic which thy father sent to Solomon's son of David, on the twain be peace, and he said, and he saw, he.

opened it, not neither looked at it, but dispatched it with other presence and rarities to Asimbid Safwan, king of Egypt, who gave it still unopened to his son Saif al-Muluk. The prince unfolded the tunic, thinking to put it on, and seeing thy portrait, became enamored of it, wherefore he came forth in quest of thee, and left his folk and reign, and suffered all these terrors and hardships on thine account. And Shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and seventy-fourth night, she said, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that Dalut Khartoon related to Badu al-Jama the first part of Saif al-Muluk's history,

how his love for her was caused by the tunic, whereon her presentment was wrought, how he went forth passion distraught in quest of her, how he forsook his people and his kingdom for her sake, and how he had suffered all these terrors and hardships on her account. When Badi Aljimal heard this, she blushed rosy red and was confounded at Dalit Katoon and said, Verily, this may never, never be, for man accordeth not with the gin. Then Dalit Kattoon went on to praise, Saifamuluk, and extolluk. stole his comeliness and courage and cavalieress, and ceased not repeating her memories of his prowess and his excellent qualities till she ended with saying,

For the sake of Almighty Allah and of me, O sister mine, come and speak with him, though but one word. But Badi al-Jamal cried, by Allah, O sister mine, this that thou sayest I will not hear, neither will I assent to thee therein. And it was as if she heard not of what the others said, and as if no love of Saif al-Muluk and his beauty and bearing and bravery had gotten hold upon her heart. Then Dalut Katoon humbled herself and said, O by the al-Jemal, by the milk we have sucked, I and thou, and by that which is graven on the seal-ring of Solomon. On whom be peace, harken to these my words, for I pledged myself in the high-builted castle, of Japheth to show him thy face. So Allah upon thee, show it to him once, for the love of me,

and look thyself on him. And she ceased not to weep and implore her, and kiss her hands and feet, till she consented and said, For thy sake I will show him my face once, and he shall have a single glance. With that, Dalukatoon's heart was gladdened, and she kissed her hands and feet. Then she went forth and fared to the great pavilion in the garden, and bade her slave-women spread it with carpets, and set up a couch of gold, and placed the wine vessels in order, after which she went into Saif al-Muluk, and to his wazir Saeed, whom she found seated in their lodging, and gave the prince the glad tidings of the winning of his wish, saying, Go to the pavilion in the garden, thou and thy brother, and hide yourselves there from the eyes of men, so none in the palace may

espy you till I come to you with by Dyal Jamal. So they rose and repaired to the appointed pavilion, where they found the couch of gold set and furnished with cushions, and meat and wine ready served. So they sat a while, whilst Saif al-Mulukh bethought him of his beloved, and his breast was strained, and love and longing assailed him. wherefore he rose and walked forth from the vestibule of the pavilion. Saeed would have followed him, but he said to him, O my brother, follow me not, but sit in thy stead till I return to thee. So Saeed abode seated, whilst Saif Almuluk went down into the garden,

drunken with the wine of desire and distracted for excess of love-longing and passion fire, yearning agitated him, and transport overcame him, and he recited these couplets. O passing fair, I have none else but thee. Pity this slave in thy love's slavery. Thou art my search, my joy, and my desire. None save thyself shall love this heart of me. Would heaven I knew thou newest of my wales,

Night long an eyelids oped by memory. Bid sleep to soren on these iron lids, Happily envision I thy sight shall see. Show favor then to one thus love's distraught, Save him from ruin by thy cruelty. Allah increased thy beauty and thy wheel, And be thy ransom every enemy. So shall on doomsday lovers range beneath thy flag and beauties neath thy banner be.

Then he wept and recited these also. That rarest beauty ever bides my foe, Who holds my heart and lurks in secrecy, Speaking, I speak of nothing save her charms, And when I'm dumb in heart-core, woneth she. Then he wept sore and recited the following, And in my liver higher flames the fire, You are my wish, and longsome still I yearn.

To you none other bend I, and I hope, hope, lovers long-suffering are your grace to earn. And that you pity me whose frame by love is waste and weak his heart with sore concern. Relent, be generous, tender-hearted kind. From you I'll ne'er remove from you ne'er turn. Then he wept and recited these also. Came to me care when came the love of thee. Cruel sleep fled me like thy cruelty.

tells me the messenger that thou are wrath allah forfend what evils told me he presently sa'id waxed weary of awaiting him and going forth in quest of him found him walking in the garden distraught and reciting these two couplets by allah by the almighty by his right who read the koran chapter fatir height near rome my glances o'er the charms i see Thy grace, rare beauty, is my talk by night. So he joined him, and the twain walked about the garden together, solacing themselves, and ate of its fruits. Such was their case, but as regards to the two princesses, they came to the pavilion and entering therein, after the eunuchs had richly furnished it,

according to command, sat down on the couch of gold, beside which was a window that gave upon the garden. The castratos then set before them all manner rich meats, and they ate, Dala Catoon, feeding her foster-sister by mouthfuls, till she was satisfied. When she called for divers kinds of sweetmeats, and when the neutrals brought them, they ate what they would of them, and washed their hands. After this D'Ale Catoon made ready wine and its service, setting on the ewers and bowls, and she proceeded to crown the cups, and give by the Aldeuxan, Jamal to drink, filling for herself after and drinking in turn. Then Badie al-Gemal looked from the window into the garden, and gazed upon the fruits and branches that were therein, till her glance fell on Saif al-Muluk, and she saw him wandering

about the partiers, followed by Saeed, and she heard him recite verses, raining the wild, railing tears, and that glance of eyes cost her a thousand signs. and saharazade perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section forty six recording by pam castile section forty seven of the book of a thousand nights and a night volume seven this is the librivox recording all librovoc's recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox dot org recording by pam castile the book of a thousand knights and a night volume seven by anonymous translated by richard francis burton section forty seven when it was the seven hundred and seventy-fifth night she continued it hath reached me o auspicious king that when badial jamal caught sight of saif al muluk as he wandered about the garden that glance of eyes that glance of eyes cost her a thousand sighs and she turned to Dalut Katoon and said to her and indeed the wines sported with her senses oh my sister who is that young man I see in the garden

distraught love abying disappointed sighing quoth the other does thou give me leave to bring him hither that we may look on him and quoth the other and thou can avail to bring him bring him so Dalit Katoon called to him, saying, O king's son, come up to us and bring us thy beauty and thy loveliness. Saif al-Muluk recognized her voice and came up into the pavilion, but no sooner had he set eyes on Badi al-Jamal, then he fell down in a swoon, whereupon Dalu Katoon sprinkled on him a little rose-water and he revived. Then he rose and kissed ground before Badi al-Jemal, who was amazed at his beauty and loveliness. And Dala Kattun said to her, Know, O princess, that this is Saifal-Muluk,

whose hands saved me by the ordinance of Allah Almighty, and he it is who hath borne all manner burdens on thine account, wherefore I would have thee look upon him with favor. Hearing this, by Di Al-Jemal laughed and said, And who keepeth faith that this you should do so, for there is no true love in men? cried Saif al-Muluk, O princess, never shall lack of faith be in me, and all men are not created alike, and he wept before her and recited these verses. O thou, by di Al-Jemal, show thou some clemency, to one those lovely eyes oppressed with witchery, by rites of beauteous hues and tense thy cheeks combine, of snowy white and glowing red anemone,

punish not with disdain one who is sorely sick by a long long parting waste hath waxed this frame of me this is my wish my will the end of my desire and union is my hope and happily this may be then he wept with violent weeping and love and longing got the mastery over him and he greeted her with these couplets peace be to you from lovers wasted love all noble heart to noble favor show peace be to you ne'er fail your form my dreams nor hall nor chamber the fair sight forego of you I'm jealous none may name your name lovers to lovers I should bend thee low So cut not off your grace from him who loves while sickness wastes and sorrows overthrow I watch the flowery stars which frighten me while carque and care mine every night for slow nor patience bides with me nor plan appears which shall I say when questioned of my foe God's peace be with you in the hour of need peace sent by lover patient

bearing woe then for the excess of his desire and ecstasy he repeated these couplets also if I to aught save you o lords of me incline ne'er may I win of you my wish my soul design who doth comprise all loveliness save only you who makes the doomsday dawn even now before design for be it love find any rest for I am one who lost for love of you this heart these vitals mine when he had made an end of his verses he wept with sore weeping and she said to him oh Prince I fear to grant myself holy to thee, lest I find in thee, nor fondness nor affection. For oftentimes man's fidelity is small, and his perfidy is great, and thou knowest how the Lord Solomon's son

of David, on whom be the peace, took Bilkins to his love, but, whenas he saw another fairer than she, turned from her thereto. Saif Almuluk replied, O my eye and O my soul, Allah hath not made all men alike, and I, inshallah, will keep my troth, and die beneath thy feet. Soon shalt thou see what I will do in accordance with my words, and for what so I say Allah is my warrant. Quoth by di Al-Jamal, Sit and be of good heart, and swear to me by the right of thy faith, and let us covenant together that each will not be false to other, and whichever of us breaketh faith may Almighty Allah punish. At these words he sat down and set his hand in her hand,

and they swear each two other that neither of them would ever prefer to the other any one, either of man or of the gen. Then they embraced for a whole hour and wept for excess of their joy, whilst passion overcame Saif al-Muluk, and he recited these couplets. I weep for longings love own ardency, to her who claims the heart and soul of me, and soars my sorrow parted long from you, and shorts my arm to reach the prize I see,

and mourning grief for what my patience marred, to blamers I unveiled my secrecy, and waxed straight that Willam was so wide, patience nor force remains nor power to dream. Would heaven I knew if God will, ever deign to join, our lives and from our kark and care and grief set free. After this mutual troth plighting, Saif al-Muluk arose and walked in the garden, and by Di Al-Jemal arose also and went forth also afoot, followed by a slave-girl,

bearing somewhat of food and a flask of wine. The princess sat down, and the damsel set the meat and wine before her, nor remained there long ere they were joined, by Saif al-Muluk, who was received with greeting, and the two embraced and sat them down. And Shahar-Assad perceived the dawn of day, and ceased to say her permitted say. When it was the seven hundred and seventy-sixth night, she pursued, It hath reached me, O auspicious king, that having provided food and wine, by Di Al-Jemal met Saif al-Muluk with greetings, and the twain having embraced and kissed sat them down a while to eat and drink then said she to him o king's son thou must now go to the garden of iram where dwelleth my grandmother and seek her consent to our marriage my slave goro-marsana will convey thee thither and as thou fairest therein thou wilt see a great pavilion of red satin lined with green silk enter the pavilion heartening thyself, and thou wilt see inside it an ancient dame sitting on a couch of red gold, set with pearls

and jewels. Salute her with respect and courtesy, then look at the foot of the couch, where thou wilt descry a pair of sandals of cloth interwoven with bars of gold, embroidered with jewels. Take them and kiss them, and lay them on thy head, then put them under thy right armpit, and stand before the old woman in silence, and with thy head bowed down. If she asked thee, who art thou, and how camest thou hither, and who led thee to this land? And why hast thou taken up the sandals? Make her no answer, but abide silent till Mourgana enter, when she will speak with her, and seek to win her a proof for thee, and cause her look on thee with consent. So happily Allah Almighty may incline her heart to thee, and she may grant her.

grant thee thy wish then she called the hand-made Marjana height and said to her as thou lovest me do my errand this day and be not neglectful therein and thou accomplish it thou shalt be a free woman for the sake of Allah Almighty and I will do honorably by thee with gifts and there shall be none dearer to me than thou nor will I discover my secrets to any save thee so by my love for thee fulfill this my need, and be not slothful therein. Replied Morgiana, O my lady, in light of mine eyes, tell me what it is thou requirest of me, that I may accomplish it with both mine eyes. Bidea rejoined, take this mortal on thy shoulders, and bear him to the bloom garden of Iran, and the pavilion of my grandmother, my father's mother, and be careful of his safety. When thou hast brought him into her presence, and ceased him take the slippers, and do them homage, and hearest her ask him, saying, Whence art thou, and by what road art come, and who led thee to this land,

and why hast thou taken up the sandals, and what is thy need that I give heed to it? Do thou come forward in haste, and salute her with the salaam, and say to her, O my lady, I am she who brought him hither, and he is the king's son of Egypt. Tis he who went to the high-built castle, and slew the son of the blue king, and delivered the princess Dalut Katoon from the castle of Japheth, son of Noah, and brought her back safe to her father, and I have brought him to thee, that he may give thee the glad tidings of her safety. So deign thou be gracious to him.

Then do thou say to her, Allah upon thee, is not this young man handsome, oh my lady? She will reply, yes, and do thou rejoin. O my lady, indeed he is complete in honor and manhood and valor, and he is Lord and king of Egypt, and compriseeth all praiseworthy qualities. And she asked thee, what is his need? Do thou make answer,

My lady saluted thee and saith to thee, How long shall she sit at home, a maid and unmarried? Indeed, the time is longsome upon her, For she is as a magazine wherein wheat is heaped up. What then is thine intent in leaving her without a mate, And why dost thou not marry her in thy lifetime, And that of her mother like other girls? If she say, how shall we do to marry her?

and she have anyone in mind, let her tell us of him, and we will do her will as far as may be. Do thou make answer, O my lady, thy daughter saith to thee, ye were minded aforetime to marry me to Solomon, on whom be peace, and portrayed him my portrait on a tunic, but he had no lot in me, so he sent the tunic to the king of Egypt, and he gave it to his son, who saw my portrait figured thereon, and fell in love with me, wherefore he left his father and mother's realm, and turning away from the world, and whatso is therein, went forth at a venture, a wanderer, loved, distraught, and hath borne the utmost hardships and honors for my sake of me. Now thou seest his beauty and loveliness, and thy daughter's heart is enamored of him,

so if you have a mind to marry her, marry her to this young man, and forbid her not from him, for he is young and passing calmly and king of Egypt, nor wilt thou find a goodlier than he, and if ye will not give her to him, she will slay herself and marry none neither man nor gin. And continued by Diajamaal, look thou, O Mourgana, Mamie, how thou mayest do with my grandmother to win her consent, and beguile her with soft words, so happily she may do my desire. Quoth the damsel, O my lady, upon my head and eyes, will I serve thee, and do what shall content thee? Then she took Saif Amaluk on her shoulders, and said to him, O king's son, shut thine eyes.

He did so, and she flew up with him into the wellkin, and after a while she said to him, O king's son, opened thine eyes. He opened them and found himself in a garden, which was none other than the Garden of Iram, and she showed him the pavilion and said, O Saif al-Muluk entered therein. Thereupon he pronounced the name of Allah Almighty, and entering, cast a look upon the garden, when he saw the old queen sitting on the couch, attended by her waiting women. So he drew near her with courtesy and reverence, and taking the sandals, bust them, and did as Badi al-Jamal had enjoined him. Quote the ancient dame.

thou, and what is thy country? Whence comest thou, and who brought thee hither, and what may be thy wish? Wherefore dost thou take the sandals, and kiss them, and when did thou ask of me a favour which I did not grant? With this in came Mourgiana, and saluting her reverently and worshipfully, repeated to her what by the Al-Jamal had told her, which when the old queen heard she cried out at her, and was wrothed with her, and said, how shall there be a chord between men and gin and shahrazad perceived the dawn of day and ceased saying her permitted say end of section forty seven end of the book of a thousand knights and a night volume seven